Writing with Elizabeth

Lost In The Dust

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 07:19:17 GMT

Most of us, as writers, have a coupl e of clear goals in our lives. One is to continually put arrangements of words on the page in a truly impressive order. The other would be to have those words then printed so that our (hopefully) thousands or millions of followers can easily access them.

Yet, it would appear to be a fact (certainly within my small research pool of writers) that, ...

... despite these lifelong endeavours, it often slips the mind of many of us to actually save a copy of our printed works. Not of books, of course, those we always hand out numerous copies of to family and friends far and wide. But shorter works, fact or fiction … not so much.

I’m not entirely sure why. Is it because they don’t trigger the same awe and delight? Is it because they aren’t recognised as being as worthy as a book? Because we expect to have so many larger works published in the future that they just don’t seem worth the effort? Or is it that they simply easier to forget?

I ask this question because over the past weeks I’ve been wadding through my belongings. The weird and diverse collection of boxes I stored all my worldly belongings in over seven years ago before starting my nomadic life of housesitting.

It’s a strange feeling riffling back through your life, not knowing what you’re going to find or if you’re about to come face to face with some emotionally charged memory trigger. Sadly, many of my plastic containers weren’t as resilient as the white ants and mould, but there were some wonderful surprises. One of which was two large plastic tubs full of everything I’ve ever written and had published. That find had me smiling for the rest of the day. Such is the delight of having spent years wondering exactly what I’d saved or if, in fact, I’d saved anything, only to discover I’d been way more pedantic about storing my writing than I’d ever imagined.

So I guess the main point I wanted to make in this month’s blog was… when you have something published find the time and make the effort to record it in some way. Just like you should back up your writing on an external drive, make sure you also keep a printed copy. The words might be the same on both, but the impact of seeing your work published is not. So consider taking a screen-grab of anything online, or picking up an extra copy of a paper or mag then sliding them into the plastic sleeve of a folder. Even if you store the folder at the back of the cupboard and don’t really see the point of it, believe me, one day you (or somebody else) will be extremely grateful you took those extra couple of minutes.

(Just for the record, this isn’t only my view, it’s also that of my small, but enthusiastic, research pool of writers on Twitch - those that didn’t take the extra minutes.)

Getting What You Want

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 07:52:13 GMT

There are many wonderful things about the internet, but there are a few annoying things too. Like, how if you search for something online you then tend to be flooded by countless ads, memes and articles on the same topic - even months after your initial search.

But have you ever wondered how great it would be if ...

... the universe did something similar? You’re thinking of signing up for a photography class and all of a sudden every wher e yo u turn there’s a flyer for the ideal course. You know your gutters need fixing but you don’t know who to contact until several of your neighbours, without any prompting, suddenly volunteer recommendations.

These might not be the exact things you’d like to attract, but I’m sure you get the idea. You may even have had it happen to you.

While when it happens on the computer it’s undoubtedly due to computer coding for advertising, when it happens in real life it’s usually due to your Reticular Activating System (RAS). Or simply put, your subconscious bringing things to your attention that you’ve expressed an interest in. The flyers for the photography course might have always been around, your friends might regularly comment about tradespeople, it’s just that your attention is now zeroing in on them more.

Of course, that probably also means that now you’ve read this article you’re going to notice all kinds of coincidences to prove your RAS is working for you. Or perhaps see nothing if you think I’m talking a whole load of gumph!

But if it really is a genuine thing, which it’s been proven to be (both by science and everyday experiences) how can you use it to your advantage?

Make yourself a list of things you’d like, read that list to yourself three times a day, and maybe even spend a little time every so often thinking about the possibilities. Then just be open and aware. When you see something in keeping with your wishes, take note of it, recognise it and, if you choose, accept that it’s the answer you’re looking for.

It’s a natural skill, we all have it - not just Facebook and Google. But imagine if it worked as well as their ad coding. There’d be no stopping you. You’d have access to everything you want. It’s just a case of deciding what you want and keeping an eye out for the possibilities.

