Are you a dreamer and a doer? What’s your big dream? What are you doing to make your dream come true?
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Learn a new language: 10 steps to success
There’s no doubt about it, it takes courage to step out of your comfort zone and learn a new language. Emotional ups and downs come with the territory and feelings of exhilaration are often followed by moments of frustration. But one thing is for sure, if you can stick with it you’ll be so proud of yourself — and who knows what doors your new-found skill might open.
Here are our top 10 tips for successful language learning…
1. Get comfortable with being a beginner. As adults we are often afraid of being beginners. We don’t like not having all the answers, looking silly, or messing up. When it comes to learning a language, admitting that you don’t know everything (and being okay with that) is the key to freedom, growth, and success. Let go of your grown-up inhibitions and remember, everyone is a beginner at some point: everyone starting a new job; every new parent; every brave person starting up a business; and everyone voted in as Prime Minister. So [Tweet “embrace new beginnings and enjoy the process of diving into a fresh new learning experience”] knowing that tomorrow you will know more than you do today.
2. Understand your motivation and make your mission public: It might seem obvious, but without a strong desire or good reason to learn a new language, you might struggle to stay motivated long-term. Ask yourself why you want to learn this new language. Write down your reasons and stick them somewhere you can see them everyday. Also, if you tell friends and family about your mission, or make it public on your website, blog, social media, or anywhere else, it confirms your commitment and you’ll be more determined to keep going.
3. Just start! It really is that easy! First, learn to say ‘hello’. And then, when you’ve done that, learn to say ‘my name is… And then learn to say ‘nice to meet you’. And go on like that. By learning ready-made answers, and also how to ask questions, such as ‘where are you from?’ and ‘what do you do?’ you’ll build your vocabulary quickly and before long you’ll feel comfortable holding a simple conversation. Another good tip is to learn the filler words. These are the words and phrases people say then all the time between sentences but have no real meaning (like alors, which means then/so/in that case in French) which can buy you extra thinking time while you’re chatting!
4. Welcome your new language into your every day life. The more you immerse yourself in the new language the more your brain will consider it something worth caring about so invite it in!
- label every object in your house in your chosen language
- read kids’ books written in it
- watch subtitled TED and TEDx talks in it
- watch subtitled movies in it
- listen to an online radio station in your language as you perform other tasks to familiarize yourself with different intonations, pacing and pronunciations
- live-narrate parts of your day to a pet or imaginary foreign friend!
- go to ethnic restaurants and test your language skills with the staff
5. Keep it relevant: In addition to the fact that it’s fun and a challenge, most of us will be learning a new language for travel or work so we can communicate easily and effectively. So when you’re learning think about the kind of things you’re most likely to want to say, or write, in everyday life. Learning words and phrases which help explain your background, situation, interests, as well as current events is a great way to expand your vocabulary.
Learning a new language means learning hundreds of thousands of new words. And that’s no mean feat. The thing is, most languages don’t use the vast majority of their words. Most sit in dictionaries waiting for the day they are plucked out for use in a conference speech or technical paper. In English for example, 65% of written material is composed of just 300 words! To help you concentrate on learning the most frequently used words in a language invest in flashcards or download an app like Anki or Flashcards.
6. Take a free online class or download an audio book. There are free online classes for just about every subject these days, and foreign languages are no different. For example Open Culture boasts a huge collection of free language learning resources, including audiobooks, websites, textbooks. Another great site is LiveMocha, a language learning community which provides instructional materials in 38 languages as well as a platform for speakers to interact with and help each other learn new languages.
7. Turn web browsing time into language learning time. The Language Immersion extension for Chrome helps you build your vocabulary and language knowledge by translating parts of the web page you’re on into your target language. Similar is Readlang which also creates flashcards for you and offers other study tools. You can also read newspaper sites written in your target language for extra more practice.
8. Get appy! Who needs expensive lessons when there are so many great smartphone apps for free! Some of the best include: Duolingo, Memrise, busuu, HiNative, MindSnacks, and Babbel.
