Author’s Habits for Success

Self-Discipline For Success

Almost everyday I am fascinated by the whole writing business.  It opens doors. And, some are pleasantly unexpected.  Yet, at the same time you need to be in the receiving mind space, in order take advantage of such opportunities.  Like any career, such as writing and as an entrepreneur, you must take charge of your success.  Aren’t you glad no one else has to be responsible for your success?

After listening to many successful people’s stories, one thing is clear. Practicing self-discipline and creating good habits are the gateway to success.  Any great athlete knows the importance of these practices, along with people like Tony Robbins, Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey.  So what kinds of habits or self-discipline does an author need to implement?

Author Needs To Read As Much As Write

Authors are writers.  Writers need to write content.  Content can be anything from poetry, blogs, article in magazines, essays, short stories, novels, memoirs, etc. It is important to get your writing into the world to make yourself known.  Set out an amount of time to write and stick to it. But make it realistic so you don’t set yourself up for failure. An hour a day 4 to 5 days a week or a few hours a couple of times of week are both very doable.  Write a blog a few times a month. Time management isn’t as difficult as it may seem.

Reading is as important, as writing.  There are many different styles of writing. The only way you can learn about them, is simply by reading.  I used read books based on recommendations regarding topics. Now I read for topics and mechanics. It has made my writing better; whereas, I don’t need quite as much coaching as before.

Personal Care

Personal care is equally as important as being productive. Get enough sleep. Being sleep deprived doesn’t help the creative juices.  All work and no play, makes for a bitter and resentful author.  Take time for R&R.  Quieting your mind through meditation or visualization will do wonders.  If you need to be on your electronic devices, limit yourself with a timer.  Make time to go outside in the sun, weather permitting. Minimize your association with negative people.

Diet isn’t something to take lightly, either.  If your blood sugar drops, you won’t feel like doing anything but, sleep.  I personally get “hangry” when I need to eat. When I get to the point of starving, I find myself eating too much, which also results in me being lazy.

Sleep and food keep your body functioning properly and stabilizes your mood. It helps with clarity and focus, allowing you to perform at your best.

The Most Important Yet Easy Habit to Build

If you are prone to reading what is going on in our country today, you might get upset, triggered, or even full on depressed.  I’ve seen tons of people’s posts over the Kavanaugh interview and confirmation, and how they can’t pull themselves out of despair. As much as I don’t believe this man is fit to be on any bench, with a temperament like his, I refuse to let it affect my mental and physical health. Take back your power.

I find listening to motivating podcasts, YouTube videos, audio books, or reading uplifting material, helps remind me there are more positive things going on in the world.  If you only focus on what is wrong in the world, you’ll find it.  Try focusing on what is right in the world. I believe there’s more good than bad.  And so does Ellen.

This YouTube video is after the devastating Vegas Shooting and Hurricane Maria.  This world was riddled with bad news and the world felt almost hopeless. It focuses on the goodness of people in the world. Thank you Ellen DeGeneres for reminding us.  https://youtu.be/Qlp8gtiiNnM

One bad apple doesn’t have to ruin the bunch. It may seem like it, but if we can spread love and positive energy, we may just be able to come up with solutions.

The Choice Is Up To You

The choice is yours.  Do you want someone to be responsible for the life you want? Or are you willing to put in the work to make it happen?  I know for me, I like being in control of my destiny.  I know I can’t control everything, but I do know I can control myself. No one in the world wants me to be successful more than I.  And I’m pretty sure, I couldn’t wish someone else, enough, to make them successful.

“The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.”  ~ Unknown

There is a pattern the game changers have, and I am applying that pattern to my career as an author.  Let’s try it together and see what happens. Wouldn’t it be great to focus on our success one at time?   Leave a comment below I’d love to hear from you.

                                                     

Opportunity and Perception

Things Don’t Always Go As Planned

What happens when something you hoped for doesn’t quite go the way you’d thought it would? Do you get massively disappointed? Do you quit? Or are you able to find opportunity in disappointment?

As a new author, many people have big plans to help you. Everyone is going to get your book. All of your friends will buy it.  You’ll get invited to speak at everyone’s book club.  People will be interested in articles you have written and hope to find a spot for them in online magazines. And so forth.

Well, these are the promises one hears up to publication date and a bit after.  Then the excuses come.  We haven’t heard back about the placement of your article from so and so. Or you, actually, do speak at some book clubs, but not nearly as many as you hoped. The best one yet, is when people say they are not going to buy your book, but rather get it from a friend after that friend has read it. Anyone who has published a book, knows how expensive and how much work goes into it. I personally will always pay for someone’s work of art.

Don’t be discouraged.  This is all part of being in the writing business. In fact, it is pretty much any business. Your friends and acquaintances are almost always going to be excited for you and your book. They usually are following the energy of author. I have to say it’s hard to keep the momentum going for long periods of time.

Sometimes There’s An Opportunity Better Than The Original Plan

I recently had some news about a person ordering a set of books for her class, but ended up not being able to get them at this time, due to a drastic budget cut.  I was bummed sort of, but something told me not to worry. Because something very interesting took place.

My friend works at the particular store where the order was placed, then put on hold. I contacted her to see if this teacher had indeed purchased the books.  I felt in my gut that the order might not have gone through.  Funny how things work out. She gave me the news, but followed up with; there’s a field trip with this particular class to visit the bookstore and would I like to be a guest author? And by the way, Guy Johnson, Maya Angelou’s son, would be there.

I have been on cloud nine since this news.  Trust your gut. And follow up with people. I was a little nervous asking if the order had been placed, in fear of the answer. Had I not asked my friend, I might’ve missed an amazing opportunity. It would’ve been nice to sell thirty books to a class, but I know I could sell thirty books at some point on my own.

Overnight Success Is Extremely Rare

Opportunity is all around.  You might have to look hard for it, but it is there. Remember there is no such thing as overnight success. There are stories in which it sounds like overnight success. It’s rare. Ask any famous or successful person.  I heard Amy Schumer in an interview with Oprah and how she was described as overnight success. And her reply to that was something like, “Overnight? Yeah, like after ten years of hard work.” Must’ve been one really long night.

We only hear the quick version of success stories. Because if we heard what really took place, it might seem boring or too hard.  Take a stake out for example.  The real ones almost never amount to anything.  But watch a movie and things are happening left and right.  Folks, it’s television.  People want to be entertained and wowed, and do not have much patience for boring.  Let’s face it, everyone loves one-day or two-day shipping.

Do Not Dismiss The Power Of Positive Thinking

You’re probably thinking I’m writing this because, I’m not making it right this second.  The truth is, I am in the process of making it. Although, I have no idea what to expect. Therefor, I don’t have any expectations.  That maybe a better attitude to have.

Again, I bring up the power of positive thinking. It goes without saying how I feel about the Law of Attraction. It works.  Keeping yourself in a positive and happy space, tells the Universe, Divine, God, etc., (whatever you choose to call it) to give you more of what matches that energy.  I’ve mentioned before in other blogs, the Universe is working for you, even when it feels like everything is against you. Your thoughts and energy are part of the success process. The physical is the only the macro part of life and the thinking is the micro part of life.  Everything starts with a thought or idea.

What I can say and know for sure, is my attitude has everything to do with my success and what types of opportunities and people I attract into my life. I have an unusually sharp memory and can see my own patterns. If you really were honest with yourself, you’d see the patterns in your own life that was created with your energy. Knowing this valuable information automatically gives you power.    Your energy is a valuable resource and it’s free.

Does It Matter How You See The Glass?

Seeing the glass half full is always a better outlook, than half empty. But realize if the glass is empty, you can always refill it.  Writing is my new passion, and I will keep on, keeping on.  It’s fascinating how this journey is unfolding.  Remember, It’s the journey, not the destination.

When there is an occurrence that is perceived as less than desirable, don’t be too upset. Go with the flow. There’s usually a reason when something doesn’t work out. It usually means there’s a better way or an opportunity coming.  I could’ve sulked about the teacher not getting my books, but now I have speaking event. I could get upset by people telling me they aren’t going to pay for my book.  But people are reading my book, anyway they can. The interested parties not committing to running my article, never said no. Which means, maybe they haven’t ran the article, yet. Patience is a virtue.

Something better could be lurking around the corner.   Nothing is a failure, until you deem it so. Manifesting Me shows how the law of attraction works, when it was on purpose and when it was not. You can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control your thought process around it. It’s all perception.  Never give up. You never know what opportunities will show up.

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ~ Lao Tzu

 

 

What Thoughts Are Filling Your Mind?

