Round 2: Doubt to Confidence #2, Test Prep Company

 I was blown away by the increase in ACT scores students were reporting. Going from a 29 to 33 - or a 32 to the perfect 36! Were these a few outliers? Or was it common practice for all students enrolled in this test prep to have such a big point increase? I'd heard of other companies promising a 2+ gain, but this one had outcomes that seemed too good to be true.

For this company, a 4+ point increase is the norm - NOT the exception. In fact, it's the baseline they guarantee for all students who enroll in their programs. The individualized tutoring targets the areas a student can get the BIGGEST gains in. It's a fact that not all subjects are tested equally - so focusing study time on knowing the most tested categories can increase scores the most. It requires more work for the company to know which subjects to prepare students in. They take the extra time and study the percentages of questions asked in categories so you don't have to. And that's where you can be confident that their test prep will grant you a 4+ increase on the ACT.  To experience these sort of gains, sign up now for a first appointment. Let Method Learning become Your Method for Test Prep. 

Round 2: Doubt to Confidence #1, Gap Year Company

 I was so concerned that my son's idea of taking a "gap year" would become a "forever gap". How would he ever get back to school?  Wouldn't his year off be seen as slacking by his eventual employers.  

It turns out my fears were groundless. In fact, a gap year wouldn't be a strike against his resume...it was actually a strength!  A gap year - well spent - can offer the experience needed for landing an internship in college or getting the right first job after college. My son's gap year helped him stand-out during the application and interview process, landing his dream job 3 months before he graduated college.

A Gap Year is exactly what is needed in this new economy where experience is just as important as a degree. Maybe more. The Gap Year can be an asset on a resume, when planned right. Gap Year Solutions is the company to plan an individualized gap year that will be enjoyable and pay off in the long-run. Start talking about what a Gap Year can look for you by signing up for a 15-minute consultation with one of our Counselors. 

Round 2: Empathy through Shared Misery Practice #2, In College Advising Company

Are you in your freshman year, and wondering why your Professor keeps mentioning office hours during class?  What is he talking about, and why does it even matter? Don't feel embarrassed that you don't know - it's not explained to any students during freshman orientation.  Sure, they tell you where to pay your tuition and when finals week will be - but what about how to prepare for the final?  

The problem is - most of high school focuses on getting INTO college.  You hear a lot about keeping up a GPA, extra-curriculars, and test scores.  The goal for years was to begin college. Once there, there are limited, if any, instructions. You arrive at class and study and work hard, but you're falling behind, and you aren't sure what you're missing.

This is 100% not your fault. 

All the Professors and Financial Aid Advisors and General Advisors think someone else is giving you the 'unwritten rules of college success'. 

The reality is no one is.

It's time to have a personal mentor for college. Someone that is taking time to teach how to:

• navigate the system. 
• understanding and using office hours.
• network for summer internshipss.
• learning to maximize your study time.  

You didn't know this before, but you know it now.

Let's get started.

Round 2: Empathy through Shared Misery Practice #1, Soccer Coach Program

Have you ever been frozen during the half-time speech to your team? The only phrase you can string together is find the back of the net. You're in way over your head, and it's showing at games. It's mid-season, and your team haven't won a game.  They were great at recreation level, but jumping to competition level was more than you bargained for.  And while you JV in high school, you suddenly realize you're in way over your head.

Don't feel bad.  This happens to a lot of coaches.  The problem is, you start coaching to be with your son or daughter and the first year it's fun. You're playing sharks and minnows at practice, and lightning rounds on goal. Your team plays games and wins and it feels amazing. You feel like you can move up with the team to the competitive level, and you do. But the games get harder, and your team is losing. And it's not fun anymore. You're still holding practices and running drills, but it isn't enough. Sharks and minnows simply isn't enough at this level, but you don't know what to do.

You're not alone in this experience.

The problem is - they sign you up to be a coach because you're desperately needed - but don't offer training or support. And you keep moving up to the next level of play, but without the guidance you desperately need. 

The answer is simpler than you think. And it doesn't involve scrolling through youtube every night trying to piece together some drills that will *hopefully* help your players. 

The answer is a program with games designed for youth soccer teams, specific to skills.  Need help with finishing on goal? Then use the section of shooting drills - there are 29 options!  If you notice that your Goalkeeper is letting easy shots go through, then the 15 Keeper Games is your plan for the next several practice.  Altogether, the Smart Coaching Program is all the SMART skills and game-sense you need to change into a winning team.

Round 2: Anger to Envy to Offer Practice #2, soccer e-learning course

For most soccer parents, the only thing worse than bad referees at the soccer game is watching the entire game without seeing your daughter play. And - to make matters worse - you notice the new player on the team is suddenly a starter.  How did she get to that point?

The new player suddenly has great first-touch, great footwork, and is winning 1-on-1s.  

She's a completely different player than she was a few months ago.

She's the sort of player that should be a starter, you suddenly realize. 

Through some sideline conversations, you learn that the parents bought an at-home soccer coaching program. They don't know soccer any better than you, they just knew that their daughter needed more time on the ball. It's hard to swallow, but you suddenly realize that while your daughter has stayed at the same level, the 'new kid' has drastically improved. And because you want your daughter to not only be on the team, but to play for the team, you're probably going to be interested in that same soccer program:  DribbleUp.  DribbleUp is the program every player needs to be on the starting lineup.  

Round 2: Anger to Envy to Offer Practice #1, Violin Teacher

For most people, the most dreaded 30 minutes of the day is when you try to get your child to practice. It's painful. Not very productive. It's a little bit of music and a lot of complaining. But it's not this way for the Krim girls.

For the Krim Girls, practicing is not a big deal, because they've been doing it for years and they now have a pattern. Even though they are 12 and 13 years old and might have attitude about other things their mom asks them to do, they never put up a fight about practicing their violin. 

They usually practice 45 minutes a day on their own. 

They practice without any supervision. 

They practice scales and vibrato and all the boring stuff.  

Do the Krim girls know something your child doesn't? 

They probably do, and that's why I thought you'd be interested in checking out their Violin Teacher: Rachelle Harper.  

Rachelle Harper is a Suzuki Teacher that exemplifies all the positive aspects of the Suzuki Method. She is patient and  consistent, and her students develop these same traits. You can schedule a trial lesson with her and discover why Rachelle Harper is in demand for parents that want to have their children practice and play with enjoyment.  

Click Here to Schedule Your Trial Lesson.  

My Morning Routine Is a Work in Progress (as am I)

I have two goals everyday:  practice copywriting and work on getting clients. That's it.  I'm taking the counsel of Ryan and Chelli and working to apply them everyday.  I've started over with the emotional techniques, and going to work through them daily (hopefully 2 techniques a day).  I'll be writing them for potential clients so I can share them.

I'm feeling pretty good this morning--of course it took me a few hours to get here (it's now 10:45 a.m.), but I'm not in a good spot for writing.  I seriously am not allowed to pick up my phone in the mornings.  I completely wasted the 6 a.m. - 7 a.m. hour, then again from 8:15 - 8:55 a.m. My phone is now in time-out, because I can't handle it.  I listened to a coaching call to get in the right mindset while sorting and starting laundry, and have ben at the laptop since 10 a.m.--actually making headway.  I think I'm "slow to start"--and it's okay to work on some housekeeping stuff while listening to a coaching call, so when I sit down, my mind is focused.  I used to be good at getting up and within 5 minutes I was working out or journaling or reading my scriptures.  Now, I'm like, "I'm awake physically, but this mind is slowly processing...proceed with caution and kindness."  

