I started making time for God and projects that have to do with my faith and beliefs and the Bible. I’m still flailing around some, but as I get focused and prioritize my time, I am finding that things are falling into place. It is happening not by my power but by God’s power!

50 HOUR CHALLENGE

SATURDAY-I will consider about 4 hours part of my challenge because of the pictures that I took I can use for future projects and the brainstorming that I did as we drove.

• I have some collage ideas for artwork that I jotted down
• A logo for myself. I have many “Jan’s….” so I was looking for a logo idea that would be changeable so it could match each project, but still be consistent enough to be recognized as one of my projects. The logo will be able to use my many photographs! Still working on the details of it.
• Blog ideas

SUNDAY-I spent about 2 hours on my challenge on writing related projects. I spent the time going over articles my writers have submitted and a new writer’s sample. I will be using the new writer, I really like her work. She is new to Internet article/content writing, but I know her and will work with her to help her get started. I did some organizing of the work I have available for my own projects and for my paid writing-1 hour

The break was rejuvenating. The relaxing drive with my friend, the walk around the lake, enjoying a drink at the local bar and the interesting people, good food, and relaxing. Went to bed early and didn’t have to get up for anything. It was very energizing.

Had a record day for my Adsense and getting comfortable with the success and results of the work I have been doing.

TOTAL     14/50 hours

WANDERING AROUND AIMLESSLY

Though I can see the promised land, I feel like the Israelites of the Bible wondering in the desert. I’m tired, running out of supplies, and unprotected from the environment. I have tried a few different changes with nothing having a lasting result.

MORNING ROUTINE

My cousin sent me a Bible study that she was doing, so that I could join her. I decided, while I through the daily Bible study, I will do the following each morning.

• While waiting for my coffee, I clean the kitchen
• Experiencing God Bible study
• Exercise for 3 songs
• Work about 1/2 an hour on my own projects
• Social network
• Work on Jan’s Writing Services

I’m not much into Bible studies and thought that would be the most difficult every morning. It actually turned out to be the exercise!

RESULTS OF CHANGE

I’ve done it for less than a week with good results.

• While waiting for my coffee, I clean the kitchen-the kitchen is staying cleaner. It is usually the messiest place in the house.
• Experiencing God Bible study-it is about getting things accomplished has changed my outlook.
• Exercise for 3 songs-lost a couple pounds and feel much better
• Work about 1/2 an hour on my own projects-getting lots done, seeing some results in income
• Social network-less distracted with socializing on Facebook
• Work on Jan’s Writing Services-not seeing the results here yet

With Christmas and getting caught up with what I was behind with still need to get a lot of articles out. I feel like it is all coming together, though.

I am on my way to my son’s to work on some of our projects together. With my new found encouragement, I am looking forward to working together even more. We our good partners because we have different skills and strengths. He is a skilled marketer and knows code. I am skilled at writing and always have ideas. Together we accomplish a lot and the momentum started lasts long after we work together.

ENTREPRENEURIAL CHANGE STARTED WITH PRAYER

It all started with a hard hit that came up from the past that knocked me down, knocked the wind out of me, and injured my self-confidence. Once I caught my breath, I stood up and was ready to fight for what is right and just. I started with lifting those who are responsible for the injustice up in prayer, thanks to a fine pastor that I know reminding me to do just that. Not only am I developing great spiritual biceps with all the lifting, I am less distracted. What was blocked from my view is now clear. I can see where I need to go and am working on locating the path I will need to take to get there.

NEW DIRECTION IN INTERNET VENTURES

I’m going to take my overflow of ideas and thoughts to video. The first step is to get a new camera that has HD video capabilities. I will have more details soon.

I’m looking into taking a big jump into my Internet ventures. The things that I see I need to do will take time, focus, and some funds. I’m at the edge of the water, ready to jump in!

A DAY OFF FROM WAGE EARNING

Hopefully today, my son will get my blog to help people in financial crisis working. I’m excited about sharing that. I’m not going to focus on getting it on the first page as much as word of mouth. I’m going to start with some business cards to pass around.

Tonight I’m going to dinner at a friend’s and talk to her mom about writing articles.

My day off from wage earning will be spent with my daughter, my son, and writing. Tonight I work, but it isn’t until late.

Knowing the direction to go has been energizing!

Being an entrepreneur that is sick has the following advantages:

• I don’t have to worry about getting anyone else sick
• When I feel up to it, I can work
• I can rest whenever I feel too sick at the computer
• I can still generate some income
• I’m able to rest more to get better faster

I feel bad calling out because I know that they need me, but I just don’t think I can make it standing and walking around during my shift.  I also don’t want to get anyone else sick and have them call out in a few days.

