What's Your Summer Fun Goal? A Book, Novel, or Screenplay Passion Project

Summertime! And the living is ... easier than it's been in a while. Still, there are plenty of challenges in the latest normal.

Want to know one of the best things you can do for yourself right now? Choose a summer goal and work toward getting a win!

• What's that project you love but can never quite get to?
• Where is the book draft that has only one - very well-edited - ch
  apter?
• What is one publication you've always wanted to write for but never even pitch?

Btw, summer goals are not limited to writing passion projects. You can also:

• Plant a garden
• Cook a feast ... or several 
• Start a new workout routine
• Find a new job
• Launch a side hustle

Ready for a win this summer? I'll make it simple. After all, I am all about goal-setting simplified.

Take my Summer Goal Challenge!

Here's what you need to do:

1. Go in your calendar and look at your availability

2. Make an appointment with yourself at least once a week to work toward your goals

3. Choose a goal that you can easily achieve

4. Steadily work toward it each week

5. Report on your progress - here or via my Thursday LinkedIn check-in posts

Bam! Before you know it, you will have a win!

Because sometimes all it takes to get a win is to claim a win. Then work towards it a little at a time.

Remember, you can do it!

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What is your #summergoalchallenge goal? Please share in the comments.

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Need some extra help setting and achieving your goals? At the time of this posting, the ebook version of Your Goal Guide is on sale at Amazon. Be sure to join the Your Goal Guide Facebook group too!  

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Debra Eckerling is the award-winning author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals and founder of the D*E*B METHOD, which is her system for goal-setting simplified. A writer, editor, and project catalyst, Deb works with entrepreneurs, executives, and creatives to set goals and manage their projects through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and online support. She is also the author of Write On Blogging and Purple Pencil Adventures; founder of Write On Online; Vice President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Women's National Book Association; host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat, #GoalChatLive on Facebook and LinkedIn, and The DEB Show podcast. She speaks on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.

7 Ways to Be Healthier Right Now

After a very long 14 months of isolation, things are finally starting to open up. Depending on where you live and what you do, you'll have a different level of change. 

But remember this: no matter what your level of active out-of-the-house lifestyle, any change is stressful. This means that prioritizing self-care ... and renewed attention to your health!

Here are 7 health goals you can set for this spring, summer, and beyond: 

1. Commit to Work Boundaries. When the topic of self-care comes up, this is always my first recommendation. Set a time to stop working every day ... and then set a cutoff for looking at your email ... come on, we all do it. While you're at it, schedule time for lunch, breaks throughout the day, and time off on the weekends. When you are fully present 

2 Eat Healthier. This can mean different things for everyone. For some, eat healthier equates to adding a vegetable to your meal ... or eating healthier snacks ... or fewer snacks. Others may want to set a goal to do more cooking and get less prepared foods. Whatever your food-prep habits, there should be something you can do to up the "healthy" on your eating.

5. Find a Workout You Like. You are without a doubt more likely to exercise if you enjoy the exercise you are doing. Now that nearly everything is online these days, you can sample different types of workouts. You can try kickboxing one week, Zumba the next. Or just do some good old-fashioned walking, running, or biking. Set a reasonable workout schedule ... and follow it!

4. Drink More Water. This one always gets me. Hydration is super-important. And I always mean to drink more water, but sometimes get distracted from my water-drinking goals. Set water reminders on your smartwatch, or in your calendar. Or just drink a glass before each meal, and also mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and throughout the day. Figure out what a good water-drinking habit is for you ... and do it!

5. Start Meditating. Take up a Hobby. Or Both. Find a fun, healthy activity for your downtime.

6. Remember to Breathe. Are you stressing out? STOP. Feels better, right? When I get stressed out, I allow myself two minutes to feel it,  then it's back to business as usual. That may not work for everyone, but you know how your body functions, so see what works for you.

7. Get Good Sleep. A good night's sleep sets any day up for success, so stop burning the midnight oil. Turn off the devices while you are winding down at night - the National Sleep Foundation says 30 minutes before you go to sleep. Maybe treat yourself to a new pillow, as a reward for shutting down early. And get some good zzzzs.

