Remabulous

Ask Remabulous: Should I go back to school?

Hello All! I can't believe it's been a whole week since I posted last time. recovering from surgery has definitely slowed down my output for the moment.

However, I am glad to say it has not slowed down your questions!

This week, I got a question from a reader about that timeless dilemma: to get another degree or not. Here's the situation in her own words:

"Dear Ask Remabulous,

I am considering returning to school for a doctorate in my field, at the school where I currently teach.

 It would be a two-year commitment, and I could still carry on my current work while in school. It would require one LONG weekend a month (Thursday through Sunday, long hours!).

It would still be quite a financial commitment, even with my faculty discount. How can I determine if I have the stamina for this, and if the benefit to me professionally would be worth all the hard work?   That is my dilemma.

Sincerely,
Should I Hit the Books Again?

image: austinevan

I am so glad you asked this question! So many people struggle with this situation. Let's take a look:

Help me! I'm drowning in social media!

This week's question comes from a reader who is facing a dilemma that I am sure is rampant among even the tech savvy creative people out there: am I required to be publicly online in order to get ahead at this point, and if I am, how do I do it well? This week's request was worded so well, I will let her speak for herself:

 "Dear Ask Remabulous,

I have been very hesitant to get on Facebook, but the peer pressure is mounting.  I feel overwhelmed with all the new technology (Twitter, Zumbox, blog feeds, etc) but also know that I am missing out on advancing my next career move.  The main reason I have resisted is because I don't want to be chained to my computer, something I have not been able to avoid in my two career choices so far!  Any tips on how to use all this new technology to our advantage, but not get sucked in 24/7?

Sincerely,
Take Away My Ball and Chain, LA"

image: mrlerone via flickr

Ask Remabulous: Is now the time to leap?

This week's question comes from conversations I had with my family over Thanksgiving. With the economy in a strange mood, and with job security more precarious than before, people were curious about the practicality of launching a new venture or changing industries now. So here we go on that topic:

Dear Ask Remabulous,

I would love to start my own business, or at least change out of the line of work I am currently employed in. But is this a good idea when I am enjoying reasonable job security where I am? It seems like a huge risk to make a change in the current climate.

Should I leap or should I stay on solid ground?

Thanks,
Hesitant Leaper

Thank you so much for your question, hesitant leaper. I think lots of people are dealing with this issue at the moment so I am delighted to address the topic. Read on for my reply.

This image, "dive," is by blindseeing.

Ask Remabulous: Help! How do I do what I love when I have a full time job?

This week's Ask Remabulous question comes from an informal survey I took at Book Soup: what issue is driving you nuts that you'd like me to address in my column this week?

It seemed like there was something in the air, since everyone centered on the same set of issues. Here's their combined question:

"Dear Ask Remabulous,

How do I find some kind of balance with the fact that I am a writer and need and want to be writing while at the same time I need to work at a job (or jobs!) 40 hours or more a week in order to pay my bills. Help! How do I write when I spend all my time working in order to survive being a writer? This is not working for me... please help me find another way to do this!

Sincecrely,
Sultry on Sunset" (they requested this name specifically- I love it)

Such a great question! Here are my thoughts...

image: estherase via flickr.

Ask Remabulous is back: How can you get the most out of coaching?

OK. I've gotten my head out of the clouds of the election and am back to the task at hand. This week's question comes from a member of the amazing incubator from Ladies Who Launch that I have been participating in for the last three weeks. I'm so sad it ends this Saturday. If you are a woman with a business or an idea for one, definitely check out this incredible resource. Here's how to find an incubator near you.

But on to our question:

Dear Ask Remabulous,

What is the best way to make sure you are getting what you can from a coaching session?  What should you ask the coach to gain a comfort level of their experience and knowledge in coaching for your needs?

Thanks!

Lady Who's Launching.

Dear Lady Who's Launching,

Thanks so much for your question. This is an important one, because a lot of people don't understand what qualifications a coach needs to have and what the advantages and purpose of good coaching is. I'll answer both of your questions below:

(I know this image, by phauly, is a bit out of focus, but it was too funny not to use.)

Ask Remabulous: How do I stay motivated at the END of a project?

This week, a reader sent in a question on a topic that we haven't covered as much on the site: what to do when you reach the end of a project. I am so glad to get this question, since finishing is the whole part of starting a project, and being able to finish in a way you are pleased with is every bit as important as finding the motivation to start.

"Dear Ask Remabulous,

I made a goal to finish the first draft of my novel on November 4th. Now that the date is coming up, I realize that it won't happen--but I know the book will be finished sometime in the next month.  I'm guessing I'm about 30 pages away from the end, which is so close, and yet, I am feeling lazy as ever. I am also teaching three classes and working a part-time job I recently got to pay the bills.  It seems like you work with a lot of clients who are just starting out with new projects and a new career, but I wonder what you might to say to someone like me, who's neck deep in something.  How can I make the most of this home stretch so that finishing the first draft energizes me for the long phase of revision?  And what's with my utter lack of productivity?

Thanks,
Nearly-there Novelist"

image: "Typewriter of Capricorn" by emdot.

Ask Remabulous: How to move ahead when you're afraid.

Last week, we talked about procrastination, and in the comments, Kristen was kind enough to ask another question as a followup to the discussion. Here are her thoughts and my answers as the response to this week's Ask Remabulous:

"There have been many times I've put something off for ages -- months even -- only to discover that there was a good reason I was doing so. For example, avoiding certain initiatives and assignments I'd given myself to grow my business, then realizing months later that I don't really *want* the business to go in that direction. Sometimes avoiding a task for too long means you really don't like what you're doing, and you need to find something you do.

Of course, other times it just means you're afraid or have a mental block. So that's my Ask Remabulous question: do you have any advice on overcoming fear in moving a big project forward?"

Thanks, Kristen! Here's my list of tips for dealing with this situation:

image: la7mad via flickr.

Ask Remabulous: Good procrastination vs bad procrastination, a primer.

This week's question is one I get quite often, so I was grateful for the opportunity to answer it on here. Read on for notes on procrastination, perfectionism, and learning to stay flexible.

Dear Ask Remabulous,

Sometimes I find that when I'm not getting everything done on my to do list, I am actually avoiding some of the items- gasp! Sometimes I figure out later that it was exactly the right thing not to have done those avoided items, but other times I think I might just be procrastinating something I really do want to do. Help! How can I tell the difference between the necessary evil and the now outdated?

Thank you,
Possibly procrastinating

Ask Remabulous: How can I attract Abundance and Prosperity?

This week's question is quite timely given all the talk about the economy and the up and down trip of the stock market over the past weeks. Thanks to "Open to Abundance" for the following question:

Dear Ask Remabulous,

What coaching suggestions do you have for attracting abundance and financial prosperity? I am open to ideas on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Thanks,
Open to Abundance.

image: bradipo via flickr.

Dealing with Overwhelm: How to give yourself a break!

Dear Caroline,

 

I have so many questions for you, I hardly know where to start.  Thank you for starting your weekly column to help us all.

 

So I'll start with the obvious, how should one deal with overwhelm?  Like you, I am a self-employed artist and feel I get pulled in a million directions, most of them self imposed.  I try all kinds to tricks with my "to do" lists, but in the end, I know deep down, there is more to do than I can ever get to.

 

Today is a good day and I am just steadily going through "the list".  But any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

Seemingly Always Overwhelmed

image: "i love clutter" by sindesign via flickr.