I'm super excited to announce that I'll be presenting my signature talk on how to go from the idea of wanting to write a book to writing the book to actually publishing the book - which you can do in 101 days!!!

Please join me! Sign up for the event here:

https://hopin.com/events/momentum-2021

Then click "9A: Go From "I Want to Write a Book" to PUBLISHED in 101 Days" to add it to your calendar.

Of course most people will need a little bit of help to write so much so quickly. If you don't have the time or the bandwidth to dedicate to such a task, there are so many ways to help yourself succeed, which I will cover in the "golden nuggets of getting it done" section of the talk.

Did you know that it's the autumnal equinox?  Since life does not feel very balance right now, it's easy to overlook this celestial holiday.

In fact UNBALANCED is about the the most prominent word I can think of for the times. Everything has been magnified since coronavirus rocked this planet.

And while the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus still spreads through the global population, up and down, putting us on a seesaw of sadness, fear, and frustration, this all takes place on the landscape (literally) that is burning and flooding. It very often feels apocalyptic.

I consider this year to be the year of perpetual winter. With covid running rampant, ebbing and flowing, givings us ups and downs and more questions than answers, and lockdowns, quarantines, stay at home, safer at home, and every other variation, this is the year that we will hunker down at home like we would in the darkest of winter... But we'll do it all year long.

And that to me feels symbolic. We need to turn inward. We need to contemplate. We need to figure out how we're going to save ourselves from ourselves. Yes, humans are our own worst enemy. I don't necessarily blame us for the virus, but I do squarely blame us for the climate crisis, which hasn't gone anywhere while we all stayed home.

So, take this time to look for your own balance. The pendulum has certainly swung the other way - we have too much togetherness, too much home time right now. (Well, I do anyway LOL.) But the bigger question is how do emerge from covid in a way that will allow us to rebuild our lives and protect the planet and fight for justice as well?

It's a tall order, and I think taking time to get ourselves grounded, to find out own balance is the secret, which is, of course, what so much of my work is about.

I talk to a lot of people about their book writing process, and it's not uncommon for entrepreneurs to be waiting for the right time to invest in their book. That can mean either time or money.

Typically, when a business is in early growth mode, the business owner doesn't necessarily need a book. It's common that a business owner will need a book at precisely the time that they get too busy to write it!!!!

Of course, enter coronavirus and suddenly some of us have abundant time now (while others of us have no time).

First, will a book benefit your business? If the answer was yes, is yes, or will be yes, then you should consider how you're going to get it done.

If you have become time abundant, and you know you have the bandwidth... and the skill... and the patience, then this might be your time!

I've had at least one colleague-friend who has made great progress on their book since the world shut down!

If you know you'll be miserable putting fingers to the keys, then it doesn't matter how much time you have. Hire me!

If you are scarce of time, yet you know a book will benefit your business, then it's time to bring in the hired help!

I've heard of the elevator pitch a million times: How do you sum up your business to someone in an exciting way, in the time you share an elevator ride with them?

But I just heard a new take on this for authors! How would a READER of your books sum up your books to a friend at a cocktail party?

I mean 1) I'd rather be talking to strangers at a cocktail party than in an elevator and 2) I love it that it's what one of my readers would say, which is so much cooler and more fun to think about than what I'd say!

We're all at home anyway, let's get some gardening and cooking going on. Don't know where to start? Kitchen Magic will guide the way!!!

Kitchen Magic is all about getting into the beginner mindset and having fun with what you are creating. Being inspired - looking at what is in the pantry and coming up with some new ideas! Throwing some seeds in the ground and seeing what happens. I've found consistent watering to always be the hardest part of gardening in my world, but since I'm home all the time now, it's gotten a lot easier to do!

Get two free sample Kitchen Magic style recipes (I call them "formulas" but maybe they are more like "spells" or conconctions"...Hmmm...) Get them here.

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TL;DR

I really hate it when people say things like "this is the change we've been waiting for" or "everything happens for a reason."  Tell that to the people living in homeless "camps" in South Africa or those waiting in line for hours for the government provided food in Pakistan. Coronavirus isn't a "blessing in disguise" and it's not "mean to be." It's a virus. It happens to all animals, and it happens more easily in overly populated species. The saddest part is that those who already suffered the most will be yet again the hardest hit because of this. But that's another thought for another time. I'm actually just trying to share some inspiration, NOT depress you! Could have fooled you, right? LOL. That's why I moved this down below. It's all my true thoughts and opinions, but you can always bow out with a TL;DR.

