Home Service Providers

4 Great Things Coming to AMC Networks

AMC Networks is going to be getting bigger, and better. Here's four great things coming to AMC Networks, and they all involve murder.

| Posted by:

Category: Streaming, News, Business Internet, Entertainment, TV, Cable, Service Providers | No Comments


4 Great Things Coming to AMC Networks
AMC Networks, owner of the eponymous channel that’s home to “The Walking Dead”, “Better Call Saul”, and “Preacher”, is working on acquiring RLJ Entertainment. RLJ owns Acorn TV and Urban Movie Channel, which means AMC is going to be getting bigger. And offering more for their streaming customers! RLJ has a huge library they’ll bring to the table. This means even more shows and movies that AMC customers will get to see through the networks bevy of channels. The best part? RLJ Entertainment owns 64% of the Agatha Christie Limited, the media rights and literary management company set up by the great author herself. If this doesn’t excite you, here are four reasons why it should.

Agatha Christie

Long hailed as the murder mystery writer, Agatha Christie wrote sixty-six detective novels and fourteen short story collections. Born in 1890, Agatha took up writing poems and short stories. It wasn’t until a cousin recommended a murder mystery that Agatha attempted to enter the genre. If there hadn’t been that one suggestion, the murder-mystery genre may not be what it is today. Her writing style, use of tropes, red herrings, and characters have helped define what makes good murder mystery writing. She’s also credited with starting the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Her works, though dated, have been adapted and many authors are updating them to reflect more modern writing styles. At least one lucky author, Sophie Hannah, has been given authority to continue writing Hercule Poirot mysteries. Of her sixty-six works, three detectives stand out.

Tommy and Tuppence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DcAxJ9aORA The lesser known of her famous detectives, Agatha enjoyed writing Tommy and Tuppence novels the most. These Partners in Crime were her first detectives, and the duo aged with her. Partners in Crime follow Tommy and Tuppence Beresford as they find themselves constantly getting involved with dastardly plots. The pair didn’t set out to solve crimes at first. Because there were no other jobs, they started up Young Adventurers Ltd. “Willing to do anything. Go anywhere…No reasonable offer refused.” Those reasonable offers came with a mystery to solve. While I haven’t read or watched any of the works, if its Agatha Christie, then I at least know it’s good source material. As for the adaptations of the works themselves, again, I’m in the dark here. Given there have been multiple interpretations of the characters, it’s safe to say the crime-solving pair are entertaining to watch. One novel was adapted into a silent movie in 1928 then a series of radio dramas on the BBC in 1953. The late Richard Attenborough provided the voice for Tommy too! In 1984, Partners in Crime was finally adapted for the small screen. James Warwick and Francesca Annis took on the titular roles and reprised the roles again in 1985. No new adaptations were made until 2005, this time in France. The names of the characters were changed, though the source material remained faithful to Christie’s original vision. In 2008, another French adaptation was made. David Walliams and Jessica Raine took on the roles in the 2015 mini-series, Partners In Crime. No news as to whether another adaptation is in the works.

Miss Marple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8ytnco5p-Y Miss Marple seems to sit quietly in the background, knitting away. This turns out to only be deception, as the elderly spinster is quietly observing, assessing, and analyzing everyone and everything around her. This is what makes her a remarkably effective sleuth. The list of actresses who’ve played Miss Marple is practically a “whos-who” of classic acting; Gracie Fields, Margaret Rutherford, Angela Lansbury, Helen Hayes, Joan Hickson, and June Whitfield. Most recently, Geraldine McEwan starred in the role in 2004 with Julia McKenzie assuming the role in 2009. I haven’t had the chance to catch these adaptations, though I did see a stage production of A Murder is Announced when I was in college. Being a Division III school, they didn’t do too bad.

Hercule Poirot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq4m3yAoW8E The most well-known of Agatha’s sleuths was Hercule Poirot (pronounced “pwa-ro,” it’s Belgian French). If it wasn’t because of his skills as a detective, then it was most definitely the mustache. The idea for Hercule Poirot is said to not been based on any one person. There is speculation, however, that a specific Belgian refugee who fled to England and settled in the countryside is the true catalyst for Agatha’s most notable detective. There’s another claim that he was based on two other fictional detectives of the time, Hercule Popeau, and Monsieur Poiret. And still, another that he was based on Sherlock Holmes. The mystery of who really inspired Agatha Christie to create the character will remain. When it comes to who did the best job of portraying the character, there is less speculation needed.

