XD30- Day 27 -The Hokey Pokey

                I feel as of lately that I am doing the hokey pokey dance: I have one foot in a positive direction and another foot out with something popping up unexpectedly. Honestly, I am thinking that it would get easier as the month progressed; but, I guess not. I am happy that I am being highlighted in a professional network, people are watching my certification announcement video (it’s nearly at 100 views. I appreciate the love!), received great advice, and some customer service help. However, things are still creeping up. It’s like whack-a-mole in a way. It is more than annoying because I want to put this behind me. I will admit that I can see progress ahead and it does help that I’ve picked up another credential and received wise counsel for free. A lot of people don’t get this. Now that this day is over with, I do see bluer skies ahead. 

XD30 – Day 21 – Getting Sleep and Rest

                This morning is the first day where I have awakened at 6:45am. Usually, I would have not only been up but finished my walk. I have been at peace, going to sleep and enjoying it. I do think that everything is falling into place.

                I am very happy that one of the projects that I truly want to participate deadline’s is still open. I will apply today because I do see myself deepen my broadcast knowledge. I am a member of this group but I am still all about creating high quality content.

                Yikes! I am happy that I have allotted more time towards completing the app because there were more questions on the final page. I am getting it done but whew! They are asking for a whole lot. I will email my contact asking for more information. At least the application deadline is still open.

                I am applying for this because I view this as an opportunity to grow and communicate even more. I love communicating, sharing and exchanging ideas because I learn something new and become smarter.

                Finally, by getting rest I am able to be my best and take full advantage of advice clinics. I have received a value tip that will help me; and, I am grateful because I am fully present to be able to receive this information. 

Gratitude List - Day 17

                Today is Mothers’ Day. I am grateful that my 67-year-old mother is still living and am great health. Here is my gratitude list:

Gratitude List – Day 17

1. Happy that my mother is alive on Mothers’ Day
2. I have a place to rest my head since I am tired and need a nap (rare I know).
3. I can be open to generating ideas
4. Writing 2 blog articles
5. Be happy for experiencing today. I am able to take it in.
6. I am grateful for another week to become better. I am grateful towards becoming an author.
7. To keep being worthy of financial abundance to receive and manifest my $20,000 this month.

I have listened to Constance Arnold interviewing Louise Presley-Turner. This broadcast confirms that I am on the right track regarding my gratitude challenge. This challenge has shifted my energy but it also forces me to confront negative people, thoughts and things. I mean as soon as I have started the uglies start popping up. Like I have said – the Devil is busy! I have dealt and continue to deal with them now because I am going positive.

                I have written a new blog article for both of my sites. I feel extremely productive. It feels good to return back to regularly scheduled programming. I have copied my PositivityChange blog post onto LinkedIn and Medium. In my PositivityChange post, I write about how to become an expert. Most importantly, stop fearing new college graduates because you have skills and experience. You need to communicate that. Besides, everyone starts out as an amateur. I have received 2 shares and 6 likes on my post. Another post has come out this one. I will write about how to move your low and medium skills proficiencies to high level skills when you want to be in another field.

                I have stopped paralysis of analysis and submitted my workbook to the printer via Fiverr. I am grateful that I have the credit so that it is technically free. I must diversify my products. Here is the updated gratitude list:

Updated gratitude list

1. Grateful to have the Fiverr credit. I have used it for my workbook and increase traffic.
2. Happy to get a free cab ride since the driver forgets to turn on the meter!
3. Have the credit to dine at Bourbon Steak to clear my mind.
4. I am open to the possibility of having two revenue-generating websites. If I grateful if the customer buys from my personal website or the book website. I cannot constrict abundance. 

Having unlimited revision attached to my order is a blessing. I need to work on creating the best product. In addition, I have outsourced my site traffic to a professional company. Yes, I am seeing traction gained from my Facebook Ad but I need conversion (sales). I have to try this out. I cannot afford a what if.

