Tag: Tips

Are you an artist?

 

Are you an artist?

Some of us have a quick, definitive answer.

Others aren’t sure. Here are the simple criteria to tell.

An artist does one (or both) of these things:

  1. Does the same thing others do, but better.
  2. Does the same thing others do, but differently.

Artists do it better or differently (and in rare cases, both).

Most of us will never be “better.”

Yet there is absolutely nothing stopping any of us from being different.

Nothing.

Nothing except doubt and fear.

Doing it differently is not the same as being better. Differently is wide open. There are no rules, no boundaries.

It can be as laser-focused as this – we can become an artist simply by the (different) way we slay doubt and fear.

It can be as simple as writing five blogs a day instead of one.

 

• • • • •

This website is about our HQ. To reflect on posts about our MIND, click here.

 

Is zero inbox possible

Is a zero inbox possible?

An Inc.com article prompts me to now share what i’ve quietly been doing for nearly a year. So it isn’t some pie-in-the-sky goal or desire. It’s a fully developed habit.

Every day since July 4, 2015 (inspired by preparation for a week-long writer’s retreat on Sanibel Island), i have gone to bed with zero emails in three folders.

1. Inbox
2. Sent folder
3. Trash folder

Impossible is only so until someone reaches a breakthrough.

Is it challenging and difficult more than 50% of the time?

Yes.

But not doing it means email management is challenging and difficult 100% of the time.

Pick which hard and challenging you want to live with.

 

__________

 

On April Fool’s Day 2009, jeff noel began writing five daily, differently-themed blogs (on five different sites). It was to be a 100-day self-imposed “writer’s bootcamp”, in preparation for writing his first book. He hasn’t missed a single day since.

 

This website is about our home health. To leave this site to read today’s post on my mental attitude website, click here.

 

What business expenses are deductible?

IRS tax deduction explanation
2015 was the first year with speaking revenue.

 

How long does it take to start a business?

Personally, it took six years of spending (on average $1,000/month) without making a dime. In year seven (2015) i finally made my first dime.

i told my tax professional i have carried a deep fear the IRS would tell me, “You have been deducting expenses for six years without any income. Is this a hobby or a business?”

In year seven, 2015, i was blessed to not only have income, but have enough income that removed any doubt whether it’s a hobby or a business.

To be deductible, a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary. An ordinary expense is one that is one that is common and accepted in your field of business.

A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your business. An expense does not have to be indispensable to be considered necessary.

 

__________

 

This website is about our home health. To leave this site to read today’s post on my mental attitude website, click here.

World class writing and speaking tips

Infamous magic Kingdom Honey Bucket
Main Street Sanitation Department… deposit all excuses here.

 

Writer’s block? Here are ten ideas for content:

  1. What you learned yesterday.
  2. What you get to do today.
  3. What you hope for tomorrow.
  4. Obvious or invisible paradox.
  5. Common sense that isn’t common.
  6. Simple questions few can (but should be able to) answer instantaneously and convincingly.
  7. Excuses, regrets, opportunity, second chances, and permission.
  8. Art. Your art. Art the world needs.
  9. Impossible things.
  10. Love.

One day you will suffer from writer’s flood. Please don’t cast blame this way.

You’re welcome. 🙂

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Better personal organization isn’t fixed by cramming

Orlando Top Professional Speakers

 

(photo: Final photo at Office Depot last night.)

You can’t wake up one day and decide to be a writer. You must write, for years, and then decide if you will continue as a writer.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Steady.

And slow.

Maybe Definitely  years to rewire our brains and fix our processes and priorities.

Be an example, not a warning.

PS. Yes, it’s hard as hell, and takes forever. The time and the struggle will pass anyway. So why not do it?

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