Posts by Tammy
How Long Should Writing Cook?
How Long Should Writing Cook? by Mike Loomis How do you know when a writing project is “finished”? We’re not just talking about a 50,000-word book. Tweets, emails, and blogs impact our brand, our relationships, and bank account. Have you ever hit the “Send” button, and within three nanoseconds looked for the “Un-Send” button? I’ve even had authors tell me they wanted to un-publish a book! Let Your Words Bake It’s a rare treat when first drafts are “ready to eat.” This is exactly why I’ve learned, sometimes the hard way, to put my writing back in the oven. Better flavor, fewer regrets, and more influence can result. Of course, it’s different for each form of communication, each audience, and each writer. Suggested times… Tweets: Allow to simmer for 2 hours Facebook posts: Most tender after 4 hours Blog posts: Slow cook for 2 days (or freeze for months) Important “first contact” emails: Let them smoke for 3 days Sensitive email replies: To avoid burning, stir often for at least 4 hours, or 1 day if possible Book Proposals: Carefully measure all ingredients and cook for 3 months Book chapters: Bring to a boil, then “can” for 2 weeks These recipes are not excuses for procrastination. But fast-food publishing has created more noise, and lower quality writing. I’ll admit, this is TOUGH to do! Hungry? My hope is to write fewer words, with more taste. I’ve opened the lid on my manuscript edits after two weeks and wondered, “Who wrote this terrible mess?!” Yeah, I’d rather post or send while I’m still intoxicated by my creativity, but I can’t tell you how often this perspective has made the difference between “forgettable” and “fruitful” communications. What are your “cook times” for words? What outlets give you the most trouble? About the author: Mike Loomis helps people launch their dream projects and books. He’s strategic partner to bestselling authors, non-profits, publishers as well as startups, and aspiring messengers. He and his wife live in the mountains of Colorado with their pet moose. www.MikeLoomis.CO Creative Commons Attribution:...
Read MoreBuilding Your Financial Plan
Building Your Financial Plan by Casey Lewis The room went dark. After a few hours of humor and wisdom pouring from the stage, the crowd of 600+ people at Jon Acuff’s Start Conference grew silent. We were given these tiny finger lights and told only to raise it in the air when something we saw on the screen resonated. The black screens only projected a new phrase with white letters once every 15 seconds or so. “You’re not good enough.” “There are others that already do what I do.” “You’re too old to start.” “You’re too young to start.” “You’re not smart enough.” This simple idea was to have a visual representation of the voices of fear that speak so powerfully into our lives, and then to provide comfort in knowing we’re not alone as the room was lit sporadically by hundreds of finger lights. But then, this flashed across the screen: “I don’t have enough money to chase my dream.” The room lit up faster than the end of Silent Night at a Christmas Eve Candle Light Service. It struck a nerve. To financial guys like me, this wasn’t a huge surprise. A recent Wall Street Journal report tells us that 75% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. The National Consumer Law Center says that 14% of Americans age 65 and up have a negative net-worth at the time of retirement. The idea that someone doesn’t have enough money to chase after a dream isn’t a theory. For many it’s a cruel reality. But because you may not have $30,000 sitting in a savings account or you aren’t completely debt free doesn’t mean that you can’t make strides toward your dream. It actually means the opposite. It means you can hustle harder than you ever have before to clean up your financial mess and that by doing so you are actually doing one of the best things that you can to see your dream come to life. Right now, today, you may think your financial situation is hopeless and that you’ll never be able to give up your day job for a dream job. And right now, today, you may very well be right. But lets fast forward 18 months and see that you’re debt free and have six months of your expenses sitting in an emergency account. In addition to that, your dream job or business or side hustle or whatever you want to call it is bringing in a couple thousand dollars each month. Now, do you feel hopeless? Of course not! All we need to do is put you in that financial position and here’s how: A plan. It’s that simple. You just need a financial plan to get you to where your finances become your biggest contributor instead of inhibitor to chasing your dreams. Here are 4 simple money steps to set your dream up for its best chance. Step 1: Create a cash flow plan. Yes that is a fancy way to say budget. You need to make a plan for your money. Step 2: Reduce expenses & Boost income. If your dream really is as important as you say it is, you don’t need cable TV or to be eating lobster. Slash your expenses as much as you can and then have a garage sale to get rid of your extra “stuff.” Step 3: Kill Debt. It’s very difficult to leave a day job for a dream job when you have monthly payments siphoning away all of your money. Use the debt snowball method to eliminate all your debts. Step 4: Build your “Dreaming Savings Account” All that extra money you’ve been throwing at paying down your debts can be thrown into a savings account once you get rid of debt. This dreaming savings account allows you the freedom to walk out of a job you hate when the boss yells at you one too many times. It gives you the leverage to leap to your dream without the worry of your electricity being shut off. By hustling to get your...
Read MoreDreamers & Builders – Challenge #2
Yesterday, we challenged you to write down three goals that will help move you from dreaming to building. We loved seeing those goals, and how people encouraged each other. Today, we are challenging you to edit something. When we focus on specific goals, sometimes we need to edit our lives to make room for forward momentum. What do you need to STOP doing today, that will help you reach your goals? Share on the Dreamers & Builders Facebook...
Read MoreFrankenCHALLENGE Actual Reality Check!
This weekend, we were all encouraged to take some time away from technology. The key word for the day was DO. So, what did you do? What did you discover while doing? What surprised you? What did you learn? Share your reality check with the group on the FB wall – words or pictures will...
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