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My Writing Process Blog Tour

by EvieBurke, posted in Uncategorized

colored pencilsThis post is part of the My Writing Process Blog Tour.

I’ve been asked to join a great group of writers/bloggers on this tour by the wonderful Wendy Pitts Reeves. Wendy is the Founder and President of Courage-to-Confidence, is host of the popular “Secret Adventures for Courageous Women.” As a Life and Business coach, Wendy’s a radical enCourager who helps women do things they never thought they could do, to create the life, and business, they never thought they could create. Her Courage-to-Confidence eZine goes out weekly.

You can find her post where I was tagged here.

For this tour, instead of traveling by plane, train or automobile – you answer four questions and then tag/ask three other wonderful people to participate.

So, let’s get started!

What am I working on?

It seems like I have a lot of things I could be working on – such is life as an entrepreneur, right?

However, right now I’m working on the next revision of my Keep-in-Touch One on One Coaching Program. It has good bones and I’m working on improving parts of it.

Interestingly enough, I’m also working on adjusting my schedule – which I’ll write more about in the last question.


How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I started with this niche, productivity, because I couldn’t find someone to help me with the same things I now help my clients with. Sometimes I wonder what I was searching for because they definitely are out there.

So, how am I different? It’s my demeanor and the presence I bring to each call with my clients. And my absolute love for each of them.

And I do a lot of listening – some productivity coaches might spend a lot of time telling you what you should be doing to reach your goals. I don’t do that, I find clients do better in the long run that way.


Why do I write what I do?

My blog started as a way for me to share random insights I was having as someone working for someone else. It evolved into the blog and website for my business.

I continue to write here for primarily two reasons:

  1. “I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” – Flannery O-Connor.I tend to process things through writing or talking (if you’ve ever been in a group with me and you think I’m trying to chose my words wisely – I’m probably formulating my thoughts/opinion as I’m talking), this newsletter allows me to continue to do that.
  2. For you the reader. My sincere hope is that you come here each week and read something that helps you personally or professionally more often then you don’t.I truly love reading your comments – no matter there length. They tell me I’m doing something right and encourage me to continue.


How does my writing process work?

Currently, I sit down on Tuesday or Wednesday (occasionally on Thursday) and write. I’ve either jotted down a topic that popped in to my head or think about what you might need to read this week.

Generally, a topic will eventually come to mind and I’ll just start writing. Then I’ll re-read and pick a title.

And if a topic doesn’t come to mind I just start writing about anything and usually will end up with an extremely rough draft of something that I can work with.

However, I’m contemplating changing this by writing 3-5 blog posts one week each month and then scheduling them (the note at the beginning of the newsletter will still be created each week). I have some topic ideas that will get me started.

The blog tour continues with these three writers that I know personally and love!

Mary Wu
I’ve literally known Mary and her family for years. So, I’m happy to be able to introduce her to you – if you don’t already know her!

Mary is a virtual assistant living in Naperville, Illinois. She is married with two teenage children. She loves to learn new things, an she enjoys searching for solutions to problems.

Kristina Fortune
I met Kristina a little over a year ago. We hit it off right away and talk every couple of weeks.

Kristina is a writer and editor who believes in simplicity, authenticity, and appreciation for the little things in life. Her mission is to inspire, empower and teach busy, creative women how to create the balanced, peaceful and fulfilling lives they desire. Check out her blog Vitality Organizing for tools, tips and inspiration for creating a simpler life, a peaceful mind and a happy heart.

Jennifer Bugajsky
I met Jennifer last fall. We met for coffee a couple months later and probably would have sat there chatting for a couple of hours if we wouldn’t have had other commitments!

Jen is a health and body relationship coach. Her delivery of seminars and coaching have inspired woman to greater levels of awareness in the importance of taking care of their family’s health and well-being. As a body relationship coach, Jen shares her own transformation story and teaches people how to use their body as a guide to create a deeper relationship with God (the divine source of truth) as well as teaching women how to love, respect and appreciate themselves and their bodies. She is an expert at empowering women to invest the time and energy to improve the health of their family. Jen’s education and experience improving the health of her own family have equipped her with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and the importance of preventive care. She works with clients to help them make the dietary and lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results. Her clients love that she takes the fear and stress out of where to begin by focusing on one simple step at a time.

Image: © cristinaduart – Fotolia.com

How do you describe you?

by EvieBurke, posted in Gratitude, perspective

Mother’s day is this weekend and I remembered a video that I saw a few months ago that feels appropriate to share.

Did it surprise you to see most of the moms described themselves as needing improvement? More patience, less perfectionism, and struggling with temper where a few things mentioned.

How about how their kids described them? Beautiful, fun, and totally awesome were just a few of their descriptions.

I love the video, it makes me tear up. And it made me think about how often we do this in every aspect of our lives. You don’t give yourself enough credit.

Instead of noticing what a great job you’re doing in your business or with your clients, you’re focusing on what needs improvement, what could be better.

Yes, improvement is important, it’s good to know what that is. And you don’t need to do that at the expense of everything you’re doing right.

Today, take a couple of minutes and make a list of what you’re doing right. It doesn’t just have to be a business list. And if you’re having problems coming up with a list of more than 4 or 5 things call someone you love and ask them what you’re doing right. Feel free to tell them that it’s an assignment that your coach gave you.

Keep that list next to your computer or in your wallet. Put it somewhere that you see it often and can easily refer to.

And celebrate! You’re wonderful, sometimes you just need to be reminded.

Question of the Fortnight: What do you do to prepare for networking events that other people might not?

by EvieBurke, posted in Question of the Fortnight

Question of the FortnightWhat is a fortnight? It’s 14 days or 2 weeks.

What is “Question of the Fortnight?” Every other week I’ll ask a question here on the blog. Through out the two weeks I’ll update the blog post with some of your answers. These will be from the comments below, from people I see networking and any other way I happen to receive your answer to the question.

This fortnight’s question is: What do you do to prepare for networking events that other people might not?

Some of the answers I’ve received are:

I set an intention on how many people I want to meet with in between groups. –Felicity Joy

Instead of reciting the same thing at every meeting, I take some time to think about a recent story to share about being of service to someone. It’s about making myself and my business real for others and creating a trusted relationship. – Karen Carlson

I get there early so I can reach out to new people. – Laura S

As someone that is a “Jill of all trades” and relatively tech savvy, I try to focus on listening for people’s trouble spots. If someone has a challenge and I can help them in less that 20 minutes by pointing out a (free) app or forwarding an article or blog post I make a note to do that when I get home. While this is certainly the right thing to do, it has also helped me receive shout outs and referrals. – Mary Wu

Share yours in the comments below!

Two Wolves and Your Business

by EvieBurke, posted in attitude, Complaining, Self Care

howling wolfHave you heard the story of the two wolves that a grandfather tells his grandson? (no, this isn’t a set up for a joke)

If you’re not familiar with the story, here it is:

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, “Let me tell you a story.

I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.

But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times.”

He continued, “It is as if there are two wolves inside me.

One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit.”

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather’s eyes and asked, “Which one wins, Grandfather?”

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, “The one I feed.”

As I was thinking about this story I thought about the stories we tell ourselves. When you talk with others about how your day went or how you’re doing, you tell a story. When you’re reviewing how an event or meeting went, you’re telling a story. When you’re thinking about your to-do list or planning your day, you’re telling a story. When you talk about how your business is doing, you’re telling a story.

It’s how we’re all wired. It’s not bad, it’s not good, it just is.

Our stories feed us and that determines which wolf gets fed. Are you telling stories of an angry world full of people out to get you, or are you telling stories of a friendly place where there’s enough for everyone?

And what about the stories other people tell? Do they feed you? Yes, if you let them. It’s like someone serving you dinner. If you don’t like it you can be “polite” and eat it anyway – or not. Is it rude to not eat what’s in front of you? Well, if you have a peanut allergy and someone gives you food with peanuts in it, is it rude to not eat it? No, it’s not. Determining whose stories you listen to is similar. It’s okay to say “I don’t agree” or find another conversation.

So, for your business – what are you feeding it? What stories do you tell yourself and others about it? And are those the stories that you want to feed your business?

And what stories are you letting other people feed you and your business? Where do you find yourself agreeing with someone without thinking about it?

Share in the comments below!

question mark in puzzle piece

What’s The Question?

by EvieBurke, posted in intention, Overwhelm, planning

question mark in puzzle pieceI’ve been thinking about questions a lot recently. About how important asking the right question can be and how frustrating it can be trying to figure out what that is.

And at the same time, if you’re not asking a question, finding the answer is a bit like searching for a puzzle piece and you’re not sure what it looks like, but you’re sure you’ll recognize it when you see it.

How much faster does the search for that puzzle piece go when you know what color you’re looking for? or if it’s an edge piece or when you have some guideline that helps you know which pieces aren’t the one you’re looking for?

Finding answers is a bit like that. You can find yourself spending lots of time trying out lots of different things because you haven’t taken the time to figure out what the question is you’re trying to answer. Instead, you’re picking up a lot of other people’s answers and seeing if they fit for you.

And while you might be learning a lot in that process, I bet you also feel like you’re spending a lot of time spinning your wheels or running in circles – none of it really seems to fit where you are or what you’re looking for.

So, spend some time today determining what your questions are. You might be surprised by how much time and energy you save looking for answers when you know your questions.

Share your question or questions in the comments below.

Image courtesy of Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net