Mari Suggs's Blog, page 7

Inspiration For Your Morning Routine

Morning rituals… what’s that all about?

Some of the most successful people in business swear by morning rituals, people like Tony Robbins, Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg and the late Steve Jobs, to name a few.  Their morning rituals, is partially what sets them apart from the rest.

Morning rituals are a way to get your day started on the right foot. Rituals such as exercising, meditating and tackling your hardest task first are essential in creating the day AND life you desire. Steve Jobs once said that the first thing he did each morning was to look in the mirror and ask himself, "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" He said, "And whenever the answer had been no for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."

Your morning ritual can be anything that makes you feel good. It shouldn’t be forced. For example, if the thought of meditating freaks you out, then, don’t push yourself to it yet—though I highly recommend this practice, I’m well aware that it is all about your timing. For this reason, I’m going to give you three different options to get your day started right, without totally freaking you out.

Go For a Short Walk

If you wake up just 30 minutes earlier, you may be able to take a 10 minute walk around your block. Resist the urge to scroll through your phone. Remember this, the reason most great ideas occur when we’re in the shower is because this is the one time during the day that we’re alone with our thoughts. No phone, no computer, no tv, no distractions, just walk.

Self-Development

I’m a huge fan of listening to uplifting material. This includes podcast, audiobooks or music. There’s one thing to keep in mind when you’re searching for the right material: don’t force yourself to listen to what others in the self-development world recommend. Sometimes those recommendations don’t fit your style. For example, my daughter doesn’t connect with everyone that I connect to—she’s more of a Tony Robbins type of girl, so I don’t push teacher’s like Gabby Bernstein on her. Are you in your 20’s, love fashion, and glam? Well, there’s someone out there for you that’s not all woo-woo. I recommend Cara Alwill Leyba, the author of the book of Girl Code. This is just one example. Remember this: When the student is ready, the teacher will show up.

Goals

After you’ve done the above, your mind will be in the perfect state to tackle your goals for the day. Taking a look at your goals and handling them is part of the ritual practice. Therefore, conquer what you can right then. Rule of thumb, don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.

Because of rituals just like these, I was able to get through college while working a full time job, wrote four books and eliminated anxiety and insecurities from my life. If you find that you’re struggling with your mornings, then try these rituals for one week. I am confident that you will start to notice great changes in your days—and life. Plus, you will be better equipped to handle the tough things that may come your way during day.

My new book #Believe Dammit:10 Principles For Attracting and Creating the Life You Crave comes out September 26, 2017 and it's available for pre-order now!

If you haven’t done so already, follow me on Twitter and Instagram  and like my Facebook page. Through my social sites I share daily inspiration and motivation of all kinds—like fitness, wellness, health and positive thinking.  

If you loved this, you might also love:

How To Create the Perfect Outcome for Your Day

How to Transform Your Life Moment by Moment

7 Songs To Give Yourself a Little Love and Inspiration Each Day

How This ONE Revelation Improved My Marriage

When my husband and I moved into our new apartment, we were excited about having one particular “luxury” in our new digs: dual sinks in our bathroom. You see, in our previous apartment we had to endure sharing one sink which would lead to many frustrating mornings, for me. There was one thing that bothered me the most, and that was the damn toothpaste stuck to bottom of the sink— this is of minuscule importance in the grand scheme of life—but still an annoyance all the same.  So when we moved into our new place, you can imagine how thrilled I was to have my own clean sink. But, within days of moving in I discovered something horrific!

To say I was shocked by this discovery is putting it mildly, but I had to come to terms with the fact that his side of the sink was clean, while mine was not. After much detective work I realized that I was the guilty party all along! I was the one leaving toothpaste at the bottom of the sink, all, while my righteous-self kept blaming him for years. So then a thought occurred to me, “if I was wrong about this, what else could I be wrong about?”

This simple question helped me deal with things that bothered me in a new way. For example, before blaming him for things that annoyed me (happens, after 25 years of marriage) I searched myself to see if it was possible that I was at fault for whatever was ailing me. This has helped me be less judgy and more open to the possibility that everything is not his fault.

So this month I encourage you to try this one thing, start asking yourself, “could I be wrong?” Doing this will lightened things up a bit and help you see things from a fresh perspective. If you try it, and come up with some huge revelation like I did, leave a comment below!

