Celebrations aren't just for victories. Sometimes you should celebrate just getting out of the house and doing something. When you are having a bad day, feeling ordinary or not even that good, try a pair of red socks. At least that's what Julia Cameron wrote in Supplies: A Pilot's Manual for Creative Flight.
"Red socks are a great way to celebrate. It's hard to be depressed, alienated and serious in a pair of snappy red socks. It's hard to be self-important and cranky. God probably wears red socks."
Although I do have quite a selection of socks, not many are red. I do like red shirts, red bedsheets and I have a reddish winter coat (which is getting kind of old and mangy looking). Celebrate or just put yourself back into life by wearing something red. On the days you least feel like wearing red especially, give yourself a pick-me-up in red.
It's interesting that advice is so often free. Doesn't that make it just about worth what it costs?
People are so often ready and quick with offering advice, but really it's all their opinions. Some of it may be very well meant, unselfish and even a good idea based on their past experiences. That doesn't mean it's going to be good for you.
I give advice, though I do try to just shut up and say nothing too. Giving advice is tricky. People might actually take it. The fools!
Most of my advice is good though. I've been told I'm very wise. Which is kind of spooky. If I'm considered wise that isn't saying much for the rest of you! Just thought I'd let you know. ;)
You wouldn’t know it by standing over my shoulder any time but I am trying to write a book. It’s not easy. I already have the general idea for the story, the characters, and even the time to work on it. The problem is converting what made a good short story into a long story. I am a great short story or article writer. I’m not so successful at going the distance though.
I’ve read various good ideas for getting past this. Basically, they suggest making a plan, an outline, storyboard, whatever you choose to call it. Then filling in the spaces between. Someone else who knows me suggested I just think of it as a lot of short stories that fit together. This almost works for me. It would work I’m sure if I just settled down and did it. I wander off or go blank each time I’m here, ready to start.
Kind of sad considering I spent a few years writing a column, website and newsletter as a resource to other writers. Shouldn’t I have all the answers and be a perfect illustration of just what a writer can do when they do it all right? Guess not. I’m going to have to let myself be imperfect and go from there. Kind of nice to admit you’re flawed, much less pressure. Yet I still need to get to work on writing that book. Maybe I will do my own personal NaNoWriMo, or something along those lines.
Susan Ward writes the Small Business in Canada topic at About.com She has posted an article listing the top ten home businesses. I think she bit off a bit much by calling it 'Now and Tomorrow'. Tomorrow can change pretty fast while that article is going to be pretty dated in no time at all.
Here is the list: (squished, if you want to read it in full click the link back).
- Home Renovation Services\
- Pet-Based Products\
- Catering Services\
- Cleaning Services\
- Fall Prevention Products\
- Wedding Consultant/Planner Services (Event Planner for short)\
- Dietary Consultant Services\
- In-Home Beauty Services (Personal Trainer included here?)\
- Sewing and Alteration Services\
- Life/Business Coaching Services
I would add Personal Shopper/ Concierge Services and Image/ Etiquette Consultants and Personal Organizers to this list. That's one I thought of while reading it. Maybe Virtual Assistants too, that covers a lot but it's often work outside of the home while the others focus on home life for the client.
Interesting how almost all of these are personal services. Things a housewife used to do when it was still traditional for women to stay at home keeping the house clean, kids fed and so on. Women have changed the world in a lot of ways. I wonder if anyone ever saw this coming? It's ironic that women are the ones who start up most of these kind of small businesses.
Should it enter your mind, I am not saying women should stay at home or all start small businesses.
