Finding your ‘get up and go’

I was laying in bed thinking about the things I needed to do. Despite having a good night’s sleep, laying in bed was a pretty comfortable place to be on a dark and dreary autumn morning. I needed some motivation to get up and go. It’s not always easy to find motivation, but it canContinue reading “Finding your ‘get up and go’”

Strike up a conversation

This past week I circled Lake Superior by car with family. The views were magnificent — rock cuts, gorges, waterfalls and breathtaking horizons. At every stop, there were tourists from different places in Canada and United States experiencing the same wonders and sharing their stories about the last trips they’d made, the tours or sightsContinue reading “Strike up a conversation”

A case for planning

One of the fun parts of my job is planning events for small businesses. I have a number of contacts who specialize in creating party favours and printed items, but the real fun comes with the planning. Mary runs a small home design shop where she displays various fabrics, mirrors and other stylish vases andContinue reading “A case for planning”

See the goal. Achieve the goal.

The best way to reach a goal is to start with a clear picture of what you want to achieve. Is your goal to buy a house in the next five years, take a vacation or maybe chip away at a pile of debt you’ve accumulated? Whatever your goal, you’ll need a plan to getContinue reading “See the goal. Achieve the goal.”

Writing with purpose

I’m sometimes asked to write letters, ads, posts, etc. for my customers. And, of course, I’m always happy to help. Whether it’s a flyer to promote their services or a letter to explain a change, knowing the purpose and what the sender wants the reader to do is an important first step. I like toContinue reading “Writing with purpose”

Five reasons to write!

“I can shake off everything as I write. My sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” ~ Anne Frank There are many good reasons to write. Here are some to consider. 5. It’s a great way to record memories.You’ve had a great vacation. You visited little towns and shops and learned so much about the areaContinue reading “Five reasons to write!”

Why blog?

I haven’t always been a blogger. In fact, I’ve only really been blogging for a couple years now. I started my blogging as a project for my Toastmasters Club. The project asked me to research blog sites, plan what I would blog about, how frequently and then write eight posts. Writing eight blogs may seemContinue reading “Why blog?”

Is writing a dying art?

In the 80s, Apple introduced the Macintosh computer and from then on laptops and tablets flourished. It seems one advancement in technology sparks another and then another and then another… Today, we have so many writing options that my hands cramp when I try to handwrite even the shortest note! Artificial intelligence — a hotContinue reading “Is writing a dying art?”

For the love of words

Have you ever stopped to think about the words you use when you’re explaining a concept or providing direction? We tend to throw in [a lot of] extra words. That might make your communication more conversational, or maybe not. In reality, when we add extra words, we create more work for the reader. There’s moreContinue reading “For the love of words”

Your brand inside and out

You’ve put a lot of thought and planning into your brand. You’ve decided on the brand’s characteristics and the tone and feel you want to project. You’ve got a brand promise you feel good about and, in the process, you’ve nailed your key messages. Everything is coming together nicely. A well-thought-out visual identity, complete withContinue reading “Your brand inside and out”