Last month (Dec 2011), over the Holidays when on a "working vacation" in Mexico, I wrote my new book, "Marketing Ball" in 18 days straight. Every day after writing, I wrote a short blog post on my creative process and sent it to the members of my Marketing Mastery Groups. It was interesting, capturing my thoughts and feelings in the moment during this process. You might find it useful.

12/17

It's all about one step at a time. No planning, insight, breakthrough or revelation will ever replace that. What do you have to do next - today, to keep things moving forward? Just do that. There is no resistance in the present moment.

12/18

Time disappears when you're in the moment. There's really some magic in working for long periods - on one thing intensively, never giving away to distraction or discouragement.

12/19

When things get difficult or confusing, the first tendency is to move on to something else. But that movement is almost always avoidance, fear, discouragement. We want things to be easy and when they're not, we want to take our ball and go home. But this never works. It only delays the inevitable. You're still going to have to come back and face that work eventually. Why not do it now, even if it's not perfect, even if it's difficult and confusing?

12/20

When you really strip things down, you're either moving forward or you're wasting time. And when you have a big goal, a big intention, all that time wasting stands out in bold relief. I'm not saying time wasting is "bad" it just ain't moving you forward.

12/21

Someone once said that "only super-efforts count." A super-effort could be defined as "a sustained effort towards a goal that is outside your comfort zone." Inside the comfort zone we make ordinary efforts and get ordinary results. The interesting thing is, if we make super efforts for long enough, we start producing results that we can build on more easily and we have entered a new comfort zone. Then a new kind of super effort is needed.

12/22

If we expect perfect every time or even "our very best" every single time we will inevitably disappoint ourselves sooner or later. Many people have this realization and it leads to resignation: "If I can't be perfect or do better than others, why even try?" So we settle for mediocrity.

But people of great accomplishment know they will never be perfect, not even always the best, but never give up because they know that once in awhile their work will be, if not perfect, "pretty damn good." When they have a down day, it's just a part of the process of success, not a failure in any way.

12/23

Inspiration is only as association. That is, it's something that is triggered by external influences. It's nice to have, but it isn't required to move you into action. What's more import is intention. This takes a conscious focus and commitment. The nice thing is, when you activate your intention, often inspiration comes along for the ride.

12/24

Anything, anytime, anywhere holds the opportunity to get excited, to be enthused, to be moved to take action. There isn't anything in our world that isn't inherently magic. We just don't see it. But it's there in all its splendor if we only look. And when we look, unlimited possibilities open up in every moment.

12/25

When writing, it's important to know what you intend to write about but unimportant to know what you will actually write. That only comes by writing itself. If you have a topic and perhaps a rough outline, that is enough. Then, in that place of not knowing, you write one word and another and another until you have what you have. Then, if you need to, you can go back and edit it. This fear of writing comes from thinking you need to know exactly what you will actually write. How can you know until you start? Suspend judgment, worries and all that other garbage in your head and just write.

12/26

When you're on a roll, you're on a roll. So why do anything to get in the way if you're experiencing high energy and zero resistance? This might not come around again for awhile, so take advantage of it!

12/27

No matter how well things are going, be prepared for a bump in the road. Usually we dread bumps as they trigger all kind of constrictive beliefs, fears and doubts. "I knew it was too good to be true! Why did I try anyway?" It can take months to recover from a mind attack like this. Or... a few minutes.

12/28

When you're dreaming about something every night, it's an indication that you're really involved with something. Dreams can sometimes give you good ideas, but more often just point to issues that are not resolved. And these issues can only be resolved when we're awake. I sometimes think I need a break, but it's like watching a suspenseful movie where you don't know how it will end so you stay glued to the screen. 

12/29

When it comes down to it, writing is just work, no more, no less. It's not a big challenge, it's not easy, it's not hard, it's not inspired, it's not boring. But like all interesting work, it's fun and stimulating. When all the stuff gets out of the way, it's just something to do the best I can. And that's enough. 

12/30

Sometimes you need a rest. I've worked on the book for 15 straight days, writing a total of 18 chapters. Two chapters left (I think) plus a whole lot of editing afterwards. It's a beautiful, sunny day today and I'm going to the beach for a longer walk and a nap in the afternoon. I'm going to do this without guilt! We'll see if I end up doing some writing in the afternoon. :-) My goal is still to finish by New Year's day.

12/31

Sometimes a margarita in the middle of the day is a good idea when it's a sunny day in Mazatlan. And a nap in the afternoon is very renewing! Back to writing in the evening.

1/1

It's been quite a journey. When you've been holding something inside you for so long, it's a great release to get it out there. The sense of satisfaction and fulfillment is palpable. It certainly is a New Year's Day. 

The first draft of the book was completed on Sunday, January 1, 2012. Twenty chapters and about 60,000 words. I'm very happy with it. Next is a book proposal to an agent and a search for a publisher. I'll also be posting the book in the Marketing Club in a few weeks.