5 Things To Give Up For The Love Of Success…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

Renowned author Arianna Huffington announced her top 13 Things To Give Up for success. From her list, I’ve selected my top 5. Here I share:

  1. Give up on playing it Small
  2. Give up on Excuses
  3. Give up on Perfectionism  
  4. Give up on saying YES to things that don’t support your goals
  5. Give up on Toxic People

So those are mine, what’s yours? My intention is to set up an Allergic reaction every time I deviate to keep me on track. Accountability partner, I know you’ve got my back.

Remember to be successful in life you must be willing to do more, think more, and go beyond the call of duty.

Cheers!

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The 25 Challenges Of Writing…

Writing is a joy. Being a first time publisher is exhilarating! But what’s difficult is some parts of the writing journey. In a Public forum authors were asked what was the hardest part of writing. Many eagerly chimed in with top issues such as marketing and editing. Here I share the top 25:

The Hardest Part Of Writing

  1. Marketing
  2. Building and attracting an audience
  3. A blank page
  4. Convincing people to read your book
  5. Being confident that you write for yourself first, then the secondary audience – the public
  6. Promoting
  7. Nothing really
  8. Editing because of perfectionist mentally
  9. Letting go…let the editing go to the editor
  10. Staying on track
  11. Not giving up
  12. Patience. Writing the book is the easy part
  13. Getting readers to write a review
  14. Staying on track
  15. Selling
  16. Being original
  17. Self Promotion
  18. Believing in yourself
  19. Starting
  20. Mindset challenges that keeps you stuck
  21. Prepping self for bad reviews
  22. Hoping people like your book
  23. Freedom from distraction and clean concentration
  24. Formatting is a pain if you try to do it yourself
  25. Time, space, peace and quiet

Lots said in the 25 points extracted from writers thoughts and opinions on writing. Each point we can dig deeper. But this gives an good grasp of the opportunities that exist in the book writing industry and for those who love their craft. Get an accountability partner. Collaborate with an experienced writer or coach who can help you ride the waves as you progress along the journey. Personally, I have helped many. But Whatever you do, just don’t give up.

Need help? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

Can’t Get Your Child To Read? 13 Ways To Spark That Fire…

Books are knowledge. Books are reflection. Books change your mind,

-Toni Morrison

How do you get your child to read? Popular question 21st century parents ask. It can also be extended to adults. Booklovers find themselves lost in books facing curiosity for the reason many defy reading as avidly as a decade ago. Too many distractions most say. Parents have it the hardest especially during the era of virtual games. But as far back as my own family’s history, I can think of my uncle who was a school principal, I received books on birthdays and holidays. Didn’t like it at the time but appreciate it in the years that ensued.

So, parents there’s hope. Here are 13 ways booklovers shared to spark that fire.

  1. Don’t be a nag
  2. Read more yourself. Children live what they learn
  3. Limit screen time from early
  4. Read stories to them
  5. Make bookstore visit a habit
  6. Let them pick books of their choice
  7. Dramatize characters. Make them come alive
  8. Watch movies on books of real life events then let them decide which is better – book or movie
  9. Display books around the house – Easy access.
  10. Make reading a habit
  11. Read books with exciting stories, then visit museums for visual effect
  12. Share amazing stories and when they ask what’s next, let them read the book for themselves
  13. Lead by example

Any points missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Cicely Tyson. Pioneer

I could not miss the launch of Pioneer and Award Winning Actress Cicely Tyson’s New Book titled “Just As I Am” tonight. Two hours later the news broke that she had passed.

She had marked the occasion with an inspiring discussion led by fellow award winning actress Whoopi Goldberg.

I enjoyed the soul-searching private virtual share between both …as Miss Tyson shared her mission which was to make a difference in how women, especially women of color, were portrayed on screen.

Cicely’s life mission depicts how to recognize when to Ditch a career and switch into one of purpose.

The book is definite Read.

Cheers!

HBR’s What Happens When Your Career Becomes Your Identity?

Is Your Career your identity?

What happens when your career becomes your identity? This Happens to so many of us? Here are 3 of the Questions HBR’s contributor Janna Koretz suggest asking yourself.

1. How do you think about your job outside the office?

2. How do you describe yourself? How much of this description is tied to your job, title, or company?

3.How would you feel if you could no longer continue in your profession?

Great questions. Read the article for the full analysis.

You may also listen to tips as I chat with Patricia Reid-Waugh or get a copy of my book ‘Your Career’ Ditch It? Switch it?’ Both provide a deeper dive into how you can ditch it and gain the identity that brings lasting satisfaction.

Cheers!

Dreams Come Through When Writers Write …

Such a delight to see the Dreams of winters come through especially when you played a part in it. Yes, thrilled I am! I met Miss Pat in 2016 in Washington DC after coordinating the recognition of her son as Honoree. I serve as member of the Honorary Host Committee for the Caribbean American Heritage Awards (CARAH). We hit it off immediately. She shared her dream to write her biography and over the years I encouraged, reviewed the development of the title, manuscript and chatted monthly during the book’s 3-4 year publishing journey.

