[Coaxing Creativity Tuesday Tip] What are you stepping into?

 

open door

open door

June! Weddings, graduations and lots of changes. We’re past the midpoint and so the school year has wrapped up…perhaps you are already wading into your summer plans with packing children off to champ, or putting new programs in place. Take a minute to ponder what you are stepping into. Where are you making plans to jump in, or escape to? 

We’re at the midpoint here of 2013.

Did you make up your mind that this year things would be different? And are they?

What were your resolutions/goals/dreams in January? Have you achieved any, all, or none of them? Whether you did, or didn’t make those resolutions, there’s still plenty of time to make a new agreement to change 2013 for the better.

Let’s take a look at where you’d like to be by December 2013. Have your web site up and running? Publishing your blog on a weekly basis? Your manuscript ready to shop around for an agent? Created a prototype for your new product? Released those last five (10, 15, 20) pounds? Allowed yourself to sit quietly for 15-minute-meditation time and 15-minute journaling time every day? Developed new amazing program for your fabulous clients? Created a workshop series to deliver your cutting edge content throughout 2014? Took that awesome trip to Italy you have always wanted to take? Spent Wednesday afternoons at the beach making enormous sand castles? Read that awe-inspiring series (business/personal growth/inspirational)?

IMG021Whatever you want to step into…you decide the direction, make the leap and jump in!

I’m going to try that Wednesday thing at the beach. However, reading a book rather than building a gigantic sand castle is more my speed.

What are you going to do?

 

 

[Friday 5-Minute Writing Prompt] My voice is…

Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt

writer unleashed timed writing prompt

My voice is…

Friday five-minute writing prompt

Take out a fresh sheet of paper. Natalie Goldberg uses a “fast-writing” pen. I suggest using your favorite writing instrument and an unlined piece of colored paper for fun. I use a fountain pen with purple ink. Some folks opt to use their computer. If that is your preferred method to write, then just open a new word document on your computer and go for it. The point is to keep your fingers moving for five minutes and not stop. I want you to experience how much writing can be accomplished in a short period of time.

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – My voice is… or any other phrase that is comfortable for you. Do not stop to edit, correct spelling, look up a better word, or rearrange a sentence. Do not question what comes up in the five minutes: this doesn’t make sense, where did that come from, or what a crazy notion. This is a timed writing exercise so be sure to set the timer on your watch, phone, microwave, computer, or kitchen stove. Whether you use an egg timer, a No. 2 pencil and spiral notebook, your iPad, or even your iPhone, the theory is the same. Keep your hand and/or fingers moving and have fun taking dictation from your unconscious self. Make a list, hum a tune, write a poem, or create a short, short story. This is your time to explore and experiment.

Voice? I’m typing here…

Voice your thoughts with Mary "Writer Unleashed" KnippelIn order to build a relationship on line you must speak in your own voice and share quality content. 

What the heck does that mean?

Sometimes we hear an instruction like the one above, and we think…that just doesn’t make any sense, or how in the world does an ordinary person like me find my “voice” to write quality content on my blog?

 Well, I’ll tell you a little secret.

I’m using my voice right now and sharing quality content (I hope you think it’s quality content). My writing style is conversational – just like my speaking style. By writing about something that has been a challenge for you and offering a suggestion and or solution to your dilemma, I am providing quality content.

roller girlWhat I think happens to so many entrepreneurs is that they are overwhelmed by all the details of their business. Do you feel you have to wear roller skates to keep up?

Writing is a necessary and vital component of their business, but somewhere in the past they were told they couldn’t write. So now, they are hesitant, reluctant, or even afraid of writing about their passion. And that’s what writing about your business is. You are sharing your passion with readers in order to help them understand why you are doing what you do and feel the way you feel. Not rocket science. Definitely something everyone is equipped to do once you relax and allow the words to come.

Okay, that’s easy for you to say, I hear you thinking. I can energetically feel your resistance.

But think about this…what if because you expressed yourself, your thoughts and dreams, your challenges and solutions…someone else felt heard, you validated their thoughts, they felt someone else understood them, and as a consequence they didn’t feel so alone.

What if you made a difference in someone else’s life because you expressed your thoughts?

 

writingRegardless of what has happened in the past, you are a successful business owner who is in charge of all the elements of your business…including writing your blog!

No really, you are already an author. Now, it is a matter of moving the words from your head to the screen/paper and sharing them with your readers.