My new book #Believe Dammit:10 Principles For Attracting and Creating the Life You Crave comes out September 26, 2017 and it's available for pre-order now!

 

I'VE TEAMED WITH UP AUDIBLE.COM TO HELP GET YOU STARTED ON YOUR LISTENING EXPERIENCE. Visit Audible.com for 30 days of membership free, plus two free audiobooks that are yours forever.

If you haven’t done so already, follow me on Twitter and Instagram  and like my Facebook page. Through my social sites I share daily inspiration and motivation of all kinds—like fitness, wellness, health and positive thinking.  

If you loved this, you might also love:

3 Tips to Improve All Your Relationships

July: 3 Things to Try This Month

Till Next Time!

 

Inspiration for The Summer Blues

I don’t know about you, but I’m so done with summer, but more importantly, I can’t wait for autumn. Fall is my favorite time of year; I love the colors, the weather and the entire theme that goes alongside this beautiful season. But, it is what it is, and we can’t really speed time up, so instead of dwelling on how much I dislike summer, I start to prepare for the up coming season to help get me out of my summer slump. If you’re experiencing the summer blues like me, the following are my recommendations to help you get through the next few weeks.

Shopping Therapy

Like shopping? Good, then I’ve got the perfect remedy for you. Many stores are already showcasing fall items, so take a stroll down Target or Hobby Lobby or even do the online thing, Amazon has a million wonderful things that will inspire ideas for items you may want to add to your home this season. Or, if home décor is not your thing, but clothes are, then do the same with clothing stores. If you’re like me, and live in a warm climate, #Florida, and the thought of buying a sweater this time of year makes you cringe, then don’t buy, just window shop and enjoy the beautiful styles and colors that will soon hit your closet.

Soul Therapy

How about music? During the fall and the first part of winter, I spend a lot of time listening to crooner music. So every now then, when I grow impatient over how long we’ve been experiencing summer-like weather in Florida, I turn to my playlist. While in the comforts of my air conditioned home or car, a crank up the volume and forget about the scorching heat that’s right outside my door.

Scent Therapy

What about candles? I know you’ve visited candle stores before and you know there’s a candle for every season. Well, though you may not want to jump right into fall scent just yet, start moving slowly in that direction. Replacing your current summery scents with one closer to fall will start getting you in the mood for fall and help you forget for a minute about summer.

Do you struggle with summer blues? Or just winter blues? Though I like winter less then summer, I grow tired of summer really really fast. If you have any suggestions on how to get through the summer blues, then be sure to leave a comment below.

In case you didn’t know, my new book #Believe Dammit:10 Principles For Attracting and Creating the Life You Crave comes out September 26, 2017. 

I'VE TEAMED WITH UP AUDIBLE.COM TO HELP GET YOU STARTED ON YOUR LISTENING EXPERIENCE. Visit Audible.com for 30 days of membership free, plus two free audiobooks that are yours forever.

If you haven’t done so already, follow me on Twitter and Instagram  and like my Facebook page. Through my social sites I share daily inspiration and motivation of all kinds—like fitness, wellness, health and positive thinking.  

If you loved this, you might also love:

Inspiration For Navigating Social Media

Inspiration For the Female Entrepreneur

Inspiration While at Your Day Job

Till Next Time!

3 Motivational Books To Read In August 2017

In case you’re in the market for some new self-development books, I have three coming right up. There’s definitely a theme to this month’s picks—totally unintentional btw. All three of these authors deliver the message of law of attraction and positive thinking in a hipper—less woo-woo way, which I think appeals to a broader audience.  So without further ado, here are my book recommendations for this month.

First up is “Melissa Ambrosini’s” Mastering Your Mean Girl: The No-BS Guide to Silencing Your Inner Critic and Becoming Wildly Wealthy, Fabulously Healthy, and Bursting with Love.  This book has a pretty good grasp on the law of attraction, however, it uses different language to relay it’s message. “Mastering Your Mean Girl” is Ambrosini's way of saying, “control your thoughts or your ego.” I liked the book because it gave insights into Ambrosini’s life, wherein she shared her struggles and ultimately how she was able to rise above it all. I think this book is great for many women, but particularly young girls who are struggling with body image and self-confidence.

Next up is, “Cara Alwill Leyba’s” Girl Code: Unlocking the Secrets to Success, Sanity, and Happiness for the Female Entrepreneur in my opinion, this book is perfect for women that are very much into beauty and champagne. Not to say that others can enjoy it, but if you’re a fan of TV shows like Sex and the City, and love anything and everything to do with designer purses and expensive shoes, then this book is perfect for you. Alwill delivers the message of the law of attraction in a fashion-forward way that allows the reader to focus on the message without getting lost in the metaphysical  language usually associated with such readings. Again, in my opinion, I recommend this to girls that aren’t really into the whole law of attraction type of conversation, but totally appreciate bettering themselves and being successful.

Finally is “Mark Manson’s” The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life  this one had me laughing for days and had me quoting his phrases weeks later. His delivery of the law of attraction was a bit unorthodox—but was still a fascinating read. What I mean is that I’m very much about speaking in positive terms, like instead of saying “make sure I don’t forget,” I’ll say, “make sure I remember” which is a bit different than what Manson shares. My takeaway from the book is that Manson is not really saying anything different than all other self-help gurus out there, he’s just found a new and hipper way to deliver the message. So, instead of him saying, “Resistance is holding you back from getting what you really desire,” he says” You need to not give a F*ck.” Overall, I liked the book and it’s definitely a must read.

There you have it, my book recommendations for this month. Did you read anything new this month that we must read? Leave your recommendations in the comments.

In case you didn’t know, my new book #Believe Dammit:10 Principles For Creating and Attracting the Life You Crave comes out September 26, 2017. And if you did know, then I'm sure you're thinking "wait, that's not the cover" you would be right! After careful consideration of my "brand," I decided to revise the cover. Isn't it so pretty? I love it!

July's GIVEAWAY is a $15 Amazon gift card. Sign up for my mailing list for your chance to win. Good Luck! 

I'VE TEAMED WITH UP AUDIBLE.COM TO HELP GET YOU STARTED ON YOUR LISTENING EXPERIENCE. Visit Audible.com for 30 days of membership free, plus two free audiobooks that are yours forever.

If you haven’t done so already, follow me on Twitter and Instagram  and like my Facebook page. Through my social sites I share daily inspiration and motivation of all kinds—like fitness, wellness, health and positive thinking.  

If you loved this, you might also love:

3 Motivational Books To Read This Month (July)

3 Inspiring Women That Will Motivate You

Till Next Time!

Inspiration For Navigating Social Media

Okay, so I’m fairly new to this social media business—really new. I mean, I’ve been writing books since 2009, but only started taking on social media this year. However, in my short run, I’ve learned a couple things, and, I wanted to share it with my fellow newbies. So, if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the entire marketing thing, and, if you’re totally frustrated because all you really want to do is write, then here are my top three takeaways when it comes to creating a brand and a name on social media.

Find Your Niche

I think at one point or another we all struggle in this area, especially when we’re just starting out. After all, we like loads of things and feel it necessary to share all of it with the world. However, at the end of the day it comes down to two things: what you really enjoy combined with the message you want to share., nothing more. Let me give you an example. With my blog, I really want to talk about the power of positive thinking and transformation. Not only do I enjoy inspiring others to follow their dreams, but I love to share what I learn. That’s not to say that I haven’t dabbled into other areas, which was obviously a mistake—I’m still learning.

Authenticity is your friend

I'm sure by now you're tired of hearing about the holy grail of marketing: be authentic. But what does this mean? You ask, as you bang your head against the computer. This means that you don’t copy someone else’s pictures and post them as yours, or copy their Instagram story ideas just because you can’t think of what to post, you must get clear on who you are. What you like, not what everyone else likes or is doing. Pick out the colors you like, quotes that speak to you, and write the way you talk. You may not think so, but your audience can tell when you’re being you and when you’re being someone else entirely. Overall you must keep in mind why you do what you do. It’s about sharing and inspiring others to buy that lipstick, to get on that yoga mat, it’s not about gaining likes or followers. Being inspired by others is very different than copying them. So, go be your beautifully authentic self.

