Overcoming Writer's Block

     I’ve talked about writing as one of my favorite enjoyments for some time now.  I’ve even posted some material about writing an eBook and using that avenue as a means to make some extra money.  Now I’d like to talk about what is probably THE major problem if writing is your passion.

What is writer's block?

     Well, I just can't think of a single darn thing to say. Oh well, I'm outta here!  Sound familiar? No! Oh, really! We've all experienced this phenomenon when we absolutely have to write something, particularly on a deadline. I'm talking about. . . . .ugh, I can't think of what the word is .. . oh, yes, it's on the tip of my tongue . . . it's:  WRITER'S BLOCK!!!!

     Whew! I feel better just getting that out of my head and onto the page!  Writer's block is the patron demon of the blank page.  You may think you know EXACTLY what you're going to write, but as soon as that evil white screen appears before you, your mind suddenly goes completely blank. I'm not talking about Zen meditation stare-at-the-wall-until-enlightenment-hits kind of blank.

     I'm talking about sweat trickling down the back of your neck, anguish and panic and suffering kind of blank. The tighter the deadline, the worse the anguish of writer's block gets.  Having said that let me say it again. "The tighter the deadline, the worse the anguish of writer's block gets." Now, can you figure out what might possibly be causing this horrible plunge into speechlessness or the inability to put “pen to paper.”

     The answer is obvious: FEAR! You are terrified of that blank page. You are terrified you have absolutely nothing of value to say. You are afraid of the fear of writer's block itself!

     It doesn’t necessarily matter if you've done a decade of research and all you have to do is string sentences you can repeat in your sleep together into coherent paragraphs. Writer's block can strike anyone at any time. Based in fear, it raises our doubts about our own self-worth, but it's sneaky. It's writer's block, after all, so it doesn't just come and let you know that. No, it makes you feel like an idiot who just had your frontal lobes removed through your sinuses. If you dared to put forth words into the greater world, they would surely come out as gibberish!

     Let's try and be rational with this irrational demon.  Let's make a list of what might possibly be beneath this terrible and terrifying condition and try to see some areas where we could improve.

1. Perfectionism. You must absolutely produce a masterpiece of literature straight off in the first draft. Otherwise, you qualify as a complete failure.  How could anyone think that we could get a perfect written manuscript from an imperfect person?  Even when our writing is complete, and we are totally satisfied with the results, it is still an imperfect document by an imperfect writer.

2. Editing instead of composing. There's your “mentally doubting yourself” demon sitting on your shoulder, yelling as soon as you type "I was born," no, not that, that's wrong!  That's stupid! Correct, correct, and then correct some more!

3. Self-consciousness. How can you think, let alone write, when all you can manage to do is pry the fingers of writer's block away from your throat enough so you can gasp in a few shallow breaths? You're not focusing on what you're trying to write, you’re focusing on those gnarly fingers around your windpipe.

4. Can't get started. It's always the first sentence that's the hardest. As writers, we all know how EXTREMELY important the first sentence is. It must be brilliant! It must be unique! It must hook your reader's heart from the beginning! There's no way we can get into writing the piece until we get past this impossible first sentence.  However, it’s like running your marathon.  You’ll never get those miles behind you if you can’t get your feet to make the first steps.

5. Shattered concentration. You're cat is sick. Your electricity might be turned off any second. You have a crush on the local UPS delivery person. You have a dinner party planned for your in-laws. You . . . Need I say more. How can you possibly concentrate with all this mental clutter?

6. Procrastination. It's your favorite hobby. It's your soul mate. It’s the reason you've knitted 60 argyle sweaters or made 300 bookcases in your garage workshop.  The dog needs attention.  The cat needs attention.  Your kids need transportation to this or that program.  It's the reason you never run out of excuses for not getting anything done.  Or at least the things you SHOULD get done!

FACE IT, IT’S ONE OF THE REASONS YOU HAVE WRITER'S BLOCK!

How to Overcome Writer's Block

     Okay. I can hear many of you running away from this article as fast as you can. “Absurd!” you huff.  “Never in a million years” you fume. Writer's block is absolutely, undeniably, scientifically proven to be impossible to overcome.

     Oh, just get over it! Well, I guess it's not that easy. So try to sit down for just a few minutes and listen. All you have to do is listen.  You don't have to actually write a single word.  I’m seeing some of you returning to the article now.  Good.  I’m glad you’re back.

