[Electric Speed] My favorite self-awareness question | Search engine for online classes

A note from Jane

There’s a question I ask myself regularly because it digs at one of my weaknesses.

What am I trying to ignore?

Too often I let problems fester. I will either put up with or ignore people or situations that frustrate me, then at a moment’s notice decide NOW IS THE TIME to take dramatic action.

This happened once with one of my bosses. Over a series of months, we had increasingly strained meetings and disagreements. At times, I felt like she was even undercutting me. Finally, knowing that I could get a decision I wanted from her boss—the CEO—I went above her head for executive approval. And got it.

She was livid. I was immediately called into her office for a dressing down.

By that point, I did not care. I even raised my voice (not my style) and said, “It’s because you never listen to me!” For a moment she sat silent in disbelief because I had not once betrayed what I was actually feeling.

This arranged stoicism obviously causes lots of problems in relationships, both business and personal. For some reason, I think I can or should be able to put up with something. It’s not that big of a deal, right? Then I realize—too late—it is a big deal.

So that’s why I ask: What am I trying to ignore? It’s usually a problem that won’t go away until I address it. This question can help in so many areas:

What am I trying to ignore in this manuscript?
What am I trying to ignore about my work?
What am I trying to ignore about this contract or deal?
What am I trying to ignore about this relationship?

Resolving the problems I am most afraid to confront is where progress lies. It’s insanely hard psychologically, but worth it.

Jane

The literary marketplace is as crowded as a stadium concert. To gain attention and get published, you have to break through the noise. This is where copywriting—i.e. marketers’ classic, universal, time-tested methods for crafting compelling messages—comes in. Fail to understand these methods, and you’re at a serious disadvantage. The good news? Copywriting techniques are easy to learn, and you can start using them right away to grow your audience and improve your “response rates.” At the end of this crash course, not only will you understand the time-tested principles of copywriting but you’ll also feel comfortable implementing these techniques in your own marketing efforts, from emails to queries, social-media posts and beyond.

In the last issue, I asked you to tell me your favorite gifts for writers. Here’s the best of what you said:

Best gift for writers: Nothing original about a Moleskine notebook, but it works for anyone who can’t resist jotting down thoughts, ideas, research, etc. I love to receive one and they are not expensive! —Henry Brown
GrammarStuff.com: original plates and mug designs emblazoned with grammar rules. So cute! —Carey Henry Keefe
So far the best received gift has been a bottle of Irish whiskey called Writers’ Tears. —Rob Mountford
Gift card to their favorite hangout or coffee shop. Ten bucks will get you one afternoon’s worth of joe and some quiet time. —Nikki Brock
Best gift for writer? Time. Give a writer time to work on a project. As simple as handling a couple of chores so the writer can keep working or as generous as paying some or all of the fees for a retreat or B&B or cottage so they can escape to write. —Ruth E. Walker
A salt lamp for the writing desk with a bottle of essential oil to sprinkle on it when it’s turned on. It sets a nice mood and smells good! (Turn it on to write, then turn it off when I’m done. It’s become part of my writing routine.) —Angela Eckhart
Hands down, AquaNotes: I get some of my best ideas in the shower, and this handy item suction-cups to the shower wall, with a pencil, and keeps me from having to remember a plot point while I’m washing, rinsing, and repeating. —Dina Santorelli

Next question: Do you have a favorite video editing software that’s free? Hit reply to this email and let me know, or discuss on Discord.

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