I've got to start fitting my morning routine to what it "should" be, or what it "used to be".  I've got to figure out what works. Let's be honest--the starting laundry and cleaning a bit in the morning IS a good fit for our home and family needs.  Lean into it, do it, and then start work once a couple areas are clean.  It'll help with feeling like we're on the right foot.

So...now that I'm started (I've already outlined a couple examples of the emotional technique #1), I'm going to write that now and post it.  Work in Progress.  let's go!

Drop the Overwhelm and Enjoy the College Application Season. For Real.

Help Your Teen Move COLLEGE APPS from the "List to Avoid"  TO 'THE HAPPY AND DONE LIST!'

Is your teen...

...avoiding computers?

...avoiding your school counselor?

...avoiding anyone that asks "how are those apps coming along?"

And you know...the "apps" aren't the yummy appetizers for the Homecoming Party. The "apps" are the college apps your teen keeps avoiding. The series of blanks for personal information, then lists of accomplishments and honors, documents to submit, and essays to write. Even the list sends them into overwhelm.  

But...did you know...it's actually possible to ENJOY THE PROCESS?!  

For Your Teen. And For You. 

(take a moment and enjoy this new possibility)

It's possible to DROP THE OVERWHELM.  

Senior Year is the culmination of all the good of high school, and shouldn't be buried under fear and feeling lost. You've watched your teen accomplish all the hard work--you just need some guidance to package it for the colleges.  

So, instead of running from college apps, they'll be running TO the apps with the help of weekly guidance and insights from a personal college counselor.  

A personal college counselor can work with your teen on the application, step-by-step.  Instead of feeling lost and alone, they can feel connected with someone by their side to answer questions in the moment.  Your teen will check off portions of the application with every appointment, and submit the best application to fantastic colleges!  And this positive experience can begin today, by signing up HERE for private and helpful college consulting.  

Most students are able to complete the application in 3-5 hour-long sessions.  So, help your teen ditch the overwhelm and grab some senior year enjoyment by signing up now.   

Am I a "Fixer" or a "Builder"?

 I went to the doctor today for my knee.  It's not horrible, it's just not great, after a weird fall while running last week. Not to bore with details, but here they are:  about 30 minutes into my jog/walk--my left ankle rolled to the left, and while going down, my body tried to catch itself.  My right leg was somewhat closer to the ground, and all the muscles in my right thigh jammed into my knee.  Compressed is the closest word I can think of for the pressurized pain that happened.  I fell and tumbled and wondered what had happened.  I sat there for 5 minutes, praying and pleading...begging God to just heal me.  How could I function with an injury to BOTH legs? I prayed internally, petitioning Bowie to come next to me (the dog I'd borrowed for this run to be 'safe').  While I sat there, 4 cyclists went by and said hi.  I was obviously hurt--covered in dirt and literally SITTING on one track of the double-track trail.  A walker also passed by me.  I'm still processing that no one stopped.  I am, gratefully, quite aware that God noticed my fall.  And my need for healing.  I somehow got up, and when I stood, my left ankle didn't throb.  And I could put weight on my right leg.  I walked back to the car, talking to God the entire way--completely aware that I had been healed.  I knew it.  I know it still today.  I felt my left ankle turn badly.  I could tell something was off with my right leg, but also grateful that I could walk.

That night, my knee started to tighten, and it's been a week of taking all the care I can with it:  icing, heat baths, heat pads, advil, massages with essential oils, using crutches, wrapping it, not bending it, not doing stairs.  Yesterday, I hit the week mark, and felt like it should be better.  I called the doctor's office, and they had an appointment for today (how often does that happen?!).  I went in this morning, and the short story is (not sure why I'm now going to the short story...except the long story, the one that matters is still in the wings)...there is no permanent damage to my knee.  Another week of heat pads (no ice), no crutches or bandages (to strengthen it) and I should be okay.  Two weeks max.  I'm thrilled.  It's as good as I could've hoped for.  

While I was in, we also talked about chest pain I've had the past two months.  It specifically started at Lilly's wedding, and happens 2-3 times a week.  I was actually supposed to call to get that checked a month ago, but kept putting it off.  My knee pain was the catalyst to get me to call, because it's limited so many of the daily things I need to do (hello laundry piles...yes, I see you growing).  So, we talked about the chest pain.  And--no heart attack coming.  Because it never happens during physical exertion, and I don't have any other symptoms, the Doc thinks it could be treated through counseling.  And instead of just sending me to a Counselor, he sort of practiced a first session with me.  Right there.  As part of my medical examination.  Totally tying the physical and the mental/emotional altogether.  Which completely makes sense to me, just amazing to experience a doctor that does it.

And here's some of the takeaways (that I really want to remember, and continue to workthrough:

• there are times when I try to "fix" things.  I try to "fix" my mom making possible comments to the girls about weigh and size.  I try to "fix" problems.  I may try to "fix" the sorry mental state I often find myself in.  Instead.
• I can "build".  I can work on "building" a relationship. I can "build" a life that I want.  I can "build" myself.
• He emphasized time and again, that I don't need fixing, because I'm not broken inside.  And so fixing doesn't need to happen.  I can build up myself, build up my life, and talk to myself about that, and work on that daily.  To BUILD. (I wish I could explain it better--hopefully with time I can).
• I can't "fix" getting my business going, because it's in the correct state it is in.  I can "build" it each day, and work on that.  But I don't need to "fix" it (or me).
• We talked about how the first time the chest pain happened, it happened at Lilly's wedding, with lots of family.  I love being around family, but I do feel stressed about it.  Again...am I trying to "fix" things that just...are.  Instead, can I just enjoy the present state, and build?  
• this is seriously a huge thing
• I can see that my default state is to "fix".  I can see my mom is a "fixer", and that my Grandpa was, too.  
• Coming home...realizing that I can't be a "fixer" type of mom.  My kids don't need me to fix them, they simply need me as a mom.  I feel like my mom was a fantastic business owner, piano teacher, and is totally a leader.  Sometimes though, I don't need her to fix everything, I just need her to be a mom, and listen.  My whole family is full of fixers.  Grandpa Miller was classic "fixer".  But with fixing--it's implied something is broken.  I don't see my kids that way, but sometimes, I still "fix", because--maybe I know better?  see further?  can help?  The answer is...NO.  I can be their mom--which leads to
• when I got home, was listening to work training re:  The Hero's Journey.  She said this "the client sees themselves as the hero, and the company / copywriter are the guide."  Suddenly, it clicked:
• my children are the "hero" of their own life:  discovering, learning, on their own journey (and news flash:  I'm still on my OWN journey of learning and trying to figure it out).  I can be their guide, but not their fixer.
• If I'm not a "fixer", then what is my role as a parent?  How do I guide and build, without fixing?  This is the question that slapped me across my face and feels important.
• The thing is, being a "fixer" is giving me anxiety.  It's causing me chest pain.  It feeds into the stress that causes my Achilles Tendon to flare up in stressful times. ...because I subconsciously need to "fix it".  

