Smart Biz Tip of the Day

Manifest a Brand New Reality Through Journaling

Dear Smart Women,

Some of you may know that for ten years I was the CEO of the National Association of Women Writers before reinventing the company into the Smart Women’s Institute™.  For years I was happily down in the rabbit hole serving a target market of primarily women writers.

That journey was just what I needed in my thirties as I learned how not to be a super mom anymore to my children (thank goodness!) and I learned how to create an extremely profitable company that didn’t require I work more than 25 to 30 hours a week on average.

The reason the writing journey was so important for me and I believe it is for you too (even if you don’t think of yourself as a writer) is that the physical act of putting words on paper is healing and it is the best tool I know of to manifest a new reality with in the very near future.  Along my journey of changing into a new person over and over again, you can bet I was journaling as I figured it all out.  Somedays I was letting the universe know what I intended to do and other days, I was mapping out entire plans and the steps to make it happen.  And somedays, I needed to vent about what wasn’t working in my life. Remember frustration leads to change.

To help you commit to the journaling process, I offer a few tips.  Enjoy!

Just write, don’t think.

Make a list, write your intentions for the day, week, or year.  Or just write something you are grateful for. Commit to a daily practice and I promise you that journaling is one of the best tools I know of to support the process of cultivating a higher self.  Of course once you are committed, “think” all you want.  But in the beginning while trying to create the habit, I find it is best for people not to think too much.

You are brilliant.

The more physical space you give yourself to express your real thoughts and feelings, the more wisdom will emerge.  I call this tapping your brilliance… the more you do it, the easier your newly discovered brilliance begins to flow.

Speak your truth.

If you are not honest with yourself in the physical realm on paper, the universe knows you are not ready to move forward and grow.  You will uplevel when you are ready to learn from yourself and the universe.

Practice makes juicy.

Perfection = Poison  Honestly, I wish the word “perfection” didn’t exist so we wouldn’t even know what it meant.  Women especially would be much better off!  My suggestions for a truly enriching  journaling experience are to develop a ritual, show up for yourself and connect deeply to the voice inside you as often as possible.   Five minutes or five words can be just as powerful as five pages.

Supporting You – One Smart Step At A Time,

Sheri McConnell

Smart Women’s Institute™

http://www.smartwomeninstitute.com

PS

Want to connect with other Smart Women?

Join the Smart Women’s Institute today for free at http://www.smartwomeninstitute.com/free-stuff

Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website?

You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Sheri McConnell is the CEO of the Smart Women’s Institute™ (formerly the National Assn of Women Writers). You can visit Sheri, access her free article archive, and become a member absolutely FREE at http://www.smartwomeninstitute.com/free-stuff

Become an Author In Our Next Book!

Title and Mission of Book

The Smart Women’s Institute^TM is proud to open up the opportunity for you to participate and be an author in the 5th book in the Smart Women SERIES ^TM

Our first 2012 book title Smart Women Embrace Transitions-How to Lean Into 2012 with Your Body, Mind, and Soul will be a compilation of tips, advice, inspiration, and stories from women who have “thrived” through transitions.

The mission of our next book is empower women to embrace change as a catalyst for growth and to share how this is especially important moving into 2012.

Your stories regarding transitions such as career changes, marriages, child birth(s), adoptions, deaths, health changes, etc. are encouraged.

Special attention given to submissions that integrate 2012 specific advice into the story or after the story.

Ways You Can Leverage This Book

Becoming a Smart Woman co-author is the next best thing to authoring your own book and a lot cheaper.  And when it comes to the promotion side of book publishing, being a co-author is a lot better because you have a large company with an established brand behind you as well as 29 other co-authors in the trenches promoting with you.

Co-authors can leverage this book as a marketing tool for years by:

• Sitting on physical and virtual panels together
• Booking media interviews such as TV, radio, and print
• Creating virtual events together
• Taking advantage of the positioning along side very successful women
• Sending to potential clients/friends as a gift
• Using it as a bonus, benefit, or list builder in your current business
• Using it to build your contacts
• And so much more!