Update on my financial restoration

It is going slow, but I am moving forward. I hope to make some leaps in that area as soon as I’m feeling a little better.

It is best to be well, but if you are going to be sick, it is best to be working from home on your entrepreneurial projects.

As I enjoyed myself in Idaho, I missed a bank error. I walked a financial line and fell off the cliff! With rent due and fees to be paid, it will take a little time to climb back out, time I don’t have. My son, Bob Schmuck, is helping me to get some articles that are on back order done. He is writing down the process so that we can later share it with others.

As I count down the days until I need to come up with a large amount of money, I am tempted to beat myself up for making the mistakes I did and having poor judgment as I juggled my money. Instead I have chosen to stop kicking myself and forgive myself (once again) and look for how to make good out of this. The good….

• Growth of my faith and belief in God’s mercy
• Inspiration of financial changes
• Ideas for new websites
• Creation of efficient processes for my writing business
• Pushed to achieve my maximum potential

So the first is only days away. I have one invoice that should be paid any day and no paychecks until after the first. I started “operation financial restoration” three days ago. Now….let the earnings begin!!

I am enjoying visiting my son and his family in Idaho. One of the many advantages of being a writer and being able to write where ever I am is being able to be here and still work. It enabled me to be here a little longer than I would have been able to. Being here has inspired new Internet projects. This morning there was snow on the mountains near by. I started a fire in the wood burning stove (with wood we cut, loaded, and chopped) and I enjoyed my coffee while I looked out upon the mountains and then went back to writing.

It is beautiful here! While watching my granddaughters today, my son and his wife went bow hunting. We got a text they will be a few more hours…he got an elk…a 5 point buck!!!

While I have been here I have reconsidered some of my long range plans. I want to include spending time here in Idaho. I love photographing here. The only problem is he doesn’t have Internet at his new house yet so we have to go to the library. I love being able to write here and see my granddaughters first thing in the morning. They have taken us to some beautiful spots here in Idaho.

I was on vacation from my wage earning jobs and spent the time working hard on testing the waters to see if I can work full time writing. It has meant focusing on writing and making some choices, like staying home writing instead of going out dancing even though I haven’t gone out in weeks! It was been worth it. Though I mostly worked during my “vacation”, I did make some time to do something I really enjoy…cook and bake and I did spend time with family and friends.

I have discovered that my natural sleeping cycles are very different than traditional sleeping cycles. I am trying to learn to work with my natural sleep cycles instead of fighting it.

I also found out that even though I didn’t have the pressure of having to be somewhere at specified times, my body was still poised and ready to go. About 6 days into the time off I got to the point where I truly feel relaxed. I had to keep reminding myself that I don’t have to be anywhere!

I can be strange to work and live at home, I found myself needing to make sure I got out of the house and away from the computer periodically. When I do start working from home all the time, my son, Bob Schmuck and I have decided that we will schedule one day a week to “work” together. We motivate each other so that is a plus and the other is that it will force us to get out of the house (we will take turns which house that we get together at).

I’m looking forward to the day when I won’t be heading off to wage earning jobs and just do my writing and Internet projects. For now though, I am thankful to have two part-time jobs and my own business during a time when many cannot find even one job.

When was the last time you sat and enjoyed a sunset or anything else that had nothing to do with your entrepreneurial pursuits? An Entrepreneur doesn’t live by the computer alone. I did have a time when I had my laptop set up in the living room and I worked, ate, and a few too many times, slept on my ever so comfy couch. That got old fast, even though I was getting a lot done. I did get burnt out and started accomplishing less and less.

I finally have had some time away from the computer and one of the things I returned to is taking pictures again. It is hard to resist the beautiful sunsets during the Arizona monsoons. Other pictures I have been taking:

• My daughter and her horse
• The kids swimming
• My boys paintball shooting
• Friends at the bar I’ve gone dancing at
• The rain
• Storm clouds rolling

Some other things I’ve done when I’ve gotten away from the computer:

• Time with kids
• I went on a couple motorcycle rides
• Been out dancing with friends
• Watch my daughter ride (sometimes I have the computer)
• Dinner with friends and family
• Found a church I really like
• Been to a few movies with my kids
• Ran regularly until the humidity got to be too much
• Dated a little
• House cleaning
• Yard work

When you look over your list of things you have done away from the computer, how does your list look? Keeping a balanced life will keep you from burning yourself out and accomplishing less or even worse…nothing!