Engagement

By far, this one’s the easiest method to grasp: simply engage with your audience—honest engagement though. If you’re on Instagram, then I’m sure you’ve received the random “awesome” “lovely” “fantastic” kind of comments on your pics. THIS IS NOT HONEST AND AUTHENTIC ENGAGEMENT, and in my opinion, you shouldn’t waste your time engaging with these types of comments. The people who leave these comments aren’t really interested in you or your message, they’re only interested in you following their page. Just ignore them, and move on to true engagement. This means spend some time replying to the comments of the people that are there to connect with you. Also, comment and engage with other people’s photos, true comments, none that “NICE” crap.

Okay, so there you have it, my top three takeaways. I know there’s so much  more when it comes to social media, but these were the ones that kept getting repeated. I hope this helps you find your way on the huge world wide web. 

In case you didn’t know, my new book #Believe Dammit:10 Principles For Creating and Attracting the Life You Crave comes out September 26, 2017. And if you did know, then I'm sure you're thinking "wait, that's not the cover" you would be right! After careful consideration of my "brand," I decided to revise the cover. Isn't it so pretty? I love it!

July's GIVEAWAY is a $15 Amazon gift card. Sign up for my mailing list for your chance to win. Good Luck! 

I'VE TEAMED WITH UP AUDIBLE.COM TO HELP GET YOU STARTED ON YOUR LISTENING EXPERIENCE. Visit Audible.com for 30 days of membership free, plus two free audiobooks that are yours forever.

If you haven’t done so already, follow me on Twitter and Instagram  and like my Facebook page. Through my social sites I share daily inspiration and motivation of all kinds—like fitness, wellness, health and positive thinking.  

If you loved this, you might also love:

Book Launch: Five Important Things to Remember when Launching a Book

Why Looking for External Approval Kills Your Dreams

Till Next Time!

 

Guest Blog by Kristen Martin: 3 Benefits of Implementing a Healthy Routine and Personal Development Activities

Hi there! For those that don’t know me, my name is Kristen Martin. I’m a self-made published author, YouTuber, and entrepreneur, and I have a full-time career in the corporate world. I am so thrilled to be collaborating with Mari on this post because it’s something very near and dear to my heart that seems to get overlooked whenever I’m skimming through social media and blog posts. I’m so excited to share my thoughts on why a healthy routine and personal development activities are so beneficial to include in your day-to-day life.

Just to give you an idea as to what my days used to look like: I’d wake up around 6AM, shower, get ready, and rush out the door to drive to work. I’d drive 40 minutes to the office, being annoyed and angry at traffic, work 8 hours (most of the time grabbing a Subway sandwich and working through lunch), get in my car, drive 40 minutes in some more annoying traffic until I got home, where I was too exhausted and frustrated to actually do anything I wanted to do. I’d park my toosh on the couch, throw a frozen pizza in the oven, and Netflix and chill all night.

That was 3 years ago. Fast forward to today, where I still have a full-time job, but I’ve jumped headfirst into my passion (writing/creating content), implemented a self-care ritual, as well as health & wellness rituals. I now wake up around 5:30AM, go for a run in this lovely Texas heat, shower, and get ready. I then take 10 minutes to meditate using the HeadSpace app, and I also journal for 10 minutes after that. I take my time getting out the door and tune into some personal development podcasts such as Style Your Mind by Cara Alwill Leyba and She Means Business by Carrie Green on my car ride to work. My ride to work is much more productive and less stressful because I get so engrossed in the topics of these podcasts that sometimes I’ll drive right by the office and make a pitstop at Starbucks instead because I want to finish listening to what these amazing women have to say!

I now always take at least a 1-hour lunch and I always leave the office. I’ll do something I enjoy, like go to Starbucks, stop by Target, or sit on the patio of a restaurant and enjoy a good meal. After my lunch break is over, I go back to the office and finish up my day, drive home while listening to more podcasts, and get home feeling energized and refreshed to dive into my writing projects. I spend time cooking a healthy dinner with my fiancé, where we talk about our days and watch 1 hour of Netflix, then we go into our respective office spaces to work on our passions. We’ll take our dogs for a walk in the evening, tidy up the house, then get ready for bed. I’ll journal some more and read a little before it’s lights out.