The point I started out trying to make is actually this: Some good things might come of these stay at home shelter in place orders, for those of us lucky enough to have a home, and enough income/savings/unemployment to keep living off of during this time. We can spend more time as a family; we can grow things; we can cook food. All of that is good, but it doesn't make the coronavirus or COVID19 good. I think it's important to make the distinction.

In the days leading up to Solstice it's good to set some time aside to look both forward and backward.  This is time to go within, to embrace the darkness and shadow. ​ Use this fun poem couple with advice to guide the days leading up to solstice. 

December 11th
The first day of solstice my own hands gave to me: a way to hold myself in love. 
Sit quietly, under the covers if you like, and place your hands lovingly on your heart as you think back to all that you have achieved in the past year as well as what has not come to fruition, and loving let it all go. 

December 12th
The second day of solstice my own eyes gave to me: a chance to really see.
Though it's not time to commit to a plan for the new year yet, take some time to today to just start dreaming of what 2020 might look like for you. Write in a journal if you prefer. 

December 13th
The third day of solstice my own feet gave to me: a chance to walk around free.
Go for a walk outside, even if it's short. Revel in the process of letting go. Imagine the version of you that you will leave behind in 2019 as well as the radiant version of yourself that will come into being in 2020. 

December 14th
The fourth day of solstice my own hands gave to me: Soup or stew or pie or cookies.
Take some time today or this weekend to make some food from scratch. Whether it's comfort food or something health and heartwarming for the week ahead, cooking in the winter is always so cozy, and a great way to turn inward and make it easy to come home early. 

December 15th
The fifth day of solstice my heart chakra gave to me: fine golden wings.
Lay on your back, perhaps wit ha bolster or foam roller or pillow under your spine or chest. Open your heart chakra. Allow yourself to give and receive and relax. This is where your wings will sprout when the time is right.

December 16th
The sixth day of solstice my own arms gave to me: a feeling of fluidity.
Love your body during these cool or cold winter days and nights. Let your arms hang at some point today; roll them in circles; give yourself a hug. Winter can make us feel frozen and stiff. Take some time to remember that this will all melt come spring. 

December 17th
The seventh day of solstice my own ears gave to me: The gift of musicality.
Take some time to listen to music that lifts you up. Whether you like holiday tunes or something else entirely, take a few minutes to listen to it today. 

December 18th
The eighth day of solstice my own nose gave to me: The gift of aromatherapy! 
Another simple sense based ritual: Turn on a diffuser, use a roller of essential oils, make some spiced cider, or just put an orange peel and cinnamon stick on a pot of water and boil it for the aroma! The scents of this time of year are divine! Enjoy them! 

December 19th
The ninth day of solstice my own mouth gave to me: My choice of sexy or yummy! 
Yes, solstice is a time to go inward, but it's also a time to celebrate and have fun. It's a chance to bring the forest into our living rooms for goddess's sake! So kiss someone under the mistletoe, or eat a treat, or put that magical mouth to use somehow, and make sure you enjoy it :) 

December 20th
The tenth day of solstice my sacral chakra gave to me: The chance to sit still and be.
Take some time to sit and meditate today. Whether it's one minute or one hour, just be still with yourself. See what comes up and if you get any insights for this time of transition, or even just an idea of how you want to celebrate tomorrow. 

December 21st  *SOLSTICE*
The eleventh day of solstice my own soul gave to me: The secret to a new me.
​This is the time to let it all go dark. Celebrate solo or with loved ones with a simple ritual. Light a candle. Falling on a Saturday, you can clear the way for a group celebration if you like, or just more time for your small or solo solstice. Acknowledge that darkness always comes before light. Give yourself permission to accept all the feelings for what has or has not come pass. Solstice can be emotional and sometimes lonely just as often as it can be a time of celebration or connection. Whatever yours is, is perfect, and it's the time before new seeds will be planted when the coldness finally melts away. 

If you have fifteen minutes, you can find motivation right now! 

Get introduced to the pillars of health, and why flexibility is the most important of them all. 

Meditations is great, but it doesn't always work out for all of us to sit down and do it. Instead try a walking mindfulness program by slipping on your favorite tennis shoes and listening to this podcast while you walk. 

It's fun, it's adventurous - Join me as I am also walking in the great outdoors and sharing my weight loss tips and motivation and perhaps encounter a wild animal!