Write On ~ Creative Writing Services

By: Lisa Manyon | www.lisamanyon.comAs a lifetime member of the National Association of Women Writers, I?€™ve experienced the powerful connections this organization provides. NAWW is where I was first exposed to Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero of Red Hot Communications and I?€™m now the National Manager of her Gold Copywriting Mentorship Program (in addition to running my own successful business). I?€™ve also made other invaluable connections, including award winning author Peter Bowerman.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to take advantage of the benefits of the membership communities you are a part of. One of the marketing strategies I regularly suggest to clients, friends and family is to invest in mastermind and membership groups that will support your ultimate goals.

I?€™m especially excited to see Amber Kingston featured as the Member of Week on NAWW.

Not only is she one of my press release clients, she?€™s also my cousin and a very talented writer.

I highly recommend her new book for children ?€?Laura and the Leprechauns?€?. Feel free to order a copy today.

And, if you?€™re interested in joining NAWW, I strongly recommend that as well.

[tags]Lisa Manyon, www.writeoncreative.com, Write On Creative, Amber Kingston, Amber T. Kingston, Laura and the Leprechauns, NAWW, National Association of Women Writers, Sheri McConnell, Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero, Peter Bowerman, copywriter, copywriting[/tags]

By Lisa Manyon: www.lisamanyon.com

Many years ago I read a book that changed my life. The beauty about books is they are truly timeless. Recently I revisited this book because the continued buzz about ?€?The Secret?€? made me think of it.

The Aladdin Factor is a simple fast-track to getting what you want. Originally released in 1995 (around the time Chicken Soup for The Soul series was really taking off). This book changed the way I approached business and personal interactions.

I believe that one of the greatest lessons you will ever learn is included in this book. The art of asking for what you really want.

Canfield and Hansen explore five barriers to asking for what we want:

1. The first is ignorance. Often, we simply don?€™t know what to ask for. This occurs for many reasons including lack of exposure, not knowing the resources available and not fully understanding our personal desires and yearnings.
2. Second, limiting and inaccurate beliefs keep us stuck in what we know to be true from past experiences. This includes programming from parents, teachers, churches, peers and the media.
3. Fear is the third barrier (and one I believe we can all relate to). It is fear, usually based on past disappointments and experiences that hold many of us back from asking for what we truly desire. The fear of rejection is particularly debilitating. Fear of looking silly, being humiliated, feeling powerless, punishment, obligation and abandonment are all key players in keeping us stuck.
4. Fourth is low self-esteem. Often we can feel unworthy of love, happiness and our true desires. This is because of inferiority complexes and false beliefs that our needs and wants are worthy of pursuit.
5. Pride is the final barrier and according to the authors is especially difficult for men. Although I see this trait in many of my women friends. We tend to remain guarded and not admit that we need help and support. Asking for this sometimes makes us feel inadequate.

The key to getting what you want is simple. Recognize and correct the barriers that apply to you. Become comfortable with who you are and what you really want and need (this may take some time).

Finally, ask for what you want in a way that is mutually beneficial for all involved. The key point I took away from this book (and continue to hold near and dear) is having the courage to simply ask.

Look at it this way. If you really, truly want something, the only way to get it is to take actionable steps, including asking. If you ask for something you want the worse thing that can happen is someone saying ?€?no?€?. Although this may seem devastating, in reality, you are left with nothing less than before you asked. And, if the answer happens to be yes, you have moved so much closer to your end goal.

So, go ahead, ask for what you want. The results may surprise you.

[tags]Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, The Aladdin Factor, Write On Creative, www.writeoncreative.com, Lisa Manyon, book review[/tags]

By Lisa Manyon: www.lisamanyon.com

From time to time, I send little bursts of inspiration your way. These include short video clips from Simple Truths.

The most recent clip I sent can be viewed here.

I asked you to think about three questions last month and Roger Parker did just that. In fact, I was so impressed with his answers, I’m including them here.

But first, here’s a little back-story. I met Roger via a tele-seminar with my mentor and friend Peter Bowerman. Peter is a true inspiration and if you don’t already know who he is, you can check him out here. He is one of my personally recommended resources in the Brain Buzz section of my blog (and I only recommend people who I’ve worked with or highly respect). Plus, he is releasing a new book this year and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see some familiar names featured.

Okay, now you know how Roger and I originally connected and now, here’s how he responded. (this will be posted on my blog in the next few weeks and you can log on and post your own thoughts).

Question: What is Your Definition of a Winner?

Answer: A winner is someone who tries as hard as they can, without sacrificing their values, their integrity, or time with their family.

Winners are not workaholics; they know how to balance business success with relationship success.

Winners recognize the truth of the saying: “It’s not so much what you do or say, but how you make others feel.”

Question: How Do You Face Defeat?

Answer: Perhaps the best way to face defeat, as an entrepreneur or self-employed writer, is to visit a friend or co-worker who spends their days in a cubicle. No matter how hard things get, visiting an office in a suburban office park is usually enough to give me the strength to continue on my own.

Question: How Do You Approach Your Challenges?

Answer: With music, day trips with a camera, and time with my wife and family, pets, etc.

One perspective that I always remember was originally stated by Tom Lehrer in the 1960′s: “By the time Mozart was my age, he had been dead 16 years!”

From that perspective, we are all lucky, and it’s useful to remember that others are not so fortunate.

A friend of mine is a professional photographer facing the same business pressures that all professional photographers face in today’s economy. One of the things that has really changed him was spending a morning a week teaching photography to brain-injured people. That has had a profound effect on his attitudes towards his own frustrations.

A really good book on the topic is Martin Seligman’s Learned Optimism which I highly recommend.

Thanks to Roger for his thoughtful and helpful responses. You can learn more about him here.

[tags]Roger Parker, Peter Bowerman, www.writeoncreative.com, Write On Creative, copywriting, facing defeat, winner, winning, win, Lisa Manyon[/tags]

By: Lisa Manyon www.lisamanyon.com

Lucinda William’s Pettyesque style is inspiring. Her album, Car Wheels on A Gravel Road, features songs that she has either written or co-written.

Grab a copy today and let me know what you think about her style.

[tags]Lucinda Williams, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Lisa Manyon, www.writeoncreative.com, music review[/tags]