Gratitude List - Day 16

I am happy that I am willing to listen and learn from people. This entire self-publishing makes me a novice again. I am not the expert. I have to rely on others whom have more knowledge than I do right now. Every day I am learning something new about the book profession and about myself. I have learned today that I am getting better at the do-it-yourself (DIY) computer stuff. Today I have activated my WordPress’ RSS generator plug-in to get the RSS feed link and copy it to my Goodreads author page. I have learned this a couple of days ago when I have to link my blogs to my Amazon author page. I have downloaded that RSS Generator plug-in to all three blogs and boom- all of my posts are uploaded. I feel like I can work at the help desk! Here is today’s gratitude list:

Gratitude List – Day 16

1. To live in a neighborhood where I can walk to passport DC embassy events.
2. To receive good counsel from people who care about my success.
3. To have good wi-fi and Internet to conduct research for my book.
4. Have money for food.
5. A roof over my head.
6. A bed to sleep on.
7. I am open to learning more from people every single day.
8. To have the money to fund my dream.
9. Have my Goodreads author profile approved. 

I am seriously considering more publicity for my book. Yes, I am on two (well, 1 ½) virtual book tours but I want all of my bases covered. I have visited past blog tours on my book promotions company and I like how much activity I get over the two-month period. Every other day there is something. However, I dislike having only 4-5 interviews over a two-month period. I am inclined to get more interviews because I need to tell me side of the story and how this book will solve problems. Yesterday, I secured my first radio show. I need to have more lined up.

Gratitude List - Day 15

This is the halfway mark for my 30—day gratitude challenge. I must admit that I have received more job inquiries through gratitude. I have also conjured up a lot of negative thoughts because the Devil is busy. My federal complaint has popped up during this time. Dealing with the negativity head on eliminates it.

                I have received my finished ebook files and have successfully uploaded it to Amazon. I have also accelerated my pre-order date. I am happy because Tuesday is the traditional book release date. I get to be a part of this. May 17^th is my date and it finally official. Here is the gratitude list:

Gratitude List -Day 15

1. Someone is interested in me for a full-time position
2. I have finished my book
3. Amazon KDP has approved my final draft and accelerating my pre-order date
4. Add more info to the publishing company’s website.
5. Learn from the publishing company’s rep that I should not click on the Amazon box because it would override what’s in Amazon. This advice saves me time, money and agony. I would be in a tizzy if I mess this up.
6. Broadcast on Periscope (and remember to #save).
7. To have the technology and strong enough wi-fi connection to do my videos
8. That my mother is alive and healthy
9. I have the proper business formation to accept payments
10. To receive and activate my bank’s mobile widget application.
11. To learn more from others every single day.
12. To be able to afford the money for the publishing company’s IngramSpark submission guidelines.

I am happy that employers are interested in me and that I have something that the marketplace wants. I have kept up with my financial affirmation and below are the things that I have done every morning, afternoon and night. Here are the things that I have done to ensure that my $20,000/month have had.

Morning:

Reply to the recommended social media banner lady

Aced my phone interview

Afternoon:

Receiving my ebook file in multiple formats

Uploading my file to Amazon KDP

Email the publishing company for submission assistance

Add more information to IngramSpark

Get in contact with the publishing company’s president

Night:

Amazon KDP has approved my final draft and my accelerating my pre-order date from July 28^th to May 17^th.

Broadcast on Periscope and YouTube

Create a new PM.Expert blog article

Land my first radio

Conclusion: Yes, I admit that I have experienced a whole lot of progress as a businesswoman but I would still like a contract or some corp to corp. I am grateful that emotionally and am in a better place now because I have worked on my demons and the negativity associated with them. I don’t truly have demons but the Devil is busy bringing up old stuff. More importantly, I have stayed true towards working on my financial affirmation because I know that I am good enough to earn $20,000/month. Finally, I do see things turning around for the better. I envision this way before my May 17^th publication date because I am grateful for every opportunity and I have been working on myself.

