7 Weekly Book Marketing Goals You Can Adopt Today - (original post from Marketing Tips for Authors.)
Sometimes it seems like there are so many tips and suggestions for building sales of books that it is difficult to focus on anything. Several years ago this post arrived in my email inbox. When I have a great email like this, I usually put it in a folder in my email account marked as "best of marketing tips".
I know that I rarely open that folder, so I make myself write it down in a journal where I keep all things that are book related. That way, there is a chance that I actually will stumble upon it when I need a refresher course on what I need to be doing.
I suggest that you practice doing a few things well, before you try to tackle a whole book of things. The things that were suggested in the previous posts that I have written here are things that need to be done (website, postcards, relationships with authors and bookstores, etc) so don't throw those suggestions out. Theses are ideas that must be attended to each week:
1) Have a guest on your blog or be a guest on another blog. (This can be an interview of someone or an article someone writes for you.)
2) Comment on 10 blog posts. ( 10 different blogs) You only have to do 2 per day for 5 days.
3) Subscribe to 1 new blog per week to expand your knowledge base.
4) Implement 1 SEO strategy into your blog or website.
(SEO=Search Engine Optimization. It is important to make sure you are giving your blog or website the best chances at feeding the search engines. This is important to make sure searchers find your site when they are using keywords.
You don't have to be technical expert to implement simple SEO techniques. A quick visit to Google, YouTube, or even the search feature on your blog will give you easy things you can do each week for SEO.
This past week, I wrote an article for The Amarillo Christian Life Examiner. They were wanting content about people who are preparing for the end of the world in 2012. They said that writers didn't have to believe that the end was coming, but to do an article on your observations or beliefs...just something to do with this. The keyword they wanted us to use was 'preppers'. This would be a SEO. People who are looking for this kind of thing will see this article in the list of sites that have to do with this subject. Also, when I do an author interview, some of my keywords for the article to be found are always the author's name and titles as well as my name and genre. I will also include the words that describe the main points of the interview. This drives readers to my blog.
5) Help one author promote their book. (Share their book content on facebook, retweet a post about their book on twitter, do an interview, or do a review of their book on major book sites on the web.)
6) Introduce yourself to one new leader in your book's nich topic or genre.
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tony Angelo
Goals
The trouble with setting goals is knowing what is realistic and what is not. In the book process, at first, I thought it would be no problem selling thousands of books. All I would have to do is sell 100 or more in each state of the union and I would have 5000 books sold in no time. I reasoned that I could easily sell 2500 within my family and friends and that would mean only 50 in each state. Hmmm ...not so easy.
Reality set in pretty fast. I needed to develop people who believed in my project(s). I do have to say that there have been quite a few people who have taken to heart the project of getting my books out there to other people. I have had many pleasant surprises in this.
I want to have goals high enough to allow for the surprise of the miracleous, so I will lean to the side of impossibility.
What are your goals?
Today I want to introduce you to Tony Angelo, author of childrens books.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
Go-bez nibe: v clever firefly
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
The mesage is one of following the right path in life despite negative opposition.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
When I was in first grade but was a bad speller with a high vocabulary. My teachers seemed confused by that and would challenge. To Which they hi lighted mistakes, I did have a problem with that because my stories and reports still got high grades.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
trust honor & dignity
5. Are you a reader?
yes.
6. What are you reading right now?
world affairs, history & culture
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
yes. Honey I'm home. A story about adversaries learning trust "a bear & a bee fine each others strengths threw wants and needs. "I will be published & out by Christmas.
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
learning to market my book
9. Please put a description of each of your books here.
Children will adore this book because of what it teaches them about life.
Their parents will love the book because the book's lessons are so valuable
and important."
-- Dave Lieber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
tonyangelowriter@aol.com
> http://tonyangelo.weebly.com
The trouble with setting goals is knowing what is realistic and what is not. In the book process, at first, I thought it would be no problem selling thousands of books. All I would have to do is sell 100 or more in each state of the union and I would have 5000 books sold in no time. I reasoned that I could easily sell 2500 within my family and friends and that would mean only 50 in each state. Hmmm ...not so easy.
