In this new decade for authors and writers, take a few minutes to gaze into your publishing navel. What does success look like for 2020? What would you like to accomplish?
Sometimes, those types of questions lead me to a “rethink” … even a deep dive of sorts. How about you? At a recent AuthorYOU Salon, it was a topic. Salon? you might wonder. Yup, it’s a monthly repeat I wouldn’t miss. But then, it’s in my home.
On the second Saturday of every month, my day with people–that’s authors at all stages–starts a few minutes before 8.30 a.m.–it’s the AuthorYOU Salons that is a benefit for the VIP members of AuthorYOU.org. This month, 20 authors filled my front room with questions, laughter and just being “them.” I love these mornings.
Whether it’s an “event” day like the Salons, or my weekly Friday Coaching call at 7 a.m. or just today before I wrote this blog, I make mug of tea and head to the hot tub for a 20 to 30 minute soak before it all begins. Relaxing, warms up my joints for the day, and I noodle what I’ve got to tackle that day; that week. I love the alone time; the sound of my yard (or lack of it); the chatter of critters and birds; and marveling at the ever-changing greenery and flowers.
When I pick up my phone, the first think I do: it’s the weather app check-in time … what’s coming? Is it a barefoot day … or socks if I’m totally at my home office? Or, do I have online visual client appointments and meetings and what’s the dress? Or, am I heading out later in the day? All decisions that are made quickly.
And think about it: how many times has the weather projection being totally wrong? Lots. But I do the app thing anyway. And then I think about it. Wouldn’t it be smarter if I just focused on what I can control? Weather isn’t one of those things. In reality, 99% of the time, I can work around whatever the weather brings–no matter surprises land outside my door. Or come across my phone as a “severe storm alert.”
Yet–plans can change. Don’t they? … almost always. For me, it’s clients with questions. Or add-ons. Sometimes one of the kids surface with a need. Or John–who knew I would pull him out and land at the store, you need different glasses on a Saturday afternoon. It wasn’t on my “to do” calendar for the day, but gobbled up two hours I hadn’t thought were available.
In the rationale world, here’s what you (and me) should be focusing on … what we can control:
Questions for YOU:
1. What are the needs to support my publishing and authoring journey?
2. What “tools” do I need to get and learn to move me forward?
3. And always–who am I writing for and what value do I bring to them?
Could the weather app be an excuse for procrastinating about something … anything? I mean, what can I–what can you–do to control it. Basically, nothing.
That, I would noodle on. For me, that might be tomorrow, in the hot tub.
Listen to The Book Shepherd’s weekly podcast: AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing.