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Kristen Lamb's Blog
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Is "Motivation" Useless? Are "Opportunities" Overrated?
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Success, The Writer's Life on July 23, 2015
I hear all the time that "motivational stuff" is crap, that cheerleading is useless, that all those books and speeches are there simply to take our money. What is success? Well, I don't believe that success is worth giving up everything. Life and love are more important than being the best. And, to an extent I will agree.
Motivational Stuff is Crap
I don't know about you guys, but I love The Container Store. Every year I set my New Year's Resolution and it always…always includes this phrase. "Be more organized." This morning I was hunting for the cat food. I'd apparently hidden it from myself. In the bottom of my pantry I spotted one of those white-board weekly organizers…still in the WRAP.
*hides head in shame*
Exactly how well is that weekly organizer working for me tucked in the back of a pantry? Yes, The Container Store really does exist simply to take my money. They aren't going to do a home visit and make sure I actually hung that calendar on my WALL. It is not their responsibility to make sure I applied that product for its intended purpose.
Same with motivational stuff.
Thing is, motivation alone is useless. Motivation is like food. If I buy a bunch of organic veggies and leave them in the fridge to die a slow, lonely death, they do zilch nada for my health and energy levels. Yet, my health and energy levels will suffer without them. I have to make the effort to ingest this fuel so my body can put it to use.
If I don't feed my body it gets sick and weak and could eventually die. So then how effective will I be if I never feed my spirit?
Motivation is fantastic, but it is worthless unless applied. It is potential energy that we must convert into kinetic energy.
The Mind and Will are POWERFUL
If motivation wasn't powerful, then why do we remember Ghandi, Churchill, Kennedy, and Vince Lombardi?
I love crime shows and after you watch a few thousand episodes of Law & Order or Hannibal or whatever, they kind of all blend together. But, there was one episode of Criminal Minds that affected me deeply. It actually wasn't the goriest or the most gruesome of the killers. In comparison to some of the crime scenes from Hannibal? It paled.
Why did it disturb me so much?
I have looked for which episode it was and can't find it, so here goes.
The team is discovering victims who clearly were abducted and held captive, but there is no clear reason why they are dead. They simply are.
What the team uncovers is the killer abducts a victim and holds them. Day after day they are fed, given what they need to survive (physically) and the killer brings in the one thing that keeps them hoping. In one case, it is a young mother. He wheels in a TV with video of her children as they are growing up without her. Day after day she sees the one thing that keeps her pressing.
Then, he stops. He continues to bring food and water, but no more footage of her children.
Without hope, the woman simply one day rolls over and dies.
When the team captures the killer and gets his backstory, he talks about being a boy and running across a young woman who'd fallen into a well on their property. She is treading water and screaming for help. He bent over and reached out a hand to help her and her face lit up. Then? He pulls his hand back and simply watches her. The moment she realizes she has no hope of being saved, her eyes change and she lets go and lets herself float down and die.
It was that look, that moment he craved. The moment in his vicim's eyes when they gave up. When hope simply evaporated and there was no WHY to carry on. He managed to kill all his victims without ever laying a hand on them.
Though I saw this episode at least eight years ago, I still remember it. And it still freaks me out.
Granted, this is an extreme dramatization, but is it? We have all kinds of stories about people who survived POW camps, concentration camps, disasters, etc. who shouldn't have. Why did they? They kept hoping. The mind and will were far more powerful and able to go beyond the limits of the physical body.
Success is Personal and It WILL Cost Us
When I talk about success, I am using very broad strokes. Success has to be defined by US. I actually have no interest in being a billionaire. Granted, it would be fantastic if it happened, but I am unwilling to have money at the expense of people and relationships. People are my WHY, not money. Success to me is then measured in those around me, not necessarily my bank account.
But that is ME.
Success of any kind has a price. To be a "successful" mother, I have to sacrifice. It is way easier for me to let The Spawn go feral and forage off chips for breakfast. It takes time to make him a healthy meal. It takes time to watch documentaries with him and teach him to swim and help teach his Jiu Jitsu class. But, I am sacrificing to invest in him. In our relationship and in his future.
A great marriage will cost us. A clean house, a tidy yard, a balanced bank account, a trim waist, etc.
If we want to be "successful" at this writing thing, the bare minimum requirement for "being a successful writer" is words written down…which will cost us time we could be spending watching Criminal Minds 😀 .
No One Else Can Define It
First, I will say we have to take the wheel. What my success looks like and what YOURS look like are vastly different things. For years, I allowed others to define my success. I spent years reaching for outside approval that never came.
If you read last post, I told y'all I was a high school drop out twice over. I worked my tail off to win an Air Force Scholarship to become a doctor and I did. Why did I do it? After years of being a disappointment to all those around me, I wanted my grandparents to finally say they were proud of me.
When I came home to tell my grandparents the news I'd won, my grandmother's first words were, "Well, they must have been short on their quota for women."
*Kristen dies more than a little inside*
Later, I graduated from TCU with a degree in International Relations. Actually, it was Political Economy of the Middle East and North Africa. You know, one of those easy fluff degrees😉 .
I did this hoping they'd be proud. Ehhh, no.
Then, I landed a premium job in sales hoping they'd be proud. Nope.
Then I got into law school. Nope.
Finally? I gave up trying to make others give me that atta' girl and did what I loved. I became a writer. All those years I was reaching for dreams that weren't mine, I was sick and miserable because I had the wrong WHY. When I finally went after MY dream, eventually I no longer cared if they were proud of me or not.
Definitions are Personal and Ever-Changing
When we read motivational stories or watch videos or movies, it is easy to feel like a loser. But, we all start where we are. When I was a baby writer, I remember thinking, Wow, if I could write 500 words a day, then I will have made it. Now, I write a thousand words before breakfast, but that took YEARS and YEARS.
But if I'd started with a goal of 2-3,000 words a day? If I'd beaten myself up because I only wrote 500? I would have given up a long time ago.
When was smacked with Shingles last year, my definition of a "successful day" had to change if I was ever going to get better. And I would love to say that I didn't cry and whine and complain and throw tantrums. I did. Shingles involved month after month of pain piled on pain piled on even more pain.
I hated everyone. I hated myself, my family and probably hated kittens and puppies, too. If Zig Ziglar had visited me? I might have just punched him in the face. It was hard to admit that "success" during that time, might have just involved getting out of bed and wearing a bra (the Shingles were all down my ribs).
But eventually we must adjust what is a "win" or our mind will devour us.
Of course, now that I am in remission from Shingles, I need to adjust. Wearing a bra is a noble goal, but I kinda should be past that😉 .
No One Else Can DO It
We have to do the work. We have to define what we want and why we want it. Then we have to do the work. There is a lot of talk about giving others the right opportunity. I used to believe in that, but now? Not so much.
I was president of a writing group for years. They complained the reason they didn't attend was the meeting place, so I got us a nice meeting space. None of them showed. Then, these folks griped that they couldn't attend because we met at an inconvenient time, so I managed to find a second meeting space on Saturday mornings for those who couldn't make a weekday evening.
Again, none of them showed. The handful of complainers who did sporadically attend never wrote anything.
Members complained when I recommended craft books. Was I suggesting they didn't know how to WRITE? Most refused to go to conferences or take classes. They groused about the speakers. They didn't have time to write the novel, but they had plenty of time to craft long e-mails complaining about some new thing I wasn't doing for them.
Week after week, year after year, I showed and tried to add more "opportunities" to no avail. Finally, I learned a tough lesson I hadn't wanted to believe. Talk is cheap. Though being part of that group was painful, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I thought I'd overcome my addiction to approval when I told my family to "Pound sand" and became a writer.
Ah, but did I?
Nope, I'd simply shifted my addiction from my family to a local writing group. I was still just as addicted to people pleasing and I needed others to "approve" of me and my dreams.
I had to learn that I could not expect average people to be extraordinary. Also, I could no longer hide behind their lack of approval as an excuse of not moving forward. I had to leave them behind and risk failing alone. I could not hand them enough opportunities and definitely could not motivate them into success.
Motivation is the fuel for the soul, but we have to light the spark and WE have to take charge of using and directing that for forward momentum. Like approval, motivation is wonderful, but not entirely necessary. Sometimes, we simply have to dig deep and keep going even when there is no outward sign we are doing anything right.
Writing is NOT an Easy Job
We don't clock in and clock out. We don't have a boss looking over our shoulders who will send us to Writer Jail if we don't make word count. No one will discipline us if we don't take any Continuing Education. Most of what we DO, others don't see (or even value). This is a very unique profession that probably requires us take care of our Spirit Self more than other jobs.
Take time for yourself. Feed your spirit, but then put that fuel to work. Just like craft books do us NO good collecting dust on a shelf, motivation is similarly useless if not put into action. Opportunities are meaningless if we ignore them.
What are your thoughts? Do you find yourself falling into approval addiction or people pleasing? Do you have to revisit your goals because you've let others do too much influencing when it comes to what "success" looks like? Do you rely too much on motivation? Heck, I am guilty. Do you forget that your mind and will need nourishing too?
I love hearing from you!
Quick Announcement:
Due to popular demand, THIS SATURDAY I am rerunning my Hooking the Reader—Your First Five Pages at the end of the month and I am doing something different. Gold Level includes me looking (and shredding your first five) but I have added in some higher levels and will look at up to 20 pages. This can be really useful if you're stuck. I can help you diagnose the problems. It's also a great deal if you have to submit to an agent and want to make your work the best it can be.
Again, I LOVE hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of JULY, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
For those who need help building a platform and keeping it SIMPLE, pick up a copy of my latest social media/branding book Rise of the Machines—Human Authors in a Digital World on AMAZON, iBooks, or Nook.
author success, being a successful writer, how useful is motivation, inspiration, is motivation crap, Kristen Lamb, motivation, setting personal goals, Success, W.A.N.A.
