#15- Unpacking 3 Gifts from Your Own Story

WIth Christmas upon us, what better time to give away another snippet of my recent book on writing.  We'll begin today where we left off while talking about back story.

"Moving along farther in the life of “Backwoods Bob” we find that in sixth grade he started fishing the Spring River rather than doing homework after school.  There he regularly caught Rainbow Trout and bought a handbook to identify different trees, animals and flowers. 

After barely getting into the local Community College he pursued a degree in Environmental Science, but was unable to finish because he lost his job painting houses during the summer of his Freshman year.  His grandfather would have helped him but he developed....you guessed it- cancer....and spent the remainder of his life savings in the Pleasant Valley Nursing home.  On top of that he met a girl named Christine Bates one day while walking down to the river.  

She had tripped over a root and her book bag opened up spilling a couple of books, one  being the same exact book Bob bought back in sixth grade.  

They went to the movies, ate pizza on Friday nights, played cards on Labor Day weekend, then....You guessed it.  She started losing weight, and energy, and the sparkle in her eye and she went to her doctor and found out she had.....

Right again, cancer.  Six months later Bob placed his copy of “The Roadside book of Ecology” in her casket before they closed it forever".

1.  Your own back story is perfectly preserved like an ant in pine resin.  You can pick at it, dissect it and rearrange it however you like.

2.  You could write a book based on your back story.  It's sure to be original and the world is waiting to hear it.

3.  A better understanding of your back story will help you determine the design of future chapters.

Back story is vitally important because it helps us to realize where people are coming from and what motivates them.  Your story without it's backstory is like a sky without stars.

We hope and pray you will find peace and joy in the New Year as you continue to make sense of your own story and write future chapters.  Merry Christmas!

#14- 3 Elements of Your Backstory

We all have a backstory.

Our backstory is the story that has led us up to this point in our lives.  This is the exciting element of meeting someone new: you get to hear their backstory.  I've chosen to take a snippet from my book on writing to help you get a better idea of how powerful backstory is.

"O.K, so lets say the main character of your story is Backwoods Bob. Where did he come from? What has led him up to this point in the story you are about to begin. Did he rob a bank in Toledo, to donate to a benevolent charity. A charity he felt passionate about but otherwise could not contribute to. Maybe a girl broke his heart and he left his job with UPS and used his savings to buy a one way ticket to Fairbanks Alaska. 

Until you’ve thought about your backstory you are not ready to write. Period. 

Bob. Backwoods Bob that is. His real name might be Robert Livingston. Well, he has a history. He has baggage. There’s a reason he lives in isolation. You can go back even further. Maybe in first grade his best friend died of cancer. Wait, not just any friend, Petey Ricker. He met Petey the first day of Kindergarten when Petey stuck up for him on the bus when Tom Tanks, the village bully, was threatening to punch Bob in the nose. Petey hit Tom Tanks over the head with his brown bag lunch and the rest is history."

So what's your backstory?  Take some time to reflect and you may be surprised.  Beautiful overtones in your story will arise when you take time to know your backstory.  Consider the fact that we all are a bundle of strengths and weaknesses and the story gets even better.

Here are three important elements of backstory.

1) Place: Nothing tells us more about a person than the places they've lived and their influences.

2) People: We're able to piece the puzzle together even more when we're introduced to the people who have impacted a character's life.

3) Poetry: Good backstory doesn't tell, it shows.  For example, instead of writing "Joe grew during those months", tell us how he grew.  For example, "Joe began spending extra time in the gym and taking frequent walks by the river after dinner."

In the days and weeks that come, I pray that you will begin to see the beauty in your own story and the lives of others.  What better time of year to go someplace quiet and think back on your amazing journey as you begin to think about the future.  

Merry Christmas!  I'd love to hear what your thoughts are on this subject.  Feel free to comment below.

#13- Love Is a Verb

Here is a snippet from my latest book taken from the introduction.  

When I was just a young boy, I used to visit my grandfather’s dairy farm in upstate New York. To this day, I’ve never encountered such a mystical place on the entire planet. It was a world unto itself and I was blessed to spend many wonderful hours roaming its magical landscape.

One winter my grandfather decided to get one of the old snowmobiles running for me to ride. I can still see him in the dim old barn pulling on the pull cord for hours and smell the ether he sprayed into the carburetor. He only had a limited amount of time in the afternoon between the morning and evening milkings and that day he spent it resurrecting the old Sno Jet.

By day’s end, the fields surrounding the barn were laced with pink ribbons in the setting sun and I was ready for some hot chocolate.

My grandfather passed away on August 11, 1995 but I’ve never forgotten the story of his love.