Gratitude Journal : Day 2

                I awoke thinking about nothing but gratitude. It was on my brain all day yesterday and this morning. I also awoke at 6am to do laundry. There is a stillness and serenity about being the only person awake in your condo building on Saturday at 6am. It is not a workday so people are sleeping in. I load my first two bags of laundry then walk to the ATM for extra cash. Outside displayed a quietness too because there are too many cars. At 6am I did not think that the buses were running yet so I walked away without man-made noise pollution. I finished laundering close at 9:20am. People started awaking and being on their day. By then I had already completed half of my to-do list (the other being writing down all of my book edits). I went to the CVS to mail my mother’s and aunt’s birthday cards, picked up lunch and dinner then returned to write Ellen’s letter. I also wrote down my gratitude list. Here it was below:

Gratitude – Entry 2:

1. I am alive.
2. I have the mobility and strength to do 8-9 loads of laundry and walk to the DuPont Circle ATM
3. To have the money in my checking account to withdrawal $10
4. I have a dry place to live while it is raining.
5. I have the money to pay Sharvette for my website upgrades
6. Food to eat.
7. Have the money to buy two birthday cards

I felt a certain amount of progress writing it before noon versus yesterday afternoon when I got the epiphany. I was serious about turning my energy and life around. Unbeknownst to me, Periscope would play another big role in my life today.

                I watched Robin Devish’s hourly scope-a-thon where she broadcasted different book publishing topics. She ran the gamut from why her first self-published book failed to the business of books. Although I had the business formation, US copyright, and copy editing down pat, I still learned a whole lot about from her. I learned that I could resubmit my US Copyrights Office application because my book title changed and I edited my book; I needed a sales plan for both my book and my business; and I should focus on selling my book first then look at the data and sell my audiobook and workbook. Yesterday I showed gratitude for being able to learn from anyone. Now this came to fruition through watching Robin on Periscope. She provided us with her email. I submitted all of my information. I was surprised that she said that I was farther along and ready to be successful. That comment lifted my sails because it was coming from a professional! I was just grateful that a professional gave me an opportunity to contact her. I never expected that response.

                Furthermore, I also watched Arvin’s Periscope about the writing and publishing a book in 24 hours. Now I would be the first to admit that I liked structure (LLC and US Copyright Office); yet, publishing a book in 1 day would be great for my thought process. I already came into the class with a project management ebook idea. However, it grew to include the idea that using this 24-hour turnaround would help me generate free resources and lead magnets for my business. In addition, I would learn how to upload a book on Amazon. Moreover, that course would have a 7-day replay allowing me to learn at my own pace.  This gratitude thing was starting to work out and paying some dividends. 

When Ed2Go Learning Becomes Your Second Skin: Continuing Education and Improving Myself and My Business

                I have to take stock in my accomplishments and not have tunnel vision all of the time. Today I have completed Ed2Go Creating WordPress Websites I quizzes 1 and 2. In the middle of my class, 2 things hit me: 1) I am amazed at my level of productivity when I am not stressed and 2) taking Ed2go courses constitute as self-investment. Regarding the latter, I have taken Ed2Go classes on and off for 5 years that the practice has become normalized. I have tunnel vision and don’t even consider it as self-investment; however, it is because I am paying money and devoting time and effort towards improving myself. I am now running PositivityChange.com and I need to acquire as much knowledge as possible. Tonight I have created a WordPress site independent of GoDaddy. That’s a huge accomplishment because now I can update my site independently. In addition, I can go over my site with my social media coach tomorrow afternoon. By tomorrow’s appointment, I will have completed 2 more lessons so that I will have a better grip on WordPress. Continuing education is essential towards my improving my brand and me. 