It’s now a delight to hold the long awaited dream book titled ‘The Reggae Music Journey in hand. The book shares the journey of a 4ft tall Miss Pat who worked hard, persevered and brought Reggae Music to the streets of New York. Despite the difficulties of being a woman in business, she persevered. Now 40 years later, she shares the journey of hubby Vincent (deceased) and Pat. A journey that has made Reggae Music a Globally loved phenomenon.

In exchange for this great resource on the evolution of Reggae Music, she takes contributions to the Vincent and Pat Foundation in honor of the Alpha Boys Home. You will have no regrets. Ask singer Shaggy of the acclaimed song “it wasn’t me” and Marion Hall they will tell you the same.

So what are you waiting for? Go get it!

Cheers

Forge Ahead…

To Look back is to forge ahead.


To make a difference was my simple desire. Most if not all of us want to be successful in life. So I devoted my research to the topics of Success and Leadership. Afterall you have to lead yourself to be successful. It’s hard work.

My research began in 2010 and was published in 2013. To reach the masses I did the peer reviewed business journal article followed by my first book Success Strategies. 8 books later, I am still going. Still making a difference in the lives of aspiring authors helping them to publish their own book, encouraging those new to entrepreneurship and those who wish to switch jobs but are afraid to venture out into the unknown. It’s scary but it works.

Thanks to those who were at my side at the kickoff. Here are memories in pictures thanks to Nordia.

2021 Holiday Book Gift Guide…

A Book is a Gift you can open again and again

Garrison Keillor

Gifts For Your Personal Growth

Ditch It. Switch It.

That Perfect Getaway Read

Gifts To Motivate, Encourage And Inspire


GreenLight: When God Says Go

Do you think of retirement as a dead-end road to the Departure Lounge of life? Think again! Retirement, A New Adventure is full of ideas how to live an active, fun and enriching life in retirement. There are things to do, skills to learn, new technologies to embrace, people to meet, places to explore. What sets this book apart is the stories it provides from real life experiences of the author and others; stories that range from silly to serious, revealing how satisfying life in retirement can be.

Books For The New Entrepreneur

MOMENTS: MOTIVATIONAL AND INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS

Books For The Food Lover

The Sways Of Poetry

Books For The Child Reader

Stori Stori

A Conversation With Matriarch Pat Chin On Overcoming Barriers As A Woman In Business…

My Reggae Music Journey

Reggae Music Matriarch, Miss Patricia Chin shares her story and new book “My Reggae Music Journey from Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae and Dancehall”. Her name is synonymous with artists such as Beenie Man, Etana, Buju Banton, Beresford Hammond and many more. Sharing this conversation during Miami Book Fair’s Virtual Event.

In this discussion she shared her journey on overcoming Barriers as a woman in business.

Listen in and get a copy of her book at vandpfoundation.org proceeds of which goes to the Alpha Boys School.

Cheers!

A Literary Conversation With Author Of Ditch It. Switch It…

Physically distant, but socially engaged — Miami Book Fair Virtual event comes alive for author readings, conversations and workshops. It’s my delight to host Conversations with Authors and industry leaders .

Hear my story as I chat with Executive Coach and Diaspora Liaison Maxine Barnett.

21 Authors Share How Their Writing Journey Began…

Writers Write. Readers Read. Together they are one

I am always intrigued by stories, especially those told by others about new beginnings. Here I share as writers told how they writing journey was inspired.

  1. I wrote to escape the loneliness of my husband who had to work away from home as we transitioned to the cold north.
  2. When I moved away from my childhood friends
  3. My short essays and fiction have all been written from my life.
  4. It must have been engrained in my blood
  5. A nosey irritating neighbor who believed I needed company
  6. Daydreaming during a long commute that had dialogue and scenes that demanded to be written down
  7. 26 months solitary confinement with short stories from my childhood as a start
  8. A terribly boring book I read to my son at age 6. I knew I could do better
  9. God gave me the desire to write
  10. The pandemic and Quarantine made me take the plunge
  11. A dare from a neighbor
  12. Getting into trouble for talking in the study hall and being assigned to write a 500 word theme to write on anything I wanted as punishment. Next day I turned in a 13 page short story.
  13. My first novel resulted from an ugly divorce
  14. The loss of my beautiful baby boys.
  15. The ideas and content come to me in dreams. I have to just put them in order.
  16. Car accident that left me disabled for a while
  17. A dream and three nouns
  18. My right (creative) side of the brain dying a slow death in a left side dominant (rational) job
  19. My imagination
  20. Sitting in the airport for a 2-hour-layover, waiting on a flight to hunt with my kids. The rest is history
  21. Nature walk with just me and headphones

Interesting new beginnings! How about you? Do share how your own writing journey began. Here’s mine.

Cheers!

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