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What is Your Vision for Your Latest Creative Project?

Katie Corbett headshot

By Katie Corbett

I decided to blog about my latest creative project (my novel) because I want to use this opportunity to brainstorm a little bit. It can be fun to move away from writing serious posts about deep life things, and think a little more about something fun and creative.

I envision my novel expanding into a series. My novel is about a pac of werewolves, and there are five members in the pack, so I would like to write a book from each of their perspectives. The first book in my novel is from the point of you of the pack Alpha. I think, for the subsequent books, I will write from the point of view of each of the other members. I am even playing with the idea of having each book be written in a different genre, but we will see. That is probably quite controversial, so I will get some feedback from my writer friends before making a firm decision.

I also see this book being made into a movie. It would be really cool to do some creative things with that, since one of my characters is blind, and another one experience is impulse control issues because she is a psychopath. I would love to find a creative Director who is interested in Exhibiting each of these characteristics in a fun way, so the audience can experience a little of what life might be like in that person’s shoes.

Are you working on any creative projects right now? What is your vision for your latest project? Is your vision as simple as getting started? I would love to find out, so feel free to leave me a comment.

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Landing a Job You Really Want: How to Identify Dream Employers

Katie Corbett holds the book "2-Hour Job Search"

By Katie Corbett

 

When you are looking for a job, it can be fun to think about places you might like to work. You can make a list and reach out to them. I’ve done this several times and frequently gotten interviews.

 

I saw this idea as a suggestion in “The 2-Hour Job Search,” by Steve Dalton. Here is a list of questions I found helpful when hunting down those dream employers.

 

  1. When you were young, where did you think it might be cool to work?
  2. When you watch TV, listen to the radio, and read printed advertisements, what companies stand out to you?
  3. Do you think it might be cool to work for some companies, but are feeling intimidated? What are those companies?
  4. Are there companies you’ve heard of whose mission stands out to you as inspiring?
  5. Look through lists of best places to work in your area. Do any of them stand out to you as cool places to work?

 

I encourage you to make a list of your top ten dream employers. Check within your network to find out if you already know someone who works there. Knowing someone who works there might make it seem less intimidating, and you already have a connection to get your foot in the door.

 

I have a friend who works for Google, and I talked with them about the application and interview process before applying. It was fun to be able to learn what the process was like before applying and know that I knew someone who worked there. Knowing that I applied was cool, even though I didn’t end up progressing beyond to the interview stage. I’m glad that I didn’t let Google’s larger-than-life reputation intimidate me from filling out an application.

 

Have you ever reached out to or applied for a job with a dream employer? How did it go? I’d love to hear your story, so feel free to share it in the comments.

 

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Choose One Dream and Go All In: My Freelance Writing Career

Katie Corbett holds the book "Girl, Stop Apologizing"

By Katie Corbett

 

I am a person with many hobbies, interests, and goals. I have gotten some advice that will help me propel my dreams forward: Focus. Focus on just one thing and move forward on that. I recently tried this focus when developing my freelance writing career, and it has proven to be invaluable.

 

In “Girl, Stop Apologizing”, author Rachel Hollis suggests to pick one dream and go all in. I have found this focus helpful because:

 

  • Focusing helps me evaluate other opportunities to make sure I stay on track.
  • Focusing helps me decide what needs to get done and stay on task.
  • I can say no to other opportunities without feeling guilty if they do not align with my current focus.
  • It is easy to see areas for growth and improvement when I’m only focused on one area of life.
  • I can track my progress more easily.

 

Tangible results of this focus include working with three amazing clients and getting paid for my writing expertise in less than three months of starting my business. And the best part about running a business is that I can focus on one business, but end up wearing all the hats. This means there’s always something fun and new to try, from writing, to interviewing, to marketing and sales.

 

What can you focus on, to the exclusion of all else? Are you writing a novel? Starting a business? Looking for a new job? Raising kids? How would focus benefit you in your endeavor?

 

I’d love to hear what you’re working on, so let me know in the comments. Where will you be investing your time and energy?

 

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The Ultimate Guide to Fun: Making a Dreams List

Katie Corbett holds a book

By Katie Corbett

I’ve blogged about dreams before and how important it is to have them.

In her book, “What the Most Successful People do on the Weekend,” Laura Vanderkam says that creating a list of dreams provides ideas of things to do on the weekend. You’ll have a ready-made options list of things you can do by yourself or with others. Here are some tactics I have found helpful for creating a Dreams list.

1. Create an Excel spreadsheet and create different categories as column headings. Some of mine are: Things I want to learn; Places I want to go; Foods I want to try. They could be anything.
2. Grab a notebook, laptop or piece of paper and write for a set amount of time. Don’t judge any of the ideas that come up—just write.
3. Number the lines on a sheet of paper from 1 to 100. (You will probably need multiple sheets for this.) Write a dream on each line until you have 100 dreams on your list.
4. Think about 3-5 things you want in each of three categories: To Be, To Do, and To Have. Pick one from each list and write the steps you’d need to take to accomplish it in a 12-week period. Start working toward it today.
5. Read magazines that get your creative juices flowing. (I like to read travel magazines.) When you come across something you’d like to try, write it down.

Hopefully, you will find one of these methods helpful in your quest to generate dreams lists. Remember to review your lists often and cross off the things you get done.

Most of all, enjoy the process! You’re dreaming, after all. You might as well have fun with it.

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