You would think someone who has made a life in PR would be comfortable promoting their own work? Not so much! Sometimes it’s hardest when it’s closest to home. I’m even like that in my business life.

One day you feel like you’ve unlocked that most creative idea, the world surely hasn’t experienced anything like before, right? And then the next day it couldn’t possibly appear more hackneyed. Trite, foolish even. Embarrassing, yes. How do you have the audacity to imagine not only that it was a good idea, but that you were worthy of pulling it off? EVERY artist feels like this at one time or another.

So, you ask how can you make the juggle work for you? Well, the key really is discipline. When I was writing one of my manuscripts many moons ago, I had a demanding full-time job. I am creative in the morning.

Pursuing a life of art can have some incredible highs, and some crushing lows. Never mind the self-critiques and desert moments. They are nothing to the barrage of naysayers who think you should, yes, get a job. I remember when I was 12-years old and was sure I wanted to be a writer. I decided to write a novel based on my interest in the winter Olympics.

I started my career at 12-years old - as a writer. Well, I thought it was a career, a career in the making. In my mind and heart, the only thing worth doing in the world was making art. Many years later, after writing several manuscripts and failing to get them published – though there had been many wholehearted attempts by talented literary agents to make my dream a reality, I threw in the towel and decided to give the career that truly seemed to be working a try, Public Relations.

So, most businesses are consumed with growth which means investment. That can be infrastructure, people, etc. When I launched out on my own, I signed a lease for a VERY expensive office. I thought it would help me get clients.

I’m a big proponent of looking way out into the margins to determine where I want to go and what I want to do. So, my goals can be quite large.

How often have you felt that if you had a new job or were able to start your own company where you could work for yourself, not “the man”, or maybe if you could hit it rich with some breakthrough idea, you’d be happy.

The best advice I could give anyone that is starting new – no matter what it is, would be to surround yourself with people who will speak positively into your life. If you’re at all like me, I thrive on words of encouragement. I know that’s a love language, maybe it’s not yours, but I’d like to meet a person who doesn’t get a lift out of someone giving them a verbal boost.

You’re enough. You don’t need to impress anyone. You don’t need to pretend you’re someone that you’re not. You don’t need to be ashamed of who you are and the road you’ve travelled.

Here’s a bit of advice you can take to the bank. You don’t always have to do things perfectly to get started. Yes, it’s smart to plan, and great to make sure you’ve covered off your bases. True, timing matters. But if you wait for things to be perfect to start something, even a business, you may never get started.

Years ago, I came back to my faith and when I did many things in my life shifted. One thing in particular was my stance on living an ethical life. I had never considered that I was living an immoral or unethical life, but under a new microscope it was clear that the little white lies and fudging things wasn’t going to cut it. Truth was, I wanted to change my life, I wanted to live above the line.

I’m a fan of the reset. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with insecurity. Not all the time, but often enough. Apparently, imposter syndrome, runs high in women.

When insecurity comes, when that voice whispers in my head, “who do you think you are,” I need a reset, a time out.

It’s been so fun sharing tips and ideas with you over the last few months, but today I want to share a project that is near and dear to my heart! The Color of Music is a fantasy novel I’ve written for kids aged 8-14 who have a curiosity for learning about different cultures, unfamiliar worlds and new experiences.

If you have young people in your world, or if you’re feeling particularly young at heart yourself, I hope you’ll give it a look HERE. To preview the book (not out yet) I’ve created an online immersive experience. You'll be able to meet the characters, listen to the music and watch images of the story come alive on the page.

Sometimes accountability sounds like, well, a bad word. Like it’s going to suck all the fun out of any situation. Slow you down. Put up the stops. To be honest, one of the best things that ever happened to me – ever – was when I was held accountable for a bad attitude. After mulling it over I realized that I was not only out of line I was being incredibly unkind.

Funnily enough I actually know someone who goes by the moniker Soul Food Scholar. But this blog isn’t about food, it’s about that thing that keeps you ticking in the joy zone: your soul.

Years ago, when I hit my 40’s I was running hard, and I realized I had lost the fun in life. The endless cycle of eat, work, sleep isn’t a good one, is it?

Ever since Cheryl Sandberg popularized the phrase “Lean In” it’s been game on for asserting yourself at work and at home. Pretty sure she was targeting women, but it’s become a way for all of us to handle a variety of situations.

I’m a fan of asserting yourself. I mean if you don’t, who will? Taking control of your situation just feels good, doesn’t it? I’ve always thought so as a woman in business. And I’ve been unapologetic about pushing forward where I feel I have something important to gain.

Sometimes “no” is better than “yes”. Did I just write that? Yep. Many years ago, I had the opportunity of starting a PR division at a branding agency run by an incredible visionary, Mike Toth. He coined – and patented – the term Brand DNA and helped turn Tommy Hilfiger (among other apparel brands) into multi-billion-dollar companies. He was a genius.

As I’ve mentioned I have this new business idea that I think is awesome. I’m excited about it. Well, excited and nervous. I’m going to pursue it, but I’m knee deep in the numbers, making sure this thing can make money. It’s not a tech solution to a knotty problem, it’s not set up to be the “next big thing,” though it could be in five years if I get the scaling piece right.

There are a million books out there on time management. The more technology comes along to save time, the more time we need to manage it all. LOL! Time management is necessary across all areas of our lives, both professional and personal.