All this means is that I'm acutely aware today of how much I need counseling.  I almost had a full meltdown in the doctor's office because of all the emotions our talk was bringing up.  He was incredibly patient with me, helping me to become aware that I don't need to take all of it on myself, but instead to start looking at myself as "building" rather than "fixing". 

Whew!  That's it.  It's the start of long-term counseling that I really need.  I know it.  So, apparently my knee got me in to the office to talk to the Doc about my heart and my mental health.  God's Hand is totally directing my life.  

Hot Chocolate and Company Titles

 It's the beginning of another week!  I'm trying to get in 4 hours of focused work each day--I'm to a bit of a late start today, but I'm gonna get in the time and objectives anyway! I have to--if I don't get it done when they're at school, I've got to work in the evenings and at night.  I can't just keep saying, "I'll do better tomorrow..." I need to put in a certain amount of work each day.  That's where I am today.  It's 11:55 a.m., and I'm just now typing.  I haven't just been sleeping the last few hours (I've iced / heated my knee for healing / called Rachelle to figure out violin lessons / ate late breakfast that'll double as lunch / synced the big family wall-calendar to digital calendar).  Again--all important--but none of them require a lot of deep work or focus.  So, I've now had my hot chocolate and I'm ready to get into the deep work of copywriting.

I've got some ideas for my company name, but not sure which to decide on.  I've narrowed it down to 3 options:

Krim de la Creme Copywriting

The Final Draft Copywriting

Byline by Brooke Copywriting

---an hour later (12:50), and I just barely sent out a google form asking for responses.  Just wondering what people think. (now that I've sent it, I'm questioning myself...AHHH!!)

I think I like The Final Draft and Byline by Brooke the best.

And I still think my blog "to and through college" would be a great name for a college consulting company, which I'm thinking about more and more.  

And then, a part of me thinks, "why am I going in so many different directions?!  when what I really love is History?"  Because--someone's gotta make money and pay the bills.  And that someone is ME.  I've got to make money, and it seems like copywriting is the quickest way.  I wish I could do the History Master's Degree, and then work in History...maybe if I make enough w/ copywriting, I can enroll!  That would be amazing.

Okay--now that my thoughts have circled and just all gotten out--I'm going to work this next hour on copywriting for Carolyn.

Then--draft a cold email to start sending to e-learning companies.  Today.  Get started on that today.

#11 Copywriting: From Desperation to Salvation

 USING THE TEMPLATE FROM WORKBOOK (because I seriously kept working on this for a week without any sort of progress...overthinking, I know)

COLLEGE CAN BE SO HARD...

and so far, it's been frustrating and overwhelming and incredibly expensive.  You really want to finish college to get a real job.  You are ready to be the adult and put in the 9-5.  But, how can you find the right major and the right career?  It seems like there are too many options, and if you change your major one more time, you'll add on even more time.

College classes have not been going well.  Maybe you're tired of the lecture-based classes, but you're not sure how else to get a job.  Perhaps you're underwhelmed by the assigned readings, and overwhelmed by the tests. You don't have money to start over.  School is becoming less-exciting, and simply a hoop to jump through for a job.  You're skipping classes more and more.

But, you see your friends getting through.  You wonder how it happened so easily for them.  Maybe you keep choosing the wrong major, because you can't get through the entry-level courses.  Instead of being done in 4 years, it's now looking like it might be 6 years.  Possibly more.  You're still in the same job, because none of the general ed courses can help you get a higher paying job.  The College Advisors keep telling you to just pushing forward, and it will all be worth it.  Will it?  Really be worth it? 

If you want your time to pay off with a job, talk to a different set of College Advisors.  These advisors are focused on your career success, rather than those other advisors that only give vague advice. These College Advisors work for OTECH, a college that is focused on helping students learn career-skills to be placed in jobs.  In a couple years.  Without the hoops.  Without the lectures (thank God).  Drop by today to meet with a College Advisor that spends more time helping you get into a career and move on with your life.    

Copywriting Course Continues...3 months in

 I'm just over 3 months into the course, and I thought I'd be done by now.  Ha Ha Ha.  Jokes on me.  Even though I haven't been all that productive working in past summers, I thought this summer would be different?!...maybe?!  I guess it was a bit different, in that I had an office, so I would at least try to shut the door and get some work done.  And it probably was good, because I got through most of the hand copy and practice copy techniques, just a bit at a time.  Now that I'm to client acquisition, which will take several hours a day, it's good that the kids are in school so I can really dial down, and work diligently every day.

I watched a mindset video this week about shifting from an employee mindset to a business owner mindset, and it was great.  It's the 1st video in the client acquisition module (I wish they were numbered!!).  I loved it. I took 7 pages of notes, and I could re-watch it for sure.  And re-study my notes.  Lots of good stuff there.  It also made me feel good about moving forward.  Overall, it's been a very good week to re-set my intentions and getting better at working and knowing what to focus on next (yes, Chelli, a HUGE thank you for that focus!).  I have it now on my desk:

EVERYDAY

• client acquisition
• get good at copywriting

Everyday, work on those two.  I think I'll split my work into 2 hour blocks:  one block for copywriting practice, one block for client acquisition.  4 hours total of "work", then listening to videos / trainings while I clean / do laundry / prep dinner / etc.  That feels like a good balance of time & energy.  I am also learning that I have to get most (all) of my work done while the kiddos are at school.  Once they are home, my brain feels fragmented with different demands.  I also want to be able to be present when my kids are there.  Especially with the girls, to be ready for talking.  I know they don't want to talk everyday, but there are days that they want to...if I am there.  If I seem approachable and not working on stuff.  The girls are amazing.  They're so driven and disciplined.  It seriously blows me away.  They had their 1st regular season game last night.  They played so well.  I talked to Juliet last night about her game performance, and was too harsh and critical of her.  She looked devastated.  My role now is not her coach...I'm her mom.  Her cheerleader.  Her practice-buddy.  But not her coach.  I need to just support her.  She's a much better player than I've ever been.  I just wanted her to show how fearsome she is on the field, the way she is playing with me or at practice.  But in good time, she'll get there--and she'll get there with my support, not with criticism.  This is hard to recognize, but critical for me to change.  

Just have to include:  Noel was a good sport last night.  She played hard, and was neck-to-neck with the opposing team's forward on multiple plays.  She told me after the game, they gave each other high 5s, and each complemented the other on their level of play.  This is HUGE for Noel, because she has seen every opponent as an enemy after the game.  Last night, she played super tough during the game (as the did the opposing forward), but then when the game was done, they let the game be done and appreciated each other.  A very good move forward for her sportsmanship.  

Copywriting #10: Shared Outrage

There is a LOT of outrage (external and repressed) towards the Ivy League and similar colleges that trump exclusivity as a passport stamp to success.  This copy is for colleges in the 40-90% admittance rate that need help getting students (and parents) take their eyes off the Ivy League, and be jolted into the success they can have at these colleges.  (instead of only seeing the colleges at the extreme end of the spectrum)

Hollywood has it wrong...

     ...there are more than the 10 best colleges.  

     ...there is more than frat-parties.  

     ...more than Division I Basketball Games.  

Discover what Hollywood can't:  the real college experience.  

                         Learn.  Engage.  Succeed.  

Check out the REAL college experience at Emory and Henry College.

