Free eBooks for the Body, Mind & Soul: Happy Weekend!
Heads up, beautiful people! The next book in the Project Blissful series is now available on Amazon.com’s Kindle store, and today and tomorrow ONLY, you can get it totally free. (more…)
Career Bliss: Are you doing what you love for a living?
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A lot of people don’t enjoy their job, they may even hate it, but I am lucky enough to be able to make a living through my passion.” ~Martin Yan
Seven years ago, I was working a job I didn’t love. I had a cubicle (albeit a big one) and I lived in the corporate world.
My career, while it was interesting and certainly kept me busy, was completely unsatisfying.
What I really wanted was an opportunity to do what I really loved–to be a writer. I even took on all the writing work my corporate job would allow.
I wrote letters to patients and to insurance companies, forms, brochures, training manuals, articles for the company website and more–you name it, I wrote it.
And then, one day, it happened–I lost the job for no legitimate reason. My boss of just a few months (who I had trained myself) decided he didn’t like the fact that I was a female running an all-male department (very successfully, for the record).
When he fired me, I asked him for any legitimate reason or proof of my inability to do the job–he could provide none.
It was simply a case of office politics gone wrong, and at first, I was really upset and angry.
But I quickly realized that I had manifested the situation myself.
You see, while I didn’t absolutely hate my job, I definitely didn’t love it. I had to talk myself into going to work each day, and I watched the clock closely as those eight hours draaaaaaaged on each day.
I secretly hoped I’d be fired, because then, I thought, I’d have an opportunity to focus on my true passion–writing.
And that’s exactly what I got.
So, I started my freelance writing business. It took a couple of years to really start bringing in a “real” income, but I loved the work, and it was worth it to me.
(Tip: Want to get out of the rat race? Check out my work-at-home jobs board or my freelance writing jobs board over at Practical Freelance Writer’s Guide!)
These days, I am happy to report, I’m a full-time writer, editor and social media expert.
I am so grateful to be among the ranks of people who get to get paid to do what they love, and I want everyone to have that opportunity.
That’s why, this week, Project Blissful will offer daily posts on work and career fulfillment. Along with my guest posters, I’ll be covering a variety of work and career-related topics each day this week.
We’ll cover how to know you’ve found your life’s work, how to stay sane at work, tips to improve productivity and working simple, and more.
Stay tuned!
Are you doing what you love for a living? What is your dream career? Share your thoughts and feelings in the comments section, below.
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Remember: You Are Powerful, Believe It or Not
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have it all? I’ll tell you why. It’s because they believe that they can have it all, and they believe they deserve it.
Ever wondered why you can’t get anything right? Well, here it is folks: it’s because you don’t believe you can.
The great automaker and apparent philosopher Henry Ford said, “If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.”
He was exactly right.
My message to you today is simple. The power you seek to change your life is in your hands. All you have to do is use it.
The really cool part is that it’s so easy–just believe in yourself. Stop doubting yourself, and watch your thoughts. When you notice negative thoughts, just say to yourself, “I’m now canceling this negative thought and replacing it with this more positive affirmation of my true desires.”
In fact, you don’t even need to be that formal about it–but reciting something to that effect in your head is a great way to distract yourself from the negativity you’re dealing with, and then it’s important that you actually follow through and replace the thought with a positive one.
For example, let’s say you are calling a creditor to explain why your payment will be late. Before you call, you might worry and tell yourself that they won’t understand, and that they’ll be rude or nasty to you.
When you make that call, you find that your fears come true. And here’s the interesting part…it came true because you believed it would.
Next time a situation like that presents itself, visualize yourself being clearly understood and empathized with by your creditor. Visualize the situation working out to your best advantage, and really know it. Tell yourself things will work out in your favor, and really believe it.
I’ll bet you have a different outcome this time. Give it a shot. You won’t regret it!
Bottom line: If you can believe it, you can achieve it. It’s a fact.
How do you claim your personal power? Please share your thoughts in the comments section, below.
Beyond Statistics: Portrait of a Former Teen Mom
How often do you judge a book by its cover? And how often have you been unfairly judged yourself? We’ve talked before about why we shouldn’t judge others and the impact it can have on our own lives. Today’s guest poster, my business partner and friend, Alyssa Ast, gives us a peek inside the mind of someone who is often judged by others who don’t take the time to get to know her.