It’s all about taking the seconds, minutes, and hours in your day and restructuring them the best way you can to make them add value and balance to your life.

The biggest changes I’ve seen in my day-to-day are due to the implementation of a healthier routine that includes personal development activities. Here are the top three benefits I’ve seen after changing my routine from three years ago to the one I have today:

 I have increased energy and focus


This may seem like a no-brainer, but because I now make the time to meditate, journal, listen to personal development podcasts, and exercise, I have so much more energy and focus than I used to. Instead of being hyper-focused on others and their needs (ultimately leaving me feeling beaten down and exhausted every day after work), I now feel that my days are balanced because I make time for myself and the things that feed and nourish my soul. This sustained energy and focus allows me to work on my writing projects in the evenings, even after working an 8-hour day. The more balanced your days feel, the more energy you’ll have to give to the more fulfilling areas of your life.


I’m proactive instead of reactive

Instead of rushing to get from point A to point B, implementing a healthier daily routine has allowed me to be more proactive instead of reactive. I wake up thirty minutes earlier because I know I want to go for a run. I take the time to journal before work because I know it’ll keep my head clear throughout the day. With this healthier routine, I plan my days out in advance, causing me to know exactly what I’m doing and when, and therefore allowing me to keep any sort of reactive “emergency-like” situations at arm’s length.


I’ve gained a broader, calmer perspective

I used to feel like I had to do it all and didn’t have enough time to get it all done. I don’t feel that way anymore. Because I’ve made time for healthier activities throughout my day, I don’t feel as rushed or panicked to get certain things done. I’ve become better at prioritizing what’s truly important and what can wait. I feel in control of my life, my thoughts, and my headspace, which has enabled me to feel calmer and take on a more open-minded approach with pretty much everything that comes my way.

I’d like to leave you with this: don’t feel down on yourself if you attempt to implement a healthier routine and, at first, can’t seem to stick to it every single day. Baby steps! It takes practice and it takes discipline. I first started with an exercise routine and could only manage 2 days a week, but that eventually grew to 3 days a week, then 4, then 5. I now exercise 5-6 days a week.

Same goes for personal development. I’m still working on meditating every day, but for now I meditate at least 3 times per week, and I journal 4 nights a week. Again, it’s all about baby steps. Don’t throw 5 new things into your daily routine and expect to do all of them each day. Take it one step at a time, have patience with yourself, and eventually the results will be eye-opening and will fuel you to continue adding healthier activities to your daily routine. Start small and add on little by little, and eventually, you’ll get to where you want to be. Just try to enjoy the ride!

Here’s where you can find me on social media:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/authorkristenmartinbooks

Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorkristenm

Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorkristenmartin

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorkristenmartin

Snapchat: @authorkristenm

 

And here are the links to learn more about/purchase my books!

The Alpha Drive

The Order of Omega

Restitution

Shadow Crown

 

Inspiration For The Female Entrepreneur

I really can’t believe how far I’ve come since 2009. When I first started my writing career, I never imagined that it would transform my life the way it has. Though I’m still a shy person, the level of confidence that I’ve gained is truly miraculous. Not only have I gotten the courage to publish my work and share it with the world, but I’m also an entrepreneur who's working vigorously to launch my business.

Because of this, my self-empowerment books have shifted a bit in focus; I’ve gone from “how to spiritual books” to “how to entrepreneurial books.” These books tackle the subject of what it takes to be a female-entrepreneur in today’s world and how to connect your mind, spirit and soul to your goal. I will share my top 3 takeaways in hopes to inspire you along your entrepreneurial journey.

1st Tip: Competition Is An Illusion

How many times have you found yourself fired up about an idea and for some reason, your next idea is to look for other people that are doing the same thing. Five hours later, you’re knee-deep into your “competition’s” Instagram page convinced that you should close-up-shop and give it all up. Don’t worry, I’ve been there. My first tip is to change your mindset when it comes to other women in your field. No matter how alike you are, you’re never the same. No one can share your message the way you can. So instead of focusing on the competition, rejoice in their success and learn from the awesome business they’ve created.

