Blog Archive Friday Factoid Sloan = Athletics

Blog Archive Friday Factoid Sloan = Athletics Our title may  be a bit misleading, but did you know that some of the biggest names in sports have met annually since 2007 for an event at the MIT Sloan School of Management  that Bill Simmons, ESPN columnist, has described as “dorkapalooza? At the annual student-run Sports Analytics conference,  participants discuss the increasing role of analytics in the sports industry,  and students have ample opportunity to network with the sports elite.  Calling his fellow panelists “a slew of statistical rockstars,” Simmons joined sports luminaries Adam Silver, deputy commissioner and COO of the NBA; Carla Christofferson, co-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks; Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and co-founder and chairman of HDNet; Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs; Jonathan Kraft, president and COO of The Kraft Group; Jeff Van Gundy, ESPN analyst and a former NBA coach; and Ray Allen, all-star guard for the Boston Celtics for the event in 2009.  T he sold-out 2011 conference brought back Simmons as a featured speaker, and he was joined by Justin Tuck of the New York Giants; Michael Wilbon, commentator with ESPN; Apolo Anton Ohno, eight-time Olympic medalist in speed skating; Malcolm Gladwell, author and staff writer with The New Yorker; and Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks. Share ThisTweet Friday Factoids Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)

How to Write a Great College Application Essay Title

Your application essays title is the first thing admissions officials will read. Although there are many ways to approach the title, its important that the words at the top of the page make the proper impression. Importance of the Title Ask yourself which work youd be more excited to read: The Casque of Amontillado or Some Random Story by Edgar Allan Poe. If you dont provide a title, you dont give your reader—in this case, busy admissions officials sorting through thousands of applications—any reason to be interested in reading your essay other than a sense of duty. Ensure that college admissions officers are motivated to read your essay due to curiosity rather than necessity. Alternatively, imagine a newspaper in which every article lacks a title: You would be unlikely to read it. Clearly, a newspaper without titles would be unappealing to readers. Application essays are similar in that way: Your reader wants to know what it is that she is going to read. The Purpose of an Application Essay Title A well-crafted title should: Grab your readers attentionMake your reader want to read your essayProvide a sense of what your essay is about When it comes to the third item, realize that you dont need to be too detailed. Academic essays often have titles that look like: Julia Camerons Photography: A Study of the Use of Long Shutter Speeds to Create Spiritual Effects. For an application essay, such a title would come across as cumbersome and even pompous. Consider how a reader would react to an essay with the title,  The Authors Trip to Costa Rica and How It Changed His Attitude Toward Biodiversity and Sustainability. After reading such a long and belabored title, admissions officials would have little motivation to read the essay. Essay Title Examples A good title can be clever or play with words, such as Porkopolis  by Felicity or Buck Up  by Jill. Porkopolis is a nonsense word, but it works well for an essay on becoming a vegetarian in a meat-centric world, and Buck Up employs both a literal and figurative meaning of the phrase. However, dont try to be too clever. Such efforts can backfire. A title can be provocative. As an example, a student who wrote about encountering new foods while abroad titled her essay Eating Eyeballs. If your essay focuses on a humorous, shocking or embarrassing moment in your life, its often easy to write an attention-grabbing title. Titles such as Puking on the President, Romeos Ripped Tights, and The Wrong Goal are sure to pique your readers interest. Simple and direct language can also be quite effective. Consider, for example, The Job I Should Have Quit  by Drew,  Wallflower  by Eileen, and Striking Out  by Richard. These titles dont play with words or reveal great wit, but they accomplish their purpose perfectly well. In all of these examples, the title provides at least a sense of the essays subject matter, and each motivates the reader to continue reading. After viewing such titles, even harried admissions officials are sure to ask: What the heck does Porkopolis mean? Why did you eat eyeballs? Why should you have quit your job? Avoid These Title Mistakes There are some common missteps that applicants make when it comes to titles. Be aware of these pitfalls. Vague language. Youll be off to a remarkably bland start if your essay is titled Three Things That Matter to Me or A Bad Experience. Bad (or good or evil or nice) is a painfully subjective and meaningless word, and the word things might have worked well in Tim OBriens The Things They Carried, but it rarely adds anything of value to your essay. Be precise, not vague. Broad, overly general language. This is a continuation of the vague language problem. Some titles try to cover far too much. Dont call your essay My Life Story or My Personal Growth or An Eventful Upbringing. Such titles suggest that you are going to attempt to narrate years of your life in a few hundred words. Any such effort is doomed to failure, and your reader will doubt your essay before beginning the first paragraph. Overblown vocabulary. The best essays use clear and