I confront fear every morning. No, I am not an undercover special agent or a fugitive fleeing from the authorities. I am an ordinary, everyday fear hacker. Back in the caveman days, that sensation in the pit of your stomach evolved to keep you safe. But I haven’t seen any saber-tooth tiger roaming suburbia lately. So, instead of pulling the covers over my head and hiding, I invite it in for a conversation.

By doing so, I have discovered fear’s virtues. The feeling lets me know I am alive. It is a motivator. It focuses my thoughts and grounds me in the present. Inside of fear lives instinct and intuition, two keys to helping me make quick decisions and get my work done faster. Doing scary things means I am on the right path. Coming to terms with fear has made it my greatest asset and best ally.

Do you dare to become a fear hacker?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Relentless winds shape sand dunes. When tiny grains of sand encounter an obstacle, they build one upon the other, often rising to astounding heights. Success dances along the shifting line, delineating the dune’s windward side and its slip face. Stability on a dune is nonexistent. Gales pound the beach, driving sand, forcing it to the ridgetop where it slides or rolls down the opposite surface.

Achieving our targets are often just as elusive. We believe we are on the right path, the one guaranteed to bring us what we desire. But the terrain changes, the winds change, we change. Our goals don’t have to remain static, instead, as we evolve, they can morph and develop. The choice lies in our interpretation.

What is your definition of success?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

It is easy to succumb to Monday morning drudgery and fall into the trap of negative emotions. There are countless psychological and neurological studies supporting the assertion that your current emotional state has a huge impact on your performance. Monday’s return to work dread can make you less productive, less motivated, less creative, less engaged, and it can leave you depressed, tired and feeling hopeless.

If your job is meaningful, looking forward to Monday is easier. Finding a career you are passionate about, means each new week is an opportunity to do what you love. Even if you wouldn’t trade your business for anything else, you can still face difficulties that test your resolve. Clarifying the items that are bothering you and taking corrective actions helps you maintain control. It may be as simple as preparing for Monday before you leave on Friday, getting organized, or addressing your most stress-inducing task first. Of course, a cup of coffee couldn’t hurt.

How will you make your transition from weekend to work week easier?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Sometimes we need to stop, to move forward. It’s difficult to do in our results-driven, 24/7/365, what have you done from me lately, society. Our current culture makes it even more imperative to pause, reflect, and indulge in thoughtful consideration. Rushing headlong into activities provides an adrenaline rush that confirms our existence. It can also be a potential disaster, which changes our lives in unexpected ways.

I am addicted to the thrill of living. Experiencing the highs and lows lurking around every corner is my fuel. I love incorporating these small moments into my writing. I find they are often pivot points which direct and predict our future. By stopping to consider the possibilities, we grant ourselves the luxury of making conscious judgment calls. We put ourselves in control. We determine our trajectory based on thousands of tiny decisions, minor course corrections that place us on a specific path. This is where the true fun lies.

How will today’s decisions shape your destiny?

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Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer