WRITING PROMPT: WHAT MAKES YOU BLOOM

 BUD, BLOSSOM and BLOOM – what makes me bloom?

Creation is a three-step process for me.  First, I get a thought, like a bud of inspiration. I get a spark of something I can get behind … or something I want to pursue.  

Then, I must nurture that idea and sometimes ponder about it or gather the right supplies.  I find inspiration budding often, but I must continue to think it through and allow the idea to fully blossom.

Once it buds and blossoms, it is time to bloom!   Then I will burst forth with new writing, new projects, or creations of all types.

For many of you, the budding and blossoming takes less than 5 minutes because you get an idea and grab a pen and get started.  Others, like myself, allow buds to become refined before gathering the right tools for creation or collaboration.  But when that happens, look out!  Blossoming and blooming are on the way and full-blown creations emerge.

Springtime and seeing the earth awaken with actual blooms helps me create.  I enjoy the satisfaction of a completed job well done and seeing the final product.  Seeing ideas through to completion makes blooming flowers in my heart.  ## END

Recently, I my writing group gathered to share their creativity on the writing prompt "What Makes You Bloom".  The goal was to express yourself with 200 words or less with a poem, story, article, or ramblings related to the prompt.

Thank you all to those who participated and thank you who took some liberties with the writing prompt to express themselves with the imagery of budding, blossoming, or blooming. 

Feel free to contact me to receive writing prompts and join our group or for more information on working with me.

https://www.facebook.com/joy.harris.successccoach

https://www.instagram.com/successcoachjoy/

Successcoachjoy@gmail.com  with subject "writing"

Love, Light, and Blooms,

Joy Harris
Success Coach

As always, all photos were taken by Success Coach Joy.

HAPPINESS: OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW -- FOR WRITERS

OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW -- FOR WRITERS

March 02, 2019 in Essay

How will I know when I have made it to the other side of the rainbow, some days I just feel like giving up? Ever been there? Have you ever wondered “Where the Hell is That Rainbow!”

Sunset in Kentucky

Many of us know the feeling of “hitting a wall” and you wonder what the best way is to get past them. I can tell you from experience that there will always be walls and there will always be a way to get past, over or around them.

One way people think of getting past their challenges is to take a break. They think that getting away and changing direction is the best course of action. Only you can know when it is necessary to make a big change, but there is something to say about not giving up.

You need to be consistent with your writing and loyal to your audience. When you think the answer is to leave, you will find that your problems just go with you or they are still there are there when you get back.

What works best is to push past the blocks and simply write. There will be times when the words write themselves and magically appear on the page and you end up with satisfaction, but when you are discouraged or too chaotic to write, that’s when you should sit yourself down and do some free writing. Just let it flow out. Get into it with the mindset that you may throw away the first few minutes of writing, but you need to start by putting pen to paper or fingers on the keyboard. Then allow yourself to be amazed at what starts coming out. Maybe it is a short blog post or some characters who want to be part of your storyline. Anything is possible.

Look at it this way. If you are a writer, author or an author wannabe, you are also a business owner. Yes, you are in the business of writing for an audience, keeping the attention of your audience and giving your fans what they crave. You must learn to think like a business owner, besides being a writer, you must sell yourself and learn to get to know your audience and get your work noticed. Even writers with large advances or book deals need to stay focused on writing content that will continue to delight their fans.

Success Coach Joy Writers Program

Four solid facts to get to the other side of the rainbow for writers.

1. Stay committed to your writing. don’t completely change directions. Go past the grind phase; stick with it. You can completely overcome any blocks by writing. You can create success with consistency. Just keep writing.

2. Innovate to get better results. Offer your audience something that goes along with your book such as a writing group, writing coaching or even book review barters. Anything you can do to keep your name and message in front of your target audience is something else you can use to build your fan base. Add a short story or e-book with information which will educate as well as entertain your offerings so your fans can meet you and find out about your full body of work.

3. Mastermind with others. Find a way to communicate with other writers, published authors or wannabees. Attend book signings locally or attend book launches online.

Start a book discussion club to find out what your target audience wants and needs. Pay attention to what other authors and writers are doing. Authors today are marketing and pre-selling even before their book is finished. You will find creative ways of reaching your audience and possibly find collaboration with other authors.

4. Meditation or Visualizing Your Success. I’ve done it again, I cannot write an article without mentioning the benefit of quiet reflection, spending time in nature or taking the time to visualize the people you can help with your writing. Visualize what your life will be like when you hold your completed book in your hands and are selling it on Amazon and at your local bookstore. It only takes a few minutes to visualize success.

Now, about that vacation to the other side of the rainbow?

Ohio Sunset

I love to work with writing clients who describe “why” they want to write and why they want to be a published author.

There are people who are driven to write and must write for a variety of reasons. But, if you are looking at writing as a career, you probably have figured that you can pick up your supplies, paper or laptop, and write anywhere. You can write on the road while offering book signings or write while sightseeing or visiting family.

Since that is true, don’t think of the other side of the rainbow as a destination to get to someday. Don’t think of it as a distraction to help you get away and come back fresh. Think of the other side of the rainbow as somewhere you go during some part of every day. It is the “me time” all of us deserve. It might be a trip and a well-deserved “getaway” or “vacation” but remember that you are a writer no matter where you are.

When you are doing what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Work feels like play.

So, take that vacation whenever you are ready. Spend some time in a different part of the country, or a different country, but remember that taking a trip can be as simple as an afternoon on your deck or the park or can be as complex as a cruise and a visit to a foreign land. Remember, the prize is to enjoy the journey and not become focused on the destination as the only thing that will bring you satisfaction.

By Joy Harris

Website- https://successcoachjoy.blogspot.com
Facebook URL- https://www.facebook.com/joy.harris.successccoach
Tags: Inspiration, Other Side of the Rainbow

HAPPINESS: Published in "What We Love"

"What We Love", Featuring Joy Harris

Published in "What We Love"  

Recently, I took part in a collaborative project where 100 writers submitted articles on LOVE!  Part of submitting an entry to a writing contest, anthology or collaborative book, is to follow the guidelines.  The guidelines generally consist of a theme and a word count.  For me, the biggest challenge is to follow the prompt and write to the theme in the allotted number of words, and no more.

You can download the e-book from Amazon.  For those who do not read e-books online, you can read my entry below.  Thanks!

Order Here




Love Is the Answer!

“Only love can break a heart, only love can mend it again.” ~ Hal David


While working with me, it is not long before clients hear “Love is always the answer, no matter what the question is.” I strongly advise coaching clients to feel love, express love and let love in.

One client replied, “Love will get you nowhere!” Clearly, she could use a dose of unconditional love. I later learned that she went through a breakup and was soured on relationship love.


During our time together, I learned she loved her dog. She loved her parents and cousins and called several older women in her life “aunt” even though they were not blood relatives. They were there for her during childhood and caused her to know how to give love and receive love. Those are precious lessons.


Together we learned she loved trees, birds and all of nature. She loved watching children play and eventually loved journal writing and meditating in the moonlight. Her life was filled with love but she was not acknowledging it. She soon appreciated love in all its forms.


There are many types of love. When you allow yourself to feel deeply, you will discover there is so much to love and your heart will sing with happiness.

Joy Harris, FoundHer of "What Women Write and Why" coaching program known as Success Coach Joy, helps women define success and achieve it.

Follow your dreams, find success and happiness at https://www.facebook.com/joy.harris.successccoach

Theodore

Joy Harris

Success Coach

WEALTH: Holistic Steps to Heal Your Home Business

Holistic Healing for your business, hmmm, what's that!

While looking at stress management and holistic healing for busy executives, it occurs to me that large corporations offer more holistic approaches to healing individuals and business problems than small and medium-size businesses normally do.

Anderson Sky

My experience in Fortune 100 companies over the past 20 years shows corporations interested in workforce diversity and respect, cooperation in place of competition among team members, and empowering employees to take ownership of their work. Companies pay a lot of attention to stress management to keep the organization functioning at the required fast pace. There are frequent communications to employees, departments, and teams to help them realize their contribution, their tiny cog, is IMPERATIVE to the success of the company overall.

The best corporations participate in "bring your daughter to work day", have family picnics or annual get-togethers, encourage celebration and recognition for work well done. Many companies have private "nursing rooms" and some have chair massage therapists come in for employee appreciation events. Some offer family-friendly policies such as flexible schedules and comp time for traveling.

More and more companies are hiring consultants to implement the use of social media and worker-friendly tools and technology. Corporations are using collaborative software to communicate within teams, companies are implementing department and individual blogs (with similar usage policies as their e-mail policies).  Companies are rolling out team style management training where team members take turns facilitating meetings and developing leadership skills.

