You Are More Than Enough by Judi Moreo

I am more than enough!!!

I've often gotten discouraged with self-help or motivational books because they excite me to the possiblitied then offer no advice or strategies I can easily apply to my situation.

Not so with Judi. I've had the privilege of emailing Judi several times and she's a wonderful, sweet, and caring woman. That attitude comes through clearly in her book and the Achievement Journal which goes along with it.

Now, I'll admit I haven't finished the book yet but I am so taken with it. At the end of each chapter are thought provoking exercises leading to self-examination and another step toward the goals and dreams in our lives. Also, there are affirmations to get us started on the path.

The Achievement Journal is also filled with wonderful affirmations, one for each day. I have to admit, when I thought "journal" I thought something like a spiral notebook we used in school. But this is something I'd be proud to take anywhere with me and show off.

There's been a lot said about "positive self-talk" and visualization and there have even been studies of those who use these techniques to improve themselves and their performance. So, I decided to give it a try.

While I was alone Saturday, I rounded up my tape recorder, a 90 minute tape and read each of the affirmations in You Are More Than Enough, into the recorder. I then read each daily affirmation and finished up by repeating the affirmations from the book. That gave me right at 45 minutes of positve, uplifting self-talk.

Since I made this tape, I've listened to it right before falling asleep for three nights and once during each day. So, only six times. But, that's over four hours of me telling myself things like; I am more than enough, I let go of my fear and step out of my comfort zone, I am strong and creative, I believe in me, and I was created for success.

Have you any idea how powerful it is to have you tell yourself these things? I didn't. But even after just six times listening to this tape, I find myself more positive, more at peace with myself and more focused on my goals and dreams.

Just this morning, I was thinking about something and started in with the negative self-talk. I caught myself before I even finished the thought and changed it to a positive.

I want to encourage each of you to go to Judi's website. Read some of her posted articles, get to know her. Then take the first step toward reaching your goals and dreams by ordering You Are More Than Enough and the Achievement Journal. You won't regret it:-)

I am more than enough!!! And so are you.

Judi Moreo's Achieve Your Dreams Virtual Blog Tour

At this time of the year we always look back over the past and plan for the future. It's by seeing where we've been we can see where we need to go.

So...

Writing goals from last year accomplished...none. However, there's a good reason for this. In the middle of March I signed on as intern for Wow (women on writing) and before I knew it, I was Sen. Ed. working full time. Very much a learning experience but it sucked up all my time and creative energy. I did get some really nice articles and interviews published out of the time there, met some great people and again, I learned a LOT. Most important, I learned I'm a writer at heart. It's what I am and what I need to do.

As this year fades into the next, I'm privileged to take part in Judi Moreo's Achieve Your Dreams Virtual Book Tour. Judi is a wonderful personal coach and motivational speaker. If you are serious about reaching and achieving your dreams, check out her website and get to knew her better. She has some great articles and blog posts there.

One of the things she teaches in her book is...

“Every step I take brings me closer to the realization of my dreams.”

This is such a powerful statement. I mean, think about it. Each time you take a step forward, you are getting closer to those dreams. And, if you happen to take a step backward, that's okay too because sometimes we have to go backward to go forward.

To make the most progress though, we need to have a plan or a roadmap so to speak. Just a a map has check points, so does our plan.

This year, now that I'm no longer working for Wow, my writing goals are a priority. One of the things I'm doing to keep on track is preplanning my writing week. Not only does this let me know what I need to be working on but keeps me on track so I can see how much I've accomplished or where I've fallen behind.

I'm also reading books on writing in order to learn more about the craft. Right now, I'm reading Write Tight by William Brouhaugh.

Another important thing I'm doing is to let others know about my goals. At StoryCrafters and Write Spot we have some great folks who are ready to encourage, motivate, cheer and prod as needed.

Judi's put together a journal that goes along with her book that will show you how to go about achieving those dreams and goals.

