Karen Brown Tyson

Category: Vision

  • Five Easy Ways to Envision Your Life as a Writer in 2021

    Five Easy Ways to Envision Your Life as a Writer in 2021

    Woman sitting outside with laptop computer and drink looking at 5 easy ways to envision your life as a writer in 2021.

     

    2021 is here. Will this be the year when you realize your dreams of becoming a writer?

    Most people who aspire to become writers don’t know where and how to start their writing life.

    Well, the first step to becoming a writer is to envision yourself as a writer. It’s important to visualize the things you will do and how you will progress this year. Doing so will help you create a roadmap that will take you to your dream writing life.

    If 2021 is finally the year you decide to pursue your dream of becoming a writer; then it’s time to envision your life as a writer.

    So, let’s get started.

    Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

     

     

    “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

    ― Maya Angelou

     

    Step 1 — Set Goals to Reach your Writing Life Dreams in 2021

    When you are just starting, it may seem unreal to think about your big dreams. However, now is the best time to dream when you are fully motivated and committed to step into your writing life. That’s why this is the best time to write your goals.

    You cannot plan your life and envision yourself as a writer in one day (see also ‘How To Plan For The Next Chapter Of Your Life‘). Instead, dedicate a few days to complete these steps.

    Start by writing your big goals.

    Ask yourself:

    • Do you want to become a best-selling author? 
    • Do you want to write and publish two books in XYZ time? 
    • Do you need to earn xxx dollars this year?

    Your answers will help you determine your long-term goals.

     

    Step 2 —  Draw a Roadmap to Determine your Next Steps

    Now that you know your end goal let your dreams show you direction.

    Start researching the steps you need to take to start your journey. Whether you plan to self-publish your book or look for ways to begin writing, your research will help you determine your next step and draw a roadmap.

     

    Step 3 — Write on Subjects that Inspire You

    This is where the fun begins; this is where you start writing. When you start, write about topics that you enjoy. Most importantly, choose topics that you already know. This will minimize your research time, and you will be able to write more.

    Once you get into the habit of writing, you can shift to more challenging subjects. If you look around, you will find topics everywhere.

    “And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”

    ― Sylvia Plath

     

    Step 4 — Don’t Focus on Perfection

    Dreams to become a writer come true, but the dreams to become a perfect writer never do. No matter how great you are, you will make mistakes. There will be times when you will feel short of ideas, or your writing will seem unengaging and boring to you.

    Don’t be hard on yourself. There is nothing like a perfect writer or perfect writing. The best writers read and edit their works after writing. If you cannot do that, you can hire someone to check and edit your work for you.

    “You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then, gradually, you get better at it.

    That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.”

    ― Octavia E. Butler

     

    Step 5 — Get an Accountability Buddy

    Making new year’s resolutions and setting goals can help you feel motivated. However, as time passes, you can lose track of your goals and forget your dreams of starting a writing life.

    Join communities where you can connect with other writers. Pair up with a fellow writer and make them your accountability buddy.

    This will help you in staying focused on your goals and working towards them every day.

     “You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”

    ― Jodi Picoult

    Start writing.

    If you need a little more help to envision your life as a writer, download a free copy of, How to Start Writing Today.

     

    Desk with glasses and notepad with my goals on how to envision life as a writer

  • This is How to Reach Your Writing Dreams

    This is How to Reach Your Writing Dreams

    Thoughtful attractive woman in spectacles writes in diary to do list of goals, makes notes in personal organizer, poses at cozy coworking space

    Ever dream of becoming a writer? Do you wonder how you can reach your writing dreams?

    You are not alone. 

    [bctt tweet=”This is How to Reach Your Writing Dreams” username=”KBTWrites”]

    According to Brian Tracy International, at least 82 percent of adults dream of writing a book. Outside of writing a book, many people dream of other writing opportunities like becoming a freelance writer.  

    Unfortunately, without a clear plan, most people don’t write a book or reach their writing dreams.

    I am a firm believer that it is never too late to write the next chapter of your life or renew interest in your dreams.  

    Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

     

    But why is it important to pursue your writing dreams?

    First, life is too short. If you want to become a writer, don’t wait until your children are off to college, or you think you’ll have more time. You owe it to yourself to explore your writing dream today.

    Second, you need an outlet. Whether you work inside or outside the home, you need an outlet that allows you to express your creativity. For example, writing a book is a great way to focus on something outside your job or family commitments. The process allows you to research information and share your thoughts with readers.

     

    Unfortunately, too many people hold back from pursuing their dream to write.  