Speaking of stories, this book was a lot of fun to write and I hope it will be equally enjoyable to read! William Shakespeare I am not, but I truly believe this book has the potential to help you, regardless of where you are on your journey. If I could emphasize just one thing, it’s this: start today. Whether you decide to just pen some doggerel on a scrap of brown paper bag or go out and buy a fancy leather bound journal, start now. Ready-Go-Set!

I hope your heart was warmed by this story.  My grandfather's single act of love has spoken volumes to me throughout the years.  I hope it will encourage all of us to carve out and make time for 'others'.  What better time to make a difference than the holidays.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!  Stick around in 2015 and we'll help you have your best year yet.  In the meantime, stay tuned in the days to come as I release more samples from the book.  

The following sample was taken from my latest book: "Set the Hook!  5 Powerful Storytelling Secrets."

#12- 4 Ways to Find Direction

Most of us have watched the guy or gal throwing the dart over their shoulder at a map.  In fact, some of us have done that ourselves.  The options were just too many or not enough, so we decided to leave our fates to chance.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Spontaneity is not a bad thing.  We make instant decisions everyday.  We don’t have to think about what toothbrush to use or what car we’ll drive to work- unless we’re Jay Leno or Billy Joel.

In the meantime, here are 4 guidelines that will help you make more informed choices.

1. Core values and beliefs: Cast these away when making an important decision and you're in big trouble!  You’ll be hounded by a fiend called regret.  Many people can trace unhappiness back to decisions that were made years ago when they forgot about their values and beliefs “just once!”.

2. Patterns:  That’s right.  What types of things have you thought about on a regular basis over the years?  What are your dreams?  Maybe, just maybe that crazy dream you’ve had is God inspired.  That’s right.  He made you and He is capable of directing your life and inspiring you.  Maybe it’s time to re-examine that dream that you put aside years ago because all of your friends said you were crazy.

3. Habits: Similar to patterns but different.  This has more to do with your wiring.  Nobody knows you like you know yourself.  For example, why apply for a job that requires getting up at 4 a.m if you know that you HATE getting up.  Don’t deceive yourself with the idea that the money will outweigh the discomfort.  Ignore your habits or wiring and you may be in for some trouble.

4. Friends and family:  O.k, there are a couple of groups who have unique insights into your life other than yourself.  Why?  Because they’ve lived with you or known you for a long time.  Sometimes one of the best things you can do is ask someone’s opinion who is close to you.  Better yet ask a number of people who know you well.

It all boils down to character.  All characters are a bundle of strengths and weaknesses.  

The bible says: “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”  Proverbs 20: 7.  Remember the well- written novel you read or the movie you watched.  After awhile you got so you could predict what any given character was going to do.  Why?  Because our characteristics are the seed bed for our behaviors.  

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic.

#11- 3 Tools to Help You Rewrite Your Life

On June 1st  this past year I received the following text:  “Happy Birthday!  This will be your best year yet!”  Yeah, Yeah, Yeah I thought to myself.  How does he know?

Backing up some, this past year started out as business as usual.  Despite accomplishments in the past I had gravitated toward the path of least resistance.  Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about.  

That all changed when I made a friend who began coaching me back toward the mountain.  The results have been phenomenal!  Not even a year later, I’ve written four books, started a blog and platform, regained balance, increased leadership skills and maintained a high level of personal satisfaction.  Upon reflection, I can truly say it’s been my best year yet!

Recently we proclaimed from the rooftops that despite your past, you have the power to write the next chapter of your life.  I also shared with you my latest book and the potential it has to improve not only your writing but your life.  

Yes, I still want you to buy the book!  But in the meantime I wanted to share 3 tools that will help you write the best chapter yet of your life.

• The first tool on the list is a D.I.S.C test.  They can be found online for free or purchased.  Again, you usually get what you pay for.  This test has the potential to open your eyes more than you could ever imagine.  It will not only tell you how you are wired, but give you a roadmap for the future as well as an explanation of the past.  Whatever you do, make sure you team up with someone who can help you to unpack the test results.

• The second tool is outsourcing.  We all have a limited amount of time and many things      we’d like to accomplish.  When you outsource, other people work for you while you sleep or work on things that only you can do.  There are many websites to get you started.  Two of mine are Fiverr (hire a freelancer to do a particular job) and Elance.  If you've enjoyed this blog and want to investigate Elance, here is an affiliate link :https://www.elance.com/?rid=4T3ZM.  These types of sites allow you to hire virtual assistants, some with skills you don’t possess for a relatively inexpensive fee.  For example, rather than teaching yourself photoshop you save a ton of time paying someone who has mastered it.  The cover of ‘Set the Hook’ was produced by an Elance freelancer.

-The third tool is a coach!  Surprise, Surprise, I won’t apologize.  Like virtual assistants, in the words of pastor/teacher Andy Stanley: “A mentor will help you go further, faster!”  I’ve found this true in my own life and guarantee you the same results.  The last time I met with my coach, he provided me with information and tools to help me in a matter of minutes.  That’s right, in an hour’s time, I received the fruits of his labor and experience- some of which took years to acquire.

I still remember the “This will be your best year yet!” text like it was yesterday.  The question is can this be your best year yet?  That’s up to you.  If you’re looking for help, be sure to download a copy of my latest book.  What are your thoughts?  Please feel free to comment below!

Here’s the link: B00R4UBKB2

#10- Making Sense Of Your Life Story

When it comes to life, there is one thing we all have in common.  We all have a life story.  Mine began in Saratoga Springs on June 1, 1971.  Since then, life has been nothing short of an adventure.  During that journey there's one thing I've learned.  We can all change the course of our life story.

Before I explain further, I want you to know that I'm not downplaying the tragedy or hurts you've experienced in your own life.  And I'm not going to give you a pat answer to explain why these things have happened.  But, you do have a choice when reacting to what's happened to you.

Why not decide to plot the rest of your life and finish your story in a noble way?  We've all done things in the past, that we can't change, but today is a fresh page!

In 1 Peter 4:10 we read: "Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God."

I've written a book that will help you rewrite your life story.  In it, you'll discover how to make your own personal story a great one.

Furthermore, in the days that come, we'll talk more about this subject.

In the meantime, you can download your own copy of the book on Amazon.com.  Be sure to buy it now while it's still inexpensive because I plan to un publish it in the near future and make it part of a larger bundle.

This is the link to buy the book.

#9- The Meaning of Waiting

You waited and waited and the letter finally arrived.  You opened it quickly and read only to find out that you would have to wait again!  Fun stuff, right?  Not really.  The truth is, few people enjoy waiting.  

A friend of mine right now has a child who is ill.  They've waited and waited for answers and they're still waiting.  Chances are they'll be waiting a long time.

In time, we realize life is a cycle of ebb and flow, abundance and scarcity, health and illness, feast and famine.  Introduce physics to the equation and everything has a tendency to want to come apart!  Plug one hole in the proverbial dyke and there are two more.  Eventually you run out of fingers and duct tape.

So what is the meaning of waiting?  Why are we always anticipating something before it happens?

It's a question many have pondered but few have answered.  Maybe the answer is waiting with meaning.  Again, the waiting game keeps repeating itself, so why fight it?  Instead, we can decide to man our stations and put our shoulders into the load.

Ponder the weather too much and you'll never plant.  Wait for the boom and it will be too late.  You want to get to where the ball is going to be, not where it's already been.

Anyone who will leverage this principle of waiting with meaning will reap aplenty.

Is your problem a financial one?  Get to work- inactivity is not going to help.  Relational?  Get out from under your covers and get out of your apartment.  Better yet, go for a run!

Something happens when we take action in a determined direction.

In fact, there's never a good time to worry.  Plan?  Yes!  Pray?  Absolutely!  But while you're praying, put on your overalls.  If you have the power to do something good, do it.

Please be sure to comment and let us know what you're waiting for and how you're passing the time while doing so.

#8- Tis’ the Season to be Blue?

It’s that time of year again.  The radio stations are playing Christmas music and the marketing world is tuning up to deliver their grand symphony for the year.  For some, this season brings great joy- others feel down.  Regardless of your station in life at this time of the year, here is a helpful lesson.

An upbeat guy that I know once made the following statement: “Whenever I feel depressed, I get off the couch and do something.  I’m dead serious!  That’s what he said.

Profound right?

I know, but it resonated with me deeply.  Reflect back on times when you were depressed and chances are they were times of very little personal activity.  This mentality is reflected when we hear sayings like: “The economy is depressed.  Or, the job market, etc.”  The idea is that not much of anything is going on.

I’m not suggesting that you get overly busy just to forget about how you really feel.  That's a recipe for work-a-holicism.  What I am suggesting is that you make a plan to move forward.

For example, maybe you’re depressed because you’ve put a major decision in your life on hold.  Or, maybe you’ve procrastinated about painting your son or daughter’s bedroom.  You know you’d like it to look better but tomorrow’s another day.  Maybe you’ve taken too long to execute a loan that will lower an interest rate.  A dream deferred makes the heart grow sick.

Taking action just might be what it takes to dislodge the log jam in your river of life.  So get out of the snowbank and get to work.  Before you know it you’ll be burning your couch.