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No matter what you do or where you work (from home, office, or hybrid), good health is always in style. Take care of your body ... and your body will take care of you.

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What's your best healthy-living tip? What are your health goals? Please share in the comments.

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Debra Eckerling is the author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals and founder of the D*E*B METHOD, which is her system for goal-setting simplified. A writer, editor, and project catalyst, Deb works with individuals and businesses to set goals and manage their projects through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and online support. She is also the author of Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog and Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages, founder of Write On Online, Vice President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Women's National Book Association, host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat and #GoalChatLive on Facebook, and a speaker/moderator on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.

Branding Checkup

No matter what your business, branding is essential. Your name, your theme, your visuals. It's what sets you apart, so prospects, clients, your audience, fans, etc. can easily identify who you are and what you do.

Perhaps the most important part of your brand is you: your personality, expertise, and your niche. When you take the time to plan and create your elements, and add your authentic self in the mix, it's a recipe for branding success.

If you can't remember the last time you did a branding checkup, it's likely way overdue. You don't necessarily need to change or update anything. However, it never hurts to touch base with yourself, in case it's time for minor changes, a pivot, or a complete overhaul.

Your Brand Elements

Your brand is composed of numerous areas - some are tangible, while others are just part of your businesses model. 

Business Name: Your business name should be consistent with your blog name, podcast, and any other content you create to promote your business.

Mission Statement: Who you are plus what you do encompass your mission statement. Does your business still reflect your mission? Does your mission reflect your business? Or is it time to make adjustments?

Tagline: Your tagline is a simplified, catchy version of your mission simplified. Think of it as a touchstone for all of your potential business activities.

Logo: Whether your logo is an image or stylized text, it should be a reflection of your brand. A modern company vs tech vs financial services vs creative industry will all have different approaches to logo. 

Fonts: See notes on logo.

Colors: Like logos and fonts, your brand colors should be consistent ... and all go together. 

Imagery: Branded images range from your website and blog images to your social media backgrounds and post templates. Use the same type of image - for instance, all illustrations or all modern photographs - throughout. And don't forget to incorporate your logo, especially when it comes to social media headers and shareable blog posts.

When you evaluate your branding, remember consistency is key. You want all of your personas, links, social media accounts to connect to you and to each other. 

Follow this simple rule: "Be yourself - your brand - everywhere." And that's really all there is to it!

For more on Branding, read the #GoalChat recap on the topic.

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How important is branding? What other elements do you incorporate in your branding? And how do you set yourself apart? Please share in the comments.

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Debra Eckerling is a writer, editor and project catalyst, as well as founder of The D*E*B Method: Goal Setting Simplified and Write On Online, a live and online writers’ support group. Like the Write On Online Facebook Page and join the Facebook Group.  Debra is the author of Your Goal Guide, being released by Mango in January 2020, as well as Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog and Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages. She is host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat and the Guided Goals Podcast, and a speaker/moderator on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.

The Perfect Perfection Test

One of my favorite phrases is, "Done is better than perfect." 

There's also, "Perfect is the enemy of good." 

And, another fav, "Art is never finished, it's abandoned."

Whatever your perfection philosophy, you have to agree. There comes a point in any project - whether it's a book, screenplay, essay, article, or pitch - where it's time to release it into the world, ready or not. 

But how do you know when you're ready to hit, "send," "post," or "publish?"

Here are five things to think about before pressing that magic button:

1. Does it have a beginning, middle, and an end? Does it need them? Most things do. Know your work well enough to know whether it has all the necessary parts?

2. Did you run it through spellcheck? An editor? For smaller pieces, and even emails, you should always look for those spellcheck and grammar-check squiggles. Larger works often require a second set of eyes. Don't skimp on professionalism.

3. Have you read it out loud? That's the easiest way to catch mistakes.

4. Did you set it aside for a day? A week? If you have time to walk away and read it fresh, before it goes out, that's ideal. And, whereas sometimes it's difficult to step away from an important project, that fresh perspective is invaluable.

5. Are you happy with it? Or are you at least happy enough? Are you excited and ready for it to make it's debut? You'll know when it's time. Just trust yourself.

