Linda McDonald
reachresources.net

[my ego exploding with guts like stuff splattered all over my monitors]… Now I’ll have to clean it up.

The thing I like about ’spiritual’ topics is that they are hard to argue against… yet I live in a very real physical world where the only way things get done is if you do stuff. ACTION.

So…while you’re all living in the PRESENT, be sure to ACT rather than contemplating the act of acting. :)

-Young Grasshoppa

You still have to learn to write with your opposite hand!

Sometimes I come across people online who call themselves “marketing coaches” – and maybe some fit that description, but others don’t.

As Strephon astutely observed, you do a good job of combining marketing with spirtuality.

Perhaps that makes you the coachiest (meaning the most inspirational, motivational, and Zen-like) of Marketing Coaches.

Cheers to that. :)

First, by scheduling a specific time that it outside of your normal work time helps to reinforce the focus of being present necessary.

Second, removing distractions from TV to Radio to open screens on your monitor also assist the goal of focus and being present.

Third, using a brain dump tool such as a journal where you jot down titles or ideas for an article helps. By seeing the written idea generates a lazer focus instead of just thinking about a topic.

Fourth, submit articles according to your marketing plan. When you are focused on your plan, the actions that follow are therefore aligned to that plan.

Fifth, when we are present, we remember we are human. Write with the human touch by telling a story or personal experience. Connect your present self with that past experience.

Great topic Chris and thanks for opportunity for everyone to share their insights.

Peace and abundance
Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S.

Great message! I believe truly great copy comes when we are present and “in the flow”. Just like an athlete performs best when in the flow, writing when in the flow is smoother, easier and gets better results.

I have a few rituals/habits to help get me fully present when writing.

1. I light a creativity candle. The act of lighting a candle helps me to centre and take a moment to breathe.

2. Depending on how scattered I am feeling I may even light some incense or essential oils. The aroma helps me to extend my senses and awareness. Flowers on the desk are the non “new age fruitcake” label inducing alternative.

3. I look at the topic and stare into space, allowing my mind to play with the message behind the words.

4. Type like crazy and not censor what is written at that point. If I stop the flow or censor the thought I lose the spontaneity and drop out of flow.

5. Only when the end is reached do I go back and check for grammer, more powerful words and sentence structure.

Being present doesn’t just relate to writing. It relates to managing your team, communicating with clients and growing your business. Bring some of your mindfulness activities to all of these and your business will blossom.

warm regards

Ingrid

Author of Instant Human Resource Policies & Procedures for Small – Medium Business and a weekly newsletter “Heart Paths”.

Your mention of your body fat and glucose levels reminds me to be more aware at this level while writing.

At age 73 I have a real tummy. I usually eat simple and natural food, and exercise with sword-work or tennis daily.

Now I shall be more aware of my body condition and when I have a surge of writing energy.

I find my writing process to be similar to starting and driving a car on a cold, snowy day. After several unsuccessful attempts at getting my reluctanct writing motor to turn over, it finally sputters into a shaky idling mode. But as my motor begins to warm up I find that my speed increases and I let the momentum take me in a purposeful direction. And since the potential for skidding off the road is always present, I remain focused and vigilant for anything that may deter me from reaching my destination…a completed article.

It’s just a matter of getting started…

Olivia

I t agree! If I didn’t include 1-2 hours of fitness almost every single day… I’d have a hard time also.

No matter what others say, there is always a way to fit fitness in before or after work hours, over lunch hour, or on the weekends.

All,

I was in flow when I wrote this blog entry earlier today. In fact, it was only suppose to be a blog entry for 700 members of the blog notification email list & rss feed — but then I realized that it was good enough for the 26k members of the EzineArticles Newsletter… its purpose changed.

Strephon,

I came in to work this morning not knowing what I was going to write about. Usually I have a huge inventory of topics & ideas in my head to choose from, but which direction I execute in – is often variable.

I trust in myself and because I know I’m a guy who focuses on over-delivering — that whatever I do, it’ll usually turn out good.

This is a hard topic to discuss without qualifying everything said.

When I’m lost, I return to abdominal breathing to re-center.

Sometimes I crank up dance music — and this helps me focus my attention on a topic.

I’m also very aware of my blood-sugar level. I’ve found that as my bodyfat percentage goes down, the effect that sugars have on my system are greater…(whereas when I’m fatter, my body dulls the impact of sugar (insulin resistance)) and I need a healthy supply of glucose in my system to keep the brain sharp.

Just thoughts… : – )

Thanks everyone so far for your creative, intelligent and thought provoking comments.