Reality set in pretty fast. I needed to develop people who believed in my project(s). I do have to say that there have been quite a few people who have taken to heart the project of getting my books out there to other people. I have had many pleasant surprises in this.
I want to have goals high enough to allow for the surprise of the miracleous, so I will lean to the side of impossibility.
What are your goals?
Today I want to introduce you to Tony Angelo, author of childrens books.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
Go-bez nibe: v clever firefly
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
The mesage is one of following the right path in life despite negative opposition.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
When I was in first grade but was a bad speller with a high vocabulary. My teachers seemed confused by that and would challenge. To Which they hi lighted mistakes, I did have a problem with that because my stories and reports still got high grades.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
trust honor & dignity
5. Are you a reader?
yes.
6. What are you reading right now?
world affairs, history & culture
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
yes. Honey I'm home. A story about adversaries learning trust "a bear & a bee fine each others strengths threw wants and needs. "I will be published & out by Christmas.
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
learning to market my book
9. Please put a description of each of your books here.
Children will adore this book because of what it teaches them about life.
Their parents will love the book because the book's lessons are so valuable
and important."
-- Dave Lieber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
tonyangelowriter@aol.com
> http://tonyangelo.weebly.com
Monday, October 5, 2009
Extraordinary by John Bevere
“Extraordinary- The Life You’re Meant to Live” by John Bevere, Best-Selling author of “The Bait of Satan” is about pursuing life above mediocrity. In this book Bevere says that greatness is within our grasp. The past few study books I have read are along those lines. I wondered if “there was anything new under the sun” when I sat down to read this book. Of course, a lot of the content has been said by many in many ways but if you are like me, it takes a lot of repetition to get a concept caught between the ears. Most of the time deeper thoughts seem to breeze through easily but this book built on the lessons of life that I have been struggling to learn and make part of my thinking.
The point I want to share with you is one that smacked me between the eyes…or should I say ears. He said that being extraordinary is not just for the very talented people in athletics, acting, and other high profile arenas of life. It is for the hairdresser, mother, businessman, trucker, secretary and all other walks of life too. He reminded me that the Christians of the New Testament were so amazing that one of their biggest problems was to keep other people from worshiping them as if they were superheroes. Let’s face it most of us Christians don’t have that problem.
“Extraordinary” will cause evaluation in motives, devotion, and trust in God. It is worth the time to read. You can get a copy at http://randomhouse.com.
Elaine Littau, author of “Nan’s Journey” and “Elk’s Resolve”
http://nansjourney.blogspot.com
The point I want to share with you is one that smacked me between the eyes…or should I say ears. He said that being extraordinary is not just for the very talented people in athletics, acting, and other high profile arenas of life. It is for the hairdresser, mother, businessman, trucker, secretary and all other walks of life too. He reminded me that the Christians of the New Testament were so amazing that one of their biggest problems was to keep other people from worshiping them as if they were superheroes. Let’s face it most of us Christians don’t have that problem.
“Extraordinary” will cause evaluation in motives, devotion, and trust in God. It is worth the time to read. You can get a copy at http://randomhouse.com.
Elaine Littau, author of “Nan’s Journey” and “Elk’s Resolve”
http://nansjourney.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
You Were Born For This by Bruce Wilkinson
You Were Born For This by Bruce Wilkenson was a very good read. On the cover it says, "7 Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles." This book details how you can open yourself up to live in a way that God can use you as a funnel to deliver miracles from His hand. One of the things that struck me is that I have to get out of my own skin and look around for someone who may be in need of something from God.
Mr. Wilkenson touches on four areas that all of us have concerns about. Part 4 challenged me a lot. It dealt with money, realizing dreams, and forgiveness. I believe that "You Were Born for This" will have the same impact in our world as "The Prayer of Jabez". Have a look at this video!
http://bit.ly/wGT7l Order from http://randomhouse.com/ I have a copy of this book to give to the first person who contacts me and requests it.
Expect miracles in your life!
Elaine Littau, author of Nan's Journey & Elk's Resolve
Mr. Wilkenson touches on four areas that all of us have concerns about. Part 4 challenged me a lot. It dealt with money, realizing dreams, and forgiveness. I believe that "You Were Born for This" will have the same impact in our world as "The Prayer of Jabez". Have a look at this video!
http://bit.ly/wGT7l Order from http://randomhouse.com/ I have a copy of this book to give to the first person who contacts me and requests it.
Expect miracles in your life!
Elaine Littau, author of Nan's Journey & Elk's Resolve
Sunday, May 24, 2009
"Put Your Dream to the Test- 10 Questions to Help You See It and Seize It" by John S. Maxwell
“Put Your Dream to the Test – Ten Questions to Help You See It and Seize It” by John C. Maxwell outlines practical steps to achieve the goal you set for your life. Some of the things I took away from reading this book are that in order to see your dream fulfilled you must have a clear idea of what your dream is, what success of the dream looks like, and what implementing the dream will cost. This is no “breeze through” book. This book has lists of questions the reader needs to work through with pen in hand. Most of these questions can only be answered after much thought and prayer. In that way it works as a handbook for success. There are many great examples of success, leadership, passion, perseverance, determination, talent, and results that inspire and help the reader to connect the dots. John Maxwell has given many years of his life to training and inspiring people to use their abilities to better their lives. This book is an extension of his work. The reader will be able to determine if their idea is actually wishful thinking or a real live dream that can bring personal satisfaction and inspire people.
Elaine Littau, author of “Nan’s Journey” & “Elk’s Resolve”
Elaine Littau, author of “Nan’s Journey” & “Elk’s Resolve”
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Biggest Loser
One of my favorite reality shows is "The Biggest Loser". Last night I watched the first episode of the new season. Some of the things the trainers said at the very beginning of the show really struck home with me. Things like: Don't just watch this while you are stuffing your face. You can do this too.
Then they showed the participants at the doctor's office. The MRI images (or whatever they were) showed how cramped up the lungs can get from belly fat. Also they showed how fat begins to infiltrate the liver and other organs. It really isn't about looks. It is about health.
I have been like so many other "loser want to be's" and thought mostly about the physical attractiveness of a fit body. I still want to look better, but now I want to be stronger and be fit. I want to have stamina and strength. I want to grow to be a healthy woman until the day I die.
I got an eliptical for Christmas and have begun using it. My sweet daughter-in-law encouraged me to go ahead and do what I can even if it is only 3 minutes at a time at first. I took her advice and began with 3 minutes. The next time I did 4 minutes. Yesterday I was up to 8 minutes and did 8 minutes in the a.m. and p.m. Most people can do more than I can right now, but that is ok. I am making progress and I won't be stopping any time soon.
At first I was upset that I couldn't do any more than 3 minutes but I am so out of shape that is where I have to start. I will not be out of shape for long!
The Biggest Loser is an inspirational show that has really shown me that I can do this. I am going to stick my plump neck out here and tell you that every Monday I will give you a progress report. Hopefully each week I can tell you about minutes added to the eliptical workout, pounds and inches lost, and encourage you to do the same. Tell me your stuff too!
Then they showed the participants at the doctor's office. The MRI images (or whatever they were) showed how cramped up the lungs can get from belly fat. Also they showed how fat begins to infiltrate the liver and other organs. It really isn't about looks. It is about health.
I have been like so many other "loser want to be's" and thought mostly about the physical attractiveness of a fit body. I still want to look better, but now I want to be stronger and be fit. I want to have stamina and strength. I want to grow to be a healthy woman until the day I die.
I got an eliptical for Christmas and have begun using it. My sweet daughter-in-law encouraged me to go ahead and do what I can even if it is only 3 minutes at a time at first. I took her advice and began with 3 minutes. The next time I did 4 minutes. Yesterday I was up to 8 minutes and did 8 minutes in the a.m. and p.m. Most people can do more than I can right now, but that is ok. I am making progress and I won't be stopping any time soon.
