Hilary Seabrook - writer, podcaster, musician

I found myself going back ten years to one of my previous client's beautiful offices in Walton-on-Thames. When I worked with Birds Eye Wall's, this was a thriving place of ideas and processes and I have some very fond memories of the people who used to sit in that empty shell. In August 2005 I moved on and it was the right thing at the time, but this took me back to that moment.

It's been a busy few weeks. With no sign of a let-up this side of Christmas. So I really needed this cup of green tea, half way down the M1.

Technically, I'm writing two books. One has a deadline and the other is dragging on. Guess which one I'm being paid to write? The 'job' one may be taking precedence, but it's spurring me in to action on the fictional one and I'm about to set myself a deadline, just to get it finished. Obviously, that deadline will be way after the first. What I'm learning, though, is the small chunks approach. Even a couple of paragraphs at a time is breaking the back of it. I'm so used to writing short articles that the prospect of a whole, published book is a little scary. So I'm not thinking of it like that. And the 'eating the elephant one bite at a time' thing seems to be working. Even as a vegetarian.

Dog and cat enjoying the end of a sunny day. They're both crashed out and enjoying full stomachs, comfortable carpet and the warmth of the sun. There's a lesson right there. Except the bit about the carpet, probably.

I spent a Friday afternoon bowling with friends. I cannot remember the last time I did that. I wasn't the worst and, in fact, my team was only beaten by one point. Not to be sniffed at. Sometimes you forget to remember the things you can do.

My photography skills are ok, but I pay good money to those who do it better. Ditto on accountancy. Definitely on cleaning my house. I know where my strengths lie and I'd rather just keep doing that. Some of my clients are brilliant at getting a good team together and it certainly makes everyone's job easier and more efficient. So, ask yourself what you're good at. Really. Then do it and get rid of the other stuff. You'll be happier and more productive. And if the 'other stuff' means asking me to write the article, blog, web copy or online profile you're struggling with, that'll make me happier, too!

This was my view every morning last week. So no, I didn't blog, tweet or update my status. It's taken two days for me to get back to any sort of normality and it's been great. I must book more holidays.

Returning from a hot summer week in Crete, the views of Hertfordshire approaching autumn are just beautiful. It is possible to enjoy different places and climates and not compare them. I wouldn't want to live permanently on Crete, but it's lovely to visit. I'm definitely Made in England (thanks to The Shires)