Tim Ferriss recommends writing “2 crappy pages a day” … the theory is that it gets you into a habit of writing every day, even if it is only 2 crappy pages. This works for me, but once you’ve made some headway, I find that to really forge ahead, you need to ...Read More →]]> The actual process of writing a book isn’t the same as creating one. Creating ideas for a book is the easy part, finding a way to get those ideas onto ‘paper’ in a cohesive, interesting and engaging format is a bit harder. The hardest part? Actually getting it done.

Tim Ferriss recommends writing “2 crappy pages a day” … the theory is that it gets you into a habit of writing every day, even if it is only 2 crappy pages. This works for me, but once you’ve made some headway, I find that to really forge ahead, you need to take yourself out of your own environment, away from the kids, the tv, the email and even the phone.

As many of you know, I was recently lucky enough to have some of the biggest publishers in the world interested in my next book(s) including Capstone / Wiley, Random House, Penguin and Hay House. When you get this kind of an opportunity, a good proposal isn’t enough, it has to be an AMAZING proposal, one that jumps out from the 200,000 other ones they’re sent! I couldn’t do this from my office or my kitchen.

So this is what I did. I took myself away to Agape Cottage in Essex (yes, Essex really is more than TOWIE!) and put myself in the magical hands of Sharon Agates. For 48 hours I wrote, drank green juices, wrote some more, jumped in the jacuzzi under the stars for inspiration, drank copious amounts of coffee, more green juice, more writing, a massage to keep the writing shoulders in top form and yes, some more writing. I left feeling energised, inspired and with a 15,000 word proposal … which received offers from ALL the publishers (more on that later!).

So, if you are serious about writing, I would highly recommend you pay Sharon and Agape Cottage a visit. In fact, here’s an incentive for doing so … Sharon has put a special “Writers Retreat” offer together for you all.

Writer’s Retreat At Agape Cottage

The Writer’s retreat at Agape Cottage offers women a unique and luxurious space to be creative and write. Taking time away from your work, family and the daily distractions of everyday life will get you focused and purposeful!

Agape will provide you with everything you need to bring your book to life. All the tea, coffee and chocolate you could want or alternatively healthy home cooked food and freshly made juices whenever you need an energy boost.

To rest and rejuvenate your can relax in the hot tub and enjoy a luxurious massage in front of the log burner.

48 Hour special offer

£395.00
Usually £598.00

Just make sure you save some dates for me – I’ve got a book to write!

We’re taking over London’s One Alfred Place from 6pm – 10pm on ...Read More →]]> Britain is bucking the trend across Europe – its economy is growing. We’ve officially avoided a triple dip recession and it’s thanks to the innovative small businesses that have made extra sales not only in the UK but across the world. Tomorrow night, Smarta will be showing how your business can do this too, along with the help and experience from some of Britain’s top businesses including Dyson, King of Shaves and Royal Crown Derby. . . For free

We’re taking over London’s One Alfred Place from 6pm – 10pm on Tuesday night with Dyson’s Sir Richard Needham, founder of King of Shaves Will King, Nick Roope of Plumen, Simon Willis of Royal Crown Derby, Emma Jayne Parkes of SquidLondon and Alibaba.com’s James Hardy.

Come loaded with questions as this event will give you the opportunity to ask myself or any of our guests the questions that can help kick start extra growth within your business. Oh, we’re also giving away a brand new Nokia Lumia 820 on the night too!

It doesn’t matter whether you’re based in Inverness, London, Swansea or Swindon. If you’re a British-based business you have the potential to open your doors to the world and increase your profit ten-fold.

This event will give you the tips and tricks you can take away and apply to your business to start making a difference the next day. I would Love to see you there.

For more information and to claim your FREE ticket follow this link -

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5465495444#

I know there are many of you who have the same dream and it’s my responsibility to help ‘move’ you from dreaming to doing.We only have 5 places left!

So, if you’ve always wanted to write a book, but haven’t got round to it … if you’ve got an idea, but don’t know what to do with it … if you’ve already ...Read More →]]> I had always wanted to write a book.. I’d dreamed about it as a kid and talked about it as an adult … for years. Then, finally, I Stopped Talking and Started Doing!

I know there are many of you who have the same dream and it’s my responsibility to help ‘move’ you from dreaming to doing.We only have 5 places left!

So, if you’ve always wanted to write a book, but haven’t got round to it … if you’ve got an idea, but don’t know what to do with it … if you’ve already self published but know want to get it distributed … or you just want to know where to get started, then this event is for you.

Stop talking, get booking!

Look forward to seeing you there!

Shaa X

Do you try to see things from another perspective or use your position to assert ‘authority’? If you do, you ...Read More →]]> It’s the simple things in life that count. Like being nice.
When given a choice between working with people you like and people who can ‘do the job’, nice wins every time.
How you treat people says far more about you than it does about them. When faced with a challenging situation, do you talk to the other person as an equal or do you talk down to them to try to gain ‘power’? If you do, you’ve lost already.

Do you try to see things from another perspective or use your position to assert ‘authority’? If you do, you have none.
It’s never the situation but how you deal with it that counts. If you deal with it the right way, you can resolve anything.

If you deal with it the wrong way, you will turn every molehill into a mountain.
And it won’t be about ‘your’ opinion or ‘their’ opinion. You will be judged by your actions and they will be judged by theirs.

Focus on that ONE thing. Make a plan to get from here to there and don’t get distracted by anything else. Once you’ve achieved that ONE thing, move onto the next. And repeat.