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 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!”
by Ann Evanston | Jun 5, 2009 | Business Strategy
I am a speaker at heart, always wanted to speak in front of groups of people. I never really thought I would become an author. Somehow, when I try to write, the words don’t flow like when I speak! Then, a publisher found me on LinkedIn. Honored and overwhelmed I agreed to write one chapter in a compilation book with a group of amazing people like Mark Victor Hansen.
Now I am published: “The Power of Leadership: Producing Results” was released April 2009! I actually managed to write an entire chapter! Since the release, amazing things are happening. I am now:
- Getting more speaking engagements;
- Generating a small passive income;
- Featured as an expert author with more amazing people, like Dr. Ivan Misner of BNI;
- Writing future chapters for more books in a series;
- Have a video on the published web page http://www.power-of-leadership-books.com
So what’s the point I am trying to make? Well, here is what I learned that I wish someone had taught me years ago:
- Be relevant online- the publisher found me on LinkedIn which has been around for years.
- Be a relationship builder not a sales-pitcher. Even if you have a book concept or chapter publishers are people too! My taking the time to get to know them has made a huge difference in the support they have shown me.
- Be willing to market yourself and you will find additional support. Carrying my video camera everywhere has paid off! You might think, why record my signing books? Well, that video helped me gain status for more opportunity with the publisher!
- Know that one chapter at a time is the key! Writing the first made me realize I can write more!
You to have the potential to be a published author, take the first step; you will be amazed!
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!”