     Because, I am here to tell you that WRITER'S BLOCK CAN BE OVERCOME.

     Please, remain seated and keep reading.

     There are ways to trick this nasty demon. Pick one, pick several, and give them a try. Soon, before you even have a chance for your heartbeat to accelerate, guess what? You're writing.  Here are some tried and true methods of overcoming writer's block:

1. Be prepared. The only thing to fear is fear itself.  (I know, that's a cliché, but as soon as you start writing, feel free to improve on it.) If you spend some time mulling over your project before you actually sit down to write, you may be able to circumvent the worst of the crippling panic.

2. Forget perfectionism. No one ever writes a masterpiece in the first draft. Don't put any expectations on your writing at all! In fact, tell yourself you're going to write absolute garbage, and then give yourself permission to happily stink up your writing room.

3. Compose instead of editing. Never ever write your first draft with your “mentally doubting demon” sitting on your shoulder making snide editorial comments. Composing is a magical process. It surpasses the conscious mind by galaxies.  So prepare an ambush. Sit down at your computer or your desk. Take a deep breath and blow out all your thoughts. Let your fingers hover over your keyboard or pick up your pen. And then pull a fake: appear to be about to begin to write, but instead, using your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand, flick that little annoying “mentally doubting demon” off your shoulder immediately.  Then jump in quickly! Write, scribble, scream, howl, and let everything loose, as long as you do it with a pen or your computer keyboard at your command.

4. Forget the first sentence. You can sweat over that all-important one-liner when you've finished your piece. Skip it! Go for the middle or even the end.  Start wherever you can. Chances are, when you read it over, the first line will be blinking its little neon lights right at you from the depths of your composition.

5. Concentration. This is a hard one. Life throws us so many curve balls. Think about your writing time as a little vacation from all those annoying worries.  Create a space, perhaps even a physical one, where nothing exists except the single present moment. If one of those irritating worries gets by you, stomp on it like you would an ugly bug!

6. Stop procrastinating. Write an outline. Keep your research notes within sight. Use someone else's writing to get going. Babble incoherently on paper or on the computer if you have to.

     Just do it! (I know, I stole that line from somewhere?). Tack up anything that could possibly help you to get going: notes, outlines, pictures of your grandmother. Put the cookie you will be allowed to eat when you finish your first draft within sight, but out of reach. Then pick up the same type of writing that you need to write, and read it. Then read it again. Soon, trust me the fear will slowly fade away.

     As soon as it does, grab your keyboard and get writing!  When you do you may completely surprise yourself with all the beautiful words that begin to flow from your mind and from your heart.

PS

     Maybe this is the chance you need.  The “push” to get you started in your own writing career.  If you can type, you can start making money writing simple 350-500 word Web Articles. You don't need experience. In fact, most who start don't have any.  Just click here for the SEO Article Writing.

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"You're going to make mistakes ---

it's how you respond to them that's important."

Rush

     Have you ever noticed that there is never enough time in the day for most people?

     I grew up in the South during a time when it was easier going.  We had meals together as a family.  My mother would work all day at her secular job and then come home and prepare food for an hour or more so we could sit down together for a meal.  Today you have to have a microwave!  And sometimes that’s too slow.  And often family members don’t have time to sit together and eat.  There’s this club, this meeting, this movie.  Or the younger ones are never around.  They’re off with their friends “doing their own thing” as the saying goes (at least it used to).  Or if they are at home everyone sits around the table on their phones or other electronic devices.

     And how about the work?  It doesn’t get any better.  A lot of places are finding it cheaper and faster to “fax” or “text” information to your office or phone instead of using the mail services.  Again there are times when even the “fax” or “text” messages can’t get to us fast enough so that we can keep up with the demand that is placed upon us.  The personal touch of letter writing is falling quickly by the wayside.  Most kids today can’t even write a letter.  If they do there’s nothing in it they can spell right. Y R U trying?  You know what I’m talking about!

     We marvel at the new technologies as they are put on the market.  They make our lives more enjoyable in many ways.  But they also make our lives more complicated!  And with these complications comes the need to be faster, more productive, more “modern”.  Yes, “have your machine call my machine” or “your phone can text mine anytime.”  Perhaps intended as a joke, this is rapidly becoming the true situation for many. How often is it almost impossible to get a REAL person on the phone when you call a business?