As far as the content goes, you already have that in your head because just about anything that interests you will interest the people who are looking to connect with you. Yes, that’s right…talk about- 

  • how you searched for just the right picture to go on your invitation announcing your new product
  • how proud you are of the Little League team you sponsor
  • the trip you just took to wine country
  • the fundraiser for your child’s school,
  • what is going on in your industry

…in other words, talk about your life and your business.

Build a relationship by having a conversation in your own “voice” sharing interesting and informative material about your life, which, of course, includes your business.

I’d love to hear your “voice,” won’t you share your thoughts about this article?

 

 

 

 

Rebuilding your life…

DSC03094Have you ever built anything?

Whether it was a birdhouse for Scouts or Shop class…or a million dollar mansion at the beach, you went through the emotional ups and downs of frustration and joy. Frustration that things were not turning out exactly the way you wanted them to turn out. The wood was too knotty and the paint was too dark. The appliances didn’t fit where you wanted to position them because the wrong measurements were taken. You pictured it so perfectly, but nothing seemed to be going exactly the way you planned.

Have you ever felt your life isn’t turning out exactly the way you planned? 

crying little girl

crying little girl

June is Rebuild Your Life Month. Take a minute to focus on what your life would look like a year from now if you rebuilt it starting today.

Have you been thinking about going back to school to finish your degree, or learn a new facet of your profession? Now would be a good time start reading up on what you need to do…get an application, find out what the requirements are, research grants or funding options.

Have you been longing to take a trip? Go to the library – yes, get out of the house and explore the pages of the travel section.  Take out some of the maps, spread them out, and let your fingers explore the route you would take.

Just as you wouldn’t go on a trip without a map, rebuilding your life means creating a plan of action to achieve your goals. The house was built with a firm foundation and the fundamentals.

Your rebuilding may be the result of a life change of your own choosing (or not), but you have a firm foundation to start from.

Your core is strong.

excited little girl

excited little girl

You are determined to become the woman you are meant to be.

The house did get built and it is wonderful. Either the birds are enjoying their new home, or you are. Either way, after adjusting your attitude and recognizing the beauty in the finished product…despite the flaw of not being exactly what you had imagined…now you see that it is even better. 

The end result is joy! Joy that you have something perfectly wonderful…although somewhat different than what you first had in mind.   

The house was not built overnight and you won’t rebuild your life quickly either. What you can do is change your attitude and make up your mind that you are already living your best life because you are here now!

The rest is all in the details.

I’m telling the truth…

 

 

Mary and Baby T June 1984June is the month of new beginnings…moving up (grade school to middle school, middle school to high school), moving on (high school to college) and moving out (into the real world after college or after the bride & groom say “I do”). 

Do you recognize yourself in any of those scenes? Is your child at an age where he/she participated in any of those significant milestones? Did you? Or, are you stuck at a plateau because society says a woman of a certain age should behave a specific way. 

Is it time for you to move on from this stuck place of “shoulds” to create your own behavior code?

Stuck in this place where you continuously attempt to make a fresh start with a bright shiny new attitude where for 24 hours you make progress measuring your goals and yet…come the dawn there’s that should shadow hanging over you again.

The truth is you have to make up your mind every day what your attitude will be TODAY.

Mark Twain said, “Age is a matter of mind. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

The truth is YOUR life is what YOU make it. Is it time to unleash your best life and write your story?

Live in the NOW is the only should to listen to. The present moment is what matters.

http://www.dreamstime.com/-image18131866The truth is you CAN make every day a brand new day because YOU DECIDE how to behave whatever your age.

Life lessons come at us fast and furious or slow and steady wearing away at us.

The truth is we CHOOSE how to accept the major life lessons such as a breast cancer diagnosis or the loss of a job followed by a major move. We determine our attitude of greeting a stack of papers/laundry/dirty dishes as one of opportunity to practice leadership and job delegation or further material for our list of wrongs done to us. 

Choose today to move up, on and out with grace and authenticity.

[Coaxing Creativity Tuesday Tip] Encouraging words…

 

Mary "Writer Unleashed" Knippel at Hermitage, Santa Sabina Retreat Center

Mary “Writer Unleashed” Knippel at Hermitage, Santa Sabina Retreat Center

You have the cool, clear eyes of a seeker of wisdom and truth…Oh, I believe in you. I believe in you. 

Lyrics from the popular musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

Have you ever received a note of encouragement in the mail at the exact moment you needed to hear positive words?

