Sunday Newsletter - Sail Right Through (28th April 2024)

Sunday Newsletter

Hello and Happy Sunday! I hope you have had a blessed and peaceful weekend so far. 

I am drinking an extra strong coffee while donning my winter layers, as the temperature has dropped significantly here in the forest this week. I am still loving seeing the blossoms and the budding trees, the lambs and calves, and the return of the Osprey and Geese who are nesting now. Nature's miracles in action. 

What’s it like where you are? Are you in spring or autumn?  

The New Layout 

How do you like the new Newsletter format? I am aiming for easier readability and more options on how you consume the content. 

You can now read it here, or on my website: 

Where you’ll also find an audio version if you prefer to listen instead. 

It’s all part of reviewing my message, branding and business focus. 

Revamping my Brand and Direction 

I admit it.  

I have been on a whirlwind journey watching the craziness of the world outside of me. 

There are those who are quick to point out everything that is wrong with the world. The economy. Human trafficking. The shifting of global power. Pollution. The health crisis.  

And I have been observing it all on a rollercoaster of thoughts, paradigm shifts and feelings. 

Then I had a big realisation; the power is in observing it all, seeing it from the perspective of a collapse to make way for the new, practicing consistently to align with my internal compass, while focusing on solutions, how I contribute positively… and holding out hope. 

I believe that hope gives birth to answers. 

It gives us access to the resources we need (both internal and external) to start solving problems. 

I believe in acknowledging reality; I just don’t believe in stopping there. 

Once we’ve identified the problem, it’s time to start focusing on the solution. 

I know this might seem a heavy topic for a Sunday but right now it’s important for me to let you know where I am going with my Newsletter and my business, so you know what to expect going forward.  

The Solution...

I want to be a part of the solution. I want to use my gifts and talents, where I can, to help others navigate the nonsense, the fear, the shift. 

As a business owner, I feel it’s time to acknowledge the massive transformation that is taking place in technology, finance, geo-politically and culturally around the world.  

And (in my opinion) it’s time to get optimistic and identify where your unique skills, talents and abilities can be valuable, so that you and your customers thrive in the new era that we are hurtling into. 

With this in mind, I am taking all of the research and experimenting I have invested in over the past three years, around new technologies (Blockchain, Web3, AI etc.), changing financial systems, and business skills redistribution; and am weaving them into my services and offers.
I am also building in the resilience and perception work that I feel will be crucial to thriving through the planetary transformational shift that is underway. 

We are indeed at an exceptional time in history – I don’t pretend to have all of the answers; however, I do believe I can contribute with tools, training and coaching to support online businesses through unprecedented times.  

Have you considered how you will navigate the chaos? How will you communicate change to your clients? How can you remain unique and relatable in a world dominated by AI? 

That leads me into... 

This Weeks Business Boost

Are You Writing for Impact? 

One thing all entrepreneurs have in common is that we seek to influence others through our writing. We’re constantly asking ourselves questions like: 

‹ How can I speak to the needs, drives and longings of my potential clients? 

‹ How can I convince people that my products and services will benefit them greatly? 

‹ How can I powerfully demonstrate my clients’ need for the services I offer? 

‹ What strategies will win people to a new point of view? 

‹ What can I do so that people thirst for something better? 

‹ How can I better express my Point of View?

‹ How can I communicate my message in the most persuasive way? 

Writing for impact is both a skill and an art. If we want to influence others, we can’t just “wing it.” Our writing can’t be something we just throw together with a lame hope that something good will come of it.  

Writing for impact has never been so important. While AI can really help with writing and has the potential to make some copywriters and business owners redundant, understanding and practicing writing unique and heartfelt copy will give you the ability to stand out, to use your voice and to be a thought leader in your space. 

Consider these 5 elements for writing with impact: 

1. Contemplate. 

To contemplate means to consider, to mull over, to reflect on, and think about. We often rush this step when writing. We get an idea and “pluck it off the tree like unripe fruit.” Instead of letting it mature in our minds, we blurt out an idea that’s only part way thought-out. It’s only “half-baked.” 

In our hurry to come up with ‘something’, we can actually delay arriving at the jewels of ideas and instead be scrabbling around in the weeds for weeks. 

Take time to let your idea incubate. Mindmap or brainstorm your idea. Look at it from every angle. Devote enough time to let a good idea develop into a great one.  

You’ll know when your idea is ripe enough to pluck. 

2. Concise. 

Keep your writing tight. Use words sparingly. Technology has groomed us to expect speed and brevity. 

When someone drones on, we get bored and antsy. We lose interest. 

“Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.” (William Strunk, Jr., co-author of The Elements of Style.) 

I know this is something I am still working on. 😊 

3. Clear. 

Without clarity, people may not even realize what we’re saying. How tragic to send a piece of copy or post a blog that leaves readers wondering what was said!  

Avoid fancy, obscure, or ambiguous words. We’re not trying to impress others with our vocabulary. We want to communicate clearly. 

When you write, put yourself in your customer’s shoes.
Read and reread what you’ve written. Read the piece aloud. 

How clear is it? A bit foggy? Or crystal clear? Ask your spouse or someone else to read what you’ve written. Give them permission to give you honest feedback. 

You can check the simplicity of your writing by using Apps like Hemingway or Readable. 

4. Creative. 

Be creative, but let conciseness and clarity tame your creativity. We want to be clever, but not so clever as to be confusing.  

Our writing should never be dry, dull, or boring!
When we write, we don’t want to lead our readers up a colourless stairwell, but to the glorious heights of a mountain meadow. 

With creativity we make our reading fun and give the reader a glimpse into who we are. Creativity in our writing reveals our passions and our humanness. This attracts others to us. Creativity endears us to others because through it we become vulnerable. And vulnerability gives others reason to trust us. 

Fall in love with the process, the art of it and your reader will fall in love with your work. 

5. Compelling.

Our writing may display all the other qualities and still lack the element that evokes action. What we write must be compelling.  

Nearly any writing seeks to persuade.  

•  What is it that you want your reader to do?
  
  ·       After reading your piece, how clear is their next step?  
•  Why would they even choose to take that step?   
•  What is compelling about your writing? 

Think about this: we can write something we’re really proud of. We’ve put a lot of thought into it and it’s clear, concise, and creative.

But unless it’s compelling, it’s just fluff. It may be “tasty,” but lacking in any “nourishment.” 

•  How can this piece of writing challenge or change your reader’s life?  
•  In what way will their situation improve by what you’ve told them?  
•  Our writing must compel our readers to action. 
•  Do you believe in your work?  

If you don’t believe it and FEEL it, no-one else will. 

It is this unique element of writing, this energy behind your work, that AI will always struggle to reproduce. 

In Summary: 

Writing is a primary tool of the entrepreneur. We write to inform, convince, entertain, persuade, and prompt others to action. We all want our writing to impact others in a positive way.  

And when these 5 elements permeate everything we write, we know we’re writing for impact! 

Choosing Happy Podcast Update 

As I explained earlier, I am revamping and reorganising my content creation.
A reminder that the podcast is now published on Wednesday mornings.  

I will also be adding a mini pod on a Saturday, which will be no longer than 15 minutes and will be less formal, more fun and based around a hot topic or experience for me from that week (life or business).
It’s the 64th  Episode of the Choosing Happy Podcast this week, and you can access it on Wednesday 1sth May 2024 – This weeks episode is The Pursuit of Happiness: Navigating the 10 Influences Shaping Our Joy in 2024  

All previous episodes are available…
You can listen on your favourite podcast host or on the website at www.choosinghappypodcast.com  

Also before I go, 2 quick things: 

#1 – A reminder - I have set up a special coaching offer for May 2024 to help anyone who feels like they need a breakthrough or a clarity session around now. You can find out more here:
May Coaching Offer

#2 – I am also still putting the finishing touches to a new 1 Year Mastermind program. I am rejigging the focus and content to really home in on helping a group of like-minded, business owners thrive through the chaos. They will have access to training, guest experts, peer mentoring, 1-1 coaching and strategy sessions, Mastermind days, community and accountability to rock their businesses through disruptive and unusual times.
Again, drop me an email if you’d like to have advance notification. 

That's it for this week! 

I wish you peace, creativity, laugh out loud moments, courage, resilience, and protection during these days.
May love, and healing surround you.
May your families and friends be safe and well. 

The coffee and a chat offer is always there, I am only an email away. 

I hope you have a week blessed with opened hearted compassion, high vibes, joy filled days, amazing health, prosperity, grace and ease! 

Heather 

Heather V Masters 

Chief Coach, Trainer and Facilitator of Magic 

Taking Your Business Online and Choosing Happy Podcast 

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]  

P.S. Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you: 

#1: I just launched a new Coffee and Catchup Live on my YouTube and Rumble Channels (Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning – 10.30 am – live). I'm putting a ton of energy into creating heaps of valuable live content that I think you'll like. It’s my aim to create a healthy habit of live content that serves you. Come check out my channel, and give me a like and subscribe.  

#2: Strategy Calls 

As entrepreneurs, sometimes we just need an hour with another like-minded person to figure out what to focus on next. And to keep it simple. And to identify our next, impactful, action steps.  

Sometimes you’re too close to figure that out for yourself. 

How often do you take time out to move away from the doing in your business, and focus on the big picture, reviewing the dream and getting to the nitty gritty stuff that niggles you every day? 

In the 1-1 strategy sessions I help you cut through the fog and get crystal clear on your next steps toward next level results - more clients, more sales, more effective marketing, tech clarity and simplicity – whatever it is for you. 

If you are interested, drop me a message and I will send you full details and how to apply. 

#3: Follow me on LinkedIn for more Tech, strategy, systems, marketing tips, and happiness-building. 

P.P.S.  

If you have something you want to ask, drop me an email and Iet's get your questions answered. 

Email: [email protected]