While it's important to take pride on your work, it's also essential to know when to let your words to speak for themselves. As long as your work is professional and the passion for your project shows through, remember it's all good. And sometimes good is perfect!

For more on Perfection, read the #GoalChat recap on the topic.

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How important is perfection? And how do you decide when something is ready for the world to see? Please share in the comments.

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Debra Eckerling is a writer, editor and project catalyst, as well as founder of The D*E*B Method: Goal Setting Simplified and Write On Online, a live and online writers’ support group. Like the Write On Online Facebook Page and join the Facebook Group.  Debra is the author of Your Goal Guide, being released by Mango in January 2020, as well as Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog and Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages. She is host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat and the Guided Goals Podcast, and a speaker/moderator on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.

The Social Media Shuffle

You know how, try as you might, you can't do everything? The same applies to social media. Last month, I wrote about the power of saying no. This month, I'll share how you can say yes to stress-free social media.

A balanced social media strategy is like a going to a dance. You have a main partner - "the one who brung ya" - but you should also spend time with others. You want to hang out with your BFF of course, and then visit with friends and acquaintances whose company you enjoy.

The one must social media platform that everyone should be on - that one "partner" - is LinkedIn. 

Here's why:

- Great First Contact. Since it's a professional business network, when you meet new people, that's usually the first place they want to connect. 

- Made for Intros. If you want to get into a certain company - whether you are applying for a job or a want to submit business proposal - you can look to your contacts and get either a direct or secondary connection intro.

- Less Noise. Since fewer professionals are using LinkedIn to share their expertise, it's more likely others will see your posts and engage with you. Try posting several times a week, and you'll see what I mean.

Being on the platform is not enough. You also need to stand out. For your LinkedIn profile, use a recent picture, a branded background image, and an intro that shows your personality. And make sure your experience sections are filled out, complete with media and links. This will give others an fuller picture of who you are, how you can help, and why you would make a good friend, business partner, or connection.

Choose a Social Media BFF 

On which platform is your audience? Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube? Which interface is most appealing to your personality type. If you are not a fan of video, than YouTube should not be your secondary platform choice. 

The more you like a site, the more often you will engage, and others will engage with you. Choose a truly "social" media site to develop a community. And post on it regularly. 

Make Other Social Friends

Regardless of your favorites, you should have a presence on all of the other main social sites. These are "friends" you visit once or twice a week, sharing links, videos, images. You are basically reminding people you exist in case they need you, your product, or your services.

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In this day and age, social's the thing. But to be truly social. you need to enjoy it the way you would a party. Dance with your partner, catch up with your best friend, and have a quick visit with others. You will be happier than if you try to talk to everyone at the same time, while juggling a large plate of food and your dance partner.

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What is your favorite social media platform? Why? Please share in the comments.

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Debra Eckerling is a writer, editor and project catalyst, as well as founder of The D*E*B Method: Goal Setting Simplified and Write On Online, a live and online writers’ support group. Like the Write On Online Facebook Page and join the Facebook Group.  Debra is the author of Your Goal Guide, being released by Mango in January 2020, as well as Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog and Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages. She is host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat and the Guided Goals Podcast, and a speaker/moderator on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.

Surviving December

This time of year, it's essential to remember balance.

You have extra obligations - social and end of the year wrap ups - along with likely some additional stress. Plus, if you work full time and have side projects, writing and otherwise, you'll find yourself extra over-extended.

Remember, you cannot function if you don't pace yourself.

With that in mind, here are 10 things you can do in December to stay healthy and happy
.

1. Write out your top 3 wins for the year. Look at it whenever you are feeling stressed, discouraged, or like you haven't accomplished enough lately. You have!

2. Go through your todo list for December. Eliminate or postpone any non-essential tasks. Then, in January, eliminate anything you postponed that doesn;t actually need to get done.

3. Take a nap. You know you want to.

4. Say "no" at least three times. You are responsible to yourself, first and foremost. If someone asks you to do something that will not propel you forward - and that you don't have the bandwidth to accomplish - it's okay to decline. And DO NOT explain yourself. It's not necessary.