Countdown to Taking the PMI-PBA Exam

I have made significant progress during my 1-week window by typing the PMI BA Practice Guide chapters 1-2 and 4-6. I truly want to be earn my PMI-PBA certification because it has been nearly 1 year since submitting my application. Furthermore, I am now working as a Business Analyst so obtaining certification is a huge competitive advantage. This week I have scheduled my exam for June 23rd. Since the exam is based on the practice guide, I now what’s required and will reread it twice to pass the test the first time.

Moving in the Right Direction

I have scored 64% on the Watermark Learning 50-problem drill. My body isn’t cooperating enough for me to do a full 200-problem test, however, I must do something productive. Besides I have renewed my subscription so I might as well do something productive At least I am no longer scoring 52%. Thus far, I have answered 487 questions. Answering at least 1000 is my goal. I know that this is a very big goal but I know that I am more than good enough

Today I will type my third practice exam covering all of the BABOK Chapter 9 techniques’ definitions. I will also add the advantage and disadvantage because Watermark is asking this question. Monday I will take this third PMI-PBA practice exam and write down all of the 18 wrong answers. Tuesday I will take another 50-problem practice exam.

This Week in PMI-PBA Certification Study

                 I have made significant PMI-PBA progress. I have outlined BABOK chapter 4 and taken my first traceability & monitoring drill. I am glad that I have done this because the drill has forced me review BABOK chapter 4 and pay more attention to BABOK chapter 6 and PMBOK chapter 11. Having earned my PMP certification using PMBOK fourth edition instead of the fifth edition, I am unfamiliar with the new edition. I must master this PMBOK fifth edition to pass the exam. I will write down PMBOK page 61 twice a day plus write down all of the chapter 11 risk management processes.

                The next week is essential towards preparing the October 28^th Business Analysis Practice Guide publication. I will finish outlining BABOK chapter 6, PMBOK chapter 11 and take another traceability & monitoring drill plus another practice exam. When October 28^th rolls around, I will be well-positioned to incorporate the practice guide and pass the PMI-PBA exam the first time.

Haters Are Going to Hate. Don’t Fall for the Bait!

Today I learn from our office secretary that another person in our office has asked the quality manager for a PMP exam application reference.  This is the very same person who has taken project management training money before my arrival to the agency but now nearly 14 months later he decides that he needs to get serious and apply for the PMP July 31^st exam change deadline.  All this time I submitted my application, secured my references, and already scheduled my test.  Instead of fretting, I have been studying since May 3^rd. I’ve made substantial progress scoring over a passing 61% on the last two knowledge area practice exams.  Thursday I will review my practice study guide chapter 7 and complete cost management practice exam. This weekend I will take my second PMP practice exam scoring over 70%.  I don’t sweat the competitors because I’m on my A game all of the time. Furthermore, with less than 2 months before the PMP change, there is no room for error.  

In It for the Long Haul

Yippee!  I have finished PMBOK chapter 4 and after watching the 76ers versus the Bulls, I will solve RMC chapter 4 then continue onto PMBOK chapter 5.  I do feel that I will be finished with chapter 5 leaving me with RMC and PMBOK chapters 7 and 8 tomorrow.

 

More yippee!  I’ve finished outlining PMBOK chapter 5.  Sunday morning I will complete RMC chapters 4 and 5.  At least I don’t have to outline them.  Later next afternoon I will outline PMBOK chapter 7.  It is shorter than 4 and 5.  I might even squeeze in RMC chapter 7.  I am happy to keep my schedule because I will have PMBOK chapters 8 and 9 read by Thursday.  That’s ¾ done with PMBOK. I know that it is realistic outlining one chapter per day allowing me to completely outline the manual 2 weeks ahead of schedule!  I will reread the PMBOK again to review anything that I’ve overlooked this time.  In addition, I will solve the 460-problem handout, RMC study guide, PMP prep study guide and other practice exams that my instructor has given me.  Even though I have the money, I don’t see myself purchasing the $299 1400-question data set when there are cheaper alternatives.  I would literally have to fail in order to consider this item!  And, I refuse to go there knowing that failure isn’t an option!