Laina Turner's Blog, page 27
February 2, 2017
Creating Your Self-Publishing Production Schedule
I talked in a previous blog post that part of being a professional writer meant you needed to show up every day (thanks, Steven Pressfield). Showing up every day ready to work your tail off means you need a plan.
Unless your plan is to show up, sit there, and watch Netflix. Which is a plan I do love and would support. Trust me if that job paid I’d be doing it. But until the job materializes that type of behavior isn’t going to get you very far in your writer career.
#thestruggleisrealfolks
As a professional writer, one of the many things you need to have as part of your self publishing business plan is a production schedule. You need to know where you want to go and when you want to get there so you can plan how it’s going to happen.
If you love to plan this is going to be your favorite part of writing. You can even get a shiny new notebook and colored pens (that’s my favorite part of planning, the office supplies). Just don’t get so entrenched in writing the plan you forget to write the book.
I personally feel it’s important to have a timeline and I make all the authors I work with create one. That way they’re not shocked when waking up one day and 4 years has gone by, and the book still isn’t finished.
Time flies so fast and if you wait until the “right” moment. If you wait to start until you have the perfect plan.It may never happen. It’s called the Maybe Someday scenario.
You also don’t want to plan on starting Monday or tomorrow because that rarely happens either.
If you’re serious about making a living at this writing thing, then treat it as such.
START TODAY!
There are many factors that will go into creating your production plan. Questions if you don’t already know the answer too you will need to set aside some time to figure out. The answers are important to your career. You don’t want to wing it.
Sit down, grab your fancy office supplies, and ask yourself the following:
What genre am I going to write?
How long is my manuscript going to be?
How much time do I have to write each week, each day?
Where and what formats do I want to publish in?
What is my marketing strategy?
You can download this handy worksheet to help you set up your production timeline.
Create Your Production Schedule
Be on your way to making a living at your writing!
Geat! Now check your email for your download.
There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.
First Name Email Address We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer. Subscribe Powered by ConvertKit /* Layout */ .ck_form { /* divider image */ background: #fff url(data:image/gif;base64,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) repeat-y center top; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; overflow: hidden; color: #666; font-size: 16px; border-top: solid 20px #3071b0; border-top-color: #676767; border-bottom: solid 10px #3d3d3d; border-bottom-color: #3e3e3e; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); -moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); clear: both; margin: 20px 0px; } .ck_form, .ck_form * { -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; } #ck_subscribe_form { clear: both; } /* Element Queries — uses JS */ .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { width: 50%; float: left; padding: 5%; } .ck_form.ck_horizontal { } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: none; } .ck_form.ck_vertical { background: #fff; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; overflow: hidden; } /* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */ @media all and (max-width: 499px) { .ck_form { background: #fff; } .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; } } /* Content */ .ck_form_content h3 { margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-size: 24px; padding: 0px; } .ck_form_content p { font-size: 14px; } .ck_image { float: left; margin-right: 5px; } /* Form fields */ .ck_errorArea { display: none; } #ck_success_msg { padding: 10px 10px 0px; border: solid 1px #ddd; background: #eee; } .ck_label { font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; } .ck_form input[type="text"], .ck_form input[type="email"] { font-size: 14px; padding: 10px 8px; width: 100%; border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */ -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ background-color: #f8f7f7; /* layer fill content */ margin-bottom: 5px; height: auto; } .ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus { outline: none; border-color: #aaa; } .ck_checkbox { padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px; display: block; clear: both; } .ck_checkbox input.optIn { margin-left: -20px; margin-top: 0; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt { margin-left: 4px; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p { display: inline; } .ck_form .ck_subscribe_button { width: 100%; color: #fff; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 10px 0px; font-size: 18px; background: #ee4a96; -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ cursor: pointer; border: none; text-shadow: none; } .ck_form .ck_guarantee { color: #626262; font-size: 12px; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0px; display: block; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by { display: block; color: #aaa; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover { display: block; color: #444; } .ck_converted_content { display: none; padding: 5%; background: #fff; }All of these questions are important even if they may seem basic because they set the parameters for your timeline. You need this information. While of course you can wing it but trust me it will be much harder to make progress that will make you happy.
For those of you who know exactly what you want to write bravo. For those like me who want to write lots of different things, this first question might be harder.
Knowing the book genre you’re writing will help you to determine the second question because different genres run different lengths. If your plan is to write a historical romance those will typically run 80,000-100,000 words. If you’re writing a cozy mystery, those will be more like 40,000-60,000. These are just estimates but keep in mind, every additional word you write will require more time. Not only to write but to edit (the dreading editing).
Once you’ve decided your genre and approximate length you need to determine how much you can write each day and that will be dependent on how much time you have. I can’t stress enough DO NOT overcommit yourself as you will set yourself up for frustration and failure. Not to mention a huge amount of stress.
If you only have an hour to write each day and you can typically churn out 500 words in an hour then use that as your baseline. If you can only manage writing 5 days a week then aim for a goal of 2500 words a week. And 5 days a week is respectable.
I used to be able to write 7 days a week, and I loved it because I don’t usually look at my writing as work. However, as my kids got older and I took on more chauffeuring responsibilities I find that a 6 day work week is much better for me. Saturdays are filled with so many activities I need a day off. Not from writing but from the stress when I can’t find a long enough stretch to write. It was too much pressure and made me unhappy. And an unhappy me is a poor writer. If I’m not mentally in a good place, it makes writing that much harder which then itself is frustrating and on and on.
I still work Saturdays on social media and things I can get done 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there, and it works for me.
Anyways back to the main topic, not my mental health because that conversation could go on for many blog posts.
Using the answers, you came up with to those 4 questions you can create your timeline. If your goal is to write a 50,000-word cozy mystery and you can average comfortably 2500 words a week, then it will take you 20 weeks to write your book.
The FIRST draft anyway.
Which to me is always the easiest. It’s when I start revising that I find all the inconsistencies and crappy writing and the major work starts.
Until you’ve been through the entire process a few times, it can be more of a guesstimate as to how long your revisions will take. I usually tell new authors to allow the same amount of time for revisions as they did for their first draft which in this case would be another 20 weeks.
It’s not many authors who can write an almost perfect first draft. And if you can kudos to you. You’re awesome! Please teach me.
Now I know what you’re probably thinking. WOW, that’s a long time away and I don’t want to wait that long to publish my book. I know it can seem like a long time away, 40 some odd weeks.
But that’s ok.
