We follow the curving road of progress for June 2023.
I spent much of my adult life straightening the curves of my metaphoric roads. I wanted a clean patch of figurative blacktop stretching for miles. The goal was to create easy paths without surprises. A series of autobahns leading from the town of Mediocrity to the metropolis of Success.
I've driven these roads in reality. Interstate 70 through Kansas is one example. They aren't easy stretches of asphalt. Their sameness and dullness get you too comfortable. In turn, you aren't prepared for an oncoming vehicle, horrendous weather, or an animal racing across several highway lanes.
On the other hand, curved roads lead to happy surprises. For instance, the western end of I-70 swings its way through the mountains and deserts of Colorado and Utah. Each turn offers a dazzling display of nature.
Over the last few years, I realized that curved roads are the better path, both literally and figuratively. Hence, the reason why I took June's progress in stride. Things happened, both good and bad, that halted my progress. Previously, I would've assumed the fetal position, mewing about my bad luck. This time around, I engaged my mindfulness engines to thwart those feelings.
Though it may be slimmer than the last two months, the June progress report does have some promising offerings.
June 2023
Sixty job applications and 70 letters of introduction (LOIs): 40 of the former and 35 of the latter. Yet, I'm not disappointed. I stopped the job search because I got a new position!
This came out of the blue. The company reached out to me via LinkedIn. Two interviews later and they hired me for the project. Further, they accepted my going rate, which nearly doubles my monthly income and gives me some financial breathing room.
Although my LOIs were only half my goal, I received seven responses to initial requests or follow-ups. The more communication, the better. July goal: 70 LOIs.
Continue website updates: My goal was six blog posts for June. I produced two for the month. The good news is I have several in the queue to create or update. I need to set my butt firmly on a chair or sofa (minus the TV) to finish them.
The other thing to do is add an online portfolio to this site. I viewed a video from Elna Cain on building a ghostwriting portfolio. I'm using her notes and examples to create one here. July goal: Six blog posts and a new Portfolio page.
15 Medium articles: One Medium article. I have two drafts ready for writing/review. I am putting this on my daily goal list to accomplish the task. July goal: Five Medium articles.
Twenty pitches: The rejections and ghostings have stopped me. I need to redirect my intentions and stop pitching to every single location. Instead, focus my energies on the ones where I have expertise. Once I get going with these, I can expand my ventures. July goal: 15 pitches.
Publish Thinking Inside My Box paperback: I'm waiting for the new job's income to kick in and purchase ten ISBNs. I'll make this a July goal but it will probably occur in August.
Send out a pop culture book proposal: This must be done in the first two weeks of July. It's been on the list for months, patiently waiting for me to do something.
Six chapters of The Mediocre Quest of Rathspun: It is on my list of daily tasks. I have to finish this and another blog before I complete two chapters of Rathspun. Additionally, I need to release another series on Kindle Vella. July goal: Six Rathspun chapters and four for a new Vella series.
Release one new eBook: No, but I'm not lacking ideas. I have several drafts for review and an idea or two for new ones. July goal: Release a new eBook.
Adjust Fiverr material and add voicework: Yes! I reworked my technical writing gig and added one for voicework. I need to add videos to both, which is my July goal.
Create Print-on-Demand items: Fun with Writing materials are currently available on Teepublic for perusal. There are eight designs right now with more coming out in July at Teepublic and Redbubble.
Remove Kindle short stories and consolidate them into a book: Not yet. This should be at the top of my list since the first part is easy to address.
Apply to 10 writing contests: I thought I sent one story, but my records don't show it. I'm keeping the goal the same.
Creation of a new podcast: I want to complete the items on my list for months before I go into this full throttle. If I don't, it will get little attention.
What Did We Learn Today, Rich?
As I said in May, it comes down to taking everything seriously instead of as a hobby. It means listing daily goals, shunning the television, pushing past the urge to take multiple naps, and not resting until everything's done. Let's see how many twisty roads I find in July.
All the best.
Rich Scott Keller
Email: wpantscreations@gmail.com
ClearVoice Portfolio: https://clearvoice.com/cv/RichardKeller
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rskellerwpp/
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