Nearly seven years ago, I spent a few evenings each week working the cash register at my local Petco store.
Despite my day job at a local weekly newspaper and my fledgling portrait studio, I needed the extra income.
And, the time to write.
It’s always insightful to learn how people actually make time to hone their craft, and this was one of my unconventional outlets.
You’d be amazed at the number of story ideas you can glean from working in a retail environment. A good percentage of customer questions I fielded on the phone or at the cash register have morphed into helpful blog posts over the years.
By the end of my shift my pockets would bulge with scraps of paper. Headline ideas. Topics. Products to review. Questions. Outlines.
I wrote down any and everything that I could turn into an article and a paycheck.
Little by little these writings grew into a body of work worthy of showing off to bigger and better clients. Editors and marketing professionals took note.
My journalism degree and retail experience are finally paying off. My weekly calendar is almost always full and I’m happy. Content.
So, why am I sharing this story?
We all have cash register moments.
Whether you’re sitting in the car waiting to pick up the kids from school, standing in line at the grocery store or working a job that’s hopefully a stepping stone to your dream career — always keep your eye on the prize.
Take notes. Jot down ideas. Dare to dream.
Whenever I hear writers complain about not having enough time to write, I want to tell them we all have the same 24 hours in a day. Get in tune with your inner writer and force the creative wheels to always keep turning, no matter what you’re doing — even if it’s working a cash register while you wait for your big break.
Want to see what I’ve been writing for clients? Peek at my portfolio or browse my Twitter feed.
This is a great reminder, especially at this time of year when one might have some time for reflection on lessons learned, rejections overcome or experiences gained. And I’m always interested in how others organize all of these ideas, clarify their value and then use an editorial calendar for keeping on track. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! Yes, the end of the year is a great time to evaluate goals and plans for the upcoming year. I hope anyone who isn’t “there” yet realizes that it’s a process and keeps plugging away at their dreams!