Time Management—Are We Busy or Fruitful?
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Organization and Productivity, The Writer's Life on July 8, 2015
I do a lot of stuff. Actually too much stuff but I am totally woking on that saying "No" thing. Hey, I'm getting there. Two days ago I finally earned my fourth stripe on my white belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. For those who don't know, in BJJ, you are a white belt forever. It takes anywhere from a year to a year and a half to earn a blue belt. My next level is blue belt and I am stoked.
In BJJ, the blue belt is almost as big of a deal as black belt because most people never get that far.
But I constantly hear people say things like, "Oh, I'd love to write a book. I just can't find the time." "Wow, I'd love to do Jiu Jitsu. If I could only find the time."
I am no angel. My life gets out of control, too. But, I can say that these periods are far shorter than they used to be because I have learned solid principles that work. When my life feels like it has been tossed in a blender? It means I am no longer in the driver's seat. I am allowing other people's agendas to bleed into my life and I am mistaking the urgent for the important.
Here's the deal…
We live in a society that feeds us a lot of lies. The biggest one is about TIME. Oh, if I only had more time, then I could (fill in the blank). The truth is we are all given the same amount of time—24 hours a day. Of course the next big lie that's easy to believe (and I've been guilty) is Well, if I only work HARDER, that will get me where I want to be.
That's crap.
More time doesn't equal MORE AWESOME.
Thus, today we're going to look at some of the lies and time-stealers and ways to be masters of time, not slaves to it. We need to be vigilant and proactive so we don't fall into Hamster Wheel Management. We're called to be fruitful NOT busy.
We Can't Find Time, We Can Only SPEND Time
One of the most common phrases in the English language? "If I could only find the time…"
Okay, sorry to break the news but time isn't hidden in the couch cushions like loose change, Cheerios and that remote control we haven't seen in a month. We can't find time. We're given time. How we spend it's our choice.
Write a Clear Mission Statement of What We WANT
Feel free to have multiple mission statements: Faith/Spiritual, Family, Health, Finances, Work (Writing). For templates of how to do this, I recommend 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Mission statements are a lot like the log-lines for our novels. No log-line for a novel—ONE sentence that clearly states what our book is ABOUT? Easy to drift off down a bazillion rabbit-trails because every wild idea that pops in our brain seems worth giving a try. In the end, we're more likely to end up with a mess than a masterpiece.
Same in life.
Without a clear picture of what we want, it's impossible to spot the time-wasters versus the sound investments.
Make at Least TWO Lists
We've talked before about the Pareto Principle, also known as The 80/20 rule. Twenty percent of all our decisions will have 80% of the most return. This is a fairly universal rule. If you have employees, 20% will produce 80% of the output. If you run a volunteer organization, 20% will do 80% of the work.
Conversely, 20% of employees (customers, friends, volunteers, family members) can create 80% of our headaches. Limit time with psychic vampires and focus more on spending time with those who add value. Even being alone is better than leaking 80% of our time on stressful, counterproductive people/activities.
With the 80/20 Rule in mind…
List #1—The Boulders
The boulders are the BIG stuff. These are the actions that will make 80% of positive impact. Being a career author (need a finished novel). Becoming debt-free (need a budget). Possessing a healthy spirit, family, mind, and body (need boundaries and rest).
With a clear action plan, anything that gets in the way of these big goals can be easily spotted, rerouted or removed. No plan? We are reactive, wasteful and spend most of our time treading water.
No item on the BIG LIST can be done in one day, but we can write out steps that get us closer to that BIG goal every day. Remember, small actions over time add up. Those steps to our BIG GOAL are what we tackle FIRST.
Every day, I have a list of 2-6 BIG things that need doing, often stuff I dread. But the day isn't complete until these items are knocked out (so many pages of research, writing so many words, writing a critical e-mail, creating a spreadsheet, etc).
In the meantime…
List #2—The Pebbles
The BIG LIST are boulders. They will take steady chipping away over time. Between time? Pebbles are easy. Too many people focus all their time on pebbles—which NEVER go away—at the expense of a few whacks on the boulder. Or they focus all on the boulder, then wear themselves out and become overwhelmed and discouraged because they're buried in ignored pebbles.
Or they ignore/avoid the boulders AND the pebbles with useless activities that will never bear fruit.
Pebbles are small, worthwhile tasks that take less than 20 minutes to complete (most about 5).
Every day, when my main blog is finished, I call my mother and close friends. I believe in healthy relationships. But, while on the phone, I tackle a bucket of pebbles (stuff on my #2 List).
I sort laundry (5 minutes), empty the dishwasher (5 minutes), put a chicken in the crock pot for dinner (15 minutes), tidy the silverware drawer (5 minutes), sweep (5 minutes), or wipe down a counter or two (5 minutes), and have great company while I work.
If I have to pay a bill and they put me on hold? I read research, fill the cat bowl, or jot down ideas for blogs. I know I can't write 12 hours a day and that being active keeps the tendonitis away. So, I take Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Spawn. We get a good workout and Mommy-Kiddo time.
5 minutes a day reclaimed ADDS 30 hours a year
10 minutes a day reclaimed ADDS 60 hours a year
15 minutes a day reclaimed ADDS 90 hours a year
30 minutes a day reclaimed ADDS 120 hours a year
60 minutes a day reclaimed ADDS 340 hours a year
It's easy to waste an hour a day 5 minutes at a time. Take those minutes back, and we can add 31.6 eight-hour workdays to our lives (Via The Art of Getting It DONE). And all this time we wondered where our vacation time went?😉 It's leaking away unless we are proactive at plugging holes.
I'm not here to make you guys multi-tasking robots. I'm here to help you invest in the future you want.
Time with family, naps, relaxation, downtime, vacations and rest are essential for genuine success (the kind that doesn't have us living off energy drinks, Xanax and screaming at the kids). If we're conscious to be fruitful instead of busy, we'll find we accomplish far more with less effort.
Focus increases confidence, offers a sense of authentic accomplishment and relieves anxiety. Focus will also free up time for more fun stuff (and more writing). Activity can be diffused like white light, or it can be a laser.
Do you feel eaten alive by your life? Is your To Do List a Frankenstein monster wrecking your life? Do you feel discouraged and overwhelmed? Have you learned to prioritize and set boundaries? What are some tips that have helped you regain control?
Before we go, my log-line class will be TONIGHT Your Story in a Sentence—Crafting Your Log-Line . This class will include me gutting your log-line in class (or via e-mail if you're shy) to make it agent ready. We should be able to tell others what our story is about in one sentence or odds are we have a big problem. Class is recorded and the recording and shredding are included.
Also, due to popular demand, I am rerunning my Hooking the Reader—Your First Five Pages at the end of the month and I am doing something different. Gold Level includes me looking (and shredding your first five) but I have added in some higher levels and will look at up to 20 pages. This can be really useful if you're stuck. I can help you diagnose the problems. It's also a great deal if you have to submit to an agent and want to make your work the best it can be.
I LOVE hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of JULY, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
For those who need help building a platform and keeping it SIMPLE, pick up a copy of my latest social media/branding book Rise of the Machines—Human Authors in a Digital World on AMAZON, iBooks, or Nook.
becoming a full time author, being a productive writer, get more done, Kristen Lamb, pareto principle, seven habits of highly effective people, time management, time management for writers, working from home, writing full time
Brave New Bullying—How to Protect Yourself from Cyberbullying
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in The Writer's Life, Writer Wellness on June 3, 2015
I've talked before about how I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Recently, I have started assisting with teaching the kid's class. It is shocking how much time we devote to training kids to stand up to bullies. Bullies, in my opinion, are among the lowest known existing lifeforms. I wouldn't want to insult cockroaches and fleas by drawing a comparison.
I'd love to say that we leave bullies behind when we are no longer kids, but I think bullying just gets worse and harder to fight. As writers, we deal with bullies a lot. Tragically, I've received many messages from semi-suicidal writers who left their dream profession because they had the misfortune of landing in the crosshairs of cyberbullies and no longer could endure the stress.
I have a hard time blaming them. I know what it is like to be willing to do anything to escape the torment.
Kristen's History With Bullies
I grew up most of my life being bullied. I switched schools at least once a year and there was always a new gaggle of Mean Girls to make my daily life a veritable hell. I think this is why I grew to love books. I skipped school so much (to seek sanctuary at the public library), that I'm fairly certain I'm the reason for the current Texas truancy laws.
I couldn't get out of bed. I became ill at the thought of even walking through the front doors of my school. I was poor and these girls in their designer clothes who drove their BMWs to school took great joy in throwing away what little clothing I had when I was at soccer practice.
I couldn't escape. They cornered me on the bus, in the lunchroom, in the halls. Most teachers did nothing. In fact, teachers were some of the worst bullies I endured.
One teacher made my life miserable because I stood up to her bullying a kid from another school. This teacher and her pets thought it was funny to stuff chocolate Ex-Lax into a brownie and give it to a kid that probably (looking back) had Asperger's. I stood up to her over it and paid dearly.
Since she was "Teacher of the Year" no one, not even school administration would intervene and I endured her torment for three very long years. I had nightmares about her until my 30s.
Bullies Don't Stay in High School
I'd like to say bullies went away. When I graduated and joined the workplace, I soon discovered bullies just grow older and more cruel. Female bullies are the worst. They don't push and shove and bully in ways that a good tail-kicking can fix.
They are a slow poison with no taste or smell.
I'm certain Human Resources must have some hidden rule that they must hire at least one tireless jerk to torment their fellow workers.
Yes, part of why I left sales was my health. I threw up on the way to work every day. Why? A bully. She ruled the office and everyone feared her. She'd even once assaulted someone at the copy machine. I was responsible for a 2.5 million dollar quota and this person would make sure my orders were "accidentally" sent to the wrong place, my samples would get "lost in the mail" and important documents would disappear.
I kept having to change the lock on my office because this person thought nothing of helping herself to my personal belongings. One time, I'd worked months on a detailed presentation I had to give at the national meeting. I went to lunch and forgot to lock my office. She deleted the entire thing (though there was no proving it, of course).
Seven weeks of work had to be redone in 24 hours.
We had a major contract that came open. Business we'd had for a couple decades was being offered to our competition. I drove to Mississippi once a week for months to ensure we maintained the contract and won the bid. Finally, I got the green because they liked me. All I had to do was send the samples to a certain location.
The office bully deliberately mailed them to the wrong address (yes, she was the only one with the power to send out products). I have no idea how many people lost their jobs because we lost this major contract, and I was the salesperson so the blame was square on me.
And there was NO getting rid of her. I went to my boss, to the plant manager, to Human Resources and they acted as if I was just being sensitive. I left. She won. The factory closed. But what kind of person is willing to go to such extremes to hurt ONE person, that she takes out the jobs of others and then even her own? Why would a company tolerate this?
I've never found a satisfying answer.
I think that's one of the reasons I have been so tireless when it comes to building the W.A.N.A. Community. I spent so much of my life alone, lonely, afraid and I never wanted anyone to feel the way I had for so long.
Brave New Bullying
Now we live in a Digital Age and bullies abound. The Internet gives them access to torment us 24-7 no matter where we go. I was so thrilled the day I was asked to blog for Huffington, yet unlike here, I have no control over the tone of the comments. There are people who are simply made of spite and hate and they will take it out from the safety of a computer behind the anonymity afforded by monikers. Now when I post, I simply scan and, if anything is hateful in tone? I won't even read it.
This is why I don't read reviews before buying any book. There are too many sock puppets and trolls. Goodreads and Amazon are RIFE with bullying. I've had friends bullied on blogs and even once had someone start a hate blog directed toward me, "Kristen Lamb The Face of Misandry" which is "Man-hating", btw. I had to look it up.
It's sad to say, but when researching for this topic, it seemed most of the information was for kids, schools and teens. But bullies never go away. They often can't be stopped, but maybe we can make it tougher for them to spread their cruelty.
What To Do
Be YOU—Don't Let Bullies Steal Your Peace or Your Book Sales
First of all, use the name printed on your books. A moniker or a pen name won't stop the hate. It's still you. If someone called me names and ruthlessly attacked my character it wouldn't matter if it was Kristen Lamb's Blog or Penelope Fluffernutter's Blog. It's still me behind the computer.
When we try to hide behind a moniker to protect against the inevitable, all we do is make it harder to sell books. The bullies win. They can steal your peace and maybe even success.
When we get off the Internet because of these cretins, they win. It's a "blaming the victim" mentality. If your
skirt wasn't so short blog wasn't there, you wouldn't be raped harassed by trolls. This is why I DO recommend a WP based site. There is this marvelous TRASH function.
Illegitimi non carborundum…
Keep Records
If you get hateful, threatening messages take screenshots. Save e-mails. If the troll is motivated enough they can easily slip into an area that can give you power legally. But, proof is what will help your case.
Manage Your Blog
I don't allow hate. I am always open for respectful disagreement, but if someone gets out of control? I delete their comments. People need to feel safe to comment on my blog (and yours), and bullies will shred the fabric of your community. It's our job to keep them in check. Set boundaries and refuse to tolerate abuse.
Stand Up for Friends
If you have a writer friend who's being bullied, gather together and, when Amazon asks if a review is helpful? Click NO. The W.A.N.A. Community is massive. Let us know. We are happy to stick up for you, and a troll might be able to harass one or two pals who come to your aid, but a few thousand is a tougher challenge.
Report and Block
Report abusers on Facebook. The guy who started the hate blog about me wasn't just harassing me, he was harassing all my friends who commented on my wall. He was PSYCHO. I went to Facebook and had him banned. I blocked his comments and profile (until FB could take it down).
Don't feed the trolls. Negative attention is still attention. Often trolls will leave seething comments to upset people SO much that they HAVE to go to their blog/website to see WHO this JERK IS. It's the only way they can get hits and comments and they feed on negativity. Starve them.
Hire a Professional
If you're worried about your safety or your family's safety because someone has gone THAT nutso? Contact Jay Donovan at TechSurgeons. Jay is an amazing human being, a tireless champion for writers and he IS The Digital Dark Knight. He's a computer genius who can have said troll chasing his own @$$ down a hole of frustrated nothing. There are ways to protect yourself digitally and Jay is a master of security. Even if you want to take some preventative measures, talk to Jay.
Many of you know I am NOT a fan of pen names. What you may not understand is I'm not a fan of pen names, because a different name alone isn't enough. Worse, it can provide a false sense of security. Writers are locking the screen door thinking that's going to keep out the motivated ax murderer.
There are sound reasons for having a pen name. I advise against it most of the time because friends, schoolmates and family can be powerful mouthpieces and very helpful. A pen name limits how much of that energy we can harness and dilutes focus.
BUT, if you DO need a pen name for safety, security, etc. TALK TO JAY. Again, a different name alone isn't enough. An eight-year-old with decent Google skills can find who you are without the skills of someone like Jay helping you.
Speak Up
I hate to say it, but if Goodreads doesn't start protecting writers from abuse, then we can remove our books. Don't think they would last long with no authors and, since Amazon owns them, they might be more inclined to listen.
In the end, trolls are often a sign we are doing something right. Get ten trolls and I think we are officially a celebrity. Learn to un-see. Focus on those who love you.
Power in Numbers
Over on my Dojo Diva blog, I am talking about self-defense and how to shut down predators. Predators, whether in life or on-line, think very similarly. They prefer to go after those who are alone and weak. Take that away by being part of a strong community. There is something to be said for numbers discouraging attacks.
Social isolation is fuel to the bully fire. Those kids and teachers who bullied me capitalized on the fact that I came from a broken home and had NO ONE. I very literally had NO safe haven.
I recommend Gracie Jiu Jitsu to everyone who will listen, but for more reasons than self-defense. That kid who is being picked on will have it far worse if they have no tribe, no system of support to reinforce others genuinely CARE. Our dojo is that tribe. Our mission is to protect the weak. We live it and breathe it.
On-line? We also are wise to ally with strength.
Join our W.A.N.A. Community (W.A.N.A. stands for We Are Not Alone, information here). We are a great refuge and support system. Like my dojo, our mission is to serve and protect. They don't call me the W.A.N.A. Mama for no reason😉 .
You can join us on Twitter at#MyWANA, on Facebook or even WANATribe (a social network for creatives). I have ZERO tolerance for trolls and have smiting powers.
I know it can feel very defeating sometimes, but a great circle of loving friends who have your back is a great start. Refuse to feed the trolls your peace, success and happiness. They exist, but together we are stronger.
What about you? Have you been bullied? Did you find any tactics that were effective? I am no expert, so I would LOVE any suggestions.
I LOVE hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of JUNE, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
Remember, for MORE chances to win and better ODDS, also comment over at Dojo Diva. I am blogging for my home dojo and it will help the blog gain traction.
Winner for May is Ugirid Haprasad and the Dojo Diva winner is Amy Kennedy. Please send 20 pages (5000 words) in a WORD document to kristen at wana intl.com. Congratulations!
For those who need help building a platform and keeping it SIMPLE, pick up a copy of my latest social media/branding book Rise of the Machines—Human Authors in a Digital World on AMAZON, iBooks, or Nook.
bullying, cyberbullying, how to handle bullies, how to handle trolls, internet trolls, Kristen Lamb, teachers who are bullies, trolls, W.A.N.A., We Are Not alone, what to do if bullied on-line
Dip Happens—What Do We DO When Nothing Seems To Change?
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Success, The Writer's Life on April 27, 2015
Often I blog about things I am going through. Sometimes just writing things down, sketching out a plan of action, recalibrating MY perspective helps a lot. Hey, if nothing else, I have a blog post😀 .
Lately, I've been in what Seth Godin calls…The DIP. In fact, I am even talking about The Dip over on my Dojo Diva blog for those who want more (and also a better chance of winning my 20 Page Death Star Critique).
*dangles carrot*
What is THE DIP? The Dip is that span of suck before the breakthrough. The Dip is where character develops, where dreams grow, where WE grow. Bad news is this is also the place where most people give up.
I'd love to say I've never given up when faced with a particularly tenacious Dip, but I am a terrible liar. Dips are tough. Why are Dips so hard?
Dips Come Out of Nowhere
We are zooming along and then it is as if an invisible force field comes out of nowhere. Maybe you started eating healthy and were losing weight steadily. Then…nothing. Another week? Nothing. Another week, I gained three pounds? WTH? And another and another and pretty soon, why bother?
A little story…
Before I got pregnant, I was 130 pounds and a Size 2. When I was pregnant, I did two-a-days the entire time I was pregnant. I did step aerobics in the morning (which was nothing short of comedic when I was almost 10 months in) and swam a mile a day, six days a week even though I felt like I should be a show at Sea World. The night they induced me, I stopped at the gym and did an hour workout before Hubby took me to the hospital.
Eleven days after having The Spawn, I was back in the gym. I'd get up for the 3:30 a.m. feeding then go to the 24-hour gym.
For the most part, I have still kept a strict diet and exercise regimen.
These days I do 6-8 hours of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu a week…and am STILL a size 10-12. No matter how disciplined I am, it doesn't seem to want to show on the outside. We go to restaurants and I watch people eat onion rings and fried cheese and have dessert while I am GF, dairy-free, low-carb, soy-free, no sugar, etc. etc. I drink water, not soda. And yet?
Sometimes I wonder why I bother.
This is the first main problem with The Dip. Sometimes, we can't figure out why it is there or worse…why it won't GO AWAY. After blood panels and doctors and experts, they all agree. I am the picture of health, but am overweight.
No kidding.
We might be doing something GREAT that shows nothing on the outside. Granted, I might be a fluffy size 10-12 for the rest of my life. I have amazing flexibility, can run for miles, can outfight and outlast teenagers and my heart and insides are amazing.
Funny, though. I rarely think of my shining cholesterol levels when I have to shrug into Spanx.
I wonder how many calories we burn trying to put on Spanx?
The next problem with The Dip is there are often others who will rub salt in the wound that we are IN The Dip.
On Saturday, I went for an hour of rigorous BJJ training, ran home, cleaned up then attended a 2.5 hour Judo workshop that I paid for. I was feeling pretty good about myself until…
I was in the middle of learning a new throw and could tell I wasn't pivoting my weight the correct direction. Sure I was throwing my sparring partner, but I was landing in the wrong spot. The teacher comes over and tells me I am doing it all wrong.
Okay, I KNEW that.
But then, he tells me that I need to work out more. That the reason I can't do the throw is that my legs are weak and then says, "Have you thought about going to a gym? Maybe trying some squats?"
*suppresses urge to stab him in the face*
He corrects my posture and the next throw I did? I nailed it. He probably could tell from the look on my face that I might have been envisioning him.
Of course, Judo is all about physics, not about strength. I didn't point that out. I also didn't point out that the rest of the attendees had slept in while I was one of the handful who came to the early morning class anyway (even when I knew there were 2.5 hours of additional training ahead). I also didn't point out what should have been obvious. I was the only older female in the workshop and if the sport wanted to attract more like me? Insinuating we are out of shape is a bad plan.
After the Judo workshop, we had a family day at the zoo and all I wanted was to throw in the towel and eat all I have denied myself for a decade…in ONE day.
I know you guys probably have no idea what I am talking about😉 .
The Dip is REALLY common in writing. You are working on a novel and it is going great and then? You get stuck. You KNOW you are stuck. Maybe you can't even figure out WHY you are stuck. Then, when you are about to tap out for good and OD on brownies, someone in your life is there to point out that "Maybe you just aren't trying hard enough…"
Yeah, because we didn't already think of that.
Some Important Things to Know About Dips
First of all, people who don't attempt anything remarkable, never have Dips. Thus, if we are experiencing Dips, it means we are still pressing for something better. The only way to get out of ever dealing with Dips is to just drift along on the tides of mediocrity and ambivalence. Don't know about you guys, but I can't do that. This means I have to take my own advice and Suck it up, Buttercup.
The second thing is that we can more painfully feel Dips when we get our focus on the wrong things. If we stare at Dips we get intimidated. This is partly why I refuse to get on a scale. I found myself obsessing too much. Yes, I would love to trim down and get into my "skinny" clothes, but is that my only objective behind eating and living healthy?
I am extremely fit. Working out helps me release stress. I look far younger than peers because I am healthy. My family is all involved working out together. Spawn learned to walk in the gym nursery. Now? We do martial arts SIX days a week together. Spawn has been sick ONE TIME in his entire life because I cook super healthy foods. He has to be told to stop eating so many vegetables and eat some protein.
Am I willing to abandon ALL those other benefits because ONE objective—trimming down in size—refuses to cooperate?
Same with writing. For years I blogged to The Great Nothing. At first, I did it to get "views" but after a year and a half of blogging to the male-enhancement bots, I got seriously discouraged.
Since I'd invested too much to give up, I decided to focus instead on ALL the benefits of blogging that had nothing to do with outside approval.
I learned to write leaner, meaner, faster and cleaner. I learned to eat deadlines for breakfast. I became a better writer because I was TRAINING. I learned to be self-motivated and self-disciplined. Granted, even if NO ONE ever cared about my blog, these traits would serve me well in other areas.
Of course, eventually, when I got my eyes off the numbers and focused on what I COULD control, THIS happened. Can anyone see THAT DIP? When I finally busted past it?
Dip Happens
The last things we need to appreciate about Dips is that they are not permanent but yet they are.
One Dip alone is not permanent, but The State of Dippery is. Yes, DIPPERY. It is a word😛 . Unless we give up, we will face more Dips and bigger and longer Dips.
For instance, as writers, a common first Dip is to finish the book. YAY! Then the next Dip. Getting published. Oh, if I could just be published, THEN I'd be happy. We get published and the next Dip is BOOK SALES. Then there is the next book and the next…and you guys get the point.
I'm not here to discourage you, but we cannot exist in a permanent state of happiness and satisfaction. It is a brief moment of sun and then? Back to work. Anyone who promises us a Dip-Free life is lying and probably selling something…like DRUGS.
Dip Therapy
Dips suck. They are long and painful and necessary. Dips weed out the uncommitted. Many people will give up on something remarkable because there is no instant payoff. Can we still LOVE writing when there is no outside evidence we are going to gain? Can we still keep eating healthy and exercising even if we never get to wear skinny jeans?
NO! Wait, okay fine *rolls eyes* I'll keep pressing *grumbles*.
Dips make us value what we EARN. One of the reasons I get frustrated with our Everyone is a Winner Society is that is dilutes the genuine feelings of authentic achievement. A black belt is only valuable when it took years of sacrifice (busting past Dips) to earn it.
Dips train us for the mentality of the successful. Often others see what we have. They don't see what we gave up to get it. And that is the reality of things. Successful people "get" Dips while others give up. In fact, I would be so bold as to say that most of the successful writers I know aren't necessarily all that more talented, but they are far more tenacious.
When we face Dips, outside circumstances may never change, but we will.
Dips teach us to ignore outside opinions. Where would I have been had I listened to all the people who told me blogging was dead and that it was impossible to be a successful writer? We can choose to take that pushback as an excuse to quit or fire to fuel us forward.
Yes, I am frustrated with a LOT of Dips in my life, namely the "weight thing." But am I going to let one outside jerk opinion derail me?
No. And the reason is that I have had extensive and intensive Dip Training😉 .
Tips for Busting Through the Dips
Remember the WHYs. Why are you doing whatever? Why are you correcting your kids when it feels like you just repeat yourself a million times? Why are you eating healthy? Why are you writing that novel? Focus on the why. If we write books simply to become millionaires? Could happen, but burnout probably more likely. Instead, focus on how much you LOVE writing. How much you LOVE your kids. How much you LOVE feeling good because you drank water instead of a 2 liter bottle of Diet Coke.
Baby steps ARE steps. Never underestimate the value of simply showing up. Every sentence is one step closer to a finished book. Small actions over time DO add up.
Remember "Dip Happens."
If we know that Dips are inevitable, we are more mentally prepared for the challenge. It is more a sign we are doing something right than a great cosmic plot against our happiness.
I hope you guys feel more encouraged. Remember that the summit is only that beautiful because of the climb.
What are your thoughts? Have you been in some Dips lately? Are you feeling like it will never END? Did you know that this was natural? If not, do you feel a little better about being stuck? Do you have those around you rubbing in that you are in a Dip? Have you ever made it past some particularly tenacious Dip and are better for it? What was it? Share your story! We need the encouragement!
I love hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of APRIL, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
For those who need help building a platform and keeping it SIMPLE, pick up a copy of my latest social media/branding book Rise of the Machines—Human Authors in a Digital World on AMAZON, iBooks, or Nook.
author success, Kristen Lamb, making goals, reaching goals, Seth Godin, The Dip, the truth about success, the writer's life, We Are Not alone, writer encouragement, writing success
The Doctrine of the Doers—5 Principles of Achievement
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Success, The Writer's Life on February 27, 2015
Success has a LOT of common denominators. Whether we want to be an excellent parent, run a thriving business, earn a promotion, have great friendships, become published, lose weight, one day have enough money to build a secret lab in the side of a mountain…? There are fundamentals we are wise to understand and apply.
Thus today, we are going to talk about 5 Principles of Achievement or The Doctrine of the Doers because I dig alliteration😀 .
Principle #1—Understand What We are Doing is HARD
Pros make stuff look easy. I can listen to Donald Trump ten minutes and believe I, too, could be a financial genius. When I was four, I recall being allowed to watch Wonder Woman and she did these amazing handsprings. Well, pshaw! I totally could do that…or not.
And my cousin found me semi-conscious and confused why my arm was going the wrong way.
I made this mistake of not understanding I was seeing the END result of a lot of training. Outsiders make this mistake all the TIME. They see a thriving business or someone who drives a nice car and…that person must have "inherited money."
When I was a teen, I was in marching band, the swim team and taught karate in the evenings. This meant I was up before dawn marching until 9 a.m. I then swam laps from 2 in the afternoon until 4:30 just in time to get home and pack up my gear so I could teach martial arts at the local recreation center.
One night, I was taking a break and a woman—holding a candy bar and a Pepsi—bemoaned how I was born so naturally fit.
Success is NOT natural. What's natural? Entropy. Disorder. Chaos. Those who write a book, finish a book, have a thriving blog, a strong business, great kids, a clean house, a smoking hot body often worked hard for it.
We must do what others are unwilling to do. We are not the AVERAGE. Even those of you who are just starting out. You are NOT the average. Most people never try.
We must always guard ourselves from thinking someone "better" than us achieved whatever easily. If we don't, we will get discouraged and are more likely to give up. The other side of that is if we DO the hard work? Expect someone to believe whatever we achieved was purchased, inherited or the result of "magic."
Principle #2—No Company Better Than Bad Company
Lions don't hang with sheep. Show me your three closest friends and I'll show you your future. Complaining, excuses, procrastination, laziness are contagious because they represent the natural order of the universe—ENTROPY. When I began as a writer, I had A LOT more "friends." Now? Not so much.
Even in martial arts, I don't roll with people who are reckless and lazy. It's a good way to get injured and it won't make me better. I won't spar with the guy who always shows up to class conveniently after the grueling warmup is over and who needs a water break every five seconds.
Choose people who are willing to do the hard stuff. If you're a writer, hang out with people who WRITE, who are willing to read and take classes and are always pushing their skills to a higher level. Yes, there will be fewer of those, but it's worth it.
Principle #3—Basics Trump Cleverness
There are always people who want the shortcut. They want the Shake Weight Success and instead of being "successful" they look more like they are….ok, *leaves that to your imaginations*.
From music to writing to business to parenting to marriage to martial arts, there are fundamentals we should master because they never outlive usefulness. From white belt to black belt, the Kimura is one of the most successful tactics in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu even though it's one of the first we're taught.
Writers? Proper grammar, punctuation and tight prose never go out of style. I see way too many new writers so busy trying to come up with a plot never written in HUMAN history and they do this at the expense of learning and mastering the essentials.
Principle #4—There Will Be BLOOD
We live in a world that tells us we can have it all. NO. We can't. That's a lie designed to sell us stuff. We must choose and then focus and then sacrifice. Often, people see how much I write and think everything else is perfect in my life. Nope. I gave up the idea of having a Martha Stewart house a looooong time ago. Also haven't had my hair done since last summer. I focus on family, writing and martial arts. Anything else? I'll get to it.
Principle #5—Achievement is a PROCESS
It also never ends. We have to be careful we aren't comparing the highlight reels of others to our own "behind-the-scenes." When I started blogging, NO ONE cared except the man-part-enlargement bots. I was thrilled to pass 40 visits in a day.
I read a lot of other blogs to hone my skills and still do. And, even though it's common for this blog to have triple digit comments and thousands of shares, I still read blogs with 27,000 or more shares and have to maintain perspective.
Whoever is getting those 27K shares didn't get that Day One. Just like I blogged for over a year and a half before real humans started outnumbering the spammers who commented on my blog.
I so lick your blog. Wonderful poinsettias you make. I must tell my brother about you're genius. What web browser do you use? Is there a grate spam filter?
Apparently not "grate" enough…
Have any idea how HARD it was not to delete these comments in the beginning? Um, maybe the commenter is writing English as a second language?
THIS is how blonde I was when I decided to blog. I started my WordPress site and posted…and immediately got MY FIRST COMMENT. Proof I was awesome! *does bad Cabbage Patch dance* It was a lovely and thoughtful comment from this dude named…Akismet?
What kind of name is that? Must be foreign.
Or an automatically generated message from the WORDPRESS SPAM-FILTERING software *head desk*.
What if I'd given up? We all start somewhere. Goals will always be shifting and evolving. We never cross a true finish line unless we decide to quit.
And we'll need to remember to take that moment where we can enjoy our achievement, but new level? New devil. I was so STOKED when I earned my second stripe on my BJJ white belt. I felt bad@$$! Those two stripes cost me a broken nose, a few broken toes, sprains, strains, time and sweat. I was EPIC (in my own mind).
Double-rainbow all the WAY!
***For those who don't know, in BJJ you are a white belt FOREVER—okay, about a year to a year and a half. Four stripes and then blue belt. Most people QUIT.
I basked in my awesomeness until the next class when I got my tail beaten like a drum.
With writing? Finishing a book is life-altering? Publishing it? Holding it in your hands? OMG! Then you get the scathing review from someone who loved the book, but gave you two stars because there were four typos in 70,000 words.
Also, once that book is out? It's back to the beginning with the next book and the next. We are always starting over and reaching higher than the last time. It's why we need a solid relationship with being a beginner😉 .
You can DO this! I know you can. Just remember baby steps are steps and the most valuable stuff in life, money can't buy.
What are your thoughts? Ready to rule the world? Do you get frustrated with people believing what you do is easy? Or people who want the fruits without the work? Maybe people who dismiss all the sacrifices you've made? Do you find you do better if you keep revisiting these basics? I do. If it can be overcomplicated? I AM your GIRL!
I love hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of FEBRUARY, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
For those who need help building a platform and keeping it SIMPLE, pick up a copy of my latest social media/branding book Rise of the Machines—Human Authors in a Digital World on AMAZON, iBooks, or Nook.
5 steps to success, achieving goals, being a professional author, developing the habits of the successful, how to be successful, Kristen Lamb, publishing success, Rise of the Machines Human Authors in a Digital World, W.A.N.A. We Are Not Alone, work ethic of high achievers, Writing, writing tips
Life on Purpose—What to Do When Dreams & Goals Fizzle
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Success on February 9, 2015
We're a few weeks out from the New Year and many of us are struggling. I don't think I am saying anything crazy when I assert that most of us would LIKE to improve. We want to learn and grow and be better over time. No one dreams about being broke, stressed, overweight and unhappy. That's a given and you might even laugh at that notion.
Yet, nature abhors a vacuum.
I dream of a floor I can't find because I'm SO behind on laundry it's more of an archaeological project than housework.
But I need to ask the hard question: If we aren't dreaming of all that bad stuff? What are we dreaming about?
I've consulted countless business people and writers. Conversations are VERY telling. Some people are so afraid of failing that they never make a decision. Yet, no decision is STILL a decision. Additionally, I will talk to people, and they'll tell me ALL the things they can't do. Okay, tell me what you CAN do.
See, if we don't focus on something positive, achievable and actionable, we leave a vacuum and that's where entropy (chaos) loves to creep in.
Since no one sane is likely to have a goal of never finishing a book or living in stretchy pants forever or being sick, broke and tired, we can already dismiss this notion that we deliberately set negative goals. Most of us aren't going to do that.
Ah, but we can end up inadvertently setting negative goals by not putting something we WANT in the vacuum.
We are born to create. Humans are creative beings. Now, we can create beauty, destruction or wasted space, but our nature IS to create. To deny our nature is a formula for frustration.
Leave a preschooler unattended ten minutes and this proves my theory. If we as parents/adults fail to provide that kid with something positive to act upon? Lord help the electronic devices, because that kid is going to test the theory of "How Many Goldfish Will Fit in the XBox?"
Thus, the first step to changing is to set goals. We've talked about this before and setting goals is a great start because we can't get to a place we haven't taken time to define.
And this is not Inspiration Guru Positive Think Your Way to Wealth Stuff. The nature of our JOB as authors has changed and we are much more active players in the business side of our business.
Show me a business with no mission statement, no business plan, no actionable and measurable goals? I'll show you a space that will be up for rent within the year.
The Mind is POWERFUL
I love reading inspirational works. I highly recommend them. Why? Because society is seriously screwed up. And it MAKES money off keeping us screwed up, so society has zero intentions of EVER being positive and healthy.
When we were kids and wanted to be a writer or dancer or astronaut, adults all clapped and cheered. Then we hit this age when suddenly the grown-ups changed their tune. "Yeah that's cute, but time to grow up, Kid."
This is when most dreams die. We are bombarded with negativity. We are told that dreams are reckless, dumb, unachievable, blah blah blah. In fact, we are told this SO much, we need deprogramming or we can become our own worst enemy.
We can't achieve what we can't conceive. Our mind is the map, so stop letting others spill goo on your map!
This is one of the reasons I've done a lot of blogging about relationships and setting boundaries and limiting contact with toxic people.
We all have them or have had them. People who like to complain, make excuses, indulge in their feelings all the time. People who have a new dream every other week. I wanna be an actor, no a writer, no a vacuum salesman, no a journalist!
Ditch writers (and other people) who spread stinking thinking. Laziness, apathy, and whining are contagious. Treat excuses like EBOLA. A friend coughs
blood excuses all over you, and, within two to three days, you start coughing up blood excuses, too…until your dream of being a writer liquifies and bleeds out and I hope you're happy with yourself.
Faith Without Works is Dead
We've already established that the condition of our mind and spirit is VITAL. We are going to have a really hard time achieving anything notable (like getting out of bed) if our mind is crapped up with:
I'm too old, too poor, too short. Why bother?
Okay, I gotta stop typing before I depress myself. Y'all are smart and get the idea.
However, this next step is where I believe a lot of inspiration-self-help falls short. YES, we must learn to discipline our mind and emotions. Show me a successful person and I will show you someone who developed self-discipline.
Here's the thing. I can "envision" I have the body of an athlete all day long. It's probably better than going around calling myself fat all the time.
But the rubber must eventually meet the road.
I need to get in the gym. What we feed will always grow stronger. If we feed the idea we can do nothing? Guess what? If we feed the idea we can achieve something remarkable? It grows. Starve out the bad and feed the good. How do we feed? With thought and ACTION.
My goal is to one day be a New York Times BSA. Great goal, but I only have limited control over this. Remember, goals should be defined and actionable. Since I am fairly sure no unfinished book has become a NYT runaway success with an HBO series, I can start with, "I am a finisher."
This is why I don't put a lot of stock in the Name It and Claim It. Or Envision It and It Will Magically Manifest. Yes, our will and emotions need training. When we're new, our mind and emotions resemble a puppy that pees on the carpet and chews on shoes. Yet, wishing cannot replace working.
We can stand in the mirror and repeat, "I am a NYTBSA" over and over, but deep down, our spirit will call us a liar (because we are). BUT, if we make the goal of becoming a NYTBSA and break it down? We now have something actionable.
I am a finisher.
I prioritize writing/exercise/family/financial discipline.
Baby steps count.
I believe in sacrifice.
This is when small actions begin to reinforce our bigger ideas. When I finish cleaning out a closet, I am buttressing that new core goal that I am a finisher. When I turn down a movie to finish revisions? I have a small victory that strengthens that new belief growing inside.
Eventually these "small" victories create confidence and habits that are essential for achieving that BIG goal. Maybe I will never be a NYTBSA, but I stand A LOT better chance if I learn to finish what I start (and practice that habit in multiple areas of life).
Though it would be a super cool power, I have not wished almost 1000 blogs and 5 books into existence😉 .
Order is NOT Natural
Yes, we are creative beings. That is our nature, but we also have to appreciate the nature of Nature.
Whoa, that was deep.
Ever gone driving in the country? Maybe to some places people haven't been? In your travels, did you round the bend and stumble across a field of perfectly lined rows of plants producing abundant crops and no weeds in sight? It just did it on it's own. Like all the peach trees lined up one day and rebuked all dandelions and crabgrass?
Have you run across a perfectly manicured spot of ground? You know. All the grass was lush and green and only 1.5 inches tall and the edges perfectly sharp? And nature did this all by itself?
Um, likely not.
The thing is, Nature is awesome, but it's also chaotic. Leave a parking lot abandoned a couple years and what do you see? Nature likes weeds and chaos and rubble. There are rocks and large ant hills and, if no rain falls, the soil (at least in Texas) turns into a BRICK.
What this means is that to make the most of our nature we have to tame Nature. We are going to have to do things that are VERY unnatural. It is NOT natural to sit and write 100,000 words. It is NOT natural to choose cleaning out the garage over going to a movie. It is NOT natural to eat chicken instead of a double-fudge brownie. When in a fight with a significant other? It is NOT natural to put aside ego.
In fact, when we make these New Year's Resolutions, the largest hurdle we have is we are now doing a LOT of stuff that is NOT natural. And thing is? For most of us?
It never will be.
I consider myself a fairly disciplined person. I work out a lot because I do Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and I take a beating 3-4 days a week (which, willingly signing up to get your @$$ kicked is NOT natural). And I do great…and then the sink breaks and Hubby gets a cold and the e-mail piles up and, because of all the chaos? I get out of the habit.
Pretty soon that next season of Warehouse 13 is looking A LOT better than going to the gym. Pthththt. I can always start back next week. And I know I was going to make chicken for dinner, but then I'd have to clean the kitchen, and…
Why is this?
It's because as disciplined as I love to believe I am? My NATURE digs entropy. My nature LOOOOVES stretchy pants and scrunchees. My nature starts questioning the sanity of walking up 105 flights of stairs that go nowhere… .
Thus all of this is to say, yes. You probably are tired and likely that diet and exercise program started collecting dust about three weeks ago. You still haven't finished the book and on and on and on and guess what? Don't sweat it. Just start again. Drag out the mower and edger. Keep this as a cheat-sheet:
Clean up our thoughts. Nothing edible grows in poisoned soil.
Choose friends wisely. No company better than bad company and all gardens fare better with a FENCE.
Make the big goal(s).
Break down the big goal(s) into actionable pieces.
Act on the goal(s).
Smaller successes will reinforce the belief we can ACHIEVE the goal(s). Increased confidence=increased momentum.
Understand we will always be taming our nature. When setbacks come? Understand they will. It's just how life works. It's life. No one gets out alive😀 .
You got this! Have you been feeling a bit down and out? Maybe you lost sight of where you were headed? Have you struggled against your own nature? I have. Didn't always win either. Do you find it hard to set boundaries? Are there toxic people you KNOW are poisoning you and yet you just can't seem to get that fence built? Have you learned to become a finisher? What did you do differently?
I LOVE hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of FEBRUARY, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
For those who need help building a platform and keeping it SIMPLE, pick up a copy of my latest social media/branding book Rise of the Machines—Human Authors in a Digital World on AMAZON, iBooks, or Nook.
achieving goals, becoming a successful author, developing character of successful writers, developing excellent habits, developing self-discipline, goals, Kristen Lamb, setting boundaries, Success, writer inspiration, writing success
Writing, The Glamorous Life & Finding Balance in the Madness of Branding
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Success, The Writer's Life on January 26, 2015
I will confess, being a writer is THE best job in the world. But, I'd be lying if I didn't ALSO admit it can feel like we've been strapped to Hell's Tilt-A-Whirl. As writers of the Digital Age we have a much higher chance at success than any writer in history, but we also have more work than any writer in history.
And, to make matters worse, spouses, bills, kiddos with snotty noses, dust bunnies and car troubles don't go away the day we decide to become professional writers.
In fact, Spawn used more toilet paper than a crew of high school football players rolling the house of a rival team's quarterback. And he flooded the bathroom. And I still have to clean the mess, but the liquor stores aren't open yet.
So yeah, that is the glamourous job of an author.
RDD Can Make Us Nuts
RDD is what I like to call Reality Deficit Disorder. Like the flu, this disease seems to explode January of every year, normally brought on by New Year's Resolutions.
We vow to be 18% body fat, debt-free, have an immaculate house, build a perfect social platform with a bazillion fans, and win the Pulitzer…all by March. We seem to collectively go crazy and forget that we can only do so much.
Many writers experience RDD when it comes to social media. We sign up for Facebook, and build an author page, and link to LinkedIn, and pin on Pinterest until our pinners are dull from wear. We weep over Instagram and mortify our teenagers by trying to tackle Tumblr.
Vowing to do everything, eventually we do nothing. We become paralyzed in the face of all we've committed to do.
Time to Get Real
Thus, the first step to preventing being overwhelmed is to be realistic in our goals and expectations. If we've already blown that, the trick to pulling ourselves out of the tail-spin is to sit down, rework our priorities, and commit to being more realistic.
Goals are written on paper not stone.
Successful people don't just make a list of goals ONCE. The list of goals is always a living document in need of modification, reordering, or even being scrapped altogether.
Persistence is a wonderful trait. Persistence is noble. But persistence can look a lot like stupid.
If our GOAL is to summit Mt. Everest and we are trudging up Mt. Shasta? Helloooo? Helps to be on the correct MOUNTAIN.
For instance, my life DRASTICALLY changed when I decided to unschool Spawn. Instead of having six hours a day, five days a week where it was QUIET because he was in preschool? I have him here ALL DAY, EVERY DAY.
Thus, I've had to rework my routine and sharpen my focus. In between lessons, I let him play X-Box. BUT, it is not uncommon for me to be writing and have to stop and yell:
"Conserve your ammo! Single-fire or burst fire! Those aren't Hollywood guns! They actually run out of ammo and spraying like a ganbanger creates too much muzzle-walk…."
Okay, where was I? *stares at computer"
Time to Face the Music
I tend to be a person of my word…to a fault. If I promise to do something I will half-kill myself to get it done if need be. But sometimes this is just plain DUMB. I've learned that most people will understand if we have to back out of something we've promised to do, but we MUST be honest with them and vow to make it right.
Look, Sally. I know I promised to blog every day for a year to raise money for all the starving children in Africa, but I am out of my depth. I overestimated what I can do given the demands of my schedule. I apologize. I was so caught up in wanting to help you, I didn't think. Please forgive me. Is there anything I can do that might be a smaller job? Can I help you find other bloggers to fill my spot who do have time to blog every day for all the starving children in Africa?
Many times people will be forgiving (probably because they've oopsed a time or two themselves). If we just face the problem and offer to be a solution, more often than not, other people will be reasonable.
Whey they aren't reasonable is when we just don't show up, disappear or dump a mess in their laps without any offer of help to remedy the problem.
And, as a warning. Don't do this stuff too often. Professionals always need to take time to think before they agree to doing things. I still struggle with this and I REALLY goofed a few times during those months with Shingles, so as I have one finger pointed at you guys, I have three pointing back at me.
Likely, this will be a lesson we continually learn and relearn throughout all our lives (especially Helpful Hannah personalities like mine :D). But we DO have to be careful or others won't want to work with us because we are, essentially, flakes.
No one expects us to be perfect, but they do expect us to be honest and kind. We can do that. Yes, it is scary. It's tough facing when we've erred, but making mistakes is just part of the game and how we learn.
We will learn more from our mistakes/failures than we ever will our successes.
Time to Face the True Causes of Our Angst
Making too many commitments and then (mistakenly) believing we can't change is one of the major causes of feeling overwhelmed. It's okay to be flexible.
Fortune Cookie Moment: The stiff oak breaks in the strong wind, but the reed that bends endures.
Remember, the commitment you made to yourself, that list of goals? It can be redone. The commitments to others? Those can be changed too, IF we are brave enough to admit we goofed, or maybe life just CHANGED (Hey, I didn't PLAN on being in an ER three times from Shingles) and then we must be courageous enough to make things right.
Go around the leaf.
~Pixar's "A Bug's Life"
Have you made a list of goals that is nothing short of ridiculous? How did you come to your senses? Did you feel guilty having to rework your list? Do you struggle with being over committed? Do you struggle telling people "no"?
I love hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of JANUARY, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
For those who need help building a platform and keeping it SIMPLE, pick up a copy of my latest social media/branding book Rise of the Machines—Human Authors in a Digital World on AMAZON, iBooks, or Nook.
Balancing life and work as an author, Business for authors, goal-setting, Kristen Lamb, publishing, RDD, Reality Deficit Disorder, Rise of the Machines--Human Authors in a Digital World Kristen Lamb, Social media for authors, social media for writers, successful publishing tips, W.A.N.A.
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|This article does not cite any sources. (December 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Peter Jackson (22 September 1930, Birmingham – 22 March 2004, Solihull) was a former England rugby union international who played on the wing for Coventry and Warwickshire for many years.
He earned the nickname 'Nijinsky' after the Russian ballet dancer. He was devastating when he had the ball to hand and could sidestep or outpace a defender with equal facility.
He scored three tries in the 1957 Five Nations Championship and helped England to their first Grand Slam since the Twenties. In 1958 against Australia at Twickenham, he demonstrated his mastery of the feint to score a dazzling match-winning try. He was capped twenty times in all for England.
He then amazed the All Blacks on the 1959 Lions tour, scoring 16 tries in 14 games, including four test matches. He was described by one journalist as 'the zaniest runner of all time'.
Peter Jackson suffered a stroke in the early months of 2003 and was hospitalised where he later suffered another stroke in the summer of 2003. He died in hospital in March 2004.
This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia. A portion of the proceeds from advertising on Digplanet goes to supporting Wikipedia.

subset: commoncrawl


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Wakeboard, Wake Skate, Wake Surf and more...
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What would happen if we took our 2 hottest features and threw them in a blender? The combination of camber and the speedwalls of our One board created the Limelight by Dallas Friday. Our most advanced boat riding board to date. Now a rider drives off the wake using both legs, with a more powerful but centered snap. A growing trend is going towards faster boards - this revolutionary Limelight also rides higher on the water than any girl's board we have ever tested so you don't have to create an unneeded exaggerated angle to get lift.Halo Boot
These one of a kind kicks are styled to look as good as the fit and support your foot but with enough swagger to let people know who you really are. Ronix used a woman's cut, look and flex that proves not all of Ronix's high end boots have to keep your toes warm. The premier open toe design molded with high memory Stage 3 liners for all day comfort and support that is unrivaled in women's wake footwear.Learn More
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A perfect blend of support and mobility for a ride at the park or a day behind the boat. Danny Harf's time tested, iconic boots built on our Brainframe design are celebrating our 10 year anniversary. Unbelievable heat molded fit, lined with asymmetrical medium density support. The yellow illuminati edition has the new totally rad footbed foam, with heat moldable intuition foam, dual density baseless footbeds, the revolutionary brainframe technology, a new lacelock system, and feetbelts to keep your heels strapped down this really is the cream of the crop boot.Learn More
Ronix R6 80 FT 6 Section Mainline (ships in assorted colors)
Ronix 2016 Koal with Technora Powertail Wakesurf
Combining the stable aspects of a Longboard, the bottom turn drive of a Thruster, and the ability to air out like no other board you have ridden. Same shape as our other Powertail without the Honeycomb price tag.There has never been a board with this much surface area in the tail for bigger airs off the top deck, but still has a quick rail to rail slayshyness to it. In its maiden voyage it quickly became the deck of choice to many of our team riders.The option for riders looking at a stable shape that has the speed needed even with smaller boat wakes, and a must in the quiver for high end surfers. A new construction to help you chase the endless summer.
Koal With Technora//
Another new creation for this year - we added the response of Technora to our standard surf core. A more reactive laminate than a traditional fiberglass construction. A blend of our Koal Classic surfer layup, along with a new lively material, bridging the gap with our ultra responsive new Hex Shell construction. Designed for a rider looking for a blend of a smooth response, while still being able to bury the rail, or air off the lip.
Learn More
Ronix 2016 Kinetik Project Boot (Blue)
The premier cable boot. A trend at the park is to create a pivot point to where your boot has unlimited flex on the inside but has a more rigid outside allowing your lower leg to lock in on a press. New for this year, we lined these nocturnal gems with a smooth skin liner material, making it even easier to get in and out of your boots day or night at the electric water wonderland. KEY FEATURES + Brainframe Technology + Intuition + Liner + Reinforced Injected Liner + New Lace Lock + Feetbelts + Totally Rad Foam + Double Stuff Footbed + Dominik Hernler's Glow In The Dark Pro ModelLearn More
Ronix 2016 Koal Classic Stub Fish Wakesurf
Similar laid back feel to our previous Koal longboard shape, with the added release of a Koal Fish. Sometimes you need those days and a product to remind us all of why there is no feeling like riding sideways on the water.The thickest,most buoyant surf constructed board in our range has our thickest/full rail with a forgiving soft bevel.The result is our most stable easygoing soul turn special that is even more forgiving for a Sunday afternoon cruise. Grab a couple of your favorite chums, regardless of the surfer's size or boat wake, and experience the endless wave of this new design. Combining a longboard cruise with a new swallowtail design for an even easier release from the water on this new fun board aquatic device. Learn More
Ronix 2016 Cocktail Boot
Want that classic Ronix fit, but not quite ready to step up to into heat moldable liners or Brainframe technology? New for this year, wehave our most price conscious closed toe boot - The Cocktail. This mixed drink for your lower limbs is the boot of choice for former world champions like Erik Ruck and members of our cable team. Made with the same high memory foam you would find in our District boot, and cut at a lower height. KEY FEATURES + The Original Baseless Hardware + Stage 2 Liner + 3-D Molded Tongue + Built In J-Bars + Erik Ruck Pro ModelLearn More
DEFY: The Danny Harf Project DVD/Bluray Collectors Edition
Ronix 2016 Space Blanket ATR Wakeboard
A new next generation line of camber boards with one goal - increased glide speed. The Space Blanket has over 20% less resistance with the water and increased glide speed than last year's Bandwagon - proving that there is nothing slow about camber. For a rider that wants all of the benefits of that unique neutrally balanced camber riding style and the stability of a big board, that rides small - without comprising speed and resistance with the water.
ATR Construction//
A bulletproof layup process complete with 8 different fins to fine tune your boat or cable riding needs. Learn More


text: Go future with the F-35 helmet (22 HQ Photos) By: Rick In: Future, High-Res Disliked Liked! Mar 23, 2014 0 0 0 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter + View as Slideshow 1 The F-35's Helmet Mounted Display Systems provide pilots with unprecedented situational awareness. All the information pilots need to complete their missions – airspeed, heading, altitude, targeting information and warnings – is projected on the helmet's visor, rather than on a traditional Heads-up Display. This approach greatly reduces the pilot's workload and increases responsiveness. Additionally, the F-35's Distributed Aperture System (DAS) streams real-time imagery from six infrared cameras mounted around the aircraft to the helmet, allowing pilots to "look through" the airframe. The helmet also provides pilots night vision through the use of an integrated camera. Source 1 This is the new helmet-mounted display system for the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter. The helmet is designed to provide pilots with binocular-wide field-of-view, give night vision abilities and scare enemy pilots at first sight. It was used for the first time last April, making the F-35 the first combat plane without a cockpit-mounted heads-up display in a very long time. The F-35 HDMS is loaded with all kinds of amazing goodies, like extreme off-axis targeting and head tracking "providing the pilot with unprecedented situational awareness and tactical capability." The helmet was developed by Vision Systems International, a company that has other quite weird designs that are already operational, like the DASH and the JHMCS. Technical specs and another image of the F-35 HMDS after the jump. Source 2 F-35 HMDS features include: • Virtual HUD • Biocular 40° x 30° FOV • Video Display • AMLCD Image Source • High Accuracy Opto-magnetic Tracker • Adaptive Tracking – no Mapping or Boresighting required • Integrated Line-of-Signt (LOS) Cueing • Integrated left & right upper Reticles (Puppers) • Integrated Day/Night Debrief Camera • Sensor Fusion • Ejection Safe to 600 KEAS • Custom helmet shell, liner and suspension system for lightest weight, optimal C.G. and maximum pilot comfort Source 3 2345678910111213141516171819202122 Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 Category: Future, High-Res Share on Facebook Share on Twitter +


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Get In Touch
0407 670 755
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Price: Offers
Property Features
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Garages: 1
June Freeman
Sales Consultant: Sales
June has had 30 years experience in Real Estate Sales including owning her own businesses in Auckland New Zealand. In 1997 June with her partner Keith opened Vista Real Estate in Port Douglas and was considered revolutionary in her customer service. June has since then sold Vista Realty and has returned from a long holiday to join the Century 21 Port Douglas Real Estate team.
Shantara Port Douglas
Shantara Port Douglas
This luxurious ground floor, dual key apartment enjoys a private landscaped courtyard incorporating a spacious jacuzzi pool deck with extra outdoor area and optimises tropical living.
Complete with 5 star appointments this Shantara Port Douglas apartment features:
Stone benchtops to kitchen and vanities
European kitchen appliances
Oversized luxurious spa baths and large separate shower recesses
Fully air-conditioned
Stainless steel fans
Tiled floors throughout
In-room safes
Private landscaped courtyard incorporating a jacuzzi
The interior design of Shantara Resort and Spa Port Douglas reflects quality and timeless style.
The apartments have been designed to carefully consider privacy, and the generous roof overhangs providing excellent shade whilst allowing you to enjoy the outdoors.
Unique rainforest walkways are utilised to access your apartment.
The walk through the rainforest canopy to your door is just the start of what will be a a truly exclusive holiday retreat as well as a holiday letting investment.
For more information contact June Freeman on 0407 670 755.
Property Features
Bedrooms: 2
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Car Spaces: 1
Davidson Street Port Douglas


text:
I've been doing C25K successfully and just finished week 4. However, I have some questions about the iPhone app and the add-on GPS tracker - would appreciate some help.
My last run showed my run pace 10 minutes/mile slower than my walk pace. Is this a known glitch in the GPS app? BUT - it said I burned almost 100 calories more than on a previous run. Known glitch?
For the past two weeks, the longer my run time is, the shorter the total length of the workout. Is this correct?
When I look at the App's Workout Journal, it keeps showing Week 1 interspersed with the other weeks - So it displays Week 4, Day 1, next, Week 1 Day 1 (with no stats) - the only accurate Week 1 is the initial week 1 which is at the beginning of the journal.
Has anyone experienced these odd elements of the actual app plus the add-on GPS tracker?
Thanks so much.
ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators.


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(DOTHAN) - The top-ranked Wide Receiver for the Class of 2016, Nate Craig, has verbally committed to Auburn.
Craig chose Auburn over Alabama, USC and Ohio State.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound recruit, who spent all of last week at Alabama, said his relationship with the Auburn coaching staff is ultimately what won him over.
"I just thought Auburn was the best fit for me," Craig said. "I got to go up there this weekend and spend some time with coach [Dameyune] Craig and coach [Gus] Malzahn and that just sealed the deal for me.
Craig tweeted his verbal commitment.
The rising-junior at Tampa Catholic High School tallied 37 catches for 502 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns as a sophomore.


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After the lazy days of summer, sometimes it gets difficult to get myself and my kids organized and ready for school. So I did what any mom would do – I spent hours searching for Back to School Organization Tips all over the internet and I learned so much, I can't wait to share these tips and tricks with you.
If you want to make sure the school year starts smoothly check out some of the projects and tips below. It will keep you stress-free and help you deal with lunch boxes, lost homework and busy mornings. Happy back to school!
Back to School Organization Tips
One Product Makeover: Kids' Clothes Back to School from The Posh Space
How to Organize a Homework Station from Meaningful Mama
Healthy Veggie Bites And Back To School Lunch Ideas from Baking with Gab
Free printable first day of school signs 2016 from Chickabug
More Back to School Organization Tips…


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You're right, I'm a dumbie that boughtAMZN below $18 after that last BarronsBlast, that was a mear 2 weeks ago!How much did you make writingyour silly sell messages? Lucky you'renot so stupid to have shorted AMZN.The pay for writing sell messages suck,is that going to be your legacy?And what did you do on Earth?Well ah, I wrote sell messages!Were you successful?Naaaa, the stocks went up anyway!
Thank you for your response. lol. I see you missed the point entirely. btw, I'm long AMZN since 9. Have a fine day and good luck to you.


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Boeing to Explore Airborne Satellite Launches for DARPA
[Satellite TODAY 06-04-12] Boeing has been awarded an 18-month, $4.5 million study contract from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to evaluate technologies for on-demand small satellite launch systems, the manufacturer announced June 1.
The Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA) award contracts Boeing to analyze affordable, aircraft-based satellite launch platforms that can quickly deploy small satellites or payloads. The goal of ALASA is to generate a minimal threefold reduction in costs compared with current military and U.S. commercial launch costs.
"We will apply experience from across Boeing in aircraft and launch system development and operation, as well as our proven rapid prototyping skills, to offer an innovative analysis to support this important DARPA mission," Boeing Director of Advanced Space Exploration Steve Johnston said in a statement. "ALASA will expand our knowledge of launch system solutions that can be integrated into existing operational aircraft with minimal modifications."


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Media All-StarsA dozen of the most talented, innovative media point people for leading brands
Michael Hayes, President, Digital Communications, Initiative
It's not every day that an agency firmly rooted in television ad buys makes the seamless transition to digital. But under the leadership of digital communications president Michael Hayes, one agency, Initiative, did just that.
Capitalizing on the explosive digital marketplace, Hayes oversees Initiative's digital practice both in the U.S. and globally, growing the fledgling side of the business into a robust, 200-person team. Since 2004, Hayes has helped secure blue-chip clients such as Lionsgate, Hyundai/Kia and MillerCoors. He's also beefed up Initiative's social media unit while infusing an innovative culture into Initiative's day-to-day operations.
Hayes has also been integral in the launch and growth of Prophesee, a Web platform that monitors brand perception across social media. Incubated at Initiative, Prophesee is now a stand-alone unit overseen by Hayes that provides social and Web monitoring for tracking brand sentiment and analytics.
At Initiative, Hayes' digital focus has increased YOY digital revenue by better than 500 percent. Significantly, it has also positioned Initiative for a future that is sure to be dominated by digital and mobile sales. (The market research firm Mintel projects online ad revenue will surpass television by 2017.)
For Hayes, the agency's transition to a digital focus has been daunting but essential in a changing media environment. "The world of media and marketing has gotten so complex that there is no better time than now for agencies to understand and help brands seeking a strategy to navigate this digital world," he explains.
Going forward, Hayes plans to evolve Initiative's digital imprint across the agency.
As he sees it, "I would argue as a whole that there needs to be more digital focus and also more of a switch from the traditional 'buy agency' to a more holistic marketing firm where ideas are generated and brands are built." —Charlie Warzel
- This Yogurt Brand Found a Clever Workaround to Get in Front of Pokemon Go Players
- 50 Creatives Whose Brilliant Ideas and Beautiful Craft Will Make You Jealous
- Dove's New Billboards Criticize the Way the Media Discusses Female Athletes' Looks
- Ad of the Day: Nike Gives Babies a Stirring Speech on Unfairness, Ambition and Triumph
- 20 Content Creators Who Are Setting the Bar for Creativity in 2016


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|Boxing Champions | Boxing Schedule | Boxing Video | Boxing History | Pound For Pound | Lounge | The Wire | Arcade
|View Poll Results: who wins
|Voters: 79. You may not vote on this poll
Undisputed Champion
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No easy way out
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Roy doesn't have much of a chin and Floyd is very accurate.
Prime Floyd was just a pure perfect boxer with the best footwork, conditioning and defense I've ever seen. I don't put much above him P4P.
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I don't think this fantasy matchup will play out anything like Jones vs. Toney. On top of that, Toney was drained and sluggish in the fight against Roy.
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Could go either way. Griffin showed that Roy's offense can be neutralized (at least for a while) if you bob and weave and get real low. Floyd would do just that and would frustrate Roy for several rounds. But the thing is, no matter how bad he's losing, Roy still has the speed and power to turn a fight around at any time and he's one of the best finishers I've ever seen. Can Floyd dodge all these supersonic bullets for 12 rounds? That's the question.
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Two all time greats to me and a very close match up if both were in their primes and the same size. I give the edge to Jones. Fast as Floyd was, Roy was faster. Roy was a better puncher. Floyd was a beautiful boxer with a great defense but was somewhat predictable. Roy had a huge variety of punches from stange angles and thrown with great speed and accuracy. He had blinding fast combinations.Sometimes Roy's punches seem to come out of nowhere. Floyd had fast accurate punches and combinations too but his were more predictable.Roy had incredible timing and reactions and was slighly better than Floyd in that way also. I think Roy could deal with Floyd better than Floyd could deal with Roy. I see Roy landing a few more punches to win a close one. Roy had explosive power and could end a fight with one punch so I think he could KO Floyd but a close u.d. would be more likely.
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Floyds bum is yummy!
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Floyd would win a close decision,he`s far more skilled then Roy.If 5`7 Montel Griffin can give Roy problems then just imagine what Floyd that`s Roys size would do.
Roy was vulnerable to good counter punchers cause he telegraphs his punches alot and he sometimes looped his punches.Most of Roy`s opponents could not take advantage of that cause they lack the reflexes and timing to do so.That`s where Floyd comes in.Floyd would counter alot of Roys punches especially the looping ones.
Antonio Tarver was able to KO Roy with a left hand cause Roy threw a looping telegraphed punch which is something Roy does a lot.
Griffin was able to counter Roy a lot cause Roy telegraphed his punches
and kept his hands low.
Roy also a lot of times backs up with his hands low to the ropes which left him open to getting caught with a straight punch.And being that Roy gets in the corners a lot Floyd would carefully pick his shots to not get countered by Roy while Roy is in the corners.
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To me this is very hard. Floyd is a lot better boxer than roy, with amazing defense, and quick reflexes. Roy is a much more gifted athlete (maybe one of the best to ever lace gloves in that respect), with a devestating offense, and quicker reflexes (imo).
It'll all come down to imo if Floyd can figure out Roy fast enough. I personally see a close UD for roy tbh. At their primes he was a beast and while Mayweather is the most gifted boxer in the sport...the athlete here would out work him. Roy is blistering fast and hit pretty damn hard. Floyd would make it competitive but in the end.... UD 12 Roy.
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I own a Canon T3 / EOS 1100D. I see that a GP-E2 GPS Receiver works with a T4i but I was was wondering if anyone knows if it will work with a T3 and why or why not? Does the T4i have a certain feature that the T3 does not that would make it work with one but not the other? Thanks a lot.
I believe it will work, but with quite limited functionality.
Basically it is a manual process with the Canon T3. The GP-E2 will capture logging information, but you have to sync the two up on a computer later.
The T4i has firmware that supports the usage of this GPS logger, your T3 does not as far as I can tell. It might be worth looking at any new T3 firmware updates to see if they perhaps have added this functionality since the release of the GP-E2.
This is the compatibility info from the Canon website:


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I was building a new game in Monogame when I realized that it didn't have XACT support like XNA did. I was wondering if anyone knew another framework that could be used with or instead of MonoGame (preferably with) to get the ability to load XACT projects into the game?
XACT itself is only supported on platforms that already support the official XNA framework (specifically Windows Desktop and Xbox; and not WP7). I'm not aware of any re-implementations of XACT for other platforms.
So your choices are basically to use the official XNA framework (if you only need Windows/Xbox support). Or select another audio technology (possibly
Also keep in mind that XACT is no longer "supported" on Windows (similar to XNA - it's not broken - it will still work if you choose to use it).