2nd Tip:  There’s Nothing Wrong With You

As we head steadfast toward our business goals, we can become discouraged when things aren’t working as fast we’d like. When our business growth is as slow as molasses, we can  doubt ourselves, which leads to nonproductively. I know that whenever I begin to doubt my ideas, my creativity or my writing, I stop writing altogether. What happens next, is a big round of depression, anxiety and a feeling of hopelessness. However, because I’m well in tuned with my emotions, I try my best to snap out of it in a jiffy, I remind myself that in due time all will be okay. Above all, the main focus I hold onto is that there's nothing wrong with me. That's not to say that I don’t pivot and correct when needed, but the overall feeling of not being good enough is one that I try to avoid when working toward my business goals.

3rd Tip: You Are Not Alone

For me, this one’s a bit scary because of my introverted personality, but I’m learning. I have found that fear of rejection is something that’s held me back in the past.  However, I’ve quickly learned that rejection is nothing to fear; it’s just one “no” closer to my yes. Reaching out to other women who are on your same path is not a sign of weakness, but strength. If you admire the work that another woman is doing, then don’t be afraid to say so. Congratulate her on her success and if possible, ask her for one piece of advice they can offer you. More than likely, they will be more than happy to answer your questions. We are all in this together, the more we embrace each other’s work the happier the business space will be.

With that said, I’m super excited to share with you that this Thursday (07/20/2017) I’m having my very first guest on my blog: Kristen Martin. Martin is an Author, YouTuber and Entrepreneur who is slowly starting to make her imprint on the world of literature and business. This Thursday, 07/20/2017, she will share a little bit about herself and the benefits that come with having a healthy routine and personal development activities. Make sure you come back for that, I can’t wait!

As you can see, I put into action the very tips I just shared with you and I came out better for it. I hope that you do the same, get clear about you, know that you’re perfect as you are and reach out to someone you admire and ask them, well, anything!

If you haven’t done so already, follow me on Twitter and Instagram  and like my Facebook page. Through my social sites I share daily inspiration and motivation of all kinds—like fitness, wellness, health and positive thinking.  

If you loved this, you may also love:

Why Looking for External Approval Kills Your Dreams

Stuck in Life: Three Steps That Will Help Get You the Results You Need

Till Next Time!

 

Self-Publishing 1.0

So, you’ve finished your manuscript! You’re ready for the world to marvel over your words and the creative way in which you’ve told your story. There’s only one problem, you have no idea what's next.

As many of you know, I have self-published three books: two novels and one nonfiction book which is due out September 26, 2017. Recently, I’ve been getting some questions about the self-publishing route and how I did it. Though I don’t consider myself an expert, I can certainly offer some tips—especially if you’re just getting started.

First thing’s first, if you don’t know the difference between self-published and traditionally published then please do your research to make sure this is the route you want to go in. I won’t go into detail here about the differences, but I will say this: There’s a lot of work to do in either case, but more so when you self-publish. This is because you’re all there is, you’re the writer, the marketer, the researcher, the creator, the point of contact- you’re everything!

In my opinion there are many reason that self-publishing is the way to go, but the most important one for me is the creative control I have over the entire process, including cover design. So if this is the way you want to go, here are a few tips to get you started.

Make sure your manuscript is in tip-top shape, this means that you’ve gone through your rounds of edits; that you’ve received your beta readers feedback; that you’ve gone back and fixed any problems you and/or your beta readers found, and that you’ve had it professionally edited. Once your novel is as close to perfect as possible (there’s no such thing as perfect) then you’re ready to self-publish.

Decide if your books will be in the format of eBook, paperback or both. You will need this information for my next tips.

Okay, so this one's a doozy, so I'll try to be brief but clear. Let's talk ISBN's, (International Standard Book Number) this is a number that's assigned to every book you publish and you will need one for each version of the book that you publish. For example, your eBook format will need one ISBN. Your paperback will need it's own ISBN. And your hardcopy will need another. Not to mention that each eBook format, will need it's own (Kindle, Nook, iBook). The leading company to obtain ISBN Numbers in the United States is Bowker Indentifier Services, you can purchase a batch of them--usually 10 for around $300. You can do this as individual using your social security number which essentially makes you the publisher of your books, or if you decide to start a publishing company you can buy them under that company's name. (On another post I'll discuss starting a publishing company). However, if this seems a bit pricey, then there's another option, you can allow the print on demand company you use to be the publisher and they will assign an ISBN number to your books for free--(print on demand companies like CreateSpace through Amazon). You will need these numbers to put them inside your manuscript, under the copyright verbiage page.