Copywriting #9: Emotional Downfall to Emotional Uplift

The assignment said to use this technique when the audience may be hostile, suspicious, or negative.  I was thinking to write this one for those struggling with weight loss (negative and suspicious of other products and gimmicks) or those trying to get college application help (also suspicious, usually negative, possibly even hostile).  It seemed like the same sort of words would work for BOTH groups--which was a bit revelatory for me.  Here is the ad for college consulting, specific to PARENTS of those senior year.  I first wrote it for students, then realized I need to target parents, since they're the paying customers :-)

Help Your Teen Move COLLEGE APPS from the "List to Avoid"  TO 'THE HAPPY AND DONE LIST!'

Is your teen...

...avoiding computers?

...avoiding your school counselor?

...avoiding anyone that asks "how are those apps coming along?"

And you know...the "apps" aren't the yummy appetizers for the Homecoming Party.  The "apps" are the college apps your teen keeps avoiding.  The series of blanks for personal information, then lists of accomplishments and honors, documents to submit, and essays to write.  Even the list sends them into overwhelm.  

But...did you know...it's actually possible to ENJOY THE PROCESS?!  

For Your Teen.  And For You. 

(take a moment and enjoy this new possibility)

It's possible to DROP THE OVERWHELM.  

Senior Year is the culmination of all the good of high school, and shouldn't be buried under fear and feeling lost.  You've watched your teen accomplish all the hard work--you just need some guidance to package it for the colleges.  

So, instead of running from college apps, they'll be running TO the apps with the help of a personal college counselor.  

A personal college counselor can work with your teen on the application, step-by-step.  Instead of feeling lost and alone, they can feel connected with someone by their side to answer questions in the moment.  Your teen will check off portions of the application with every appointment, and submit the best application to fantastic colleges!  And this positive experience can begin today, by signing up HERE for private and helpful college consulting.  

Most students are able to complete the application in 3-5 hour-long sessions.  So, help your teen ditch the overwhelm and grab some senior year enjoyment by signing up with Krim College Consulting.   

Copywriting #8: Drip Irrigation Method

 WHAT'S FOR DINNER?! 

No matter how you try to avoid it, kids want dinner every night.

Seriously.

Every Night.

And don't even try to recycle the same weekly menu.

They'll know.

...or will they?

Could you tweak a base menu just a bit, to keep them eating and you surviving? 

• Instead of a rotation of tacos, then pasta, then salad...what about rice dishes every other night?
• What about cooking one meat to use for several nights?  
• How about saving money, instead of fast-food nights that happen too often?
• Instead of wasting time starting from scratch every night, how about meals ready under 30 minutes?  
• Instead of collapsing in your chair for dinner, how about enjoying the meal with everyone?

Is meal planning really possible that keeps everyone at the table happy:  happy eaters and a happy dinner-chef? 

Yes:  with Daily Dinner Done!  

Keep your time and mental energy by investing only $5 per month in Daily Dinner Done that elevate dinner hour to the best hour of the day.  Click here for your first month of dinner planning, and you'll receive the second month free!  

Copywriting #7: Writing Copy for Renegade Soccer

I've been writing a lot of these practice copy exercises for soccer related products.  I receive emails from Renegade Soccer Training, and thought it would be fun to try this exercise for a real company.  They send out effective emails for previous customers, especially around holiday sales.  We've purchased one of their programs, and enjoyed it.  I also worked on playing around with different fonts / italics / bold lettering.  (trying to break out of my Classic English Education and Teaching Background)

------------------------------------------------

Most soccer players want to "level up".

But before putting in hours of training on a soccer field or paying an elite coach, ask this question:  what is the best way to "level up"?

Not just a good way, or a fun way, but the best way?

The best way is 1,000+ touches on the soccer ball every day.  That's a fact, and it's actually a lot simpler than it sounds.  The catch is, it won't happen at soccer practice.  Soccer practice is fun and important for team plays and positions.  But most players only touch the ball 20 or 30 times during drills at an hour long practice.  

That simply isn't enough to improve individually.  Soccer players need more...much more!  

Soccer Experts advise getting 1,000+ touches every day.  The daily repetition of 1000+ touches on a soccer ball is the recipe to becoming a powerful contender on the pitch.  And the way to get 1,000+ touches on a soccer ball doesn't need to be more than 20 minutes with specific training.  

That's where Renegade Soccer Training comes in.  Renegade has YOU in mind:  creating programs that guide players with individual movement on the soccer ball.  Each program has a video for every day giving 1000+ touches in a 20-minute workout!  The specific exercises train players with the needed skills for game day.   Coach JR (founder of Renegade) has built a system to help beginners, intermediate, and advanced players all become dominant on the field.  Players don't need to figure out what training to do...they simply get to push "play", follow along, and witness their own progression.   New players emerge through the Renegade Training Programs.  

This is a great opportunity to become the player you're imagining.  Check out the Renegade Soccer Training program.  If the player highlights look like the sort of player you'd like to become, be sure to sign up and get started.  Be a different player for your next game by checking out the  program that is the best fit for your level.  With 30+ programs, there is absolutely one that is the best way to go to your next level.  

School Day #1

 The kids are back in school.

I'm elated.

I'm lost.

I'm happy 

I'm Sad.

I love being alone and I miss them.

I'm counting down the minutes until they're home, which is incredibly soon as it's only a half-day.  Yes, this week is only half-days, so I really have to get going as soon as they go.  It's 11:52 a.m., and I've only barely started to focus on my copywriting course.  (apparantly, today is a get-my-head-back-in-the-game day).

We did a "taper" on Monday and Tuesday, and this morning went fairly well.  There was only one argument about the 2nd hair curler not working, and Chaim woke up way too early...like an hour early.  We also didn't realize the elementary school started 10 minutes earlier, and barely made it to Chaim's 1st day.  Sorry, Chai.  Also, didn't really prepare him that he'd be the only one going to the elementary school.  Second sorry.  He's such a tender heart and loves his sisters.  We went to a playground yesterday for our last day of summer, and he only wanted to go with them.  Just)his sisters, or rather "dee-dohs", the name he gave them when he first started speaking.  They'll be 30 years old, and we'll still refer to them as the "dee-dohs".  You can't plan that sort of stuff.  Names given spontaneously are the best names.  

And that's about it for today.  Just trying to get back in the groove of things.  I did my "hand copy" assignment, and now am going to try writing another piece of ad copy to get going.  And then plan out tomorrow to hit the ground running.  I want to use these school hours when the house is quiet for my business, and leave cleaning, laundry, meal prep for when the kids are home (or at least after 4 hours of copywriting).  I want to do better at organizing my time and using my most focused hours of being alone for the hardest work, so that I can focus on the kids and not have to work when they're home. That's the goal.  

I'll check in again and report.  Oh...one more thing.  I'm contemplating a digital detox for the month of September, so that I don't waste time on my phone, especially on youtube.  

Returning to Routine

 Morning Routine

The kids are going back to school next Wednesday, and so I'm now less than 1 week away from being back on the "school schedule".  We don't do a school schedule taper anymore--we just wake up that first morning really excited, and then the 2nd morning we're dragging.  Somehow by the 2nd week, we've found our new schedule.  I am worried though--because today it's 8:41 a.m., and no one is even stirring.  I think we might need a small taper at least.  Like getting up at 9:00, so that the 6:30 wakeup isn't such a shock.  