At first I was upset that I couldn't do any more than 3 minutes but I am so out of shape that is where I have to start. I will not be out of shape for long!
The Biggest Loser is an inspirational show that has really shown me that I can do this. I am going to stick my plump neck out here and tell you that every Monday I will give you a progress report. Hopefully each week I can tell you about minutes added to the eliptical workout, pounds and inches lost, and encourage you to do the same. Tell me your stuff too!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Resolution/Resolve
Happy New Year 2009! Yep, it's that time again. New Year's resolutions. For the first time in my life I finally looked up what the word "resolution" is defined as in the dictionary. Webster's New World College dictionary says:
resolution 1. a)the act or process of resolving something or breaking it up into its constituent parts or elements.
2. a) resolving or determining; deciding b) the thing determined upon; decision as to future action; resolve
3. a resolute quality of mind
4. a formal statement of opinion or determination adopted by an assembly or other formal group 5. a solving, as of a puzzle, or answering, as of a question; solution
6. that part of a play, novel, etc. in which the plot is explained or made clear
7. Med. the subsidence or disapperance of swelling, fever, or other manifestation of disease.
8. Music the passing of a dissonant chord or tone in a cord to a consonant cord or tone
9. Physics te capability of an optical system or other imaging system, of making clear and distinguishable the separate parts or components of an object.
If you are like me, that is a bit much! I suppose the New Year's Resolution falls under the #2 catagory, but it takes the resolute quality of mind to follow through along with the answering of a question. "What exactly am I resolving to do?" To follow through with a resolution you have to break it up into doable parts...and it helps to have and "assembly" of people to help you stay with it.
My new book's name is "Elk's Resolve". Elk had to make a decision to overcome his circumstances and become his own man. He determined to not let the negative events in his life define him. Resolve is defined as fixed in purpose or intention. Sometimes it takes that kind of grit to step away from the knee jerk reactions and take the high road. In my experience that is easier said than done. Reactive words seem to hover at the tip of the tongue. Noble words seem to have to be sought out in the far recesses of the mind. (Am I alone here?)
What are my goals or resolutions for 2009? That is tough but I will make a stab at it.
1. I desire to grow closer to the Lord.
2. I desire to be a sweeter wife and mother...grandmother...sister...friend..etc
3. I want to improve my writing and marketing skills.
4. I want to reach 5000 books sold for "Nan's Journey" and at least 2000 for "Elk's Resolve" by 2010.
5. I want to submit Book III of Nan's Heritage Series to the publisher for consideration to the publisher before 2010.
6. I want to do more speaking events and meet more readers this year.
7. I want to get physically fit, thus, lose weight so that I can be stronger.
8. I want to read 25 books this year.
9. I want to finish book #4 and #5 before 2010.
10. I want to open for whatever the Lord has in mind for me.
How did I do with my goals for 2008?
1. I sold 1119 copies of "Nan's Journey"
2. I maintained my weight loss from the summer before although I did not lose the pounds I wanted to.
3. Get out of debt...nope, still in there! That is something we are gaining on, but still have to work on.
4. Read 24 books! Yea! I still have a stack of about 20 that I can't wait to get to.
5. Write more. Yep, I was much more disciplined with that.
How did you do?
resolution 1. a)the act or process of resolving something or breaking it up into its constituent parts or elements.
2. a) resolving or determining; deciding b) the thing determined upon; decision as to future action; resolve
3. a resolute quality of mind
4. a formal statement of opinion or determination adopted by an assembly or other formal group 5. a solving, as of a puzzle, or answering, as of a question; solution
6. that part of a play, novel, etc. in which the plot is explained or made clear
7. Med. the subsidence or disapperance of swelling, fever, or other manifestation of disease.
8. Music the passing of a dissonant chord or tone in a cord to a consonant cord or tone
9. Physics te capability of an optical system or other imaging system, of making clear and distinguishable the separate parts or components of an object.
