Three Easy Steps to Take Over the World

But which world you ask? The fictional ones or the every day, run of the mill, drudgery one?

The real world.

That's right. The real world.

I've been reading off my go-list, a very long, long list, and finally hit:

That's right, I'm trying to learn how to take over the world.

The crazy part is, I already know what's in this book. I think deep down, we all do, we just don't usually remember. (Unless you're a psychopath. I've done research on them. They're scary. Love you, psychopaths!)

So what are the three easy steps for taking over the world?

The world revolves around people, relationships, and how we navigate both. Period. End of story. If we understand that success boils down to HOW we address these, we're setting ourselves up to succeed -- in more than just business and finance. In life.

So where do we begin?

 

1. Don't criticize. Don't condemn. Don't complain.

In other words, BE POSITIVE. Look for the good rather than the bad--and especially ONLY put the positive out into the world. This is especially difficult in this divisive world climate, but I always said if you didn't like a person, you just didn't know them well enough. There is no one on this earth that doesn't possess some redeeming quality. (Even psychopaths.) When reviewing books, I can always find something positive to say (because there's always something, usually several somethings) even if I don't connect with the material and struggle with the writing. 

 

We find what we seek. We find what we focus on. The person looking for sunshine is the one who discovers it.

2.  Listen to others.

One of the saddest aspects of our reality is how isolated people are becoming. They can work from home. They can shop from home. They can live on their phone. 

Tech is nice, but we need people. Studies have shown that deep depression is remedied by positive interactions with others, but in order to have those, we have to interact. We have to form and foster relationships. To have meaningful relationships, we have to not only listen, but HEAR what others are saying. (Even between the lines.) 

3. Focus outside oneself.

I don't state this lightly. For about two generations, the world has told us to focus inward, do what makes YOU happy -- this is where true happiness comes from!

Yeah...no.

It broke my heart when this became the narrative society embraced. I'm not ancient but I've lived long enough to know that true happiness comes from pouring into others, seeing them succeed, and having a focus beyond me. Yes, I love it when I succeed -- but I also get all the nerves, tension, and self consciousness. (I say this as a long time vocal performer, author, director, and all things art.) BUT when I see someone else succeed whom I'm championing, there is nothing but positivity, joy, and pride. (I say this having run a drama program, as a parent, as a teacher.)

When we validate others, when they know they are important to us, we become a force in their lives. Until we form that connection, who cares what you have to say? 

Finding purpose beyond ourselves is the key taking over our world.

There you have it! The way to take over YOUR world, to build something that is lasting, beautiful, and fulfilling. And now I'll step off my cheesebox and go read more books.

The IWSG question: Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure, success, and lack of talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer? How do you manage them? (See the answer above.)

What tips and tricks have you discovered to find success? 

P.S. I've started back into sending newsletters with book reviews and freebies. Join me? Sign up.

How Animals Can Inspire You... (IWSG)

...to laugh. Okay, so one of these isn't per say an "animal," but it's pretty amazing.

Brought to you by Maggid

WEEEE!

Beware the Kung Fu master!

And you thought fishing was safe.

Can't you just hear him laughing as he runs? Hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, suckers!

Yoink!

(Beware, Elephants are smarter than they seem.)

I'm still kind of on break, drafting like a maniac, but I wanted to pop in and say, I hope you've laughed today. If not, find a good reason. It's when we get too serious about ourselves or life that reality crushes us. Don't be crushed. Be like the first elephant. Jump for joy.

A quick heads up, I'm participating at the Parallels Anthology blog for the A-Z Challenge, posting for C, H, and O. Pop in and say hi! I'll be back to posting weekly in May.

Now it's giveaway time!

Last month Sarah Ahiers shared with us ASSASINS HEART, along with two truths and a lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win a paperback.

The Game:

1. I came in second place in my middle school’s spelling bee when I was in 6th grade
2. I played the violin for ten years.

3. I have had a myriad of pets, including: dogs, goldfish, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, squirrels, horse, anoles, tree frogs, & cockatiels.

The lie: #1. Sarah has never actually entered a spelling bee.

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Kai Strand!

Congrats, Kai!

And now for the next few posts I'll be doing something different. I'm so excited to be in the first ever IWSG Anthology contest that I'm going to introduce you to ALL the other authors, one week (or month) at a time. But of course they'll be giving stuff away. And playing the game.

The first one is:

Dani Finklemeier has decided to write a self-help book about how to take over the world, but she’s not sure where to start. After all, she’s only seventeen and looking for a better way to make money than babysitting. She buys a self-help book that promises to teach her how to write a self-help book in the hope of getting the job done.

Not that it’ll be easy to get any work done this holiday season. Her family is staying at the house for Christmas, and fights break out almost immediately. Dani also has to deal with the fallout from an unexpected kiss with her best friend Seth and the feelings that go along with it. On edge around her family and unsure how to interact with the one person she’s trusted with everything in the past, she can only take what inspiration she can from the crazy circumstances surrounding her and see what happens.

One way or another, it should be an interesting holiday.

Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author?

L.G. Keltner has been trying to write novels since she was six years old. She’s wanted to be many things over the years, but the dream that survived into adulthood was that of being a writer. She graduated from Drake University in 2008, but she’s still learning every day. L.G. lives in Iowa with her husband and children.

You might run across L.G. munching Pepper Jack cheese while kicking trash over a game of Monopoly.

Find her online HERE!

L.G. gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to an the ENTIRE series (not yet released) in eBook of SELF-HELP 101! (5 installments between now and February 2017.)

You have until Tuesday, May 3, at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on May 4, 8 a.m EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. When I was 17, I got a chance to travel in Europe for three weeks.  The day before I left, I got up early to run errands.  Then I was too excited to fall asleep that night.  Combine that with an inability to fall asleep on airplanes, landing in Rome at 10a.m., and having an entire day of activities ahead, I was awake for approximately 60 consecutive hours.
2. When I was about 12, I was playing basketball at school.  I decided to make a half-court shot.  Not only that, I decided to do it while facing the opposite basket.  After all, I thought I stood no chance of making it either way.  So I took the shot and . . . I made it.  I turned just in time to see it go in.  I’m sure I could never under any circumstances pull it off again.
3. In college, Jamie Kennedy (Randy from Scream, comedian, etc.) did a stand-up routine at my school. On a dare, I asked him to marry me, and he asked me how much money I had.

So sleuths, which is the lie? Have you laughed today? What did you find funny recently? Do you like funny books? Have you met L.G Keltner before?