Hire someone to format your book, both the eBook and the paperback format. I do this myself, but it’s a lot of work to start off with. I recommend that you hire someone to do this for you; I believe companies charge anywhere from $35 to $65. But if you rather learn right from the start, then you can download templates that will help you do this for both your paperback and digital formats. DIY Books Format is one that I know a lot of people use.

Research the different print on demand self-publishing options, these are the two that indie authors use: Createspace and Ingram Sparks. I go through Createspace which is supported by Amazon. I don’t know anything about Ingram Sparks, except for that it’s an option to self-publish just like Createspace. I recommend that you do your research on both and see which avenue best supports your work.  I have a lot of experience with Createspace and I have no complaints. It’s free, it's easy to navigate through, and I’m completely satisfied with the quality of their work.

Hire a cover designer. Note, they can be pricey, but in my opinion well worth it. With a quick Google search you'll be directed to many different designers that are dedicated to this particular niche. I know that many self-published authors go through Fiverr because they are inexpensive, while also provide professional looking covers. I haven’t used them, so I personally can’t vouch for them. NOTE: You have to have the blurb for  the back cover written when you hire the cover designer, as they will need this information for the cover.

 

Okay, so there are so many more tips and things to consider when you decide to self-publish, but I will stop here as to not to overwhelm you. I’ve provided you with good starting points, and in my opinion, there’s no need to go past these steps if you haven’t completed these already.

In future post I will continue to offer tips from my own experience.

In case you didn’t know, my new book Believe Dammit 10 Principles For Creating and Attracting the Life You Crave comes out September 26, 2017. 

July's GIVEAWAY is a $15 Amazon gift card. Sign up for my mailing list for your chance to win. Good Luck! 

I'VE TEAMED WITH UP AUDIBLE.COM TO HELP GET YOU STARTED ON YOUR LISTENING EXPERIENCE. Visit Audible.com for 30 days of membership free, plus two free audiobooks that are yours forever.

If you haven’t done so already, follow me on Twitter and Instagram  and like my Facebook page. Through my social sites I share daily inspiration and motivation of all kinds—like fitness, wellness, health and positive thinking.  

If you loved this, then check out these:

A Writer's Life For Me

Writer Tip: How to Stay On Track While Living and Writing

Four Inspirational Place To Write (Other than Cafes)

 

Till Next Time!

 

 

 

Inspiration While at Your Day Job

I find that most of us are chasing our dreams while holding a day job. This often causes discouragement and/or a case of the burnt-outs. Because I am currently doing the same: working happily toward my goals and working a 9-5 job, I thought I could offer some tips on how I stay motivated and active while doing both.

First thing’s first, your attitude is everything when it comes to making these two areas in your life work. If your attitude is one of dread the moment Sunday night rolls around, then let’s nip this in the bud right now. I know it can be difficult to love your Sundays when the dreaded Monday is only hours away, but I promise you, if you want to avoid getting overwhelmed, discouraged or even burnt out, then change your attitude first. You can do this by doing the following:

Get out your calendar or planner, and write down what you will be working on this week for your dream life. This will do a couple things, it will get your mind off what you don’t want and it will turn your attention toward what you do want.

If you’re allowed to listen to things on your phone, and, if you’re able to listen with headphones like I am, then try finding some audiobooks on audible.com. Audiobooks are a great way to pass the time at work, especially if you’re in your office by yourself most of the time, as is the case for me. Listening to audiobooks distracts me from my space and makes me work harder, faster and more efficient.

If audiobooks aren’t for you, how about music? What if on Sunday night you create a playlist of new songs to listen to during the week. Then, anytime you find yourself feeling down at work, or thinking about what you wish you could be doing but can’t because you’re stuck at your day job, you turn your attention to your playlist. Without a doubt, this will shift your mood.

There you have it, a little inspiration for your office life while you’re working toward your dreams.

