Inching Forward

Forward progress is still progress. We don’t need to be embarrassed or compare ourselves to others in terms of where we are and where we would like to be. Success is as much about luck as it is about planning. Growth is as much about persistence as it is about being fortunate. Inching forward is […]

Reflection

There is no moving forward without looking back. Reflection is a practice that I have always embedded in my time in education, and I am finding it just as valuable in writing. It is a powerful tool and it has to be used effectively, mindfully, and not sporadically. We need to find ways to embed […]

Working through Adversity

It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when. At some point, you are going to be writing for someone who doesn’t seem to want you there. They are prickly, adversarial, and constantly questioning your work. You wonder why they even hired you in the first place. But working through adversity can sometimes […]

There is Only Time

There is only time. You do not have to find it, make it, or schedule it. The time is there for you to use or ignore, however you see fit. We like to think that we can make time. That presupposes that we have some sort of influence over the day, that there won’t be […]

Writing with Attitude

Sometimes you just can’t fight a bad mood. You woke up on the wrong side of the bed and your morning tea didn’t hit you just right. You are grouchy, hangry, and tired. But, you have a happy little commercial to write, so you plaster on a smile and get to typing. There’s just no […]

Time Away

Time away is nothing you should feel any shame about. Sometimes you just need a moment to yourself, to collect your thoughts, or to rest and get better. Your creativity and mental well-being require time to recharge. And, when you come back, you will be all the better for it. Like taking a moment in […]

Floundering

There are going to be times when you feel like you are lost. None of the choices you are making seem to be making an impact. You’ve jumped into this big pool of creative voices and you haven’t made a single ripple. You are floundering in the middle of the ocean. I wish I could […]

Getting Your Foot in the Door

I don’t have an answer for this. And anyone who says they do you should probably avoid. Getting your foot in the door for your potential clients is the most difficult and necessary task of any business. We are told it’s all about solving problems and providing service. I would agree, in most cases. What […]

Making it Interesting

If we focus too much on the grind, we run the risk of getting bored. Making it interesting elevates the work. If we live inside of our niche, we run the risk of stagnating. Making our work interesting helps us flourish. We need to focus on making it interesting. On finding new ways to challenge […]

Make Sure to Stretch

Don’t get too comfortable in you niche. It’s a sprint that will be over all too soon. A niche is cozy but unpredictable and it can disappear at a moment’s notice. So, every once and a while, make sure to stretch. Stay close to home, by all means. Just push at the boundaries a little, […]