Tips & Advice

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Become a Memorable Writer

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Hello friends! I recently wrote an article for EducatedWriter.com titled Make A Splash: Become a Memorable Writer about seven key factors that can help you be a writer that is remembered. You should go check it out!

Educated Writer is a great website for writers full of wisdom-induced articles that can inspire or assist any and every writer in their epic endeavors. You can visit the main website of the editor, Kerri S. Mabee, at kerrismabee.com.

Feel free to scope around and read other articles on Educated Writer.

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Do what makes you forget the world

Have you ever been doing something, some activity or hobby, that makes everything in the background practically fade out of existence for a while and your mind to forget anything and everything except what you are doing right now in that moment? And you didn’t notice it was happening until you paused and suddenly life leaped out at you?

You can probably name one particular activity that puts you in that state of ecstasy. I have a few.

The biggest one is (surprise!) writing. But not just any writing. It’s when I’m creatively writing; fiction, short stories, poetry, skits and dramas. My head gets filled with imagination and I love, love, love how my current troubles melt away for a time.

Another activity for me is crafting. The moments when I was at my desk making handmade Christmas gifts for my family or decorating journals was some of the most peaceful moments I’ve ever had.

When I’m hiking and exploring and climbing, I am so swept up in the adventure the rest of the earth pauses and only resumes when I come back to normal life. Not to mention the physical activity feels amazing!

Reading. Oh, thank you, Lord, for books! And I imagine it’s a common thing that helps people forget the world, but I’m among them.

 

Getting away from the world now and then is healthy, and you don’t have to go somewhere or hide away in a remote place to do it. It can happen right where you are. Recognize those hobbies and activities that make you feel free and escape through them. When you’re beginning to feel the tremors of hardship, stop and go bake cookies, or dance, or play the piano, or take a walk, or research an interest, or take photos, or make origami animals, or string jewelry, or shoot some hoops, or read to children, or whatever makes the background fade away, the troubles melt, and your mind hone in.

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5 Things that Re-Inspire me

Inspiration is easily stumped. When I find that my imagination is paralyzed, I do these five things to reawaken creativity in my mind.
  1. I watch my favorite movie, Whisper of the Heart. Actually, any of Miyazaki’s films are good for inspiration, but this particular title somehow always makes the gears turn again. Perhaps that’s why it’s my favorite movie.
  2. I hang out with friends. If I can, I try to get together with encouraging pals who make me feel great. Whether it’s the social stimulus or the ideas that come my way, something about being in good company triggers my brain cells.
  3. I dance. This usually happens when I need a quick physical fix, mostly because I’d been sitting all day. Taking a walk is great too for refueling my inspiration.
  4. I read my Bible. I believe I’m re-inspired by this not just because it’s God’s Word, but because the revival I get every time I read it also rejuvenates my inspiration.
  5. I make lists. Even if I don’t have something necessary to list, I just make a random one, listing anything that comes to mind. Usually they pertain to me and my dreams. And of course I keep them; it’s re-inspiring to re-read them too.

What interesting quirks do you do to re-inspire yourself?

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5 Little things that can make someone’s day

There are certain people that I feel an extra amount of sympathy for because of their specific position, and my heart always yearns to do something that can make their day better. Here’s 5 things that can done unto those that will certainly appreciate the smallest gestures:

  1. Prepare a little snack, a bottle of water, or even an envelope with money with a handwritten note to give to those on the streets when you pass them. Tell them something they want to read on the note, and let them know they’re being thought of before you even cross their path. Preparing a little something in advance will make the giving all the more wonderful for both of you.
  2. Give back to the cashiers in retail with a coupon or monetary token to say thanks for their hard work. Cashiers can go through a lot of crap in one day that can turn that day upside down fast. Let them know that what they’re doing is worthwhile and you’re thankful for it. Include a little thank you note with the gift.
  3. Leave a bouquet of flowers (or a different item that’s more fitting) at your neighbor’s door. Leave a little note for fun (and so they can know who it is and not freak out). Do it on occasion, such as once a month or so.
  4. Make a habit of baking cookies or bread or bringing a special snack to your church or workplace on a schedule. I love making oatmeal scotchies for the media team at my church. Everyone goes crazy for them 😀
  5. Show teachers how much they’re appreciated! Whether it’s your own or your child’s, do something regularly to make them feel loved. A simple note and token can turn a day around. If you don’t have a teacher, in any way, bring a collective gift to pass out to your local school or college.

Be that someone who people know can put smiles on their faces through your actions and gestures. Not only will you be making their days, but the amount of joy it will bring can make your own day too ^_^

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5 Habits that benefit my productivity, contentment, and overall success

I’m always on the lookout for ways to benefit myself, but especially in the area of productivity and success. There’s different ideas and definitions that people have of success, but we’ll save that for another time. I rather focus on defining my own definition of success, and these five habits help in increasing my productivity, but more importantly my contentment.

  1. Waking up early and doing all my work in the morning. There’s so much more time added to one’s day when they simply get out of bed a few hours earlier. My most productive time of day, the time when I have the most energy and get the most done, is in the morning, and the days when I finish all my tasks by noon creates one of the best feelings ever. Now, you might be completely opposite and find you have the most energy in the evening. If so, then see if you can work with that and assign tasks within those hours so that they’re done with more efficiency.
  2. Naming 3 things I’m grateful for each day. Okay, so I stole this from an article I recently read, and I decided to do just that, name 3 things I’m grateful for. What’s cool is I can get as specific I like, like saying I’m grateful for sunglasses so I can drive comfortably. You can probably guess why this would benefit contentment. The mental affects are powerful.
  3. Journaling. As a writer, this is essential for my everyday life. But journaling is for everyone, and the benefits you get out of it are endless. And it’s relieving to get thoughts out of your head.
  4. Taking walks. I haven’t accomplished a rigorous walking schedule yet, but with just simply developing the habit there’s already changes. The best part of going on walks is that it is probably the quietest my brain every gets. The sensation is amazing, and it does wonders for my mental and emotional (and of course physical) areas.
  5. Having a weekly get-together with friends. Every Monday evening the young adults from my church and some outside gather at a designated house, and we hang out, play games and talk about God and our lives. It’s something I look forward to every week and it revives me, especially with it being on a Monday; it turns an otherwise bleak looking week around. When it started I came to realize how much I needed it, a chance to socialize with good Godly company and a chance to share about my walk with God and my struggles with others who understand and who I can trust.

What sort of habits benefit your productivity, contentment, and overall success?