I dare you to read this and do it! Actually, I triple Crippled Beagle dog dare you. Ha!

Hello friend,

As you know, I'm doing a DEEP study on marketing as I create my online course and membership program (launching in January and April, respectively) and refine my one-on-one coaching processes. This week, I attended a live conference (online, of course, but still LIVE---a strange but fun experience) for entrepreneurs. What I learned cannot be quantified, but I know it will earn my business and, more importantly, my clients, more money as I work even faster and more efficiently with my team to serve you. There were speakers and exercises on mindset, technical skills, social media, press kits, presenting, writing, and so much more. My favorite speaker was a woman named Tarzan. YES! That is her real name. She is delightful and direct. She taught us all about how to send emails. You'd think that's a simple process, but, whew, it is NOT. Within ten minutes, I identified mistakes I've made and how I intuitively got some things right. She also challenged us to write ourselves an email and then (this is crazy) send it to OUR clients. Yikes! Well, I promise myself I'd be "all in" to the process, so here you go. What's even MORE ironic is that Crippled Beagle Publishing client Doris Valentine can now share her beautiful book Why I Pray with the world. CONGRATULATIONS, DORIS! What an honor it is to represent you and share your gifts with the world.

All right, friends. To keep my commitment to Tarzan, I've copied my "email to myself" below.

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EMAIL from Jody to Jody (and my new friend Tarzan) on 12.2.21

Jody, Your friends are right about you. You are a tiny bit crazy, absolutely funny, usually energetic, always creating something, and, well, bossy. What’s interesting, too, is that you do everything in life OUT LOUD. Your poor sons. Ha! You are bold. Why not be? As Jeff says when he detours from his diet during Christmas, "YOLO!" (You Only Live Once.) Thank goodness, right?

The end of the year is the time to reflect, but you should look back on the last several years, especially since you are making huge changes in your business. Whoa. Wow. Also, what the heck? Why would you ever doubt yourself? You are good at making BIG changes. Doubt comes with changes, and women, especially, say a lot of terrible things to themselves. Well, look at this list from just the last 10 years and, as Mama would say, "Change your tune, young lady."
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Let’s see what you have endured lately:

Infertility heartache for several years followed by the gut-wrenching adoption processSignificant disappointment in someone you loveTragic, ongoing illnesses in familyDeaths of seven people in your life in just a matter of monthsLosing a corporate jobMultiple, expensive automobile and house problemsA freaking pandemicMajor financial strain from all the aboveA child going to college 9 hours away

In spite of all of that, you:

Remained faithful to your Christian valuesAdopted a childStarted a business from the ground up with no seed moneyWrote and published several booksLearned yogaLearned countless lessons, tools, techniques, technology, skills, processes, ....Succeeded and celebratedEarned a solid reputation in the publishing industryHelped hundreds of clients reach their writing and publishing goalsGenerally speaking, you rallied, recovered, and refined your approaches to everything.

You have taken incredible risks and have gained more confidence and freedom from every failure and success. You can do absolutely anything. So, here are your TOP  BUSINESS  GOALS FOR 2022.

Stop worrying. Trust that God loves you and will help you, even when YOU are the problem.Continue to help writers of all ability levels tell their amazing stories with pride and excitement.Hire more help.Launch the online course so authors have an affordable and realistic way to learn all the tools they need to market their books.Launch the membership program so authors can learn how to market their books at a slow and steady pace.

Love, You

Okay, friend, there you have my letter from Jody to Jody. Look back on the last ten years. What have you overcome? I DARE you to make a list and then sit back, amazed, at how wonderful you are! Do it! Meanwhile, know that I treasure you.

My #1 goal is to stop worrying. I am a dreamer, and worry gets in the way of dreams. The best balm for me has been prayer. I just think it's awesome that Doris's book came when it did. The covers and description:

Thank you for trusting me with your precious time, friend. I look forward to what we do together in 2022! Now, go write that letter to you:) xoxoxo

Jody