Friday 3rd April 2015

Today was a good day.

Got up this morning went to the hospital for a catch up, always interesting going back there but always nice too. Found out it was national autism awareness day today which was interesting.

After that got home did some work on laptop then decided to go out into the town and look for jobs, looking at bar / pub work just now as quick starting. Went to a few pubs and gave in my CV so see what comes back from that. Never worked in a bar but think I would be OK at it. Got an email back from Revolution bar asking to go for a trial this evening which was good.

On the book front today managed to get my Kickstarter account set up which was good, this is hopefully going to lead to funding for the project. Ive heard its a good website so hopefully get what I need out of it, Ive signed up to a few other crowdfunding websites too though.

Got home watched a few videos online then went to the trial at the bar, was fine, just basics like clearing away glasses etc, so was fine and seemed like a good bunch of people. Hoping to get something nailed down soon, got another interview on Monday at a local bar and put in a few CVs to various places so see what happens. End of the day the pays OK along with tips and should top up my income from my freelance marketing and books work nicely.

Home from that bit of dinner now writing this and watching TV, going to watch a video in bed and a busy day tomorrow with football etc. Will update then.

Thursday 2nd April 2015

Today has been a good day with lots of positives.

Got up this morning and went along to a local care companies recruitment day, it was really good and was offered a position on the spot, so I'm now on their relief team pool, basically means they will phone me up and offer me shifts and I can take them or not, good hourly rate so if I can get some hours in there that will be good, aiming for about 20 hours a week just now with other work going on. Was pleased to be offered a job and I know Ill enjoy it too, good they were so proactive with their recruitment and quick to offer the job.

Went into town after that and did some reading of my book, its good trying to apply the rules from it, it basically says you can turn anything you do into a money making opportunity using your skill set, so Ive been working through that, I made a list today of all my skills / assets I could put to financial use, was fun and was happy with what I wrote down.

Got home decided to do a bit of a clearout of my bedroom, Im pretty sure Ill be moving out soon so need to start moving stuff out, Im going to give a lot of clothes and things I don't need to the local charity shop, always a good thing to do. Im going to be ruthless when clearing out the flat for the new people moving in, think you have to really.

Had a nice tea then sat down to applying for more jobs, Im keen on bar work at the moment, got some interviews next week locally, never done it before but Im a friendly person so sure I could do it. There are a few bars locally looking for staff so Im sure Ill get something out of that. Im happy to let the book project run itself for now and see where it goes, and get some shift work in care / bar work to get some money in the meantime, also picking up any freelance writing projects as I go along.

Ive pretty much decided on a move to Manchester area in the next couple of weeks, Im going to move down to my grandmas house for a while to get started, I have emailed some recruitment companies I have had previous contact with to see if they know of anything. But Im happy to move and see what happens, no major rush to get a job but I will once Im there, Ive been to Manchester before its an exciting city and I can always do freelance work / projects to start off with when Im there too from my laptop, also staying with grandma will be low cost / overheads which will be good to get settled in and see where things go from there.

So overall a busy but productive day on a few fronts, just sitting writing this now. Will update tomorrow.

Wednesday 1st April 2015

Today has been a good day with some good meetings and developments.

This morning I got up and went to meet Ross Dundas of The Wishing Tree, this looks like a really good connection, with the discussion of future marketing / design work from local clients, this would be something I would be interested in doing freelance, we also had a good chat about some work Ill be doing for the company directly in terms of PR and marketing which should be good, we also did a photo shoot and interview of me donating my laptop to the project, this Im happy to do in return for PR / advertising of my business.

Came home after that did some work at home, catching up on emails etc, got some good replies from businesses from yesterdays meeting, looks like some good leads there, I was going to be doing some PR work for one of the businesses today but she said my rates were too high for her, so may have to reconsider. I am good at what I do but maybe need to go in a bit lower to begin with to get things going as don't want to put people off just because of money, Id rather charge lower rates and get regular clients through the door.

Dad came around for a bit which was nice then dinner and cinema, watching a video in between of how to promote a Kindle ebook online, which I got sent by a contact from yesterday, was interesting. I know I need to do more to promote this, I did put it onto a website called Smashwords which looked good, also Kickstarter which I found today, however I need a number from the bank to take that further. I think once I get the funding I need for the project things will really take off, then I can get the book properly published and marketed / distributed throughout the US / UK, which will be good.

Tonight I went to the cinema and now just writing this, tomorrow Ive got recruitment events where Im looking at / hoping to get a job, however I think in the future another option would be to move down to Manchester area with my Grandma, I quite fancy a change of scenery and Manchester would be good for my line of work / marketing jobs etc. This would be an easy enough move as we're leasing out this flat here in Aberdeen so would be free to move after we get that sorted out, and would be able to stay with Grandma so would be cheap accommodation until I find work down there.

So overall a busy day and now just going to read my book and go to bed. Will update tomorrow.

Tuesday 31st March 2015

Today has been a productive and busy day on the work front.

Did some work this morning at home, answering various emails and messages on Twitter etc, never ceases to amaze me how long this takes to do. Making some good connections online though for funding for my book production which was good.

Went off to the Wishing Tree event this afternoon, was really good and made some good connections, also got some really good input and feedback about my projects from the other business professionals, some good ideas and suggestions including developing my website and social media / videos and blog to make it seem more slick / professional, I knew this was something I wanted to do anyway this year. I would like to have my website looking like e.g. Paul McKenna / Joseph Clough, people I admire online, with some really professional looking videos etc. However this is something Im working on in time, I was also recommended to look at social media in more depth, to advertise my writing services online, this is something I will do and I took a lot away from the session.

My next step is to continue looking for funding to publish and market my first book, this is something Im working on this week, I have made a few connections in the local business community this week s see what happens there. I know I can get it I just need to find the right contact. Then I will be able to get the publisher in America to do their work and get the book out there, which will be good.

Another key bit of input today was to work on building my personal brand first in terms of my reputation as a freelance writer / author, and work on my books on the side for now. This was really good advice and one I intend to do, I knew this was the case anyway but good to get the professional input. I made some good contacts today though and with a view to some freelance work / projects, which will be good for experience. A lady I spoke to spoke about developing your own brand name and reputation first, and other projects second, all good advice.

Home bit of dinner now just watching the football and writing this. I also today put my flat into the hands of the solicitors so see what happens there, I am considering a move away from Aberdeen this year, possibly Edinburgh. So it will be good to get the flat sorted as soon as possible to take this off me and Matthews minds. Will update tomorrow, Ive got a fairly busy day with meetings in town and other things.

Monday 30th March 2015

Today has been fine, not a huge amount to report but was OK.

Slept till around lunchtime off and on, must have been tired after a busy weekend with Thomas, did some work in bed then got up around 2 when Thomas left. Did some work on my website today, got recommended some good applications to try and encourage book downloads so installed them onto the website and updated some pages etc, also answered emails and a few other odd jobs.

Went to the gym this afternoon and for a swim / jacuzzi which is always nice, good to keep fit and I enjoy it. Went into town after to buy a new book by Paul McKenna called I Can Make You Rich, looks good so far, I have read some of this books before and they are good. Im not obsessed with money but do believe it gives you options in life, and can help finance things you want in the future. For me at the moment I am interested in a move away from this flat, possibly to London or Edinburgh, so need money to help finance that, I know I can rent this flat but will need some money to get started when I move as a basis, so need to focus on getting some in the coming weeks. Im aiming to have moved by April / May time, so will see what happens. I think there are more options for what I want to do in Edinburgh or London, and better transport links / media outlets etc. Ive always fancied a move there so seems like a good time with things coming to a head with the flat here, but I would keep this flat as an investment for the future, we can rent through the solicitors and its always here if I need to come back in the future, I just think its good to make a change sometimes and make a fresh start.

Got home did some more work on laptop, looking at my calendar Ive got meetings this week in Aberdeen, interested to see what this Wishing Trees all about, have been speaking to the man in charge Ross who seems OK but am wary of it, will see what its about tomorrow anyway. Could lead to some future business opportunities which would be good, if I am moving away I plan to run my freelance marketing / writing business through my laptop remotely, this is easy enough done with internet access wherever I am. I could always work in a bar or similar if it comes to it for a start, to get things started wherever I move to, think it will be Edinburgh for a start but will see.

Tonight Im just writing this and reading my new book, interested to see if it works / makes things happen, I feel like Ive put a lot out there / advertised a lot recently with a bit of return, I am keen to move things forward and take them to the next level in the coming weeks and months though, this is part of my thinking for moving away as well, to get closer to the big book publishers / companies I will need access to, I can't get these in Aberdeen.

So for now just writing this and reading my book, out and about tomorrow at meetings so should be an interesting day. Will update tomorrow evening.

Sunday 29th March 2015

Today has been a relaxed day not much going on but just resting mainly.

Woke up around lunchtime after getting back from night out late last night, got up and went for lunch with Thomas in town. Noticed the pub advertising for staff, so decided to apply for the job, Ive never worked in a pub before but will give it a go, Im keen to get a job soon so have been applying for a few in care work and others, had interviews last week so hopefully hear something back soon.

Was going to watch the football this afternoon but decided to come home and relax, listened to it on the radio it was nice. had a bit of a lie down this afternoon as was tired, then up and speaking to Thomas, went out to get some food too.

This evening just sitting watching TV, good programme about mental health on. Have enjoyed this weekend with Thomas, has been good to have the company. Got a fairly busy week with various work related meetings / projects and my Grandmas coming too which should be nice, think she's staying here during her stay.

So for now just sitting writing this and watching TV with Thomas, update tomorrow.

Saturday 28th March 2015

Saturday was a good day with my friend Thomas.

Got up around lunchtime after staying in bed late, was out drinking on Friday night so needed a lie in. Went into town and had some lunch then went to the shops, then home and had some wine and went out on Saturday night, bumped into some old friends from work which was nice.

Got some interesting emails on Saturday about my book, I need funding at the moment to get the book published in hardback / distributed, I have advertised this on local business websites with a couple of replies. I have a meeting with local business group The Wishing Tree next week about it, and am hoping to develop the project with their input.

So overall just been chilling with Thomas this weekend, doing a bit of work and got the football on Sunday which should be good. Will update Sunday evening.