    According to Mitch Matthews, entrepreneur, success coach, and founder of the DREAM THINK DO podcast; there are two reasons people don’t pursue their dreams. The first reason is people think they have to have all the answers before they start. 

    But this isn’t true. 

    Mitch encourages people to start pursuing their dream and then gather information along the way.

    In some cases, people don’t pursue their dreams because they believe they must be an expert to prove their credibility. In 2017, I decided to start a blog. While I was familiar with internal blogging in a corporate environment, I didn’t know everything about blogging to external audiences. Since starting my blog two years ago, I have learned a lot, which I’m happy to share with others.  

    Here are some things to try to reach your writing dreams

    Start with the end

    Identify your goal and work backward. From your goal, make a list of questions to answers. As you find the answer to each question, use the information to a series of steps that will help you reach your goal.  For example, if your goal is to launch a website, some of your questions could be:

    • What domain should I use for my website? Should I use SiteGround or Bluehost?
    • Which niche should I choose as my focus?
    • How can I build an audience?

    You get the idea. Continue asking questions and conducting research to find answers.  But don’t drag out this process forever.  Use your answers to create a plan to get you started.

     

    Make a visual plan

    Consider making a vision board that features pictures, words, and inspirational messages focused on your dreams and goals. You can also use a vision journal or planner (see also ‘How To Create A Planner To Sell?‘).  

    Here’s a list of tools for creating a vision journal or a vision board

    15-minute experiments

    Another great idea from Mitch Matthews is to test your dream 15-minute experiments. For example, consider a 15-minute freewriting session to write about a specific topic or use a writing prompt. As you write, don’t worry about editing, grammar, or punctuation. From start to finish, write, and don’t stop. Here is a 30-day supply of free writing prompts to get you started.

    Create an idea system

    Coming up with ideas to write content can be challenging. So once you develop a process for generating ideas, it’s crucial to create a plan for saving your ideas.

    • Keep a notebook — Jot down a new idea as it comes to you. Get a notebook that transports easily and can fit into any bag. Carry it with you throughout the day as ideas and inspiration may strike at any time. If you are in a position where you cannot write, like a car or on a treadmill, use the recorder on your mobile phone to capture your idea.
    • Keep a digital idea log — Any idea from your notebook that you decide to pursue should be transferred to a digital file. Use Trello or Mindmeister to organize your thoughts. You can also use these tools to store photos.
    • Idea board — If you work in an office environment, consider adding an idea board in a central location. Encourage staff to add ideas to the board regularly. Reward employees for their willingness to share.

    Find support

    To reach your writing dreams, find people who will support you. Look to add people who are good listeners and who can offer valuable input.  Also, consider asking someone who already does what you want to do.  If you want to become a writer, connect with other writers and authors. 

    Avoid negative people

    Stay away from negative people and people who never support your ideas. Please, no dream killers or people who always see the glass half empty.  The last thing you need are people who will shoot down all of your ideas or people who are afraid to follow their dreams.

    Don’t let fear stand in your way another day

    When you think about reaching your writing dream and what it will take, consider what Valerie Nifora, the author of I Asked the Wind: A Collection of Romantic Poetry., said:  

    “But here’s the part that I didn’t realize — doing the thing you dream about, actually doing it — even in small measures is enormously gratifying. If you don’t worry about succeeding at it (Not sure I’ll ever make NY Times Best Seller or Poet Laureate), somehow it comes. And it doesn’t matter how successful whatever your dream is — the joy of using your talents fulfills itself!”

    The time to follow your dreams is now.  You owe it to yourself to make time for the creative work that matters to you.  If you need a little help to get started, download a free copy of, How to Start Writing Today.

    Yellow typewriter

  • 30 Tips How to Renew Interest in Your Dreams

    30 Tips How to Renew Interest in Your Dreams

    Young woman sitting at a desk with a laptop dreaming of the future
    30 Tips How to Renew Interest in Your Vision

     

    It’s good to take an interest in other people’s dreams.

    [bctt tweet=”30 Tips How to Renew Interest in Your Dreams” username=”KBTWrites”]

    If we stop to think about it, the majority of our day centers around helping people. There is a certain level of satisfaction in helping others with their plans and projects. Whether at work or home, we feel good about our role in helping someone achieve their goals.

     

    But what about your interests? What about trying to spark or renew interest in your dreams?

     

    In a world full of distractions, it’s easy to lose sight of your ambitions. But it’s time to stop. Not helping others. It’s time to stop letting other things get in the way of your dreams. Therefore, if you want to prepare for the next chapter of your life, you need to draw the line between the world’s requests and your future dreams.

     

    But how?

     

    The answer will be different for everyone. What works for one person may not work for you. Therefore, the most important thing is to find out what motivates you. Not what motivates your favorite celebrity. Take the time to research, pursue, uncover, and explore new ideas to find out what makes you want to jump out of bed every day.

     

    As if we were taking a trip, this post highlights 30 tips on how to renew interest in your dreams.  Please feel free to add your ideas in the comments section below.


    Disclosure    : This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

     

    Before your journey begins, research ideas to determine your dreams.

    1. Talk it Out. Author Chris Baréz-Brown encourages people to walk and talk to explore new ideas either to a friend or yourself.
    2. Start a hobby. Outside of your day-to-day job, consider taking up a hobby. Find something that excites and motivates you.
    3. Learn a language. Have you ever wanted to speak another language? Learning a new language could open the door to other opportunities. Try Duolingo or Babbel.
    4. Read Daily.  Explore your dreams by reading every day. Don’t limit your reading to one thing. Instead, read books, blogs, magazines, and articles.
    5. Listen to audiobooks. Listen to audiobooks on Audible or Scribd to learn more about subjects that interest or inspire you.
    6. Go to school. Consider enrolling in college to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree. Another option is attending a vocational or culinary school to learn a new profession.
    7. Take an online course.  If starting your own business is in your future, consider developing your professional skills by taking online certification classes. HubSpot Academy offers several courses to help you build your business skills.
    8. Gather information from YouTube videos.  Watch tutorials and how-to videos on YouTube to explore news ideas.


      Once you decide which dreams to pursue, create a map for the journey.

    9. Be honest with yourself. Out of all the research and information you uncovered, find what interests you. Don’t lie to yourself. If your exploration period revealed a passion for goat herding, water painting, or writing, go for it!
    10. Uncover your dreams and goals. Based on your research, create a mindmap to work through your ideas.
    11. Work toward your dream daily.  Keep your dream in front of you. Even if you have to take tiny steps, work on it every day.
    12. Make a vision board.  Consider making a vision board that highlights pictures, words, and inspirational messages to keep your dreams and goals visible.
    13. Establish a routine. Block out time each day to work on your dream. Except for family commitments or real emergencies, don’t let endless meeting requests, a full email box, or others’ requests throw you off track.
    14. Use a planner or journal. Write down everything you do related to your dreams using a planner or journal.
    15. Update your computer’s lock screen to include an inspiring quote. Post inspirational quotes related to your dreams on your computer and around your work and play areas.


      As you work through your goals, take your dreams for a test drive.

    16. Turn your hobby into a side hustle. Consider selling the products you produce from your hobby.
    17. Build a website. Using SiteGround or Bluehost, you can set up a website in a few minutes to sell our products or services.
    18. Start a blog. Once you have your website set up, you can offer information and advice through blog posts.
    19. Offer how-to videos on YouTube. Teach something related to your dreams like a cooking class or guitar lessons.
    20. Teach a masterclass.  If your dream job involves teaching people how to master a skill like content marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), or branding, use Facebook Live to hold a webinar.
    21. Publish your writing on the web.  Share your work on platforms like Medium or Global Thrive.
    22. Volunteer. Find a non-profit organization aligned with your ambitions. Volunteer as a way to gain experience and knowledge.

      On your way to reaching your goals, take care of yourself.

    23. Keep a journal.  Make it a habit to write about your experience and how you feel as you learn new things and meet new people. Use your journal as a safe place for you to explore your thoughts and emotions.
    24. Capture new ideas.  On any given day, inspiration may strike in the most unusual places. Use a notebook to organize your thoughts. Any notebook will do the trick. This Bright Ideas Journal is full of color, but Kraft Paper Notebooks work just as good.
    25. Pray. Rely on your faith as you pursue your dreams and ambitions.
    26. Read before going to bed. Just as you did at the start of your journey, continue to read new and exciting things that inspire you.
    27. Practice self-care. Don’t spend all of your time chasing your dreams. Take a break. Go to a spa or the park. Don’t neglect regular workouts and walks outside.
    28. Remember to practice self-love. Let go of negative thoughts or self-doubt. Always keep inspirational messages and people around you.
    29. Acknowledge gratitude. Make it a habit to acknowledge gratitude every day.
    30. Celebrate your accomplishments.  When you accomplish your goals or reach milestones, take time to celebrate.

     

    Stop letting every other thing take precedence over your future.  It’s time to renew your interest in your dreams.

     

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