Self Development – Jessica Of All Trades

July 24, 2023July 24, 2023

Becoming a Published Author: Embracing Independent Routes to Success

In the past, aspiring authors often faced the daunting challenge of securing a traditional publishing deal to see their work in print. However, with the rise of digital technology and the democratization of the publishing industry, aspiring writers now have an array of options to become published authors without relying on a large publisher. In this article, we will explore how to pursue a successful writing career by leveraging independent routes to publication.

Perfect Your Craft

The foundation of any successful author’s journey is honing their writing skills. Dedicate time to practice, read extensively, and seek constructive feedback from peers or writing communities. Joining local writing groups or online forums can provide valuable insights and opportunities to improve your writing.

Write with Purpose

Discover your niche and write with a clear purpose. Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or self-help, understanding your target audience and the message you want to convey will help you attract a loyal readership. Passion and authenticity in your writing will resonate with your audience and set you apart from the rest.

Edit and Polish Your Manuscript

Once you’ve completed your manuscript, editing and revision are essential. Consider hiring a professional editor or collaborating with beta readers to provide feedback. A polished manuscript increases your chances of creating a high-quality product that will be well-received by readers.

Embrace Self-Publishing

Self-publishing has revolutionized the writing industry, providing authors with an accessible platform to share their work. Numerous self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and Smashwords allow you to publish your book in e-book and print formats without any upfront costs.

Create a Professional Book Cover

A captivating book cover is crucial for attracting potential readers. If you’re not skilled in graphic design, consider hiring a freelance designer who specializes in book covers. A professionally designed cover will give your book the competitive edge it needs to stand out in a crowded market.

Build an Online Presence

Establishing an online presence is essential for independent authors. Create a professional website, start a blog, and engage with readers through social media platforms. Building a strong author brand will help you connect with your target audience and gain a dedicated following.

Utilize Marketing Strategies

Marketing is vital in the self-publishing world. Utilize various marketing strategies such as book giveaways, promotions, and collaborating with book bloggers or influencers in your genre. Building a mailing list of interested readers can also help you launch future books successfully.

Leverage Print-On-Demand Services

To offer paperback versions of your book without investing in a large print run, consider using print-on-demand (POD) services. Companies like KDP Print and IngramSpark allow you to distribute paperback copies of your book globally without holding physical inventory.

Network within the Writing Community

Networking within the writing community can lead to valuable opportunities. Attend writing conferences, join online writing forums, and connect with fellow writers, agents, and small publishers. Collaborations and mutual support can open doors to broader readership and potential publishing deals.

Never Stop Learning

Continuously educate yourself about the publishing industry and marketing trends. Stay adaptable and be willing to adjust your strategies to meet changing market demands. As an independent author, staying informed and open to growth will aid in your long-term success.

In today’s digital age, aspiring authors have unprecedented opportunities to publish their work without relying on a traditional publisher. By perfecting your craft, embracing self-publishing, building an online presence, and adopting effective marketing strategies, you can realize your dream of becoming a published author without the need for a large publisher. Remember, success in the independent publishing world requires perseverance, resilience, and a genuine passion for your craft. Embrace these challenges, and your writing journey can lead you to new and exciting horizons.

October 14, 2022

Surviving Burnout as a Freelancer

a stressed woman lying on a bed beside cellphones and a laptop

If you are a freelancer, you already know what I am going to say

I’ve been a freelancer for a few years now and have gone through periods of time where I feel burnt out, so I decided to see what are the common side effects of burnout and how to prevent. Upon finishing my research, I found a number of things that were alarming but, ways to ease burnout and try to find a balance between work and having a personal life.

Burnout is a real risk.

Burnout is a real risk. As a freelancer, you don’t have an employer to support your mental health by offering paid time off and free snacks in the office kitchen. If you don’t take care of your mental health, burnout will happen.

Burnout isn’t just about work; it’s also about life in general. You may feel like your workload is too much, but that might not be the main problem—it could be something else entirely!

If you are feeling burned out on projects or clients in general, it can lead to depression and other health issues. It’s important to identify these issues before they become serious problems for both yourself and those around you so that everyone can get some relief from stress and anxiety.

You’re only human and you have limits.