     All these advanced technologies have taken a lot of the “personal” touch out of business --- out of life.  The stress and the aggravation of this “modern” world continue each year to take its toll.  There are more nervous breakdowns and heart attacks than ever before.  We find many people today leaving their high paying jobs within the “rat” race and rejoining the “human” race by taking a less stressful position (usually somewhere outside the BIG city).  Maybe what we all need is to appreciate what we have and make the time to enjoy it more!

     Don’t get me wrong.  I love technology (when it works)!  How could I share my enjoyable words with you if it were not for technology?  How could I express my opinion over the vast distances of cyberspace if were didn’t have computers and the internet?

     But, sometimes --- just somewhere along the way isn’t it nice to sit in front of a person?  Sitting face-to-face.  Watching their expressions as you talk together.  Maybe having a cup of coffee or tea.  Not concerned with the hands of the clock, but enjoying a few moments of peace and relaxation!  Isn’t this at times what we would enjoy?

     Then the mind is returned to reality and we gather our things and rush off to once again run as fast as we can in the race of life.  How sad!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Why is there never enough time to get things done correctly,

but there's always time to do them over?"

Choosing an eBook Compiler

What is an eBook Compiler?

     We previously discussed your desire to write an eBook.  I gave you some points to consider as you went about putting all your thoughts together.

     So, you’ve written and revised your book, hired an artist who has produced outstanding graphics (if this was necessary), and now you’re ready to actually put together your book so you can start your sales.  What you need to make an eBook is software called an eBook compiler.

     There are many different compilers to choose from, but first, you need to know exactly what an eBook compiler does.  Here is the simple explanation:  An eBook compiler is a software program that converts either text pages or HTML text into a single executable file or an eBook.

    If you or someone you hired has created a file with graphics in HTML, you will need an HTML eBook compiler.  This type of compiler requires a working knowledge of the HTML tag language.  You can also use software to do this for you, such as Microsoft SharePoint Design (you can find it here: https://products.office.com/en-us/sharepoint/collaboration if you want to see how it can be used) or Adobe Dreamweaver (which can be found here: https://adobe.com/products/dreamweaver.html if you want to check it out).

How do you choose an eBook Compiler?

     There are a large number of eBook compilers available on the market in addition to the two I have shown you above.  All come with glowing sales copy and tekkie language.  It can get very confusing and overwhelming quickly without some simple guidelines to help you figure out which compiler is right for you.

     Choosing an eBook compiler depends on a number of factors.  Let’s consider a few:

1.       How did you create your pages?  Did you use HTML or PDF format?  There are many more compilers available for HTML, but you can find some very good compilers that will convert your PDF files into an eBook.

2.      Consider how easy the program is to use and the thoroughness of the software’s instruction manual.  It is absolutely necessary that the compiler you buy have an instructional manual, some type of documentation, or online “wizards”.  If it doesn’t, your chances of figuring out how to correctly use the program are compromised, and the time required to learn the program is going to be significant.  Many manufacturers of compilers offer a free trial version so you can play around with it and see if it suits your needs.  Download the trial version and ascertain that it actually does what it claims to do.

3.      Security features.  If you plan to sell your eBook check out the security features of the compiler software carefully.  Security features should include: prevention of the reader from modifying your text, access only to the pages you assign or access by entering a password, different ways of generating passwords such as secure password, user-friendly, and open passwords.

4.      Supported scripting.  Find out what scripts the software supports.  Scripting allows you to create special effects, customize menus, and create and modify other user interactivity.  Choose a compiler that permits you to include graphics, search windows, hyperlinks, forms, surveys, etc.

5.      Pricing.  This is a factor that is not always easy to gauge.  The highest priced compilers are not automatically your best choice.  Choose your compiler based on the necessary requirements for your eBook.  That means you need to know exactly how you plan to use your eBook and what functions you require.

     Let’s look at some of these factors in more detail.  First of all, make sure you have the correct browser to run the compiler.  The majority of HTML compilers use Microsoft Internet Explorer, Edge, or Netscape.  Check out the version that the compiler supports.  Compilers that require a browser will not run on a computer that does not have the required browser installed.  However, there are eBook HTML compilers that don’t require you to have any browser installed on your computer.  These compilers run on any Windows system.

     If you choose a compiler that requires a browser, check to ascertain that the browser is installed correctly and that it is properly configured to the specifications of the compiler.  Check to see if certain functions are turned off or on, and make any adjustments according to the compiler instructions.

     Security is an essential element of any compiler, regardless of whether you plan to sell or give away your eBook.  One of the main reasons for using a compiler is to prevent the reader from modifying your contents.  A secure compiler allows access only to the pages you want the user to access unless they enter a correct password.

     To find out how secure an eBook HTML compiler is, open an eBook on it. While it is open, check the temporary directory of your computer.  This can usually be accessed by typing in C:\Windows\temp.  If you see a bunch of files when your eBook is open or running, it means that your computer is decompressing the secure data from your eBook before showing the eBook to the viewer.  This method IS NOT secure!  It means that anyone with the knowledge of how to access these temporary files can steal the secure data and then they can fiddle with your eBook to their evil hearts’ desire.  Remember, one of the main purposes of buying and using an HTML compiler is to protect your property.

     Next, let’s discuss passwords.  When trying to choose an eBook compiler, check out the type of passwords that the compiler supports.  Almost all compilers offer some kind of password protection that insures that the user can only access the contents they have purchased from you.  However, the best compilers offer varied ways to generate different types of passwords.  Choose a compiler that gives you the options of secure, user-friendly, and open password generation.

     Another important factor when it comes to passwords is how the compiler generates them.  A compiler that has internal password protection generation built into the software is more secure than compilers that link to live internet password control systems.  Find out if the compiler generates passwords online.  If it has this option, it allows you to choose any payment processing system you want or to do the payment processing yourself.

     Next, look into the size of eBook the compiler supports.  The best compilers can create eBooks up to 2GB in size without decompressing the HTML pages or images to your hard disk.  Usually, eBooks that are 2GB in size can easily support 6GB of compressed data.  The catch here is that only text files will generally be compressible.  You do not want a compiler that decompresses this amount of data when the user attempts to open your eBook.  This would mean that anyone who purchases your eBook will have to wait for all the data to decompress before they can access your eBook right after downloading it.  So look for compilers that only compress temporary files that are NOT HTML to the local hard drive.  None-HTML files include Flash, Word, and Acrobat fields.  This type of compiler is more secure and certainly faster.

     Make sure the compiler you choose is compatible with your system software.  Check out what version of Windows it requires, and make sure you have that version before buying your compiler.  Support issues are extremely important.  Choose a compiler that includes an installation program. This program allows your user to choose a number of different places on their computer to install the eBook, to place a shortcut on their desktop, and to add the eBook, if they choose, to the Start Programs menu.

     You also want excellent access to vendor support.  Make sure you can access quick technical support!  At three o’clock in the morning, this factor will be VERY important to you.  Also, check to see the terms of free technical support that might be offered.  Unlimited technical support is obviously the best option.

     Check to see if the company that puts out the compiler software offers a service level agreement.  This agreement is to assure you of their quality response to your questions or problems.  A good thing to consider is how long the compiler has been on the market.  Usually, the version number will give you an idea.  The longer the program is on the market, the higher the version number, the more bugs have been worked out.

     When choosing an eBook compiler, do not be swayed by incredible promises and dazzling sales copy.  Do your homework first, and then consider all the above issues and factors before choosing an eBook compiler.

     You’ve put a lot of effort into writing your eBook.  Don’t try to be “cheap” in getting it produced for sale.  It could be the start of your growing writing career.

PS

     If you really want to work with an easy to use compiler click below:

eBook Compiler

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"What you put on the internet today stays forever.

That's a REALLY LONG time!"

Attack

     I got up this morning to another story about a school attack.  This one was in Florida.  It makes you stop in your tracks and think: What is going on in our human society? 

     There was a time when your greatest fear about going to school was wondering if the teacher was going to call on you during class for that ONE question you didn’t know the answer to!  Today there are so many reasons for not wanting to go to school.

     You never know what the student walking down the hall beside you is thinking.  Are they going into class to learn today’s lessons or are they going to pull out a gun and start shooting whoever may be the closest person to them?

     According to the National Center for Education Statistics approximately 3 percent of the school-age population was homeschooled in the 2011–12 school year.  Although the percent today is fairly close to this same figure we would have to contend that perhaps there are more students considered within this percentage which makes the approximate number of home schooled students 2.3 million.

     However, it’s not only the students who are giving consideration to the school arena.  Many teachers have to consider do they want to continue working within their profession for the little amount of compensation they get while contending with the present day chaotic atmosphere.