Submission Details

- 1500 to 2000 words (usually about 3 to 5 pages)
- Submission deadline is January 15, 2012. (Will extend to January 31st at the latest)

Possible ideas:

• Focus on mind, body, soul techniques for dealing with transitions
• Your stories regarding transitions such as career changes, marriages, child birth(s), adoptions, deaths, health changes, etc. are encouraged
• Special attention given to submissions that integrate 2012 specific advice into the article/story or after the article/story

Feel free to email us with your ideas too!

AND you can use past content as long as you own the copyright to it.

History of the Smart Women SERIES ^TM

The Smart Women SERIES ^TM has a inspiring track record.  Our 2010 book, Smart Women Live Their Why for instance reached No. 11 on Amazon over all at launch and then was the only female authored book in the top 25 books in business.  Sheri McConnell, the managing editor of this years book was the past CEO of the National Association of Women Writers for over 10 years.

The  Smart Women SERIES ^TM has also been

Here are some of the books in the Smart Women SERIES ^TM:

Launch Details

Our latest book is due to be launched in January 2012!

In addition to the initial launch, we will be adding this book to our Smart Women Catalog and website.

And finally as an author, you agree to promote and leverage the book.

• We will provide the solo email and you may add to it to personalize.
• We will have anywhere from 30 to a maximum of 40 authors promoting.

Deadline for Registration Fee

All authors will pay a one time fee of $1097.

Registration fee should be paid ASAP to hold your spot in the book.

Submission deadline is Jan 1, 2012

This fee covers:

• Editing of your submission
• Photo included on cover and bio and photo in book
• 1 free copy shipped to you as soon as book is produced
• Permanent solo feature with photo and website link of you (we will send interview questions to you) on Smart Women Blog and in the Smart Women Newsletter  during the 1st quarter of 2012
• Right to purchase all future copies at cost, exact amount will be between $5 and $10 (Cost is determined by size of book)
• Right to co-promote and participate in future book signings and/or leverage our brand for PR opportunities. See History of Smart Women Series above.

This is truly an amazing opportunity for women like yourself to partner with us and share your brilliance while at the same time using Smart leverage to grow your own business if you have one.

The positioning alone is worth the $1097. And by the way, we do care about quality, so if for any reason should we not be able to accept your submission, you will get a full refund of the author fee.  Final decisions will be made by January 3, 2012.

Secure Your Spot Today In Our Next Book

Before All Slots Are Gone

Click on the button below to pay one time fee of $1097 and secure your spot in our next best seller!

Dear Smart Women,

Welcome to all the new Smart Women Members this week! So happy to have you as part of the Smart Women Family.

Would You Like To Be Published In Our Next Book?

The Smart Women’s Institute of Entrepreneurial Learning is proud to open up the opportunity for you to participate and be an author in the 4th book in the Smart Women SERIES(TM).

This year’s book title Smart Women Live Their Why – How Women Entrepreneurs Are Living On Purpose and In Passion will be a compilation of tips, advice, inspiration, and stories from successful women who live all over the world.

The mission of our latest book is to empower women who are just starting their entrepreneurial journey as well as those women who have been in profitable businesses for decades. We want to remind people to never negatively compare the beginning of their journey with the middle of another persons. Instead, we want them to feel the potential and the possibilities in front of them when they read our stories.

Find out how to participate in the book and our next event and virtual expo at:

http://www.smartwomeninstitute.com/authorlivewhy

Take Care!

Sheri McConnell

The Smart Women’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Learning™

http://www.smartwomeninstitute.com

This “intro” was taken from our latest newsletter. Not getting our newsletter? Sign up by clicking on “Send My Kit” at the TOP of this page and you’ll also receive our FREE Smart Steps to Success kit!

Over the last few weeks since we launched the Smart Woman book opportunity, we have received dozens of emails from you asking if we have tips on how to “get IT written” smarter and faster. Try these suggestions below and let us know how it goes.

Listing
Listing is the simplest way to just get your thoughts on the page and start writing.  Honestly, lists run my life in a comfortable graceful way.  I use them to plan everything from articles to marketing campaigns to product launches to pr campaigns and so much more.  Listing is my no excuses approach.  Everyone can write a list and here is the thing, the minute you start listing your ideas, the writing has started and you can stop procrastinating.

