The July Issue of The Creative Mindset Print Newsletter

I've been freelancing since 1995. Throughout that time, I've gone from the rosy-cheeked newbie with stars in her eyes on to the reality-based freelancer who ran after cash harder than Beckham pursues the soccer ball, and on to the thoughtful freelancer who understands the power of mindset; thoroughly believing that the inner conversation that takes place within each of you will always determine your level of success.

It's all about mindset, folks.

The electric dance that takes place between your ears is beyond important. Without a strong, solid mindset; without understanding the simple techniques you can use to control this all-important self dialog; without a solid plan to maintain a healthy rapport with yourself, your freelance career can suffer.

If you're a serious freelancer who wants to protect your muse, listen up.

The Creative Mindset Newsletter will arrive in your mailbox each and every month. Each issue thoroughly covers an important aspect of freelancing along with concrete strategies to keep your mindset at its creative peak.

It can be a tricky process, given that sometimes it feels like the world is conspiring to make you sink to their level; to extinguish your muse.

If you're anything like me, sometimes it's just exhausting to continually swim upstream, hanging out with everyone who lives in this so-called "real" world. All the while we struggle to exist in the magical worlds create inside our own minds.

It's crazy.

And we creative-types ought to stick together.

I hope you'll join me on this unique journey.Click here: http://filbertpublishing.com/creative.html


The Power of Journaling

How often do you document your goals?

I used to think that “goal setting” was a colossal waste of time. After all, I had writing to do, deadlines breathing down my neck, and e-mails to answer.

Then I decided to combine my journaling with my goals.

I know. Duh. Imagine using your journal to document goals.

You see, up to this point, I used my journal to jot down ideas. I worked out scenes in my novels. I chatted about my day. I unbraided complex situation.

I pretty much wrote anything and everything except concrete goals.

I've since discovered that journalizing goals helps you achieve clarity on how, exactly, you'll achieve your goals.

Just state your goal, start writing about it, and nearly magically, a plan begins to form. It's really cool.

Documenting your goals somehow makes them real. They're not just floating in your head. They're well on their way to becoming tangible. They'll take root.

Plus, you'll quickly discover that just by paging back in your journal, you can chart your progress and alter your course if you find yourself veering.

I’ve maintained a journal for years.

Yeah. Sometimes my muse chats like the wind and I journal daily.

Sometimes life gets in the way and a week, or even a month, will pass silently.

However, I find the greatest comfort in my journal when I'm struggling with a problem. Thumbing through pages I usually find assurance that I'm making very good progress towards my goals and am following the path I know I was born to follow. Very comforting.

I keep my journal in my word processing program.

I know. Some writers swear you need a pencil and paper to make this process work.

It hasn't been that way for me.

I like keeping my journal on my computer because it's searchable. If I'm looking for a particular entry, I just type in a key word and I'm good to go.

Also, I type faster than I can write. Most my journal entries arrive stream of consciousness style. If I want to edit as I write, I journal long hand. If I want my true, unedited thoughts on paper, only a computer will do for that.

My laptop is so tiny, it's about the same size as a notebook anyway. Doesn't weigh anything either. And the warm glow from its undersurface feels pretty dang toasty on cold winter days. :)

Finally, if you back up on a secure medium, your journal's secure. Dogs won't chew it. It's always legible. Floods can't erase it. Meanwhile pencil-writing fades, pages curl, moths chew.

A couple weeks ago I paged through some of my old journal entries and found an entry that made me pause. I was frustrated at the time, feeling as though my writing career had veered off course. At the time, Filbert Publishing was going gangbusters and I'd just launched my coaching program for the first time. I'd forgotten how frustrated I was at the time:

November 14, 2006

I've had it. No matter how hard I try, I can't make myself focus on the money.

Yeah. I know writers should earn a good living. But the more I focus on earning the big bucks, the unhappier I get.

Maury asked me what I'm passionate about. I told him I love helping people. I love helping them tap into their inner strength.

He looked at me and said, “Then do that.”

Easier said than done.

I've built a freelance career on helping writers develop their persuasive skills so they can earn big bucks copywriting.

However, I feel this compelling urge to redirect my efforts in a new direction.

Although my finances are doing well, I feel stretched. My spirit feels hollow after chasing after the buck for so long.

So, I'm off on a course correction. I have no idea what'll happen to my income. Come to think about it, I don't particularly care.

From here on in, my career's veering closer to where I want it to go.

Scary. Intense. Filled with relief.

I can't wait to read this six months from now. Wonder where I'll be. :)

When I read this entry I had to sit down. I remember how scared I was to shift everything I'd started up to that point. 

I had no idea if altering my course would have a positive or negative impact on my, or my family's) life.

When I coach aspiring writers, the first question I ask is “what do you want?”

They usually don't know.

So, contrary to all common sense, we spend time zeroing in all they want out of life, particularly their writing career.

I also insist that they journal stream-of-consciousness style.

That's when you find out what you REALLY want and the power of your mindset can really start to kick in.

That's why your journal. And that's when your adventure begins.

Til next time,

Beth

P.S. Need a jumping off point to get you started on this exciting journey? Check out this link: http://filbertpublishing.com/creative.html