#springblossoms

Do you endlessly ponder your options, or can you make quick decisions? I’m 50/50.

3 weeks ago, fellow Creator Institute author Begoña Pinoinvited me to be a guest on her podcast. We had a fun, unscripted conversation about our books. Hers, “Join the Playful Revolution,” is about how play can make us happier & help creativity flourish. Mine, “Blogging on Instagram,” is about using Instagram as a rewarding & easy writing platform.✍️.

After I published my book last August, it was frustrating as Instagram announced lots of new features. When I had a chance to produce my hardbound version, I included some of them in a new Afterword . My book also has a dust jacket, so I had 2 extra panels for text. ⏳I spent time at @elliottbaybookco perusing business books for ideas.

I knew what to do but designers are the worst design clients, so it took many text & design tweaks before my hardback book was published last month by New Degree Press. 

After a book is published, a new journey starts with the quest for guest blogging & podcast  opportunities . I’m grateful to find generous folks who are willing to share their platforms with me. They give me a chance to reach new audiences. 

Begoña is one of those people. ️ We’re both new at podcasts but had a great rapport. Toward the end she asked if I’m facing any problems that she could help solve?

I told her I need to decide what to do next? She created a simple decision matrix for me that I’m sharing above (swipe right). Now I just need to plug in the variables & see what surfaces‍♀️. When the podcast is live, you’ll see it in my Linktree.️ I hope you’ll give it a listen! 

How do you make decisions? Do you toss a coin?  Do you list pros & cons  , or do you usually intuitively know what to do? 
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PHOTOS:
#springblossoms #springforward #redtwigdogwood w/ Bill & Charmaine #hellebore #camelia #decisionmaking
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#Firsttimeauthor #BloggingonInstagram #hardbound #hardback #graphicdesignchallenge #bookediting #hardbackbook #dustjacket #bookdesign #podcastsofinstagram #whatnext
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. (at Big Fish Grill Issaquah)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbRqLboubGk/?utm_medium=tumblr

Spring is finally here. As a kid I learned March 4th is the only date that is also a command. A lot of marching forth has been happening on the other side of the world. know we all hope & pray it will come to an end soon.️

Last Wednesday was a beautiful, sunny Seattle day . I was behind several cars at a stop light on my way to a meeting when suddenly I felt a jolt!  It wasn’t like when a car creeps forward because you’ve taken your foot off the break—it was forceful.

No one was hurt but my car was damaged. I don’t know how many of you drive or have been in a car wreck, but I’ve had 3 accidents in 46 years—none were my fault. I couldn’t recall what to do except exchange insurance information. Then what? I called my agent & let her know what happened☎️. She told me to call the other company.

It’s a pain dealing with the aftermath of a collision. Though not my fault, I’ll be spending weeks dealing with it⏳. Also, insurance companies aren’t fun. Some of the people are nice‍, but it’s their job to spend as little time & money  as possible. They don’t care if the car was in perfect condition. They’re inclined to repair it as cheaply as they can.

The driver’s agent sent me a link with specific instructions about how to take photos of the damage. I was wondering why I should do their work for them? Besides, I’d already taken my car to 2 shops, & one shot a dozen photos before writing up an estimate.

It’ll be weeks before I can get scheduled️. My car is drivable, so it could’ve been much worse. Articles say mechanics & car repair techs are in demand️ because more people are fixing their cars instead of buying new ones.

The young woman who hit my car wrote me a nice apology email. It was an unexpected gesture that I appreciated.

Have you ever been in a car accident, or caused one? If so, I hope no one was seriously injured.

As I always say to friend & loved ones as they depart, “Drive carefully!” 
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PHOTOS: #onmywalk #springflowers #daffodils #ornamentalkale #springblossoms #springinseattle #BMW2002 #classiccarsdaily #caraccident #carrepair #insurancecompany #worldpeace
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. (at Midnight Motorsport)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Catws4-LNel/?utm_medium=tumblr

Today’s cold, gray, and rainy day has me missing the Spring blossoms from last month.

#latergram #nyc #April2017 #050517 #springblossoms (at Morningside Park)