Jules Johnson's Blog

It IS Your Fault | Finance Your Freedom

julesjohnson — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:41:15 +0000

Read this if you need a kick in the pants (click on title).

Scott H Young » Average Doesn’t Mean Secure

julesjohnson — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:38:39 +0000

Scott Young’s blog post today lays out how following the masses isn’t quite the secure path we would like to believe. He makes the excellent point that we can always be laid off from our job, but we can rarely lose our skills. Young advizes us to do what interests us, become an expert, and work for ourselves in a way that incorporates what we’re passionate about.

Says Young:

If any investment of your time doesn’t build internal assets, it isn’t worth doing. Even the most lucrative job isn’t worth the paycheck if you aren’t becoming more skilled or knowledgeable as a result. One of the reasons I believe running a business is safer than working at a job is that I’ve learned far more from entrepreneurship than I have from any job or class. Even if my external assets fail, I’ve still built internal assets that can’t be taken away.

YouTube – Will Smith segment on Tavis Smiley

julesjohnson — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:41:04 +0000

When I was single, pregnant, and living at home, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was on something like five times a day. There was something about Will Smith’s energy that fascinated me. Something about his voice, even in that stupid theme song, uplifted me. I think I ended up watching the entire series.

And yes, I know this does not paint a flattering picture of me. Call it a low point, and let’s move on.

In the beginning he was so green that he would mouth his scene partner’s lines as they said them. Bythe end of the series he’d been nominated a few times for his work as an actor on that series. Today he’s won several Grammy awards and been nominated for several Golden Globe awards and an Academy Award.

He is amazingly consistant in his energy and positive strength. In this interview (click the title of this post to view), he says that he “is not afraid to die on the treadmill”. He decides who he wants to be, how he wants his life to be, how he’s going to get there … then he just keeps on keeping on.

UNREQUITED GIFTS – Dan Miller’s Notebook News Story – WSMV Nashville

julesjohnson — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:35:30 +0000

I came across this short article by Dan Miller today which gives a humbling homage to two prolific creatives who persevered despite critical or financial acknowledgment. It shows that a true artist creates regardless of outcome. This is a quality I’ve always admired so much in others. My brother, Thorson Moore from Kettle of Fish has this quality, as does my husband Neil. I have a tendency to get stuck on results, rather than focusing on the creative process. I’m working on it.

Developing a Habit

julesjohnson — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:59:06 +0000

The most difficult thing about writing is developing the habit. I don’t have any trouble developing other habits, like running, reading, or chewing my nails.

Just writing.

I’m going to blame that on the fact that I work at home and as soon as the system clock hits 3:30 I don’t want my ass anywhere near my office chair.

That and my unrelenting awareness of the eyes of others, which makes me not want to put anything personal out for others to see.

So here’s the deal. I have two goals for 2009. One is to earn $1200 from writing. I don’t care where that comes from, or what kind of writing it is. It can be freelance work, articles, fiction, contests, computer manuals, whatever.

$1200 is a pretty modest goal. But I’ve never done it before, and my confidence is not brimming, so it still counts as a good goal.

Second goal – to write a minimum of twenty minutes every day. Free writing, any style, any topic. Again, as goals go, pretty modest.

The main point is to be consistent and develop the habit. I’ll keep you updated on my progress, and if I can pass on anything good that will help you develop your own positive habits and achieve your own goals, I will.

Here goes!