 For many years I have attended a women’s retreat in Northern California. On the final morning of our retreat, our beloved workshop leader passes out envelopes and 3 x 5 index cards. We are then invited to follow a set of simple instructions:  address the envelope to yourself, write something on the 3 x 5 card, put the index card in the envelope, seal the envelope, then drop the envelope in the box provided in the front of the room. The note can be one word or a paragraph. It could be congratulatory words about how far we’ve come in realizing our dreams, simply a question asking what have we done to bring about the fulfillment of our goals, or a loving reminder to practice the nurturing spirit we experienced while on retreat.

Our retreat leader then takes the box home with her. Six months from the end of our retreat, she stamps the self-addressed letters and mails them. Many, many times I have been delighted to receive the pleasant momento of that spirit-filled weekend and astonished at the prophetic words I’ve written by the Fragile Me attending the retreat to console, inspire and reassure the Future Me who so appreciated receiving the loving gesture.

What better way to honor Effective Communications Month than to communicate with someone we are extremely close to, yet seldom acknowledge her strengths, talents, and passions.

Today take out a pen and some pretty paper, a note card, a post card,  (an index card in an envelope will do) and write a sentence or two in praise of YOU! Not sure what you want to say? OK, write down a favorite quote, or a line of poetry. Something that will inspire you, gives you pause, or evokes a sigh of delight.

What about song lyrics…I believe in YOU!

I’d love to hear what this post has brought up for you.

I can’t wait to see what the mail will bring… 

I was thinking about you…

Effective Communication?

Effective Communication?

Being in business today means that you have to be a savvy communicator. You must connect with your readers and build a relationship with them.Would you like to expand your communication skills? Learn fun, fast and flirtatious writing techniques to create social media posts, blogs, newsletter articles and, oh dare I say…a book?

 June is Effective Communication Month. How are you doing with that subject?

Prior to the invention of the telephone, information might have been exchanged around the cracker barrel at the local mercantile, across the back fence, at a church supper, or perhaps at the barbershop…all word-of-mouth.

 

After Alexander Graham Bell’s apparatus was installed in homes and businesses, word spread faster…still word-of-mouth.

 

Advertising, a public promotion of something, is a concentrated plan to influence communication, simply put to get people to not only take notice of your product or service, but to BUY, to get people talking about your product or service… word-of-mouth.

 

Your blog is you promoting YOU! It is your words describing your passion for your business. Why you do what you do to serve those who need your gifts.

You are creating your own word-of-mouth advertising campaign with every post.

It will help you:

  • Establish yourself as an expert in your field
  • Share your message of who you are and what you do
  • Connect with your clients and customers

 

Writer Unleashed connectsYour readers have to get to know, like and trust you before they become clients and customers who will buy from you.

 

Your blog is a tool you can use to be a savvy communication to build a relationship with your readers. Sharing stories about what is happening in your community, your industry, your family and friends, your observations as a keen observer of life, asking questions and engaging in conversations to get to know what your readers think.

 

Have you…

  • been meaning to write more on your blog?
  • been continuously stuck on how to come up with blog ideas?
  • made up your mind that 2013 you will finally do something about that blog?

 

If you answered YES to the above, I’ve got a solution for you –

 

roller girlBlog Writing the Fun, Fast & Flirtatious Way!

Write your way to Fame and Fortune!

This 6-week series is designed to help you develop that writing muscle and create a system to not only know what to write about, but when!

Hurry, the class starts June 12 and this is a small class to allow everyone my personalized attention. Safe and supportive environment in a Closed Facebook Group, weekly writing prompts, two group coaching calls, three video trainings.

 

$250 ValueRegister before June 11…$67 Special Price

 

Your blog is a valuable business tool you use to connect with your clients and customers.

Join me on my Facebook page to share your struggles with blogging.

Let’s get started today to Unleash the Writer in YOU! 

 

 

 

 

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Today I practiced self-care by…

Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt

writer unleashed timed writing prompt

Today I practiced self-care by…

Friday five-minute writing prompt

Take out a fresh sheet of paper. Natalie Goldberg uses a “fast-writing” pen. I suggest using your favorite writing instrument and an unlined piece of colored paper for fun. I use a fountain pen with purple ink. Some folks opt to use their computer. If that is your preferred method to write, then just open a new word document on your computer and go for it. The point is to keep your fingers moving for five minutes and not stop. I want you to experience how much writing can be accomplished in a short period of time.

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – Today I practiced self-care by… or any other phrase that is comfortable for you. Do not stop to edit, correct spelling, look up a better word, or rearrange a sentence. Do not question what comes up in the five minutes: this doesn’t make sense, where did that come from, or what a crazy notion. This is a timed writing exercise so be sure to set the timer on your watch, phone, microwave, computer, or kitchen stove. Whether you use an egg timer, a No. 2 pencil and spiral notebook, your iPad, or even your iPhone, the theory is the same. Keep your hand and/or fingers moving and have fun taking dictation from your unconscious self. Make a list, write a poem, or create a short, short story. This is your time to explore and experiment.

[Coaxing Creativity Tuesday Tip] Create Your Personal Memorial Day…

Yesterday we celebrated a very important day in our country’s history. Memorial Day is the day we remember all the men and women who died serving our country. I grew up hearing it referred to as “Decoration Day” because that was the day my father and his Army buddies marched into the cemetery and fired off a 21-gun salute while the high school bugler performed a hesitant and solitary solo behind a distant headstone.

It was our history to mark the graves of all our loved ones with flowers on that last Monday in May, not just fallen soldiers. We remembered everyone who had fought for us…loved us…wanted the best for us…our family and friends who were our angels…whether it was with a potted plant from the Schmitz Nursery, with a bunch of lilacs from the bushes in the front yard, or dandelions picked from the side of the road.

Today, I’m suggesting that you choose a significant event in your life, a turning point, to remember as your Personal Memorial Day. Wander down memory lane for a half hour or an hour if you can. Be sure to have your journal handy to capture what comes up as you travel that road back to the old you… someone you used to be.

  • What does she know now that she didn’t know then?
  • What is the decision she made at that turning point that has impacted the woman she is today?
  • Where is that woman headed now? How has she influenced others by the decision she made on her Personal Memorial Day?   

Don’t be surprised if you have more than one Personal Memorial Day. I have several…both times I received form letters about abnormal mammograms, moving across country twice because of business suddenly closing their doors, the loss of my father and then my brother. But I also have had amazingly wonderful Personal Memorial Days…our wonderful daughter, meeting many fabulous friends and stepping into leadership as a writer, as a speaker and as a coach.

Hop over to my Facebook page and share with me all the details of your Personal Memorial Day. I’m waiting to hear…

 

 

Do you ever wonder…

your face here...Do you look at your life and wonder…what part of it is mine?

Recently, someone close to me said, “I don’t even know who you are anymore!”

Sadly, I don’t know who I am either. Or do I? I’ve been on a journey to discover me ever since I was diagnosed with breast cancer…for the second time.

I wrote in my journal, of course, even those close to me really don’t know who I am. I’ve made a point of only showing the parts of me that I was willing to share; that I felt would be accepted and judged acceptable. I’ve done that my whole life.

Sound familiar?

I’m taking my life back.

voicelessThis month is about mothering yourself. Okay…that means treating me with TLC. I’m tired of being the good girl who wouldn’t hurt anyone’s feelings or disappoint anyone while I got the fuzzy end of the lollipop. Yes, the world needs followers as well as leaders. How about cooperation and collaboration? Why does it always have to be about one person winning and everyone else losing.

It’s not about winning or losing; it’s about respect and awareness. 

It’s not about judgment and who is right…it’s about everyone being heard.

Do you have anyone you can talk to about this? 

Who do you tell?

We’re mad. We’re frustrated. We’re tired, cranky and fed up.

So when is it “appropriate” to speak up about what we…you…I…want?

I’ll answer that…now!

freedom butterflyRight now. Let anyone and everyone know it’s your turn to be heard.  As much as we’d like to have people read our minds and not have to tell them what we want, we’re just going to have to speak up. Regardless of whether your “office” is on Market Street, Main Street, Wall Street, or behind the wheel of a mini-van barreling down Any Street, we are all afflicted with the “Voiceless Syndrome.”

We have to speak up…my life is mine!

We have to practice self-care by asking for help. (While we may have demonstrated that we could do quite a bit of it in the past, clearly we are not going to keep doing that behavior because that would be insane.)

We have to ask for what we want…help with the paper pile-up that is threatening to overtake our office. Help in brainstorming ideas about the next big project. Help with driving the carpool and help with the dinner preparation as well as clean up. Help with the laundry – those towels, shirts and underwear don’t fold themselves and march into the bureau drawers.

Help with creating consistency and confidence in a world full of challenges and uncertainty.

I’m claiming time for myself to do whatever I absolutely please once a week. 

Do you look at your life and wonder…what part of it is mine?

Isn’t it time you stopped wondering? How will you take your life back? I’d love to hear your plans. Please hop over to my Facebook page and share.