You’re only human, and you have limits. It’s important to recognize the fact that you can’t do everything, and that sometimes you’ll have to say no to things.

You need to put yourself first, too. If you don’t take care of yourself and your mental health, it’s very difficult for anyone else around you to do so either! Take breaks when possible; this includes lunch breaks, coffee breaks (vital!), as well as longer vacations from time-to-time (maybe even every once in a while). Set boundaries on how much work is too much for one day—and stick with them!

It’s not all about work.

The first thing to do when you’re burned out is to take a step back. This can be difficult if you feel like your job is your life, but it’s important to remember that there are other things in your life worth investing time in. You should take time off from work, make sure to relax and recharge, and try not to let work stress you out too much. If you have trouble doing this because of the nature of your freelancing business (for example, if clients need immediate responses), consider hiring someone part-time who can handle inquiries while you’re away.

If this sounds like an impossible task for people who have been freelancing for years or even decades on their own—if they’ve never taken vacations before—then consider whether it might be time for some new career goals. It might be time to switch careers altogether or change up how much time and energy goes into each job or client relationship.

Make time for yourself and your loved ones.

One of the best things you can do is make sure you’re taking time to recharge yourself. Don’t feel guilty about taking a holiday or spending some money on yourself, including going to see your friends and family.

There is no greater reminder that we are human than when we forget what it feels like to be in touch with our own humanity again. So take care of yourself!

Taking care of yourself will help you be a better freelancer.

As a freelancer, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle. But you’re only human and have limits! It’s important to take care of yourself so that you can stay productive and have a positive impact on your clients’ businesses.

Take vacations and breaks from work, even if it means working less for a period of time. If you’ve been working non-stop on a project for months on end, consider taking some time off from freelance work until you feel rested again. (And don’t be afraid to ask for help!) In addition to getting away from your desk every now and then, make sure that there are other things going on in your life outside of work as well—it doesn’t mean giving up all social activities; just find one or two nights out per week where friends are more important than staying at home working late into the night.”

Let this be a lesson

I’ve been there, and I know how hard it can be to find the balance. But here’s the thing: if you’re going to be a freelancer for any length of time, you need to protect yourself from burnout. It’s not just about getting work done—it’s about being able to sustain your business over time and avoid ending up with all your eggs in one basket. You have to be willing to put yourself first sometimes so that you can maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep doing what matters most to you as an individual. If you don’t do this, then it won’t matter how much money or success comes your way because eventually something will break down underneath all those pressures until there’s nothing left but ashes.

October 5, 2022

The Freelance Mindset

focused young ethnic woman with credit card and laptop

It’s a Lifestyle

Being a freelancer is a unique experience that has its own set of challenges, but there are also many benefits to being an independent worker. Being your own boss means you get to set your own hours and work on projects that interest you most, but it also comes with its own unique challenges — namely, the fact that you have no one else to rely on if things go wrong. However, if you approach being self-employed with the right mindset (and some good habits), then this type of lifestyle can be extremely satisfying and rewarding.

Be A Self-Motivator

The freelance mindset is not just about being motivated to do the work, it’s also about being a self-motivator.

You need to be able to motivate yourself when working hard isn’t fun anymore and you feel like giving up because guess what, at the end of the day work is still work even if you enjoy more than the 9–5 life.

You need motivation because sometimes it can be really easy not work hard at all, but if you want great results and high client satisfaction ratings (which will lead directly into more business), then these are some of the moments where you need extreme levels of motivation that come from within yourself instead of coming from an external source like another person or company pressuring you into doing things they way they want them done (or even worse yet: doing something wrong).

Don’t Expect The World To Work Like You Do

The world is not going to work like you do, and that’s okay.

You need to be flexible, adaptable, and willing to change your mind. You have to take criticism well because there will be plenty of it; if you can’t handle criticism then this job isn’t for you. But, that is not a bad thing because criticism can help you improve your abilities and learn. You also need a thick skin (not literally). The world is an unpredictable place — you can’t predict what people are going to say or how they’re going to act — so don’t expect the world around you or other people’s actions always fit neatly into boxes that make sense according the way your brain works. Be ready for anything!

Take Time To Reflect

It is important to take time to reflect, for two main reasons:

You need to understand your strengths and weaknesses so that you can optimize your performance.

