7 Steps to Become Instantly Average by Jason M. Gracia

  One of my favorite people – and someone who inspires me is Jason M. Gracia/ Founder, Motivation123.com, Author of The Motivated Mind.    His seven 7 Steps to become instantly average is one of those articles I’ve kept to remind myself  - I want more than average.  How about you?  Don’t miss your opportunity to connect with him -  http://www.motivation123.com
By now you know I love anything that inspires and is positive.

Who wants to be authentic or successful or outstanding or passionate or evolving when it's so much easier to be average?

Just in case you struggle with lowering your sites and settling for less, here's 7 tips to get you started down the path of mediocrity.

1. Worry About What Others Think - Live for the approval of others. Do what you think they want--or won't notice. Check each of your decisions by the benchmark of group acceptance.

2. See the Finished Product - Be overwhelmed by success. See only the clean and shiny after-pictures instead of the small steps that made it possible.

3. Do Safe - Don't take risks. Small, medium, or large. Instead, live safely in the cocoon of seeming comfort. If you've done it before, keep doing it. And only it.

4. Think 'Forever' - Treat each opportunity--or life overall—as infinite. Put things off today because, hey, you can always do it tomorrow. Don't rush. Don't hustle. Wait. Wait until it feels  just right. Then keep waiting.

5. Compare Down - Compare yourself with people who have less, give less, do less. This will make you instantly feel better. It will also keep the pressure off. As long as you're not drowning, there's no need to kick hard.

6. Keep It Fuzzy - Don't mess with your fears. Keep them just how they are: fuzzy and heavy. Let that vague feeling hold you back and scare you. Let those unclear doubts make your stomach
twist and legs freeze. Don't reduce your fears to their facts. Keep 'em fuzzy.

7. Make Failure Permanent - Always, always, always see failing as a final fall. If you mess up--game over. You can't get back up, you can't brush yourself off. You are done, and you look like a fool for trying.

Follow these simple tips and you too can be average! (Or do their opposites and start to live a better, more exciting life.)

Jason M. Gracia/ Founder, Motivation123.com
Author, The Motivated Mind  http://www.motivation123.com

NOVEL ENDINGS By Rita Karnopp

There is one thing that is almost more important than the first sentence of your book.  Can you guess what it is?  It’s the last sentence of your book.  If you end your book with a punch, with a satisfying thought, you reader will think about the story long after they stop reading ‘the end.’

It’s important to understand what you can and can’t do to write that successful novel ending that will entice agents, publishers and, more importantly, readers. How can you write a strong closer?

Characters or subplots - Don’t introduce any new characters or subplots within the last 50 pages, and if you do they should have been foreshadowed earlier, even if mysteriously.  Why?  You won’t have time to flesh them out before the end of the book.  You don’t want a red-herring either.  The last fifty pages should be tying all the loose ends together for a satisfying ending.

Over describing or explaining – Wouldn’t you agree that reading a book where the author has described everything to distraction is frustrating?  If the book has me otherwise ‘hooked’ I find myself skimming the details or explanations.  Keep description to a minimum, but maximize action and conflict.

A sense of surprise -  Don’t you just love it when the book you’re reading ends with that ‘ah ha’ or ‘I didn’t catch that’ or ‘yes – I had a feeling’ or ‘I never would have thought of that – I love it?”  The biggest surprise of the story will make the best ending ever. Readers love it when some early, slight detail becomes the great ‘ah ha’ moment at the end.

Involve your reader -  Make sure you reader is invested in the story and becomes so involved that she cannot put down it down; in bed, at work, or even in the bathroom.  Really, I was reading a book that had me so involved – I slipped it under my shirt at work so I could read just a few more pages in the bathroom!  I’m not proud of it – but it’s true!

Happy or not endings – I’ve read some no so happy endings – I’m sure you have too.  But even with the not-so happy ending, try to make it a lesson learned, or a future that looks brighter.  Not all endings have a happily-ever-after ending, but try to leave the reader with some uplift. 

Good in the end - We shouldn’t create perfect heroes or heroines.  They should have flaws and some should even make some mistakes along the way.  The story should allow the reader, and the character, to realize that in the end she has done the right thing.  That she has come a long way and has learned something from her mistake(s).

Loose ends? – Nothing is more annoying than something planted early is the story, and has stuck with the reader, only to find it’s never addressed or solved by the end.  Every question or clue you plant in a reader’s mind should be addressed, even if the answer is to say that a character will address that issue later, after the book ends.

