Sometimes, the process can really mess with your mind — There’s something about being a writer that clutches your very soul. Frankly, I think there’s somewhat of a dark side that lies within those who claim the profession as their livelihood. Believe me when I say there’s nothing easy, simple, or clean about writing. And sometimes, the process can really mess with your mind. In spite of the potential for emotional discomfort, we welcome the turmoil with open arms.

A few tips for avoiding the hypnotic illusion of drama — Lots of people react without thinking when they hear bad news. Whether in the form of a disturbing newscast, emotionally-draining drama fest, or potentially damaging weather, the appearance of a negative situation has the ability to disrupt even the finest of days. We often find ourselves responding with a corresponding knee-jerk reaction — and an emotional ride right down the chute…

Are you inadvertently sabotaging your own future? — I’ll go out on a limb and assume we all have a few goals in our lives, whether short-range or long-term. The differences tend to be in how we perceive, prioritize, and pursue our lofty ambitions. Defining and meeting those benchmarks is often considered one of the necessary tasks we engage in at the beginning of a new year. …

What will you be thinking about when you approach the end? — Many years ago, I worked for a large corporation. The company manufactured electrical control parts, and my job was to support the salespeople and engineers by reading blueprints, creating a list of components, and pricing out the jobs. The salespeople called on customers, negotiated volume pricing, and managed distributors’ inventory. Our team had several large clients who were loyal…

Bring your values to the forefront every day — With all the changes in our lives resulting from ongoing health concerns and the unavoidable onslaught of social disruptions, the holidays may be somewhat uncertain, lonely, and melancholy for many. Personally, I’m feeling the effects of an overabundance of anxiety and confusion overshadowing the spirit of the season. Instead of happy and joyful messages, my incoming stream of email and social media posts are laden with guarded caution…

Our lives are the results of our thoughts — “The stuff of our dreams has always been out there. We just need to tune in to what we want, recognize it, and make it our own.” — Jill Reid | Real Life Wondering why you never get what you really want? You think about it all the time —having a successful career, financial stability, the perfect relationship. And…

Why should we even bother picking up the mess? — You wake up from a full night’s sleep feeling refreshed and energized. A sliver of sunlight peeks through the dark-out curtains — a signal the day has begun. Tossing back the sheets, you sit on the side of the bed and stretch your arms, ready to embrace the world. Feeling rested, you take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Walking…

It may be time for guilty pleasures to take a hike — You’re willing to try anything to become a better writer. Well, almost. Sure, you’ll read every article offering tips and tricks of the profession, check out the new, burgeoning platforms looking for creators, even buy into a few courses and seminars to up your game. Because we want to be on the cutting-edge — a skip and a jump ahead…

Has fear become your master? — Back in high school, I had a friend who’s best described as “handful.” Typically late for class and skipping out on tests, Susan often spoke out of turn — overly anxious to shout out an answer and move on with the lesson. Her unbridled approach to life was more than a challenge for most of her teachers. …