It allows you to see things from the perspective of other people and business owners, which leads to better solutions. Some people call this process “thinking outside of the box” or “looking at things from different angles.”

To think about how best to approach reflection, let’s compare two different scenarios: scenario one is with no reflection; scenario two involves taking time out after each project or task has been completed, asking yourself a few questions, then coming back later with answers in mind when it comes time for review (this process can be repeated several times per day). Now imagine which scenario would lead toward more effective problem-solving and more positive results overall? I think that we all know the answer.

Don’t Just Work Hard, Work Smart Too

It’s not enough to work hard. You also have to work smart.

You can do all the work in the world, but if it’s not organized and you don’t schedule time for breaks, then you’ll burn out before your project is even half-finished. Trust me! I have done this a few times since I have been successfully freelancing for a year now. This is why it’s important to set goals and take regular breaks from your computer screen every few hours. It’s also important that you’re always using good equipment; keep a journal of what works best for you so that next time something goes wrong with your computer or phone or tablet, there will be no need for panic because everything has been documented ahead of time!

Always Plan Ahead

Planning ahead is a key part of being a successful freelancer. You need to be able to react quickly and adapt your schedule when the unexpected happens, but planning ahead is also an important part of the freelance mindset. Planning ahead means thinking about the future, and this can help you see what’s coming so you can prepare yourself for anything.

Take time to think about what lies ahead in your career or business goals, even if it’s just “What do I want to achieve next year?”, “What do I want to achieve in 5 years?”, and “What do I want to achieve in 10 years?” If you know where your freelancing career is heading and what steps are necessary to get there, then when someone asks if you have any plans for next week or next month (or next year), it will sound like music to their ears.

You are your own boss, which means you need to react like one.

You are your own boss, which means you need to react like one. As a freelancer, you don’t have anyone else to tell you what to do and when to do it.

You may think that being a freelancer is all about the money and getting paid well for doing work that you love (or at least love doing). You might think this because it’s how people sell being a freelancer online or through podcasts — but it’s not true! Just like any other job out there, being a freelancer isn’t always sunshine and rainbows; sometimes it can be downright difficult. The difference between those who succeed in their careers and those who fail has nothing to do with how hard they work or even how talented they are; instead, the key lies within their mindset: their ability to motivate themselves through difficult times; as well as their ability motivate others around them when things get tough as well…

This is only the Beginning

In the end, if you’re going to have a successful freelance career, it’s essential that you know what type of mindset will work for you and how to get into that mindset. The most important thing you can do is put yourself in a situation where you are constantly learning and growing as a freelancer. If this sounds like something that fits your life, then go out there and get started!

June 19, 2022

4 Essential Traits to Running A Business or Being Self Employed

photo of woman writing on tablet computer while using laptop

Running a business or being self employed is not a simple task nor is it suitable for everyone, it requires a unique set of skills that one must continuously work on throughout their career. With that said, let’s explore the essential traits that one would need in order to pursue the life of self employment or being a business owner.

1. Be an autodidact

For anyone who may not know, an autodidact is simply someone who is self taught. One who can teach themselves any skill or trade through a unique learning system that they have formed to accommodate their learning style that may not be suited for everybody. By being able to take a subject and create your own curriculum that is effective and allows room for improvement through trial and error. This is one of the best skills to have to achieve success in the realm of self employment or owning a business because you are able to teach yourself anything and not depend on a standard system to learn the things that interest you.

2. Have self discipline

The 9–5 life can be stressful depending on the field that you are in but, can be relatively straightforward in terms of day to day task. When faced with self-employment or running a business there isn’t a higher up saying when you have to get something done or when you have a deadline because you are your own boss at that point. Getting up early and beginning your to do list is on you and while no one will penalize you for not completing certain tasks in a specific time frame, you will see a number of people no longer desire to do business with you. To know when to work and play is another extremely essential skill in order to run a successful business or be able to maintain being self-employed.

3. Be a creative problem solver

Day to day tasks often are very unpredictable when you are self-employed or running a business. You could have a meeting in the morning, then need to finish a document by the end of the day, chase down payments by next week, create an ebook for a summer release, etc. In a nutshell, nothing is the same everyday so you need to be prepare to handle random things thrown at you everyday than expecting to have the same kinds of tasks all the time. This again goes back to being an autodidact and creating your own system for day to day things to ensure your own success!

4. Financial Literacy

When you are your own boss and not facing taxes with every pay check it is especially important to know how to move your money around. There is so much temptation to spend or misuse your money, however; everyone has to pay Uncle Sam at the end of the day. 30% of all of your income goes to the federal government and that doesn’t include special business tax depending on what kind of company you have, the state tax or any other special tax that you may be subjected to. It is important to know how to have a nest egg, how to have your money prepared for taxes, how to have health insurance, and buy food and maintain a roof over your head. Financial literacy is an everyday thing that any small business owner and self-employed person needs to know in order to create long sustaining success in this lifestyle.

What is another essential trait that I may have missed or you think is very important? Are you self employed or run your own business?

May 22, 2022May 22, 2022

The Business Mindset Evaluation: If You Answer Yes to Most of These 6 Questions, You are Ready to Start a Business!

Recently in the United States, a record breaking 4.4 million new businesses registered in late 2021. With this, we can conclude that we will see more people taking the risk, leaving the rat race and starting a path all their own that may inspire others. This now begs the questions, how do you know that you are ready to take those risks and make your own income? How do you know you have the mindset to begin this journey? If you can answer yes to most of these questions then you are definitely ready to take the leap of faith.

Are you comfortable with failure?

A huge roadblock for many people is the possibility of failing at an endeavor and feeling like there is no point if you can’t get it right. People who take the road of building a business or their own income, tend to see failure as the next step towards success. Trial and error are key components to making your own business. Because each business is unique in its own shape or form, people are the scientists behind their success, constantly making hypotheses and learning from mistake after mistake until they get it right.

Do you consider yourself a creative person?

One of the fun parts of running a business is being able to adjust solutions according to the situation. Need to make a logo? Work with a designer or learn to use Canva? Need to organize your finances, use Bill.com or Quickbooks? Working in the business of digital products, where do you expand? Managing online business? Make content about mindfulness? You are constantly thinking about what will be your next big idea to expand from where you are. Being able to know where you are and the different avenues you can go down are essential to make sure your business can survive for the next few years.

Do you mind working for free?

This is the most difficult one for myself as well but, is a hard truth that must be told to many looking to travel down this path. There are days and nights when you may be coming up with ideas or trying to make sure everything goes well when you launch a new product or service. It may be hours of editing or running around getting supplies to get things done for a deadline that you have created for yourself. Mind you all the free work that you are doing will pay off but instant results are never guaranteed so this is another key feature of being able to handle the business world in general.

Do you have a passion for the things you are interested in expanding on?

To avoid doing something that you do not enjoy, it is best to make sure you honestly love the field that you are pursuing. Why bother working on a fitness brand when you enjoy working out but don’t enjoy making videos or answering questions about the matter. Hobbies are hobbies, we do them because we enjoy them but do not always see them as a career interest. To be passionate, you must be interested in talking for hours about the subject, the different ways it can tie into other fields, and the future of this particular topic. Anything goes and ranges from pursuing a cooking career and brand to a prepping career and brand, just be passionate and know your niche.

Are you a patient person?

Patience is key in order for you to achieve the success that you are setting to have under your own business. It takes YEARS to see the results that you want, most people want to see their active and passive income equate to 6 figures within a few months and when that doesn’t happen, most people quit. The slow climb is what makes starting your own business or building your income worth wild. If waiting quite some time to get your business where it wants to be is something you are mentally prepared for, you should be fine!

Are you comfortable risking your own money?

This step usually determines the breaking point for some people. Another unfortunate truth for most but not all because in this day and age, crowd funding is very possible but, it does take time away from possibly saving up your own money to move forward with your endeavors. You are looking to invest a good portion of your income that could have been spent on eating out, going out drinking, or attending a concert to pursue your dreams. Tie into the fact that you have to do work for free sometimes, wait for results, and learn from mistakes; it’s understandable why people are hesitant to take this path.

The reward of working for yourself and pursuing your dreams by starting that business does make all these sacrifices worth it if you truly want it and believe in yourself. Your own hours, different avenues to explore, more control over your life; from my perspective, it would be personally hard to go back to the corporate world. I will end with a final note in that it is not a bad thing to not want to start a business and do other things. We are all unique and different so the concept of what will make us happy varies from person to person. Don’t be afraid to take risks but, don’t be afraid to say this is not for me :).