Employers are recruiting "risk takers" and people who speak up not just "yes men and women" who may have held a high place in yesterday's companies. Company policies no longer pay out weeks and weeks of vacation time, you are encouraged to take your vacation and get away from the company once and a while.

I have seen employers offer a complete package of personal enrichment workshops because a happy employee is more productive. Both employers and employees see the benefits of employee retention and staying with companies who "care" about the workforce. This is becoming commonplace and will be necessary to retain tomorrow's workforce.

If you are a solopreneur or home-based business, be sure to offer yourself the same benefits as the large corporations. Put some dollars in the budget for self-improvement seminars or outings. Books and DVD's abound on the topics of stress management and studies have proven that a rested and relaxed worker is far more productive than a harried and scattered one.

Take a holistic approach to heal your business: If your business is suffering, take some time out for reflection and give yourself some breathing room. Take some time out to evaluate the health of your business ... diagnose where it has been and where it is going. Don't be afraid to re-structure (even if you are the only employee); the big companies do it all the time. Taking a new, refreshed focus on your business practices can bring about cost savings and renewed enthusiasm for you -- which results in greater profit and new customers.

You could just work harder, faster, but that is the way to a heart attack, not the way to healing yourself and your business.

5 Steps to Healing for Your Business:

1. Analyze what needs healing in your business -- be specific
Processes? Procedures? Growth challenges?  Communication?

2. Research possible treatments to heal your business -- many solutions are available
Document what you are doing right and repeat.  Outsource certain things.  Better software / tools.

3. Plan and Implement 1 or 2 treatments right away -- not too many at once
Begin with one improved process or skill and continue until you master it.

4. Don't give up -- stick with your plans
Continuity is key.  Modify the processes if needed, but don't give up.

5. Take the time to document lessons learned -- learn from previous behavior
Keep a business log with goals and steps to meet goals; document and celebrate achievements.

Take a good look at the ways you can heal your business.

Joy Harris
Success Coach
You Define Success

Copyright © 2019

HEALTH: START MEDITATION -- A TIMER CAN HELP

A Timer Can Help

Using a Meditation Timer

When you are first experimenting with meditation, you may only be able to clear your mind for 3 to 5 minutes at a time.

If you use this handy timer, you can build your meditation skills one minute at a time.

One method is to start with 3 minutes set the intention to sit quietly and do not entertain any thoughts.  When you make it a habit to take 6 deep breaths each time you start to quiet your mind.  This will be a signal to your body that you are ready to begin.

Close your eyes, you will see black.  Begin by visualizing a blank place on your forehead that you can use as a dark, empty room between your ears.  Simply set your intentions that you will not entertain any thoughts for 3 or so minutes.

No doubt a stray thought will enter your mind, but simply ignore it and gently usher it out your ears.  Visualize the thought drifting out one of your ears and don't stop to think about it.  When you will hear the sound of your timer, it does not indicate that you should sit up straight and go about your day, it is a gentle reminder that you have met your goal for quiet time.  The timer will remind you to wiggle your toes, begin to move and stretch and gently bring yourself back to awareness of the world out there waiting for you.  When you are ready, you will get back to your day more refreshed.

Increase your meditation time by one minute each time! There is relaxing meditation music online that you may want to play softly while you enjoy this time.

By the time you are up to 15 or 20 minutes -- 3 times a week, you will feel calm and peace as a part of your life.  Each person develops a long term meditation routine, but most people like to practice it daily shortly after they get up.

Experienced in meditation? You may want to set this timer for 20 or more minutes to remind you to get back to work or to get on with your day.  I guarantee meditation will help you stay focused and bring intuitive awareness to you. A meditation timer will help.

Take time out of your busy day for quiet time.

Time

Joy Harris

Success Coach

Copyright © 2019

HEALTH: TRY AN "ALLOWING" MEDITATION

Repeat “Allow” into a gentle wind.  One short and easy experience is to practice saying the word "allow" outside in nature.

                             Ohio Winter

I have enjoyed practicing this mediation outdoors many times.  Sit quietly.  When you hear the gentle sway of the tree treetops or any sound of the wind, repeat the word “allow, again allow, allow”.  

Allow is the only word you will think.  It keeps mundane thought from coming into your mind and welcomes the experience of allowing.

