Strengthen The Writer In You…

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Strengthen the writer in you.

Xavier shouted “I’m starting to get lucky dad”. His father replied “no, you’re learning son”. Isn’t that the same with us? Like a child, we often think that we are getting lucky when it’s really our trial and error when climbing the ladder to our goals that makes us ‘lucky’.

Write. The Journey. The Learning

We improve our best efforts over time. It’s in no way luck. Try, try, and try again. In so doing we make marked improvements …often without even realizing. Let’s take for example a writer.

At first we find ourselves with writers block, sometimes caused by doubting whether we can get to the finish line. We ponder questions such as will I ever finish the blog? That book? How can I write a book when I cannot even write a page? We don’t realize that we get to the end result by first writing a sentence. Then a paragraph. Then 2 or 3 paragraphs until we get to a page. Before we know it, we have written a chapter. Then another, and another, until the book is complete.

Our writing craft improves as we progress. In time our muscles strengthen and before long we get compliments from others about our writing.

Stress is an Enabler

So all in all, we strengthen our best efforts over time. Acknowledge that stress is in fact an enabler. But know that the stress is lessened over time as we get constant practice. Then our confidence rises and we can confidently acknowledge that we are starting to get ‘lucky‘.

Happy Writing!

Cheers!

 

 

South Florida Writers Of Color Literary Magazine, 2nd Edition…

You can. You should and if you are brave enough to start, you will. Writing is magic as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free so drink. Drink and be filled.  ~Stephen King

 

The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. ~Dylan Thomas

The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins, South Florida Writers of Color Literary Magazine. An Online Literary Magazine. Read. Indulge your writing prowess in these editions:

South Florida Writers of Color Magazine 1st Edition

South Florida Writers of Color Magazine 2nd Edition

Hope you are inspired to write.

Cheers!

Writers Writing Place. Indoors Or Out? 17 Confess…

Write. Just Write. 

Are you most comfortable when you write at home in private or out at a local coffee shop? That was the question asked in a public writers’ forum. Curious, I dived in to hear what other writers had to say. Here I share response from writers who feverishly chimed in.

  1. I write anywhere as long as the place is quiet and/or nature is all around
  2. At home, but if the inspiration comes anywhere else I will scratch down the basic idea and pursue it later
  3. Home
  4. I write only at home but read everywhere
  5. I used to think I needed to be some place else in order to truly write but during quarantine, I have learned that I can write at home and be extremely productive
  6. Anywhere so long as I get the inspiration to write
  7. If I am alone then at home. But I’ve also found being out at the bookstore made it almost easier to write and finish a scene
  8. Usually at a coffee shop. I can focus
  9. Both. I write differently given the location
  10. Driving at night when I am alone, I tend to talk to myself and come up with some good details. I record them with an audio file on my phone and plan on some day to get them all typed up so I can put them together
  11. I write in the privacy of a spare room
  12. Either, as long as its not too noisy
  13. Home, unless I am at the library
  14. In Public
  15. A mix. I do miss the neighborhood coffee shops during this quarantine
  16. I like to write at home. I sit at my computer with some thunderstorms on YouTube in my headphone and type away
  17. Anywhere

What’s your preference? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

 

A Nod And A Smile Among The 4 New Ways That Replaced The Handshake…

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Is the traditional handshake a thing of the past? Has it been replaced by fear? Caution reigns with its mighty power. Yep, the worldwide Pandemic has infiltrated business and traditional code of ethics for greeting colleagues, business partners, interviewees and networking. But as things change we need to adapt. The Society of HR Managers (SHRM) shared its 7 Alternatives. When next we connect in person, it might be a nod and a smile ingrained in a touch of social distancing in the midst. Here I share my top 4 pulled from the SHRM list.