Decide what you want to accomplish during 2008 and then go for it! Here's a great post from Judi's blog on goal setting.

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If you would like to take part in Judi's Achieve Your Dreams Virtual Book Tour, email me and I'll send you the details.

Judi Moreno's Achieve Your Dreams Virtual Blog Tour

With 2007 behind us and 2008 on the horizon, it’s time to reflect on how we want the rest of our journey here on earth to go. Do we settle for letting life happen or do we take steps toward achieving our dreams? Do we think about it or do we DO it?

If you have watched the movie, “The Secret,” then you understand the power of affirmative thinking = affirmative action. Are you taking those steps in the right direction to enjoy life at its fullest – whether it’s through financial success, relationship bliss or perfect health?

On January 1, 2008, Judi Moreo, author of You Are More Than Enough Achievement Journal (Stephens Press, Dec. '07), will embark on a virtual book tour throughout the blogosphere, but it will involve YOU. She wants YOU to be the star in a campaign to let the world know how you are taking those steps in realizing your dreams.If you would like to become involved in her ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR ’08, here is how it works:

1. Repeat this passage from her book: “Every step I take brings me closer to the realization of my dreams” until you understand its powerful message.

2. Think about what steps you are taking to achieve your dreams and write about it. Your entry can be as long or as short as you’d like.

3. Post your message on your blog and give us the link so that we can post it on Judi's tour page at http://www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.blogspot.com/ (her tour page goes live tomorrow). Email us with your link at thewriterslife(at)yahoo.com.

4. When we receive your link, we will put it on our daily rounds of promotions, thus bringing you instant traffic, so get those links to us soon!

5. We only ask that you include the passage above before your blog post so that people will understand what you are doing.

6. We also ask that you include a jpeg copy of Judi’s book, You Are More Than Enough Achievement Journal, in your blog post. You can find her book cover at http://tinyurl.com/3cqa46 and link it to http://tinyurl.com/ywf67x.

7. All participants will be listed at Judi’s tour page at http://www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.blogspot.com/ when they come in, stating the date on which their blog post will appear and will remain there indefinitely.

That’s all there is to it! Hurry before time runs out. Become involved in a nationwide campaign to bring in 2008 with a bang and help others realize that dreams are not something that happens; dreams are something that YOU make happen. Let's make 2008 the year when you realize your dreams and make them happen. Share your stories and become involved in Judi Moreo's "Achieving Your Dreams Virtual Book Tour '08" where YOU are the star!

Judi's virtual book tour will be highly publicized including press releases and other promotions. Let us know what steps you are taking to achieve success and be read by thousands of Internet users!

Clarity in Our Communications

I slid into a hot bath last night and pulled Judo Moreo's latest book, You Are More Than Enough Every Woman's Guide to Purpose, Passion & Power off the corner of the tub and found my place (marked securely with the attached blue satin bookmark).

I read the words "Powerful Communication" and stopped. Communication is something I've always struggled with. I think that's part of why I'm a writer--it gives me time to compile my thoughts instead of trying to scramble them together with people surrounding me, waiting for an answer.

Judi shared the eight realities about communication that exist at any given time.

* What I mean to say
* What I actually do say
* What you heard me say
* What you thought you heard me say
* What you mean to say
* What you actually do say
* What I heard you say
* What I thought I heard you say

I thought about these realities for several minutes and then I started reading again to see how I could apply what Judi had to say about powerful communication to my life.

But, then I had another thought--the first four realities also apply to our writing.

When I sit down and create a story, I can see the picture of it clearly in my head. I know what I mean when I write those words. I know what I am implying through the actions of my characters. I know what message I want to send to the reader.

But often times, what I have written and how the reader interprets it, are two different things. I usually discover this during a critique when a comment comes back and I think, "That's not what I meant at all."

When we sit down to write, it is important to remember the realities of communication and to strive for clarity so what we say on paper is the same as what the reader sees in his head, because we are not standing in front of the reader to explain what we meant.