If you are like me, that is a bit much! I suppose the New Year's Resolution falls under the #2 catagory, but it takes the resolute quality of mind to follow through along with the answering of a question. "What exactly am I resolving to do?" To follow through with a resolution you have to break it up into doable parts...and it helps to have and "assembly" of people to help you stay with it.
My new book's name is "Elk's Resolve". Elk had to make a decision to overcome his circumstances and become his own man. He determined to not let the negative events in his life define him. Resolve is defined as fixed in purpose or intention. Sometimes it takes that kind of grit to step away from the knee jerk reactions and take the high road. In my experience that is easier said than done. Reactive words seem to hover at the tip of the tongue. Noble words seem to have to be sought out in the far recesses of the mind. (Am I alone here?)
What are my goals or resolutions for 2009? That is tough but I will make a stab at it.
1. I desire to grow closer to the Lord.
2. I desire to be a sweeter wife and mother...grandmother...sister...friend..etc
3. I want to improve my writing and marketing skills.
4. I want to reach 5000 books sold for "Nan's Journey" and at least 2000 for "Elk's Resolve" by 2010.
5. I want to submit Book III of Nan's Heritage Series to the publisher for consideration to the publisher before 2010.
6. I want to do more speaking events and meet more readers this year.
7. I want to get physically fit, thus, lose weight so that I can be stronger.
8. I want to read 25 books this year.
9. I want to finish book #4 and #5 before 2010.
10. I want to open for whatever the Lord has in mind for me.
How did I do with my goals for 2008?
1. I sold 1119 copies of "Nan's Journey"
2. I maintained my weight loss from the summer before although I did not lose the pounds I wanted to.
3. Get out of debt...nope, still in there! That is something we are gaining on, but still have to work on.
4. Read 24 books! Yea! I still have a stack of about 20 that I can't wait to get to.
5. Write more. Yep, I was much more disciplined with that.
How did you do?
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Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JOYCE MEYER is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman, Look Great, Feel Great, and the entire Battlefield of the Mindfamily of books. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life® radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $16.99
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446509396
ISBN-13: 978-0446509398
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Introduction
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything elseówe are the busiest people in the world.
ÓERIC HOFFER
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
—Hebrews 12:2
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
The Blog Tour for "Nan's Journey" Begins July 23
It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and his/her book:
Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Littau is a life-long resident of Perryton, TX. She met husband, Terry at the Apostolic Faith Bible College in Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1974. They married March 1, 1975 and reside on a small acreage near Perryton where they enjoy spending time with their family and friends. They raised three sons and now have three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren added to their family. They also enjoy visiting with their extended family located in Perryton, Clear Lake, Laverne, and Amarillo.
Author Elaine Littau is a busy woman who by profession is the church secretary for Harvest Time First Assembly of God Church in Perryton. Among other things she has led women’s groups and taught preschool, and was a mentor for the M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers) group in her community. She has been active in Toastmasters and enjoys painting, crafts, and playing piano and organ. She was recently appointed to the Campus Education Improvement Committee for Wright Elementary in Perryton. She belongs to Christian Storytellers and Faith Writers writing groups.
“Nan’s Journey” was written over the course of several years. “A salvation message is at the core of the book.” Littau says. “If it weren’t for the Lord, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I truly enjoy meeting new people.”
Littau is currently working on two other books that are continuations of “Nan’s Journey.” Book signings and speaking engagements are currently set up for venues in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Oregon.
Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602478325
ISBN-13: 978-1602478329
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Chapter One
It was late. The moon had risen and the night symphony was in full force. Crickets chirped at their rivals, the frogs, and dominated the night chorus. Only one sound in the forest was foreign—a whimper from under the ferns. At the base of the largest pine in the woods was a small form crying, moaning, and whimpering. Black hair, matted and dirty, hung in long ropes down the front of the tiny girl. She had been in this spot for hours. At least that is what it felt like to her. Stretching, she cried out in pain. The blood-covered welts burst open to bleed again. Her back was wet with blood, and her dress was torn and useless.
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Westminster CO
Great book signing in Colorado!
Mardel Bookstore in Littleton, CO
Booksigning - Elaine