“Reflections On…” contains thoughts regarding professional and personal experiences, philosophical and academic interests, and those ignited by auditory, visual, and other stimuli. Reflecting on various events uncovers memories and emotions as well as finding solutions and peace. Keeping the positive reflections and casting off past experiences holding you back is uplifting. {Fridays}
Dark Creepy Cave http://creepypasta.wikia.com/wiki/Dark_Cave?file=Darkcreepycave.jpg
Greetings and welcome to the first blog in the “Reflections On…” stream!
Upon entering my first philosophy course several years ago I thought, “I’ll need a Texas-sized caffeine beverage & a Snicker’s bar to stay awake!” Little did I realize the seeds planted would sprout years later.
During my doctoral journey I dusted off the cobwebs and felt unanticipated excitement. Learning about how philosophers’ cultural, political, and personal events influenced their perspectives was intriguing. I enjoy Aristotelian a priori focus on creating knowledge from conscious conceptualization. Oftentimes I have more fun playing in Plato’s a posteriori creation of meaning from observations and experiences.
Enjoying the feel of holding books, making notes, and creating rainbows of stickies highlighting passages I discovered my original book including some of Plato’s works. A single page corner was creased. Opening the book, I again entered Plato’s Cave.
Re-reading the story I imagined myself as Plato’s protagonist living in the darkness, bound by chains, dim flickers of light, looming shadows, etc. With fear of the unknown, like Plato’s protagonist would I have the courage to
~ Take a step if the chains were removed or find the strength to break free?
~ Find courage to investigate the shadows?
~ Venture into the light as the brightness increased and hurt my eyes when moving closer to it?
~ Bask in sunlight?
~ Return to the cave and share my experiences to enlighten and encourage others to break free and create their own destiny? Or continue on alone based on fear of retaliation for speaking out against the status quo?
With memories flooding in I wonder
~ Have you ever faced one or more of those scenarios?
~ What thoughts arose?
~ What actions did you take?
~ And a final question to close this scene: Have you ever seen the Cave as a comfort zone? A limitation? Both?
Looking forward to reading your and sharing thoughts.
Please join me next week as our journey into the sunlight, or safety of the Cave, continues!
As Creator, Kaleidoscope Sharing LLC, Dr. Kat Strus (Lt Col, USAF, Retired) endeavors to “Help You Find & Polish Your Authentic Voice!” as a Human Capital Consultant, Voice Talent, and Writer. For additional insight or to request a free consultation please visit http://www.KaleidoscopeSharing.com
Very interesting and rhought provoking!
Dr. Beverley,
Thank you so much for your comment! Thoroughly enjoyed your article “The Effect of an Expressive-Writing Intervention for
Employees on Emotional Self-Efficacy, Emotional Intelligence, Affect, and Workplace Incivility.” I’m among those providing evidence to support your findings within my former and current-work-from-wherever-I-am workplace.
Cheers,
Kat 😀
Very good blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any recommendations? Thanks a lot!
Vincent,
Many thanks for your generous compliment. I’m excited to learn about your writing passion! Hopefully the following will help strengthen your cornerstone: Successful entrepreneurs remain flexible.
~ Are you writing for yourself (i.e., author), for others, or both? Answering this question is critical for your business model/plan as well as your website. For example, if launching a site as an Author only, you can evolve or expand your literary contributions (e.g., blog for others, copywrite).
~ If writing for yourself…research research research.
~~ What message(s) do you wish your audience to receive? My site was designed from intrinsic intuition based on passion/experience in the eclectic areas. Although working full-time since Spring 2018, I keep it updated to let folks know my small business support is available in these areas.
~~ Recommend reviewing sites of your favorite authors as well as those from other genre. James Patterson’s, Daniel Goldman (Emotional Intelligence), and Bruce Kasanoff (“I’m a social media ghostwriter”) are different based on many factors to include their deliverables, passion, experience, etc.
~ If writing for others…research research research.
~~ Several sites are available regarding fees for services (e.g., editing, ghostwriting). Some charge by word, project, page, etc. Some article authors recommend posting prices while others recommend “contact me for pricing.” Again, your call but recommend not selling yourself short. A few puns in that short comment but apropos. If setting fees keep in mind taxes, your budget, your income requirements, and being competitive with other authors providing similar services
~~ NOTE: Recommend looking at the Ultius site for some proposed pricing and/or perhaps apply to be an independent contract writer. I’m enjoying my 1 year+ experience to a) hone my literary skills (i.e., they have editors who post the final draft), b) expand my format capabilities (i.e., instead of APA-only, MLA, Chicago, and learning others), and c) explore new topics. Because I’m not ready to initiate/negotiate contracts I appreciate collaborating with the staff to learn about those aspects while my primary focus remains anonymously interacting with the Client and providing a project that meets their requirements.
~ Before creating a site, and if you don’t have one, recommend creating a business model and business plan.
~~ The Small Business Administration provides insight and free templates. One format I enjoy using is using a business canvas model–several good articles and examples available. These are living documents that may change over time; however, starting with something conveys to others your entrepreneur devotion.
~~ Recommend looking for small business workshops to learn about various aspects (e.g., business plans, marketing). One source may be EventBrite and peruse the Business link or type in applicable search terms. Oftentimes local universities and public libraries provide free courses. There are also on-line webinars that may be helpful
~~ Admittedly I launched my small business without one. Working for Ultius and collaborating with other entrepreneurs my business plan/model is simmering when deciding to modify this or launch a new small business.
~ Your website design: What message do you wish to convey? Why?
~~ Research research research 😀 One of my favorite authors is Simon Sinek. Love his book, “Start With Why” and his YouTube videos and LinkedIn posts. Knowing your “Why?” Will help dispel some of the overwhelmingness.
~~ Because I’m not technologically savvy, I remain thankful to a contact who introduced me to a webmaster I trust! Gresham Harkness (CEO, Blue 16 Media) and his team provide exceptional support and web maintenance. Recommend reviewing the Blue 16 Media and his other site, CEOBlogNation.com to learn more about websites, what you/your small business may need, etc. His tutorials are very user-friendly and informative.
Hopefully the information above helps clear away some of the cloudiness. The key I’m learning from my entrepreneur mentors is having a solid business plan/model, devotion to your small business, flexibility to change, and how to attract/maintain/grow your audience. The latter takes an Uber-amount of effort that’s fueled by your small business focus as a writer.
Good luck and please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Cheers,
Kat
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