Ohio Spring

For that short period of meditation time, you are simply allowing the world to be.  

No judgment or corrections needed on your part, just allow.  

For now, it is what it is, and all is right from where you are seated.

Simply sit in nature and allow.  It helps you to calm down.  There is nothing so pressing right at that moment that you cannot take 10 minutes or so to feel the benefit of allowing.

Ohio Summer

“Even if you locked your keys in your car,

you are not going to do anything about it

for the next few minutes”.

Right Now, You Are Simply Going to Allow

Take your Self away

from the cares of the world.

Simply Allow.

My Patio in Full Bloom

Allow ... Allow ... Allow ...

Allowing is a relaxation period.  It is nice to sit up straight but be comfortable.  

Remember it does no one good to be so rigid that you are afraid to move a muscle or cover your mouth when you cough.

Allow until you feel refreshed by the wind.

Let me know when you try this exercise of "Allowing"

Joy Harris

Success Coach

Copyright © 2019

WEALTH: WIN-WIN-WIN Everyone Wins

John & Gussie Herbert's Marriage License

Everyone Knows That Winning is Success

No doubt you have heard of a win-win situation where every party feels some degree of success.  A win-win situation or win-win result is described when a conflict is resolved by both parties getting at least part of their original objective while conceding to something in the other parties’ point.  It is thought of as an agreement.  It is an agreement that while you did not get everything you originally wanted, you kept an open mind to see some benefits of the other person’s point and you were successful in getting them to see at least part of your side.  This allows for both sides to gain and not feel as though they conceded and lost everything.  In short, everybody wins.  A good goal is for everyone to compromise but get some success from the final result.

For example, there are business opportunities where two competing resolutions to a problem must settle on a course and agree on how to proceed.  The same situation arises in our home and family life where everyone must state their opinion on how things could be resolved, but there are divergent opinions, and someone must make the final decision.  Normally everyone is competing to get their point across, and everyone wants to get the most out of a negotiation.  It is only when you agree to some type of mediation or agree to have a discussion bent on coming out of it with a solution that you find people willing to accept a win-win. 

Steven Covey says in “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood”.  It is not until you agree to listen to the other person that you can agree to find a compromise or be willing to engage in finding a win-win situation.  In a perfect world, both parties come out of the discussion with their most important points winning.  Both parties have learned the art of compromise and to see another’s viewpoint.  They have entered a cooperative area where they are looking for the solution to be mutually beneficial and yet not have to give up their key desires.  Completely understanding all points of view and favoring the best resolution instead of getting your way is one definition of a win-win.

I have facilitated discussions where the opposing parties did not even seek to understand the other’s position and then found that the other person's opinion was not that disagreeable once they did understand it.  Through a thorough discussion, you have the opportunity to hear what your opinion sounds like when spoken out loud and that allows you to hear someone else’s perspective of how to make something work out.  The goal is to ensure each side comes away with an acceptable outcome and can walk away with the satisfaction that they did “win” in part. 

Coming to a win-win solution involves collaboration.  It involves not only thinking through your perspective clearly but putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and imagining the other side’s perspective.  The goal is to learn to be flexible and allow yourself to be open to how the use of cooperation to win over fighting it out endlessly.  The more stubborn, obstinate or competitive person will insist in coming out of a discussion with a win-lose scenario, but open-minded people find happiness in at least having a “small win” and seeing others satisfied with their “small win.”

Success is feeling happiness and satisfaction even during negotiations and compromise.  It is satisfying when you come out of a conflict, dispute or discussion feeling like you got a win.

WIN, WIN, WIN – Everybody wins

Now, let’s talk about win-win-win.  During these conversations and debates, does it ever come up that you must also satisfy an outside entity to get a win, not just the two opposing parties?  If you are looking for an outside win, think of how your final resolution impacts others.  The most obvious example is the environment.  Can you come away with some level of satisfaction for both parties, but also see the win for someone or something else?  Perhaps it is something bigger that can be improved such as the community.  That is the challenge for a win-win-win – success for all impacted.  

Have you had a Win-Win-Win Discussion?  At Home?  At Work?  Comment below.

Joy Harris

Success Coach

You Define Success

#Negotiation, #Compromise, #HolisticSuccess, #Success Coach Joy, #Writer, #Author,  #Weath

Copyright © 2019