Practice Makes... Progress???

If you have never seen Andy Andrew's "The Seven Decisions" I highly recommend it. You could also buy his book called "The Traveler" from any major bookstore.

For me, hearing his words while listening to 'The Seven Decisions', was the single catalyst that changed the direction of my professional, and therefore, personal life. He didn't even say anything that was terribly surprising or what you might call a 'lightbulb moment'. In fact everything he said was pretty much in accordance with the way I already live my life; universal laws you might say. You know... things like: 'what goes around comes around' and 'you get what you give' or 'do unto others as you'd have them do unto you.' I just needed to hear it all in a different way. In very focused, driven and positive terms.

However there was one particular decision that resonated within my heart.

I will Persist Without Exception.

I had been mulling a tiny idea around in my head. Something creative, something positive. A small newsletter written by women, for women as encouragement and to bolster their self-esteem. I envisioned about four to six pages with inspirational quotations and things like tried and true family recipes. It was a great little idea, perfect for me to manage while working full time. Something to build and grow. To create.

My day job hadn't been filling me up and I was tired of working really hard for a company, a division, a corporate entity that continually reaped the rewards of my precious time and talents. I wanted something of my own. A business of my own. Something big. Something that would allow me to contribute my passions, my energy and my intentions to the world.

Then I saw The Seven Decisions.

I will Persist Without Exception.

I continued to dream about the venture. I don't even know when it happened but one day I was telling people about my women's 'magazine'. I was building a website. I was attending business conferences and networking with really brilliant female entrepreneurs. I kept writing and working, scheming and dreaming and the stars began to align.

Every spare second that I have, I am working on this project. I am working on the business plan, developing a marketing scheme, selling advertising spaces, researching legal terms, necessary insurances and obtaining quotes to have the project made into a product.

I will Persist Without Exception.

This has been the fastest, craziest three months of my life. I am short on sleep, stressed to the max and burning the candle at both ends. And I am damn content. Hell, I am happy.

I am learning new things at a breakneck pace. I am consistently working at layouts, designs, ideas, fonts, articles, photos and advertisements. I am certain that I will make some big mistakes along the way... heck! I've made some mistakes along the way already... this won't be so bad. The key will be moving forward at all costs. Making a ton of progress by working at this dream a little bit every day.

There is nothing that anyone has said or could say that would deter me from this journey. I am excited and energized. The people that I adore the most in my life are 150% supportive of my ideas, my committment and my time.

I must admit, when I am still and overly exhausted, I get fearful of the changes (even the good ones). I feel guilty for time spent on work that could be spent on extra snuggling. Overwhelmed by the shear volume of publishing and magazine stuff that I still need to learn.

But I will persist.

Without exception.