Mind Mapping
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. If you are more on the creative side, this method might be the best one for you to start with.  I am smack in the middle when it comes to left brain/right brain techniques, so I use both a combination of mind mapping and listing when I brainstorm ideas.  In his books on mind maps author Tony Buzan suggests using the following guidelines for creating mind maps:

• Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors
• Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your mind map
• Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters
• Use multiple colors throughout the mind map, for visual stimulation and also to encode or group
• Develop your own personal style of mind mapping
• Keep the mind map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to embrace your branches

Talking/Recording/Transcribing
And finally, this method can include some writing or no writing at all.  What is important, is that your brilliance gets captured on the page for others to read.  Often, to jumpstart my bigger writing projects, I will record my thoughts first using Smart Women Audio and then have a transcriber get them on the page.  Then I get a highlighter, my favorite tea, and a comfy chair and then I highlight, circle, and write notes on the transcripts.  When I am back at the computer, I can then just copy and paste sections and then write transitional sentences and paragraphs linking one thought to the next using the notes I made.  You can also of course do what many people do, and that is hire a ghostwriter to take your recordings and write the article or book or information product for you.

What if I Just Can’t Find the Time?
I always encourage my clients to leave their normal surroundings to tackle the bigger projects.  I always choose a nice hotel with a spa (so I can reward myself after a long day of writing) and then I take three or four days and knock it out.  For me, I feel guilty coming back without a really good rough draft when I spend the extra money and leave my family just to write.  If you can’t get away, the next best thing is to set a “number of pages each day” goal and then write in small chunks for a month or two.  These two methods are my Yin and Yang approach and they have both worked well for me over the years.

Remember:  Writing is creative, messy, fun, therapeutic, and sometimes hard.  Enjoy it.

Resource Box:

Want To Use This Article In Your Ezine or Website? You have my permission, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Sheri McConnell is the CEO of the Smart Women’s Institute of Entrepreneurial Learning (formerly the National Assn of Women Writers-2001). You can visit Sheri, access her free article archive, and grab lots of free stuff at http://www.smartwomeninstitute.com. Sheri lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband, their four children, and two really cute weenie dogs.

Title and Mission of Book

The Smart Women’s Institute of Entrepreneurial Learning is proud to open up the opportunity for you to participate and be an author in the 4th book in the Smart Women SERIES ^TM

This year’s book title Smart Women Live Their Why – How Women Entrepreneurs Are Living On Purpose and In Passion will be a compilation of tips, advice, inspiration, and stories from successful women who live all over the world.

The mission of our latest book is to empower women who are just starting their entrepreneurial journey as well as those women who have been in profitable businesses for decades. We want to remind people to never negatively compare the beginning of their journey with the middle of another persons. Instead, we want them to feel the potential and the possibilities in front of them when they read our stories.

Submission Details

• 1500 to 2000 words (usually about 3 to 5 pages)
• Submission deadline is July 15, 2011.
• Possible ideas:
  • Tips on how to live your purpose while running a business
  • Stories of how you survived a breakdown in your business and how it ended up leading to a breakthrough
  • Inspiration on how you became successful and key points that you believe would inspire other women
  • How to balance your life and your business
  • Time management tips that help women stay sane and on purpose

Feel free to email us with your ideas too!

AND you can use past content as long as you own the copyright to it.

History of the Smart Women SERIES ^TM

The Smart Women SERIES ^TM has a inspiring track record. Our 2010 book, Smart Women Live Their Why for instance reached No. 11 on Amazon over all at launch and then was the only female authored book in the top 25 books in business. Sheri McConnell, the managing editor of this years book was the past CEO of the National Association of Women Writers for over 10 years.

Here are some of the books in the Smart Women SERIES ^TM:

Launch Details

Our latest book is due to be launched on September 1, 2011 and should start shipping no later than September 15, 2011.

This year’s book will be launched at the same time we start our 30 day virtual event happening from September 1 – September 30th!

All authors also have the opportunity to participate in our Virtual Conference and Expo which will have audio and video components to it this year.

In addition to the initial 30 day launch and the book being included in the basic level of registration at the virtual event, we will be adding this book to our Smart Women Catalog and website, and Sheri McConnell (CEO) will launch another PR campaign to promote book in the Fall.

And finally as an author, you agree to send one solo email regarding the book to your entire list in the month of September.