It gives you 40 weeks to market. And it’s never too early to start. Marketing your books is just as hard and time-consuming as the writing part, if not harder. The more time you take to build your author platform and build a following the better off you’ll be when your book releases.
Now keep in mind 40 weeks only gets you to a final draft. You then need to factor in editing, which I recommend you do at least twice if not three times. One content and two line editing. Then time for formatting which is the quickest part of the process.
Editing turn around time will largely depend on your editor. I have one who takes 3 weeks to line edit a 50,000-word novel and another who can do a content edit in a week. Then I need time to make my corrections based on their feedback. Again, if this is your first one it will be harder to figure out, but I allow 2 weeks on my end for each round. It usually doesn’t take that long, but I’d rather have too much time than to rush.
In the middle of all this editing fun, you will need to take the time to get your cover and start marketing. If you’re also a graphic designer along with a writer yay for you, this will be easy. If not you will need to research and find a designer who designs covers in your genre and has a look you’re going for.
This isn’t as easy as it sounds. For me, I sometimes don’t know what I want until I see it. And that often brings out many versions I don’t like at all first which can be frustrating for all parties involved in the process.
You don’t want to start the cover process too early because you never know what turn your book may take regardless of what your initial intent was. You want to make sure your story line is pretty solid. If your man eating unicorn turns out to be a man-eating fairy then having a mean looking unicorn on the cover won’t make any sense and you’ll waste money having the cover redone.
You also don’t want to start too late because you need to start marketing this awesome book of yours and having a cover helps.
You will see on the worksheet you downloaded that I have the cover and marketing elements worked into the middle of the progression. This is a guide as you need to do what you feel comfortable with.
I encourage you to block out some time on your calendar and put your production plan on paper. Then come back and let me know how it’s going.
The post Creating Your Self-Publishing Production Schedule appeared first on Laina Turner.
Creating Your Novel Production Schedule
I talked in a previous blog post that part of being a professional writer meant you needed to show up every day (thanks, Steven Pressfield). Showing up every day ready to work your tail off means you need a plan.
Unless your plan is to show up, sit there, and watch Netflix. Which is a plan I do love and would support. Trust me if that job paid I’d be doing it. But until the job materializes that type of behavior isn’t going to get you very far in your writer career.
#thestruggleisrealfolks
As a professional writer, one of the many things you need to have as part of your indie authorpreneur business plan is a production schedule. You need to know where you want to go and when you want to get there so you can plan how it’s going to happen.
If you love to plan this is going to be your favorite part of writing. You can even get a shiny new notebook and colored pens (that’s my favorite part of planning, the office supplies). Just don’t get so entrenched in writing the plan you forget to write the book.
I personally feel it’s important to have a timeline and I make all the authors I work with create one. That way they’re not shocked when waking up one day and 4 years has gone by, and the book still isn’t finished.
Time flies so fast and if you wait until the “right” moment. If you wait to start until you have the perfect plan.It may never happen. It’s called the Maybe Someday scenario.
You also don’t want to plan on starting Monday or tomorrow because that rarely happens either.
If you’re serious about making a living at this writing thing, then treat it as such.
START TODAY!
There are many factors that will go into creating your production plan. Questions if you don’t already know the answer too you will need to set aside some time to figure out. The answers are important to your career. You don’t want to wing it.
Sit down, grab your fancy office supplies, and ask yourself the following:
What genre am I going to write?
How long is my manuscript going to be?
How much time do I have to write each week, each day?
Where and what formats do I want to publish in?
What is my marketing strategy?
You can download this handy worksheet to help you set up your production timeline.
Create Your Production Schedule
Be on your way to making a living at your writing!
Geat! Now check your email for your download.
There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.
First Name Email Address We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer. Subscribe Powered by ConvertKit /* Layout */ .ck_form { /* divider image */ background: #fff url(data:image/gif;base64,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) repeat-y center top; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; overflow: hidden; color: #666; font-size: 16px; border-top: solid 20px #3071b0; border-top-color: #676767; border-bottom: solid 10px #3d3d3d; border-bottom-color: #3e3e3e; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); -moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); clear: both; margin: 20px 0px; } .ck_form, .ck_form * { -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; } #ck_subscribe_form { clear: both; } /* Element Queries — uses JS */ .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { width: 50%; float: left; padding: 5%; } .ck_form.ck_horizontal { } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: none; } .ck_form.ck_vertical { background: #fff; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; overflow: hidden; } /* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */ @media all and (max-width: 499px) { .ck_form { background: #fff; } .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; } } /* Content */ .ck_form_content h3 { margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-size: 24px; padding: 0px; } .ck_form_content p { font-size: 14px; } .ck_image { float: left; margin-right: 5px; } /* Form fields */ .ck_errorArea { display: none; } #ck_success_msg { padding: 10px 10px 0px; border: solid 1px #ddd; background: #eee; } .ck_label { font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; } .ck_form input[type="text"], .ck_form input[type="email"] { font-size: 14px; padding: 10px 8px; width: 100%; border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */ -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ background-color: #f8f7f7; /* layer fill content */ margin-bottom: 5px; height: auto; } .ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus { outline: none; border-color: #aaa; } .ck_checkbox { padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px; display: block; clear: both; } .ck_checkbox input.optIn { margin-left: -20px; margin-top: 0; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt { margin-left: 4px; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p { display: inline; } .ck_form .ck_subscribe_button { width: 100%; color: #fff; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 10px 0px; font-size: 18px; background: #ee4a96; -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ cursor: pointer; border: none; text-shadow: none; } .ck_form .ck_guarantee { color: #626262; font-size: 12px; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0px; display: block; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by { display: block; color: #aaa; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover { display: block; color: #444; } .ck_converted_content { display: none; padding: 5%; background: #fff; }All of these questions are important even if they may seem basic because they set the parameters for your timeline. You need this information. While of course you can wing it but trust me it will be much harder to make progress that will make you happy.
For those of you who know exactly what you want to write bravo. For those like me who want to write lots of different things, this first question might be harder.
Knowing the book genre you’re writing will help you to determine the second question because different genres run different lengths. If your plan is to write a historical romance those will typically run 80,000-100,000 words. If you’re writing a cozy mystery, those will be more like 40,000-60,000. These are just estimates but keep in mind, every additional word you write will require more time. Not only to write but to edit (the dreading editing).
Once you’ve decided your genre and approximate length you need to determine how much you can write each day and that will be dependent on how much time you have. I can’t stress enough DO NOT overcommit yourself as you will set yourself up for frustration and failure. Not to mention a huge amount of stress.