     A National Education Association article: “Teacher Pay 1940-2000: Losing Ground, Losing Status” by Ed Hurley stated: “An analysis of decennial Census data clearly shows that over the past 60 years the annual pay teachers receive has fallen sharply in relation to the annual pay of other workers with college degrees.  The mid- to late 1990s, a period of vigorous national economic growth, was a particularly bad time for teacher pay relative to the pay of other occupations. Throughout the nation the average earnings of workers with at least four years of college are now over 50 percent higher than the average earnings of a teacher. At no other time since a college degree was required to teach has this wage gap been so wide.”

     You add to the school situation the crime, violence, moral decay, lack of good adult role models and other decedent behavior and it is not surprising why the entire human race is falling apart.  Some would like to look on a brighter side and dream that humanity can “pull itself up by its’ bootstraps” to produce a kinder and nobler society.  But that’s not going to happened when we continue to do the same stupid things over and over again.

     What we need is a truly holier influence in our lives than what we ourselves are able to provide.  However, when we are pointed in the direction of this needed source we often tend to belittle our guide or berate the source of the counsel itself.  With such attitudes how can we ever expect any true improvements?

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"If you think things can't get any worse ---

just wait!"

FOF

     I’m going to take this blog post in a little different direction.  Let’s go back to the first time you thought about what it would be like to have your own business.  How many times since that first thought have you considered “why have I NOT done it yet?”

     One of the biggest obstacles that you will have to face is probably not one you have wanted to face.  In considering what would be required to “get your business off the ground” you may realize there are a LOT of things that you have to consider.  You have this great talent or perhaps a unique idea, both of which would be wonderful in creating a new business.  However, we all know that more must be considered.

PLAN

     You must have a solid plan in moving your business forward.  I spoke about this previously when considering the business plan.  Here I’ll only review a few points briefly.  You MUST invest the time it is going to take in preparing your business plan.  Spending the necessary time at this stage of your business will no doubt save many headaches in the future as your business becomes operational.  Don’t forget you’ll need to periodically review your plan and make necessary adjustments as your business develops its own life.

     Within this plan you will need to consider management, employees, finances, structure, marketing, perhaps even an eventual dissolution.  All of these elements will need to be looked at as if under a microscope.  Various possibilities must be taken into consideration and a plethora of “what if” scenarios will need to be examined.  However with all the planning that needs to be considered and reviewed and then reviewed again, NO business will materialize until you get out of the planning stage and execute!

EXECUTION

     Sadly this is where many individuals fall victim to the FOF.  The Fear Of Failure holds so many back that regardless of all the planning, all the great ideas, or all the individual’s personal talents or ambitions NO execution is done to put the business into reality.  This fear is the one thing that “kills” some great ideas preventing them from getting “off the drawing board” and into the real world.

EXAMPLE

     I’m a bit ashamed to admit it but I’m just as susceptible to this fear as anyone.  A number of years ago when I worked in the auto industry the major vehicle manufacturers developed this idea of putting computer controlled chips with satellite connections into their vehicles so that vehicles could be located wherever they might be by means of the GPS.  General Motors called theirs On-Star at the time.  Ford and Chrysler had other names for their similar devices.

     This gave me the idea of using a GPS chip to tag our pets.  If they were ever lost, ran away, or got stolen you could locate them by means of this device.  However considering the amount of funds that would be needed to create this device and being overtaken by the Fear Of failure I let the idea “die.”  Sometime later the idea was developed and I’m sure someone made a considerable amount of money from this business venture.  But I’m not counting myself out just yet.  I’m still working on the “rocking” toilet!

CONCLUSION

     Don’t let your ideas, your hobby, a business venture, or any other creative idea of yours be stifled because of the Fear Of Failure.  Do some research for yourself and you will find out that MANY successful individuals failed a lot of times before they finally hit on THAT idea or product that made them winners.  Besides if you never put your plan into execution you’ve already failed.  Believe in your product or service.  Believe in your research and your planning data.  But most importantly believe in yourself and NEVER let the Fear Of Failure hold you back.    

PS

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QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

“Even if your steps are small, continue to move forward and NEVER let anything hold you back from success.”

   

Problems

     Just when you’re telling yourself things can’t get any worse --- they do!  Any more it doesn’t really matter what you’re talking about because that comment applies universally to all situations.  Consider just a few examples of what I am talking about.

     Government

     It’s at that time again where the government in the United States has decided it is going to stay “operational.”  It seems that at the last minute the Congress and the Senate decided to let it ride for a couple more years.  How many of you have EVER thought about passing a law where the Senators and Congressmen would no longer be paid, no longer receive benefits, or no longer be allowed in their home states if they could not get their act together and do their jobs ON TIME?

     What about the leaders of many of the world’s FREE countries and their petty antics?  At times they appear like school kids on the playground:  “My dad’s better than yours!”  “No, he’s not!”  “Yes he is!”  Is there any possibility of a “time out?” or some other type of punishment until they could learn to “play nice together?”  Then you listen to all this school kid banter back and forth and it makes me think of what I used to tell my kids when they were growing up:  “People can only assume you’re stupid if you don’t speak.  Don’t open your mouth and confirm their assumptions.”

     Law Enforcement

     This is one of those professions where I’ve often said: “You couldn’t pay me enough to do that job!”  The men and women of law enforcement don’t get the respect they deserve.  They go out, day or night, not knowing the circumstances they are going to face and then when they have done what is only humanly possible, they are criticized or condemned for the decision they made.  Are there some “rotten apples’ within the ranks of law enforcement personnel?  Absolutely!  Just as there are in any profession.  But, most are very devoted to their profession and truly have a desire to protect and serve.  Considering all the things we ask of these people if for no other reason we should respect them for their works.  Instead we are hearing on the news almost daily of another officer in some community being “killed in the line of duty.” 

     Morals

     It has become a daily dilemma.  The moral values of many have become at a long-time low.  Young boys need to be taught a better respect for young women.  It seems today there is no true guideline that people accept as the “touchstone” of moral values.  They feel justified in setting their own standards of what is right and wrong.  Even when a “rule” or “law” is set many people feel it doesn’t apply to them.  Just look at your next drive on the interstate highway (or any road for that matter).  Even when the speed limit is set at 75 miles per hour most of the drivers feel the need (or that they have the right) to go faster.  And they do!

     Let’s be honest.  When we look at the world we live in we can’t have BILLIONS of people each making their own decisions about what is acceptable or not.  The Bible tells us that man was never created to “direct his own steps.”  So how could he possibly guide others in the way they should go?  I can’t speak for all nations of the world, but in the United States, where I live part of their “motto” is:  “In God We Trust!”  To believe that of this country’s citizens is absurd!  And to think it might apply to other lands is ridiculous.  It certainly is what is needed.  It may be what we want to believe.  But, sadly, we’re only human!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"You don't have to be the "life" of the party ---

but don't be the "death" either!"

Planning

     There’s one thing that is E-X-T-R-E-M-E-L-Y important regardless of the type of business you are operating or the business you are planning to operate.  It doesn’t matter if the business is an online operation or you actually run a brick and mortar store.  That very important thing is --- PLANNING!

     Stop and think about that for a moment.  When you start your business you need to do a lot of planning.  You actually need to write a business plan.  According to many small business consultants, as well as available government information for small businesses, this is probably the ONE area where small business operators fail.  Or maybe second if you count the financial aspect.  Most small businesses fail to consider a truly accurate amount of money they are going to need to keep their business “in the black” until they are making the needed income from sales.  This too is part of the needed planning that must take place.

     However, let’s get back to the business plan.  What is it?  You might say it’s a compete lay-out of how your business is getting started, where you are aiming for your business to go, and how you plan on getting it there.  That, of course, is a very simple explanation of the business plan.  The true completed business plan is much more than that and it takes a lot of work and examination of your goals to get the plan competed.  It also is going to depend on the SIZE of your business as to how involved and complicated your plan becomes.  This is usually a key factor as to why most small business owners don’t prepare a plan.  They’d rather be operating their business on a day-to-day basis instead of doing all that “paperwork.”  You would also need to periodically review your business plan throughout the operating years and would have to adjust the plan as you evaluate the requirements of your business goals.

     Let me tell you a story.  Once not too long ago in a small village in the western part of the country there lived two lumberjacks.  Both of them prided themselves in being able to cut down and log a tremendous amount of trees.  They were both revered as master log splitters and they both held to the claim that HE was the number one woodsman in the area.

     Their boasting went on for many seasons and finally all the people in the community decided there should be held a master championship log splitting contest to once and for all decide who was the true champion.

