Way less TV and way more reading. And that’s a good thing, for me anyway. Keeping my mind in an active state vs. a dull state is better for my mental health! How about you… reading or TV? What keeps you mentally sharp?

BTW, the most clicked link in the last 5 Things was for Amazon’s World Book Day. While the free books are no longer free, you can still learn about and buy the books recommended, written by authors around the world.

Now, here are the 5 Things to read or use for your personal and professional development:

1. Let’s start with beautiful photographs! This place is now on my “must-experience” list when travel is allowed again. The Most Beautiful Flower Garden In The World Has No Visitors For The First Time In 71 Years And I Got To Capture It (31 Pics)

2. If you’re wondering who could use your help with donations or virtual volunteering: Here’s How You Can Change Lives in the Pandemic

3.  Are you prone to “optimism bias?” Why we find it difficult to recognise a crisis.

4. This is worth paying $1.50 for (support the person who created it!) so you can print it out and use it daily… Isolation Mental Health Wellbeing Daily To-Do List Worksheet.

5. Ann Handley, the author of Everybody Writes, offered a free webinar about her approach to writing. It was brilliant. From her presentation style to her enthusiasm and use of the children’s book, Charlotte’s Web to teach her points, I was hooked every minute. You can watch the replay at Marketing Profs, though you must sign up for a free membership to do so. It’s worth it.

What’s something you’ve been reading lately?  Please let me know in the comments, below. And, feel free to share the post with your friends and colleagues!

Denise
You Guide To Better Visibility on the Web

This post was originally published as an email on May 1, 2020

Click here to catch up on previously published 5 Things emails.

Photo by Reinis Birznieks on Unsplash

The post 5 Things for Your Personal and Professional Development appeared first on Adventures in Visibility.

What are you doing to stay mentally and emotionally healthy? Based on the article with the most clicks last week, you’re looking for ideas to help stay focused on what’s important: Six Daily Questions to Ask Yourself While Social Distancing.

In my breaks from staying on top of my business and to clear my head of Covid-19 news, I’ve been bouncing between reading Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari and rewatching all 5 seasons of The Wire after HBO opened access with no subscription required. Best. Show. Ever. Any other fans out there?

Now, here are the 5 Things to read or watch while you #stayathome:

1. April 23, 2005, the first-ever YouTube video was uploaded. Here it is. You may be underwhelmed.

2. Thanks to my fave morning new email, Morning Brew, I discovered a slew of Quarantine Book Recommendations via Literary Hub. It also happened to be World Book Day on April 23 and you can get 9 free Kindle ebooks on Amazon through the end of today (sorry, this special has expired)

3.  As a card-carrying introvert, I can relate…Yes, Even Introverts Can Be Lonely Right Now.

4. I don’t entirely agree with the last point… 8 science-backed ways to boost resilience during the COVID-19 crisis.

5.  And for a hit of beauty and peace: Coyotes, bobcats and bears: Wildlife is reclaiming Yosemite National Park .

One more thing, if you’re curious about Intermittent Fasting, my colleague Ellen Britt and I are hosting our second 10-Day Intermittent Fasting Challenge, starting May 4. Details here.

What’s something you’ve been reading or watching lately?  Please let me know in the comments, below. And, feel free to share the post with your friends and colleagues!

Denise
You Guide To Better Visibility on the Web

This post was originally published as an email on April 24, 2020

Click here to catch up on previously published 5 Things emails.

Photo by Reinis Birznieks on Unsplash

The post 5 Things for #StayAtHome Life appeared first on Adventures in Visibility.

After my morning meditation, I was feeling reluctant to get up and face the day. I started thinking about the anxiety I’m feeling from clients and members of my various communities. There is an underlying, and overt, feeling of “what happens now?

“Will my business survive?

How will I make enough money to pay my bills?

Is my work even needed in this current environment?

I have these feelings too. My marriage and first business both failed after 9/11. I was remembering that this morning. That event triggered a huge pain and upheaval in my life as it did for so many others.

This one feels different though. Bigger. Even more uncertain.

I went back to thinking about how to make ends meet. The technology available today is also a huge gift we can leverage to keep ongoing.

Here are a few ideas you may find useful for expanding your reach right now if you’re asking these questions too.

1. If you’re a consultant, coach, speaker, an expert in something, set up a profile on Clarity.fm. People who need answers and expertise can book consults and pay by the minute. It may not make you rich, but it may keep some much-needed cash flowing into your bank account. I’ve been on it for years and every now and then I get a request for a consult. Today, I decided to drop my rate in half to make it easier for solo business owners to get answers to their pressing online marketing questions. (Here’s my profile if you want to see an example.)

2. If you have a product, book, ebook, service, post it on Gumroad. Use the Pay What You Want feature to be both of service and get paid for your offer. I’m looking at this option right now so I can get my services in front of more people.

3. Reach out to your clients, customers, and students, one to one to see how they’re doing. Send a personal video email using Loom (free version). Don’t make a sales pitch. Check-in and see if you can offer support in any way. If you need a kick in the pants to up-level your video skills, join Lou Bortone’s Video A Day in April Challenge. Video is a top skill you need now and in the future.

There are many other ways to generate income that may not be your usual way. If you’re feeling nervous right now, then maybe it’s time to open up to some new ideas.

I’m planning to have an open Q&A call to discuss these and other ideas, on Monday, March 23 at 10 am PT.

Click here to watch the video replay and download the chat notes.

May you have a safe and peaceful day.

The post Morning Meditation in the Age of Covid-19 appeared first on Adventures in Visibility.