Planning for Success

Dear Fellow Writer,

Be fascinating - apparently that's how to ensure you get your blogs and articles read these days. 

But exactly how one goes about being fascinating is hard to quantify for a writer - it's all relative isn't it?

I mean when you're in love with someone then everything they say and do is fascinating. It's caring that makes the difference.

P!nk boiling an egg would probably be fascinating - or Lilo crashing another car - or Richard Branson painting a wall - it's a celebrity thing. 

The rest of us can't really be fascinating - unless we're informing others of something they don't already know or is of benefit to them.

I think it's better just to be yourself first - being fascinating is an exterior value judgment - and one we have little control over.

Keep writing!

 

THIS WEEK'S ARTICLE:

Planning For Success

Rob Parnell

 

We tend to overestimate what we can do in a year. But we completely underestimate what we can do in a decade.

Having been a musician for much of my life I've noticed that many pop-star's careers can begin, bloom, explode and then crumble in the space of five to ten years. 

Three hit singles and you're the alternative to sliced bread - and then, just a few years later, you're working in a shoe shop, wondering what happened. 

I often wonder what happens to all the old pop-stars… I mean, do they all simply stop playing music? 

And if so, why did they start in the first place and keep at it only to give up?

Clearly luck plays a large part in achieving success - but I believe that we make our own luck by creating circumstances whereby we are in the right place at the right time - something that wouldn't happen without conscious action in the first place.

Success is one percent luck and ninety nine percent preparation. 

Because, without preparation, there's no way you'll be in a position to exploit the luck when it comes along.

Small Steps, Big Dreams

There's nothing worse than having a whole bunch of goals that you can achieve quickly and easily. 

Here's a mantra you should use regularly: I need bigger dreams!

Because once you get the hang of working on goals and dreams on a regular basis, you'll notice quickly that it's not actually that hard to get what you want. 

Anyone who puts in consistent action towards a specific goal can achieve their heart's desire without too much stress because that's the kind of world we live in these days.

What you don't want to do is to aim too low - for two reasons.

            1. You don't want your subconscious to believe that you will be happy with only a slight change of circumstance

            2. You'll have to keep stopping and planning to achieve bigger goals every two to three months

Let's begin the plan

Let your mind mull over the kind of life you will need to be living to give yourself the time and motivation to do the work you envisage on a daily basis.

How does this make you feel? 

Inspired? 

Or fearful? 

Does it seem real, distant, or absolutely impossible? 

Bear in mind that much of what you believe is possible is based on your preconceptions - things you've learned, true or false, during your lifetime. 

And remember that not everything you believe is true for everyone else.

 

Often we limit ourselves because our belief system won't allow us to expand our horizons.
Put yours on hold for a while - and start to dream BIG!

Answer these questions:

What do you want, more than anything? (Your one big goal)

Why do you want that? (Make a list of reasons)

What would happen if you never got what you wanted? (Be specific)

Use your own notebook for these questions. 

Write about a page full of responses to each question. 

Explore your mind for answers. 

Try to hone in on what really motivates you to succeed at your chosen 'big goal'.

Don't be too vague either.

For instance, you may have a goal to become a bestselling author. 

Fine. But go further and ask yourself why you want that. 

For what purpose? 

To have fame and riches. Fine. 

But why do you want that? 

To be happy. Good. 

Go further. Why would that make you happy? 

What exactly about fame would make you content? 

Just recognition? Or adoration? 

Why do you need that? 

Is it ego based or because fame can be useful? 

Be specific about exactly what kind of fame you would want - and why.

Similarly, exactly how much money would make you happy? 

It's tempting to say billions. 

But if so, what would you do with all that cash? 

Save it, invest it, leave it to your children, fund charities? 

Again, be specific. 

Why do you need all that money? 

What would you use it for? 

Buying more things, looking good, traveling, investing in creative projects, feeding the homeless?

Hone in on who you are and what you really want. 

Imagine being the person you'd be if you were rich and famous. 

How would you feel? 

How would you act? 

What would you do? 

How would you conduct yourself, and live from day to day?

When it comes to listing the things that might happen if you don't achieve your goals, go deep too. 

If you suspect you might feel like a failure, ask yourself why. 

What exactly does failure mean to you? 

How would it feel? 

Why would it hurt? 

Perhaps you suspect that not much would change if you didn't achieve your goals. 

Why would that be? Would it really matter? 

What would you still have? 

List the positives as well as the negatives.

You'll be surprised how much you can learn about yourself - and discover what really motivates you - by doing this simple self examination exercise.

 

Read more here.

Keep Writing!

 

Rob Parnell
The Easy Way to Write

THIS WEEK'S WRITER'S QUOTE:

"Don't ask your readers to admire your words when you want them to believe your story." Ben Bova

Previous Newsletter includes:
Article: "Using Technology in Writing"