When life gets very busy and we fall into habits of distraction and reaction, it’s important to approach flightiness and unfocused energy with deliberate and kind attention. Why? Because we become what we do. And we lose our perspective — that part of us that imagines and executes brilliant things — when we simply react […]
Perhaps the years have brought you a “life-quake” or two – an experience that dramatically ruptured the plot of life as you once knew it. Suddenly, your world is peppered with daunting new characters, settings or conflicts. Suddenly, you’re required to become something different or new, in order to survive and thrive. My version of […]
I’m a late-adopter when it comes to media. (Case in point: my husband and I waited until 2014 to “discover” The West Wing — a full eight years after the series ended.) So imagine my surprise when I found myself binge-watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix this past week. Have you watched it? […]
A personal note today. My mother’s death this time last year was the last of a series of profound, life-altering events that have steadily cascaded through my experience since 2012. The past five years have been an arduous passage for me, a time in life that has required me to draw on and develop deep […]
Last night I stayed up late, researching Christmas presents online. I bookmarked items and filled my shopping cart. I made mental lists and discovered a few items I might like, too. Quite a lot of mental energy and time can go into holiday gift-giving, yes? As this year’s season of celebration and generosity unfolds, I […]
A few weeks ago, my mother passed away. Mom was a reserved woman, and throughout my adult life I had often hoped for more intimacy between us. Although the closeness I yearned for never materialized, in her absence my brother and I discovered much evidence of love and connection among her possessions, including: a tin […]
Thank you for cheering me on last week as I took time off to do a personal retreat. It was nice to return to the office on Monday to find your encouraging notes in my inbox. As I mentioned in last week’s video, I decided to keep my retreat open-ended, and resist my usual habit […]
Your best productivity hack is one of the hardest to do: setting time aside to allow yourself to take an expansive, deep and real break from daily demands. What would you do with a few days entirely to yourself? In today’s video, I’ll share with you my challenge with taking time off…and the choice I’m […]
Warmest holiday wishes to you! Click below for a holiday greeting, and a special year-end exercise you can do next week. So many of us are planning and setting intentions for 2016. This simple practice will help you step into the new year feeling more grounded and confident and happy: Thanks for allowing […]
How’s your week so far? How are you feeling? I’m curious. Since Monday… Have you spent a moment drenched in wonder? Have you surrended your time to a story, a song or a true feeling, and if yes, did you allow it to press beautifully, deeply into the heart of you? Did you nourish your […]
Sometimes we writers forget that it’s our own responsibility to believe in the power of our voice and message and writing. (Especially if you come from an “allied profession” like business or law or technical writing, and you’re trying your hand at fiction for the first time. You’re likely not used to failing, right?) Whether […]
c. 2015 Marla Beck I’m on a 6am flight out of San Francisco, headed to D.C. as I write this. Tomorrow my 8-year-old daughter and I will visit my mom on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. For now, my little one is drifting to sleep on her tray table with a squishy travel pillow under […]
Hello writers! Have you been feeling sluggish lately? Lost your zing and clarity for writing? If so, today’s “Quick Tip for Writers” is a mini kick-in-the-pants. Click below watch it: After you watch, feel free to share you comments or questions with us over on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/career.coaching.for.writers.MarlaBeck Have a productive, happy writing day!
Being a grownup writer can be fun, right? You can earn money in the marketplace with your writing, if you choose… You can help make the world a better place by volunteering or writing for organizations you care about… You’ve got the skills you need to develop interesting ideas, combine new elements, pursue new lines […]
‘Tis the season to be…overwhelmed? Holidays for anyone can be tough. Holidays for writers can be especially challenging! – We want to enjoy the festivities and celebrate, give gifts and perhaps travel to be with our families… – We want to entertain friends and family without too much stress or resentment… – We want […]