Do you have something that you do in the office that helps you get you through the day? If so, let me know, I would love to add new things to my list.

July's GIVEAWAY is a $15 Amazon gift card. Sign up for my mailing list for your chance to win. Good Luck! 

I'VE TEAMED WITH UP AUDIBLE.COM TO HELP GET YOU STARTED ON YOUR LISTENING EXPERIENCE. Visit Audible.com for 30 days of membership free, plus two free audiobooks that are yours forever.

If you haven’t done so already, follow me on Twitter and Instagram  and like my Facebook page. Through my social sites I share daily inspiration and motivation of all kinds—like fitness, wellness, health and positive thinking.  

If you loved this, then check out these:

1 Tip That Will Transform your Bad Day Into a Great Day

How to Let Inspired Thought Live

How to Create the Perfect Outcome For Your Day

Till Next Time!

JULY: 3 Things To Try This Month

If you’re anything like me, then you probably struggle with balance. However, I’m not one extreme or the other though, I hang very much in the middle and still I can’t balance. I sometimes find it hard to set guidelines for myself because I feel like I can handle it all, which of course I can’t.  What usually happens when I’m in the planning stages of an idea is that I become consumed with it and I try to do everything—everyday, which usually means I get over worked and stressed. Because of this I have set some things in place for when I feel I’m getting to that crazy and unproductive space. This month, I wanted to share some of my tactics with you so to remind you, and me, to chill and enjoy the down time, it will all be okay.

Spa Time

I’ve never been to an actual spa, but have had many spa days in my home.  This usually consists of mani-pedis, facials and the best bath I’ve ever taken. First, decide what your spa will look like; if you’re not into do-it-yourself mani-pedis, that’s fine, skip it. Do only what makes you feel good, leave all stress outside that bathroom. I have found one of the best parts of spa day is the rejuvenating feeling I get when I’m done. I recommend that you start by setting the mood, buy some scented candles, buy a refreshing bubble bath soap, pick out a face mask, and favorite lotion for when you’re done, make your play list, then, shut the door and relax. Trust me, if you allow yourself the proper time to relax you will feel like a new person, one that’s ready to take on the world again.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are rapidly growing among some of my favorite products to own because of its calming benefits. Not only do essential oils calm you, but depending upon your usage, it could also alleviate pain, fight colds, improve digestion and heal skin issues. The essential oil that I’m referring to is in conjunction with your spa day. For example, Lavender Oil is a perfect one to use because it helps with sleep. So if you’re like me, and have trouble sleeping because you can’t get your new business ideas off your mind, Lavender Oil helps with insomnia. All you have to do is sprinkle a few drops on your pillow and soon after you’ll be off to sleep-land. You can also use it in a detox bath, mix Lavender Oil, Epsom salts and sea salt to a warm bath to purify and revitalize the body.

Break

Sometimes we get so consumed with all that we have to do that we never take a break. For me, it’s exhausting working all day, every day—even nights and weekends—it’s no wonder I feel run down. When this happens I take a step back and take stock of what’s truly important, for me that’s my health and family. So I set schedules for myself, and I don’t deviate from it. If it means I don’t post on social media for an entire weekend, then that’s what it means. If my followers don’t understand that I need a break too, then that’s on them. While you should deliver in your business as promised, there are many things you do in your business that you’ve promised to no one but yourself. If these things are causing you stress, then it’s time to take a break and reassess.

I hope that you incorporate these tips into your life as I know they will help to make you feel better, making you more productive in that business you love so much.

In case you didn’t know, my new book Believe Dammit 10 Principles For Creating and Attracting the Life You Crave comes out September 26, 2017. 

July's GIVEAWAY is a $15 Amazon gift card. Sign up for mailing list for your chance to win. Good Luck! 

I'VE TEAMED WITH UP AUDIBLE.COM TO HELP GET YOU STARTED ON YOUR LISTENING EXPERIENCE. Visit Audible.com for 30 days of membership free, plus two free audiobooks that are yours forever.

If you haven’t done so already, follow me on Twitter and Instagram  and like my Facebook page. Through my social sites I share daily inspiration and motivation of all kinds—like fitness, wellness, health and positive thinking.  

If you loved this, then check out these:

 

Till Next Time!