Who's the Best Poirot?

From Charles Laughton to Hugh Laurie, there have been too many Poirot’s to list here. In 2017 Kenneth Branagh stepped into the role for Murder on the Orient Express. Given the film’s high production budget and Branagh’s Shakespearean experience, the movie was amazing. Fun to watch, keeps you guessing (if you haven’t already read the book), and great performances by an all-star cast. Yet, for me, the standard of Hercule Poirot will always be set by David Suchet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r92jpQ8-UA True, Suchet’s mustache is more downplayed than Branagh’s. Branagh had the advantage of a big budget and having to only wear the titular facial hair for a relatively short time. Suchet, on the other hand, played the role for thirteen years. And yet, the mustache's even more endearing than Branagh’s. The ear-to-ear handlebars that Branagh sports are impressive, but only from a production standpoint. From a character standpoint, it’s just a defining feature. Suchet’s is where it’s at. Though subtler, his mustache adds the dramatic flair that is Poirot. To keep that kind of facial hair going for that long takes a rare level of commitment. To get into the mindset of such a literary behemoth, Suchet took character notes. By the end of his run, he had over 90 traits written down that made Poirot Poirot. Branagh only had to stay in character for a few months. And that closes that case.

Find Agatha Christie

It’s unclear if AMC Networks will just air reruns of the great Christie works or if they’re going to create original content from them. Given the recent resurgence in her work, I would hope they’d opt to remake some of her work. They could even go the Holmes route and update her characters. If that were to happen, then Vincent Cassel would be my first pick to step into the role of a new Poirot. Of course, Dame Judi Dench would be great as Miss Marple. For Tommy and Tuppence, I’d name James Marsters and Lucy Davis. Hollywood may go a different direction, and they often do. It's not the first time I've been ignored by Hollywood. And it won’t be the last. The good news is that getting access to current Agatha Christie works is simple. First, look for the best internet and cable packages. This way you’ll save money and headache when it comes to watching all the shows and movies based on Agatha Christie’s books. Second, get to a library or a bookstore and go find Agatha’s actual work. Every library is bound to have at least one. Third, if reading a book isn’t your thing, then get the Overdrive app or any number of audiobook apps. There’s a few that offer free titles as well. This way you’ll get to read Murder on the Orient Express, and others, before watching the movie. This will enhance your viewing experience. Once you’ve read an Agatha Christie, then watch a movie or a show, then it’ll be no mystery why her work has lasted so long.

1 Cool Technique to Breathe Away Frustration

When you're angry,the worst thing someone can say to you is “calm down,just breathe okay!”This isn’t sound advice. Try this breathing technique instead.

| Posted by:

Category: Service Providers, This & That, Tips | No Comments


1 Cool Technique to Breathe Away Frustration
During those moments of extreme frustration, anger, or confusion, the worst thing someone can say to you is “calm down, just breathe okay!” This isn’t sound advice. “Never in the history of calming down has anyone ever calmed down by being told to calm down.” This quote has shown up in various permutations across the internet. Be it Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, or some other social media platform, someone has said this. Or put it in a meme. Commanding someone to calm down isn’t going to work. It'll likely have the opposite effect.

What to Do?

There is nothing wrong with getting angry, frustrated, or confused. A weird push has gone out these days to “not let things get to you.” While that would be great, we live in an imperfect world. We’re imperfect people. You’re going to get angry. Don’t run from it. (On the flip side, don’t use it as an excuse to get mad about anything and everything) Instead, know that people, events, even movies, will make you angry. When that happens, and it feels as if the whole world is against you… Or you can’t believe someone can be that stupid… Or the bottom fell out… Breathe.

A “Secret” Breathing Technique

This breathing technique, believed to be popularized by the Navy Seals, uses a natural function of your own body to interrupt and reset your most powerful resource. It’s your mind. By breathing, adjusting the rhythm and pace of your breathing, your mind will react in a positive way. At first, this was called a “secret” technique, but given there’s plenty of articles, posts, and even this clip- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq5EOFWYDCI -it’s safe to say the technique isn’t all that secret anymore. What matters is practicing this technique and utilizing it when you read about yet another politician saying something stupid.  

