I was super excited when I finished writing the manuscript of my book, The MECE Muse: 100+ selected practices, unwritten rules, and habits of great consultants. I was thinking about writing my book for over 10 years...but I made all types of excuses as to why I didn't:
- I needed more years of experience (I didn't)
- My life conditions needed to somehow meet a set of unrealistic expectations that magically align "perfectly" (didn't happen)
- I had to have more free time (I have less time in my life now)
And when I started actually writing something....I had no real structure. I just wrote whatever came to mind and in the beginning, had no idea what the book was going to be about. I just started writing. Sometimes it made sense, other times it was jibberish. or redundant. I did that for about 1 year.
Then - when I actually started to gain some confidence and my jibberish started to have be of consistent quality, I began to guest blog. A post here. A post there. But nothing substantial. That was another year.
While on vacation last summer, I actually had an epiphany and suddenly, the book's purpose and content became clear. I attended a Tony Robbins event and my internal engine took off, making my book's vision crystal clear. With that clarity, purpose, and motivation, I got laser focused and took massive action. I finished the manuscript in less than 4 months' time.
If you are counting, it took me about 12.5 years to muster up the courage, stop making excuses, and really push myself to write the book.
So you can imagine how thrilled I was when finally finished. But what happens now?
Then I googled "how to self publish a book"
there is an entirely other process to becoming an author. Who knew??? I was on the other side of the fence for so long, I didn't realize there was a whole new world of information, experiences, and processes awaiting me.
I am currently going through 4 layers of editing, making business decisions on how the book will be marketed, distributed, etc... in preparation for release.
It has been a fascinating process. Instead of being frustrated or discouraged, I have rolled my sleeves up and delved in face first. Going through the editing process as we speak and am learning everyday.
My biggest lessons learned with this experience is to stay the course, particularly when you are doing something for the first time.
It took me this long to go from thought to action to concept, what is a couple of additional months to make sure the world embraces the book as I originally envisioned?
I've put on some good music, threw on some shades, and have gone into cruise control mode.
I've got this!
Have you published a book in the past or in the process like me? Share your thoughts in the comments below, I could use all of the help and support I can get. Thanks everyone!