5. Reward yourself. You deserve it.

6. Eat healthy. Be mindful that you will likely be more exposed to more treats than normal. Don't deprive yourself, but don't over indulge.

7. Workout at least twice a week.  Okay, once. And it can be a brisk walk or a YouTube video exercise. Or just dance to music around your home. Re-read #6 of you need a reminder to stay active.

8. Read a book. You know, the one that's been sitting by your bed for the last three months. It's okay. You can read for a few minutes.

9. Accomplish one more thing. Go through your todo list - the ones that made the cut - and  cross something off of it. You should probably get  it done first, tho. It'll feel great. Trust me.

10. Think about your 2019 goals. You have lots to do. Start planning what you want your wins to be this time next year.

Happy Holidays!

How do you survive December? Please share your recommendations in the comments.

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Debra Eckerling is a writer, editor and project catalyst, as well as founder of The D*E*B Method: Goal Setting Simplified and Write On Online, a live and online writers’ support group. Like the Write On Online Facebook Page and join the Facebook Group.  She is author of Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog and Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages, and host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat. Debra is an editor at Social Media Examiner and a speaker/moderator on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.

November is National Podcast Post Month

Most writers are familiar with NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month. But how many of you know about NaPodPoMo? 

Now in it's 11th year, National Podcast Post Month gives people a different kind of challenge. Post 30 podcast in 30 days. They can be long, short, audio, video, both. Use any platform you desire, says NaPodPoMo creator Jennifer Navarrete, from full production studio to iPhone app and just about anything in between. The idea is to create and publish 30 of them during the month of November, and use it as a podcasting bootcamp. And, similar to NaNo, you have eliminate the idea of perfection and just get it done, as you have a massive undertaking in a short amount of time.

That being said, if you plan to participate in NaNoPodMo, now is the time to start planning. This is essential whether you want to launch, rebrand, or revitalize your podcast.

Let's back up. Why podcast? For the same reason you have a blog, a podcast enables you to showcase your personality, as well as your expertise, and really connect with your readers, prospects, and clients on a personal level. Adding the element of audio and/or video really amplifies that connection. 

Whether your goal is to create a series or you just want quick clips to enhance your content, there are easy ways to make a podcast happen.

Audio. Record, edit, and format audio podcasts. Find a podcast hosting platform (such as Libsyn or PodBean) and then syndicate it to sites like iTunes, GooglePlay, and Stitcher. You can even consider creating Alexa Flash Briefings.

Video. Record video podcasts, either in person or via a video platform, like Skype. Use a tool, such as Evaer for PC or Ecamm Call recorder for Mac, to record. You can also pull out the audio to syndicate on the above mentioned platforms. Edit (add captions, call-outs, and calls to action) if you want. And upload to YouTube, Facebook, and/or LinkedIn. Break it into smaller pieces and share on social media platforms.

Live Video. Broadcast live on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter/Periscope, and Instagram. Then download, edit (add captions, share, and embed on your blog.

Before you go down the podcasting rabbit hole, run it through the D*E*B Method to start things off on the right foot.
- Define your Mission. Why do you want to start a podcast? This is in addition to any personal or business benefit. How will it help others?
- Explore your Options. What format? And what type of podcast? Interview, solo, tips, instruction, education. Length?
- Brainstorm your Path. Decide what you want for your podcast and figure out how to make it happen. Create a checklist. Be sure to determine name, tag, type, cover art, hosting, length, interviewees, anything and everything.

Once you have ideas in order, you'll be able to jump into November and begin your podcast on the right foot!

For more podcasting tips, read the Podcasting #GoalChat recap. Learn more about NaPodPoMo.

Do you have a podcast? What is it? How is it benefiting your business? Please share your experience and your podcast link in the comments.

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Debra Eckerling is a writer, editor and project catalyst, as well as founder of The D*E*B Method: Goal Setting Simplified and Write On Online, a live and online writers’ support group. Like the Write On Online Facebook Page and join the Facebook Group.  She is author of Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog and Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages, and host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat. Debra is an editor at Social Media Examiner and a speaker/moderator on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.