Strategic Sunday Pt. 7: Finding My Rhythm

Posted on June 7, 2015June 7, 2015 Posted in Strategic SundayTagged 20 something, balance, Career, Crochet, Dog, Family, Freelance, Humor, Life, Play, Reading, strategy, The Matrix, time management, Walking, work, Work Life Balance, Writer, writing1 Comment

I secretly wish we could learn things like Neo and company did in the Matrix. The first thing on my list would be to download “time management” in my brain. Within seconds I’d be a master at prioritizing the to-do list of my life.

Since that’s not in the cards, I am learning to find balance between work and life. It’s not an easy feat seeing as I’m a habitual over-thinker who can’t seem to shut off her brain at times. That said, I have indulged in a few pastimes like taking Abbey to the park and crocheting. In fact I’m working on a few blankets as everyone I know seems to be pregnant (I’m not sure what’s in the water but I’m sure as hell not drinking it).

For now, my biggest focus for this week is:

Blogging regularly
Finishing projects before the deadline
Exercising
Reading!

So that’s what’s on the docket for now. I hope everyone has a swell Sunday and a wonderful week! 🙂

#100DayProject: Day 7

Posted on April 12, 2015 Posted in 100DayProjectTagged 100DayProject, 20something, accountability, Amwriting, community, Creativity, encouragement, Writer, writingLeave a comment

It’s day 7 of my writing project! Today, I’ve been able to knock out a good amount of writing. I think one of the hardest things about writing (at least for me) is that you have so much you want to say, but you’re overthinking the process. I’ve found that writing in streams of consciousness helps me jump over that hurdle. I let my mind wander and see what sticks while editing the rest. For all my fellow #100DayProject peeps, how are your projects going? Let me know! 🙂

The Coffee Snob

Posted on April 5, 2015April 5, 2015 Posted in Finances, Humor, LifeTagged addiction, Broke, budget, coffee, Creamer, finances, goals, habit, Hipster, Humor, Judas, Money, Mr. Coffee, Ritual, Snob, Starbucks, Sugar Daddy, WriterLeave a comment

I started brewing coffee at home in 2013 because A: I don’t have to put on pants to get it; B: I don’t have a sugar daddy to fund my Starbucks habit (goals). Being the creature of habit that I am, I have a very systematic approach to my coffee making process. I do not change said process and had no desire until my beloved coffee maker died on me last week, which has forced me to put on pants and drive the ever so long half mile down the street to Starbucks.

Continue reading “The Coffee Snob” →

5 AMAZING ways to be a Rockstar While Working From Home

Posted on February 17, 2015 Posted in Bum Chronicles, HumorTagged Advice, anxiety, artist, budget, dark humar, Depression, exercise, finances, Freelance, Funny, Humor, intercation, Money, Routine, satire, working from home, Writer, writing2 Comments

Freelancing is not for the faint of heart. It can be great, it’s not always sunshine and daisies. While you technically are your own boss and there is a lot of freedom in the role, it takes a lot of dedication, discipline, and patience. But who wants to be successful? Ain’t nobody got time for that. So to help my fellow writers out, here’s a list of 5 ways you too can kill it working from home.

1. Don’t Go Outside

Seriously, DON”T. GO. OUTSIDE. EVER. Who needs vitamin D anyway. Going outside is for chumps. Be a hero and stay inside, in the dark, under the covers, while slaving away on your laptop. You don’t need to feel the sun on your face to feel alive. The backlight glimmer of your laptop brings the hope of anxiety and potential emotional breakdown. You can’t get that kind of joy from the outside world.

2. Don’t Exercise

Who needs all the benefits of endorphins? Instead, sit your ass on your couch and enjoy the Duck Dynasty marathon. You don’t have to be about that exercise life. Even better, order take out, all the time. Let those fitness freaks do all the running. You’re doing a different kind of marathon… a Netflix marathon, that is.

3. Don’t Budget Your Money

Budgeting is for wimps. You have a rockstar life to maintain. Who cares if your workload isn’t the steadiest? You have to show your friends that you’re a baller without a boss. So live it up. You can always block the calls from debt collectors

4. Don’t Talk to Anyone

You’re an artist. Remember, people are the enemy. The perks of working from home means that you don’t have to interact with anyone. That line “no man is an island” is a load of crap. Creating literary genius requires isolation from the outside world. I mean it worked for Hemingway, right?

5. Don’t Have a Routine

This one is incredibly important. If you truly want to be at the top of your game, you must not have a plan, like, ever. Just slap a bunch of crap on the wall and see what sticks. Work in circles aimlessly. Don’t ask for help either, that’s the lame way out. You’re on this road along… forever… for all eternity. Help is for the weak, you must endure.

Follow these 5 steps and you too can have a rewarding, amazing, anxiety filled depressing career… errrr what???

Ok, ok… so I may be pulling your leg a little. Going down the road less traveled requires more work than one might think.While working for yourself has its rewarding moments, if you do not keep a healthy balance of work and life, it can go south very quickly. In fact, if you don’t pace yourself, you could go bonkers (trust me, it’s happened to yours truly). Get a support system and remember to have a life outside of your work. Freelance responsibly, my friends!

I See My Name In Bright Lights

Posted on February 4, 2015February 4, 2015 Posted in LifeTagged 20something, acceptance, adulthood, Amanda Bynes, anxiety, articles, blogging, Career, Concerts, Conference, Elle Woods, Forbes, Freelance, House of Blues, HR Tech, Las Vegas, Legally Blonde, Millennials, Proud, publishing, ThirdEyeBlind, work, Writer, writingLeave a comment

So this whole “blogging regularly” thing is quite the task. It’s not that I don’t have anything to say, sometimes I just get so wrapped up in the delivery that I get overwhelmed and don’t say anything at all. Well, as a writer, whenever I go through a dry-spell, I become like a backed up toilet; clogged and unable to get the job done.

Honestly, writing is like breathing for me; it is essential to my wellbeing. So that said, I must write!!

Ok, now that I have my craziness/dramatics out of the way, I come bearing some pretty cool news. You know that secret writing thing I’ve been alluding to? Well, now I can share it! Last year in October I was approached to attend the HR Tech Conference by a little publication called Forbes. Yup! I was totally ecstatic (Also scared shitless, but I digress)! They needed a Las Vegas based writer to cover the conference for their BrandVoice channel and they reached out to silly old me!

I can’t get into too much of the particulars unfortunately, but the whole experience was AMAZING. Listening and being part of a conference where professionals met to understand the root-cause of talent acquisition problems was fascinating! It was an incredibly humbling and thrilling journey to say the least. It solidified that I love writing and being able to weave into various industries and learn about them. I felt like I was finally finding where I belonged.

In addition, the HR Tech conference hosted Third Eye Blind to play a concert! The first night of the conference, I was standing around with some newfound friends (yup, this introvert made friends, who knew?) in the front row at the House of Blues getting free drinks handed to us while belting out some 90’s alternative gold. It was a hell of a time. While I enjoyed the research aspect of the gig, I did have some learning to do on the editing side of things.

I learned a vast amount working with the editors at Forbes. They kicked my butt, but in the best possible way. I had to stretch my writing skills to the furthest literary mountains possible and get out of my comfort zone to meet their expectations. They’re high caliber for a reason, and the learning that occurred was invaluable.

So after some blood, sweat, and tears I am published and I could not be more pleased. I showed it to my parents, loved ones, and now I’m getting to share my excitement with my blogging buddies!! I’m not going to lie, being able to say that I have multiple bylines in Forbes exhilarating!!!

So without further ado, I Taryn am proudly showing off my work, feel free to check it out and let me know what you think! 🙂

http://www.forbes.com/sites/castlight/2014/12/15/4-ways-to-engage-and-retain-millennial-employees/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/castlight/2014/12/29/3-new-tech-tools-that-bridge-the-gap-between-employers-and-workforce-newbies/

Scared? Well, Do it Anyway

Posted on April 1, 2014April 1, 2014 Posted in Bum Chronicles, LifeTagged Ambition, anxiety, Avoidance, Bed, Bestseller, CWWS, Duck Dynasty, Fear of Success, Freelance, Humor, Just Do It, Nike, Published, Repeat performance, Scared, Scaredy Cat, success, Writer2 Comments

I suffer from a debilitating chronic condition known as CWWS or Chronic Worry Wart Syndrome (it’s real, look it up. Ok, you got me, I’m full of crap). CWWS affects my ability to live life to the fullest by riddling my nerves with anxiety to the point where the only remedy is to hide from the world in the sanctity of my bed with my pup binging on Duck Dynasty. Following the flare up of CWWS is self loathing by my inability to face my fears and more guilt ensues. What causes CWWS you ask? Well, fear of success is an indicator.

You’re probably wondering how success can be scary. After all, it’s what most of us want right? The reality is,that once you’ve tasted the nectar of success, you have the added pressure of a repeat performance. Like the 1st time bestselling author who has to do a follow up book that is at least equally as good as their first novel. Fear of failing is a very real reality. So how does one get over CWWS? Well like Nike says, “Just Do It”.

Recently I put it out in the universe that I’ve decided to become a freelance writer. I’ve had a pretty good start, but I’m not out of the woods yet. It’s still a surreal feeling that people other than my mom (thanks mom!) like my writing. My CWWS is trying to rear its ugly little head but by golly I’m not gonna let it win. I’ve always existed in autopilot because simply, you can’t fail if you’re not really trying. The thing is potential can only be potential for so long. So, by announcing my goal means that I have to follow through. I’m a bit of a commitment phobe so this is going to get interesting. I said earlier that some of my work has been published, so the first hurdle I’ve cleared. Now it’s onto the repeat performance. Interestingly enough, I’m not longing for my bed or Duck Dynasty yet, so I’ll take it as a good sign. So here I am, scared shitless but determined to do it anyway. If you or a loved one suffers from CWWS too, I’d love to hear from you! You know what they say about misery and company and all that jazz. 😉

stephaniemcmillan.org

Damn it Feels Good to Be a Gangsta

Posted on April 1, 2014April 2, 2014 Posted in Bum Chronicles, HumorTagged 20something, bum, Creativity, Drugs, Freelance, Humor, inspiration, Proud, Published, Writer4 Comments

www.picstopin.com

So, I’m going to take a moment to pat myself on the back. Since being a bum has been fun, I’ve decided to make it a permanent thing by becoming a freelance writer. Honestly I was beating myself up and didn’t think my writing was good enough, but turns out it is (who knew). Some of my work has been recently published on different sites and I could not be prouder. Getting published is the best kind of drug out there and it’s one that I want to keep being on. So excuse me while I continue to get “high”. I’ve posted a couple links so check them out if you like!

https://www.careeraddict.com/en/6614/5-ways-to-get-right-mentally-to-get-right-physically

http://www.wearable.co.uk/blog/cuff-bringing-technology-fashion-together/

Taryn Was Here

Tag: Writer