How to Breathe

Mark Divine, the author of the Time article above, dubbed it “Box Breathing.” (I’m not sure who came up with the technique, but it gained in popularity after that article) Inhale for four seconds. Hold your breath for four seconds. Exhale for four seconds. Hold for four seconds. Repeat. And continue to repeat until you feel your head clear. (Tom Wolfe, the instructor in the clip, uses a five count. The four-count has worked for me. Try out both to see which one is more effective for you) I speak from experience when I say that this does help, indeed, clear my head. Once my heart rate slows, I’m able to be more rational. I can recall a few specific times that I wasn’t “calm” after doing the Boxed Breathing. I was more rational though, so that’s a plus! Make sure you don’t do a long count though. Unless you want to pass out. That would be a little extreme.

More Than Just Calming Down

Boxed Breathing, if you want to keep calling it that, is helpful for more than just clearing your head. This technique is useful for stressful situations of any kind. When I’m writing and the words just aren’t coming, I sometimes focus on my breathing to clear my head. Once my head is cleared, the words come easier. It’s not a “magic bullet” for any sort of anxiety, but a tool to help take the edge off. I’ve also used a modified version for running. Don’t do a four count, but a three or a two-count. I’ve tried it on runs before and even did it this morning to confirm this hypothesis. My head does clear a little and I’m able to work past the pain in my legs to keep going. This is how I’ve managed to improve my pace. I’m no cross-country star, but it’s at least getting me through my half-marathon training. We’ll see if it helps when I run the entire 13.1 miles. Boxed Breathing is also helpful for tests. A nice little side-gig I had was proctoring tests. Texas has these standardized tests twice a year. For a good day’s pay, I got to proctor and monitor students testing. One such student, whom I was informed had anxiety issues, would breathe in a certain rhythm. She started this before the test began and continued until she completed it. Then she looked very relieved. I’m not sure if it was Boxed Breathing, but it worked for her.

Prep

There’s no need to prepare for this, it just takes focus to time the breathing. It can be used in anticipation of those special events where you know you can get aggravated. Start timing your breathing—in for four, hold for four, out for four, hold for four—and keep that up as long as necessary. If you keep you breathing quiet, no one will notice. Another situation you can use it in is when that “special” someone starts talking and your blood immediately starts boiling. In for four. Hold for four. Out for four. Hold for four. Repeat. They can keep talking while you work to keep your head clear. When they’re done spouting whatever insanity they take as fact, you’ll be ready. You can then add your opinion, or maybe not say anything at all. And just walk away. Boxed Breathing is a helpful tool that requires no extra gizmos or apps to use, just a little practice. There are other breathing techniques, from the Navy Seals and other fitness professionals, that you can use to keep your head clear in the moment. Just make sure to bundle your internet first. Look for the best Spectrum internet deals in your area so you can save money, time, and frustration. And the next time someone stupidly tells you to “calm down,” you’ll already be breathing and clearing your head so you can articulate exactly what you’re feeling. As well as how ignorant they are.

DC to Save Comics

DC has been tailing behind Marvel for the past decade,at least. To combat Marvel's dominance,DC is launching a new streaming service,DC Universe

| Posted by:

Category: Entertainment, Service Providers, Streaming, Technology | No Comments


DC to Save Comics
DC has been tailing behind Marvel for the past decade, at least. There have been a couple of bright spots—Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy, V for Vendetta, and The Watchmen. Maybe a couple more, but NOT Man of Steel or the Justice League. I have yet to see Wonder Woman, so the jury is still out. Marvel, on the other hand, has created a powerhouse, a self-sustaining machine of adventure, excitement, and story. Based on the concept of superheroes jumping in and out of the narratives of other superheroes, Marvel has, pardon the pun, written the comic book for how to monopolize on years of fandom. They’ve also figured out how to bring in new fans. There is still the argument that the once glorious and awesome fringe society of comic book readers has been diluted with commercialism, but sadly, this is where we are. To answer this, DC is launching a new streaming service.

DC’s New Streaming Service

Coming this fall, DC will launch DC Universe- the home for content based on DC comic book titles, as well as a vast selection of DC comic books to stream and read. Although there are properties on other networks, the new service will have options to watch those too while they remain on their respective networks. They’ll be launching original content for their service as well. One thing that makes this truly different than other streaming services is the abundance of comics available. These comics, which the properties were based on, can be streamed to various devices for reading pleasure. Just imagine- watching a show based on the Green Lantern, then reading from a curated list of issues to get the full backstory of the superhero and his foes. And doing this with your friends. Though it seems farfetched, I wouldn’t mind joining a few comic geeks for an evening of reading comic books—on a 4k big screen—and discussing them afterward. It’s a strange concept, but then again, we’re living in a time when binge-watching movies and TV is the norm. Marvel has already launched Marvel Unlimited, a platform to stream their own comic books for a fee. None of their movies and shows are there, however. There are links and synopses for the programs based on Marvel titles. The big draw for this service is the curated lists, character encyclopedia, and how they tie in with the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. DC is going one step further and putting all that content together in one place.

