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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Five Reasons Not to Brag

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 23, 2014
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Samuel_Johnson_by_Joshua_Reynolds_2

We’ve all done it — bragged — whether intentional or not. Not only should all glory go to God for your accomplishments, but bragging may not get the reaction you think. Say you tell someone you made ten million dollars last year. Rather than the reaction you’re expecting, you may instead:

1.) Look foolish. Ten million dollars? I paid more than that last year in taxes.

2.) Hurt someone else’s feelings. I’ll never be good enough.

3.) Create a rival. I’ll show her! Next year I’ll make twenty million dollars!

4.) Cause someone to lose respect for you. I never thought he’d be so prideful.

5.) Make an enemy. I hope someone knocks her down a notch.

Does this mean you can never share your successes with others? Of course not. Just choose wisely. Try to stick with people who are really rooting for you, and whose success you feel vested in. You can talk about both successes and sorrows with special people who share your life in a meaningful way. You’ll know that they will really be happy for you when you make that ten million dollar goal and be genuinely sorry when things don’t go your way. Think about it — you know who those people are. Does anyone else’s opinion really matter?

Your turn:

Who’s the first person you tell when things go your way?

What is the best way to deal with envy?

Leave a Comment
Category: Book Business, Career, Communication, TamelaTag: Career, Communication, Success

Knowing Discouragement’s End

By Karen Ballon January 22, 2014
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A guest blog by Mesu Andrews

Mark Lowry is one of my favorite comedians. I heard one of his performances many years ago, and he quoted a single, profound phrase found 457 times in the King James Bible: “It came to pass…”

That’s it. That’s all.

It came…to pass.

And then he challenged the audience to remember those words the next time they faced an impossible situation, the depths of …

Read moreKnowing Discouragement’s End
Category: Book Business, Guest Post, Karen, The Writing LifeTag: Discouragement, The Writing Life

Embracing Change – Part Two

By Dan Balowon January 21, 2014
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Last week in my post "Embracing Change," I outlined the six phases that characterize the acceptance of change in our lives and world.  Today, I want to focus on some specifics that you need to consider to adapt to the future.

First, a recap of the six phases when confronted with something new:
Phase One - Dismissed as a fad by those who stand to lose the most or like the status quo.
Phase Two …

Read moreEmbracing Change – Part Two
Category: Book Business, Career, Dan, Get Published, TrendsTag: Book Business, Change

Fun Fridays – January 17, 2014

By Steve Laubeon January 17, 2014
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Muppets! You gotta love 'em.
Have a great weekend!

Read moreFun Fridays – January 17, 2014
Category: Fun Fridays, Steve

A Major Money Mistake

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 16, 2014
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When I was working for a small company years ago, the extremely reliable woman who cut our paychecks missed the Big Day -- a Friday. As it became evident she would be a no-show, one of my co-workers revealed she was upset. "I wrote out and mailed checks for all my bills last night because I thought I was going to get paid today. Now they'll all bounce."

I didn't understand why anyone would …

Read moreA Major Money Mistake
Category: Book Business, Career, Money, TamelaTag: Book Business, Money

Overcome the Discouragement of Expectations

By Steve Laubeon January 15, 2014
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Guest post by Erin Taylor Young

This is Henry, our dog. Not my husband.
I love my husband. Really I do. But there are occasions I’m tempted to take a sharp, pointy pencil and stab him somewhere non-fatal. Especially when I’m torqued over my anemic word count, frustrated by a recent edit, or discouraged by yet another rejection.
I’m venting why, why, WHY, and my hubby turns into a fixer. …

Read moreOvercome the Discouragement of Expectations
Category: Career, Guest Post, The Writing LifeTag: Career, Discouragement, Expectations

Embracing Change

By Dan Balowon January 14, 2014
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On September 3, 1967 the world changed. It was a day remembered for chaos and disillusionment, despair and confusion.  No, it wasn’t because the last episode of “What’s My Line?” aired on U.S. television.

The above picture is what happened in Sweden the day the country switched from driving on the left to the right side of the road.  Their neighbors, Norway and Finland had already changed, but …

Read moreEmbracing Change
Category: Book Business, Dan, E-Books, Get Published, The Publishing Life

What is Crowdfunding? Is it Right for You?

By Steve Laubeon January 13, 2014
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Guest post by Nicole O'Dell

What is crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is all the rage these days. And it makes sense because a successful campaign guarantees a successful product (book) launch since the necessary sales happen upfront. Or at least enough so that what comes later is gravy. How awesome is that?

But it can be a horrifying prospect to take your idea and present it to the public for a …

Read moreWhat is Crowdfunding? Is it Right for You?
Category: Book Business, Guest Post, TrendsTag: Book Business, Crowdfunding, Trends

Two Basic Tips on Budgeting with an Irregular Income

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 9, 2014
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One challenge of writing books for a living is the fact that unlike many other jobs, you don't usually see a cycle of paychecks appearing at regular intervals with predictable amounts. Instead, you may see a whoosh of money, followed by smaller amounts every few months triggered by actions on your part, such as turning in manuscripts and proposals. Only well-established authors will have this …

Read moreTwo Basic Tips on Budgeting with an Irregular Income
Category: Book Business, Career, Money, TamelaTag: Book Business, Budget; Finances; income, Money

So Long, 2013…HELLO, 2014!

By Karen Ballon January 8, 2014
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2013 was an amazing year full of ups and downs, gain and loss, joy and sadness. I lost 3 dear friends, one of whom was in his 30s, one of whom was just a few years younger than I, and one of whom I’ve known since I was 2 years old. We in the industry lost so many--some, like wonderful agent and friend Lee Hough and the amazing Diann Hunt--far sooner than any of us wished. The joy? They all were …

Read moreSo Long, 2013…HELLO, 2014!
Category: Agency, Karen, PersonalTag: Agency, Personal
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