Craving My Creativity

I can always be distracted by love, but eventually I get horny for my creativity ~ Gilda Radner

One of the first lessons I learned about small goals and boundaries was how much I craved to get back to my work the next time it was scheduled. By setting a goal of so many words per day and sticking to it, I found not only was I making progress on my writing, but then I had time to get everything else done that I needed.

After I am done writing for the day, I move on to other tasks, but my mind wanders back to the stories. I marinate on where I left off, what is supposed to come next, and sometimes on events I’ve already written. This makes for an even more productive session the next time. Every once in a while, a brainstorm is so powerful that I have to take a few minutes and pound out the scene that is eating at me so bad I can’t think about anything else.

Defining boundaries and scheduling work toward your dream goal not only helps you reach your goals, but also balances out other parts of your life.

What benefits of setting boundaries have you experienced in your dream journey?



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Can't get enough of the 5 Steps? Look at the archives in my original blog:

Define Boundaries 

Television Routines

One of the secrets of finding time is not to watch television ~ Bob Keeshan

I found a quote this week that hits two of the three steps, so I’m using it again today.

Television had become a horrible routine for me over the last six to eight months. In the past, I always gravitated toward TV watching in the colder winter months, but, seriously, the last six months has been bad for me. I haven’t even been multitasking!

I’ve mentioned before that my life was turned upside-down about seven weeks ago and that’s been a big eye opener for me. I stopped watching TV and filled that time with many other other activities. I have returned to my writing and also projects like this daily blog. All because I cut out TV as an excessive routine.

I did have to add one hour of relaxation tv back into my schedule and it’s on my daily non-negotiable list. I have to concentrate on the boundary to sit and watch the program I select rather than research other projects on my iPad or work on anything else. But it’s been a good goal to return to my daily relaxation list.

Is television a good routine or a bad routine for you and your dream journey?



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Can't get enough of the 5 Steps? Look at the archives in my original blog:

Develop and Follow Routines

A Secret to Find Time

One of the secrets of finding time is not to watch television ~ Bob Keeshan

Have you ever set out on a new adventure and wondered how you were going to fit it all in?

For a long time, I have been evaluating the amount of time I spend in front of the television. There are times (usually the colder, winter months) when that’s all I seem to get done. There have been other times when I look at everything on my DVR, Netflix, Amazon, etc, and just say, I can’t do this anymore. I have more important things to accomplish.

That’s been my mindset for the last six or seven weeks. My life and routines have been turned upside down. But one bad routine I’ve been able to cut out is countless hours devoted to watching television. I just went through my DVR this weekend and deleted thirty to forty percent of the programs I just won’t get to.

The thing about watching television is that I’ve known for along time that it’s a big time waster. But it took a major life event to open my eyes to it’s true danger to accomplishing my goals.

What’s in your way of accomplishing your goals?



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Can't get enough of the 5 Steps? Look at the archives in my original blog:

Setting Goals

A Worthy Purpose

Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose ~     Helen Keller

Has your life changed because of your dream journey? Are you more organized, more scheduled? I sure have been.

The commitment to my dream journey also means that I am committed to the other parts of life: keeping the house cleaned, eating healthy and properly, and plenty of downtime to recharge. It’s been that “fidelity” to a worthy purpose that has helps me keep on track. The other time management tools I’ve learned along the way, keep me focused and on track. I even have to schedule downtime so I don’t over do it.

In the end, I live a much happier life than I did years ago without any direction or any special projects going on.




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Can't get enough of the 5 Steps? Look at the archives in my original blog:

Creating a Vision

What about you? How has your life changed since you’ve began your dream journey?

Your Own Nature in Your Pictures

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures ~ Henry Ward Beecher

“Let your soul blossom with a list of that which you are grateful. If you do this often and want a fresh approach, make categories: Gratitude in the areas of health, people, opportunities, safety, rights, food, skills, beauty, prosperity, freedom, etc” ~ Jill Badonsky

What’s on your dream gratitude list today?



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Can't get enough of the 5 Steps? Look at the archives in my original blog:

Creating a Vision

Setting Goals

Develop and Follow Routines

Define Boundaries 

Dream Buddy

The Fairest Blossom

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Happy Saturday! How was your week? I hope it was as productive and successful as you planned it to be. Yes, I used the word planned and not the word hoped.

This week I most grateful for two things: the insight to understand when I’m trying to accomplish too much and productivity tools that help me schedule even the most important and routines tasks such cleaning out the cat box, cleaning up the kitchen, and watering the patio plants each day. I shared earlier this week that I reviewed everything I was trying to accomplish and exhausting myself in the process.

By slowing things down and spreading out the tasks I’d like to get done, I was able to enjoy my week a bit better and not be so stressed I wasn’t getting everything accomplished. It also helped me realize on Wednesday night that I just needed to come home, take care of the cat box, and go to bed. Two weeks ago, I would have tried to work through the exhaustion and been just as tired the next day.

So this week, I am grateful to have found the gift of more balance and the gift of improvement to continue to work my plan.

What are you grateful for this week?



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Can't get enough of the 5 Steps? Look at the archives in my original blog:

Creating a Vision

Setting Goals

Develop and Follow Routines

Define Boundaries 

Dream Buddy

Dream Buddies

Here’s to the movies that make us laugh out loud ~ Jill Badonsky

What have you and your dream buddy done this week? For me, I attended a seminar with my friend Rudy who does retail consulting. It’s been a long time since I have seen him and the last time was more social than being able to talk about our creative interests. He helped produce of a movie with a positive transgender role. He’s a writer and speaker like me on improving yourself, your brand, and ultimately your business and income.


As important as it was to finally take Rudy’s class and apply what I could to marketing my book, it  was almost more powerful to be there to support him and connect with him again. He’s a crazy, busy guy and so each time I get the chance to see him, whether its a class like this or a social event, I jump at the chance. Rudy is good people and the type of people with whom I want to surround myself.

What have you done with your dream buddy this week? I’d love to hear!



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Can't get enough of the 5 Steps? Look at the archives in my original blog:

Dream Buddy