Handshake Alternatives

  1. Offer a Nod and a Smile
  2. Make a Good First impression … a pleasant wave will do
  3. Focus on eye contact
  4. Develop a workplace code (corporate cultural adjustment)

It’s the new normal. From the list above which do you intend to use? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

Social Distancing. 21 Things To Do…

With the influx of the pandemic worldwide many regular activities have come to a halt. Kids are home from school. Businesses have closed or implemented work-from-home with only a skeletal staff in office. Things are just basically at a standstill. What can you do when the work stops? When maintaining Social Distance confines you to your home? Beauty Bites and Radical Transformation Projects gave a few tips. Here I share my personal favs of 21 things that you can try:

  1. Sleep. Go ahead. You’ve always wanted to do it. Now you’ve got the time. Do it
  2. Listen to an audio-book
  3. Create a vision board of your dream life and hang it where you can see it
  4. Read a book
  5. Start a blog
  6. Watch motivational speeches online
  7. Make a self-care kit for when you feel down
  8. Write poetry
  9. Plan your week, month, year!
  10. Learn a new recipe
  11. Write a list of things you are thankful for
  12. Dance! Dance in your home
  13. Go for a walk.
  14. Enjoy nature
  15. Make a list of things you’re grateful for
  16. Learn a new language
  17. Make a list of the places you would like to visit
  18. Declutter your phone
  19. Plan to do something different every month for the rest of the year
  20. Update your resume…just in case
  21. Connect spiritually

Try something new!

Cheers!

Ditch It. Switch It. A Story…

Most of us have only one story to tell. I don’t mean that only one thing happens to us in our lives: there are countless events, which we turn into countless stories. But there’s only one that matters, only one finally worth telling. The tale of someone’s life begins before they are born.

Listen to my interview with former Regional Director turned Radio personnel, singer, songwriter, Poet and Musician shares how he Ditched It to do what he loves in order to follow his passion. Learn the strategies he used.

Most important his audience was exposed to the inner secrets of the man behind the mic.

Stay tuned for new book soon to be released “Your Career: Ditch It. Switch It”

Cheers!

Writer To Entrepreneur: Top 11 Steps To Success…

You can make anything by writing.”
–C.S. Lewis

Developing your writing craft is not easy. As authors we stick to it because it’s our passion. The zeal with which we are connected is likened to a web but one in which we wish not to escape.

Many are the traditional thinking that authors hardly make money, let alone survive while working on their craft. But what do you say to the likes of Stephen King, Poet Maya Angelou, Harry Potter’s J.K. Rowling and countless others. You may say that they are successful because they are well known. Banish that thought and delve into the story of Stephen King who was rejected so many times that he actually threw in the trash his best selling novel. Were it not for his wife, the world would not have enjoyed this story’s amazing work.

So here I share excerpts of my presentation on the topic of “From Books to Bucks”, held at the South Florida’s Writers Book Festival.

Books 2 Bucks

  1. Write Quality Work
  2. Books can have babies. Think of workbooks, series, and so much more
  3. Convert your book to Audio
  4. Create an audience through tapping into Podcast listener-ship
  5. Translate your Book into a different language. Oh the new audience it brings
  6. Convert your book to film, movie, documentary
  7. Written non-fiction? Immense business opportunities exists. Think of workshops, Spoken-Word, how-to events and more
  8. In the arts? Use your book as the stepping stone to fashion and design
  9. Want to develop and grow your passion? Stick with the right people
  10. Become a Conference Speaker. Share your expertise
  11. Don’t sit on it, enter your book for an Award

Want to go from Books to Bucks, Select from the list, focus your craft on the point(s) you believe you will get best win, then promote, promote, promote. Marketing your work is the key to success and it does not have to cost you a ton. Use social media wisely. It can help you grow into something you never thought you could be.

I end with encouraging you to Be Serious about your craft. SHOW UP and promote, promote, promote.

Cheers!

Maps: My Muse, My Story.

My Travel. My Muse. Maps and my Story.
What’s yours?

