Time Limits!

I realized last night while I was on the phone, that I only have another 10 days or so for the book. I need to get OFF the internet and stay off it. But it's like I'm addicted or something. I really like reading e-mail, answering e-mail, forwarding articles to my friends, and staying informed on the issues that interest me (health, writing, cats).

And yesterday I filled out a scholarship application and wrote the essay for it. I even pulled out the old trusty manual typewriter to fill out the application, as they requested! Did you know that the @ symbol is not above the 2 on a typewriter? I forgot that and had to search the keys for it! I had to request some special people in my life to write letters of recommendation and get them to me by Jan 5th so I can have the scholarship application postmarked by January 6th, which is the deadline. I had a really short window, but I only found out about it yesterday, and it's a really good scholarship for me.

But I was talking to my sister, which was long overdue, and realized that my time on the book is getting pretty short.

I got overwhelmed by one of the submissions. A friend of over 40 years. I realized some stuff about my growing up that I didn't remember. Not nice, for sure! It reminded me of who I was all those years ago, all the stuff I'd forgotten, and from her point of view. She's a pretty incredible lady, to be sure, and I'm so very happy she put in her submission. But it triggered "stuff" for me. So, I took a couple of days off from the book. I need to write her a long letter, on paper, and mail it to her.

But first, back to the book, get it done, and to the publisher!

I hope to publish mid-January, so there you go!

Anger is a Tool

I'm angry. I'm spending time and not getting paid for it, or I'm spending money and not getting value. These things make me angry. I'm angry because I feel powerless.

I have a history of turning anger inward. I eat at it. I fester it in my girth and my heart. My blood pressure goes up. I snap at the cats. I eat more because I'm feeling guilty for my behaviors. It's an unhealthy spiral.

However, anger is not a negative emotion. It is a form of energy. So, I'm re-directing this energy.

I heard a great saying tonight...

"If you keep doing what you always did, you'll keep getting what you always got."

I've heard that several times before. But tonight, it hit me - I've been doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.

I let other people be my sales force - with the result that my product doesn't get sold very often or very well.

So - I'm changing that! I'm stepping up to the plate, and I've built a database of possible clients. Next, I'll research their websites to see if they meet my criteria. The ones that meet my criteria are going to get "blitzed" with my sales materials. Both e-mail and snail mail.

In the end, they are going to buy my product. At least 30% will buy, anyway. The other 70% would not be happy regardless of what I offer or at what price. So, it's better they don't buy my product anyway, in the end.

Today's post is about turning anger and powerlessness into something positive. What have you turned your anger into?