I finished the blog about "moments" - and I had Scott read it.
This is Big. Huge. Monumental.
I'm okay with strangers reading my stuff...but Scott? It feels so vulnerable and scary, because his words can lift me or sink me.
But I did it - I had him read it. And he liked it. So, I'm going to submit it. And then move on to another. I've got to just keep plugging away. Keep working and writing and moving forward.
Just wanted to report.
I'm trying to get back into the flow of writing. Any sort of writing. Of course I need to do copywriting, but I'm just trying to write. Journal. Blog Post. Poem. Anything to get me to practice focusing.
I've started three different blog posts in the last week, and I'm close to finishing one. I'm working to submit that to BYU Magazine. It feels big to submit it. I'm going to work on the two others to also submit - because I'm unsure if they'll even choose the first one.
I want to keep plugging along with writing. I'm trying hard to figure out a daily schedule that works. I seem to be struggling with sleeping at night, getting up in the morning, and getting started. I don't sit down to write until noon - so a big part of my day is already gone. It's crazy. I used to be such a morning person with work and focus. I'm struggling a bit with that now.
So, I'm just trying to sit and write for 2 hours anytime in the day. To work on the blogs this week, and then start copywriting again next week with client outreach. Trying to hit it hard for March, April, and May and really spring these next few months to make it work. I thought it would be easier - it's not. I thought it would happen faster - it didn't. And so I'm struggling a bit to figure out my place and my contribution with our earnings. I've always worked (minus the 1 year of being pregnant with Juliet, when Noel was an infant as well). I just would like to work and get paid for it. I keep working at copywriting without getting paid, and it's hard to keep going. That's why I'm writing these blogs, to hopefully get published and see that the input does have some sort of output.
For today, just going to try to finish the one blog post. The one about moments.
I've been having trouble figuring out how to work at home, so thought I'd pretend to be someone else and give myself some advice. Maybe this will help me be kinder to myself than I usually am.
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Hello, Brooke! You are doing a HUGE thing by starting a new career! That's awesome! I'm excited for you, and think that this schedule could help you out.
First Things First have to start the night BEFORE the morning. When dinner and dishes and scripture time are done, get yourself to bed. Reward yourself with reading IN BED in your jammies with brushed teeth, not on the couch watching t.v. If the kids go to bed at 9, do the same for yourself. Read and then turn out the lights. See if doing this for 10 days makes a difference in how you sleep and how you get up in the morning. Remember: nothing HAS to be done at night except sleep. Sleeping is the greatest way to take care of yourself.
First things IN the morning. Try to get in at least 15 minutes of stretching and moving to wake up your body. If you have time after this to get in a workout, great. If not, get the workout in as SOON as Chaim leaves for school.
You know Youtube is fun and addicting. This is NOT your fault. So, do yourself a favor and don't pick up any device with Youtube on it.
To start on writing work. Follow this:
1. Mindset Work: affirmations, scriptures, prayer
2. Blog if needed to get creative juices flowing :-)
3. Write some copy for a company you know (practice)
4. Reach out to 10 companies a day. That's what YOU can do (not someone else)
5. Apply for 1 Upwork job a day
And when that's done, you're done for the day, to being the "work" around the house which is somewhat hard to stay focused on, and works better.
Brooke, you are doing great! You are being courageous. You are brave. You are still at the beginning, and just need to keep going.
Don't worry about starting this before the Soccer Trip. Start it on Feb. 20th, and get in 5 days every week. If you need to "double up" because of a ski day, just double the work (reach out to 20 companies i 1 day, and apply to 2 upwork jobs). That way you can take off and enjoy your kiddos, and not feel guilt. Let that guilt go - you are doing GREAT! Seriously...great!
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And...back to me. That was a nice pep talk from my alter-Brooke. Self-talk with love and kindness. Sometimes I need to step outside of myself and just be proud of where I am, where I'm going, and how I'm going.
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.
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.
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:
You didn't know this before, but you know it now.
Let's get started.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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:
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.
USING THE TEMPLATE FROM WORKBOOK (because I seriously kept working on this for a week without any sort of progress...overthinking, I know)
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
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.
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.
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?
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)
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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.
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.
