It’s that time of year again. As the fall season begins its transition into winter, many of us turn to a reflective mood. When it comes to your business, writing a book, and considering what you want to do next, you certainly don’t need to wait for a special season to make that happen.
You can review, adjust, set your goals, and take action any time of the year!
But let’s talk specifically about writing a book.
Did you know by some estimates, 80% of Americans want to write a book. I would imagine the percentage is similar in other countries as well.
If you’re breathing, then chances are really good you’ve done stuff, or learned something, or experienced something this year which you may want to express and share with the world by writing about it.
Rather than “Riding” out the end of the year…why not spend some time Writing Out the End of the Year?
Even if you’ve never written more than a shopping list, the desire to make your mark or tell your story or share your knowledge and passion about something could be burning in your gut and occupying your mind enough for you to wonder:
- Could I become an author?
- Could I write something that would make a difference?
- Could I share my gifts so what I’ve learned on this earth and in my lifetime will reach beyond the grave for generations to come?
- Could I?
3 Simple Steps for Taking the First Step for Writing Your Book
Step 1: Believe
When you were younger, I bet you believed in a lot of things: Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the power of spinach to give you super strength, and the possibility that a sheet wrapped around your neck would allow you to fly…
Close your eyes. Do you remember how excited you got simply from believing that something was possible?
Remember how all doubt was erased and you focused only on the possibilities?
That’s the feeling you need to recapture right now. Don’t worry about the outcome of your book or whether or not anybody will like it, or read it, or buy it. Just focus on the journey of writing the book.
Believe that you can do this.
Chances are really good you have obligations: family, job, kids, friends, school, a mortgage, rent, bills, and a list of other things pulling at you, your time, and your energy. And chances are that at the end of the day all you want to do is veg out in front of the tv or crawl into bed and just get some much needed sleep!
That’s not too much to ask for, is it?
But what about you?
When you spend all your time and energy investing in other people’s lives to be sure they get everything they want and need are you forgetting to invest in yourself and your own wants, needs, and dreams?
I’m not talking about being selfish or self-centered in a negative sense of the word. What I am talking about is feeding your soul and fulfilling your purpose on this earth by taking the time to reflect and take action on your own dreams and passions.
This is important not just for you, but for everyone around you.
When you suppress your own talents and gifts two things can happen:
1) A piece of you dies and you end up walking through life just going through the motions and being satisfied but not really feeling as if you’re living with passion or purpose
and/or
2) At the extreme level you can become so frustrated by the underlying feeling of missing out on something (your purpose, your dream, your passion) that you end up getting involved in behaviors or a life that serves only to hurt you and those you love; or you become that angry guy/gal who barely smiles and gets the reputation of being a curmudgeon!
So think about this.
If you knew that investing in yourself and your dreams and taking the time to discover and share your gifts, knowledge, and talents would actually end up benefiting all the people you loved, would you still mistakenly believe that investing in you and your desire to tell your story was selfish?
I bet not!
Step 2: Invest
3. Execute
All the best intentions in the world mean nothing if you fail to execute your plan.
If you have read this far then I would guess that you have a book inside of you that is just waiting to be born. You have an idea…an inspiration…and you will not be fully satisfied until it comes alive.
So – what’s the biggest difference between you and your favorite author?
Is it talent? Is it education? Is it a winning smile?…no!
It’s Execution!
You’re sitting there with an idea and your favorite author is sitting there with an idea brought to life in the form of a book because he or she made the time, made the investment, and worked on their idea a little bit every day.
That’s exactly where you need to start. Right now, where you are, with the tools you have, and invest the time and energy a little bit each day to get yourself from idea to published author.
Right now you are standing in the exact place that every author once stood.
Pick up your pen, turn on your computer, and just begin.
It’s that simple…and it’s that complicated!
What’s Next?
I get questions and emails all the time from aspiring authors that say “I have a great idea for a book but I just don’t know where to start!”
If this sounds like you then you must understand that I have been exactly where you are and moved forward anyhow. Yes, there are some tips and tricks that will help you sharpen your focus and organize your thoughts and writing. I’ve written about those in other articles so be sure to check them out.
Then, if you are still in need of some guidance check out an exclusive opportunity that I offer to readers of this site for one-on-one coaching.