February 15, 2022

Success Matured Me, Entitlement Kept Me Juvenile

Inspired in part by Karine Alourde & Troyce TV

We all fall into the pattern of going to school, doing well in school, getting a scholarship to a great university, and finding your dream job and then living happily ever after… This saturated fantasy is complete bullsh*t. Pardon my language, but, this was the dream sold to myself and my generation. While most followed it, no one studied the subject that they really enjoyed and no one got their dream job. We wake up and realize how unhappy we are and how we didn’t achieve the things that we thought we would… or so that is what is easiest to think about. I broke away from this mindset during the pandemic and realized that although I wish I could have done some things differently in my educational career; I have control over everything I want to do now and I can pave my way to success and not follow the standard formula.

When I was getting close to graduating university, I was worried that this was the last big moment of success because once I finished school, I knew that I would have to start looking for a serious job… But I kept wondering if that was it. Was this the last big personal milestone? I knew that there were many things that I wanted to do like write a book, run my own company, expand myself creatively but, with the reality of how difficult it is to do all of this on your own without having a lot of money accessible. That’s what I believed until I was offered the chance to write my own book from a close friend who decided to open up their own publishing company. While this was an exciting new challenge and experience, it was going to cost me time and money but, I knew I had a story to share. It took 7 months of working extra hours at my job and hours of editing and translating from English to Spanish; it was some of the most stressful work that I had done since graduating but it was all worth it. By the end of those turbulent 7 months, I could officially say that I was a published author not just because I published my own book but, I went through the ups and downs to get there. There were moments that I thought this could really open so many doors for me and there were moments that I wanted to pull the plug on the whole book. But, I managed to get through and learn along the way how to publish a book and I can’t wait for the next project to come out to show my maturity and growth; learning from previous mistakes that I had made. What is disappointing is that many people do not know or understand this feeling.

To do something and achieve some kind of success, it takes time and dedication. We all went to university so that kind of success fades when you know that everyone did it and you feel less special due to the circumstances. After graduating, many people just work a job and enjoy their vices to hide their disappointment instead of saying “Hey! You know what? I am going to learn how to publish a book! I am going to learn to open up a business! I am going to learn how to speak French and move to France!” Instead, I often hear people complain about how they don’t have opportunities thrown at them or how they deserve opportunities because they did everything “correctly.” The truth is that there is no correct way of doing everything and that’s probably the scariest thing. With no clear definition of what is considered to be success, it is on the person to determine what is successful to them. Whining about how other people are doing things that you want to do whether it be opening up a business, running a YouTube channel, or whatever it may be will not get you anywhere because it takes hard work to get there. It may take weeks, months, or years of understanding a concept to get a step closer to being successful at whatever you are doing. However, in this day and age of instant gratification, why waste our time doing that when we have social media or dating apps to help? Or the help of our parents for that matter for those who were lucky to have parents pay for most of their ambitions. It takes someone having the balls to say that they are going to try something new and see if they succeed or not.

I am in no way saying that I am an insanely successful author, far from the point. But, I do feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that I am capable of doing such a thing and am able to connect with others who have taken this risk as well. There is no reason to not pursue the dreams that you once had before you went to university or started working because no one is going to hold your hand and tell you what to do all the time. It takes a degree of maturity and ambition to become your own teacher and only an unhealthy pattern of complaining and self-indulgent behaviors remain a juvenile child.

January 7, 2022

Superbia

man in white crew neck top reaching for the like

The Dopamine Don’t Hit Right

Elements inspired by Tick Tick… Boom

Ive been using again

I can’t help it

But, I know I shouldn’t

Every now and then

When I take it, I can forget every little thing

My failures that feel like a sting

The emptiness of a one night fling

But then, I forget the happy affairs

The light in my heart knowing someone cares

The wave of calm I feel knowing someone is there

It gets hard to tell what is real or not after a while

All the fake love, all the fake smiles

It feels so good, even though I look like a villain

How can you deny the love of millions?

How can you deny the praise of brilliance?

I keep going back again and again

Till eventually, I don’t know what’s real in the end