Comments on: Breaking Your Second Place Finish

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 27 May 2011 12:51:13 +0000

Hi, Lori. Ever since I saw Devon’s comment on your blog about putting her 1st 1,000 words on her projects, I have tried to do the same-well, probably not 1,000 words, but I set aside time in the morning. I am not always successful at remembering that. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by where I can actually comment. LOL!! 😀

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 27 May 2011 12:43:34 +0000

Sometimes, yes. I put it aside when I should put it front-and-center.

Maybe make time first thing in the morning for MY writing. It’s something I’m fully conscious of, but rarely act on. Thanks for the push, Cathy. 🙂

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 27 May 2011 11:47:34 +0000

In reply to Stella | Get More Traffic. Hi Stella-Almost every writer I know struggles with putting their projects first. Their clients love them for their great service. It's like my writer buddy, Sharon, said, we are our own worst client. Thank you for stopping by, Stella.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 27 May 2011 11:43:53 +0000

Hi Ryan-that’s a good place to be when the result is offering your best. It’s a radical shift for some to put themselves first. Thank you for your perspective. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

By: Ryan Biddulph

Ryan Biddulph — Fri, 27 May 2011 03:37:13 +0000

Hi Cathy,

I’m of the Ayn Rand school of thought: if everybody were more selfish the world would be a better place. Everybody would meet their needs, fulfill themselves, and in turn would be more equipped and willing to serve others.

I keep my projects first. Otherwise, people wouldn’t receive my best stuff. Meaning I’d be doing a disservice to others.

I honor them by being the best me, offering my skills, and take everything else from there.

Thanks for sharing.

Ryan

By: Stella | Get More Traffic

Stella | Get More Traffic — Thu, 26 May 2011 22:35:28 +0000

Now that I read this, I was just wondering if this is common with most writers. I do lots of business writing, including business plans and corporate brochure for clients but it took me ‘ages’ to create my own.

Again, I have learned to become less sentimental to clients and start setting aside some time daily for my own jobs.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:57:18 +0000

Hi Tammy: Thank you for sharing your story. I think many of us have been in the same boat. I saw the final show of Oprah yesterday, and it’s what she has been preaching for years, When you work on yourself first by finding your passion, you find the happiness and fulfillment we all look for.

Thanks for stopping by, Tammy.

By: Tammy Matthews

Tammy Matthews — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:44:47 +0000

Hi Cathy,
I’ve put myself second most of my life. It hasn’t been until recently that I decided I needed to start putting my priorities first. It’s a struggle in my head, but I’ll get there!
What I came to realize was that if I don’t put my priorities first at least a portion of each day I can never help the ones I love in the way that I want to help. If I don’t take the time to do what I know I need to do I can never share my success with them!
Thanks for a great post,
Tammy

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:38:59 +0000

Thanks, Sharon. I appreciate the inspiration. 🙂 Don’t we both wish we were a J K Rowling?

I agree we need to give ourselves permission to treat our own projects like we do clients – with the same care and attention. Thanks for stopping by, Sharon.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:31:27 +0000

Good question, Cathy. Although I’ve achieved some of my bigger personal goals, I tend to procrastinate on my own writing projects. Sometimes it seems as though there aren’t enough hours in the day (I’m no J K Rowling). But if I’m honest with myself, it’s about not giving my stuff the same value as projects for clients – long term that’s not a good idea. Thanks for the timely kick in the pants and reminder to stop procrastinating.