To discover other ways to get what you want check out my course on this very topic .

Popular Word Games That Don't Need Paper

Sun, 18 Dec 2022 07:47:06 GMT

December, the month of road trips, festive excitement, shopping queues and over energetic children (and maybe adults too). All of which tends to lead to limited words on the page, unless of course you have deadlines looming.

So here, to help you overcome writing withdrawal, are a variety of fun, paperless, word games that ...

...you can play anywhere, any time. Plus they can be a great way to amuse the rest of the family.

Head to Tail
Select a topic that appeals, and the first person calls out a word relating to it. The second person then calls out a relevant word that starts with the last letter of the first player’s word. The third person then calls out a topical word starting with the last letter of the word chosen by the second player, and so the game continues. Themes might be something like Christmas, travel, food, sport, or clothes. Watch out though, no repeating words.

I Spy

Yes, a good old-fashioned game that has truly stood the test of time. One person looks around and says the first letter of something they see. Everybody else takes it in turns to guess what the item is. The winner gets to select the next word.

Random word

A sometimes boisterous game that basically involves all the players taking it in turns to call out a word relating to the same topic (ie: foods, same colour, characters, books, countries). But wait there’s more… each word called out has to be alphabetically. For example, if the topic was food the words might be apple, broccoli, carrot, donut…

Number plates
My personal favourite… when you’re out in the car, take a look at the number plates of the cars around you and make up phrases from the letters included on them. For example if the letters are THM you could come up with, Total Hair Makeover, The Hairy Mammoth, Truly Horrible Marshmallows, Tomorrow Has Mysteries, Time Has Meaning.

Odd one out

This game might take a little more thinking, and, in fact, can be as tricky as you like. The first player lists 3 or 4 items, all of which except one fit together. The other player then has to guess which one doesn’t fit. An example might be dog, cat, fish, elephant, leading to the thought that while all are animals an elephant isn’t a traditional pet, so is therefore the odd one out. Another example could just as easily be apple, orange, house (I’ll let you guess which one is the odd one out in that group).

What’s better?

A simple game that can cause much laughter - especially if the responses are instantaneous rather than thought out - and can also be extremely helpful if you’re still wondering what to get somebody for Christmas. Each player takes it in turn to ask which of two items another play would prefer. For example: coffee or hot chocolate? Forest or beach? This game works best with two players but can also work well with a small group.

Word Tennis

As you might guess this game involves rhythmically 'toing' and 'froing' of words, in fact words that start the same or finish the same (at least phonetically). Before starting players select a sound, perhaps sh, I, or d, and every word called out has to start with that sound. Alternatively, a sound that each word ends with can be selected. There are no restrictions on which words can be used, they can be on any topic or of any length, although they may need to be child-friendly depending on the age of players.

I went to market and bought

Another oldie, but goodie, it’s also great game for improving the memory. Each player takes it in turn to add an item to the list of things bought at an imaginary market. For example, the first player might say, ‘I went to the market and bought a pie.’ The second player might then say, ‘I went to the market and bought a pie and a pony.’ The third player would then repeat the phrase and add their own item. The game continues until the list of goods gets too unwieldy for players to remember.

Well, there you have it, a short collection of word games to keep you inspired, sane and smiling. Let me know which one is your favourite or if I’ve missed off one you think I should have included.

Wishing you a wonderful word-full Christmas.

Dialogue is never JUST dialogue

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 09:06:35 GMT

There’s nothing quite like driving a cross a country to realise how an individual word can have a different meaning dependant on where or who is using it.

For example, did you know that ...

Tasmanians refer to Australia as the mainland. I know that a lot of people around the world forget that Tasmania is an Australian state. Heck, I think I may have too on the odd occasion before I emigrated, but the mainland? But I never consider Tasmania to be so small as to need a mainland.

Then there’s words like pademelon. Here in Western Australian it describes a wild, inedible melon that often grows in paddocks, however on the east coast it refers to a cute, small wallaby-like animal that looks like it’s eaten the WA pademelon.

