The Writing Process…

No one is going to come rescue you—you only have yourself. The good news, it turns out, is that you are all you need.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER tale of reading his audiobook. Intrigued by his story. Here I share in his own words

I could tell you I am fantastic at everything, but I’d be lying.

I just finished recording my audiobook, Be Useful. It comes out October 10. I could tell you how amazing it was to sit down and record my own words, but the truth is, I was absolutely dreading it.

Here’s my secret: I’m a terrible reader. They didn’t talk about learning disabilities in Austria in the 1950s, so most of the time, when I was asked to read out loud in class, it was just a disaster, and I got smacked with a ruler. But now I know that I’m dyslexic.

When I prepare for a movie, I read the script over and over for months until I’ve memorized every line. I need time and reps to get my mind around the words.

They told me authors ready their books in 2 or 3 days at the studio. I asked for the recording equipment at home and told them I’d do 20-30 pages a day. That way I could log in with the director and producer twice a day for shorter sessions and I could practice non-stop in between.

In this process, I used my own lessons.

  1. I let myself dread it and complain for a minute, but then I forced myself to get moving, because denial wasn’t going to get it recorded.
  2. I did so many reps I couldn’t count. I broke it up into small pieces, knowing that small wins build up into big victories, or in this case, a whole book.
  3. I had the help of a fantastic team. My own team, but also the producers and directors Nithya, Danny, and Kris, and Eric who set up the equipment. All of us need help; none of us are self made.

Need To Move To The Next Step? Here Are 9 Reasons To Work With A Coach…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

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We often ask the question why some people succeed when others don’t. It seems there is a missing element. Something we lack. The truth is that you can succeed at whatever you dream about;  whatever you put your mind to achieve. Know that you don’t have to go it alone. Here are some reasons why people hire a coach to improve their lives and their business.

  1. People hire a coach to help put systems in place (e.g. time management, social media engagement, managing products, and managing people)
  2. When they know what to do but not how to do it
  3. Feel Stuck , confused
  4. When you want to make more money …want to do what you want to do
  5. When they know it’s time to break free
  6. When they figure out they can’t do it alone
  7. Need resources and don’t know where to find them (financial…

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Take Time To Do Nothing…

Relax, recharge, and reflect. Sometimes it’s OK to do nothing.

Izey Victoria Odiase

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

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Take time to do nothing.

Sometimes you need to just relax and do nothing. Then you will be more productive.

Cheers!

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When You Don’t Know What To Say…

When you don’t know what to say, listen to your heart.

José Micard Teixeira

“When you get tired of something, don’t sweep it out of your life without first understanding why you attracted it, otherwise you can be sure that it will return, even if it is in another form or in another context. When you stop feeling in love with someone, allow them to leave without thinking that a part of you leaves with them. In fact, nothing leaves. What leaves is only what came, now with more knowledge about who it was while it stayed here. When you feel disrespected, take back the power you gave that person over your life. Do not allow disrespect to turn to indifference and find yourself deposed from the place that was rightfully or lovingly yours in the beginning. When you feel uncomfortable somewhere, leave. All the moments you remain there will only contribute to bringing you even more suffering. Leave and if you have nowhere else to go, leave anyway, because at that moment no place is worse than this one for you. When you can’t say what you want to say, write it down. What is written speaks louder and remains longer in time. When you don’t know what to say, listen to your heart. Everything you need to know has always been there waiting for you. And when you think you have nothing to do, look at yourself and see yourself once more. It may be that this time you will understand everything you have forgotten to.”

~ José Micard Teixeira Excerpt from book “Between Many Truths and Some Secrets”

Words To Use Instead Of “Very” …

Life changes very quickly in a very positive way if you let it

Lindsey Vonn

The word “Very” is often overused, articulated Tina O’Rourke in a public writers forum. Personally. as an author you may feel the same way. Here’s s list of replacement words you can adapt instead.

Cheers!

Summer Travel! Oh The Adventures!

When things go awry, sometimes happy accidents ensue.

@amomentwithshell

When things go awry, sometimes happy accidents ensue. After a few days of attending a workplace reunion filled with laughter and cheer, I excitedly went to the airport to return home. All went well as I checked in, duty free shopped and finally went to get a snack before my international flight home.

On a whim I caught sight of an alert that said something about flight being cancelled! Did I see right, I asked my self. Quickly I checked the flight app and sure enough the flight was cancelled. But why? In the midst of shock, horror, inconvenience and more, many questions rolled into my head. I headed to the departure area to seek answers. That was of no repute since airline crew were filled with screaming passengers mad about missing work appointments and more. Unfortunately … the flight’s ground attendants had no answers. I kept silent … it was unnecessary for me to say anything that wasn’t already said. Thinking of my next day coaching appointments and more, I scurried to get a snack as I expected a long afternoon ahead.

Later, the crowd of more than one hundred plus passengers straddled behind ground crew to retrace our steps, grab checked luggage to get back to the airline’s main customer service area. There were no other flights available that evening. A few passengers headed back to friends and relatives while the majority climbed into buses ordered for commute to a fine 5-star hotel approximately 20 minutes from the airport.

What ensued was checking into the hotel all expenses paid including meals and accommodation at an exquisite tourist spot. I watched the changes unfold in the ‘distressed’ passengers’ behavior go from screams on hearing the news to exhibiting silent tales of gratitude with a few even saying how thankful they were for the extra ‘vacation day’.

Next day passengers made the trek back to the airport, bags in tow, for the journey to their various places of destination a la carte.

In summary, as I have often maintained, man plans but God directs his steps. Who knows what our plight might have been if our original plans stayed fixed on a flight with ‘per se’ mechanical problems.

What about you? Have you ever suffered a setback from an international flight delay or something else? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

New Book: Women Immigrants & The Challenges Faced …

New Book! Success comes in many forms. For me it was a delight to partner with Dr Indiana Robinson as she did a deep dive research into women immigrants. I was honored to expound on my initial research of Success Strategies of Caribbean American leaders in the United States.

In this book titled “A Review of Women Immigrants and the Challenges Faced”, Dr Robinson expanded on deep dive research on immigrants and the path they took.

Together we shared excerpts of the stories of women immigrant leaders and their perspectives on higher education in the United States. Our own stories are included.

On the cover kudos given to female graduates who enthusiastically shared their graduation pictures to emphasize their success and tenacity to strive to overcome challenges to be successful.

Get/Gift a copy of this new book which is now available on Amazon

Thoughts about this new research? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Social Media: Here’s How I Use Strategically…

Social Media is a “build it, nurture it, engage them, and they may come and stay.”

Seth Godin

Want time to fly? Start scrolling. Want to develop skills? Grow professionally? Network? Search for answers, trends? Get Social. It is the answer for most things. But be intentional. Here I share how I use the different medium

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is used for Professional connection. To learn and grow personally and to keep in touch with professional association networking opportunities. As a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), ICF South Florida, HHRABC Hospitality Association, Florida Writers Association (FWA), this platform keeps connections updated on industry happenings.

Instagram

Instagram I use to motivate, and inspire. On a daily basis i share inspirational quotes to encourage those seeking purpose, driving confidence and encourage followers to grow and develop and to never give up on their goals. It’s also used for entertainment as I love all things dance. I also support other writer who post book events and happenings there.

Facebook

Facebook began as a place to keep in touch with friends far and wide. Birthdays, anniversaries, and all things celebration reside there.

TikTok, Twitter

Two different platforms. I post on Twitter through my blog but don’t reside there. When I want a laugh, I head over to TikTok or sometimes for book Toc ideas to boost my book marketing and writing prowess.

Essentially social media provides that online networking opportunity for all things virtual. It’s a necessary tool provided it’s used sparingly. Want time to fly? Just start scrolling and before you know, an hour or two passes by in a flash.

