Thanks to the generosity of fellow freelance writer Julie Fletcher, I received a free coaching session from Stacey Mayo. Since I wrote about coaching for DASH magazine several years ago, I had always wanted to have a session. But I wasn't sure what to expect.
Speaking with Stacey for 40 minutes was like having a brainstorming session with a non-judgemental, understanding, creative and highly intelligent friends. She was completely transparent, and I felt like she had no other motives other than the desire to help me succeed.
Why did I feel like I needed a life coach? Honestly, I don't. I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter, the opportunity to work from home while raising my daughter, and I'm doing a job I love. I am earning an honest living in one of the most expensive regions of the country. But I wanted to take my business to the next level, while still managing the new demands of parenthood.
One of the first things Stacey mentioned (ah, here it is AGAIN) was the wisdom of bringing in someone to help me with the baby, even just a mother's helper for a few hours a day. It is increasingly difficult to run a business during naptime, and I try to resist the urge to plop Ashley in front of Baby Einstein DVDs. While breastfeeding, though, it doesn't make sense. I might wind up paying someone to take care of Ashley, but if it's her mealtime, I'll still be sitting there feeding her. (Please don't ask me about pumping.) Nonetheless, I have the luxury to choose.
Summer will be easier, with TJ working less hours. So after Ashley is weaned in the fall, I will bring in a mother's helper. Issue one, crossed off my concern list.
I spoke with Stacey about earning "passive income," through affiliate programs and the like. As I described my plan to earn passive income, she showed me the truth. "Now, none of that is very passive at all, is it?" I laughed at the truth of her statement.
We considered the possibility of my selling articles PLR (Private Label Rights). Again, not very passive to get it launched.
Then Stacey asked me about my various writing niches, and I rattled off my lengthy list. "Wow," she said.
"Well, I believe in diversification."
"But what's your passion?" she asked.
I thought for a second. "The writing." I explained where the title for this blog came from, and how my passion is in the craft and art of the writing, regardless of the topic.
That's when she reminded me of an idea I'd had about a year ago: to launch a course for beginning writers, to share my passion with them and hopefully help them to achieve a full-time income.
In between my various assignments for this month from multiple magazines and Web sites, I'm putting together the marketing material for my e-course, which I hope to launch come May.
Meanwhile, I'm still looking for other ways to achieve multiple streams of income on the Web. I found a site where I can get paid (about a dollar a minute!) for taking surveys. Check it out here: http://tryvindale.com/VJHjyXNP2
I'll also continue to add affiliate buttons if I feel they fit this blog and would help serve my readers. But I won't lose site of my passion: writing "anything that pays."
Thank you, Stacey for a wonderful coaching session. (Psstt... If you would like to learn more about Stacey's coaching, click here.)
I'm attracting wealth, happiness and success with the Secret Abundance Files.
