This past week I was trying to “get it together” and come up with a marketing plan for all the good work I’ve been doing this past year.
The good work includes finishing and publishing four books, creating a website with a blog, and offering one of the books I finished as a free option for those who are willing to part with their email address. I created and published two podcasts, one focused on frugal living and one focused on visualization exercises.
I began exploring social media including setting up a FaceBook page, and creating an Instagram account. I find social media the most difficult aspect of the work I do, I just don’t get it, nor do I find it appealing. But I will persist because I understand I am fortunate to live like a magical space emperor.
We have great opportunity in our reach
Imagine having the opportunity to broadcast your message to the world in the fifteenth century? This was pre printing press times. In the Americas the Aztec and Incas ruled. If you wanted to share your love of succulents or embroidery, you could share your knowledge with your best friend, or your sister, but not in writing. Even if you had magical space emperor powers and could read and write, most women couldn’t read or write, at least in European populations. I did look for literacy rates for other populations during the fifteenth century however I was not able to find information. Chalk that up to my poor search engine skills, or the heavy bias the search engine algorithms incorporate.
If you think I’m kidding about search engine bias just look up “best orators” (four are women of the top fifty one) “best painters” (four are women of top fifty one) “best tennis players” (five are women of the top fifty one) “soccer” (two women listed in the top fifty one), “science” (two women of the top fifty one) “poets” (eight of fifty one are women), “mathematicians” (three women of fifty one). Naturally the ratio of men listed to women listed isn’t due to women not participating, it’s a matter of women not being recognized for the work they do. I blame the algorithm for not providing information for other than European populations. END of rant.
Asking my future self for help
One task I set out to complete today was to consider my aim with marketing or even a starting place. I sat down, put on my headphones and used my podcast “Your Future Self: A Time Travelers Guided Visualization Podcast for Intentional Well Being” and listened to the visualization for Career. It was helpful to gain clarity, but it was also enlightening. I don’t go back in time often, but I’ve found that when I do I am often quite pleased with the results of my prior efforts. My visualization exercises work really well for me. In fact I created my podcast and the companion workbook because I needed a guided meditation that worked at the pace I needed it to. It felt good to know I produced a solid podcast that I’m proud of and that’s useful for me, and hopefully others.
All of the tasks listed above have been a lot of work, but good work, work that I’m proud of.
What to do when you feel unsure
When you are feeling unsure, take a moment to reflect on past achievements. It’s due to past achievements that I feel confident I can succeed in my future as a writer promoting the ideas that really move my heart, like working past retirement age, living a frugal life and using mindfulness to enhance my experiences. I have failed plenty, but mostly I have thrived. I plan to continue thriving as I move forward in my life.
Here’s how I’ll do it-
- Focus on completing tasks that are very important first
- Try not to waste time on the internet looking at very cute cats
- Use binaural beats and good music to motivate my work
- Block out distraction with noise cancelling headphones
- Use technology to streamline my regular processes
- Learn new things each day
- Fail, then get back on track, fail again, get back on track again and repeat until I get it right
- Find communities of like minded people for support
Next time I write a blog I’ll get back to the ten habits I hope to incorporate into my life style this year.
You can find my podcast “Your Future Self: A Time Travelers Guided Visualization Podcast for Intentional Well Being” on Spotify and the companion book on Amazon Your Future Self Workbook: A Time Travelers Manifestation Workbook for Intentional Well Being