I am Curious…. On which platform do you visit the most and what is your purpose for using it? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Everything Everywhere All At Once?

Reflecting on its application to life, can we do everything and be everywhere all at once?

I was in San Francisco with my girls celebrating my sister’s birthday when the movie everything everywhere all at once came out. We went to see it. The theater was filled mainly with college students and those in their late teens or early twenties. My own young adult college student loved it. The movie had a few walking out early. With it’s multiverse focus, it was long and seemed to end about three times with the theater dwindling as the movie progressed. We stayed to the very end. It’s emotional theme was filled with laughter, some crazies, and a few tears especially at the end. To this day my youngest still adored that movie.

Life’s Application

But as I reflect on its application to life, can we do everything and be everywhere all at once? Really hard, even tiring and strenuous. Sure grounds for emotional imbalance and high stress.

Business coaches will tell you to focus on one thing at a time. Being everywhere all at once depicts lack of focus and going nowhere. Apply this concept to your goals. Sometimes you may have to reflect on all your life experiences to get to where you want to go. If it’s studies, you have to choose a major. If it’s career, you have to choose one or one will choose you (if you’re to survive) and chances are you may end up miserable. Not to mention relationships. You have to choose. You have to decide who your friends will be. Who will you be with long term to start a family and build a life?

Our society today seems all over the place. Values have gone awol. Anything goes. You can do anything provided it makes you happy. But at the end of the day, are you really happy?

Something to think about.

Cheers!

It’s All Coming Back To Me Now…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

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Don’t you just love it when things come together? Sure you do!

I recently came across my eVision board created 5 years ago. It was very satisfying to see that I had accomplished almost everything on the list. Some things included 2-4 year big and Micro goals for me and my girls.

As I reflected, it all came back to me. It was clear that dreams don’t come through unless we:

  • Write them down
  • Create a plan to achieve them
  • Work, work, work ’em Goals
  • Be resilient when the going gets tough
  • Devise ways to maintain your motivation. That’s a must
  • Reward yourself along the way as you progress
  • Learn to breathe, mediate, pray
  • Celebrate the final outcome

Years ago a Medical Director for a healthcare facility stressed that we must be sure to mark every milestone. I adopted that piece of advice and encourage you to do so too…

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2023 Top Jobs On The Rise..

The only thing constant is change

Looking to change jobs? Well it’s about time. Throw out that fear and start cranking things up. If you find yourself hesitant, then stop procrastinating and face that fear head on.

Here are the Muse list of top jobs for this year. Depending on your area of interest, here are 9 that stands out. Find the full list

  • Growth Marketing Manager
  • Grants Management Dpecialist
  • Head of Revenue
  • HR Analytics Manager
  • Truck Driver
  • Content Designer
  • Chief People Officer
  • Strategy & Operations Manager
  • Channel Account Executive

Which stands out most to you? Any you would like to add? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Need Inspiration To Write? Writers Share 23 Ways…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

Where does a writer derive the inspiration to write?

That was the question a new writer asked on a public forum. Here I share as experienced veteran writers excitedly chimed in.

Writers Inspiration

  1. The desire to be heard
  2. From within
  3. Life experiences
  4. Prayer
  5. Observations and creativity
  6. From being disciplined
  7. Desire to entertain. Seen housands of movies and read countless books.
  8. Culture
  9. Inserting imagination into current events.
  10. Nature. Walking around the beach, rivers, forests. Observing the moon and the stars
  11. Sitting and watching people walk around
  12. Learning something cool and new
  13. My imagination – lot of times from photos of places and people
  14. The need to share what I know
  15. Jesus Christ
  16. Life experiences – history read
  17. Love, hate inferences. Sit in a pub or hotel and watch. Watch as a woman looks at a man with love or fear. See how children clutch at their parents hands
  18. When a writer…

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