writers – Page 33 – Success Strategies

Self-Care. Get A Dog. 9 Reasons…

Everything I know I learned from dogs. ~ Nora Roberts

Man’s best friend. In response to my article 9 Things to Do to Break the Monotony one writer suggested that I add “get a dog“. Hmmm… quite thought-provoking. From what others have said, a dog provides many benefits. Being the crazy researcher, I decided to dig deep to find out the benefits of having a dog (even though I grew up with dogs and my college student has a dog). So yes, they are a delight.

But why though? Here I share:

Benefits of Having A Dog

1.Dogs encourage physical wellbeing and healthy fitness routine

2. They reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and protect children from allergies

3. Dogs help encourage social interactions

4. There’s never a dull moment (tell me about it-smile)

5. They may save your life

6. They reduce anxiety

7. Teach children responsibility

8. Helps build self-confidence in children

9. They are good listeners. Bear your soul without fear of it coming back to haunt you

There you have it. Great reasons to get a dog and there are tons more. Are there any that would like to add? Do share, we would love to hear. So go get your furry friend today.

Cheers!

Break The Routine. Take A Sabbatical…

Only it seems to me that once in your life before you die you ought to see a country where they don’t talk in English and don’t even want to. ~Thornton Wilder

I ordered a coffee and a little something to eat and savored the warmth and dryness. Somewhere in the background Nat King Cole sang a perky tune. I watched the rain beat down on the road outside and told myself that one day this would be twenty years ago. ~Bill Bryson

The Beauty. The Ease To Write…

I miss you.

Your tender love.

Your Warmth relax.

Your strokes caress

With you everything is okay.

My joy complete

My stress eased.

My space breathe.

My words flow.

Indeed …you take my breath away.

You are My love. My joy. My peace.

That’s the reason I WRITE

To tell my story

To Release

To encourage

To motivate

To captivate

Because what’s inside can’t wait to be released

I thank you. I praise you.

I Can’t wait to be with you again.

My heart. My writing soul.

What’s Your Why? Here’s Mine…

Actions are visible, motives are secret. ~Samuel Johnson

Affluent, distinguished, go-getter one day she suffered a stroke. In an instant Alice’s life changed. Weekly physical therapy became routine to return to normal. Sadly, the job she previously had also left her.

Despondent she wanted to know what to do. She decided to search before the end came. Sad and down she called. We talked and talked for days, weeks and after several rounds of coaching she excitedly announced to her peers that she got another job….one directly related to her dreams. She felt alive again.

Sheryl, a journalist for well more than a decade was tired of her job. But each time we talked about her career change… it seems she got pregnant. Two children later she decided she had enough. It was time to take the leap. She acted. Today she’s excited about her new job and her career change.

Chloe, a bank manager, wanted to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Instead she took the leap to another well paying banking opportunity where she commuted 3 hours to and from work every day. Sadly, her stride to achieve her goal halted. She was devastated. Today she’s still waiting.

Here’s Why I Coach

I do it to help you achieve your goals, your dreams, your aspirations. I do it to bring out what’s inside. To make it real as it did for Alice and Sheryl. However, if you are like Chloe there is still hope for success. But don’t wait too long. Get the book Ditch It. Switch It today. Let’s connect and start your journey now.

Cheers!

The Scariest Moment…

The scariest moment is just before you start. ~Stephen King

Is that you? Is that me? We suffer a loss and we are frozen. We lose a key contract and we are frozen. When writing we want the words to flow and we are frozen. Sickness, health, business crisis, job-loss, a wayward child, spousal disappointment. In all of these, if we are not strong, we become frozen. Scared. Stuck.

We reflect on the story of the eccentric Miss Havisham in Charles Dickens novel, Great Expectations. Her fiancé left her at the altar and she remained scared…frozen in time. She lived the rest of her life in her wedding gown never able to recoup.

Steven King was the opposite. He was turned down numerous times for his writings. Estée Lauder too. She was turned away many times for something she believed in. Her product. Her perfume.

Both of these individuals persisted and never gave up on something they believed in. Both remained steadfast. Unfrozen. And in that state, they were able to achieve their best. They achieved success and became known among society’s finest.

Have you suffered a setback? Have you become frozen? Take the step to break-free! Become an object of admiration. Hold your head up high. Ask, seek, knock, connect! You will then be able to move on despite the odds. Unfreeze.

Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

Your Doubts Create Mountains. Your Actions Move Them…

Doubts. Your Actions Move Them

The Very Thing That I Spent Years To Build Has Turned Out To Be My Worst Nightmare…

Tis sad. As I reflect, I have come to realize that the very thing that I sought; the thing that I spent years to build; the very thing that I depleted my resources for…has turned out to be my worst nightmare.

Education

Yup it’s education. I invested my resources in education. Every last penny that I had, I invested in higher education. When that was done, I took out student loans. My thinking? I’d have a great job that will pay me more than enough to cover my loans and have more left over to live comfortably for the rest of my life.

Not So

Alarmed I now realize that it’s not so… for the very thing I sought, hides from me. They say I’m too qualified! It makes me weak to think of their mediocre thinking. Sad minds that don’t realize that the very thing they seek – qualified, experienced, good worker, committed, dedicated, forward-thinking, hardworking, results-driven, is the very thing they push away.

So what do I do?

The Future Is Bright

This rant was shared with me by a friend. Tis Sad. For her it’s education. For you it might be a relationship with your spouse, children, family or friends. It might be your house, car, assets that you have worked long and hard for.

But though my friend has a point and it’s hard when she’s going through this rough patch, the Future is Bright! Daily I encourage her to never give up. To fight the good fight. Things will get better. Through prayer, resilience, and continued fight for a better life, the revelation will come . As she seeks clarity in her path she will realize that one day soon things will get better.

Are you like my friend, frustrated with retarded career growth? Don’t go it alone. Let’s connect.

Cheers!

Travel For Fun! 9 Things To Do To Break Life’s Monotony…

This is the beginning of anything you want.

The daily grind. Don’t you just hate it? Day after day you get up, do the same thing over and over, and over again. Alive but never really living. You dream of lazy days; or those days when you’ll be able to do just what you want to do. Be careful what you wish for though, because that too can become….. exciting? a thrill? mundane?

But if your dreams, hopes and aspirations is to break the montony… then Go for it!! Here are 9 Things to do:

Inspired To Change

1. Learn a new language.

2. Learn to play a musical instrument.

3. Travel for fun (not business).

4. Write a book.

5. Reflect on your spirituality.

6. Mentor youths (helps you stay young).

7. Become a trader (for fun). Helps keep your eye on your financial viability.

8. Get involved in your community.

9. Expand your mind, earn a PhD

Did any of these spark your interest? Can you add any? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

If We Stay Where We Are…

If we stay where we are, where we’re stuck, where we’re comfortable and safe, we die there. We become like mushrooms, living in the dark, with poop up to our chins. If you want to know only what you already know, you’re dying. You’re saying: Leave me alone; I don’t mind this little rathole. It’s warm and dry. Really, it’s fine. When nothing new can get in, that’s death. When oxygen can’t find a way in, you die. But new is scary, and new can be disappointing, and confusing – we had this all figured out, and now we don’t. New is life.” ~ Anne Lamott

Writers Block. Stuck In A Rut. 21 Ways To Overcome…

You can’t think yourself out of a writing block; you have to write yourself out of a thinking block. ~John Rogers

Writers block is a common phenomenon among writers. It’s the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing. The question was asked and the list was compiled from advice gleaned from a Book Writers’ forum. The ideas are simple and delightfully thought-provoking. Here I share 21 of the more exhilarating.

Embrace it as gestation
Listen to music
Take a break or work on something else
Go back to what inspired you first
Change your scenery.
Go for a walk
Write something personal
Read. Get motivated. Then go back
Put the pen and paper down.
Leave it alone and the ideas will come home
Ask questions of your stories
Try writing something different
Take a shower. Let the water flow and the ideas will come
Free write. Write about your day. Just write
Ask another writer what they are working on. The change of focus will inspire you
People who succeed as writers write
Take a writing course
Be in a group
Write about writer’s block. Something will inspire
Watch a movie
Get physical. Go to the gym. Break a sweat

Did any of the above resonate? Can you add any? Do share! We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Literary Event…

Always thrilled to participate in South Florida’s Writers Of Color igniting, harnessing, directing literary imagination and creativity. Come see, hear, listen and be inspired March 2-3, in Miami.