Years ago I was fortunate enough to hear Maya Angelou speak in person. One of the things she said that day has stayed with me: “Courage is the most important of all virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” Courage with Doubt To go forth toward your goals and dreams with courage is ideal, especially so when paired with confidence. Problems arise when you courageously go forth while dragging your doubts, insecurities, and fears of failure along with …
How Committed Are You to Your Goals?
Where I live there are bound to be guys in flip flops and baggy pants with a hoodie pulled over their heads, hands shoved in their pockets and shoulders hugged up around their ears peering out at the waves. If I find them still pressed up against the railing on my return route, I think, You know you want to, and wonder, How committed are you to your goal of surfing? Falter Between Thinking about Doing Something and Taking Action Of course, I believe in planning if that’s your style—deciding …
Scenes Work but Placements Don’t
In a recent plot consultation, the author struggled with something so common I wrote about it in The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master and thought I'd share her difficulty with when scenes work but placements don't here. Her scenes work but where she has them placed in the plot does not work. This happens to all of us which is why a firm understanding of the Energetic Markers and the revision process in testing the markers is so helpful. When Scenes Work but …
Wrap-up How to Create a Universal Story Planner for Writers, Creatives, and Anyone with a Goal
Having spent approximately thirty minutes watching all six steps for How to Create A Universal Story Planner for Writers, Creatives, and Anyone with a Goal, you now have a visual map of how you plan to spend your time over the next few months. Together we’ve crafted and plotted a plan of action for success. With your completed guide to turn your goals into reality, you have a true sense of what’s expected of you. Excitement Builds I don’t know about you, but as I crafted my Universal Story …
Steps Five & Six Turn Your Goals Into Reality!
STEP FIVE: Energetic Markers In STEP ONE, you divided your Universal Story line into 4 parts to mirror the 4 phases you pass through on the way to achieving your goals. Within each of the 4 parts is an Energetic Marker or turning point you’ll face along the way to your goal. These 4 spots along the Universal Story Planner mark where the energy shifts higher and what’s expected of you intensifies. By marking these points on your Universal Story Planner, you’re better able to anticipate when …
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