Will this Save Comic Books?

Being a part of the retail world, comic book stores have been suffering in the recent retail-pocalypse. Last year sales dropped 8%. While physical comic books have been losing their draw, they’ve also begun to transition into a prestige item. This works well for the niche audience that still buys physical issues. The stores, unfortunately, will not be able to sustain themselves in this way. By installing a big screen TV and buying the top subscription, comic book stores could possibly use this to level off their losses. It’s a suggestion coming from someone with no business expertise, but it’s a creative idea at least. With DC Universe, they’ll be able to get all the content in the same place. We may soon see “Comic Book Viewing” nights at local comic book stores, and even more farfetched, in theaters.

DC or Marvel?

Although I was once a die-hard Marvel fan, I do enjoy the big names of the DC universe. With the quality of their recent films, however, I’ve not been that impressed. Then again, I wasn’t happy with how the original X-Men Trilogy was handled (thanks Brett Rattner!) When Marvel finally got a clue and started writing stories that didn’t alienate their fanbase, I was happy. The content was based on the Avengers subset, which wasn’t my bag growing up, but I was familiar with it at least. Now that The Avengers is a big thing going on, I know that each movie will at least be entertaining, even if I don’t know the entire mythos behind the central hero. It’s the same with DC. The last great DC superhero movie was The Dark Knight. The Dark Knight Rises was good yet fell short of the quality of its predecessor. Then again, it was the last movie in the trilogy, always a hard spot for a creative team to handle. Heath Ledger had also passed away, necessitating Nolan to shift his direction in the overall story arc. For what it was, it was good. Since then DC has decided Zack Snyder was the one to take charge of all their films. Even after his films didn’t do so well at the box office. Maybe part of it was their insistence that they match Marvel in their scope of the story? Either way, DC has been playing catch up with Marvel for a while. This streaming service may be the one thing that turns it around for them. It’ll be small, but if there are enough early-adopters to it, the new streaming service will gain steam. It’s also impossible for Marvel to keep their momentum going as they have been. Eventually, Marvel’s bubble will burst or they’ll switch to a different method of turning their titles into live-action entertainment. Virtual reality maybe? DC, in the meantime, needs to shape up with their DC Extended Universe and they’ll be able to swoop at the moment things turn for Marvel. This streaming service, DC Universe, can be part of that. Of course, all of this will be for nothing if you’re not able to connect and stream the shows and comic books to your favorite devices. Find the best Spectrum internet in your zip code, as well as save yourself some money. Then get to reading!

The 1 Way to Succeed on Twitch and YouTube

Monetizing a live stream is seen as a legitimate career. Simply set up an account and just be yourself. It’s…not that easy. Here's one way to make it work!

| Posted by:

Category: Entertainment, Gaming, Humor, Service Providers, Streaming, Technology, Tips | No Comments


The 1 Way to Succeed on Twitch and YouTube
Monetizing a live-stream is seen as a legitimate career these days. Simply set up an account on Twitch, YouTube, or both, and just be yourself. It’s…not that easy. For those who assume acting is easy, simply ask any aspiring actor if they think acting can be done by anyone. Hopefully, they’re not offended and will just laugh at you. The same with comedy. To quote the great Robin Williams’ “Of course you have to know comedy. Because if you tell a joke and they don’t laugh, then you know tragedy.” Streaming content is the newest version of creating entertainment. The upside is that it’s easy to get into. The downside is that this creates a saturated market. Voices are easily lost in a market that’s brimming with people trying to get attention. To get those coveted followers it takes a lot of time and effort. Without a direction, however, even time and effort can be wasted.

Know Your Topic

I’ll admit, I have no skills when it comes to playing online games. The last time I touched a Halo game I barely scored one kill. When it comes to researching, organizing, and telling a story, that’s where my real abilities lie. Thus, I’ve given up on video games and instead have focused on reading books, reading about writing, writing, talking with other writers, editing, and writing some more. The upside of all this is that I’ve now landed a job where someone pays me to do this all day. It’s still a challenge. Putting words on the screen every day requires hard work and discipline. Working through horrible drafts is just part of the process of getting to the right one. Now let’s replace writing with live-streaming. The same advice applies; keep working at it. You’ll also learn some surprising things about yourself. For example; my boss asked me how long it would take to complete an article consisting of 800 words. I ballparked it at four hours. He blinked at me and said, “You’re the first person to use a number.” And I got the job. You don’t have to be an expert, you just need to know more than the average person.

Create Genuine Connections

This one has always proved difficult for me. Since I’m good with writing and rewriting, and editing, and rewriting, talking to people face-to-face can be daunting. It may seem obvious, but making friends wasn’t my forte as a child. When I worked to make people like me, I came across as a fake. And worse, desperate. No one wants to be friends, or do business with, a desperate person. And those that do are going to take advantage of you. Instead, working to find a personae or a particular schtick helped make it easier to interact and relate to strangers. It was subtle at first, and at times overblown. With time I honed it. It’s not as difficult as it used to be and I still work on it from time-to-time. By being genuine you create genuine relationships. Genuine relationships lead to a solid fan base.

Do Your Research

Once you’ve discovered what works for you, hone it, develop it, work on it. This means, as bad as it sounds, that you much do research. Yes, research. Looking for relevant information and data that are relevant to your topic takes time. If you’re at least interested in the topic, then researching it will seem less arduous. In fact, it may even be fun. I enjoy reading books not just for the stories, but to see how the author tells them. Soon I plan on taking Malcolm Gladwell’s Masterclass on writing. If you neglect research, you run the risk of losing your audience. This links back to the “being a fake” mentioned earlier. The best comedians still do it. Jerry Seinfeld, when his hit sitcom ended, went back to doing standup. It helped him figure out new material, find what worked for him, and as he says, get back to his roots.

Then You Can Think of Monetizing

Technology, though amazing, does lull us into this false belief that things will happen quickly. We stream movies and music instantly. Every time you tap an icon on your smartphone you get a little dopamine rush from completing a task and completing it quickly. Getting into writing has taken me years. There were times I considered quitting. Thankfully, I’d started, and quit, a lot of things before then. I'm tired of repeating that process. I’m also a father now and constantly “searching for myself” does not work well with trying to raise a child. It also helps that I enjoy telling and sharing stories. I’ve also been told I’m good at it. And now someone is paying me to do it. Took about three years to get here, but better late than never, right? So if you decide that a career as a streaming personality or entertainer is for you, then go for it. Be prepared for a long road filled with tough times. In the meantime, to ensure your connection is fast so you can stream uninterrupted, check out Spectrum internet bundle deals.   “You can start any ‘Monty Python’ routine and people finish it for you. Everyone knows it like shorthand.” —Robin Williams

Switching Habits

I have a habit of starting my day at 4 am. To create an insane habit like this one,The Heath Brothers explain a wildly helpful strategy in "Switch."

| Posted by:

Category: Service Providers | No Comments


Switching Habits
I have a habit of starting my day at 4 am. It took weeks to switch from a night person to an early riser, and it wasn't easy, but I succeeded. Not because I need to get up at that hour, but because I need to get up at that hour. Am I a crazy person? Am I an enthusiast? It’s a fine line some mornings, to be honest, but it’s a habit that I’ve enjoyed for years. At first, it was difficult and required a lot of coffee. Then it became something I looked forward to every day. I fell out of practice after the birth of my first child, worked hard to get back in the groove, then fell out again after the birth of my second child. I’m back in the groove now, but it’s harder to pop out of bed these days than it used to be. And I drink a lot more coffee. Despite the lack of sleep and the ever-increasing to-do list around the house, I’m up at 4 am-ish most mornings to take advantage of the one time everyone else is asleep. I’m free to write during that time. Free to be creative. Most of all, I’m free to take time to unwind and have fun. For me, creating a habit like this was difficult. Luckily, through my other hobby of reading, I’ve come across knowledge that will make creating habits like this easier. In 2010, Chip and Dan Heath followed up their bestselling Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, with Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard. Filled with wit and stories that resonate, the Heath Brothers lay out a strategy to better facilitate change in life. This change can be personal, professional, or just to help with a minor issue in life. Though I didn’t read Switch before I started my four am wake-up routine, I look back and see how the concepts played into my efforts.

