Website Development: Become Your Own Expert Starting and maintaining a business is challenging enough without the additional financial burden of hiring a web site expert to put your vision on paper. If you are starting your business on a “shoe string budget,” hiring someone to take your written materials to type in a basic format, add a few pictures and edit what you tell them periodically may not be sound money management. It is not necessary to be a computer “wiz” to develop your web site. You do have to know your product or service and be able to follow directions. Even if you have a web site consultant, “hands on” content and presentation development will be your responsibility—the buck still stops with you. Before you hire that web site expert, consider [...]

Writing begins with your imagination. Ideas formulate as a result of your interpretation of experiences you've had, what others have written, or a spiritual revelation you've felt. No matter the source, something within your imagination created the thought that birthed an idea for your writing. If you feel empty or lost for topics, go back to what ever it is that "tickles" your creative juices. If it means spending time browsing the bookstore or museum, taking a walk in the park or on the beach, listening to your favorite music, or just spending quiet time alone, schedule the time and do it. Discovering what you like to write can be an exciting adventure. It is very important to explore and not place limits on your talents. Before settling into any one particular subject [...]

Responding to Preparation Challenges. One of the major areas of attack when preparing to write is addressing and adjusting to the variety of environmental, physical, and emotional distractions you may encounter. It may seem easier to thread a needle with a camel than achieving the goal of completing that perfect draft. Frustration is often magnified if, instead of stepping back from the situation, you push creating additional pressure to perform and complete the task. Sometimes it is best to enter the arena of "free flow writing" by journaling your thoughts. Journaling provides an opportunity for you to release feelings and emotions about a particular topic or situation without the burden of perfecting a task. Journaling does not require lengthy preparation or formal training. It does require you to make a commitment and spend quiet [...]