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5 Tips for Finding Time to Write

10/26/2017

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(photo courtesy createherstock)

(This post is the first of three in a special series for aspiring authors)
One of the number one questions people ask me when they find out I've written multiple books is, "How do you find the time to write?" Then they usually offer up their own barriers to carving out time. They're too busy, they work full time, they spend all weekend at their kids sports events, etc. 

And while these are some very valid obstacles they are also excuses. I believe in the old adage, where there is a will, there is a way. If you are an aspiring author you HAVE TO MAKE TIME TO WRITE. There is no way around it- no magical potion that can help you skip ahead. You've got to make it a priority and if you're committed and passionate, you'll find a way otherwise you'll find excuses because maybe you're actually afraid to write. There are several barriers that keep you from even attempting to write and I'll address those in my blog post next week.  But this post is about carving out time to write. Here are some tried and true tips that even the "busiest" individual will find useful:

1. Set an appointment on your calendar- You can get up thirty minutes earlier each day or go to bed thirty minutes later and use that time to write. It doesn't seem like a lot of time but if you do it daily it adds up. You can also make time during your lunch hour a couple of days a week; instead of going to lunch, find a quiet conference room or walk to a nearby park or just sit in your car. Bring your laptop, tablet, phone or even note pad and capture your ideas, thoughts, dialogue, etc.

2. Maximize your time- Every day for almost an hour I am sitting in school pick up lines (two different schools).  Some days I bring my laptop and while I'm waiting I write instead of scrolling through social media. If you are at the doctors office or dentist office or getting your oil changed. . .anywhere you will have a thirty minute to one hour or longer wait you can write! Use the Notes app on your phone or Evernote app, email yourself what you've written and just cut and paste it into your manuscript later. 

3.  Use your voice- Most smartphones have a function where you can talk into your phone and it will convert to text.  If you are sitting in traffic or have a super long commute each morning, why not open a Note or email (set this up before you start driving!) and press the microphone icon and start talking. You can speak the words instead of writing them.  It will seem weird at first like you're talking to yourself but after a while you'll find a comfortable rhythm. It's almost like you are recording your book in audio form.  I will warn you that sometimes the voice command hears words WRONG but they are minor mistakes that you can go back and correct after the fact.  Just be sure this isn't a distraction and that you are still paying attention to the road. 

4. Find a writing buddy- If you have friends that you normally hang out with on the weekend, grabbing brunch, shopping or seeing a movie. . . find out if anyone in your friend group is also an aspiring writer, if so, instead of simply meeting for brunch make it a "working" brunch. Bring your laptops, tablets, phones or notepads and instead of catching up on the latest gossip just bask in the quite solitude while you work on your respective manuscripts.

5. NaNoWriMo- (National Novel Writing Month) Although this only takes place once a year in November, it is a good way to hold yourself accountable. I wrote the bulk of my first book by participating. Participants sign up and make a commitment to write a whopping 50,000 words for the entire month of November! Let me tell you it's no easy feat, you basically have to be committed to writing 1,667 words per day to reach this goal. But the feeling (and bragging rights) of being a NaNoWriMo "winner" is amazing!  Not to mention your book is practically written at the end of it. 
What are some of your tried and true tips for finding time to write?
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5 Comments

Creating a Summer Calendar

6/1/2017

 
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Welcome to June! This is the first post in my Summer Blog Series, which I've decided to do as a way to share and document some of my summer activities and projects. I've come to accept that being a full time blogger is just something I don't have the time or discipline to do however I love writing and sharing information, so I will pop in every now and then to do just that.

This Summer Blog Series will include a variety of summer themed posts that focus on the following:
  • Suggestions for entrepreneurs on keeping business going during summer months
  • Parenting hacks- kids crafts, summer treats
  • Summer reading and other essentials
  • Summer home projects and much more!

So I hope you'll check out my posts every Friday this summer!

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During the first week of May every year, I create a calendar of activities, events and projects for the entire summer.  Disclaimer: Not every single day is accounted for and those are the stay-in-pajamas-and-binge-watch-Netflix-all-day days.  But since I do have two children (actually one of them is officially a teenager now) I've learned to be prepared for the, "What are we doing today?" "I'm bored," "Can we go to the mall?" (And that question would actually come from my 8 year old daughter!)

I just find we maximize our time (and I reduce my headaches) when I create an actual calendar.  Here's my approach:
  1. I take a sheet of notebook paper and write down all the things that HAVE to be done over the summer. Dentist appointments, immunizations, my client projects, school shopping, etc.
  2. Then I write down some FREE activities.  Visiting library, making snow cones, going to the pool, family game night, etc.
  3. Next I ask my kids to tell me 2-3 things they would like to do over the summer.  Visit zoo, play mini golf, go see one of the million superhero movies hitting theaters, etc.
  4. I open up the calendar template in Word and start randomly plugging activities on the June, July, and August calendars.  I make sure I work around our annual summer vacation dates and I intentionally leave Monday's blank. I never pass up an opportunity to sleep in on a Monday.  I also am careful not to put more than 3 activities in one week. I don't want to overwhelm our summer and my kids need to learn to be okay without doing something every single second of the day!
  5. Once the calendar is done, I print one month at a time and hang it on the refrigerator.
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Even if you are a parent working outside of the home, having a calendar can still be useful. It helps you schedule time with your family and makes quality time a priority. If you need some ideas of things to do over the summer just head over to Pinterest and enter "summer activity ideas", enough ideas come up to last you until your kids have kids!  Have fun and enjoy your summer!
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5 Ways to Teach Children Responsibility

7/11/2016

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As parents we face such a paradox as we try to protect our children from the same world that we need to also prepare them to live in without us. 

Sometimes as parents we fall short because want to be our children’s friend or we want them to “like” us or we simply don’t want to see them struggle or hurt. But failure and some form of struggle is inevitable and it helps build character. One of the main things we should teach our children is responsibility. If we strive to raise responsible citizens it will go along way in helping them to be successful in life.

Here are some ways to teach kids to be responsible:
  1. Hold them accountable. If they did it, they need to learn to admit it. Teach them to take responsibility for their actions and not blame others if they are truly at fault. We do our kids a huge disservice when we take the fall for them.
  2. Give them chores. I personally don’t think kids should be paid for chores but to each his own. But the bottom line is if you make a mess, clean it up. They need to understand that everyone in the household must play a part in keeping it clean and functioning. And most importantly they need to understand that Mama (or Daddy) is not the maid!
  3. Make them financially aware. Kids have no idea that everything costs money. From the house they live in to the Wifi they use and the car that drives them to school. You don’t have to show them bank statements but as soon as they understand the concept of money let them know that as parents we work hard to have money to pay for things. Nothing in life is free.
  4. Have expectations. Not only with respect to chores but with school work and behavior too. Let them know what you expect and the consequences for not meeting expectations. If they don’t study and keep making failing grades in Math then take away their electronic devices or no television for a couple of days.
  5. Let them know when they’ve done good. Most children want to please their parents and they want to get their approval. So if you balance out the discipline with compliments, hugs, and small tokens (I’m all for balloons or cupcakes for all A’s or B’s on a report card). Just let them know you’re proud of them and you appreciate their efforts, it will go a long way.
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4 Tips for Staying on Track

4/11/2016

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If you wake up some mornings wanting to give up on your dreams. You're not alone. There are probably  some days that it seems too hard or that you're not making any real progress. Maybe you feel too old, too young, too overweight, too shy or that you have other obstacles that will keep you from being as successful as other people.  You have to be vigilant in your efforts and take the good with the bad.

Here are four tips for staying on track:

1. Stop complaining- Don't give in to the urge to bemoan every setback or hiccup. Embrace the challenges and mistakes. Learn from them so that your next attempt is better. Complaints are problems that you want someone else to solve because you feel like a victim. Stop creating problems and start devising solutions that will help put you closer to your goal so that you can be victorious!

2. Stop criticizing- Complaints and criticism usually go hand and hand.  We are our own worst critics. Focus on all the amazing things about yourself and when you look in the mirror empower yourself by saying, "I am capable of greatness!" People who feel empowered usually go on to empower and inspire others instead of inviting negativity.

3. Stop comparing- There is only ONE you. Period. There is only ONE Beyoncé. One Oprah. One Random Sally Doe who has 110,000 followers on Instagram. And on and on. It's one thing to allow these people to inspire you to be YOUR best but emulating them or comparing your journey to theirs is a surefire way to destroy your own self worth. What makes YOU special? Focus all your energy on being the best version of yourself. When you're happy with yourself and love yourself unconditionally, you become unstoppable!

4.  Stay consistent- It's not what you do once and a while that makes the difference it's what you do ALL THE TIME.  Establish solid routines and block out the noise and distractions. You can't expect instant results when you've only been working at something for a few days.  It will take longer than a few days, possibly more than a few weeks or months. You have to ask yourself the following questions: Am I willing to WORK for it? Am I willing to WAIT for it? And if your answer is yes to both questions, then keep plugging along and before you know it- those consistent small steps with get you to your destination.
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3 Ways to Become An Expert

3/9/2016

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The Internet has deluded people into thinking they can do anything and everything. They think they can watch a few YouTube videos or dig around Pinterest and suddenly they are an “expert” in a particular area. Some people have even boldly tried to build careers around things they learned in one sitting.


Believe me it takes a lot more than following an online tutorial to be considered an expert in a particular field. I have a degree in Communication, I have been writing professionally for almost 20 years and I have been freelancing as a graphic designer for three years. However there are times when I still feel like a novice. Being an expert is not only about execution but also attitude.
Here are three tips to becoming an expert:
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  1. Pick a lane- Have you ever heard the phrase, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” If you truly want to become an expert at something you must master it. You must practice it, study it and live it. That’s kind of hard to do when you’re trying to juggle five or six different things. I am pretty sure there is no such thing as a master chef/mechanic/dentist/cosmetologist. Too often, people get in over their heads by getting greedy and cocky. Just because you like to cook doesn’t mean you should open a restaurant. Consider what area you really excel in and focus on bringing all you can to that area, so that you can share your expertise with others.
  2. Remain a student- You are never too experienced that you can’t learn something new. People who are considered experts in their field are always up on the latest trends and regulations. Even doctors and lawyers are required to do continuing education to keep their licensure up to date. Attend a conference, read a book or talk to others in your field. Remain open to learning and continuing to master your craft.
  3. Practice humble confidence- Expert does not mean perfect. It simply means that you have knowledge- perhaps considerable knowledge- in a particular field or area. For example, you may consider yourself an expert when it comes to hair but I guarantee you there is probably someone who thinks that they are better than you. It’s a relative term. But don’t get caught up in the comparison game. Just be confident in your abilities and more importantly make sure the people who are counting on you also feel confident that you know what you’re doing. You don’t have to brag or boast about your skills. Let your work and your portfolio speak for itself.
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