Category Archives: Writing

I am Back!

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Just a quick post to let you know I have not fallen off the face of the earth. The month of April brought that horrible stomach flu to my household and had us all laying low for nearly two weeks.

Fortunately, the bug released its grip in time for us to head out to Florida on vacation, as planned, and for me to enjoy my birthday and Easter.

I’ll be releasing my April Insurance Tidbits newsletter before the end of the month, along with my quarterly writing newsletter, Get it Write.In addition, my May webinar schedule will be posted tomorrow!

8 Resources for Staying Safe Online

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Most people are fully aware of their vulnerability to cyber crime; however, most don’t know precisely what they can do about it–or where to do for information.

According to the 2019 Cyber Barometer published last month by Generali Global Assistance, more than 50% of individuals around the world were the victim of a cyber crime, or knew someone who was. In the U.S. credit card theft and identity theft are currently the most common forms of cyber crime. If you would like to view an infographic of Generali’s study, click here.

I have come across a LOT of websites when conducting research for the insurance courses I write that provide tips and advice to people seeking to protect themselves. URLs to those websites, and the valuable information they provide, appear below. I hope you find some of the helpful!

  1. Consumer info from the FTC: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/privacy-identity-online-security
  2. Identity Theft Resource Center: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/
  3. Security Awareness Free Resources (click Resources Tab at the top right of the home page): https://www.knowbe4.com/
  4. Security Tips (MANY of them, for various types of threats), from US-CERT: https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips
  5. IRS Tax Scams: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts
  6. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: https://www.privacyrights.org/
  7. How Secure Is My Password: https://howsecureismypassword.net/
  8. Password Generator Tool: https://thebestvpn.com/password-generator/

Do You Remember These Lyrics?

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Every once in a while a song will just begin running through my head, for no apparent reason.

No, it’s not because I heard it on the radio–I don’t listen to the radio much these days. I don’t watch TV, either. All the noise distracts me from whatever work or writing I’m doing.

And you know what’s really odd? I know all the words!

The songs can be from a long time ago, like when I was in high school in the early 70’s. Sometimes, they’re from before I was born but I know them because they were favorites of my parents.

So, here’s a challenge for you – and no cheating by looking up the lyrics online!

What song advises you to not go “hustlin’ people strange to you”?

I’ve been singing this song for days!

Motivation for a Monday

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I’ve always been inspired by the “can do” spirit.

When I conducted research for my book Taking the Mystery Out of Business: 9 Fundamentals for Professional Success, a common refrain focused on attitude. You’ve heard all the sayings and platitudes about positivity–in other words, believing in yourself and taking steps to support that belief.

  • Believe you can and you’re halfway there. – Theodore Roosevelt
  • The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me. – Ayn Rand
  • People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing–that’s why we recommend it daily. – Zig Ziglar

Let’s face it, if you don’t believe you can walk those 10 miles on the Run for Hunger, why is anyone else going to back you? If you don’t have the courage to speak your mind, why is anyone else going to believe you when you do speak?

We don’t have to be intellectuals to succeed. We don’t have to be athletes, or tall, or pretty. We don’t even have to be human, as the photo accompanying this blog post indicates. We just have to adopt the right attitude–we need to believe in ourselves.

If you want to sleep in the sun, you need to find the sun, bask in it, and relax enough to close your eyes and enjoy.

Happy Monday!