The Switch Framework

Drawing on the work of psychologist Jonathan Haidt, the Heath Brothers use his analogy of an elephant and a rider. Our self-control is a rider on top of an elephant, and the elephant is our emotions. The problem here is obvious; a person may be able to direct the elephant, but only if the elephant is okay with the direction. And that little rider is helpless when the elephant decides it wants to travel a different path. How does this imagery help us to create better habits in our lives and work?

Direct the Rider

The first step the Heath Brothers breakdown is to give that rider a direction. Our self-control can be directed towards a goal. When that direction is simple and easy to understand, the rider has an easier time focusing on reaching the goal itself. They break this down further into three parts, with no part being more important the others. Rather, they’re all part of a strategy.

Follow the Bright Spots

What’s worked? What do you enjoy? What makes you miss a meal? For me, that was writing. At first, it was a coping mechanism, like daily journaling. I also liked the sound of the keyboard clicking. Therefore, I worked to develop that to see where it went…which turned out to be writing.

Script the Critical Moves

Set up a routine, or a mental checklist of what to do at certain times. To make writing work for me, I set my alarm for 4 am, as well as making sure the coffee pot was set to turn on at that time as well. I also had cereal ready.

Point the Destination

My wife had gotten tired of me “critiquing” movies and TV shows. She got me a book on creative writing and told me to go write my own. This became my destination- to complete a book then get it published.

Motivate the Elephant

For this metaphor, the elephant is very given to emotions. This is why it’s important to tap into a feeling, a memory, or some emotional connection that speaks on a very basic level. Once the elephant is motivated, and that motivation ties in with the goal, the rider will have an easier time directing the entire endeavor

Find the Feeling

Underneath all the writing and the storytelling, I’ll admit, I liked the attention of a good story. My grandfather even said that I should go into writing because I was a good storyteller. It took me a few years to listen to him, but eventually, I did. Hearing stories from my grandfather, and other relatives, was always an enjoyable experience. In my family, there are some amazing, and hilarious, storytellers. Sadly, there are also some not-so-good ones, as the storytelling gene is recessive. To share stories and to hear stories has always been something that I enjoyed and looked forward to. There was the feeling.

Shrink the Change

When a task is large, getting discouraged comes naturally. If possible, break down the task into smaller pieces to make it easier. For writing, it’s as simple as setting daily wordcounts to reach, or a number of pages to complete. I would sit down and make myself write for five minutes straight without stopping. This warm-up exercise cleared out the cobwebs and allowed my creative side to breathe. Writing after that became much easier.

Grow Your People

By working with those around you, you create a support network, a safety net, or accountability around you to help complete the task at hand. The first writer I reached out to, Karen Traviss, was very supportive and answered my questions. Thanks to this reaction, I was emboldened to keep writing and reach out to other authors and writers.

Shape the Path

The last piece of the strategy is to create a way to reach your intended goal. It would be nice to have a map written up with all the steps to take, how to take them, and at what time. In life, unfortunately, that never happens.

Tweak the Environment

When the environment you find yourself in is more conducive to where you want to go, your self-control is strengthened. To become a better writer, you must not only write, you must also read. It doesn’t matter what you read so long as it’s a constant thing. I accomplished this through audiobooks, as well as regular trips to Barnes & Noble. Listening to instrumental music also helped the words to flow.

Build Habits

Habits can make or break change. When you have a habit of vegging out in front of the TV at the end of the day, it’s going to get harder to change that the longer you do it. By getting up at four am every day I eventually got to the point that I could wake up without an alarm. While this was cool, I kept the alarm on as I didn’t want to risk sleeping in and missing my writing time. Habits also make self-control simpler as you’ve engineered your brain to react in a certain way.

Rally the Herd

Working with other writers, and staying in touch with them, helped to keep me going when the writing was horrible. They would offer advice on what needed improvement, but most importantly, they kept telling me I was good at it. If they were lying about that then the jokes on them because now I’m doing this for a living.   This framework is helpful when it comes to implementing something new into your life, no matter what part it is. The Switch Framework isn’t the final word on change, however, as the Heath Brothers have a list of suggested reading in Switch to further learn about identifying and implementing change. Visit their website to find more resources, as well as purchase other books written by the Heath Brothers. Be sure to stream it to your favorite devices as an eBook or an audiobook. You can do this by looking into the best Spectrum cable and internet deals. Before you know it, you’ll be a crazy person who gets up at four am to fulfill your passion too!