And that’s before we even go into the varying definitions of words like warm, chilly or damp. Words with definitions that change dependant on the climate and time of year everywhere.

Yet these meanings (and all the other new variations I’ve learned) are simply examples from just one country, a large country admittedly, but still only one. Think about the difference in words and meanings across the world and the list is endless. Candy, sweets and lollies, flip flops and thongs, swimming costume or bathers, are only just the start of it.

This is why dialogue is never just dialogue. The way a person speaks says so much about them - more than just the conversation they are adding.

It also implies their age range, social environment, interests, life style, heritage, upbringing and so much more. All of which, we as writers, need to be aware of.

We all know that an American will have chips as a snack, whilst a Brit will refer to them as crisps. Mix them up in your writing, label them incorrectly and instantly your writing (and you) loses credibility and more than likely readers as well.

So what steps can you take to ensure you pick the right words?

Well, you can always follow the familiar phrase that says write what you know best. In other words write about the locations and age ranges that you know, but that can sometimes be a little limiting.
There are websites that enable you to submit your local word and then they will offer you other words that are more suited to the area or lifestyle you’re writing for. In other words, translate your work for you. The disadvantage there is that while that can work well on individual words, it may not be as good at the sentence structure.
You could gather together a collection of friends from different locales and age ranges who would be willing to read and edit your writing. A solution that works well, especially if they want to write about somebody fitting your personal character and location so you can reciprocate.
The best way, though, of course, is to set yourself up in the environment that you’re writing about and surrounding yourself with people similar to your characters. But that tends to be a lot easier said than done - especially if you’re on the other side of the world.
Which leads nicely on to my favourite (at least as a first step) which is to select a range of quality books, movies or television shows that include characters leading similar lives to those that I’m writing about. I then immerse myself in them. Who said watching movies and reading books wasn’t research?

~~~

To discover more ways to use this information to strengthen your writing
check out my videos on Skillshare.

Word Power: The secret to writing the right words

Secrets to Writing Believable Dialogue

Anybody After A Critique?

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 07:14:08 GMT

Critiquing! Did you know me when my life revolved around critiquing manuscripts for writers?

Being given the opportunity to help other writers with their work always made me smile. Seeing the genuine delight on the faces of writers as they saw a strong, readable story emerge from their laboriously prepared manuscript - it was unforgettable. It might sound cliche, but it truly was.

In fact, ...

... I enjoyed it so much that at some points of my life I simply ran out of time. I’d go to sleep with other people’s words and phrases scrolling through my head, and then, when I woke up, sit down with a cuppa and a new manuscript on my lap. Everywhere I turned there were the words of other writers. A true delight of being a writing coach.

It’s been many years now since I’ve officially hung my shingle out. But that’s about to change! After years of only providing feedback as a favour to friends and family, my proverbial shingle has been dusted down, newly painted and is now ready for display.

Why? Well, simply put, because people keep asking me to help them, and who am I to turn them down.

Plus, there’s the fact that I get a real kick out of helping people with their writing - and, of course, it gives me the perfect opportunity to use my naturally pedantic nature.

So there you have it. I might still be travelling around Australia, but my coaching is officially growing and flowing back into my everyday life. I guess if your career is not actually your job, but your life, it has to happen. Right?

Which leads me nicely into… if you’d like to find out more about my critiquing services just click here . I’ll be waiting eagerly to help your story emerge, strong and flowing.

How Many Shiny Objects Are You Juggling?

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 07:07:32 GMT

We’ve all heard of shiny object syndrome, haven’t we? When we’re constantly distracted by ‘shiny objects’ that appear way more appealing than anything else we’re trying to focus on.

It’s something I’ve noticed happens more...

...with creative people, perhaps because we’re always looking for new things to be creative with, I’m not sure. But it’s also a common trait with those interested in small homestyle businesses. Add those two outlooks together and the shiny objects seem to appear at every turn of the corner.

