An Edited Life: Kristina Fortune

An Edited Life is a series where I interview women Life Editors who are living their authentic stories. Please say hello to Kristina Fortune!

Welcome! Please introduce yourself and your business.

Thanks for having me, Sage. Hi, ladies! I’m Kristina Fortune. I’m a digital copy editor and the founder of KristinaFortune.com.

I help heart-centered entrepreneurs harness the power of language to attract and connect with their dream clients. I work 1:1 with clients to edit their marketing content into persuasive copy that is clear, concise, compelling, authentic, and engaging.

I’m also the founder and editor of VitalityOrganizing.com, a lifestyle blog dedicated to helping busy, creative women clear the clutter from their lives, minds, and hearts.

How do you help women edit their lives?

I help women in 2 ways:

1) As a former professional organizer, I’m all about keeping things simple and clutter-free. Now that I’m a copy editor, I help women entrepreneurs clear the clutter from their marketing copy. Together we work to enhance their core message by removing distractions, filling in gaps, and putting the words in the most effective order.

2) Through my organizing blog, my mission is to inspire, empower and teach busy, creative women how to create the balanced, peaceful, and fulfilling lives they desire. I write articles on a variety of topics to share tools, tips and inspiration for creating a simpler life, a peaceful mind, and a happy heart.

What led you to start your business?

After spending 6 years in corporate America, I felt a growing pull toward entrepreneurship. I knew in my heart that I could lead a more authentic and fulfilling life and make a bigger difference in the world by using my innate strengths to help others.

After months of planning, hesitation, excitement, and countless OMG-what-the-hell-am-I-thinking? moments, in 2012 I quit my stable job (eek!) and launched my professional organizing business, Vitality Organizing.

As is often the case in business (and life), things evolved. I narrowed my niche to work primarily with other solo home-based entrepreneurs since I knew their struggles firsthand. I also started offering editing services to help them clear the word clutter from their marketing content.

And then, a funny thing happened. I realized that my purpose, my ultimate passion wasn’t organizing people’s homes—it’s organizing words, sentences, thoughts and ideas into clear, meaningful, effective messages.

Thus, my new editing business was born.

What does an average day look like for you?

I typically work a standard 9-5, though I work from home and can set my own schedule. Some days I’m naughty and break my self-imposed office hours, working late into the evening. I can’t help it! Inspiration strikes at odd hours.

I get up around 7:30 am to do my morning self-care routine (described in the next section). Then, depending on what’s on my plate, I usually do a pleasant mix of client work, creative work, administrative tasks, and connecting with others via social media, Skype calls, or coffee get-togethers.

I’m also semi-addicted to professional and personal growth activities. So, on any given day you might find me taking a class, reading a book, watching a webinar, or listening to a teleseminar.

I spend a lot of time alone, working at my computer. Luckily, my basement office has a window overlooking these gorgeous mature trees that keep me connected to the outside world. I also make a point to take breaks throughout each day to stretch, go outside, and let my eyes and body have a break from working.

At the end of my work day I check things off my list, tidy up my desk, and plan out priorities for the following day.

What routines, habits, beliefs, or other things help you live an edited life?

I’m a huge proponent of self-care. I know from personal experience that we can’t contribute at our highest level unless we’re taking care of ourselves.

After a year of working from home (and feeling physically and mentally worn down from working non-stop), I made the intention to carve out time to take care of me.

Now, I start each day with a self-care routine that helps me stay healthy and get centered before I dive into work. I’m much more grounded and happy because of it. And if you’re curious, the key pieces of that routine are meditating, exercising, and eating a healthy breakfast before I do anything else.

I also use a weekly planning worksheet to manage my to dos and structure my week. As a creative entrepreneur, I’ve found that having a system to capture and track my bazillion ideas helps me clear my head and stay focused.

Then, every Sunday night, I have a relaxing self-pow-wow—complete with candles, tea, and Pandora—to review my worksheet and plan out the week ahead. Doing this helps me stay focused and clear on what my goals are, both long and short term. This ritual keeps me from feeling overwhelmed with my never-ending to do list.

Do you have anything to share with my readers?

Yep, I have 2 freebies available. Both are easy-to-read PDF ebooks geared toward creative solo entrepreneurs.

1) How to Overcome 3 Common Writing Woes & Carry On with Confidence. Click here to sign up for your copy.

2) The Solopreneur’s Guide to Improving Productivity. Click here to grab your copy (you’ll need to scroll down and sign up in the sidebar). Sign up quickly though—I’m trading this freebie out soon!

Where can we find you?

Thank you for sharing your edited life, Kristina!