• We will provide the solo email and you may add to it to personalize (Note: when you pay the fee below, you are agreeing to this broadcast in September. We will also include a copy of this agreement in writing and require signatures as we move forward into production process.)
• We will have anywhere from 30 to a maximum of 40 authors promoting in month of September.

Deadline for Registration Fee

All authors will pay a one time fee of $597. Registration fee should be paid ASAP to hold your spot in the book. Submission deadline is July 15, 2011.

This fee covers:

• Editing of your submission
• Photo included on cover and bio and photo in book
• 25 free copies shipped to you as soon as book is produced
• Right to purchase all future copies at cost, $6 each
• Right to co-promote and participate in future book signings and/or leverage our brand for PR opportunities. See History of Smart Women Series above.

This is truly an amazing opportunity for women like yourself to partner with us and share your brilliance while at the same time using Smart leverage to grow your own business. The positioning alone is worth the $597. And by the way, we do care about quality, so if for any reason should we not be able to accept your submission, you will get a full refund of the author fee.

Secure Your Spot Today In Our Next Book

Before All Slots Are Gone

Click on the button below to pay one time fee of $597 and secure your spot in our next best seller!

The International Alliance of Female Copywriters (IAFC) is an exclusive network for women who are, or aspire to become, professional marketing content and copywriters to connect, inspire and learn from one another. IAFC members enjoy and share a wealth of resources and services dedicated to the enhancement, empowerment and promotion of their business and careers.

IAFC for You

Whether you are a generalist or specialize in writing copy within a particular niche industry for Internet marketing, Business to Business (B to B) or Business to Consumer (B to C) marketing, IAFC is a perfect fit for you. If you are an independent freelance content or copywriter, an advertising or design agency copywriter, write for a corporate marketing department entity or a small business, own a copywriting business or are interested in making a living by writing marketing copy, IAFC is for you. It’s the place to foster relationships with your colleagues around the world and propel your career.

Mission

The mission of the International Alliance of Female Copywriters (IAFC) is to empower women marketing content writers to achieve their full potential professionally, create their own financial independence and fulfill their wildest dreams. IAFC is a global network to connect women in the copywriting field with the vast cutting-edge resources and nurturing communication needed to ensure success.

We encourage women who write marketing and advertising content and copy as a profession, and those who aspire to do so, to become a part of the community that connects us all as women marketing writers and entrepreneurs.

Vision

The International Alliance of Female Copywriters holds the vision to become the change catalyst that raises the profile of women copywriters worldwide. IAFC is dedicated to the development and success of its members by:

• Strengthening the wealth creating capacity of its members.
• Building strategic alliances among and for women copywriters.
• Providing and promoting training, support and opportunities in the areas of  copywriting, marketing, entrepreneurship and leadership.
• Empowering members to build and maintain a thriving copywriting career and design a lifestyle of freedom and fulfillment.

Website: http://www.IAFC-connect.com

Contact Info:

11956 Bernardo Plaza Drive, #259
San Diego, CA 92128
888.763.3611

team@IAFC-connect.com

Watch Your Language: 7 Tips for Big Results
by Christine Kane

A few years ago, I was in a car with the promoter of one of my performances. He had picked me up at the airport and was driving me to my hotel. On the way, we talked guitars. We got onto the subject of Olson Guitars, arguably the best guitar in the whole world. At one point, the promoter said, “Yea, well, in my entire life I’ll never own an Olson guitar.”

There was a time when I’d let a remark like this slide on by, even adding my own “me either” to the mix.

Now, I can’t. Yoda steps into my head and says, (in his Yoda voice) “So certain are you. Always with you it cannot be done.”

So, I turned to the promoter and said, “You are NOT allowed to say that!”

This is because I know the power of language. When you know that words become things, it’s hard to let language slide.

I can’t help it. I have a rule:
Friends don’t let friends speak crappily.

Language is powerful. Words can create reality. Even if my promoter friend doesn’t know how on earth he’d ever get his guitar, it doesn’t mean he should cut off the possibility with his own words.

If you’re wondering how to begin watching your words, here are 7 practical language principles for becoming a better creator of your life.

