Michelle Worthington's Blog, page 27
September 29, 2015
Master Craftsman with Words and Wood
https://www.facebook.com/woodlandscustomfurniture My gorgeous handy husband is starting his new business. Woodlands Custom Furniture, building custom hardwood bar stools, coffee tables, children's furniture and pretty much anything made out of wood. This has always been a dream of his, to turn is hobby into a business, but we do have ulterior motives. My gorgeous handy hubby has a degenerative disease and in two years, at the ripe old age of 42, he will need his first hip replacement. He will get the other hip done the year after. Considering the life span of hip replacements, and considering his shoulders will be next, it seems my handy husband has a time limit on how 'handy' he will be in helping me support our family financially.
So, being the practical, sensible person that I am (cough cough)...and after lots of tears...we decided that we would have our 'day jobs' and persue our true callings at the same time, so that when the time comes where he can't be a tradie anymore, my book business will hopefully be making money and I can leave the bank, look after him and he can potter around making furniture if we have built his business up enough to make money too. That's the plan, people.
What has surprise me the most is how starting his new business in crafting wood has been so similar to me expanding my business crafting words. Words are commodities these days after all. As an author, I also run a business. I have products I need to sell. I need to engage customers through social media. I have a marketing budget. I have financial goals I want to achieve. Having spend the last 12 to 18 months really concentrating on my writing as a business has helped me so much in getting his furniture business up and started.
There is no rule that says you have to treat your writing as a business. I know lots of authors who are very happy publishing books and not too worried about making any money out of it. That's absolutely a personal choice that everyone makes when they come to the grim discovery that being an author doesn't always pay the bills. I have the motivation that one day I will have to stay home and look after hubby, and anyone who knows how much a carers pension is, will know that I need a battle plan to support us and the 3 kids, keep us fed and housed, and the omnipotent generosity of the government is just not going to cut it.
My hubby is talented. He turned this...
Into this for our wedding...
and this for our Tommy, who is not so good at using his own little legs...
If you don't mind the cross promotion, I would love you to go to his Woodlands Furniture page on Facebook and give it a like and a share. The more money he makes, the more time I can spend on my writing and I have so many stories I still want to share with you all. We will work together to make both our passions into a profitable business, but I am well aware none of my success is possible without your support and I can never thank you enough for that. https://www.facebook.com/woodlandscustomfurniture Talk soonx Michelle www.michelleworthington.com
September 28, 2015
Bedtime Stories Won't Save Us: The changing face of children's literacy
I read this article yesterday. http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/sep/26/bedtime-story-is-key-to-literacy-says-childrens-writer-cottrell-boyce
If the article was written 40 years ago, I would agree. But times have changed, and so have our kids.
So have we. Literacy is declining in our children and I don't believe bedtime stories are going to save us. If anyone has done a school visits with Prep lately, you will know todays kids are a different creature than they were even 10 years ago. This is a the result of a perfect storm of many things. We can't continue to rely on the things that have worked in the past, because they aren't working any more. Any early childhood teacher will tell you that. And like most teachers will tell you, I absolutely believe that the initial responsibility lies with the parent, not the teacher. Being a parent is hard work. School holidays are nearly done and so am I! When I was working full time, I used to be in tears knowing I wouldn't get to spend time with my kids on the school holidays because I had to work. The mother guilt was overwhelming at times and I was miserable. Now that I have the amazing opportunity of being on extended maternity leave with Tom, I get to spend time with all three of my beautiful boys. Isn't there a quote that says "be careful what you wish for?"
I am exhausted. Just leaving the house is a mission and everything you do costs money. My boys are very different ages; 15, 12 and 1, which gives me the unquie insight to compare bringing up children in different decades (eek) but makes it even more difficult to find things that we can all do together. Where is the happy family fun time that I imagined it would be? Where are all the Facebook photos and gushing tweets about how much I love spending time with my children? I do love spending time with my kids, but they drive me nuts at the same time. When my two bigger boys were younger, I read to them every night. I love bedtime stories. I love the closeness I feel to them and I love creating those memories for them. I love helping them discover the type of story they like reading, the style of pictures they like and the themes they enjoy. There were no Ipads when they were little... Things have changed. I have changed. When I am trying desperately to get Tom to sleep, after a day of cooking (they are eating me out of house and home) cleaning (Tom leaves a trail of destruction wherever he goes) and being referee between the older two fighting, not to mention dirty nappies, bottles, spu, snot and soggy biscuits ground into the carpet, to be honest the last thing I feel like doing is yelling at the big boys to get off their iPads and wrestling Tom still enough to read him a story. I have tried, but Tom is a different creature to my other kids. I blame reading Game of Thrones when I was pregnant with him. At bedtime he turns into the spawn of Satan. He had no interest in bedtime stories. When he was tiny, I would read Enid Blyton to him every night, but that was before he could get away. What has happened to me??? Mem Fox would be so cranky. Cottrell Boyce is worried I am letting down society in general. I am a picture book author for goodness sake! I am putting myself out of business! Parents are struggling to find the time or energy to battle not only their exhaustion, but the appeal of Ipads and gaming consoles, to read to their kids at night. This is a fact. This is reality. It can't be passed over as bad parenting. It needs to be acknowledged as the new world order, right or wrong.(My kids didn't have ipads until they were at school and Tom doesn't have one, developmentally he is not ready, he would use it as a teething toy. That is personal preference.)There has to be a way that parents can read to their kids without it being another battle. I think I have come up with a solution that works for my family.
I read Tom the instructions from the recipe (or from the back of the packet) when I am cooking dinner. I get the boys to come and read them out to my while I am cooking. If there is something we hear on the news or on the radio that sparks a discussion between the older boys, I get them to google more information and then come and read it to me while I feed Tom. Tom loves hearing them read to him. We use board books during play time, as part of our daily "let's tire out Tom" routine. He holds a book while I change his nappy and he is learning to turn the pages carefully. I make a big deal about getting the free local paper. Jordan reads books independently at night, he is currently into Stephen King novels, Cody reads magazines and Tom eats whatever paper he can get his hands on. It works for us. Feeling guilty about not reading bedtime stories to your kids shouldn't be another paralysing ploy of mother guilt. With our increasing busy lives, parents need to be smarter about how they are spending their time with the kids in general, making sure reading, reading out loud and sharing a love of reading play some part in day to day life. It doesn't have to be at bedtime, but it needs to be part of the day to day running of the family unit. It will take time to develop.
It is important they see that you enjoy to read, not only to them, but for work and for your own enjoyment. If you don't enjoy reading your children bedtime stories, I don't suggest you do it. If you love reading bedtime stories to your children, that's fabulous. Kids today are amazing imitators. Kids are much more practical and visual than my generation. They are less likely to try something they see has no intrinsic value to them. We need to be developing ways of introducing books to kids that will suit their new world and we need to start from when they are very young. We need to start thinking about the skills we are passing on to a new generation and make sure they are suited to the future world that awaits them. It's hard, but it's not impossible.Teach your kids the skill of reading when they are young because it's a life tool they will use everyday of their lives. But if it's not at bedtime, don't stress. Talk soonx Michelle www.michelleworthington.com
If the article was written 40 years ago, I would agree. But times have changed, and so have our kids.
So have we. Literacy is declining in our children and I don't believe bedtime stories are going to save us. If anyone has done a school visits with Prep lately, you will know todays kids are a different creature than they were even 10 years ago. This is a the result of a perfect storm of many things. We can't continue to rely on the things that have worked in the past, because they aren't working any more. Any early childhood teacher will tell you that. And like most teachers will tell you, I absolutely believe that the initial responsibility lies with the parent, not the teacher. Being a parent is hard work. School holidays are nearly done and so am I! When I was working full time, I used to be in tears knowing I wouldn't get to spend time with my kids on the school holidays because I had to work. The mother guilt was overwhelming at times and I was miserable. Now that I have the amazing opportunity of being on extended maternity leave with Tom, I get to spend time with all three of my beautiful boys. Isn't there a quote that says "be careful what you wish for?"
I am exhausted. Just leaving the house is a mission and everything you do costs money. My boys are very different ages; 15, 12 and 1, which gives me the unquie insight to compare bringing up children in different decades (eek) but makes it even more difficult to find things that we can all do together. Where is the happy family fun time that I imagined it would be? Where are all the Facebook photos and gushing tweets about how much I love spending time with my children? I do love spending time with my kids, but they drive me nuts at the same time. When my two bigger boys were younger, I read to them every night. I love bedtime stories. I love the closeness I feel to them and I love creating those memories for them. I love helping them discover the type of story they like reading, the style of pictures they like and the themes they enjoy. There were no Ipads when they were little... Things have changed. I have changed. When I am trying desperately to get Tom to sleep, after a day of cooking (they are eating me out of house and home) cleaning (Tom leaves a trail of destruction wherever he goes) and being referee between the older two fighting, not to mention dirty nappies, bottles, spu, snot and soggy biscuits ground into the carpet, to be honest the last thing I feel like doing is yelling at the big boys to get off their iPads and wrestling Tom still enough to read him a story. I have tried, but Tom is a different creature to my other kids. I blame reading Game of Thrones when I was pregnant with him. At bedtime he turns into the spawn of Satan. He had no interest in bedtime stories. When he was tiny, I would read Enid Blyton to him every night, but that was before he could get away. What has happened to me??? Mem Fox would be so cranky. Cottrell Boyce is worried I am letting down society in general. I am a picture book author for goodness sake! I am putting myself out of business! Parents are struggling to find the time or energy to battle not only their exhaustion, but the appeal of Ipads and gaming consoles, to read to their kids at night. This is a fact. This is reality. It can't be passed over as bad parenting. It needs to be acknowledged as the new world order, right or wrong.(My kids didn't have ipads until they were at school and Tom doesn't have one, developmentally he is not ready, he would use it as a teething toy. That is personal preference.)There has to be a way that parents can read to their kids without it being another battle. I think I have come up with a solution that works for my family.
I read Tom the instructions from the recipe (or from the back of the packet) when I am cooking dinner. I get the boys to come and read them out to my while I am cooking. If there is something we hear on the news or on the radio that sparks a discussion between the older boys, I get them to google more information and then come and read it to me while I feed Tom. Tom loves hearing them read to him. We use board books during play time, as part of our daily "let's tire out Tom" routine. He holds a book while I change his nappy and he is learning to turn the pages carefully. I make a big deal about getting the free local paper. Jordan reads books independently at night, he is currently into Stephen King novels, Cody reads magazines and Tom eats whatever paper he can get his hands on. It works for us. Feeling guilty about not reading bedtime stories to your kids shouldn't be another paralysing ploy of mother guilt. With our increasing busy lives, parents need to be smarter about how they are spending their time with the kids in general, making sure reading, reading out loud and sharing a love of reading play some part in day to day life. It doesn't have to be at bedtime, but it needs to be part of the day to day running of the family unit. It will take time to develop.
It is important they see that you enjoy to read, not only to them, but for work and for your own enjoyment. If you don't enjoy reading your children bedtime stories, I don't suggest you do it. If you love reading bedtime stories to your children, that's fabulous. Kids today are amazing imitators. Kids are much more practical and visual than my generation. They are less likely to try something they see has no intrinsic value to them. We need to be developing ways of introducing books to kids that will suit their new world and we need to start from when they are very young. We need to start thinking about the skills we are passing on to a new generation and make sure they are suited to the future world that awaits them. It's hard, but it's not impossible.Teach your kids the skill of reading when they are young because it's a life tool they will use everyday of their lives. But if it's not at bedtime, don't stress. Talk soonx Michelle www.michelleworthington.com
September 27, 2015
Book Review: Bedtime Stories for Busy Mothers by Caylie Jeffery
I'm not really sure what the rules are for reviewing books written by friends, but please know me well enough that I would always give you an honest opinion in my reviews. I have too much respect for the Australian Publishing Industry to pay lip service to anyone. Even if you aren't friends with Caylie, you will be after reading this book. She shares the intimate stories that only friends share over coffee and through tears. She shares with the reader, just as she gives to all around her in real life, all that she has to give, without it feeling like an imposition or invasion. I met Caylie at a workshop I was conducting for Queensland Writers Centre about publishing Picture Books. I knew right away, it wasn't for Caylie. She had far too much to say to fit into a 500 word limit, and the parents needed to hear it more than the kids. Kids are much smarter than grown ups after all.
It's reassuring to know instead of completely dashing her hopes of becoming a published author, she took my dare and looked instead at ways of writing that were more authentic for her personal writing style and less contrived to fit into a specific favourite genre. I wish more writers would take her lead. She had already been a successful writer before I met her, just not a print published one. It was her goal to change that.
Her book, Bedtime Stories for Busy Mothers, is a quilt of blog posts about her life, her role as a parent and wife, and her views on the world around her. What I learnt about Caylie from reading this book was she is much braver than I am. Not only for the honesty she portrays in her book, but for things she has done with grace and there is not other word but...bravery.
The first story in the book hit me the hardest. I too struggle with not feeling adequate as a Mum, especially after 3 premature births, but unlike Caylie who asks for help, I am the Mum hiding in the public toilets trying to clean up poo with socks when I've run out of wipes and re-dressing my baby in the hodge podge of clothes that have somehow accumulated in the baby bag, which consists only of shorts and tracksuit pants, and racing back the car before anyone sees. She is braver than me because she can ask for help.
The story is around a derelict woman who asks to see her little boy as Caylie is walking alone around the streets of Harlem. Caylie is braver than me. She lets the lady touch her little boys feet. Caylie is braver than me. The lady gives her a crumpled $5 note and makes her promise to look after her son as she herself couldn't do with her own children. Caylie pins the $5 note to her apartment wall. I would have used it to buy socks...you need to read the first story in the book to find out why Caylie is braver than me.
This book is not only a perfect gift for new mothers, but anyone who needs a dose of reality in a world of projections of perfection. Her writing style in inclusive and endearing and I really hope she will write a book dedicated to her sailing adventures around the world. I would put on my imaginary lifejacket, as Caylie is braver than me, even in my imagination. If you agree with me, please contact her and let her know, just like I have.
I give Bedtime Stories for Busy Mothers 4 stars out of 5. A great read.
https://www.facebook.com/BedtimeStoriesBusyMothers
www.michelleworthington.com
September 24, 2015
Book to Blog at Queensland Writers Centre
Book To Blog
http://www.cayliejeffery.com.au/ http://ebookrevolution.com.au/ http://www.stylingyou.com.au/
Last night, I had the amazing opportunity to attend a Queensland Writers Centre Workshop conducted by Emily Craven, Caylie Jeffery and Nikki Parkinson about how to turn blogs into books. That's not the reason I went. I have already published to books but I have come to the realisation that I am missing out on connecting with the people who love my books because I am not blogging regulary, or at all since I have had Tom. With my upcoming role as chairperson at GenreCon about a social media presence, I thought I better walk the walk if I am going to talk the talk. Caylie talked about writing from a place of authenticity and I really connected with that. As an independent publisher of Bedtime Stories for Busy Mothers, she talked about independent publishers needed to provide quality products in order to be taken seriously and I totally agree. One thing she said really hit home. "There is not enough time to wait to be discovered." This is the blessing of social media. She also talked about finding an editor who knows what you are writing about to edit your work and this hit close to home after a bad experience at the beginning of my career. Her journey has changed so much since I met her in 2012 and I love that she is now teaching others how to start their own journey to find their authentic voice. There are still big things to come from Caylie. Emily has always been a person that I admire. She is a natural teacher and has the cleverest way of thinking outside the square and applying it to her writing. She made it so clear that I have a long way to go with my blogging, with most popular blogs taking over three years to gather enough community to support it and for it to grow organically. I like how she made me feel like I am a trusted source of information, although I am the first to admit I don't have all the answers, and that people who like my books will be willing to invest in me. People find me all different ways, for different reasons and at different times in their writing journey. I want to be more accessible. I want to find more ways to connect. I had never met Nikki before but I instantly loved her energy and willingness to share the secrets to her success. She talked about being willing to transition creatively throughout your career and look for opportunities to make money from activities around your writing to sustain a profitable business. Who knew there were blogging conferences? I really want to go to one so I am determined to commit to consistently writing my blog so I feel worthy enough to go. She has such a strong sense of community with her readers and that is what I am trying to develop. She also made a great point in saying you can't tell people how to follow you, you just need to be available for them to find. And, she made me want to swallow a teaspoon of cement and stop making excuses why I cant find the time to blog. My business as a writer is important to me and I have never been afraid to do what it takes to be successful. On the way home I was looking at my old YouTube videos that I started when I had made the decision to really concentrate on my writing and become a successful author. Here is one from January 2013. I have changed sooo much since then, but my drive and determination are still as strong. So my commitment to you is that I will blog Monday to Friday, giving you tips and lessons about getting your writing published, sharing what I am doing and where I am up to in my journey. If there is anything you would like to hear about in particular, please don't hesitate to contact me. I really appreciate your support. x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com
http://www.cayliejeffery.com.au/ http://ebookrevolution.com.au/ http://www.stylingyou.com.au/Last night, I had the amazing opportunity to attend a Queensland Writers Centre Workshop conducted by Emily Craven, Caylie Jeffery and Nikki Parkinson about how to turn blogs into books. That's not the reason I went. I have already published to books but I have come to the realisation that I am missing out on connecting with the people who love my books because I am not blogging regulary, or at all since I have had Tom. With my upcoming role as chairperson at GenreCon about a social media presence, I thought I better walk the walk if I am going to talk the talk. Caylie talked about writing from a place of authenticity and I really connected with that. As an independent publisher of Bedtime Stories for Busy Mothers, she talked about independent publishers needed to provide quality products in order to be taken seriously and I totally agree. One thing she said really hit home. "There is not enough time to wait to be discovered." This is the blessing of social media. She also talked about finding an editor who knows what you are writing about to edit your work and this hit close to home after a bad experience at the beginning of my career. Her journey has changed so much since I met her in 2012 and I love that she is now teaching others how to start their own journey to find their authentic voice. There are still big things to come from Caylie. Emily has always been a person that I admire. She is a natural teacher and has the cleverest way of thinking outside the square and applying it to her writing. She made it so clear that I have a long way to go with my blogging, with most popular blogs taking over three years to gather enough community to support it and for it to grow organically. I like how she made me feel like I am a trusted source of information, although I am the first to admit I don't have all the answers, and that people who like my books will be willing to invest in me. People find me all different ways, for different reasons and at different times in their writing journey. I want to be more accessible. I want to find more ways to connect. I had never met Nikki before but I instantly loved her energy and willingness to share the secrets to her success. She talked about being willing to transition creatively throughout your career and look for opportunities to make money from activities around your writing to sustain a profitable business. Who knew there were blogging conferences? I really want to go to one so I am determined to commit to consistently writing my blog so I feel worthy enough to go. She has such a strong sense of community with her readers and that is what I am trying to develop. She also made a great point in saying you can't tell people how to follow you, you just need to be available for them to find. And, she made me want to swallow a teaspoon of cement and stop making excuses why I cant find the time to blog. My business as a writer is important to me and I have never been afraid to do what it takes to be successful. On the way home I was looking at my old YouTube videos that I started when I had made the decision to really concentrate on my writing and become a successful author. Here is one from January 2013. I have changed sooo much since then, but my drive and determination are still as strong. So my commitment to you is that I will blog Monday to Friday, giving you tips and lessons about getting your writing published, sharing what I am doing and where I am up to in my journey. If there is anything you would like to hear about in particular, please don't hesitate to contact me. I really appreciate your support. x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com
September 16, 2015
Genre Con 2015
https://www.awmonline.com.au/genrecon/ Very excited to be chairing a discussion panel at this years Genre Con about how to find and keep your readers. These days, the ability to engage an audience and develop a platform for talking about your work are an important part of a writers toolkit. I will be joining C S Pacat, J M Donellan and Kylie Kaden to discuss tips and techniques for engaging with your audience both online and offline once your book comes out, if not before!
July 19, 2015
Making a Difference in the 2015 AusMumpreneur Awards
http://www.ausmumpreneur.com/2015-peoples-choice-voting/?mc_cid=67bf09ce61&mc_eid=342a72e87a
Oh my gosh! I have been nominated for an AusMumpreneur Award for Making a Difference with my picture books! I have raised money for International Rett Syndrome Foundation, raised awareness for autism, will be raising funds for Life's Little Treasures - www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au and awareness of premature babies and have donated over 100 books to children from families affected by domestic violence, as well as supporting local schools and charities. Here is the link to vote if you would like to vote for me.
http://www.ausmumpreneur.com/2015-peoples-choice-voting/?mc_cid=67bf09ce61&mc_eid=342a72e87a
Oh my gosh! I have been nominated for an AusMumpreneur Award for Making a Difference with my picture books! I have raised money for International Rett Syndrome Foundation, raised awareness for autism, will be raising funds for Life's Little Treasures - www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au and awareness of premature babies and have donated over 100 books to children from families affected by domestic violence, as well as supporting local schools and charities. Here is the link to vote if you would like to vote for me.http://www.ausmumpreneur.com/2015-peoples-choice-voting/?mc_cid=67bf09ce61&mc_eid=342a72e87a
March 19, 2015
Have you read to your kids today? Book Review - The Boy on the Page by Peter Carnavas
The Boy on the Page
By Peter Carnavas
Target 5-10 year olds
A small boy lands on the page and quite by accident, discovers the joy and wonder of life.
Book Review
As an author, I always find it a bit uncomfortable when I read a picture book and it lets me see inside the head of the person who wrote it. Looking into Peter's head through this amazingly beautiful book is mystifying and a little bit scary that one person can be so singularly talented in both words and pictures. New Frontier Publishing is known for releasing books that may seem too out of the box for mainstream companies and they should be applauded for encouraging Peter to spill his imagination all over the page in every book he creates. His books are creations. They are the types of books adults love as much as children, which makes it easier to read again and again. A great read for kids who read more into a story than is actually written.
About Peter
Peter's first picture book, Jessica's Box, was published in 2008 and was shortlisted for the Queensland Permier's Literary Award, selected as a Notable Book by the CBCA and shortlisted for the 2009 Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award. It appeared recently on Play School. Peter was also shortlisted for the Crichton Award. His previous title, The Children Who Loved Books, has been selected for the 2013 Get Reading Campaign.
Other books by Peter
The Great Expedition
The Children who Loved Books
Sarah's Heavy Heart
Last Tree in the City
Jessica's Box
www.newfrontier.com.au
By Peter Carnavas
Target 5-10 year olds
A small boy lands on the page and quite by accident, discovers the joy and wonder of life.
Book Review
As an author, I always find it a bit uncomfortable when I read a picture book and it lets me see inside the head of the person who wrote it. Looking into Peter's head through this amazingly beautiful book is mystifying and a little bit scary that one person can be so singularly talented in both words and pictures. New Frontier Publishing is known for releasing books that may seem too out of the box for mainstream companies and they should be applauded for encouraging Peter to spill his imagination all over the page in every book he creates. His books are creations. They are the types of books adults love as much as children, which makes it easier to read again and again. A great read for kids who read more into a story than is actually written.
About Peter
Peter's first picture book, Jessica's Box, was published in 2008 and was shortlisted for the Queensland Permier's Literary Award, selected as a Notable Book by the CBCA and shortlisted for the 2009 Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award. It appeared recently on Play School. Peter was also shortlisted for the Crichton Award. His previous title, The Children Who Loved Books, has been selected for the 2013 Get Reading Campaign.
Other books by Peter
The Great Expedition
The Children who Loved Books
Sarah's Heavy Heart
Last Tree in the City
Jessica's Box
www.newfrontier.com.au
January 16, 2015
Goal #1 Becoming more of a "morning" person
My goal this year is to be interviewed on breakfast television about my writing. The top reason is to increase brand awareness of Michelle Worthington - author. The second reason is to sell more books. The third reason is to get speaking engagements nationally at writers festivals and womens groups.Providing for my family and setting a good example for our kids is above other things why I want to be successful. Strangely enough, I wouldn't put this as my top reason for wanting to achieve this goal. When your goal is hard, and your dream is bigger than your comfort zone, can living a dream for someone else really be enough to keep you motivated? Is it so awful to want to achieve something just for yourself? Have we become so scared of being labelled 'selfish' and a 'bad mother' because we want to feel good about ourselves for something we alone have accomplished? My kids love me and they want me to be happy, so does hubby. But, do they want the dream I have? Do they share my passion? The answer is no. Doing it for them is not enough. I have to do it for myself. What other people think of me is a huge achievement-blocker that needs to be overcome because when my goal becomes difficult to reach, it will be easy to stop and justify failure by saying it didn't turn out to be the right thing for my family and I will listen to the million reasons why I shouldn't keep trying. What if it was the right thing for me and I just gave in because it meant my family would have had to make some changes and sacrifices for me to achieve it? My goal is my salvation. When I do achieve my goals this year, with the love and support of my family, it will something I have done for myself and I want to be proud of that.
January 6, 2015
My goal for 2015
I found a quote on instagram that perfectly sums up my goal for 2015. "Work until you no longer have to introduce yourself." This resonates with me on so many levels. First of all, you have to work. Nothing comes easy in this life and your passion must be proportionate to the size of your goal. I am not afraid of hard work. Second, keep working until you make it happen. It might be a long hard slog and there will be times you want to give up, but your tenacity must be stronger than your self-doubt. Finally, to be known as an expert in your field. Some people may mistake my goal of brand recognition as vanity or showmanship but I can't help people if they don't know who I am. I can't share my story with them, inspire them or make a difference in this world if I sit back and wait for them to come looking for me. They won't. I have never implied I am more talented, special or worthy than anyone else and that is not what marketing yourself as a brand is about. I can promise you that as long as I see a need, I will try and fill it. It is my duty, not only to myself, but to my children and my community to use my talents to increase the greater good. This year, I will work hard so that when people hear my name, they will smile.
October 6, 2014
Possum Games - Empowering Aussie Kids to Never Give Up
Sometimes it takes a while to find out what you are good at.Never give up on believing how special you are.Possum GamesBy Michelle Worthington and Sandra TempleAvailable Nowhttp://www.michelleworthington.com/bo...