I, for one, have almost lost track of how many I’ve been distracted by over the years. That’s not to say, I’m not still distracted by them, I just know when it’s happening now… most of the time.

The trick with them, like so many things, is actually being aware of what’s happening around you and making a conscious decision about your choices.

These days we can find ourselves swamped with stories of success and possibilities. But it’s important to remember, we’re all looking for something slightly different, have different timeframes we want to work within, are willing to give/take different things. These success stories are not ‘one size fits all.’ Making it not just a case of being aware of what the new arrival has to offer, but also being aware of what we actually want and the compatibility.

As an example, we keep hearing how many people make a fortune on YouTube, TikTok, Twitch and other forms of streaming. Yet did you know that 97% of people on YouTube fail (2020). Or how about all those people creating a thriving business selling online? Did you know that 99% of Etsy stores fail?

Like I say, not everything suits everybody, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something out there to suit everyone.

Over the years I’ve learned something from every shiny object I’ve followed, and like I say, there’ve been a few. Sometimes the realisation and education was quick and hit me full in the face, other times it took a little longer. And during those moments when I question my choices I always remember the story I regularly hear about traditionally successful people - most of them tried and failed at numerous things before they hit their stride. They didn’t just settle, they didn’t just stick with one thing or follow the hoards. They were always trying new things, following shiny objects, sometimes they failed, sometimes they succeeded, but in many cases it was what they learned which led to their eventual success.

It’s a way of life that many of you follow, and in many cases the main difference between us and them is the wads of cash - maybe.

So, in my opinion (just in case you’re interested in it) there’s nothing wrong with being distracted by shiny objects. It’s just a case of being aware of how you work and think, then considering if the glitter can be adapted to suit you, as opposed to you adapting to suit it. But equally as important is feeling comfortable to walk away from the concept after a pre-conceived timeframe should things not work out.

Don’t stick to a path just because you chose it. If there’s no benefit to it, if it doesn’t make you happy and doesn’t show any sign of improving, is it really worth your time? There are so many paths you can choose from.

(And should you be wondering, this article was triggered by this month's realisation, that I need to cut back on all the shiny objects I’m currently juggling. Therefore, for the next three months, at least, I’m focusing on Etsy, Facebook, Skillshare and Twitch. That is unless I come up with a great new idea, of course.)

Why I'm Talking About Writing On Twitch

Sat, 23 Jul 2022 06:14:18 GMT

We all know that the pandemic has ch anged things, some irrevocably, some for the good and some less so. To a certain extent, as a house sitter, I’m protected from a lot of the changes. After all, because I’m always moving I don’t have a local community to lose touch with. I don’t have to learn to adjust to different working requirements because, well, when you’re moving every few days or weeks you have to do it anyway.

But,...

...what I have found is that it’s important to stay up-to-date with technology - I do, after all, now bear the title of a Digital Nomad. It’s also essential to find different ongoing ways to stay sociable and in touch, because it really would be all too easy to become a hermit. An active, regularly moving hermit, but an insular hermit none the less.

This is why I leapt at the chance of hosting a channel on Twitch. A rather wobbly and far from sure-footed leap I’ll admit, but it was still a leap. If you’re not familiar with Twitch or Streaming, it’s kind of like one person hosting a video chat while the others involved type their comments which then appear on the screen so the host can respond to them.

The premise behind my Writing With Elizabeth Twitch channel , is that by talking about the one thing I do constantly and without thinking (writing) I can inform and help inspire everyday writers out there while also creating an international writing community that nobody has to leave their home to be a part of. You don’t even have to take your slippers off, comb your hair or drink your coffee out of somebody else’s mug. Plus, if you prefer, you can use an alias username and just lurk amidst the audience as if you were never there.

How good is that?

And if you want to be involved there really is nothing too techy to understand either, you just have to sign in. As one follower said, the most stressful part about signing up is coming up with a unique username. Just for the record many people opt for usernames based around their favourite foods, unusual spellings of their name/pets/hobbies/locations, or just scatter a range of hyphens, underscores and numbers throughout their preferred words. Like I said, it’s easy to hide behind an alias.

So what do you think, can you see why I’m drawn to having a Twitch writing channel? Are you interested in joining my online writing community? Click on the link to lurk or say ‘hi’.

Shadow Of A Memory

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 08:12:51 GMT

As housesitters we stay in countless homes. In fact, in the last month alone, we stayed in six. Each of these houses tend to have their own unique character and decor, as such, some have nothing that’s familiar to me while others have memory triggers every way I turn.

The home we’re currently at is like that. There are the decorative federation-style bathroom tiles, the worn red kitchen scissors, the well-used individual oval pie trays, the blue and white china Dutch figurine carrying a yoke and buckets, and that’s just for starters.

The one thing that’s really got me thinking, though, is the curtains in my bedroom. But I only recognise them early in the morning when the sun is shining through them, which makes the reaction even stranger. We’ve been here a week and already I’ve lost track of how much time I’ve spent just lounging in bed wondering why they look familiar.

The ornaments and kitchen utensils I can understand, but curtain material? It seems so less tangible. It’s not something you use, it’s just something that’s there.

Still I can confirm that the memory has finally surfaced and been verified by my brother. The material, it turns out, is exactly the same as the material used for my mum’s bedroom curtains over thirty years ago. To be honest I’m not entirely sure if I’m more surprised that I remembered the pattern or that the fabric is still being sold, especially on the other side of the world. But one thing I am sure of is that other memories that include the curtains will now float to the surface.

Something that just reminds me that memory triggers can be everywhere, even for the memories you least expect. It’s simply a case of trusting in your instinct when it says, ‘You’ve seen this before,’ You’ve heard this before,’ ‘You’ve smelt this before.’ Then giving your memory the time it needs to surface - especially if it requires lounging in bed in the morning.

Proofreading The Easy Way

Thu, 19 May 2022 08:00:32 GMT

We all know how important proofreading is, right? It’s also more than likely you’re aware that any piece of writing usually needs proofreading more than once. After all, it’s not just your typos and confusing sentences that need catching, but also the infamous incorrect (and sometimes humorous) Autocorrect.

My personal ‘top of the list’ mistake though is continually reading the words that I thought I wrote but actually didn’t. Frustrating and infuriating! To be honest, I think missing typing errors is as much a part of writing as spending half an hour staring at your page trying to come up with the perfect descriptive word.

The question, therefore, is, what can you do about?

Obviously there’s the option of finding yourself a quality proofreader, but that can be expensive and might seem at little extreme for everyday writing - no matter how important it is. There’s also the option of using up the generosity of friends and family, which doesn’t guarantee all typos will be seen, and can add pressure to a relationship. I could of course add here, trusting in you own proofreading skills, but as my favourite proofreader is always saying, ‘you can’t proofread your own work.’

Over the years I’ve come up with a variety of ways that increase the chances of error-free writing. The latest, and most convenient one, though, is simply to get the computer to read me my work. There’s no doubt that the computerised voice usually sounds far from human, but, in many cases, I’ve found that only emphasises the awkward sentences. But more importantly, in my case, the mechanical voice always reads what’s on the page as opposed to what I think I typed on the page.

You don’t even have to download any extra software to make your computer an avid reader of your work. Both Word and Pages already come with the feature.

I’d never say writers don’t benefit from having their work proofread. I’ve been writing too many years to say that. However, I certainly think that using a text-to-voice option will help you pick up typos and bad word choices, if not punctuation mistakes. It’s also works wonderfully for anybody who is more audio than visual.

Go on, have a go. I’d love to know what you think.

That Pesky Website Ad

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 04:04:03 GMT

So what do you reckon, is it worth paying for your website just to avoid having the inevitable website provider’s ad you get on a free one?