1 – Eliminate “never” and “always.”
Never and always are words of hysteria. “I always mess everything up!” “I’ll never figure this out!” “I’ll never get an Olson Guitar.”

First off, it’s not true. If you always messed everything up, you wouldn’t have made it out of the womb.

And second off, extreme words are designed to hook you. It’s just your emotions taking a joyride. You’re more powerful than that.

2 – Use AND instead of BUT.
“But” dismisses the statement before it. “And” includes it. For instance, “That’s a good article, but it needs some editing” isn’t nearly as encouraging as “That’s a good article, AND it needs some editing.”

“I love you, but…” is another great example of the dismissive power of “but.”

3 – Avoid “Should.”
Should is a heinous word for many reasons. It is victim-speak. It disempowers its object. It negates desires, thereby making it harder to make choices. It adds a nebulous energy to the decision making process. Use empowered language instead: “I could…” “I would…” “I am choosing to,” “I would like to,” “I don’t want to,” or “You might consider…”

4 – Stop calling yourself depressed.
Also stop allowing anyone to tell you that you are depressed. When you call yourself “depressed” or “obsessive compulsive” or “ADHD” or whatever – you’re claiming this thing. You’re calling it forth with the most powerful two words in our language: “I am.” That creates very little option for the transformation of this condition.

5 – Delete the word “hate” from your vocabulary.
“Hate” has lots of energy. When you use it, you send lots of energy out into the very thing you “hate.” Even if it’s negative energy, it’s still a powerful force, adding its charge to that thing. You’re also depleting this energy from your own spirit as you say it.

6 – Be “great.” Or “wonderful.”
A disease of the creative temperament is a belief that we must be authentic at all costs. So we can’t answer a simple “How are you?” without delving into an in-depth scan of our emotional temperature.

Try this instead: When people ask you how you’re doing, just say, “I’m great!”

I used to think if I said this, then I better have a good reason for saying it, like I just won the lottery or something. I thought it would make me look suspicious, and people would start to wonder if something was wrong with me. But then I did it. And you know what? Most people don’t care why you’re great. You’re saying it for you.

7 – Pay attention to the music of your speech.
You know how some people? They talk in question marks? And you have no idea why? But it makes you think you shouldn’t really rely on them? And it makes you not want to hire them?
The music of your language says a lot about you. If you let your sentences droop like Eeyore, (“Thanks for noticing me.”) or if you do the uncertain question mark language, take note of what attitudes are causing this. These patterns are created for a reason. Even if it feels like faking it at first, generate confidence as you speak.

About the Author:
Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her ‘LiveCreative’ weekly ezine with more than 8,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

The International Association of Professional Ghost Writers (IAPGW) is passionately dedicated to uniting, supporting, advocating for and educating professional and aspiring ghost writers worldwide.  As the preeminent organization specializing in the unique needs, challenges and goals of the ghost writers, the IAPGW strives to provide community, encouragement and world-class products and services to all members, regardless of specialty or level of expertise, that will enable them to establish and/or grow thriving, prosperous and fulfilling ghost writing careers.

Website URL: http://iapgw.org

Contact Info:

Mary Anne Hahn
273 Shotwell Park
Syracuse, NY 13206
MaryAnne@iapgw.org

The National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) was formed in response to the need for a professional association that comprehensively embraced both commercial and literary writers and editors. The association is focused on linking independent professionals with the information, support, and resources needed to build a thriving business. We believe that entrepreneurship provides the best job security and benefits available, and we want to support our members on the path to success.

Membership in NAIWE provides many tangible benefits, including individual member websites linked to a searchable database, access to legal advice, and much more. Because of these outstanding benefits, NAIWE is predicted to become the largest global association for freelance writers and editors by 2015, with membership an automatic rite of passage as new professionals enter the field. This will provide unprecendented opportunity for networking and negotiating additional benefits for members, placing them on the fast track to the business of their dreams.

The National Association of Independent Writers and Editors sponsors the annual Words Matter Week during the first full week in March. Words Matter Week features daily speakers, book giveaways, and a charity challenge. You may read more about it at http://www.NAIWE.com and become a fan on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/naiwe-fb-fan.

Janice Campbell, Director

Director@NAIWE.com

807-752-7457

www.NAIWE.com