Alyssa wrote this post back in 2010, originally as a guest post for my old site. I’m rerunning it here because I believe the lesson is still valuable and a good reminder for all of us.
Alyssa has become even more successful as a writer (and has grown her family by two, including the one she was pregnant with) since she wrote this piece, and she continues to impress me every day.~Angie
In Judgmental Eyes
By Alyssa Ast
Let me give you a brief history lesson of the past 5 years of my life. I’m 23 years old and technically considered to be a single mother.
I got pregnant with my first son at 17, had my second son at 19, and I’m currently pregnant with my 3rd.
I haven’t completed a level of education beyond the 11th grade and needless to say I’m a high school dropout.
I live out of wedlock with my children’s father and don’t work a nine to five job.
You may now be thinking to yourself, well there’s what’s wrong with society. In judgment’s eyes I appear to be just like every other teen mother out there.
I bet you probably think I spend my nights partying as my parents watch my kids. I’m sure you’re even thinking this is why some people should not reproduce.
But if you peer a little deeper and take some time to lose the judgmental eyes, you may actually be surprised at what you would learn about me and my life.
While I’ve made more mistakes in my life than I care to admit, I can honestly say without those mistakes, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Now take a minute to get to know the real me.
I’ve lived with my soul mate, my partner, my best friend for the past 5 years. We have 2 beautiful children together and are expecting our 3rd in June.
Our family consists of days spent laughing under the sun and doing typical things families do together, with one minor exception. We believe in raising our children with the morals and values of the past that have long since been forgotten by most.
Although they are only 4 and 3 years old, my boys are well rounded children, and although they may get into trouble from time to time, they know the importance of respect for themselves and others- which so many children lack now and days.
Like I said, I’m a high school dropout and I don’t work a nine to five job. Instead, I test at college level education in every academic course, except math- which I currently hold a 12th grade education level.
I work from home and co-run a successful business. I’m a freelance writer, journalist, co-founder of the WM Network, and I’m about to publish my first book. And, all before my 24th birthday.
But all of these accomplishments sometimes go unnoticed in my life, because all some people see is my age. In judgmental eyes I’m viewed as a typical teen mother, without a wedding band on my finger, or a high school diploma.
Because of my age, people don’t take the time to notice I’m not one of those parents that’s out partying every night; in fact my parents may have watched my children twice in 5 years.
Because I lack a piece of paper verifying I completed general education courses, I’m viewed as being limited in my intelligence. And because I don’t leave the house every morning to go to work, I’m viewed as lazy and not contributing to society.
It’s very frustrating and emotionally exhausting to be viewed as an ignorant child in the eyes of society. Society has their mind set on stereotypes and most lack the capability to take a second to see what’s really behind some viewed as a stereotype. It isn’t anyone’s fault; after all being judgmental is a human’s nature.
However, please take 5 minutes to really look at me and see ME. Yes, I am 23 years old and expecting my 3rd child.
But please look a little deeper and see, I am a mother and although not legally, I am a wife. I am an educated and successful writer that follows my dreams to make a better life for my children.
I hold wisdom and maturity beyond my years, as I have grown from my past mistakes. Take a second to look and see that not everything is as it appears; sometimes you just need to look a little deeper for the truth.
More About Alyssa Ast
Alyssa Ast is an experienced Arizona based freelance writer, journalist, author, SEO/SEM, web developer and social marketing specialist, who enjoys working from the comfort of her home office. Alyssa works for many online companies and private clients, fulfilling their need for quality content, social marketing and developing their online business needs. Using her SEO and SEM knowledge, Alyssa optimizes traffic to online content and websites– increasing traffic, search engine ranking and profit potential. Read Alyssa’s full bio here.
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Exploring Gratitude: Ten Reasons I’m Giving Thanks Today
Today, I thought I’d share ten of my own personal reasons to be grateful.1. I have a beautiful, healthy family who are the loves and the lights of my life.
2. I have a wonderful husband who loves me.
3. I have a great career–I get paid to do something I love!
4. I get to work from home, so that I can be here with my children.
5. I have a safe and lovely home.
6. My family and I are going to enjoy an amazing vacation this summer.
7. As the co-founder of The WM Network, I’m grateful for all of our wonderful bloggers.
8. Speaking of the network, I’m grateful for my friend, partner and co-founder, Alyssa.
9. I have an involved and loving extended family.
10. I have a strong and healthy body.
So tell me…what are you grateful for today? 🙂
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