Final words reflect your opening - Some time ago a multi-published author stated; “I make a point that my final sentence of my book will mirror events in the opening sentence or paragraph.”  Wow, I had never thought of this before.  When you begin writing your book you already have established a purpose. By the ending, make ensure all the snags and hitches support that beginning. It’s often called the tie-back tactic.  Create a sense that the final words answer the foundation or beginning of the story.

Voice, tone and attitude – This applies to the entire story, but the ending even more so.  I’ve often read an entire book and the final paragraph is a narrative ending.  Say what?   Who is this person?  Why are you ending my story?  Never tack on the voice of a narrator to explain the ending.  It’s a real let-down.  It snaps us out of the flow of the story.  It truly will not suspend the disbelief.   

Gimmick ending - Please, if nothing else has grabbed you in this blog, please head this comment.  Don’t end your story with peculiar twists or trick endings. You’re reader has stuck with you to the end of your story.  She has participated, cared, worried, and rooted for the characters.  Don’t leave your reader feeling tricked or cheated. You want her to love the ending . . . and your book.  You want her to ask, “What other books have this author written?”  

ATTITUDE IS A CHOICE

     9. If you think you have it bad  ~ When my sister was dying of throat cancer, I would have thought she would complain and say ‘why me’ etc. Instead, she talked about living life. She said when she was waiting for her treatments she realized for blessed she was, so many were worse off than her. We can spend our life complaining and feeling sorry for ourselves . . . or we can always see how blessed we are – and know there are others who are having a far greater challenge or tough time than us. My sister was such an inspiration – and still is, even though we lost her to cancer two years ago. Her attitude still remains with me . . . how great is that?
     10. The joy of life around us  ~ I think attitude fades when we get bored. We get into a rut and it pales in comparison to let’s say a vacation. We need to remind ourselves there is joy in everyday life. See the blessings we have such as a lovely home, family, friends, a job, perhaps a loving pet, and don’t forget sunshine, trees, flowers, mountains, streams, etc. See . . . how can we not feel great about life when it surrounds us with joy?

     11. We have joys to look forward to ~ Do you ever roll your eyes upward when someone says, “You have just one life to live so go for the gusto.” Well, did it occur to you they are right? Not every day is a 100% got get ‘em days. But your attitude about the day and your future show in the way you walk in the office doors. Maybe it’s not your ‘dream job’ but – listen, you are truly blessed to have a job. Humility and gratefulness goes a long way. Try a little positive attitude and apply it to today, next week, next month, and yes, even next year. Make a play for your life, and now you have direction – you just might get there with a plan!
     12. Again – attitude is a choice ~ Nothing – and I mean nothing, frustrates me more than someone saying, “ugh, I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” Yep, sounds like they’re going to have a great day, huh? All I have to say about that is, attitude is a decision. Choose to change that negative way you feel now – so the rest of your day can be great. When you realize you’re down – or things just don’t seem to be going great – you can make a conscious effort to change it – you’re in charge of your attitude. Change it!
     13. Some need a sad or reflective day ~ Okay, I respect those people who say they need that quiet, moody time now and then. Everyone is different, but my advice her is don’t make a habit of wallowing in those dark days – choose to lighten things up and see the good, not the bad. Have an off-day – but choose the on-day! Soon you will see the difference and how it affects you and those around you.
     14. Positive attitude reminders ~ There are so many ways to remind yourself . . . affirm those positive attitude feelings. There are cards, you can make your own card. There are plaques’ for the wall or pictures with positive comments. If you want a better attitude – finds says to create it - get specific, plan your work, and work your plan… by giving it attitude that works.
     15. Share that attitude ~ I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked, “Are you always in a good mood?” I always answer, “Yes, I always choose to be in a good mood.  Attitude is a choice.” That impresses people . . . and it should. It impressed me when I met my first truly positive attitude person. I told myself, “I want to have her attitude and positive personality.” I asked her about it . . . and she shared the theory of ‘positive self-talk.’ That changed my life. If you choose – it will change your attitude and life too.

     16. Be the optimist ~ How can you see the glass half empty . . . when it’s truly half full. We need to reflect and see the positive we have in our own life. Be that example so other will ask you, ‘Are you always in a good mood?’ The first time it happened to me – I nearly cried. I am so proud that I have a great attitude. I feel even better when I can share that feeling and how to feel this way with others. I hope these tips will help you choose to have great attitude – each and every day . . . just remember ‘attitude is a choice.’