Spreading cheer and encouragement during COVID-19

Hello, world! So many of us are struggling right now with either sickness, financial hardships,  depression, or maybe even all three.

I am using this blog as a platform to share some happiness! If you are sitting home with extra time on your hands, use this time to focus on things that make you happy.

I have a food blog you might enjoy...as food brings joy to many of us: www.thefierywhisk.com 

And if you are a writer or have always wanted to be, I have written several articles that will help you on your journey:

Prepare your writing environment 

One of the best writing tips around: Set reasonable goals for yourself

How to stay accountable to your writing: Don't make excuses and share your project

What is the first draft and what do I do after I write it?

Writing a novel: How to come up with story ideas and plot twists

Organization tips for writers: Writing down ideas

How to stay accountable to writing: Don’t make excuses and share your project

Do some of these sound familiar?

Oh, if only I could find time to write. You can!
How do you find time to write books? I make time. I schedule it in.
You must have a lot of free time if you have written three books. I do not have tons of free time on my hands.
You must not be married or have children if you are an author. I am married and have two children.

How in the world can one stay on task when writing? I’ll give you a tip: Tell people what you are doing!
Tell people you trust. Share with those who will encourage you and not hold you back. Tell them that you are writing a book. Make a blog and blog about the process. Post it on Facebook. Just get the word out. By telling people what you are doing, you will be encouraged to keep going and to finish your project. You may even be able to pick up helpful tips along the way. People know people and you never know what types of doors will open for you by sharing your project.

How will telling others keep me accountable?
Eventually, after hearing about your project enough, people will begin to ask you how it is coming along. They will begin to encourage you to keep going and they will tell you how much you encourage them with your entrepreneurial spirit! The interest that others will take in your project will encourage you, keep you accountable and help you find your way to completion.

More from Author Deanna Martinez:

Using owned media as an author

Should you follow your heart when writing?

To outline or not to outline...

Resolutions Vs. Goals: Let's make 2020 our year!

It's time for my annual "Resolutions vs. Goals" post. Because I appreciate when encouragement is offered to me, I enjoy offering encouragement to others..which is why I choose to share this post every year. 

 

Let's make 2020 the year we move forward with creating the life we truly desire.  Let's leave the past were it belongs...in the past, and create for ourselves a joyful, prosperous, healthy new year!

Resolution: A promise we make to ourselves and declare to others that we are going to make a positive change for the new year.

Goals: A plan we put into place to move forward towards a better life.

Do you see the difference? A resolution is a promise, but a goal is a plan. Let’s set goals for ourselves this year. Make a plan, write a list of steps to get you to where you want to be: financially, physically, emotionally, relationally. Set reasonable goals. Take baby steps towards your new future, your new life.

Let’s turn our dreams into reality for 2020! 

Meditate on your goals and the changes you want to make, see yourself living the life that you desire. Talk about your dreams and goals with people who will build you up and encourage you. Make your plan and work towards it each day, little by little, taking baby steps. Don't give up!

They say, "Rome wasn't built in a day". How true that is! Let's make the changes within ourselves to become the people we want to be this year. It can be done and WE are the only ones who can make it happen; join a gym, write a book, start a business, change the things we don't like about ourselves/our lives. Let's make this our year! 

Changes are coming for 2019...I could use your opinions!

Sometimes we take a side road off our best path. Meaning... I have not written books in several months because I was focused on making a go with blogging. I purchased a book that outlined specifically how to make money blogging. I followed the steps exactly how they were presented. The only thing I did not do was start a pod cast.

I blogged daily, applied for and added advertising to the blog, started a second blog, self published a book and mini books. Spent countless hours reaching out to companies trying to gain connections and generate money with blog posts and blog advertising...the list goes on and on. And, as I took it to that next level; from hobby to career, I noticed that my numbers began to grow. I was happy with what I was seeing. Then, BAM! It ended. My numbers began to decrease.

In all honesty, I do not understand what happened. I do not know why or how this transpired. I just know that I feel like I wasted many months of my time and energy. I gave up on writing my books (with an exception of the one I self published...which was a brutal experience in itself. But, I will save that for another day.) and this alone makes me sad.

I could have gotten so much writing done and maybe even finished the book I had in the works. I still wonder if I should continue to push through or stop. I am not one to give up. I keep pushing and pushing until I see the desired result I have in my mind. However, I am beginning to wonder if that is not the path for me...the road I am supposed to be taking.

I was working on a novella series prior to my detour. Now, I want to scrap it and start fresh. This could possibly be the reason or part of the reason I got off track. Maybe I am not supposed to move forward with that series of books.

All this being said, I do not currently have a clear direction for my writing. I would love to somehow combine writing, food and photography into one package. I just don't know how.

2018 was a difficult year for me in many ways, in may areas of my life. I will spare you the details but I am looking forward to and hoping for a year of clarity and peace in 2019.

I am open to all and any ideas you may have on combining my passions into one (as I stated a few sentences ago). Please feel free to share your thoughts if you have any for me.

I am leaning towards letting the blogging go and focusing on writing books once again. Stay tuned for more...

Thank you all for your support. Thank you to each and every person who has purchased one of my books. Thank you for your encouragement, positive energy and compassion. Here's to a fabulous 2019!

More from me:

Self publishing books: yey or nah?

Goals vs. Resolutions

Book trailer for: Hot Cocoa, Green Tea and the Man Who Sweetened My Heart

2018 Resolutions vs. Goals...make this your year!

It's New Years Eve and I can not allow this year to go by without posting my annual "Resolutions vs. Goals" post. I always find it encouraging and I hope you do to! I am all about offering encouragement as I appreciate when encouragement is offered to me. 

2018 Is your year to move forward with creating your perfect life. Leave the past behind and move forward into a happy, healthy new year.

Resolution: A promise we make to ourselves and declare to others that we are going to make a positive change for the new year.

Goals: A plan we put into place to move forward towards a better life.

Do you see the difference? A resolution is a promise, but a goal is a plan. Let’s set goals for ourselves this year. Make a plan, write a list of steps to get you to where you want to be: financially, physically, emotionally, relationally. Set reasonable goals. Take baby steps towards your new future, your new life.

Let’s turn our dreams into reality for 2018!

Meditate on your goals and the changes you want to make, see yourself living the life that you desire. Talk about your dreams and goals with people who will build you up and encourage you. Make your plan and work towards it each day, little by little, taking baby steps. 

They say, "Rome wasn't built in a day". How true that is! Let's make the changes within ourselves to become the people we want to be this year. It can be done and WE are the only ones who can make it happen; join a gym, write a book, change the things we don't like about ourselves/our lives. Let's make this our year! 

A great first read of 2018!

Follow your heart...even if the world doesn't think of you as "normal"

For many years I often thought that because I enjoyed many different things, that made me different and not normal. What is normal, anyway? That question is loaded and sounds like an entirely different blog post.

I have been thinking and have come to the conclusion that if I am not what this world considers, "normal" then I am one step ahead of the game when it comes to being happy and reaching my goals. Let me explain...

I enjoy writing, baking, cosmetology and personal training as well as being an administrative individual. I have always said, and I quote, "I don't like putting all of my eggs into one basket". I have noticed that so many people place all of their eggs into one basket when it comes to their income. Most people have one job that they depend on to pay the bills. Not me! I have three or four different avenues that bring income to our family. Know what? I love it this way!

For so many years I thought that something was wrong with me because I was not conforming to the standard, "normal" in this area. But, I am thankful now, for who I am and what I have chosen to do with my life.

Ultimately, my goal is to be a full time author. I will get there, but in the meantime I am having fun doing ALL of the things that I love.

Follow your heart and do you...no matter what the world may have to say about it.

 

 Click here to purchase: When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink Coffee!

2017: Make your dreams a reality: Goals vs Resolutions

2017 Is a great year to move forward with what you love! Leave the old, stinky past behind and move forward into a bright, shiny new year.

At the beginning of each new year, I enjoy writing about the difference between resolutions and goals. Check out the difference. It may not look like a big deal, but read on…

Resolution: A promise we make to ourselves and declare to others that we are going to make a positive change for the new year.

Goals: A plan we make to move forward towards a better life.

Do you see the difference? A resolution is a promise, but a goal is a plan. A promise versus a plan. Let’s set goals for ourselves this year. Make a plan, write a list of steps to get you to where you want to be: financially, physically, emotionally, relationally. Set reasonable goals. Take baby steps towards your new future, your new life.

Focus on your dreams, write them down and then write a list of doable steps so that you can bring them to life. Let’s not allow our dreams to remain dreams. Let’s make them our reality for 2017!

Think on your goals. Meditate on them, see yourself living the life that you desire. Talk about your dreams and goals with people who will build you up and encourage you. Make your plan and work towards it each day, little by little, taking baby steps.

You can do this! 2017 is your year, it’s your book to write…so write a best seller!