As you know, Ashley and I recently swapped blog posts. Well, I realized that I never shared my post with all of you!

When you get a moment, I’d love for you to check out the post I wrote for Ashley’s Going Like Mad blog. Titled “Landing Your Dream Job,” this post was 110 percent inspired by a recent conversation I had with my gal Megan about life and career changes.

Landing Your Dream Job

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

- L

As previously mentioned last week, this next post comes from Ashley Erickson of Going Like Mad. Please join me in welcoming Ashley to my blog. Ashley’s post gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her life, passions and the day-to-day experiences she has as an editor.

First, here’s a little bit about this lovely lady.

Ashley currently lives in Austin, Texas, but was raised in Southern California (which helps her appreciate the low cost of living in Texas even more).  She is currently the Texas regional editor for Competitor magazine and also works for a software company.  Social media addict to the core, her most memorable blogging accomplishment was being featured on the cover of opensalon.com.  On her blog, she talks about all things editorial and her struggle with the treadmill as she trains for her first 5K and eventual marathon finish.  Find her on Twitter where she shares her adventures around town with her hideous ankles (her words, not mine).

Now, ladies and gentleman… I give you. Ashley.

- – - – -

Living by the Editorial Calendar
Ashley Erickson

I find my inspiration in my friends, family and in some of my favorite writers.  But, that still leaves one more form of inspiration: my planner.

I have been living by the editorial calendar since college.  I started as an intern for the San Diegan, a local San Diego publication that I spent 30 some hours at a week while taking classes full-time.  Balancing classes and fact checking and proofing took some getting used to, but with an annual publication time is not completely of the essence.  Then I moved on to a literary agency, where I was able to take my work home (willingly) and got to edit a 350-page manuscript (the only one I’ve ever edited).  That took a lot more time to tackle than the 100-word posts I was used to checking over, but the sense of accomplishment after still is with me.  My last internship was with Competitor, where I went in for 10 hours or so a week in the mornings before classes (that I may or may not have skipped more than once).  So, I did have a little bit extra to manage during the typical frantic schedule of a college student, but I got through.

Now, things are a bit different.  I have a full-time job at a software company alongside of my contract position as Texas regional editor of Competitor (i.e., the rags to riches/intern to editor tale).  My life is all about balancing editorial with my full-time work with my full-time boyfriend.  I cram them all into one calendar and voila.

It is all about organization.  First, I start with the issue of the month.  The issue is planned out on a spreadsheet and I literally highlight each article in whatever colors I am feeling that month (usually yellow means: YAY IT’S WRITTEN and red is: UGH AFKJDAKJ$@O#IU).  After I plan and re-plan and write and re-write, my full-time is next.  Luckily I just got the job at the software company and now have a more flexible life.  Because then there comes my boyfriend who it is pretty guaranteed I am with when I am not doing the other two schedules.

Schedules and to-do lists may seem silly sometimes, but they work.  Crossing items off of your list can bring more accomplishment than originally thought.  The first step, though, is to get a planner that you’ll want to use–that you will be excited to write in and look at.  If you are a writer, you will probably inevitably turn toward getting a Moleskin one (which I was unable to find at my time of purchase, which I still resent Barnes & Noble for).  The most important step is to carry it with you everywhere–because you can do much more with a planner than just write down your schedule.  You can write down your thoughts and random musings, keep track of names and phone numbers and even keep memorable quotes.

Let it be your inspiration as you live your own calendar.  I live the editorial calendar and the sales consultant calendar and the girlfriend calendar and I try to do it with style.  With my pink planner by my side.

I’m excited to announce that I will soon feature a guest post by lovely Texas editor Ashley Erickson. Not too long ago, Ashley and I discovered each other on 20 something bloggers and hit it off right away. She has recently taken on some new endeavors and I’m very much looking forward to hearing what she has to say. Please be sure to give her a warm welcome too.

In the meantime, follow what Ashley’s up to on Twitter.

Stay tuned!

- L