     The day came and both contestants approached the town’s mayor who would explain the rules of the contest and act as judge in determining the winner.  The rules were simple:  The two men would compete back-to-back in chopping their wood.  Each would have assistants placing the wood in its chopping position and stacking the logs after they were split.  The men could not look at each other or their opponents’ pile of wood until the contest had concluded.  They would chop for four hours after which the winner would be the man who had the larger pile of logs.

     After receiving the rules and positioning themselves to each others’ backs the signal was given to start.  The men could hear swing after swing and the sound of the logs being split, so they were driven to expend themselves in a greater effort to product a larger pile of logs.  The main bragger of his cutting abilities knew he would be able to defeat his opponent.  After a lengthy period of time had passed the main bragger heard his opponent’s ax no longer chopping!

     Had he given up in defeat?  Had he finally realized that the main bragger was indeed the best woodsman in the town?  He did not know, but the lack of the sound of wood being chopped by his opponent made him exert himself even more to show all the community the great pile of wood he would produce.  Then he heard his opponent once again chopping.  Perhaps he only needed a brief break to “catch his breath?”  Regardless this only drove the main bragger to work even harder.

     As the hands of the clock continued to tick by, the main bragger heard his opponent take yet another break and later a third break was taken.  Finally the mayor spoke up and the contest was over.  As the main bragger turned to look at his opponent he was dumbfounded!  There stood his adversary beside a pile of logs that was TWICE the size of his own!

     “How could this be!” he exclaimed to his opponent.  “I heard you stop THREE times to take a break!”

     “Yes, I took three breaks,” explained his opponent.  “But during those breaks, I was sharpening my axe!”

     So, what am I trying to tell you?  You can work hard.  And you can work long.  But you need to plan out your work and periodically pause to see if adjustments need to be made.  Then you will be successful in whatever you are doing!

PS

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QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"From time to time pause to think ---

you may find it refreshing."

Superstitions

     Sometimes we feel that we are “above and beyond” falling victim to some sort of superstition.  But the honest truth is that many of us have been victim and maybe we don’t even know it.  Or perhaps we do and just don’t want to admit it.

     A superstition is defined as the following:

1.       A belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation. Or: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition.

2.      It could also be a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary.

     You’ve probably hear of many superstitions regarding certain days, numbers, or objects.  People fear that somehow Friday the 13^th, black cats, broken mirrors, or ladders may have a hand in shaping the future.  Many of these superstitions have a very murky, ancient origin and have usually been passed around for generations.

     One recent survey reported that 20 percent of Americans think it’s unlucky to walk under a ladder and 13 percent think a black cat crossing their path will bring them bad luck.  A survey in Britain found that 77 percent of those in the UK admit to being “at least a little” superstitious and 42 percent say that they are very or somewhat superstitious.  This is truly amazing when you reconsider the definition given above.

      So why am I bringing this up at this time on my blog?  The answer is simple:  for many TODAY (February 2^nd) is viewed as Ground Hog Day.  So let’s consider the superstition behind the thinking for this day.

     February 2^nd occurs halfway between the winter solstice (an astronomical phenomenon marking the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year) and the spring equinox (when the plane of Earth's equator passes through the center of the Sun's disk), so special significance was attached to this date.

    It seems that, even from early times, the weather on this day was thought to relate to the length of winter.  The early European Christians adopted this tradition and called it Candlemas Day.  On Candlemas Day, the local clergy would bless candles, and people would carry the candles home and place them in their window.  This day also carried with it the idea of the prognostication of the weather.

     An old English Candlemas poem reads as follows:

            If Candlemas be fair and bright,

            Winter has another flight.

            If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,

            Winter will not come again.

     It wasn’t until later that the Germans appeared to add the coupling of an animal (a hedgehog or badger) seeing its shadow to this old Candlemas Day tradition  The earliest American reference to weather-prognosticating groundhogs in association with this holiday is a diary entry in February of 1841 which reads:  “Last Tuesday, the 2^nd, was Candlemas Day, the day on which, according the Germans, the groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.” 

     Of course we know what this has turned into in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania every year.  Thousands of people venture to the area to see what “Punxsutawney Phil” is going to report for that year.  By the way, according to the National Climate Data Center, Phil has an accuracy rate of only 39%.

     Now if you think that “superstition” is a bit unbelievable go over to www.corsinet.com/trivia/scary.html (wait a few minutes for the page to load) and do some research on some truly “way out” thoughts that some people have as far as their superstitions!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"If people can hear you enter the room before you walk in ---

don't be so loud!'