If you only have an hour to write each day and you can typically churn out 500 words in an hour then use that as your baseline. If you can only manage writing 5 days a week then aim for a goal of 2500 words a week. And 5 days a week is respectable.
I used to be able to write 7 days a week, and I loved it because I don’t usually look at my writing as work. However, as my kids got older and I took on more chauffeuring responsibilities I find that a 6 day work week is much better for me. Saturdays are filled with so many activities I need a day off. Not from writing but from the stress when I can’t find a long enough stretch to write. It was too much pressure and made me unhappy. And an unhappy me is a poor writer. If I’m not mentally in a good place, it makes writing that much harder which then itself is frustrating and on and on.
I still work Saturdays on social media and things I can get done 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there, and it works for me.
Anyways back to the main topic, not my mental health because that conversation could go on for many blog posts.
Using the answers, you came up with to those 4 questions you can create your timeline. If your goal is to write a 50,000-word cozy mystery and you can average comfortably 2500 words a week, then it will take you 20 weeks to write your book.
The FIRST draft anyway.
Which to me is always the easiest. It’s when I start revising that I find all the inconsistencies and crappy writing and the major work starts.
Until you’ve been through the entire process a few times, it can be more of a guesstimate as to how long your revisions will take. I usually tell new authors to allow the same amount of time for revisions as they did for their first draft which in this case would be another 20 weeks.
It’s not many authors who can write an almost perfect first draft. And if you can kudos to you. You’re awesome! Please teach me.
Now I know what you’re probably thinking. WOW, that’s a long time away and I don’t want to wait that long to publish my book. I know it can seem like a long time away, 40 some odd weeks.
But that’s ok.
It gives you 40 weeks to market. And it’s never too early to start. Marketing your books is just as hard and time-consuming as the writing part, if not harder. The more time you take to build your author platform and build a following the better off you’ll be when your book releases.
Now keep in mind 40 weeks only gets you to a final draft. You then need to factor in editing, which I recommend you do at least twice if not three times. One content and two line editing. Then time for formatting which is the quickest part of the process.
Editing turn around time will largely depend on your editor. I have one who takes 3 weeks to line edit a 50,000-word novel and another who can do a content edit in a week. Then I need time to make my corrections based on their feedback. Again, if this is your first one it will be harder to figure out, but I allow 2 weeks on my end for each round. It usually doesn’t take that long, but I’d rather have too much time than to rush.
In the middle of all this editing fun, you will need to take the time to get your cover and start marketing. If you’re also a graphic designer along with a writer yay for you, this will be easy. If not you will need to research and find a designer who designs covers in your genre and has a look you’re going for.
This isn’t as easy as it sounds. For me, I sometimes don’t know what I want until I see it. And that often brings out many versions I don’t like at all first which can be frustrating for all parties involved in the process.
You don’t want to start the cover process too early because you never know what turn your book may take regardless of what your initial intent was. You want to make sure your story line is pretty solid. If your man eating unicorn turns out to be a man-eating fairy then having a mean looking unicorn on the cover won’t make any sense and you’ll waste money having the cover redone.
You also don’t want to start too late because you need to start marketing this awesome book of yours and having a cover helps.
You will see on the worksheet you downloaded that I have the cover and marketing elements worked into the middle of the progression. This is a guide as you need to do what you feel comfortable with.
I encourage you to block out some time on your calendar and put your production plan on paper. Then come back and let me know how it’s going.
The post Creating Your Novel Production Schedule appeared first on Laina Turner.
February 1, 2017
Goals Recap and New Happenings
One month down and 11 more to go. Like many other bloggers out there I post my goals each year (you can read the full post here) and try to stay on track. With the goals and the posts about the goals. Some years are better than others.
Some years are better than others.
My goals are pretty common:
reduce debt
lose weight
make more money
This year what I decided to do differently was to take it slow and work on consistent progress rather than set a goal of losing 25 lbs in 3 days and being disappointed when it doesn’t happen.
Who knew you had to exercise and eat right more than a couple days to see your desired results.
For January I wanted to:
Debt – pay off $5000 which might seem aggressive, but I was expecting some side job money. I actually paid off $5300 in credit card debt – yahoo! I intended to also save via better grocery and meal planning and that DIDN’T happen.
Lose weight/health – lose 2lbs. Easy right? That didn’t happen either. I’m starting SLAM BAM, an exercise and weight loss contest, where I go to boot camp on Feb 13th and I used that starting date as an excuse to prolong the start of my healthy lifestyle. There is a cash prize at stake, and I’d hate to miss out on being as big as possible to start. Am I right? Ok, I know that’s a HORRIBLE way of thinking.
Income – increase $500 over January 2016. Nope. Didn’t happen. I fact, I dropped 60% from last January. That sucks. Yeah, it does, but it’s ok because I know exactly WHY I sucked so bad and that’s something. I know now I’m on the right track to make the next 11 months amazing.
I will not let my failures deter me. I can’t change the past, I can only change the future. My focus is now on February.
February goals:
Debt – pay off another $5000. This is another aggressive goal, but if everything goes according to plan, I should be able to do it.
Lose weight/health – I am setting a goal of 4lbs. A pound a week. With SlamBam starting Feb 13th I feel that’s totally doable. Just cutting out alcohol alone will do that. And yes I’m cutting it out. Giving up my wine will be a challenge, but I’m ready for it.
Income – I’m scrapping the money goal and instead focusing on number of sign ups for my new online course launching March 13th. Obviously, sign ups will translate into money, but my focus is on building my brand, my audience, a community of writers. I love what I do so money is a by-product, it’s icing on the cake. I have a solid plan on how I will accomplish this and I’m so freaking excited about it!
Now for the exciting things going on around here.
Weddings & Weapons, #12 in the Presley Thurman mystery series, released last week. I did zero promotions for it (not a good thing) because I’ve been completely side tracked with my blog stuff. It’s hard to balance everything, and I failed at it this time.
I had the hardest time getting this book written with everything going on in the past year, so it was such a relief to have it finished that I didn’t mind putting off the promo part which I am planning for sometime in February. You can grab it now for only .99 cents.
I’m launching a Facebook group for authors Monday, hop on over and join if you’re an author seeking to promote your work, called Indie Pub Promo.
I belong to several Facebook groups for bloggers and authors and the way the blogger-centric ones are set up I feel generate more ROI than the author ones I belong too. I’m excited to get this off the ground to help all my fellow authors.
I have a webinar coming the week of February 20th on the Top Secrets to Making a Living as an Author. It’s free so sign up today!
