​7 Terrific Reasons to Start Work Quilting Immediately!

1. You’re wasting your potential.

There’s nothing worse than getting to the end of your life with regrets.

You don't want to get there and think about what you should have done; what you could have done or what you could have been.

You are Awesome!

Yes, you are.

The fact that you’re on this earth means that you are here to add value to this world.

So what is your potential? How are you using it? What will you do today to discover it?

2. You want self-generating income.

There is no such thing as passive income.

It’s a lie.

You can’t take a $97 course and make millions tomorrow.

You have to invest something. That something is in time, money, or effort--and usually all three.

The exciting thing is that when you love your work, you want to invest in it.

Work should be fun. Work can be fun. 

When you are doing what you're meant to do, work is no longer a chore.

You wake up excited to see where it will take you.

It may make you millions but if you aren't happy, this work achieves nothing.

The only reason to gain money is so you can enjoy the life you desire. For some people that may be a small amount. Others may seek more. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to money or lifestyle. 

Your focus should not be so much on making money but having enough to achieve the lifestyle you desire.

According to the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, $50,000 is where people are happiest. Princeton did its own study in 2010 and concluded that $75,000 was the tipping point.  Although CNBC, came in with the magical figure of $160,000. 

Nobel Prize winner, Angus Deaton, in a Wall Street Journal article, states that  research concludes that a "happiness plateau" occurs for any salary about $75,000.  

He notes the difference between every-day contentment and that of life assessment-considering where you are in life. 

A person may be feel more content with their life in general but daily happiness does not raise more than a few points after reaching that salary. 

 In other words, simply gaining a larger bank account doesn't equate to happiness. A particular number is subjective to you and your circumstances. 

Of course, there are caveats. Your living expenses will be much more in New York city than in Synder, Texas.  The amount of family you help support, the debt you incur, all of these impact your salary needs.

More money doesn’t equate to more satisfaction.

What equates to happiness?

Freedom!

The more freedom you have to do what you want will equate to more satisfaction with your life.

This is why your focus is to create multiple income streams with constant springs to keep money flowing. Thus, you can pull out of one stream and invest in another interest.

3. You have more than one interest.

No one ever said “I want to be a franchise owner” or “I want to spend 10 hours in a cubicle” as a child.

Nope!

She said “I want to be a dancer, a firefighter, a mommy, an artist …”

Then the little girl grew up.

Her paradigm became shaped by parents and peers, the public and her own perception.

Her dreams were explained away as childish dreams.

Your dreams aren’t childish.

They’re an indicator of who you are truly meant to be!  

You can be--wait—you ARE more than one thing.

So why not make your dreams into income streams that support you?

You can be what you want!

If you decide you want to be a franchise owner or work in a cubicle you can do that too. You can live your live or you can allow others to dictate how you live your life. You want to be more than one thing--then go for it. 

Refuse to pick one!

4. You know streams can run dry.

Have you ever faced a layoff or been fired?

Have you ever decided to “start over” in a new career?

The older you get, the more you may find this occurring. This is partly to varying reasons. One, due to misconceptions on the parts of employers. Or secondly, because you're tired of putting up with stupid corporate crap. 

Work is changing as never before in history.

Working for the same employer is slowly (or quickly, depending on how you look at it) going away.

“Ism’s” may work against you.

Thus, make climbing the corporate ladder seem more like the game of Chutes and Ladders. Just as you think you're making headway, life sends you crashing back down to start over. 

Yet you won’t have to worry if you have multiple, diverse income streams. One doesn't work out, you just move on to another. 

As one stream dries up, another one may be flowing. I’ve found this to be true in my own “work quilt.”

As I began to notice the ebb and flow of work, I realized the need for extra streams of income.

Bur what should I do?  It's simple.

I went back to what I love.

Now some might call what I do teaching, but I know what it really is—it’s telling people what to do.

I’ve been doing it pretty much my entire life.

I love seeing people succeed and if I can help them move forward, I get a kick out of playing a small part in that.

If you travel back in your mind to when you were a child, you’ll discover who you were meant to be all along.

What were you drawn to?

What continues to creep back into your mind or life today?

What income stream could you explore today?

5. You can work from anywhere.

I love travel.

Let me repeat that.

I L-O-V-E travel.

I don’t know why travel holds such pull over me but it does.

It has changed my mindset about other people and cultures many times.

 I have many interests. I love art and architecture, history, gardens, food, the list goes on.

Travel allows me to fulfill many of my interests.

I know many individuals who will often say, “I want to travel” which is followed by a big “but.”

It’s either money or work or some reason why they are putting their dreams on hold.

Work shouldn’t be the reason you can’t live the life you desire.

If it is, then it’s the wrong work for you.

Many companies are finally recognizing the need for life and work balance.

Telecommuting opportunities grow as companies try to gain and keep quality employees.

Yet, roaming income is what you want.

Choose to work when you want at what you want.

Develop income streams that follow you wherever you go. The concept of working from anywhere is gaining steam, especially with younger and conversely, older generations.  Why? Because each of these demographics tend to have the most freedom from responsibilities. 

Imagine for a moment. 

What if you work hard for a short time but  money keeps going into your account long after the work is completed?

What if you can go anywhere or even live anywhere?

What if you woke up tomorrow and your dreams had become reality?

You can enjoy more time with your family and friends.  Time to spend with those you love is the number one area that creates happiness.

You have more time for things of interest and hobbies.​ Wouldn't it be nice to finally delve into painting or carpentry? Or spending a month learning to cook in France? 

The sharing economy flung open the door with house sitting/pet sitting opportunities.

People are traveling the world through help exchange and working on organic farms.

Want to make money while traveling?

You could:

• Teach English overseas

• Develop an online course

• Write or edit

• Use your photography skills

• Run a villa’s bed and breakfast

• Work seasonally and save for travel.

Have you ever thought of working from somewhere else?

Where is it?

What’s stopping you?

6. Outsource what you don’t want to do.

Afraid you can't start because they're so much to do? 

Outsource it!​

Okay, so I knew about outsourcing, but I wasn’t taking full advantage of it.

Then I read Tim Ferris’ book, The Four Hour Workweek.

I’ve still yet to work only four hours a week but I did take away the importance of outsourcing.

Yes, you can learn how to [input skill here] but is that the best use of your time?

If something takes you hours or days that someone else could do in 10 minutes, pay the money and move on.

I’ve outsourced graphic design, data entry, editing, marketing, and IT services to name a few. This left me more time to pursue what I wanted. 

In doing so I received a quality product for a fair price. Then I spent my time working on one of my income streams.  

You don’t have to limit your outsourcing to your income streams. Would hiring a housekeeper or gardener free up your time? Could you send your laundry out or have someone run errands for you?

Want to see a significant impact on your bottom line? You would be best served by hiring a financial advisor, accountant, or professional coach.

Determine the best use of your time and outsource the rest.

7. You’re the boss.

This is the most important reason to start work quilting.

You can choose to take the day off when you want. You choose to work late or leave early. Doesn't that sound nice?

A friend calls and wants to have coffee. No problem. You don't have to ask anyone if you can go join her. 

Yes, all the responsibility of success or failure now rests on your shoulders.

Yet, if it’s work you love, it should rest easy and not be burdensome.

Remember, being an employee is like being a self-employed contractor with only one client. That client can decide to fire you at any moment. [I didn’t come up with this. I read it somewhere and don’t recall the author. If you know, please send me his/her information. I’d love to give appropriate approbation for such a great example of working for someone else.]

Be the Boss of your Destiny.

When you work for others, they decide how much you work and how much you will make. When you’re the boss, you choose how much you work and how much you’ll make. Yes, you have to account for business expenses and investment but you reap the full profit.

So there you have it.

Work Quilting is the best way to increase your happiness and wealth.

It all comes down to seven simple principles. You can use them to turn them into affirmations and the basis of goal-setting. You can pick one to focus on each day.

Affirmations

1. I’m the boss of my own destiny.

2. I can outsource what I don’t want to do.

3. I can work from anywhere so I choose to work from …

4. I know streams can run dry so I have many.

5. I have more than one interest so I explore them all.

6. I want self-generating income so I’m creating multiple, diverse income streams.

7. I’m not wasting my potential—I’m expanding it!

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. Anatole France.

Are you ready to accomplish great things in your life?

Then act now. Turn your dreams into reality.

Starting any project affords you the chance to learn new things. It is often through mistakes or failures that we will often gain the most knowledge. Here's my list of things I've learned to launching as a published writer. 

#12

Every time you think you’ve got your ducks in a row, one moves.

I wasn’t going to announce my book had launched until it went free. I told a friend that was leaving on vacation about it. It never dawned on me to tell her not to share it yet.

She posted it on her Facebook page. Ack!

I then had to scramble to do other things I hadn’t meant to do at that point to get ready for the launch.

So first thing is--don’t tell anyone you if you don’t want to share it yet. Or make sure that you tell them not to share on social media.

On the upside, lots of your friends want to help you be successful!  Thank them when they do share!

I had planned on having my book on free promotion for Friday and Saturday. There was miscommunication with the person handling the promotions so it changed to Saturday and Sunday and then finally to Sunday and Monday. Each time I had to go back on social media, saying, oops, it's free tomorrow. Not a smooth promotion.

#11

Time your reviews properly.

It’s important to let people know to wait two to three days to write their review after they download your book. If they do it too quickly, Amazon may consider them scam reviews and pull them.  You work hard asking for those reviews so don't let them be pulled. 

#10

Get Reviews the Best Way.

People are funny. Even though they may enjoy your book, they want to know others have read it and like it before they decide to take a chance on it.

You can contact your friends and family but those aren't the best places to get reviews.  In most cases, they fall into one of two primary categories. They will give you five stars because they like you. They're critical of it because they know you. In many cases, their review has nothing to do with the book but with you. 

Go ahead and contact your friends and family. But don't expect them to be the main source for your book's reviews. ​

Look into contacting reviewers through Amazon. Contact those who’ve ready similar books to yours and are in your target niche. If you don't have time to go through the extensive database and you want to find top Amazon reviewers, I highly recommend BookRazor. (Tell'em Vikki sent you).

Now here's the thing. These reviewers give out honest reviews. This is what you want. Don't spend your money on places that add reviews that are essentially worthless. You want real people to give your readers--and you--feedback on your book. These reviews will help with updates, blog posts, additions and new book opportunities. 

#9

Determine the Best Dates for your Launch.

Don’t plan your book launch around your daughter’s 18^th birthday with a bunch of girls sleeping over at your house. Or at least not so you can’t get to your computer. Nuff said on that one.

#8

Enjoy the Journey.

I was lucky enough to get awesome feedback right after I launched:

 I was feeling depressed; I needed your book. I needed to see that I’m on the right track. I wrote you because I truly believe a higher power works miracles and I was feeling down, I needed your book. I need to hear I am doing the right thing. I read a little bit today and was inspired to make a paper quilt and put all I do in each square. I was surprised to see three squares empty. It was an eye opener.

Encouraging someone at just the right moment’ inspiring them to do something with what you’ve wrote—you can’t ask for any better compliment as a writer.

Why is this important?

Because at some point I’ll (and you) will get the “your book/writing sucks.” You can’t please everyone. You’re not meant to. You’re meant to please the people who will enjoy and receive benefit from your work.

Develop a thick skin if you don’t already have one. There has not been one artist who has not been criticized for some flaw in their work. Admit any mistakes but move on from it. Don't dwell on criticism.

#7

Go with your Gut. 

Don’t be afraid to go with your gut. I put my title out on some social media groups for feedback. I was told that everyone is going to think the book is about quilting.

It’s not.

It is.

It’s taking the metaphor of fabric quilting and using it to show how to craft your work and piece together passive income streams.

I debated it  and finally stuck with my instincts. My  first sale was due to the title catching someone's eye in my target audience.

Seth Godin speaks to this very principle in Purple Cow. “The way to break through to the mainstream is to target your niche instead of a huge market.”

My primary niche is women. Women are familiar with quilts and quilting even if they don’t quilt.  My niche gets it. 

#6

If it feels wrong, change it.

I had approved a photo for my cover. I liked it.

Yet when the interior colors were matched to the colors of the exterior picture, I knew it the cover had veered off in the wrong direction for me and my niche. So I had it changed.

It’s better to change something before it goes public than after the fact.

#5

Get an Editor.

You will miss things.

They will catch them.

They will tell you where something isn’t clear or where you need to add in more description.

Do it.

#4

Don't Rely Totally on Editors. 

You still need to edit. You still need to review.

Editors are people. They make mistakes too.

Even though it is their job to fix or point out the things you've missed, it still is your book. Therefore, check it. Re-check it. Wait some time. Check it again. 

Additionally, review each type of format specifically. I had a pdf copy which shows the correct wording. On the e-book format, two chapters had typos. Take the time to review one last time before launching. 

Editing Tips: Start from the back not the front. Read from the bottom up. Read aloud. Check the Table of Contents. ​

#3

Write what you know.

Write what you’re passionate about. It will come across in your work.

For fiction, do your research. Readers are savvy. They will find out mistakes. 

For nonfiction: In order to be the authority, you need to have the authority to build upon. Everyone is an expert in something.  

It's been said if you read about a subject for five years, you will become an expert. I consider expertise more an outgrowth of experience--both successes and failures. Write from that place.

#2

Seek and Procure Help.

Can you do it yourself?

Yes.

But you may spend more time, effort and money making mistakes then if you hired some help.

I hired someone to help with editing, creating a cover, formatting, publishing, etc.

Going it alone can be done. But you’ll still be sane—okay, half-way sane—when you understand your limitations and how much is involved. Trust me, it's a lot more than you think!

Writing your book is only one piece of a major undertaking. So get all the help and encouragement you can. Then outsource as much as you’re able so you can go on and create more!

#1

Build Relationships.

This is the most important thing you will do to move forward in any endeavor.

Join groups that encourage and inspire each other.

Find others that have the same outlook as you.

Connect with other authors. They are not your competition. They will be some of your best champions! 

Learning never stops. We learn from our work and we learn from others. The next time something happens that isn't what you want, turn it around and say "Well, that's a great learning experience!"

What are some things that you've learned in the writing, publishing or marketing of your book? ​