The First Month Of My New Life

“The turtle makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.”
–James Bryant Conant, chemist and former President, Harvard University

In Issue #124

Editor’s Note: The AWAI Bootcamp wrapped up almost exactly a month ago. That’s when the REAL work began for many attendees. Hopefully, after the first few days of getting reacquainted with the house, the job and the laundry that piled up while they were away, attendees had a lot to reckon with. Spec assignments to do, leads to follow, decisions to make about niches and goals. In her final installment of the Bootcamp journal series, Ann-Marie Giglio gives you a firsthand glimpse of what she learned, what she did when she returned, and the results of her efforts.

The First Month of My New Life
by Ann-Marie Giglio

So here it is, a month out from Bootcamp, and time to reflect on my journey. It feels like I watched the sunset in DelRay Beach about a hundred years ago. Is that because so much has happened since then? Both my girls finished their cross country season in the State’s top ten. That was exciting. I’m this close to leasing space for my fitness studio – that’s certainly another big milestone.

But I think the real reason I feel like I’ve logged years rather than just weeks on the clock since Bootcamp is the progress I’ve made on the journey towards my new career as a copywriter.

I wish I could report that I’ve landed a job….I can’t. But I did produce my first two specs. I submitted one on the Oct. 29 deadline. I hit the send button before noon and that felt really great. Then, a short week later, I sent in a second one and I finished it an entire day early. Boy was I surprised. Compared to my insecurities before Bootcamp, to be finished early was unbelievable. It just seemed like once I got that spec-muscle working, it did!

In fact, as good as Bootcamp was, I’ve learned more since I got back than I have all year. Writing two specs taught me, quite profoundly, how to get the job done: with a plan, a timeline—and a lot of juggling.

If you’re transitioning like I am from another job—or life—this juggle is the ultimate challenge. You have to be flexible and inflexible at the same time. Every schedule change you make precipitates another—like dominoes falling. Once you get it all smoothed out and create the extra work time, you must stick feverishly to the plan, or it all comes crashing down.

It’s hard. Especially in the daytime. I had to learn to grab every 10 minute chunk of time I could. Time is now such precious nectar, I’m squeezing it from anything. Take Halloween. My youngest daughter loves it. We usually decorate inside and out, have a cookie-making party, and endlessly plan costume details.

But this year, after Bootcamp, I had to figure out a way to get cracking on the specs…without disappointing my daughter.

So, when she begged to unpack the decorations—and I still hadn’t unpacked my suitcase—I had a moment of inspiration and bargained, “Ok…but you decorate.” Her face glowed like a jack-o-lantern. An hour later, the house wore that extremely cute decorated-by-an-8-year-old look…and I had some writing done.

On cookie-making day, I shed the usual Martha Stewart routine and instead wrote right up until the doorbell rang. We giggled, ate cookie dough, got flour and sprinkles everywhere, and sent everyone home with plates of black-iced cookies. My bonus: I squeezed out enough writing time before the party, and was still able to relax and enjoy the kids.

And nights? Well, the first week back from Bootcamp, all charged up, I ignored my fatigue (and the kitchen) and started blocking out an hour to work in the evening. Once my youngest child was in bed, I hit my desk. Now that’s become my power hour–or two—and my habit.

Another thing I’ve learned since returning home is how spot-on the presentations at Bootcamp were. Frankly, glancing through the first day’s agenda, I’d had my doubts. It didn’t seem so different from the course. But the presenters enlarged and so deepened their topics that now I find myself referring back to my notes daily. In my peer group, we call the Bootcamp notebook the fourth leg of our stool.

Ah…my peer group. I already cannot live without it. I wrote last time that we set up a chat room the second day back from Bootcamp. We are now each other’s cheerleaders, co-researchers, business consultants, and editors. We sit alone, but we never feel alone. Instead of the running monologue banging around in most writers’ heads, we have a dialogue. We are connected. And accountable. But, as one of my group members wrote:

“This accountability goes farther that just listing our goals and pestering each other to reach them. We reach for more, partly because others believe in us and partly because we feel a responsibility, an obligation, to be more and bring more to the group.”

This has made us all habitual writers. We keep the board open while we work, day and night. It keeps us jazzed. And our voices resonate on the board, something we’re always looking for in our specs.

Sharing our accomplishments since Bootcamp is probably the biggest highlight of this connection. One of us already has a job, and two others have had very positive feedback. Even though we’re still living our “old” lives, we’re all spec-writing and exploring internet ventures and applying everything we learned from Bootcamp in our pursuit of the dream.

I’ve now peppered my house and car with paper and pens, obsesses with catching my ideas and thoughts on the run. I’ve drawn boundaries around my writing time that my family can live with. I’ve integrated good work habits. My writing voice is getting louder and clearer every day. And I have the help from my friends and the camaraderie of my peers to keep me on track.

In short, I’m getting the work done. My confidence has gelled and I am making the transition. I’ve learned, though, it’s like traveling with small children—you can do it—just not as quickly as you used to—or would like to.

Most important of all…I’m enjoying every minute of this. Working hard has never been so energizing. Copywriting is definitely a good match for me and my accumulated life experiences. I would never have known that without taking the risk of going to Bootcamp.

Now…if I can just get this next spec done by Friday…and maybe the laundry…

Resource Referral: It’s Not Too Late To Join Ann-Marie…

If you didn’t go to Bootcamp, take heart. It’s not too late to mimic a good deal of Ann-Marie’s experience…and success.

Everything at Bootcamp was captured on tape. I know, I know…the beach…the cocktails…the introductions and handshakes…the vibe and energy. You know as well as I do that you just can’t capture that stuff electronically.

But everything else – the lists and lists of concrete tips and advice – can all be boxed and shipped right to your door. If you didn’t come – whether for lack of time, money, or an aversion to beaches and sunshine – you should at least pick up the Bootcamp-in-Your-Home Package.

You’ll get:

What are you waiting for? Check it out now.

Quick Survival Tip II: Speaking of Back-Ups

Last week, I wrote you about the Email Interuptus I was experiencing…and how using a back-up email address at least helped me survive what was a pretty significant amount of downtime. This week, it got just a little worse…

While traveling – and I’m talking about driving 13 hours with my two kids, both of whom had colds – I also experienced computer problems. Again, the wisdom of my computer consultant came to the rescue. For months now I’ve been doing daily global back-ups onto an independent hard drive. So when some God-only-knows thing happened in the back seat of the car that sent my hard drive into a tail spin…I was able to restore the information, even while traveling.

Yes…I lost two days. Yes…I ticked off a client and missed a deadline that was tight anyway. But…I ultimately didn’t lose any data. And I was back in business MUCH faster than when I’d had similar problems a couple of years ago and was caught (gasp) with NO back up whatsoever. I’m sure that if I hadn’t been traveling and under difficult circumstances to begin with, I wouldn’t have lost more than an afternoon.

The lesson? Be smart about backing up your computer…it’s your lifeline. If you don’t have a system in place (other than crossing your fingers) put one in place now. By the time you need it, it’s usually too late.