Top Secrets to Making a Living as an Author
Join me February 21st, 8pm est for a FREE webinar on the Top Secrets to Making a Living as an Author.
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First Name Email Address We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer. Subscribe Powered by ConvertKit /* Layout */ .ck_form { /* divider image */ background: #fff url(data:image/gif;base64,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) repeat-y center top; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; overflow: hidden; color: #666; font-size: 16px; border-top: solid 20px #3071b0; border-top-color: #676767; border-bottom: solid 10px #3d3d3d; border-bottom-color: #3e3e3e; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); -moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); clear: both; margin: 20px 0px; } .ck_form, .ck_form * { -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; } #ck_subscribe_form { clear: both; } /* Element Queries — uses JS */ .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { width: 50%; float: left; padding: 5%; } .ck_form.ck_horizontal { } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: none; } .ck_form.ck_vertical { background: #fff; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; overflow: hidden; } /* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */ @media all and (max-width: 499px) { .ck_form { background: #fff; } .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; } } /* Content */ .ck_form_content h3 { margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-size: 24px; padding: 0px; } .ck_form_content p { font-size: 14px; } .ck_image { float: left; margin-right: 5px; } /* Form fields */ .ck_errorArea { display: none; } #ck_success_msg { padding: 10px 10px 0px; border: solid 1px #ddd; background: #eee; } .ck_label { font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; } .ck_form input[type="text"], .ck_form input[type="email"] { font-size: 14px; padding: 10px 8px; width: 100%; border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */ -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ background-color: #f8f7f7; /* layer fill content */ margin-bottom: 5px; height: auto; } .ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus { outline: none; border-color: #aaa; } .ck_checkbox { padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px; display: block; clear: both; } .ck_checkbox input.optIn { margin-left: -20px; margin-top: 0; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt { margin-left: 4px; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p { display: inline; } .ck_form .ck_subscribe_button { width: 100%; color: #fff; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 10px 0px; font-size: 18px; background: #ee4a96; -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ cursor: pointer; border: none; text-shadow: none; } .ck_form .ck_guarantee { color: #626262; font-size: 12px; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0px; display: block; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by { display: block; color: #aaa; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover { display: block; color: #444; } .ck_converted_content { display: none; padding: 5%; background: #fff; }And then the thing I’m most excited about right now is my online course, The Roadmap to Author Success, launching Monday, March 13th. It’s going to cover things from what it takes to be an author to building that author platform. You can learn more and get in on the early bird pricing here.
Even though my focus the next couple months are on some new blog ventures, I am still writing. I took off sale 2 books about 18 months ago that are almost done being updated/rewritten, and the first of those should be out in March/April.
How are you coming along with your goals?
The post Goals Recap and New Happenings appeared first on Laina Turner.
January 31, 2017
TOTALLY TERRIFIC TUESDAY LINK PARTY #118
The last day of January. I can’t believe it. As I was looking at my January goals and where I am to them (that post coming tomorrow) I’m kind of frightened it’s flown by so fast. However, January has been a great month and I’m looking forward to all kinds of great things happening in February.
Make sure to link up your most awesome blog post and if you need a good book to cozy up with, check out Weddings & Weapons #12 in the Presley Thurman mystery series.
Until next week…..
Stop by and see what your hosts have been doing and give these ladies a warm welcome!
Facebook // Instagram // Pinterest // Twitter
Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter // Instagram // Google+
Instagram // Pinterest // Facebook // Twitter
Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest
Pinterest // Instagram // Facebook // Google+
__________________________
This party has been growing and growing and it is getting harder and harder to pick features! I am so grateful for all of you talented folks for hanging out and linking up!! Have fun! Don’t forget to stop by the Pinterest boards and take a moment to pin a few and help spread the holiday joy by supporting your fellow blogging buddies!
_____________________________
Party Rules
NOTICE: Please try not to link the same content two weeks in a row. If you didn’t do anything new last week, try linking up some older content. This helps you in the long run..if you linked up the same thing 2-3 weeks in a row people won’t click on it a second time, so increase your chances of being picked for most clicked by linking up new content every week 
January 30, 2017
SMART Goals are the Goals that Get Accomplished
Creating good goals, along with the actions and tactics to execute those goals, isn’t as simple as just writing something down on paper.
What you write and how you write it are crucial to achieving the goal. You want your goals to be SMART.
Not smart, but SMART.
SMART goals are simple to create. They take thought and planning but it’s worth the investment of time.
SMART stands for:
Specific
Measureable
Attainable
Realistic & Relevant
Timely
This goal-setting concept was invented and first written about by George T. Doran in a journal circa 1981 (keep that in the back of your mind for the next trivial pursuit game you play) and the concept is just as strong this many years later.
Why? Because it works.
SMART Goals Download
Make goals you can achieve!
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Was it a clear and specific goal?
Did you achieve the goal?
If not, why didn’t you?
How could you have done a better job?
Most of us don’t analyze our goals that deeply. We just state them in a general sense and when it doesn’t just happen, we get discouraged. Well they’re not going to happen without ways to make it happen.
Wanting is passive not active.
Thomas Jefferson once said - I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more…
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That quote is so true. We can’t sit around waiting to get lucky. Waiting for what we want to just happen through some magical force.
We must work on making it happen.
Doran’s point with his SMART goal method was that goals need to be specific and measureable, and you need to have relevant and realistic ways to achieve them to have a better chance at the goals being met.
To create SMART goals, you need to make sure your goals meet all of those above requirements. For example, if you told someone to “do the laundry,” that would not be a SMART goal. Though many of us have probably said that at one time or another to a spouse, child, significant other, etc., and you might initially think it’s a perfectly fine sounding goal. But it’s not SMART.
Why isn’t it a SMART goal?
Is it specific? No, it doesn’t specify if you mean all the laundry, or just the whites, or just the ones in the yellow basket.
Is it measurable? Not in its current form because the laundry amount wasn’t quantified.
Is the laundry goal attainable? Can it be done or is the washing machine broken? Is the person who you’re asking to do the laundry capable of doing the laundry?
Is it realistic? Can the goal of the laundry being done actually be met, or is there so much laundry to do that it’s not possible?
Then, is it timely? You need to set timeframes around the goal to create a sense of urgency and to have accountability in place. That wasn’t there in the initial instruction “do the laundry.” So maybe you meant by the time you got home from work but the other person thought you meant whenever he or she had time, which theoretically could be never.
Even in that silly example, you can easily see how the lack of specificity can cause the simple goal of getting the laundry done to fail and for frustration to build.
Using SMART goals helps you be more realistic and sets you up for success in attaining your goals. It’s to your benefit to make sure every one of your goals is SMART.
Again, you must write down your goals if you’re committed to making them a reality. This step is very important. I journal every day and restate my goals just to keep them top-of-mind always and to not lose focus.
Look at the list of goals you have. Make sure you’re your goals are written in SMART form.
Here is one of my goals as an example:
My goal within the next twelve months is to make $10,000 a month through book sales, revenue from my blog, and online courses. Since I need to make progress toward the twelve-month desired result I will need to create smaller monthly goals.
Month 1 Goal:
To make $500 dollars from sales of my books, $500 from online courses, and $250 from blog ad revenue.
Specific – Yes. I have a numerical goal of $1,250 dollars, a time frame of one month, and the products I’m going to sell.
Measurable – Yes, the goal is measured in sales specific to certain products.
Attainable – $1,250 in sales is a small increase over the previous month.
Realistic/Relevant – I have a new book releasing in this month that will boost sales.
Timely – the timeframe to achieve this goal is set for one month.
The way the goal is written I have no doubt as to what I’m going to accomplish and by when it will be accomplished. I then need to decide the actions to get it accomplished. It’s easy to get frustrated by your goals if they seem too overwhelming, so it’s also a good idea to break down big goals into small manageable chunks and benchmark your process.
Creating benchmarks to track your progress to a larger goal is a great way to stay motivated. Eat that elephant one bite at a time, as people say. Celebrate each time you hit one of your benchmarks. It’s important to get excited about the wins. No matter how small they may be.
You also need to believe without a doubt that you can achieve your goals. There is no room for head trash and self-doubt. Don’t let negativity enter your brain.
If you think your goal is impossible, prove to yourself it’s not or you’ll be defeated before you’ve even gotten started.
Now make your goals SMART. Download the worksheet and work through them all. Then let me know how it’s going! I know you can achieve all your dreams.
The post SMART Goals are the Goals that Get Accomplished appeared first on Laina Turner.
January 26, 2017
Weekend traffic Jam Link Up party #81
TRAFFIC JAM WEEKEND LINKY PARTY #81!
Show us your old posts and more on Traffic Jam Weekend!
Come on in to link up, share, and learn something with us.
#trafficjamweekend
For any newcomers to Traffic Jam Weekend, this weekly linky party is all about linking up your old posts so you can get some new comments and traffic.
To the frequent TJW visitors, thanks for always linking up.
The bloggers bringing this fabulous party to you:
Kimberly from Being A Wordsmith | Facebook (site) | Facebook (book series) | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+
Laina from LainaTurner.com | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+
Gail from Frugal Family Adventures | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+
Natasha from Epic Mommy Adventures | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Evelyn from Eclectic Evelyn | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+ | YouTube | Tumblr
Mari from Living in Mommywood | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+ | Bloglovin’
Reuven from Marriage-Reset | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Google+ | LinkedIn
These are the featured posts from Traffic Jam Weekend #80…
Kimberly chose The Complete Pinterest Guide That Will Make You See More Traffic & Money by Mostly Blogging. “Learned some new tips for attracting traffic to my Pinterest boards.”
Laina chose Winter Detox Salad by Simply Stacie.
Mari chose Red Velvet Fudge Recipe (make in minutes!) by The Country Chic Cottage. “Loved Angie’s Red Velvet fudge!!!!!”
Reuven chose 16 Romantic Breakfast Ideas for Valentine’s Day (+KitchenAid Giveaway) by A Hedgehog in the Kitchen. “The recipes could delight many this Valentine’s Day.”
The post with the most views was Make a Hershey Bouquet by Creatively Homemade.
Thank you guys for sharing! Your posts have been pinned to the Traffic Jam Weekend Linky Party Pinterest board. Please grab a special Traffic Jam Weekend featured button below to display on your blog.
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Grab a Traffic Jam Weekend button below for your site
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January 25, 2017
How to Write Fiction That Sells
Making a living with your writing means writing fiction that sells and therefore makes money.
What a simple concept, right?
However, writing fiction that sells means you need to KNOW what sells, what the trends are, and write to that trend at least some of the time.
Not just writing whatever moves you. To be successful, you need to be selling what people are buying.
If you want to make a living from your craft, you are not just a writer. You’re an entrepreneur. Authorpreneur, if you want to be all fancy.
As an entrepreneur, you must always be working to create a quality product people want. As a writer that means producing books, people want to read.
In a perfect world, we would all be able to write whatever we wanted and make piles of money doing so. And while I want to be positive and say you’re writing is so amazing people will line up to buy whatever book you write, I’d be lying if I did.
When people spend money, there has to be something in it for them.
If the genre you’ve dreamed if writing in is about fairy unicorns living in South Africa fighting crime there just might not be a very big market for that type of story. As interesting as it sounds.
I’m not saying you can’t write about fairy unicorns, I’m just saying you might not make your millions selling that genre.
I could totally be wrong here. I’m only using it as an example.
As an authorpreneur, you need to balance what the reader wants with what you can write. I say what you can write because not everyone can write in every genre and to sell you need to be comfortable with what you’re writing so you can write it well.
Though if you’re upset with me right now because I want you to write on trend, rather than your passion because you think you can’t write trend. Don’t be worried you might surprise yourself. You’d be amazed at what you can do when you try.
Think of it as stretching your skills.
Keep in mind if this sounds frustrating, that your goal is to make a living at this and making a living means
understanding your audience
what they want
and writing that exact thing.
Romance, mystery/thriller, Young Adult, and Sci-Fi, have been the top sellers fairly consistently throughout the last several years. But there are many sub-genres underneath the large buckets that you can explore that might help you determine what the right fit is for you.
For example in romance your have contemporary, chick lit, erotic, historical, and Christian to name a few. Then crossover romances into other genres such as fantasy romance, romantic suspense, paranormal, and YA romance. So see, there are a lot of options. And you don’t have to stick with just one.
Though keep in mind if you build a fan base around romance novels and switch to sci-fi you may have to find a new reader base as they are two separate markets and your romance readers may not want to read your sci-fi, but that’s ok.
Anne Rice wrote vampire books and erotica which aren’t necessarily in the same realm, and I think we can all agree she did well for herself. But it is a little easier if you can have a crossover. Building a fan base is hard work.
Picking a genre and sticking to it is not always easy. When I started writing I was planning on writing romance, chick lit stuff. The Danielle Steele or Sophia Kinsella variety. I had books mapped out in my head.
However, in my first draft of my first book, someone died. I didn’t mean for it to happen and it wasn’t planned. It just happened. You writers out there know what I’m talking about. Sometimes you have no control over what your characters do. They kind of do what they want.
That was the start of my Presley Thurman mystery series which is more cozy than procedural or hardcore but doesn’t follow all the cozy tenants. Then I started another series that again I had NO INTENTION of writing as a mystery.
And dammit someone died. AGAIN.
Then I started another series (crazy right) and changed my POV thinking that would help. It didn’t. I actually published that series, which was more in the same genre, realized it wasn’t what I wanted it to be and pulled it off sale a year ago.
I am getting ready to republish the 2 I wrote in this series after much rewriting and editing for more mystery suspense vibe versus the fluffy chick lit’ish cozy mystery that the Presley and Trixie series are.
While there is a strong market for the cozy mystery and I love my fans, I know there are a few different types of books in me I need to write at some point. A contemporary romance and a straight contemporary women fiction novel are on my list, and I’d like to try my hand at a YA novel.
I had to read several for a class I took in my MFA and hadn’t read YA since I was that age and was wowed at how much different the genre was from what I expected it to be. Much more serious topics.
If your initial book idea is in one of the genres I mentioned you’re golden. If its not that’s ok. Your next step is to do your research and figure out how what you love, what you can write, and what is selling can all fit together.
The easiest way is to head over to the Zon (Amazon) and look at the best seller lists. See what’s on there. Books by big 6 authors (Stephen King, Danielle Steele, Elizabeth Gilbert…. you get where I’m going) and then by us indie’s, who incidentally are kicking the big 6’s ass regarding market share – holla!
INDIE AUTHORS ROCK! #indieauthor #selfpub #fiction
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Then search your preferred genre and see what books exist, what categories are they in, what are their sales rankings. Then go research those authors. Read their bios, see how many books they have out, their social media following.
If you don’t like what you see in your preferred genre, meaning it doesn’t look like a genre that’s selling like hotcakes, research some of the others you think might be something you’d enjoy.
While you need to write what your audience wants you can’t write something you absolutely hate. There has to be that happy medium.
You can download this worksheet to document your research.
Write Fiction That Sells - Worksheet
Use this tool to do your research and make a living wriitng.
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First Name Email Address We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer. I Want my Download! Powered by ConvertKit /* Layout */ .ck_form { /* divider image */ background: #fff url(data:image/gif;base64,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) repeat-y center top; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; overflow: hidden; color: #666666; font-size: 16px; border-top: solid 20px #3071b0; border-top-color: #fdf2f4; border-bottom: solid 10px #3d3d3d; border-bottom-color: #989192; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); -moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); clear: both; margin: 20px 0px; } .ck_form, .ck_form * { -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; } #ck_subscribe_form { clear: both; } /* Element Queries — uses JS */ .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { width: 50%; float: left; padding: 5%; } .ck_form.ck_horizontal { } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: none; } .ck_form.ck_vertical { background: #fff; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; overflow: hidden; } /* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */ @media all and (max-width: 499px) { .ck_form { background: #fff; } .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; } } /* Content */ .ck_form_content h3 { margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-size: 24px; padding: 0px; } .ck_form_content p { font-size: 14px; } .ck_image { float: left; margin-right: 5px; } /* Form fields */ .ck_errorArea { display: none; } #ck_success_msg { padding: 10px 10px 0px; border: solid 1px #ddd; background: #eee; } .ck_label { font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; } .ck_form input[type="text"], .ck_form input[type="email"] { font-size: 14px; padding: 10px 8px; width: 100%; border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */ -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ background-color: #f8f7f7; /* layer fill content */ margin-bottom: 5px; height: auto; } .ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus { outline: none; border-color: #aaa; } .ck_checkbox { padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px; display: block; clear: both; } .ck_checkbox input.optIn { margin-left: -20px; margin-top: 0; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt { margin-left: 4px; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p { display: inline; } .ck_form .ck_subscribe_button { width: 100%; color: #fff; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 10px 0px; font-size: 18px; background: #cacaca; -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ cursor: pointer; border: none; text-shadow: none; } .ck_form .ck_guarantee { color: #626262; font-size: 12px; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0px; display: block; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by { display: block; color: #aaa; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover { display: block; color: #444; } .ck_converted_content { display: none; padding: 5%; background: #fff; }I firmly believe in the Law of Abundance. There are enough readers out there for all of us. If you find 10 authors writing in the fairy unicorn genre and they have out multiple books and seem to have a decent ranking on Amazon well then. I eat my words. It could be a sellable genre.
I do want to add a caveat about Amazon rankings. They aren’t the gospel. Those rankings reflect numbers weighted more on recent sales rather than long-term all time sales. Here is a great article that breaks it down better than I can http://selfpublishingadvice.org/amazo....
Don’t put all your research eggs in the Zon basket because as someone who’s not a fan of Amazon Select and does extremely well on iTunes and Kobo you want to make sure you check them out along with Nook though they’ve really struggled to keep up.
Seeing what consistencies there are out there among platforms is good.
Whatever you do don’t get discouraged if you don’t find anything on the top seller list in your genre or even the opposite. Don’t get discouraged if there are zillions in your genre on the top seller list and you think there’s no way you can compete.
You can! You have that amazing book in you and the skill and persistence to get it out and join the others on that list.
Now grab your download and start researching. Then come back and let me know what you find and what genre your next book is going to be!
Happy writing!
The post How to Write Fiction That Sells appeared first on Laina Turner.
January 24, 2017
TOTALLY TERRIFIC TUESDAY LINK PARTY #118
January’s flying by don’t you think? While I hate to wish time away I can’t say I’m unhappy about it. I am so ready for spring. My feet are just dying to wear sandals again.
Anyways, I hope you’re having an amazing week. Make sure to link up your awesome blog post!
Until next week…..
Stop by and see what your hosts have been doing and give these ladies a warm welcome!
Facebook // Instagram // Pinterest // Twitter
Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter // Instagram // Google+
Instagram // Pinterest // Facebook // Twitter
Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest
Pinterest // Instagram // Facebook // Google+
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This party has been growing and growing and it is getting harder and harder to pick features! I am so grateful for all of you talented folks for hanging out and linking up!! Have fun! Don’t forget to stop by the Pinterest boards and take a moment to pin a few and help spread the holiday joy by supporting your fellow blogging buddies!
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Party Rules
NOTICE: Please try not to link the same content two weeks in a row. If you didn’t do anything new last week, try linking up some older content. This helps you in the long run..if you linked up the same thing 2-3 weeks in a row people won’t click on it a second time, so increase your chances of being picked for most clicked by linking up new content every week
January 23, 2017
Make Big Goals With Strong Whys
If your goal is to be a write and make a living at it, that’s awesome!
Achieving your goal of being an authorpreneur requires a positive attitude and a clear focus.
First I want to say, I’m totally proud of you and your desire to follow your heart. You can do this! It can absolutely happen, but it’s not enough to wish it. You’ve got to set goals and take action toward those goals to make your dreams come true.
You must build your authorpreneur foundation for success with great intention.
When thinking about what you want out of your writing career, the key is to be specific. Nail those suckers down. Don’t just say I want to be rich, or I want to be a best-selling author, or I want my own private island. That’s too vague.
If you can’t say it with conviction, then maybe you don’t want it that badly.
Instead of saying: I want my own private island.
You want to say: I want to buy my own private island in 5 years. It will cost me 10 million dollars, so I need to sell 5 million books at two dollars apiece. That means selling 274 books a day at two dollars each for 1,825 days (5 years).
The second goal I wrote down is specific. Something I can sink my teeth into, explain to someone, and visualize. The goal is written in such a way that I know exactly what I must do to achieve it.
I read that goal and get pumped up thinking, let’s go sell some stuff! Whoo-hoo!
What are your goals? Do you already have a clear idea of what you want? Are the goals in your head kind of floating around? If so, now’s your chance to write them all down. You might not realize how many goals you have until you start to list them all and find you have so many you can’t accomplish everything at once. Even if you wanted to.
You also want to think of your goals in the sense of both short-term and long-term. Many of your smaller goals will be stepping-stones to bigger goals.
I would also encourage you to throw limitations out the window. Write down your goals as if you haven’t a care in the world and you can do anything. Don’t let doubts creep into your head.
Download the worksheet and write down your goals in the goals section. Starting with your biggest, scariest goal.
Goals & Whys Worksheet
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First Name Email Address We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer. Download Now Powered by ConvertKit /* Layout */ .ck_form { /* divider image */ background: #fff url(data:image/gif;base64,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) repeat-y center top; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; overflow: hidden; color: #666; font-size: 16px; border-top: solid 20px #3071b0; border-top-color: #ffe1ec; border-bottom: solid 10px #3d3d3d; border-bottom-color: #99878e; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); -moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); clear: both; margin: 20px 0px; } .ck_form, .ck_form * { -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; } #ck_subscribe_form { clear: both; } /* Element Queries — uses JS */ .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { width: 50%; float: left; padding: 5%; } .ck_form.ck_horizontal { } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: none; } .ck_form.ck_vertical { background: #fff; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_vertical .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; overflow: hidden; } /* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */ @media all and (max-width: 499px) { .ck_form { background: #fff; } .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields { padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; } .ck_form_content { border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; } } /* Content */ .ck_form_content h3 { margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-size: 24px; padding: 0px; } .ck_form_content p { font-size: 14px; } .ck_image { float: left; margin-right: 5px; } /* Form fields */ .ck_errorArea { display: none; } #ck_success_msg { padding: 10px 10px 0px; border: solid 1px #ddd; background: #eee; } .ck_label { font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; } .ck_form input[type="text"], .ck_form input[type="email"] { font-size: 14px; padding: 10px 8px; width: 100%; border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */ -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ background-color: #f8f7f7; /* layer fill content */ margin-bottom: 5px; height: auto; } .ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus { outline: none; border-color: #aaa; } .ck_checkbox { padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px; display: block; clear: both; } .ck_checkbox input.optIn { margin-left: -20px; margin-top: 0; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt { margin-left: 4px; } .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p { display: inline; } .ck_form .ck_subscribe_button { width: 100%; color: #fff; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 10px 0px; font-size: 18px; background: #676767; -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ cursor: pointer; border: none; text-shadow: none; } .ck_form .ck_guarantee { color: #626262; font-size: 12px; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0px; display: block; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by { display: block; color: #aaa; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover { display: block; color: #444; } .ck_converted_content { display: none; padding: 5%; background: #fff; }Take your time to think hard about what it is you want. Will everything on your list be doable? Probably not. But until you’ve had time to explore the possibilities, don’t limit yourself.
Once you have your list of goals, then you need to make sure they’re the right goals and are going to move you forward to your ultimate end game. To make sure you have the right goals you need to have a compelling WHY for every single one you just wrote down. You need to ask yourself:
Why have you made this goal?
Why is the goal important to you?
Will achieving this goal make your life better? Why?
Who will this goal impact?
In what way will it impact someone?
Identifying your WHY is crucial to staying passionate and focused.
He who has a why to live can bear almost any how - Friedrich Nietzsche
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If you don’t have a strong WHY, then kick your goal to the curb. It’s not something you need to waste time on. There’s only a certain amount of time in a day so you need to spend your time where it matters.
Reflect for a minute. Have you ever gone down a certain path, either personally or professionally, because it seemed like the right, or fun, thing to do at the time but at some point, doubts crept in and you started to wonder why you were doing it in the first place? I know I have.
Questioning why you are doing something often leads to frustration and resentment toward that task. Sometimes even anger at yourself for wasting time on it. Those feelings can lead you to become unmotivated and, baby, it’s all downhill from there.
If you have a strong WHY, then when you start to have doubts – which you will, we all hit rough patches and want to quit – you can revisit your WHY and remind yourself of the reason you wanted this in the first place.
If you don’t have a strong WHY, it will be harder to get through the tough times and easier to give up. Frankly, life is too short to spend on things that you don’t feel you must have at all costs or your life just won’t be the same. I’m being a little dramatic but you get my point.
My million-dollar goal is a huge one and freaks me out every time I say it. I know you probably think I’m nuts, but I like to dream big.
My WHY for that goal is to be able to live my life the way I want on my own terms. To travel with my family, have the flexibility to be the kind of mom I want to be, provide my kids with the things they need and want, to be my own boss, to create something I’m proud of, and to not worry about money.
Do I actually NEED a million dollars? No, that’s not my motivator. The things I just mentioned are my motivator. Money is a vehicle.
When I’m up at 2 am, tired and exhausted, not wanting to write one more thing and thinking a 9-5 job with weekly direct deposits and sick days is sounding better and better, I think of my WHY and it keeps me going.
I can close my eyes and picture those above things happening. And it brings a smile to my face. Ultimately, I know I wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t pursue my passion and at least try to reach my goals. Even though at times I want to throw in the towel.
At the end of the day, I would rather fail at making a million dollars doing something I enjoy than settle for a steady paycheck doing something that doesn’t fulfill me. It’s just not worth it.
Life’s too short not to live it to the fullest. I’m not talking about bankrupting yourself or not being able to put food on the table. Sometimes you must do things you don’t want for the necessities, that’s called being an adult, but rather I’m talking about the big picture.
I’ll share with you a few of my goals and corresponding WHYs as an example.
Goal
To make 1,000,000 a year.
To earn a living as a writer.
To work out daily.
Get a Masters in psychology.
Why
To live life on my terms
To pursue my passion.
To stay healthy for my family and me.
Because I like psychology.
I put a big goal, a medium sized goal, a smaller goal, and one that I’d like to achieve but isn’t that important or going to help get me to my larger goals, to demonstrate how you sometimes need to pick and choose.
I like the field of psychology. The topic fascinates me and you already know I love to learn. Getting another degree in this topic would be fun for me. However, it’s not going to help me in my career, or help me get closer to my million dollar income and the life I desire. As much as I’d like to do it, my WHY for it is not as strong as my WHY for my other goals.
I’m not going to be devastated if I don’t get that additional degree. If I can’t write for a living I will be. So I choose to spend my time writing and keep that goal for a “maybe someday” goal. It’s still fun to think about.
Your WHY needs to be powerful. You’ve got to feel it. To envision it. To imagine it. If you can’t do that, then is the goal really and truly something you want to focus all your time and energy on? Be honest with yourself.
Now complete the WHY section of your worksheet for the goals you wrote down. You might find that your WHY to some goals are a “because I want to” variety (like my psychology degree) and not as important as you originally thought. You might find you have several WHY s for one goal, which will make it a front-runner to work on.
Once you’ve made your list of goals and your corresponding WHYs, you want to organize and prioritize.
After you’ve listed your WHYs, ask yourself the following:
Can I delete any goals right now because it just isn’t that important?
Are my goals the right ones?
Did any surprise me?
What might not have a strong enough WHY to do now, but you don’t want to totally abandon the idea, and can be pushed to the back burner.
Goal setting isn’t easy. At least realistic, actionable goal setting isn’t, and it’s even harder figuring out a five-year (or longer) plan. That’s a lot of planning. Heck, sometimes I have a hard time planning the next month or even tomorrow.
If you’re having a difficult time figuring out what you’re truly passionate about and what goals of yours are most important, it’s OK. It’s normal to like a lot of things and not be exactly sure which ones are best to get you to your end game.
You might need to take a step back and think about it. Talk through your goals with your spouse, significant other, or good friend. Post in the Facebook Group and ask me and your peers. Life isn’t meant to be lived in a vacuum.
The more time you spend putting your goals and WHY s in concrete form, the better you will be able to determine the importance of each. It’s not a quick process, but it’s a very important one.
When you think you’re ready, decide what goals you want to spend the next twelve months working on and creating this plan around. Write those down in your workbook and get ready to dive into the next chapter.
Things to think about:
Don’t put limitations on yourself.
Explore all possibilities.
Are your goals meaningful to you?
Do you feel you must make your goal at all costs?
Do you have a positive outlook toward your goals?
Can you imagine yourself living your goal?
The post Make Big Goals With Strong Whys appeared first on Laina Turner.
January 19, 2017
Weekend traffic Jam Link Up party #80
TRAFFIC JAM WEEKEND LINKY PARTY #80!
Show us your old posts and more on Traffic Jam Weekend!
Come on in to link up, share, and learn something with us.
#trafficjamweekend
For any newcomers to Traffic Jam Weekend, this weekly linky party is all about linking up your old posts so you can get some new comments and traffic.
To the frequent TJW visitors, thanks for always linking up.
The bloggers bringing this fabulous party to you:
Kimberly from Being A Wordsmith | Facebook (site) | Facebook (book series) | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+
Laina from LainaTurner.com | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+
Gail from Frugal Family Adventures | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+
Natasha from Epic Mommy Adventures | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Evelyn from Eclectic Evelyn | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+ | YouTube | Tumblr
Mari from Living in Mommywood | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+ | Bloglovin’
Reuven from Marriage-Reset | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Google+ | LinkedIn
These are the featured posts from Traffic Jam Weekend #79…
Natasha chose 5 Tips to Avoid Mom Burnout-Because Recovery Can Feel Impossible, a contributing post by Barrie Bismark (Daily Dump) on Parent.co. “It’s so easy for moms to be burned out, but it is so important to find time to relax and recover. These are some great tips!”
Kimberly chose 50 Things to Get Busy Doing Before 50 by yadadarcyyada. “This is a great ‘bucket’ list to do before you reach age 50. My favorite one is Help someone who needs help and don’t tell a single soul you did it. Check out the other 49!”
Mari chose Practicing Mindfulness and Meditation by Life…and Stuff. “Being I practice Yoga and Meditation and it’s been such a huge part of my life for about four years I could understand its full benefits and cheer the spreading of this practice of self care.”
Gail chose Blogging Tips That Will Make You See What I Saw– 2,051 Page Views of a Blog Post by Mostly Blogging. “Always great to receive blogging tips .”
Reuven chose 8 Things You Need to Know Before Booking a Cruise Vacation by Sew Travel Inspired. “This post is full of very important advice. Anyone taking a cruise, especially for the first time, would be wise to read it.”
The post with the most views was Turkey Cranberry Quesadillas by Simply Stacie.
Thank you guys for sharing! Your posts have been pinned to the Traffic Jam Weekend Linky Party Pinterest board. Please grab a special Traffic Jam Weekend featured button below to display on your blog.
Just a few rules for the party…
Grab a Traffic Jam Weekend button below for your site
Link up as many of your old posts as you like below
Take some time and visit the other posts
Create some traffic jam for the hosts of this party
Share this party on social media with the hashtag #trafficjamweekend
Follow Being A Wordsmith’s board Traffic Jam Weekend Linky Party on Pinterest.*Disclaimer: Adding your link to this linky party gives permission to Being A Wordsmith and co-hosts to share your posts and pictures via social media with a link back to the original source. It also gives Being A Wordsmith and co-hosts permission to contact you via e-mail or social media for networking purposes.
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An InLinkz Link-up
The post Weekend traffic Jam Link Up party #80 appeared first on Laina Turner.