9. Make new friends. Interacting in the new language is key — it will teach you to intuitively express your thoughts, instead of mentally translating each sentence before you say it. You can find local conversation groups and language cafés in libraries and community centres. If you live near a university, the international student community is another hot spot for language exchanges and events. Many foreigners in your city will be happy to meet you and hold a language exchange, where you offer mutual support to each other by helping your partner learn your language. Alternatively you could find a foreign pen pal or try The Mixxer, a free educational site designed to connect language learners around the world so that everyone is both student and teacher. The How to learn any language forum is another great source of support. It’s filled with tips and tricks for learning a language from people in the same boat, or who have already done it so it’s a great place to find a mentor.
10. Practice makes perfect: Once you’ve made your pledge, commit and practice, practice, practice! Make it part of your daily routine. Devoting just twenty minutes a day to developing your skill will keep you motivated and you’ll be more successful than if you cram for an hour or two only sporadically.
Of course completely immersing yourself in a country’s culture, by taking a holiday, an extended trip or a sabbatical, is a fantastic way to improve your language skills. It allows you to experience a place on a more intimate level, mingle with the locals and forge lasting friendships and memories, especially if you’ve learnt the basics before you go. Remember that native speakers are like doting parents: any attempt from you to communicate in their language is objective proof that you are a gifted genius.
8 ways to identify your passions and purpose
As Confucius said, “choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” It’s great advice, but it’s not always that simple. Discovering what you want to do in life is, for many people, a life-long pursuit. Yet when you do eventually find your passion it is like finding your personal guide to happiness. You feel motivated, inspired, and so much clearer about what your next steps in life should be.
If you know you want to do what you love, but you’re not sure what that is, here are our top tips for pinpointing your passions:
1. Take a trip down memory lane
Often, our truest passions emerge in childhood, only to be squelched by real life pressures. So think about what you loved doing when you were little. Did you love animals? Taking care of people? Storytelling? Playing shopkeeper? Drawing? Painting? Speaking French? Revisiting these things could be the key to unlocking big dreams and doing what you love.
2. Relax your mind
When slow down and still our minds we listen to our inner voice and reconnect with our true authentic selves. Practicing yoga or Tai Chi each day, walking in nature, meditating and taking time to chill out, can help us find the answers we’re looking for.
3. Think about what makes you special
No one else has your personality and your unique combination of talents, wisdom, strengths, skills, and creativity. Identifying what sets you apart and what comes easily and naturally to you will take you a step closer to doing what you love. Remember that we are all here for a reason and we all have our own light to shine on the world.
4. Find the themes
What themes seem to show up aregularly in your life? What are you drawn to time and time again? What areas of your life are full of joy and light? When we recognise and acknowledge the re-ocurring patterns in our life, we can begin to understand what they are teaching us and act on them to take us closer to doing what we love.
5. Figure out what excites and energizes you?
“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
What do you most look forward to in day-to-day life? What makes you smile? What activities leave you feeling mentally refreshed and energized? What hobbies see you losing track of time? Can you make a career out of this, so your passion can become your day job?
6. Think big, think positive and believe
If we are continually telling ourselves we can’t, then we will never believe we can. You can create affirmations, focus on the things you want, or make a vision board that shows your future success.
7. Forget about the money
If money were limitless, what would you be doing? Remember that being happy is not the same as being rich – you can always scale back. Focus on your interests and your passions, even if they seem farfetched; doing something you love will make you happier than being paid for doing something you hate. More on this at 5 Reasons You Should Never Work for Money.
8. Trust synchronicity and take action!
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” ~ Milton Berle
When we trust our gut feelings and invite something new into our lives it can trigger a series of events that can, potentially, change our lives. For instance it was taking a calligraphy class that inspired Steve Jobs to start Apple. You’ll never know if you like something unless you give it a try so stop finding excuses and go for it! Learn a language, sign up for a class or course, try a sport you’ve never played before, become a volunteer for a cause you feel strongly about, or start the business plan you’ve been dreaming about, and it will take you another step closer to finding your passion.
The Do What You Love e-course will help you identify your passion and purpose. If you know it’s time to make a major change in your life – if you are seeking personal, professional or financial freedom and need support to find your way – don’t miss it! The course starts next week so find out more and register here.
Is your routine holding you back?
[Tweet ““If you think adventure is dangerous try routine. It’s lethal.” ~ Paulo Coelho”]
For me variety is the spice of life. I like every day to be different and I’ve always tried to avoid falling into habits and routines. So when I had my little boy, almost two years ago now, I’m the first to admit that being at home all day and juggling feeds, nap times, nappy changes, and everything else that a new baby brings, took some getting used to.
As any new parent knows, having a tiny little person relying on you for everything is hard work. You’re no longer have the freedom you used to. Even the simplest task, like meeting friends for coffee, requires an element of forward planning and spontaneity gores out of the window. Within weeks I developed my own little way of doing things. I was in the motherhood groove and and before long I had a routine!
My husband and I were in Brighton when I realised just how much of a creature of habit I’d become. It’s amazing how much clarity a change of scene can bring. Being by the sea, exploring a new city, and escaping the ‘daily grind’ left us both feeling inspired, refreshed and re-invigorated.
Getting a new perspective
Zack was now a few months old and having adapted to being parents things were becoming much easier. We realised that while there are always going to be jobs to do, and obligations and responsibilities to fulfil, life doesn’t have to feel like Groundhog Day.
Exploring a new city
On the journey home we agreed that while some routines are helpful and even necessary, especially for Zack, others had seen us get too comfortable and complacent. So we decided that some things needed to change.
Things that changed after our trip:
- I left my 9-5 and started writing part-time for Do What You Love. Now I’m free to work wherever and whenever I choose and to do all the things I love – be a mum, go running, do yoga, and be creative. Embracing new opportunities and connecting with interesting new people is part of the job so no two days are ever the same. I want Zack to grow up understanding that my work makes me happy and that I have my own hopes and dreams.
- We stopped complaining about how much time we waste watching TV and now, instead:
– we limit the amount of TV we watch
– we have regular date nights
– we have dinner as a family and talk
– we socialise more in the evenings with family and friends
– we spend more of our free time being creative and working on our own passion projects
- We looked at our finances to see where we could cut back and save money for a weekend away every few months.
- We both started doing more exercise. I joined a gym and my husband started running with colleagues at work.
- We made a 5-year plan that will help us live the life we really want and create our own special memories along the way.
10 simple ways to shake up your routine today:
- Change your schedule. Get up with the sun and take an early morning walk. You’ll see your world differently, sense different emotions in the people you meet and hear different sounds.
- Change your style – do your hair or make-up differently or experiment with clothes to find a new look.
- Commute a different way to work, or instead of going by car take the bus, train, walk or cycle.
- Take a class or a course in something you’re interested in, who knows what doors may open.
- Pick a different place to hang out. If you meet friends at a local bar, try a local restaurant. Or do something different – go to a sporting event watch a gig or have a dinner party.
- Have a conversation with someone new. Make this your daily mission and who knows, you might make a friend for life!
- Make more of your lunch break. Go to museums, try new restaurants, meet a friend, walk in the park, do something you’ve never done before or go somewhere you’ve never been before.
- Have a mini-adventure at the weekend. Do a road trip, go hiking or camping or explore a new city.
- Be inspired and get creative. Watch this playlist of TED Talks to kickstart your creativity, or read this excerptfrom Pico Iyer’s TED Book, The Art of Stillness.
- Take a day off and give yourself permission to do anything you want. Go for a long, solitary walk; write poetry; bake; go shopping; read a novel; watch a blockbuster; paint; make something for a friend; have a picnic in the middle of nowhere and then lie in the grass and look at the clouds.
[Tweet “Have you ever felt stuck in a rut?”] Do you follow the same routine, day in, day out? What small changes could you make to mix things up today?
Rachel
The Do What You Love e-course will help you ditch bad habits and boring routines, and lead you to see what you really want (or need) more clearly.
“I am now far more open to ideas and willing to say yes to opportunities. I think, well, what’s the worst that can happen?!” Shona W., Do What You Love participant, Jan 2015
Join us this June for the experience of a lifetime.
We love big crazy dreams
Make your big crazy dreams come true this June!
Do you find yourself thinking things like: “I can’t afford to _______” … or “I’m too old to _______” … or “I’m going to need years of training before I can _______” … or “It’s just not realistic for me to _______?” Then our flagship e-course is for you – and you can register today!
Do What You Love is an acclaimed transformational course that will show you that all of your options are still open, no matter what your current circumstances and responsibilities may be. It’s about re-opening doors that you thought were locked shut… re-opening possibilities that you thought were long gone… and illuminating possibilities you never knew existed.
Over the period of 5 weeks course you’ll be inspired and motivated. You’ll learn things about yourself that you may never have know and you’ll have lots of fun! Lessons are energising and doable and they’ve been carefully sequenced to help you build confidence, build a plan and build momentum.
Join us and make possibility your new reality.
“Thanks to this course I stepped off the ledge and did something I have been wanting to do for years – and I feel lighter than air.” ~ Christine B
Why more time is not what you need, and other productivity tips for writers
This is a guest post by one of the UK’s leading experts in digital distraction and digital detox and author of The Distraction Trap: How to Focus in a Digital World, Frances Booth. Find out more about Frances here.
[Tweet ““If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” ~ Toni Morrison “]
Whether you work as a writer, aspire to be a writer, or use writing for business, these tips will help you be more productive with your writing. This is the second post in a two-part series. For more productivity tips, you can read part one of Top Productivity Tips For Writers.
Today we’ll look at the pressures around writing, creative fuel, and why more time is not what you need. Try these strategies for staying productive as a writer.
Give yourself less time
Having unlimited time to write isn’t always helpful. We might dream of that sabbatical, that year off, or retirement … when we’ll finally write that book. Then the huge chunk of time we’ve been waiting so long for finally arrives … and we don’t get round to writing. Would you believe it, we’ve got too much time! Huge swathes of time can leave us without a structure, and without any pressure to get on with our writing. Of course, too much pressure isn’t healthy either, but we’re looking for a balance that encourages us to write.
So, give yourself a bit less time. Give yourself one day a week to work on your book, rather than waiting for the whole week. Give yourself three hours to write that blog or article, rather than waiting for a whole day. What happens when we give ourselves less time? We’re forced to prioritise, we’re forced to say no to things that don’t really matter, and we’re forced to leave to one side – never to be done – the unimportant tasks we were filling our time with.
The drama lives on the page
It’s easy to get dramatic about writing. The turmoil! The angst! The difficult plotline! But getting dramatic about why it’s such a struggle is energy spent on the wrong thing. Tension should be in the words and the sentences you create. If you’re making a big fuss out loud about that piece, that chapter, or that blog that is so impossible, then ask yourself why. Yes, writing is difficult, and yes, we need methods and strategies to deal with the blocks and fears we face. But being dramatic isn’t going to solve it. It will just slow you down. Do some work on dealing with blocks or on sustaining yourself as a writer instead.
Creative fuel
Two of the main reasons writing grinds to a halt is that a writer is either blocked or has run out of steam. To solve the running out of steam problem, make sure you’ve given yourself enough creative fuel. This can seem counter-intuitive as a productivity strategy. But switch off your computer, get up, go out, and do something inspiring. Go for a walk, visit a gallery, or potter round a shop – do whatever you feel like doing to explore. There’s no agenda here, and you don’t have to write about what you’re doing. You’re simply gathering creative inspiration. When you return to your writing, if you’ve stocked up on creative fuel, the words will flow more easily. Staying inspired is one of the best ways to stay productive as a writer.
Don’t talk about it. Do it
We need to be careful how much we talk about our writing. There is a danger that we can spend energy and time on talking about writing, rather than actually on writing. For example, we might tell everyone about the book that we have ‘all ready in our head’. But we’re talking about it instead of actually getting it down on the page. It isn’t a book or a blog or an article until it’s actually written. Talking about our writing can also dilute our focus. It can scare us too – we put pressure on ourselves unnecessarily. It’s better to just get on with the piece. Get productive and get writing. Then you can talk about the piece when it’s finished.
Dealing with the pressure
Lots of the time we waste on writing is because we’re scared. We’re scared of pressing publish, we’re scared of people reading our words and we’re scared of being judged. When we write, we make ourselves vulnerable. We need to acknowledge this pressure so we can be more productive with our writing. We need to work through our fears – this is important work that needs doing and is worth spending our time on.
Some of the ways we react to this pressure include spending time checking, checking, and checking again. Or, we finish a piece, or a book, or a blog, but we never submit or publish it. All we’re doing is protecting ourselves. But like starting, the finishing line is another point where you can save huge amounts of time with your writing. How much time are you spending delaying or procrastinating once you’re finished? Clearing that final hurdle and pressing send is an important part of the process. So once you’ve finished, don’t delay. Take a deep breath and press publish.
Do What You Love interview – Jessica Nazarali
Imagine feeling creatively fulfilled in your work, having plenty of time to spend with your loved ones, travelling all over the world and earning a six figure salary, all while making a real and lasting difference to other people’s lives… Well for Sydney-based Jessica Nazarali, this is no longer a dream, it’s reality.
Just 12 months after quitting her day job, hiring a business coach, and going all in on her business as a Divine Living Coach, she gained the reputation as the next big ‘it girl coach’ and earned over $250,000. Four years on, aged 27, she runs a thriving business helping new women coaches create successful coaching businesses and build beautiful, personal brands.
“I always knew I wanted to do something “big” in the world,” Jessica says. “I’ve never wanted to lead an ordinary life, just scraping by only taking holidays once a year, only eating at my favourite restaurants on ‘special’ occasions, buying a new outfit only if I could justify the spend. As scary as it was to take the leap and be a full-time Divine Living Coach and entrepreneur, the thought of looking back in five, 10 or 20 years time and thinking “what if” seemed MUCH more scary. I’ve always believed that the world is better place when women do work they love and I am passionate about helping them to fulfil their true potential. It feels so good knowing that in some way I’m making a lasting difference.” Enjoy the interview. ~Rachel
1. How did starting a blog inspire you to become an entrepreneur?
I started out with a blog in 2011 on healthy living and eating, and over time, it grew to have a big following. Even though I thought I was terrible at writing when I first got started, I grew to love the process of writing and photo-documenting. Of course, I loved my readers too! From here other bloggers started asking me for tips on how to make their blogs as widely followed as mine was and eventually, that turned into coaching. A new business was born. I thought I would be a healthy eating coach, since that was the topic of my blog. It felt like a natural shift. But that wasn’t what I loved, which was helping women change their lives by starting their own coaching businesses. At first, I was trading my coaching services for beauty therapy, so I’ve come a long way since then.
2. You can help women turn their dreams of creating a six figure coaching business into a reality… how?
I take my clients through every step of the process, from the ‘big stuff’ such as getting over the fears that are holding you back to the tiny details like using Facebook ads and the importance of beautiful web design. Many women come to me with no coaching business at all – just a dream they’ve been thinking about – and after going through coaching with me or one of my programs, they are booking high end, one-on-one clients.
3. As women we all live busy lives so what advice would you give to help us find the time to step outside our routine, dream and get a vision for our next phase?
I love this question! I do a few things. First, I try to fit in at least a bit of yoga everyday. That really keeps me grounded and focused. Also, I have music on almost always, but especially when I’m masterminding or daydreaming. It really sets the tone for the positivity I want in my life and my business. Last but not least, travel always does this for me. I usually return from a trip with a huge, new plan to get started on.
4. You talk a lot about wow factors – ways we can all ‘up-level’ and keep improving ourselves personally and professionally. Why is it so important to learn, grow and keep developing ourselves and how can we all start doing this today?
Well, no one is going to make your dreams happen but you. I decided I was going to make my dreams come true No. Matter. What. I keep that in mind with every decision I make and every leap I need to take. It makes the fear of failure less scary because even if I don’t succeed at one little thing, it’s part of a larger success story. So it’s important not to let one potential mistake stop you in your tracks.
Beyond that, if you’re not continuing to improve all the time, it gets boring, right? No one wants a boring coach. So I like to keep things interesting for myself and for my clients.
5. Tell us about your business courses… what do they involve and how do we know which is right for us?
Your First Leap is everything you need to launch a coaching business and say goodbye to the day job that is holding you back from so much more. You’ll build a quit plan that makes sense for you and your life and get started building your dream business.
Find Your First Paying Coaching Clients is for women who are ready to go from no paying clients to successful coaching business that consistently get high end clients using premium packages. You’ll learn all of the steps to put your business together and create a brand that feels uniquely personal. While there are many business programs out there, there are not so many that focus solely on coaches AND specifically helping them find coaching clients. It’s important for new coaches to focus on finding clients because when you find your first paying clients, your confidence and belief in yourself really sky rockets.
Then, my new program, The Next It Girl Coach is about making a huge impact with your unique message to become the next ‘big thing’ in the coaching industry. What I love about It Girl is that it gives you permission to want fame and fortune along with reaching more people through your coaching career.
6. Your book, Leaping from the ladder, is written for women with big dreams who want to do what they love everyday. How does it help women figure out whether they are ready to be their own boss and get started?
Leaping From the Ladder is part memoir of my own experience going from corporate career girl to coaching queen, and part how to guide, walking you through everything you need to know about working for yourself and transitioning from reliable paychecks to earning your own income. It’s perfect for you if you want to start building your dream business with your eyes wide open about what it means to be your own boss and how to make it happen.
7. Mindvalley has asked you to create a coaching program for their new company Evercoach, how did this come about, what’s the program about, and what is involved?
Yes! This is really exciting, isn’t it? It’s a lesson in not underestimating yourself, for sure. A couple of months ago my husband mentioned that he thought Mindvalley would “love to partner with me” (being the very supportive husband that he is!) and I went into, “Well, maybe in five years when I’m more established, blah, blah.” Not a month later, I got a call from Mindvalley, based on a referral from Gina DeVee, asking me to create a course for them! So, my course will be coming out next month and it’s called Thrive.
8. How does it feel to see your business dreams come to life?
It feels amazing! Back when I was working in corporate, if you had told me I would be where I am right now – running my own 6-figure business, traveling the globe (as I write this from the south of France!), working with amazing clients to help them build their dream coaching businesses – I think I would have fainted!
9. What’s the key to getting balance?
I actually find it’s easier to balance it all now than it was back when I was working in my day job and running a business on the side. I don’t take it for granted that I can go to lunch with friends when I want, start my work day as early or as late as I need to, and work from anywhere in the world as long as I have my laptop.
10. What are the next steps in your business dream? What’s your ultimate dream?
Big question! I’m working on a couple of new projects right now, including the Mindvalley course, that are really expanding my vision of what’s possible in the very near future. Ultimately, I would love to have a huge platform for sharing my message with the world.
Jessica’s snapshot
Happiest place: Anywhere with my husband!
Quickest way to find clarity: Take a break and leave the house
Yoga position you love: Pigeon. I hated it when I first started yoga but now I really love it.
Mantra of the moment: I’m a millionaire
Most inspiring book you’ve read: I love Leveraging the Universe by Mike Dooley
Biggest ‘ah-ha’ moment in the last year: Anyone can be a millionaire within three years. Think about how empowering that is!
Three words that describe you: Determined, fun, love
Quote you live by: “Done is better than perfect”
Wish for the world: A ton of healing can come from accepting who you are, flaws and all. If everyone could do that, the world would be a happier, healthier place.
For more information about Jessica and the fascinating work she does visit her website and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Top productivity tips for writers
This is a guest post by one of the UK’s leading experts in digital distraction and digital detox and author of The Distraction Trap: How to Focus in a Digital World, Frances Booth. Find out more about Frances here.
[Tweet ““Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” ~ Stephen King”]
Whether you work as a writer, aspire to be a writer, or use writing for business, these tips should help you be productive with your writing. Too often, writing takes us far longer than it needs to, and we agonise over it and struggle with it. It needn’t be the case.
Try these tips to increase your productivity as a writer.
Ignore the first 10 minutes
As you sit down to write, it’s likely that some measure of resistance will surface to start with. There might be voices in your head saying things like ‘this is no good’ or ‘today’s not a good day for writing’. Don’t let these or similar negative thoughts stop you. Keep writing. In a while the voices should disappear. It might take a few minutes to get into your writing each time you sit down, so just accept that and keep on writing.
Blank page etiquette
Starting is one of the hardest bits about writing. You need tactics to deal with the blank page. Never worry about what to put for your first line – the first line doesn’t have to remain the first line. You might choose your second line, your third line, or something from the middle as a start, in the end. If you want to get more productive as a writer, notice how much of your time is spent on the ‘build up’, procrastinating, avoiding, delaying, before you even sit down to write. This build up time can be cut to zero. Sit down, get a blank page, and write something on it. Then go from there…
1. Writing comes first
Don’t leave your writing until the end of the day. Don’t make it the last task, squeezed in after everything else. Don’t give it just the scraps of your energy. Put writing first. Start the day by writing and you’ll be far more productive. Give writing your full attention, and soon, the words will mount. Write before checking your emails. Write before going on social media. Writing comes first.
2. Know that distractions will tempt you
Because writing is difficult, distractions will be a huge temptation (as with any other difficult task). Stuck for what to write next? Don’t be surprised if ‘I’ll just check email …’ creeps into your mind. Your hand might even reach automatically to open your email account and type in your password. Resist! Digital distractions are a huge pull on your attention. But your attention needs to stay on what’s important right now, your writing. In my book, The Distraction Trap: How to Focus in a Digital World, I give detailed advice on how to deal with distractions.
3. When you get the chance to write, seize it
There’s not always chance to write. Even if you’re a full-time writer there’ll be other aspects of your business that you sometimes need to spend time on, such as promoting your writing, looking for opportunities, or networking. Many writers also have other jobs or other aspects of their work to fit in as well as writing. And all of us have day-to-day life to factor in. So when you get chance to write, seize it. You might not get the same chance tomorrow, or even next week. So make the most of it right now. Sit down, and write.
Don’t miss part two of this feature, published on Friday.
Why wholeness is worth pursuing (+ the Do What You Love e-course is back for the LAST time this year!)
Every now and then you meet someone who makes you think differently about something, someone who makes you realise something you had never really thought about was actually really important. That happened to me when I met Leadership and Change Advisor Andres Roberts, and he started talking to me about the subject of ‘wholeness’. Have you ever thought about what that word really means? This is what he said to me:
“I’ve come to see the world really as a place where many of us as individuals live in a state of disconnection. Even within ourselves we’re not fully connected to all of our parts, and we’re disconnected from each other in society and family and community, and in organisations. One of the main reasons for this is that most of us, most of the time, wear masks, and live life dominated by ideas of competition against each other or separation from each other rather than a more profound sense of being part of the same thing. Many of us walk into our offices every day and put on a different persona to the one we are at home, or with our friends, so for many, life begins after 5 o’clock, or at the weekend. That’s where we’re most engaged, but by having completely different roles and ways of being, that’s a form of separation.”
I have long been a believer that each of us has many aspects to our personality, some of which shine through, and some of which are dampened or hidden based on who we spend our time with, or what we think others think about us. But exploring, discovering and sharing all aspects of you is what allows you to bring your whole self to any situation.
And expanding that idea of wholeness to thinking of us all as connected, and part of the same thing, feels full of possibility to me. It’s true that we often live in competition with each other, but that isn’t always necessary. Just because one person makes a living as an artist, doesn’t mean there isn’t room for anyone else. Just because someone else launched an e-course, doesn’t mean you can’t too. In fact, often the opposite is true – more people succeeding expands the opportunities available to everyone.
So this week we challenge you to think about how you could make yourself more connected in every sense:
- Within yourself (showing up with all parts of your personality)
- With others
- Within the wider world
We’d love to hear what happens when you start thinking about this – share on Facebook or Twitter @DoWhatYouLoveXx
Beth and the team
PS We’re on countdown to the Do What You Love e-course for the LAST time this year!
As I am going on maternity leave from the summer, the course starting June 15 will be your only opportunity to join this transformational experience in 2015. If you know it’s time to make a major change in your life – if you are seeking personal, professional or financial freedom and need support to find your way – don’t miss it! Find out more and register here.
PPS. We have teamed up with Andres Roberts to offer you a unique coaching experience designed to complement the upcoming Do What You Love e-course. When you sign up for the e-course starting June 15, you can take advantage of a one-to-one coaching session with Andres in July for half the usual price – just £72.50 for 90 minutes (normally £145). Interested? Find out more here.
For the artists and designers among you, don’t miss the new fab free video series from our friends at Make Art That Sells, ‘Designing for Home Décor’. The series starts June 8 and will run for five days. Art director Margo Tantau will help you break into this lucrative market by teaching about the concept of home décor; how to get your art off paper and onto products; how to get your products made; popular materials for home décor; and of course, how to make sure you get paid. It’s completely free, so what are you waiting for? Hop on the list here and get ready to be inspired!
Dream a little dream
Make your dreams come true!
The Do What You Love e-course will encourage you to reconnect to the real you, deep inside, in order to uncover what you really love. Understanding yourself and your passions will help you map out your perfect road ahead.
“This course is like pressing a pause button on your life – to take stock and help realise your potential.” Course participant, January 2015
Join us this June for the experience of a lifetime.