60 Day Challenge- Reviewed, Revised, Revived

 "Everyone who got where he is has had to begin where he was." Robert Louis Stevenson

And so I begin again. Where I was. The sixty day challenge came the first time, while I was brand new to hub pages, and had no idea what I was doing. Honestly, I still don't. But I am willing to learn. I did learn a lot from the first challenge, and I realized that the learning curve is steep. Much like having a baby. I've done that eight times, and still haven't got it right. So I figure one more time around with the 60 Day Challenge, and perhaps I will learn a little more.

"Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully." Zig Ziglar

I do love to write. I like to think that sometimes I do it beautifully. After college, I didn't do much writing for duty. That may explain the sorry state of many of my hubs. I don't usually write to make money. I write because I want to say something. I forget to add links. I don't check key words. I forget the frills and extras that make up a well written hub.

One of my goals for this challenge is to write beautifully, and well. I plan to research my topics first, before choosing what I want to write about. I intend to add links, and I want to get the back linking done right this time. A beautifully written hub can also be a well written hub, and that is my first goal. 

"The first requisite of success is the ability to apply your physical and mental energies to one problem without growing weary." Thomas Edison

My second goal for the 60 Day Challenge is to apply myself daily, for sixty days. During the last challenge, my physical and mental energies were split several different ways: writing, starting a new business: kids end of school schedules: upcoming summer plans... The list could go on, of things I am distracted by.

Now, the kids are heading back to school, my hours are stable at the bookstore, and I have time to devote to writing and learning about self promotion. While I did enjoy an increase in page views as a result of the first challenge, I believe with applied effort, I may see a more impressive increase. I might even make my first money!

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Hellen Keller

The sixty day challenge team is a great network of support, friendship, knowledge and information. During the previous challenge, I was never quite sure if I was on the team or not, and I never felt a part of the group. I realize that this is all my insecurity and baggage.

I declare that I am on the team, and will fully support and encourage my fellow team members. In addition, I will seek out help when I need it, and not feel stupid or ashamed or left out when I don't understand something. If I ask questions, I know they will be answered. Kindly. 

"First comes thought; then organization of that thought into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination." Napolean Hill

My final goal for this challenge is to learn to be a more organized writer. From conception through creation, I intend to have a plan. Before I begin writing, I will plan my topics. Before I begin randomly using backlinks, I will have a plan to optimize my exposure. Planning for me is a weak spot. I typically get an idea and run with it, while it is still bouncing around inside my head. While things usually turn out, they may be better with some forethought. 

In light of this realization, I will add to my log, as I develop ideas for topics. I wish the best of luck to all teammates, and I look forward to reading the great hubs that will result.

Namaste friends. 

Monday, August 16, 2010:

Started a successful day with the 60 day challenge. My first success is in selecting topics for the upcoming challenge. My second success, albeit a small one to veterans of hubpages, is that I figured out how to load the chart (and how to find the chart) with my traffic information. One small step for me, one giant step toward success for the team!

Topics for 60dc

I. Holidays: I look forward to writing several hubs on the upcoming holidays, including product reviews, recipes and family traditions. I have yet to delve into writing these types of hubs, and look forward to increasing the scope of my writing.

II. Music: Music is essential to my life; an outward expression of the innermost longings of the soul. I plan to write music reviews, along with hubs about various artists.

III. Spirituality: Having written several hubs along the lines of my daily bible study, and finding them lacking in readership, I have decided to try a new angle. My hubs on the Tao are well received, and I may venture into a series of articles regarding modern day spirituality, called "Prairie Sage".

IV. Creative Writing: This is my favorite genre, and one which I don't practice enough. I wrote several short stories about "Cindy, Mindy and Bob", which were well received by the people who read them, and which satisfied my desire to just sit and write. I hope to balance these non revenue earning hubs with others that have more income potential.

V. Health and Fitness: Having tried every diet ever designed, and most different types of exercise, including martial arts, aerobics, weight training, running, yoga, tai chi, and Nia dance, I feel somewhat strong in this area. I can write several articles of interest, and hopefully make a good return.

So, for today, I feel I have been successful. All we can do is seek to fulfill our purpose in any given moment. In this moment, I am totally fulfilled.

Namaste friends.

Tuesday and Wednesday: I am overwhelmed by the trainload of information for this challenge. Just when I think I find something out, I realize that I have only skimmed the tip of the iceberg. Spent two whole days researching hubs and keywords. Then spent hours reading through hublogs and figuring out who is on the team.

I may be too slow for this challenge.

Thursday, August 19, 2010: Finally, I got one hub written and published. A second hub waits in the wings, for the finishing touches. I have rough drafts of the first ten, so I am not panicking. Yet.

Saturday, August 21, 2010: I have published two christmas hubs, two jazz hubs and one prairie sage hub so far this week. Am feeling somewhat productive, and almost a little organized.