Welcome to my new website! As anyone who’s been following me for a while would know, this new website is around my third in three years. It may even be my fourth, to be honest I’ve lost count. So why do I keep changing? Well, not out of choice, that’s for sure. I don’t even think it’s lack of planning, although it could possibly be lack of insight and knowledge. In the past, that is, not now. Now I have a much clearer idea of what to go for and what to avoid.

But none the less, one of the biggest decisions that’s important to decide on before starting out is whether you want to pay for a website or if you’re okay with a free one that will undoubtedly come with an ad for the company that's providing the site.

When I first started out decades ago, I was willing to pay good money each month just to avoid that dreaded ad. Why? Because I was always brought up with the concept that it’s important to look professional if you want to attract business, and to me that ad (no matter how small it was) didn’t reflect professionalism. After all, if you’re successful in your business surely you can afford to pay for a site? Even if the only thing you’re really paying for is not to have the ad, because let’s face it, most of us don’t usually need more than what's included on a free website.

But I think the concept is changing. A free site no longer indicates unprofessionalism. It might indicate a small business, being budget conscious, or contemporary thinking, but rarely unprofessionalism. That’s provided the ad is even noticed in the first place. All of which is probably due, no doubt, to the fact that we’re swamped by advertisements in almost every part of our lives (sadly). After all, how many sites have you been on today which haven’t shown you some form of promotion?

So while once upon a time my choice of website provider depended on getting the basics I needed for the best price, now I’m heading towards the most suited, free, website. In other words, opting for a greater variety of features with more reliability, whilst choosing to ignore the inevitable ad. After all, which would you prefer to visit, a website that's ad-less, limited and clunky, or one that’s easy to navigate and provides all the information and services you’re looking for?

I know which one I’d pick. Who knows, I might even call the latter more professional.

What Do You Need To Create The Perfect Writing Space?

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 09:27:54 GMT

Six years ago, when I worked from home and before I became a Digital Nomad, my answer might have taken some thought. Back then I’d probably have said my essential items could just have been squashed into a list of twelve:

Computer
Desk and Office Chair
Comfy Chair
Printer and Paper
CD Player
Filing Cabinet
Reference Books - primarily dictionary, thesaurus
Mug and Teapot
Favourite Pen and Pencils
Pinboard - for goals and ideas
Calendar
But most important to me back then was a door - the quintessential barrier between my personal creative space and the distractions of the world.

Today although I think my requirements are basically the same, my list looks dramatically different. After all, it’s a bit difficult to drive around Australia hauling a desk and filing cabinet with you, even when your main source of transport is a car, but when you’re on an electric bike with four panniers?

The question then is, how did the list change?

Computer?

Still a laptop, but no longer with a separate monitor and keyboard.

Desk and Office Chair?

Hmm, these days I take what I can get, sometimes a kitchen table, sofa or even a car seat

Comfy Chair?

Yep, always aiming for one of those sometime during the day.

Printer and Paper?

Definitely no room for a printer in the car, therefore, obviously, negating any need for paper.

CD player?

No longer using CDs, I eventually switched to streaming my music.

Filing Cabinet?

Nope, like I said, no room for a filing cabinet in the car or even a filing box. Now everything is stored on the computer or an external hard drive.

Reference Books?

Again, no space for these in the car, but thankfully there are some wonderful online (and free) sites to answer my questions.

Mug and Teapot?

Yes, still have my mug, but do miss my teapot.

Favourite Pens and Pencils?

Still got those too, but only around twenty, not a drawerful.

Pinboard?

That’s now on my computer screen saver. It’s a bit more fiddly to create and change, but it does the job.

Calendar?

I keep trying with one on my computer, but I have to admit there’s really nothing quite like physically crossing items off your To Do List.

So there you have it...

I guess my list of the essential things really comes down to:

Computer
Mug
Pen and Pencil
Notebook

Anything extra to add to the list?

Other than my spare pair, and my spare spare pair of reading glasses, no. That would have to be it.

And as to the door?

Well, I still love having a door ,but most of the time have to make do with my headphones - even if they’re not plugged into anything.

So, go on, tell me, what are the five essential items you need for your Writing Space?

Why Do You Write?

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 09:27:53 GMT

Over the past few weeks I’ve been spending a fair amount of time focusing on getting everything involved in my Digitally Nomadic life aligned again. It’s something I regularly find myself doing, especially if I feel overwhelmed or like I’m drifting.

Sorting my lifestyle is probably easier than it is for many others because, well, everything about it is so minimal - minimal storage space, minimal work space, minimal consistency, minimal predictability, blah, blah, blah. At least there’s more space now that we travel by car, and not bikes, but still…

Anyway, every time I go through the process everything always whittles down to one question - why do I do what I do?

~ Why do I keeping working towards to an ever-moving goal?

~ What is it that keeps me reaching out to help people with their writing?

~ What is it about my chosen career path that still holds my attention so many years on?

The answer is simple really, I remember the intensity behind simply wanting to write. I remember my mum’s focus on wanting to record her life on paper while she was still around and able to. But also I remember the difference it made to have people support and direct me all those decades ago when I first picked up a pen.

It’s these memories and the emotions behind them that keeps me writing and coaching. That, plus the delight and relief I see in people’s faces when they finally realise they’ve found someone who can actually help make their writing dreams a reality.

K nowing why you do something is a constant focal point. It’s a thought that can always bring you back to your centre. No matter what’s going on around you, no matter how cluttered your mind is, no matter how blocked your creativity might be, it’s always there to pull you back on track and nudge you into action.

So as we slip gently into 2022, I have one question for you… Why do you write?

I’d love to know.

Just Words?

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 09:27:51 GMT

A friend recently asked me, ‘Do you think people realise how much a good review actually means to the person who receives it?

Receiving a good review - not even an amazing review - can truly change a small business owners entire day, if not week. It can make them feel like they are truly appreciated, that what they do is worthwhile, and that they are worthwhile. It can even give them enough motivation to keep striving towards their small business dream.

The year I started working at The Bodhi Tree Bookstore Cafe, (in Perth, Western Australia) I had a stack of goals, several of them quite large. Yet the one that had most impact on me and that still stays with me today was my daily one to make every customer I served smile. Not a large goal, but I’m told it definitely had positive repercussions.

So this year as we’re deciding what we want to do this year, don’t forget to include one small achievable, daily goal. It could just be to stop using negative words, offering a genuine compliment to everyone you talk to, smiling and thanking the barista for your coffee, or every night writing a list of all the good things you’ve achieved that day.

None of these actions cost money, they are just words - but we all know words are never ‘just words.’ The difference they make might be small or life-changing.

Chances are we’ll never know, but that’s not the point. Is it?

Whose Story Is It Anyway?

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 10:04:04 GMT

Talking to family, friends and associates has always been a great way to trigger your memories to surface. Still, that doesn’t mean your memories will always agree with theirs.

Perhaps you’re visual and they’re auditory, perhaps you were focused on a different aspect of the event, or maybe your memories were simply tinged by how you felt or what you were thinking at the time.

But, just because your memories aren’t identical to their’s, doesn’t mean your story is wrong. It just means it’s your story and your memories.

Have the confidence to say, ‘This is my story, and this is what I remember…’

Welcome

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 10:04:00 GMT

Welcome to my new first blog post, and if those words look like they’re in the wrong order, I promise you they’re not.

Yes, this is the first blog post on my new site, but this is also my second ‘first blog post’ in as many months because my previously new site just crashed and disappeared off the face of the earth.

Hence, this ‘new’ first blog post, brand new posts and articles, AND a timely reminder of the importance of keeping copies of EVERYTHING you write.

If you’re typing work straight on to the computer, consider printing out your work plus saving it onto an external hard drive.
If you’re writing by hand, consider taking regular photos or photocopies of your pages or perhaps record yourself reading it.
If you’re videoing your stories or speaking into a recorder, consider getting them transcribed into a written document - either by a human or by a computer program.

Yes, it’s a pain at the time. Yes, you’ve got better things to do. But, what if everything you’ve recorded is lost for some unexpected reason? How frustrating would that be? Believe me the extra time required to set up a regular routine is well worth it.