by Ann Evanston | Aug 8, 2011 | Business Strategy, Mental Mind Shifts
What discipline did you make to yourself?
One week ago today I was inspired by Gina Parris (my online friend) to start writing for 30 minutes first thing EVERY morning. Feeding the pets and making a cup of coffee are the only things I do prior to writing. I have stuck to my personal commitment and did just that very morning. Even the morning I had to meet clients at 7:30, would be with them until 5pm and then fly home, I got up at 4:30 to write. After all, I not only made a commitment to myself but I also made a commitment to the 25 people that asked to join in. That accountability I take seriously.
The process has been amazing for me. I am actually in the throws of writing my book! Yesterday I found myself writing a series of questions that will lead to personal self evaluation of knowing who you are and your voice. Some of the questions are around lying and discipline. These traits directly affect knowing your true voice.
I once wrote a post about the power and importance of Discipline. Discipline is the ability to do what you have committed to do, when you agreed to do it, whether you want to do it or not. I think that level of personal commitment is even more important than a commitment to others. Unfortunately, we have become a world of people used to disappointment and let down from others. But when you lie to yourself, and rationalize why you are not doing what you set out to do, you lose a piece of yourself. Every time.
Do you rationalize away why you did not complete something you set out to do? Then you just might be losing the most precious thing you can have – truly knowing who you are.
Want to read the 30 day challenge series?
Part one
Part Two
Part Three
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
by Ann Evanston | Aug 7, 2011 | Mental Mind Shifts
You are not paying attention. I saw this posted on facebook recently and it struck me. See, I used to live “scared” all the time. Scared of abuse, violence, yelling, fighting. Scared of loneliness, homelessness and poverty. I know what it feels like to wake up scared. For me I can pay attention and not be scared. I know what it feels like to be scared to “do” or “say” anything. I need to pay attention and not be scared. Because scared paralyzes me. Because scared stunts my creativity. Becasue scared puts me in scarcity mode over abundance. Because scared makes me reactive versus proactive.
Oh, I’m paying attention alright. And I’m not scared. Because I know how to live with joy, laughter and love. I know who to embrace those that treat me crappy and then let them go. I know how to surround myself with people that see me so much bigger than I see myself.
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
by Ann Evanston | Aug 6, 2011 | Business Strategy, Mental Mind Shifts
So I have been working on this challenge 5 days now; thought I’d share what happened to me while in San Diego. The book concept is actually coming along!
Wednesday night I sat in the bar at the Hilton San Diego with the intent of having a drink and READING, yes reading, my book! I love to read; it relaxes me and usually takes my mind off all the responsibilities I have. I started to read but this challenge popped into my mind AGAIN! This time it wasn’t limiting beliefs though, it was ideas about the book! (happy dance!) So I took pen to pad and wrote a few ideas down as I did not want to lose them. Back to book, back to pad…
A man sat next to me (pretty much what is in hotel bars these days, that stereotype isn’t gone). He ordered food and a drink and left me alone. When his food arrived it smelled SO GOOD I had to say “that smells SO GOOD”. (Let the conversation begin!) As we spoke about work and travel and how good kids have it in this country, somehow this 30 day challenge came up. As we spoke I realized even further the power of what I started writing about yesterday –our voice and how our story creates it if we own it. Wow, maybe I am onto something.
I realize that leading people, growing a business, having the success you want in life comes from finding knowing and OWNING your voice. Many might know it but do they own it? Own it to a point where they realize that it’s not about what others think. See the right people will love and honor who you really are. It’s the cornerstone to consistent success,to creating a clan, to inspiring others to follow you.
If you’d like to read the earlier entries 30 day challenge part one and 30 day challenge part 2
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
by Ann Evanston | Aug 4, 2011 | Business Strategy, Mental Mind Shifts
It’s day two. Have to say that I thought about this challenge most the night last night. First there was this energy with everyone that has joined in this challenge and agreed to hold each other accountable. That energy was palpable! Then I started to think: “what the HELL will I write!” I’d wake up thinking about it! Then I started thinking about my book series concept and I felt all the limiting beliefs come rushing forward. “I can’t possibly write 90-100 pages on those topics!” “I have nothing to say that hasn’t been said before.” “It’s really not original.”
OMG! I, the woman who has taught COUNTLESS other people to find their voice doesn’t have one!
Holy CRAP!
Ok, obviously this exercise is going to be great because my experience will help my clients as well. My own learning and journey in this process can be a model for others. I REALLY want to get past just writing blog posts though. I want to get to the BOOK. Barbara DeAngelis says EVERYONE has a story. I question whether that means they have a book!
Hmmm… Finding your VOICE is Sexy. Lol! NOW that could be the book! (By the way there is an LB, of course, so many people think they KNOW their voice when I meet them at first!) Maybe it’s knowing your TRUE voice. I think I need to focus on WHY I am the one to have a voice on this issue.
(Looking for part one in the series? 30 day writing challenge)
Read part 3
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
by Ann Evanston | Aug 2, 2011 | Business Strategy, Mental Mind Shifts
What would I write if I gave myself 30 minutes EVERY morning without failing to write? Just grab the coffee and sit away from my computer and write. Recently one of my online friends, Gina Parrish, posed this question. I had all kinds of sorry excuses – all kinds. I’ve been told I have a book in me – well that just makes me laugh. Then in her comments she brought up someone I consider a mentor: Dan Kennedy. For those that do not know him he has written a “No BS” series of books that I recommend to entrepreneurs. HE writes every day, even on the day of his mother’s funeral. OK, he writes for an hour, but I bet I could find 30 minutes. I’m willing to commit myself to a 30 day challenge (lol, some of you know how I feel about 30 day challenges!) 30 days of 30 minutes every day before email, before online marketing. I can do that. Are you up to the challenge?
I have been thinking that I want to write a “Sexy” series. Taking things I have studied and taught over the years and write about them from this warrior’s perspective. Leadership is SEXY. Ownership is SEXY. Empowerment is SEXY. Self-Esteem is SEXY. Marketing is SEXY. Hmmm…what would happen in 30 minutes every day? Do you have an opinion on what I should write about? Something you would love for me to share? I have to get over my limiting belief (yes, like you I battle them on occasion!) that I cannot write. It’s really not that hard, I have been writing for 15 minutes right now!
MY new laptop will make this even easier. I can sit anywhere. Which honestly, I sit at my desk working so much that I often don’t FEEL the creative flow there. All my creative juice goes into what I currently do for my business. I also think that writing a thesis in undergrad created some writer’s block for me. That was one of the hardest things I EVER did! But I did it well. It was published 3 times in different journals. It was 60 8.5×11 single spaced pages (typed in WordPerfect, no such thing as MS Word!). I actually wrote on paper then went to “computer lab” to type it. I also have to STOP that. I love paper; I enjoy writing pen to pad. BUT they rarely make it to a place where they can be shared online or in a book, just notebooks full of scribe.
What would you write about if you challenged yourself to 30 minutes every day? I honestly think if I am going to do it I have to learn to type though, I suck since I never took a class. I think the free software that came with my laptop has a course on it! Hmmm…always something to learn huh?
Wow, ok I am doing this – that was 25 minutes. Today August 2, 2011 I am starting my 30 day challenge. Are you in? I am open to checking in everyday! I will even share my progress in the comments below.
I have created 30 days of inspiration for you, to write and connect! Sign up now!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