Positive Topics

I had to erase my first draft of this blog, because it wasn’t a positive topic.  We have enough icky stuff in the media. I want to be part of the solution, not add to the problem.

What are you filling your thoughts with? We know through law of attraction what your energy space is in, is what you’ll attract.  If you’re constantly looking up articles on the internet about all of the scary things in the world, I will guarantee you’ll get to see more and more things to frighten you.  Why not try some uplifting thoughts and see how that makes you feel.

The Top Five Percent

There’s a reason that only the top five percent of people are successful.  The answer is quite simple; positive thinking is the best food for the mind. They don’t have limiting beliefs and don’t focus on negativity. Successful people look at failure much differently. It’s not defeat, but rather a tool to search for another way. In other words, they don’t give up or wallow in negative emotions.  They search for solutions.

Think and Grow Rich was published in 1937 and is still current today. A book I love to fill my mind.  One would think by its title that it was about making money.  It isn’t. It’s about the philosophy of accomplishing anything you set out to do. Henry Ford kept pursuing his dream to make a horseless carriage, with minimal schooling and people shooting his ideas down.  Thank goodness he didn’t let others’ negative thinking detour him. We all love our vehicles.

Keep Your Dreams to Yourself

Don’t share your dreams with others. Most people have limiting beliefs and will project their fears of failure onto you.  I don’t think people mean to smash your dreams, but they can’t see past their own nose.  If you choose to share your dreams, make sure the person with whom you are sharing, is like-minded.

The sky is the limit. Don’t let others tell you any different.  I never thought I’d by a house as a single mother at 25 years old, own properties, own a salon, or write a book. Listen to the successful people around you and listen to their stories. We all have the same 24 hours in a day.  How will you spend your time?

Visualization

Visualization works.  I know from personal experience and reading the success stories of others.  If you drown your thoughts and feelings in positivity, your will attract more positive encounters.

Visualization can be done in different ways. You can make a physical vision board, or quiet your mind and visualize in your mind’s eye what you want your life to look like. Feel the feelings of the having it. Changing your thoughts is the first step, and the emotions behind the thought are where the real magic happens.

Emotional Upsets

Let’s keep it real.  It’s hard to stay happy all of the time. Life happens and we will encounter emotional upsets at some point in our lives.  But how long will you live in that space?

Some things you can do to bring you out of a state of depression are exercise, read or listen to motivating books, watch your favorite comedy movie, go have coffee with a friend and not discuss your problem. The emotional problem doesn’t go away automatically, but it diminishes the less attention you give to it.

Feel the feelings and acknowledge them, then gently remind yourself, this contrast in your life helps you appreciate the good times, as well as, giving you an opportunity to examine how you could have handled the upset; how you could grow  or what you learned from the experience.

Top Achievers

The top achievers never let an emotional upset get in the way of their missions.  They address an undesirable issue, deal with it, then move on; taking away at least one lesson from the experience.

Top achievers aren’t jealous, but curious.  When they get inspired by an idea, they learn and research all there is to know on the subject matter:  Had it been done before? Who are the top achiever in that area? How can you monetize the idea, etc?  They fill their mind and subconscious mind information and with positivity, by meditating, visualizing, relaxing, being productive, and express gratitude.

Fear-based Thinking

Top ten traits guaranteed to lack success;

1. lack of drive 2. can’t make a decision 3. afraid your idea won’t work 4. substance abuse 5. focusing on the negative what ifs 6. procrastination 7. trying to be someone else 8. unwillingness to except one’s own mistakes 9. finding others’ faults/gossiping 10. taking from others to get ahead/using people

Positive-based or Love-based Thinking

Top ten traits guaranteed toward success;

1. willing to learn/be open-minded 2. exercise 3. healthy diet 4. healthy relationships 5. passion 6. follow through 7. meditation 8. decisive 9.  focuses on what’s working/find the good in things 10. being authentic

See For Yourself

Test these suggestion out for yourself to see if they work.  You will be pleasantly surprised what you’ll find.  Many have tested this notion and the research does not lie.  There are many books on this subject all saying the same things.  I would highly encourage you to check out some of these texts. Some style will resonate more with you than others, but if you want to be extraordinary and accomplish great things in all areas of your life, you must start somewhere.

Think for a moment —  if we all did this, what a wonderful world of happy people we would have.  Fear and love are all only a state of mind. Which will you choose?

Here’s the link to Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich

https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-ebook/dp/B001NGN2D2

“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi