The worse they can say is ‘no’
Whether it’s a raise, a new opportunity, a sale or even just a favour, the fear of asking is real. You know the feeling. The knot in your stomach, the racing heart, the endless mental rehearsals that inevitably lead to self-doubt. You might feel uncertain, nervous or even a little embarrassed about putting yourself out…
A new language with a “hook”
I’ll be honest—I almost forgot to write this week’s blog. My mind hasn’t been on word counts or headlines lately because I’ve been busy with a different kind of “hook.” Instead of typing, I’ve been crocheting. Not something totally foreign to me, but something I haven’t done in a very long time. I quickly realized…
Finding the heart of your support system
Birthdays have this funny way of acting like a spotlight. They don’t just celebrate your age; they illuminate exactly who is standing in your corner. I recently wrapped up my own birthday, and looking back, the “gifts” weren’t what sat on the table—it was the people who showed up. There is a specific kind of…
Plowing through the boring tasks
We’ve all been there. You look at your to-do list and see that one task—the one that isn’t necessarily hard, but it’s long, repetitive and feels like it’s going to take forever. Today, that’s me. Today, I’m working on reaching out to over 150 people as part of a marketing campaign. And, to be honest,…
Feeling small business stress?
Running a small business with its highs and lows can feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. If you’re feeling the squeeze, you aren’t alone—but you also don’t have to stay stuck in that “survival mode” headspace. Here are four practical ways to reduce the stress and get back to…
Why marketing matters
Marketing is the heartbeat of any business, and when it’s done well—even on a small budget—it becomes one of the most powerful growth tools you have. Marketing isn’t just a task on your to‑do list—it’s the engine that keeps your business moving forward. You can have the best product or service in the world, but…
Listening… essential for your body, too!
Happy 2026! As I kick off my first post of the year, I’m excited to continue my theme of communication. Communication isn’t just for business—it’s a life skill. It’s not only about how we write or share information, but also about how well we listen and understand others. And listening isn’t limited to spoken words;…
Make your message stick!
When you’re running a small business, you don’t always have the budget for massive, months‑long ad campaigns. That’s why smart marketing isn’t about shouting louder—it’s about showing up consistently. People remember messages they see and hear repeatedly, which means repetition isn’t optional; it’s the strategy. Think of the human brain like a leaky bucket. You…
Will you keep your resolution?
Whether or not you make a New Year’s resolution is up to you. Some people do and heroically stick to them; other fail after the first few months. And then there are the ones who think about making them, and the ones who never do. Setting goals is the easy part. Keeping them, not so…
My holiday card ritual
It’s that time of year. We’re all getting ready to wave goodbye to the old year and high-five the new one, hoping it brings all the good stuff. And me? I’m still the person clinging to the old ways: I send actual, physical holiday cards. Yup, I buy the paper ones with the fancy foil…
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Thank you for following Pen and Patience. I appreciate the support. I like your Blog Site and wish you much success with your endeavors. If you haven’t already, I invite you to stop by http://www.writeradvice.com and read my writing journey under the heading, “You can’t make this stuff up.” It’s titled, “Late Bloomin’ Writer.” It’s never too late to begin writing.
Frances
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Thank you. I will will check it out!
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