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

Where I’m From

Jamaica. Lazy Beaches. No Problem


Where I’ve Lived

Toronto, Canada

Florida. The Sunshine State

Washington DC. The Nation’s Capital

Furthest I’ve Traveled

Kenya, East Africa

Where I Want to Go

Venice. Dreams of  Cafes and Gondola

Paris. The City of Lights

<a href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/city/”>City</a>

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Book Festival Panel Lead: How To Make The Leap From Writer To Entrepreneur …

Humbled to lead Panel Discussion on How To Make The Leap From Writer To Entrepreneur at the South Florida Writers Group Book Festival and Writers Conference February 22-23.

Panelists, Dr. Susan Davis, Dr Thea White and Susie Ingram will discuss the writing craft and How to Make the Leap from Writer to Entrepreneur.

Admission is FREE. See you there.

The Reason Behind The Write…

The reason behind the write.

It’s all about you.

Your Success. Personal Development. Growth. Inspire. Encourage.

Select one. Connect. Take the leap

Cheers!

Ditch It. Switch It. 8 Steps To Relaunch It…

Ditch it. Switch it. Relaunch it. Ditch? Switch What? Your career! That’s what.

A recent article shared Goalcast 8 steps to a successful career change. I reflected on which were more important, but coming from a place of experience in HR Leadership. I must agree that all is important. No step can be omitted if you want to do what you love.

Need a job to survive? Get one. You’ve gotta survive but once that’s done, don’t take your mind off where you want to go. Don’t settle. Each step is a journey to success. Here I share the 8 points with my own twists to get you moving.

1.Reflect on Why You Want to Change Your Job

Been doing the same thing for many years. Want a change. Got married. Started a family and you want to be available for the initial growth of your kids. Empty-nester who wants to go on a different path. To try a new thing. To go on a different direction. Or you need personal growth.

Whatever the situation, reflect on why you want to change.

2.Think about what you would like to do instead

What do you really like to do? What brings you the most satisfaction? What drives you to jump out of bed in the mornings? When do you feel like you’re working hard but not feeling it? Not realizing that time is passing by? Think about it. Then do that.

3.Think How you Can Achieve It

What can you Do to achieve it? Think about it. Is there a gap in the skills that you have and the skills that you’ll need to get into the new career that you want? If you don’t know go to the next step.

4.Research

Go do your research.

If it’s a new career then find out what you need to be successful. Do you have the skills? Certifications?

Don’t know what you want to do? Search. Do assessments to get to know you.

5.Investigate the Job Market

Are there jobs available for your desired career? Are you relocating …or do you need to consider relocating? How much does the job pay? Will it meet your desired standard of living? Investigate things like that.

6.NarrowDown your Options

Gather the data you researched about your career. Reflect on it. Analyze it. Picture yourself doing it, then make your decision. Select a path.

7.Create a plan

When will you be able to make the switch? Do you have enough money to make the change. If not plan it.

8.Create a Resume

Now it’s to time to create your resume to suit the job you want. Need help there are lot of resource out their from career counselors, google, resume writers to templates online.

Consider your skills. Pull together those skills relevant to the job you want. Tailor your resume to match the job You want.

Need help to make the leap? Let’s Connect or do it yourself through gleaning through my new book Ditch It. Switch It.

Cheers!

Writers: 50 Productivity Hacks For Entrepreneurs That You Can Use…

Paper, electronic or a combination of both? No matter your preference, you’re sure to find John Ramton’s 50 Productivity Hack’s For Entrepreneurs a great source of inspiration. Of his 50, here are my top 13 favs:

Top 13 Time Hacks

  1. Plan your day around your energy levels
  2. Optimize notification
  3. Schedule the time you actually need
  4. Plan themed days
  5. Pump up the jams
  6. The 2-minutes rule
  7. Don’t break the chain
  8. Just time learning
  9. Plan for interruptions
  10. Every Friday, review your calendar for the past week and the week coming
  11. Pencil in time to do nothing
  12. Unsubscribe and unfollow
  13. Give yourself a break

Which of the 50 did you like the most? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

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