The morning routine at our house--with Scott scrambling to get ready in 20 minutes, Noel needing 1.5 hours, and Juliet and Chaim being daily wild cards creates a lot of unknowns.  I don't even know my own morning schedule.  I don't know if I can workout in the mornings anymore, or if I should wait until the kids go to school.  I feel kind of lost in the mornings.  Is this normal?  I've usually been a morning person (not always, because I'm working on telling my own story a little more truthfully).  I like getting up in the morning and getting going.  Lately though, I struggle getting out of bed, and when I do, I just want to lay on the couch and read.  I don't want to exercise.  I guess getting on a schedule is more about what needs to be done, rather than what wants to be done.  So, here's the goal to work towards:

if the girls leave at 7:30 for school, we probably need to have breakfast @ 7:00.  Which means, I should workout from 6:00 - 6:45 (unless I go swimming, which I'm not entirely sure I'm able to do in the mornings anymore).  Anyway--6:45 if I'm done with exercising, I could prep breakfast, and we could eat around 7 or 7:10.  They could brush their teeth at 7:20, and then we could go to school.  I also know that I want to work with them on having some sort of morning devotional / morning scripture.  Just something simple and helpful for them for the day.  .... went and found the books by Pres. Monson, Pres. Hinckley, and one from the Old Testament.  Can use those.  More and more, I feel like I need to plan ahead and be present for these "crossroads" moments:  the moments before they leave for school, come home from school, and in the evening.  That is my REAL responsibility.  The copywriting is just a way to make money and support our family financially, but what I do with and for our family in real-time:  the conversations, the support, the puzzles and games and pretend play (which I 100% need to do better with engaging in), are the real things I need to do.  I'm suddenly struck by the fact that Noel only has 5 more years at home before college, July only has 6.  They're now in Junior High, and they're going to get busier and spend more time with friends.  I need to use the time I have with them as best I can.  I know there will be some resistance to blocking off time in the morning for these breakfasts + spiritual devotional, but I feel like I need to start it and continue with it.  

I need to get my act together in my mornings, so I can support them with their morning routine:

5:30 a.m., wake up

5:35 - 5:40, lemon water

5:40 - 5:55, pray and read

6:00 - 6:45, workout

6:50 - 7:10, prep breakfast

7:10 - 7:20, breakfast and morning devotional

7:20 - 7:30, help with water bottles, lunches

7:30, run girls to school

7:40 - 7:55, start laundry, wake up Chaim

8:00 - 8:10 breakfast & morning reading with Chaim

8:10 - 8:20, pack lunch, water bottle, load up in car

8:20:  leave house for morning walk to school with Chaim

8:50, return home, switch laundry (aim for 1-2 loads / day)

9:00:  begin work 

Back at Writing

 We have 2 more weeks of summer, and it's safe to say I'm struggling.  I just read the post about Kota, and he helped me a lot.  Helped me to not focus on me so much.  I've been at my computer most of the past 4 hours, accomplishing little and stressing a lot.  I really have no idea how I'm going to get a first client / first paid job as a copywriter.  It's just so Big and Overwhelming right now.  It's 1:30 p.m., and I'm still in my pajamas.  I need to get up and dressed and doing something different for the rest of the day.

I miss Kota.  I keep checking the website and he's still listed.  I run through all sorts of situations where he comes back to our home--could we possibly make it work?  I don't know, and I'm scared to bring it up with our family--especially the kids because of getting their hopes up.  His sweet face stays with me, his cute wagging tail and so, so many kisses!  

I don't know how I'm going to get through 2 more weeks of summer--I've got to work and get stuff done, and can't really get in "summer" fun anymore.  I'm stressed about bills.  I've got to figure out how to make money.  I think the girls understand this.  Chaim doesn't.  Scott's stopped asking about the course because I think he knows I'm overwhelmed.

I'm going to take a break now, and hopefully start the blog later today, but definitely tomorrow.

Kota

This is a Journal Entry

Where to start?  Where to end?  This is hard to write, let alone process.  Our sweet dog that we've been fostering is going back today.  I'm taking him back to the shelter.  On Sunday night, we had a family council and we were almost all on board with keeping him (I was 80/20, Juliet 70/30, Chaim 70/30, Scott 60/40, and Noel 50/50).  Noel's 50/50 was a great insight to how she processes attachment.  Right after the meeting she showered him with praise and affection, and an hour later, didn't want him to sleep in her room. I realized that her 50/50 was the average:  100% of love, and 100% of pure detachment.  And it helped me understand how she even approaches me sometimes--and that she flips from one extreme to the other, but she probably sees her love for me as 60/40 (I'm scared to ask her exactly...not sure if I'm ready for the answer to that one?!)  

We've had him 19 days.  Most days have been great.  There have been little things that have been really hard, but overall I've loved having him.  I've loved him.  He's sweet and affectionate.  And he needs lots of attention and time and exercise.  He gets super anxious when we leave the house, which has been the hardest thing.  He's chewed through multiple shoes (Noel's especially...hence the low score from her).  He jumps up on us when we come home...again and again.  Even if we go outside for a minute.  This is what breaks my heart--the fact that he definitely has some separation anxiety (been reading up on that, most German Shepherds do).  It's gotten somewhat better over the last few weeks.  As of Sunday, we thought he was doing better.  Then Monday, we left for 2 hours, and we came home to our couch having a hole chewed through it, stuffing everywhere.  I still have the stuffing in a grocery bag, waiting for me to put it back in and stitch it up.  In my free time, of course.  

He loves walks and runs and playing fetch.  Fetch with sticks, not balls.  He loves to play-tug with sticks and his toys.  He could play for hours down at the park.  Today, I took him for a walk for an hour, then played with him for another down at the park.  He could still use more time.  

Here's something crazy.  I don't think I'm a dog person.  I don't love being licked.  I don't like when dogs jump up on me.  I don't like dog hair.  I actually hate dog hair.  And all that stuff, I was fine with.  In fact, I loved it.  I loved how he would lick my fingers, hands, arms, legs, and toes.  I loved when he jumped up on me because he was so excited to see me.  I loved petting him, and got used to hair being all over the house (this is HUGE...I think I only realize how big this is).  I loved all of this because I loved him.  And having to get rid of him is so darn hard.  

And I have to take him back to the shelter where he'll be in a kennel, and it breaks my heart.  I started praying for him last night that another family will find him quickly.  

I don't know if this is true or not, but I'm hoping that maybe Kota came to our family because we needed him for this period of time.  We needed his energy.  We needed to focus on someone outside ourselves.  It's been helpful for me, for sure, to get through July focusing on this sweet dog, rather than the summer stress I usually feel.  It's been good for me to get up early and go on walks, and go on another walk after dinner, when I'm usually lazy and just sit and waste time.  So, even though he takes a lot of time, and I feel like I did a lot of that with Juliet and Noel, it was really good for me.  I didn't love how he was waking me up in the middle of the night, but I did like getting exercise done before 7 a.m.--that's amazing.

But we counciled again last night, and we decided to take him back, and I wish I could go back.  I wish I hadn't been so rash with the girls being at girls camp, and trying to do it all myself.  I felt pretty depleted with the girls being gone, and having their help.  They are HUGE helpers for me--not just with the house, but emotionally.  They are amazing and fun to talk with and I rely a lot on them.  I am worried that maybe if they had been here, that we could've worked through it.  But is that even possible?  And if possible, is it a good thing?  I see all these things that Kota has improved on (even this morning on our walk, he didn't pull as much), but do we really have the time and energy to get through the rest?  Do I have time to help Kota when I need to be getting through the copywriting course and starting to make money?  Will the girls have time after school to take him on runs and play with him, in addition to school and sports and violin?  They're so busy.  Chaim has the most time, but Chaim doesn't play with him on his own.  I wish he could.  I feel like that would be huge.  But I can't change that.  

So, I'm sitting here typing, going on and on and on, because it means I don't have to take him to the shelter yet.  He can stay here a bit longer and sleep and be cozy, and I can pretend that he'll be ours for a bit longer.  Kota--you are the dog that melted my heart.  I just wish you were the dog that we could keep forever.  

Copywriting #6: Sour Grape to Vintage Wine

REALLY struggling with this one.  I've been putting it off for a week (maybe longer?)  I'm just gonna bust it out today, and move on.

Step One:  identify the "insane" person's seemingly unattainable goal.  (w/ soccer players: wanting to be on the World Cup Team.)

Step Two:  lower the bar some for diminished expectation audiences (maybe not world cup right now for a 13-year old, but why not getting on to a higher ranked team).  

Step Three:  offer product or service (get more time on the ball w/ a soccer camp)

THE ACTUAL AD:

"That's me when I'm 19." Meg says as she watches another World Cup game.  She has the schedule mapped out on her wall, watching every game.  Her own team schedule is mapped out beside it...a string of losses with her current team.

Maybe she won't get on the World Cup Team at 19, but it's possible to prepare for the next round of tryouts, and get on a higher-ranked team, a team with a string of wins.  A team that allows your daughter to learn more.  Play harder.  Definitely play smarter.

That playing smarter can start now.  Help her get more time on the ball while she has the time off for summer.  Sign up for Soccer Camp!  Soccer Camp is a great way to work on individual skills.  A great way to get more time and touches on the ball.  It's what every player needs.  

This local soccer camp is coached by local youth.  They'll help your daughter or son work on skills they need for the next round of tryouts.  

(okay for now--leaving it, and might come back to work on it later today or tomorrow.  But at least it is started!)

Copywriting #5: Emotional Math with Soccer Campos

I'm writing this one as an example flyer for soccer camps, since my girls are hosting a soccer camp this week.  They were hoping for 12 kids to sign up, and only have 5 (including their brother).  So, that makes 4 official paying players.  Not bad for their first-ever soccer camp, but it could definitely be improved.  I think I'd like to tackle how to advertise it more--maybe even to get a few more players for tomorrow?  Maybe for next year?  I think they have a really good idea--an affordable soccer camp for younger kids (ages 6-10).  They are 12 and 13, have been playing 8 years, the last 2 competitively, and they know quite a bit about soccer.  Helping others catch the vision...

THE COPY:

Soccer Camp is a great way to quickly increase individual skills!  It's even better than soccer practice, where the focus is on team play.  But here's the catch:  every coach expects the players to have individual skills, which begs the question:  where are they supposed to learn it?!  

The answer is SOCCER CAMP!!   

Soccer camp is totally worth the money--because the emphasis is on individual skills.  Skills like:

• footwork
• dribbling
• shooting goals
• throw-ins
• pull-backs
• and clearance kicks

If you've been saying to yourself, "I sure wish that Kate could be more confident on the field!", this is the camp to sign up for!  Or thought to yourself at the last game, "If he could improve in footwork, he'd really be a great player", then sign up now to lock in your spot!  

The Krim Soccer Camp is only $15 for 3 days of intense, individual coaching.  

Copywriting #4: College Prep Course (again w/ different aspect)

College Admissions is a Changing Landscape, and only the Richest can Play the Game...

Until NOW!

Instead of paying thousands of dollars for college prep, you can receive affordable and quality college prep for much less!  

You can access college-admissions results you want and need for much less when you buy the "College Knowledge 101" Program.  This digital course has all the same information as the big college-prep companies, because it was created by a former school counselor.  This counselor saw firsthand what would work and not work for the admissions game.  Instead of keeping these secrets, she wants to share them with YOU! 

For only $250, you can access the digital program that helps level the playing field of getting to and through college.  

You don't have to shell out thousands for college-prep meetings with an advisor that is servicing multiple students.  Instead, get this program, and access the program that answers:

• what sort of extra-curriculars are valued the most in admissions?
• where can a student receive the best financial aid package, when their family is in the middle-income bracket?
• how early should a student start considering college admissions?

Those questions probably sound familiar, right?  You don't have to figure it out alone.  Instead, sign up for this program that allows you to learn from others (both mistakes AND successes).  You'll save dozens of hours of personal research, with much better results.  Help yourself help your student make it to the college they want, for the affordable rate of $250.

Copy Assignment #3: How to say YES when your kids want a Dog

The request comes daily:  "Can we get a dog?"  

While the response has stayed the same for years:  "No".  Make that an emphatic "No!"

It's easy to understand why:  you wonder if you can handle a dog.  What if he barks constantly?  How fast could a dog destroy the furniture?  How do I handle a puppy jumping up on guests?  And the perennial question:  how long does it take to house train a dog?  That last question has kept your home dog free for years, because you simply don't have the time or energy to train a dog or clean up messes.  

I understand those fears, because my friend Ruth had the same ones.  She was always telling her kids  they couldn't get a dog.  For years she told them various reasons, and they really couldn't.  They didn't have the money, or her husband was in school, and there were so many demands on their time.  And a personal worry:  how would she keep up with cleaning all that dog hair?!  But she also recognized that a dog would be good for her kids.  A dog would help them get outside and exercise.  They would have to be responsible and feed the dog.  Her son could teach tricks and learn about daily habits.   But it still wasn't enough until she saw an ad for the animal shelter.

The animal shelter has a lot of dogs that need a good home, and many of these dogs are already trained.  You can get a more mature dog that knows to "sit and stay".  A dog that is house trained and will save your new carpet from multiple stains.  These dogs may have been abandoned by their former owners, or lost and never reclaimed.  They simply want to be loved and are very anxious to please their new owners.  These dogs are much more affordable than buying a purebred dog.  The adoption fee from an animal shelter is only $25.  And besides that, future dog owners can opt to "foster" a dog to make sure it's the right fit.  The right fit for the dog. The right for for the human.  

My friend Ruth told her kids they could possibly get a dog, and told them that very thing:  they needed to find the right dog for their family.  After doing a little bit of browsing on the animal shelter website, they found a few dogs that would be a good fit for their family:  past the puppy stage, house-trained, and good around kids.  

They went to the shelter on a couple different days, falling in love with several dogs.  They researched more about the dog breeds, and then picked the right dog for their family, their home and yard.  They are now fostering the dog with the option to adopt, and are so happy.  They had found the dog that met all they needed:  house-trained, calm around children, and minimal dog hair.  Ruth is relieved that she doesn't have to do it all alone.  Her children are big helpers with the dog:  taking him on walks, teaching him some new tricks, and helping him feel comfortable with lots of time and attention.  More than anything, Ruth is realizing how much joy the dog brings her.  She always thought the dog would be for her children...she didn't realize that she needed the dog!  Ruth loves how the dog will sit next to her while she is working and helps her feel safe when alone at home.  And an extra perk is that the dog gets her up for a morning run (instead of hitting the snooze button 5 times!).  

I know it's scary to get a pet, and that's why the Animal Shelter is there to help anyone looking to adopt a dog.  They help you foster without having to pay, and then keep the price low to allow more families to put that money towards dog food and dog treats rather than breeding fees!  If you've been saying no for years to a dog, it might be time to check out the animal shelter.  

Copy Assignment #2: Soccer Training for Wannabe Soccer Moms

I had a lot of fun writing this copy!  I stressed less, wrote faster, and laughed all throughout...because I've totally been there!  (And from what I've heard, there are similar rules in almost every sport / activity).  This is definitely written with a tongue-in-cheek sentiment after 8 years of being at soccer games (2 as a soccer mom, 6 as a coach)  Enjoy!  

----------------------------------------------

You do remember that feeling--showing up to the meeting and not fitting in?  And no, we're not talking about the 8th grade club meeting where you felt out of place and in over-your-head--we're talking about the first meeting for your son's soccer season where you also felt out of place and in over-your-head.  How did this happen?    

You had put it into the planner, set several reminders, and were even there 5 minutes before it began.  

Check

Check

Triple Check

The problem wasn't showing up--the problem was not knowing how to show up.  You had come straight from work, and while your professional slacks with blouse and blazer help you work your magic at the office, they don't help you with this "soccer mom" gig.  And the thing is:  you want to be a soccer mom, because those are going to be your people in the evenings and weekends for the near (and far) future.

We get it, because we've been there, too.  We've juggled working mom gig and the soccer mom gig plenty, and there are a few unwritten rules that will make your life easier, as well as more enjoyable.  We've put together a simple checklist to help you know:

• what to wear to team meetings
• when it is appropriate to stay for team practice, when you should leave
• how to talk to the coach about your son's practice (because he's really the star, obviously...)
• which chairs are "in", and which chairs are so last-year
• the hottest umbrella and canopy trends to keep you looking cool
• and so many other "unwritten rules" to help you rock the "soccer mom" gig

This checklist is your way to show up to every meeting, practice, and game as the Boss that you are.  We know you're busy, and want you to get back to doing the dozens of things you are doing without stressing about the upcoming soccer team party anymore (yes, the checklist covers those situations, too!).  For the small sum of $4.95, we will share this checklist with you immediately.  And if you're not certain by the next soccer tournament that you've learned your share of soccer terms and rules (off sides, anyone?!) and rules for engaging with parents of the opposite team (the trick is in the timing--before or after the match!), then you simply contact us for a total refund.  No questions asked.  We just want to get this checklist into as many up-and-coming soccer moms' screens as possible!  This is the fast-track to ridding yourself of the feeling you had at the last meeting, and replacing it with the competence you know in other aspects of your life, and can experience it here, too.

If ready to swap out that feeling of imposter soccer mom, and replacing it with soccer mom extraordinaire, click the link below to receive the most comprehensive soccer-mom checklist in mere minutes!

soccertraining4soccermoms.com 

Paying for College 101

This is my first attempt to write copy!  I thought I'd pretend to advertise my own college prep course, because I keep thinking...maybe I can market it and sell it as a way to help first-generation students!  (that could be in another marketing email--how this is written for them!)

Have you had that moment late at night, when you're looking through your finances and realize that while you might be able to start saving for retirement, you haven't really started saving for college?  Not for you...but for your children?!  It's easy to do...starting a career, starting a family, buying a house, figuring out life as it comes, and suddenly...WHAM!!  Here you are--just several years away from having a child attend college.  Maybe you have a daughter just starting 9th grade, and you know in 4 years she'll want to go to a great college just like her cousin did.  Or consider your son in 11th grade, who has good grades, but possibly not high enough for scholarships?  Is the worry in your chest growing, and you want to scream out...or go bury your head in the sand and pray it somehow goes away?

Instead of doing either, know this:  you can still find answers.  And a lot of them.   Your daughter can go to that college and sit in the classes and go to the football games.  Your son can go to the university and explore careers and find his own path.  

You don't have to get mad or give up, you can get help.  You can plan and pay for college with a step-by-step program that leaves you saying, "I know what I'm doing!" instead of feeling lost, confused and angry.  The best part is that you don't have to find them on your own, you can use a tried and experienced college-planning guide to help you. 

That's where this all-new college-prep course comes in.  This is a course that is easy-to-follow for students and their parents that wonder

• What grades do I need for college?
• When should I be looking for colleges?
• How can I find colleges out of state?  
• and so many more questions!!

The course includes lessons of information specific to searching out colleges and scholarships, and then assignments to help you build your own successful path.  

In case you're thinking, "that's for people that have a lot of money...we're just trying to get college paid for!"  think again...this business is built on the model to help students from middle-income families get to and through college.  This business is for first-generation students to reach college without signing up for numerous loans.  Instead of looking at others and thinking, "how?"  you'll be the one telling others, "this is how our son is paying for college".  

If interested in finding out what other parents know...and you can, too...then click on the link below to receive this new and up-to-date "Plan and Pay for College" Course.  We want to be sure to help YOU with getting the answers you need.   

When you realize you're "that" type of student (not the good type, by the way...)

I've been plugging through my course, sitting down every day at my desk and doing the work.  I've printed the handouts and created a folder, and checked out books from the library to read from the suggested book list.  I'm watching videos and taking notes and actually enjoying the material.  But I'm still feeling overwhelmed...while also going as slow as molasses through the course (or so it seems...maybe I'm just dealing with the fact that I'm at the beginning, instead of at the end of my last job where I knew all the info and was the in-house resident expert on college admissions).  Not to sugarcoat it though--they said I was the expert, and then treated me like crap and second-guessed me and micro-managed me and talked behind me.  So even though I knew my stuff, it's so awesome to not be there anymore.  But that means, I'm beginning again.  And I'm beginning in a sector that I never thought I'd be in:  sales.  Business and Marketing and Sales.  I always saw myself in the Humanities + Education world, and now I'm here:  learning about principles of persuasion and calling to action and closing the deal.  I keep hearing references about building a website and contacting clients...which I just think "I'll figure it out" while in my soul I'm like, "you mean...I have to do that?!"  Oh my goodness--it's kind of a battle between my head and heart, and today it's a lot.  Which is why I'm here...writing this and putting off the assignment.  But maybe if I write here, clear up the brain, I actually CAN do the work.

I keep reminding myself of all the things I've told students the last decade:  it's all about frequency and duration.  Students need to be frequent in sitting down daily to do the work, and plan at least 1 hour for the tasks that they just don't want to do.  I would always, always remind them that the first 15 minutes of any assignment / application / essay writing was painful.  It would be hard. It would suck.  There was no way around it, and it didn't mean they were doing anything wrong--it meant they were starting a hard task, and the only way through was simply through.  It would be easy to take a break, and think I'll come back tomorrow.  Easy to just stay on the surface part of knowledge and learning.  Basically the first 15 minutes is about getting the brain to go DEEP and force it to do some deep work for the next 45 minutes.  I've been preaching this for years, and I believe it.  Absolutely.  I've had students in my office who practice this, and the results are phenomenal.  And now...I'm the other student.

Which student?  You ask.

The other student.  The one who says, "let's skip this assignment and get to the real work...I'll be able to do the work when I get there.  I feel a bit of envy for one writer that has great voice and writing and seems to be the perfect copywriter, and I'm over here like, "Um...this is hard.  Do I have to do it?!"  Ugh...I hate that I'm the other student. 

I did the morning mantra and I've created the workspace.  And landed here.  To write.  To write and get it all out.  I think I'm struggling with the copy because there are rules and guidelines that I need to remember and use, and I can't.  Is this what it's like to be back in 9th grade, when they're telling me to write a 5-paragraph essay, and it feels so forced and contrived and hard?  Probably.  It's been a minute since I was there.  Okay...it's been more than a minute.  It's been THIRTY YEARS.  Thirty years since I was at the beginning...the real beginning of an educational path.  And now, I'm here again.  I remember thinking through this when I signed up for the course--how I was a good student, enjoyed learning, and I could do this.  I had done it with teaching, and I did it with college admissions--I knew next to nothing about college (except I had attended), and suddenly I was advising students on college admissions.  Well...same thing here.  The only thing I know about sales is that I have low sales-resistance.  Like...I'm the worst.  Or the best target for a salesman / sales pitch / sales promotion.  And now I'm studying it.  So.  Darn.  Funny.  Today it seems funny.

Funny enough that my brain is loosening up and I'm going to go back to the assignment and hammer it out.  The first 15 minutes is over, and I'm still here.  My phone is not visible, so I'm not going to be disturbed  I'm going to practice the frequency + duration for myself, and I bet it will even work (darn my own good advice!)  Because when you're that type of student, you need some good pep-talks and free-writing sessions to get in gear!

Milestones with Meaning

It happened.  

The big thing I've been waiting for.  

Yesterday, the girls mowed the lawn.  Then, when they came inside, I ushered them back outside with their younger brother.  We walked around the yard, me guiding them and highlighting several projects that needed completing.  They asked some questions, and I explained what needed to be done, and then I walked back inside.  

An hour later, I heard music coming from the backyard.  My daughter is the main DJ for our house, since she is the one with the Spotify account.  It was some sort of Meghan Trainer + Taylor Swift playlist, which wasn't a surprise.  I sat there working on my laptop, thinking, "that's cool--they've found a way to make yardwork more enjoyable."  Awhile later, I heard "A Hard Day's Night", and "Eight Days a Week" and knew that my son had made his musical opinion known.  They continued to work on the yard while listening to music.  I kept working on my assignments, trying to stay focused, while occasionally slipping into absent-mindedly singing Beatles lyrics.  How can I not sing "Come on, come on, come on, baby now...Twist and Shout!"?  I kind of got lost in my work and forgot that the music was mainly to help my kids keep working.

Two hours later, I heard the kitchen door open and close.  10 seconds later, a petition from my daughter to "come and see".  And when I went outside, they were now guiding me through the yard, pointing out the place they had trimmed back the grass, pulled weeds, and cut back the vines that were taking over the wooden steps leading to our backyard.  They accomplished in 3 hours what would have taken me two days of work.  They're younger and faster and less prone to getting distracted.  And it was amazing to see and just feel that we were at a milestone.

I'm not a big one for classic milestones, like the first day of school.  Honestly, most years I'm pretty tired from the summer and so feel mostly relieved to get to the first day of school.  I take the obligatory pictures of course, but I don't cry when my kids go through the front door and leave me alone.  I usually go home and take a nap and do nothing for the day.  But there are other days without fanfare that are the real milestones for me.  Yesterday was one of them:  my kiddos working for 3 hours on their own.  They used pruning shears and didn't get injured (milestone!).  They put all the grass clippings, weeds, and pinecones in the garbage cans swept up the dust on the patio (milestone!).  They put away the lawnmower and gloves into the shed without me reminding them (milestone!).  There were no pictures, no applause, no big moment.  Except that it was the big moment.  It was the milestone to say, "they're growing up."  So, I'll keep it in my heart and memories and jot it down here to remember that perhaps the milestones without fanfare are the biggest milestones with meaning.   

Coming Back

Here I am.  June of 2023.  I'm back here because I'm on my new career (freelance copywriting), and want to practice writing again.  Going through old posts has me wondering, "Why did I stop?  These are funny and good and I'm so glad I wrote them!"  The first question is answered simply:  I didn't think I was any good.  In fact, I thought I was no good.  I didn't get comments or views, which meant "failure" in my mind.  And to be honest, I think I was doing it more to be seen by others than for myself.  I'm back because I now see success and failure different.  I see success as continuing with hobbies and interests I love.  This blog seems like a good place to think and write, which I love to do.  And because I'm now doing it for me, who cares who sees it / doesn't see it?  I read a post from 2012 that made me laugh so hard today...11 years later.  Maybe that crap I'm going through today will make me laugh in another 11 years. So, going to write again. Also, I'm a writing addict--I have multiple journals going at once, and write on any paper in any meeting, in every margin of every book.  But I like how the blog gives space to write while working on some "polish" to that writing. And hopefully that will help give a place to write while I'm figuring out the new job.  The paying job.  Which is different than my other job: being a mom.  Which is what I'll mostly stick to writing here.   

So, I'll write about what I saw yesterday.  I took the kiddos on a hike to Waterfall Canyon.  It was our first hike of the year, and we've sadly missed the lime-green on leaves that happens earlier in the spring.  We waited because of the deep snowpack this year--and apparently we didn't wait long enough.  We made it about one-third up the actual canyon before we got to a spot where the trail was literally covered by a river.  Yes, a river.  It was at least 2 feet in places.  We saw some adults forging through, but my thoughts were primarily to keep my kids safe and happy.  Noel (the un-enthusiastic hiker) was actually having a good time, and I want to keep that going for the rest of the year.  Juliet wanted to keep going, because she will try anything.  A little scary, actually.  Chaim was totally willing and ready to be brave, but he would be up to his waist in that fast and frigid water, fighting an incredibly strong current.  So, we turned around.  The cool thing?  No one had a tantrum or complained--they simply understood why we needed to turn around.  And so we hiked back down and had a great time.  We ate apples and granola bars on the side of the trail sitting on dirt instead of at the beautiful waterfall, and it was great.  They laughed and sang and teased each other.  On the walk back down, there was a moment where Juliet reached out and held Chaim's hand, and kept holding it for several moments.  He loved it.  I loved it.  I had thought that reaching the waterfall would be the climax of the hike, but that moment was the climax.  It made my heart swell bigger than seeing the cascading waterfall that I love to see.  That feeling where my heart just feels full and bursting.  So. Darn. Good.  And especially good because I struggle with being a mom and figuring out all the "stuff"--but that moment made me feel like I had gotten one thing right.  My kids love each other.  All the other "stuff" became just that:  stuff.  

Post Note I just want to remember:

On the hike, I will often reach out and grab a branch or tree trunk to help pull me up (yes, I'm that 43-year-old mom that struggles with climbing over rocks and my kids laugh at me).  Anyway, the feel of the tree that has been grabbed thousands of times over the decades is smooth and worn and easy to grab.  The rough bark that usually covers the wood has worn down, and it's this amazing texture.  I love that so many people have used it that it's changed the composite of the branch or tree--but that the tree can still grow AND help people on their journey.  There's something there that I'd love to write about and explore more.