accessible language. When a writer attempts to sound intelligent by adding unnecessary syllables to every word, the reading experience is often torturous. For example, if an essays title is My Utilization of Erroneous Rationalizations During My Pupilage, the readers immediate response is going to be pure dread. No one wants to read 600 words on such a subject. Strained cleverness. Be careful if youre relying on wordplay in your title. Not all readers are fans of puns, and a title may sound ridiculous if the reader doesnt understand a supposedly clever allusion. Cleverness is a good thing, but test out your title on your acquaintances to ensure that it works. Clichà ©s. If your title relies on a clichà ©, youre suggesting that the experience that you are narrating is unremarkable and commonplace. You dont want the first impression of your essay to be that you have nothing original to say. If you find yourself writing When the Cat Got My Tongue or Burning the Midnight Oil, stop and reevaluate your title. Misspellings. Nothing is more embarrassing than a misspelled title. There, at the top of the page in bold letters, youve used the word its instead of its, or you wrote about patients instead of patience. Take extra care to check the spelling of your essay title—and, indeed, your essay in general. An error in the title is sure to eliminate any confidence your reader has in your writing ability. A Few Title Tips Many writers—both novices and experts—have a difficult time coming up with a title that works well. Write your essay first and then, once your ideas have truly taken shape, go back and craft the title. Also, seek help with your title. A brainstorming session with friends can often generate far better titles than a solitary session of pounding your head on your keyboard. You want admissions officials to read your essay in a curious and eager state of mind. If youre writing your essay for the Common Application, keep in mind that your title will go in the text box with the rest of the essay, and the title will count toward your essays overall word count.

The Constitutional Democracy Of The United States - 861 Words

Constitutional democracy was created to insure the rights of the people. A constitutional democracy consists of â€Å" A government that enforces recognized limits on those who govern and allows the voice of the people to be heard through free, fair, and relatively frequent elections.† Debates revolved around one big question of â€Å"how to protect individual rights?† The founders had intense debates and wars in order to create a government that would be beneficial to the both the country and its people. There main goal was form a system of government that was strong enough to rule the country but not too strong that it will put the liberty of people in danger. For they were afraid to repeat the rulings of kings and greatly feared plunging into monarchy again, which had and always been infact once ruled them and all they longed was representation. The United States was created to provide representation to the people who resided there, it higley supported liberty, fre edom, and justice for all, in other words they wanted a equal representation. They felt that a government would interfere with people’s rights, however, they also knew that in order for a country to run a strong government was needed. These ongoing issues and imbalances finally lead to constitutional democracy, which is now applicable in the United States and provides for everyone equal rights and laws to protects us. After the French and Indian war, due to the excessive costs of the war Parliament decided to taxShow MoreRelatedThe Constitution And Its Impact On Society846 Words   |  4 PagesTo begin with, the oxford dictionary defines a constitution as a â€Å"A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed† (oxford dictionary). This basically explains that a constitution is a body of rules and which is given by the government to a society. A constitutional review also known as constitutionality review is basically the assessment, and the constitutionality of the laws inflicted in a society. It couldRead MoreThe Athenian and American Systems of Government1671 Words   |  7 Pagesthe ancient world. The system of Athens was called a Democracy. That is, every citizen voted on everything. People have claimed that the United States is also a Democracy. This is not true. The government of the United States is a Constitutional Republic (Every). United States citizens vote for representatives, who then vote on the laws. They themselves are limited by a constitution. Democracy is a flawed government system. 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Democracy is defined as a form of government where all eligible citizens are able to participate equally, either directly, or through elected representatives-majority rule. The original U.S Constitution, including The Bill of Rights, as written is not necessarily a true democratic document, but it is rather a document that calls for more of a constitutional republic. This is true despite the fact that the originalRead MoreAn American Diplomat Richard Holbrooke1143 Words   |  5 Pageselected regimes that are elected through regimes are often times the ones that have been reelected or reaffirmed through referenda, are ignoring the constitutional limits on their power and denying their citizens of essential rights and freedoms. It wasn’t easy to bring attention to this problem because for almost a century, democracy has meant liberal democracy in the West. Which was a political system marked not only by free and fair elections but by the rule of law as well, a separation of powers andRead MoreThe Founding Fathers Of The United States1705 Words   |  7 PagesBy definition, democracy is a type of political system in which all members share the same level of power, but it is also the framework for the government of multiple countries including the United States of America. Athenian democracy, created near 400 B.C. in Athens, Greece, was a direct system where participating citizens had the opportunity to vote directly on legislative and executive bills. The founding fathers of the United States took the Athenian’s idea and created the idea of â€Å"representativeRead MoreAustralia s Constitutional Democracy And The Federal System1750 Words   |  7 Pagescomparison of both Australia’s constitutional democracy and the federal republic system in the United States will take place. 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However, the ideal democracy is a form an equal government that everyone should operateRead MoreAnalysis Of Fareed Zakaria s The Rise Of Illiberal Democracy1330 Words à ‚  |  6 Pages Fareed Zakaria’s The Rise of Illiberal Democracy is an article discussing his point of view about illiberal and liberal democracies. He explains how democracy is now simply viewed together with liberalism altogether and how they went hand in hand with the writing of our constitution. This article informs you about how the mix of liberalism and democracy seems to have affected the Civil Rights Movement. He also explains how illiberal democracy can lead to civil war and genocide. With the CivilRead MoreI Chose The United States Of America As My Case Study,1355 Words   |  6 PagesI chose the United States of America as my case study, due to its remarkable design that is still in effect today. Although it’s far from perfect it has been present since 1776 without signs of it diminishing anytime soon. 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The Journey, not the Arrival Matters Essay - 1754 Words

The Journey, not the Arrival Matters Journey is a multilayered process which is inevitable in ones lifetime. Whilst journeys can be inner or physical it is our imagination that enables us to escape into new worlds and visualise new possibilities. These imaginative journeys occur in the realm of the mind where fantasy is created and reality is considered. The human capacity to dream and transcend actual existence often opens amazing possibilities. It is through imagination, speculation and inspiration that the exploration of new worlds, possibilities and human potential is achieved. In their own ways imaginative journeys often have a connection with our lives and the practical world. In some cases†¦show more content†¦The text also conveys Braggs intellectual quest and his desire to comprehend the language of science as well as fuelling the responders imagination about science and its popular names. Imaginative journeys allow some to transcend reality and challenge previously held conceptions. This is the case with Albert Einstein whose work spawned after questioning the conflicting theories of Newton and Maxwell. Einstein demonstrated that the imagination was a powerful tool. Einstein speculated when he said let us consider the possibility that Newton was wrong.[1] This allowed him to break free and explore the untouched and when he did that, he found you could make a match between his version of mechanics and Maxwells equation of light.[2] It was only during a thought experiment that Albert Einstein developed his special theory of relativity. Einstein imagined what it would be like to ride a wave of light at the speed of light.[3] This demonstrates the ability of the imagination and the amazing possibilities that it creates. However the possibilities that Einsteins theories have created have not been the focus of On Giants Shoulders. Rather it was the process in which Einst ein got to his theories and the idea that his journey has completely changedShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Walt Whitman s Crossing Brooklyn Ferry 1271 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Dream establishes a journey to achieve a goal in order to start a new life. In â€Å"Crossing Brooklyn Ferry† by Walt Whitman, Walt Whitman illustrates the arrival to endorse a connection with the American future. Therefore, Walt Whitman conveys the experience of arrival using images to highlight the steps to reach the American Dream. As a result, the experience of arrival introduces a similar goal people are trying to achieve, which connects one another. Nevertheless, the people arrivingRead MoreRabbit Proof Fence Essay728 Words   |  3 Pagesthe concept of the physical journey and specifically that it is the journey, not the destination that matters. Noyce has used a number of filimic and literary techniques thoughout â€Å"Rabbit Proof Fence† to ddo this. 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Yet, experiences through journeys can result in new knowledge clashing with preconceivedRead MoreA Comparison Of Toughets And A Pair Of Tickets1139 Words   |  5 PagesTwo sets of families filled with emotions, hopes, and promises to embark on separate journeys. Anticipating the feelings and emotions of meeting up with their loves ones. Different situations cause for different reactions, with similar causes. The short story â€Å"A Pair of Tickets† written by Amy Tan and the story â€Å"Everyday Use† written by Alice Walker both gives insight on the true gut wrenching feelings behind the importance of family and how a mother’s opinion can affect the actions and mindset ofRead MoreThe Conflict Of The United States863 Words   |  4 PagesTurkey struggling to accommodate the flood of new arrivals† (bbc.com). These refugees tried to move to other countries but their journeys was full of hardships. â€Å"The migrants travel in groups of just a few to dozens, moving north by bus, train, taxi or van† (Boehler, Pecanha) The main reason is that they couldn’t bear the severely violent treatment and dissatisfied living condition within their homelands. Refugees’ lives are exhausting, no matter they stay in their own countries or migrate to otherRead MoreThe Arrival By Shaun Tan1286 Words   |  6 Pagesmystery are only a few of the abundant emotions immigrants feel on their journey to the United States. Notably, in Shaun Tan’s graphic novel, The Arrival, the main character experiences the same series of emotions on his immigration journey seeking safe haven. In fact, through the three-week introduction to a new adventure and literature, I was able to tune into the same feelings and genuinely understand the dismal journey of the immigrant archetype. Furthermore, this new-found perspective projectedRead MoreThe Significance of Xenia in Homer‚Äà ´s The Odyssey1261 Words   |  6 PagesRegardless of the feeling associated with the tale of Nestor’s experience in the Trojan war, he does not refuse to tell Telemachos the tale. This shows the deference that is demanded to be in favor of a guest, in accord ance to the law of Xenia. Upon arrival at the home of Menelaos, having been seen by one of Menelaos’s men, the man makes a query as to whether they should turn the travelers away, or welcome them to join the wedding celebrations that are in progress at the time. Menelaos’s reply to thisRead MoreHero Hamlet And His Jumbling Journey1527 Words   |  7 Pages Demetre Tsirigotis Mrs. Thompson English IV Honors 3rd 26 February 2015 Hero Hamlet and his Jumbling Journey In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Prince Hamlet takes on the typical Archetypal hero s journey but throughout its course he causes the death of multiple characters. Hamlet receives supernatural aid from his deceased father, answers but chooses to delay his call to action, suffers in the belly of the whale, and leaves behind a legacy of truth and justice to restore peace toRead MoreRabbit Proof Fence1822 Words   |  8 Pagesâ€Å"The journey not the arrival matters† Discuss this statement focusing on HOW the composers of your prescribed text and two related texts represent the concept of journey. A physical journey involves both a beginning and ending. The beginning and ending is not what is important, in fact the journey itself is important. Physical journeys involve movement to new places whilst incurring obstacles. A physical journey has many opportunities for its travellers, these allow for physical, environmentalRead MoreOdysseus: A Hero Essay1074 Words   |  5 PagesLeaders, singers, and even parents can be a hero that someone looks up too. But in the fictional world, a hero is someone who has learned from his or hers journey to come out a changed person. Some characters complete the journey, while others do not quite make it to the end. In The Odyssey, Odysseus takes more than one leap of faith on his journey to become a hero by learning from his mistakes, making personal sacrifices, and becoming a better man. After making mistakes, Odysseus realizes his wrong

Mathematics formulas free essay sample

Create 2 formulas, one that will calculate the last number in terms of the first number and a constant increase in rate as well as the total amount of numbers. The second formula will add ass of the resulting numbers from the first formula together after the last number is calculated. Process: Kevin’s Decisions: In order to put the problem into perspective, I first set up my own possible variables for the first platform height, the difference in height between each platform, and the total number of platforms. I came up with the numbers for each variable respectively: 6, 3, and 3. The first platform is 6 feet tall. There are 3 platforms. The distance between each platform is 3 feet. The second platform is 6+3 feet tall or 9 feet, the third platform is 9+3 feet or 12 feet. I tried to find a formula for the height of the tallest platform that works. What I had to do, to find the height of the tallest platform, was first to find out how tall the first platform was. Since we dont know how tall the first platform is, I substituted it for the variable f. Next we had to determine the difference in height between each platform, which I substituted as d, and multiply that by the total number of platforms because this will show the total increase in height from the first platform to the last platform. However, I had to subtract one from the total number of platforms because I already used the first platform as the starting height in feet for increasing the height from platform to platform. I substituted this for (x-1). Once I found the total difference in height from the first platform to the last platform, I just added that to the height of the first platform to get the height of the last platform. The formula I came up with was (f+(x-1)d)=1 where f=the height of the first platform, x=number of platforms, and d=the distance between each platform. I checked to see if my formula worked using the numbers from earlier. (f+(x-1)d)=1 (6+(3-1)3)=12 6+(23)=12 6+6=12 12=12 ? Camilla’s Dilemma: In order to find out the total length of fabric that Camilla needs for the platforms, I had to develop a formula that gave us the total height of all of the platforms. To find out the total height we could add the height of all of the platforms. However, the total height can also be determined by a formula since the increase in height from platform to platform is the same. What I saw was that there are pairs within the heights of the first platform and last platform that when added result to the same number. For example: If there are 5 platforms in total, the first platform is 4 feet and the increase in height is 2 feet, the height of the platforms in order are: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12. The height of the last platform is 12 and the height of the first platform is 4. When we add 4 and 12 the result is 16 and divided by 2 is 8. The 2nd platform is 6 feet and the 4rth platform is 10 feet When added together and divided by 2 to get the average we get 8. The platform is the average number, which is 8. I saw this and put it into a formula. I took the height of the first platform and added it to the last platform, and substituted it for the variables f+l (where l=the height of the last platform). Then I took the total number of platforms and divided it by 2 to get the average, and multiplied it by the average of both platforms to get the total height of all of the platforms. This resulting number is the total length required in square feet of fabric to cover the fronts of the platforms. I got the formula (x/2) (f+l)=m from as a result of the process. I used this formula to see if i could get the correct answer using the same situation from Kevins Decisions. The first platform is 6 feet tall, there are 3 platforms in total, and the difference in height from each platform is 3 feet. It would not work is the difference in height from platform from platform was not constant. Camilla’s Dilemma: (x/2)(f=l)=m This formula for Camillas Dilemma works because it takes the average of all the platforms. Then it multiplies that average by the total number of platforms there are. The reason this formula works is once again because the rate of increase between each platform is the same. The formula basically takes the average of the first and last platform, and if the rate of increase in height were not the same, the average wouldnt have been able to be calculated the same way. I would have had to add all of the numbers individually and divide by the total amount of numbers to get the average if the rate of increase in height were not the same. Also by substituting the last platform for the formula from Kevins Decisions we can combine the formula from Kevins Decisions in replace of the height of the last platform. The combined formula in Camillas dilemma and Kevins Decisions will result in the same answer and will look like this. I learned about creating expressions and equations based on real life scenarios even without any real numbers. I think that this POW was educationally worthwhile and taught me about how real life can be put into equations and expressions. The only thing I might change about the problem was give set variables for each unknown to make it less confusing when comparing papers with others. I did somewhat enjoy working on this because it was worthwhile to my learning but it was difficult and I found myself stuck sometimes. It was just in the middle between too hard and too easy because I k new some components of the problem but others I was confused on. Overall I thought it was good that we learned this because it will help our understanding of the unit problem. Self-Assessment: I think that I deserve a 3. 8-4 on this because almost all of my work is clear though there is maybe 1 or 2 spots that might be confusing to some but I think I overall did a concise and clear job solving and explain this POW.

The Roaring Twenties Essays - Roaring Twenties, Jazz Age

The Roaring Twenties THE ROARING TWENTIES Americans, in the years following the end of World War I found themselves in an era, where the people simply wished to detach themselves from the troubles of Europeans and the rest of the world. During the years of the Twenties, the economy was prosperous, there was widespread social reform, new aspects of culture were established, and people found better ways to improve their lifestyle and enjoy life. The 1920's exemplified the changing attitudes of American's toward foreign relations, society, and leisure activities. Following the end of World War I, many Americans demanded that the United States stay out of European affairs in the future. The United States Senate even refused to accept the Treaty of Versailles which officially ended World War I and provided for the establishment of the League of Nations. The Senate chose to refuse the Treaty in the fear that it could result in the involvement of the United States in future European wars. Americans simply did not wish to deal with, nor tolerate the problems of Europe and abroad. There were many problems running rampant throughout the country following the conclusion of the war. One of the greatest problems which arose was the Red Scare which was seen as an international communist conspiracy that was blamed for various protest movements and union activities in 1919 and 1920. The Red Scare was touched off by a national distrust of foreigners. Many Americas also kept a close eye on the increasing activities of the Klu Klux Klan who were terrorizing foreigners, blacks, Jews and Roman Catholics. Once Americans put the war behind them, they were able to forget the problems of European affairs, and focus on the country, their town, and themselves. Americans found themselves in a period of reform, both socially and culturally. Many feared that morality had crumbled completely. Before World War I, women wore their hair long, had ankle length dresses, and long cotton stockings. In the twenties, they wore short, tight dresses, and rolled their silk stockings down to their knees. They wore flashy lipstick and other cosmetics. Eventually, women were even granted the right to vote with the passing of the 19th Amendment. It was up to this time period that women were not seen as an important aspect in American society. As if rebelling from the previous position of practically non-existence, women changed their clothing, their fashion, and even cut their hair shorter into bobs which were very similar to the style of men. The similarities were no mere coincidence, but an attempt of the w omen in American society pushing towards equality. Once the women had the right to vote with the passing of the 19th Amendment, they did not just sit back. The women of the 1920's strived for a position of equality for both men and women in society. Literature, art, and music also reflected the nations changing values. There were many famous authors, playwrights, musicians and artists which left their mark during the Twenties. Sinclair Lewis authored Main Street (1920), a book which attacked what he considered the dull lives and narrow minded attitudes of people in a small town. Another great author of the time was F. Scott Fitzgerald whose works included The Beautiful and Damned, and Tales of the Jazz Age. F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, exemplified the American Dream. The story shows the often misconception of the American Dream being a life of prosperity, parties, happiness, and utopian places. The book uncovers the characters' pursuit of this dream only to discover the American Dream as the American Tragedy. Many Americans who immigrated to the United States in the 20's were believing the same misconception, only to later find the hidden truth that the American Dream was not all what it was cracked up to be. One of the greatest American authors to emerge from the Twenties was Ernest Hemingway. Some of Hemingway's most noted works in the Twenties included Across the River and into the Trees, and In Our Time. Many of Hemingway's finest works presented the attitudes and experiences of the era's so called last generation. Americans had a hunger for news in the Twenties. Every day they would flock to the newsstand for the

Writing Excuses 9 Actionable Tips to Overcome Writing Excuses for Good

Writing Excuses 9 Actionable Tips to Overcome Writing Excuses for Good Writing Excuses: 9 Actionable Tips to Overcome Writing Excuses for Good We all make writing excuses for various reasons and it slows down our progress for writing a bookPublilius Syrus once claimed: Every vice has its excuse ready. And writing is no different.In this article, we will uncover the kind of excuses we make and provide you tips on how to overcome your writing excuses.So stay put! Learn. Practice. And soar.Here are our tips for how to overcome writing excuses:Find your voiceAvoid the non-native speaker debateDevelop a writing habitCut back on social mediaDont procrastinateStop fearing the fallDisability is not inabilityStrive for progressGet rid of writers blockNOTE: Want to learn how to not only publish a book, but do so in a way that sets your book up for long-term success? We teach exactly that in our VIP Self-Publishing Program. Learn more about it hereWhat causes writing excuses?There are a plethora of reasons writers give for letting excuses take over their work.Sure, some are the real-life instances you may connect with, and others are cheesy ideas saved in your head.You are likely to find reasons like toddler trouble, age, illness, time, little knowledge, to creativity blocks still making headlines in the writing community as the biggest launchers to writing excuses.But do you know what? Only you can let go of all excuses- and we at Self-Publishing School are here to help you along the way. The common excuses which prevent us from writing or self-publishing: Im not a native English speaker, can I still write? What is the right age if you want to self publish? I am 14 years old; do I stand a chance? Writers block (which we cover solutions to below) I am still learning how to write. I have little vocabulary knowledge: what should I do first to be a writer? Life problems/disability. Waiting for the perfect time to write. Looking for good writing tips. Fear of failing or falling. Looking for a book genre or how to start a story. Laryngitis. I want to write a script; what should I do first? Ill do it later.How to over come writing excuses with easeThe late Great Louis La Moore, the prolific author of over 100 books, once said he could write on a busy street corner: that was years back where authors used a pen, a paper, or a typewriter to create text.Imagine the benefits you can add to your writing in this era of the iPhone, tablets, and cloud apps that allow you to write on the go? First.#1 Find your voiceUsually, we learn writing by imitation: but no matter how you view it, Laryngitis will only add poison to your book.I know you may love how JK Rowlings writes or Neil Patels variety, but I can tell you that drifting away from your voice will be a bane to your book.How?Remember the creativity slowdown I mentioned earlier?When the author completes his piece, you are blank, with no ideas for your essay. You have nothing fresh to add after you finish comparing your writing to the author you are reading.The magic to fighting ensuing excuse from Laryngitis is finding your voice in writing. But thats only half of it.Here are other kick-butt methods to find your writing voice:Writing more every day.Write your draft freely without editing or looking at another persons work.Write and research later: or research but take a break before you engage in the writing process.Plot all your plans for writing a novel and ideas on some paper or notebook whenever they pop.Read more from different authors, publications, and manuscripts.Get creative with your work or content.Write with the buyer persona in mind.Get laser-focused with your writing or content by selecting a niche and a language.#2 Avoid the native/non-native English speaking debateClient: Native English speakers only.Writer: But I am not native!I hear this phrase a lot in the writing community, especially from clients who want their book/content written by Anglophone writers.But frankly speaking, I have never understood the debate or the relationship between native and non-native speaking to writing unless one is writing on relig ion, culture, cuisine, or destinations nuance.What should you do then if you are not a native English speaker?Many great writers are native English speakers. However, writing should not only be in the English language but in other languages too! And being a native does not equal writing well.Here is how to win this debate: You can write in your native language and use a service like Google translate to translate phrases and words to other languages.If you want to focus on English, read English books, the dictionary, thesaurus, and journals on the niche you want to write.Practice writing in the English language.Watch English films and movies (not the Housewives thing).Stop using autocorrect while writing.Invest in your education, learning the language.Use online writing assistants like Hemingway editor to bring clarity in your writing.You can also seek inspiration from the likes of Prof Ngugi Wa Thiong and Chinua Achebe who are not native English speakers yet, have published books in the English language and even received international accords for their persuasive writing.#3 Develop a writing habit and strategyPlanning is a necessary process in any persons life not only for corporates but writers too.If you do not plan, you plan to make writing excuses! It is that simple.The building blocks you create in the planning process will inspire you to reach your goal of completing that book. It will help you avoid replacing writing with watching The Game of Thrones, buying groceries, browsing for advice and settling toddlers or cat mischief and excuses.Tip on making a successful plan:Designate a specific time for writing and reading.Set targets.Push yourself.Create a content calendar and a place where you find writing prompts or exercise to kill writers block.Test your progress after a week or a month.Make a list of what you want to achieve. It can be in sticky notes on a wall or laptop for affirmation.Set reminders to give you the push and inform you when its time to do groceries, shopping, or writing.Create realist goals on the number of words you want to write in a day. For me, I love using 750 words.com for setting and achieving my daily writing goals.Here too are our favorite writing software you can use in planning, time management, improve productivity, and kill those writing excuses:Chrome Plus Time Tracking AppToogllWunderlistGoogle calendarCoffitivityFocusMateEvernote#4 Use social media lessHow often do you use social media? Once a week? A day? Every minute?It is true social media has got a tremendous influence and opportunities these days. It has created jobs, made communication, information, and knowledge more manageable. But it has also contributed to time and resource wastage not forgetting making the world louder.Studies show on average; we spend close to three hours every day on social media slacking off watching memes or viral content yet, we could use this time to improve on our writing skills.Take, for example. You take an hour to write 1,000 words. You could reduce the number of hours you spend on social media to two, and the other on writing.Social media is also not just a place for watching memes, but thankfully, a platform to develop writing habits. You can write on LinkedIn writing, Tumblr, or even Facebook as you connect with friends and family.Other ways to get over being hooked on social media:Turning off notifications so you can concentrate on writing.Use an app like Zen writing app or the ones mentioned in #3, which keep track of what you do.Write before you engage in another activity. This will make you want to write faster since you want to move to the next commitment.Let your desire for writing be numero uno.Make the environment conducive for writing.Join writing groups like the Self-Publishing School Mastermind Community: an excellent place to find inspiration from those who share or overcome similar challenges and excuses.How to succeed in writing groups to get over writing excuses:Joi n relevant writing groups worth your time.Connect with authors and publishers through personal chats for advice and inspiration on places such as Scribophile.com or professional associations for writers and editors.Ask only relevant questions and be on point to get the most answers out of your questions.Build a rapport.Connect, network, and engage in each case.Never let social media take charge of your life.Take advantage of its hidden gem and use social platforms as an inspiration to arouse your creativity and bring back your writing mojo.#5 -Avoid procrastinationIf its not easy to start, it will be hell to finish. -  Niklas GÃ ¶keProcrastination is the biggest thief of creativity, progress, and success. It is an enemy you must conquer at all cost.Whatever it is that you may not want to write now, stop waiting for the right time, age, or when the right resources are available to start.Today, the community has got many great resources. You can write on your phone, table t, or a pocketbook. You can also use platforms like LinkedIn, Medium, or Tumblr to share your stories: or use a tool like Jami Gold Save to plan your novel if you are starting in this art.Remember also the Great Louis La Moore words on being able to write on any busy street corner.Any place, any time is an opportunity to write: not procrastinate.Note: For your writing to work, you need to be in the writing factory and not embrace the excuse factory.#6 Dont fear to fallThere is a lot that goes into self-publishing a book: drafts, outlines, revisions, finding a publishing company and eventually marketing and selling to the public who receives it with mixed reactions.Guess what happens during all this process?Frustrations, name shaming, trolls, in-your-face insults, and horrible reviews with straight-up lies.If this has been the case, keep the fire burning and kill the negative energy in this way:Make a list of all the life lesson and use them for motivation if you lack the inspirati on.Keep a list of your favorite motivational quotes.Take Sir Richard Bransons offer challenging readers to write letters to their younger self how to navigate life.Make a list of your habits positive and negative.Write of your failures and how you plan to succeed.Have faith which gives powers and action to thoughts. Most people develop excuses because they do not have faith in their writing.Finally, keep in mind that success waits on the other side of failure.#7 Disability is not inabilityAre you struggling with specific challenges in life? Maybe an illness, marital problems, family issues, anxiety, low mood, spouse abuse, or low self-esteem?Life has a unique way of furnishing us with problems- a thing the Bible captures: but it encourages us to overcome our challenges in a unique way.2 Corinthians 4:8-9: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.You may struggle with whatever challenges life throws at you, but do not turn them into writing excuses.Remember, excuses thrive well where problems exist. The many times you count the troubles you are experiencing, the more you will use them as a reason for not completing your book.To tow you out of the excuse mode, look up these five authors who succeeded in this art despite disabilities.Peter WinklerOctavia E. ButlerChristy BrownJean-Dominique BaubyFyodor DostoyevskyI also wish to encourage you to:Write a memoir or a biography, or on the challenges, you are experiencing.Write about your failures and shortcomings and how you plan to undo them.Find a mentor in writing groups, writing conferences, and co-working space.Ask an able sister, friend, or family member to assist where necessary.Use technology, especially those for voice, motion, and creativity.#8 Strive for progress, not perfectionWhen I started writing, I struggled to produce a well-polished draft. I hated rewrites and self-editing made me want to ram my head into a wall.But with time, I allowed myself to be scrappy.I realized that giving it all in my drafts held my back: it pushed me into the rabbit hole of procrastination, fear and made me look inept.You may aspire to be perfect at what you do, considering the good returns it brings. But perfection sometimes carries a poor reputation plagiarism, Laryngitis, and writers block.This is especially the self-judgment we impose on ourselves when we find our piece is not of the quality of bestsellers or garnered low reviews.While you may want to become a bestselling author; when starting, strive for progress and with time, harness the power of perfection through edits, second, or third editions. Remember the old saying of how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time.That your first piece never made headlines does not mean the next will experience the same fate.Aim for progress. Perfection is like success, a journey, having no destination: hence the doing is a lot more important than th e result.Here is a broad overview of how to aim for progress:Collaborate with other writers, making relationships with them, whether aspiring or professional.Seek reviews and feedback from beta readers.Find or pay an editor to help bring out your thoughts, ideas, and write more succinctly.Do an activity that will bring more clarity to your writing.Give yourself enough latitude to experiment and maybe fail a couple of times.#9 Writers block doesnt existIt is an excuse us writers use to shot our own feet when writing or publishing a book: then seek comfort in a community or in-crowds ailing of the same.Lets face it one more time: Writers block is a fancy term made up by whiners so they can have an excuse to drink alcohol. Steve Martin.Guess what? You can stop it.How? It often starts with finding the real ailment, some soul searching and admitting to yourself.The other list of things you can do to write without writers block goes here:Make a habit of writing ideas every day.Seek idea s from social media or writing groups.The Time is Now.Check out these story ideas to stir inspirationThese creative writing prompts.Ask your partner or friend for ideas if stuck.Go through some of these creative writing exercisesDo something unique at least every quarter. It can be a documentary, podcast, or something related to the writing you produce.So whats standing in your way from self-publishing? Not excuses, it is you. But we can fix that- here at Self-Publishing School- with a few shifts in the mindset.Ready to get rid of those excuses and get your book DONE?With this training, excuses are not a part of the equation. Basically, we help you work through your biggest excuses in order to achieve your main goal: write and publish your book.