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Two years ago, I created space to finally write the book that wanted to be written by me for almost 3 years. I also stopped coaching to make room for some much needed reflection on the new direction of my business. I started writing in March. And I wrote in Dutch (Which makes perfect sense, considering I am Dutch). But...that soon changed.
Exploring the new direction and next level of my business & mission revealed what I already knew but was too scared to take action on before:
I wanted to reach far more people than I already was. To inspire and teach millions of people worldwide to do what they are born and meant to do. Shortly after I committed to this MUCH bigger mission (without knowing how and if I would ever accomplish it), I received a newsletter informing me about an international writing contest. And not just any writing contest, no, it was specifically meant for Transformational Authors. People who, like me, want to change the world with their message. I felt inspired to sign up and switched to writing in English. That was SO difficult and scary for me then! (Now it's almost as easy to express myself in English as it is in Dutch. It really is true that all things are difficult before they are easy.) Since then, the following happened -> fast-forward to today: I finished the book and entered the contest in 2011 (didn't win);
I changed directions in my business in November 2011 (best move I made in a loooongggg time);
Decided to publish the book in 2012 (didn't happen);
Decided to publish the book in 2013 (WILL happen, no matter what). So here we are today, Friday March 15, 2013.
My book REALLY wants to be published this year, just like it wanted to be written before.
I get nudges & signs, and my intuition keeps telling me to Work On That Book Again, Come On Brigitte!
(My intuition always begins with a soft approach and friendly attitude but gets annoyed when ignored - just like me ;) So, I've decided to force myself ever so gently to work on the book again.
And after being in business for almost 10 years now, and having written & published a book before, I know exactly how to MAKE myself DO stuff: By not only setting deadlines, but sharing them with others as well - setting external deadlines. Internal deadlines I 'just' set for myself are easy to ignore or push forward.
But as soon as I mention it on my website, blog or in my ezine....I start working my butt off to meet them. And yeah, I know, THE best way to get your ass in gear is to (re)connect to your bigger vision, mission and the deepest reasons you have for whatever goal it is you're trying to reach.
You don't have to tell me that, I TEACH that stuff :) But I also know that sometimes, before you can reconnect to all that again, you have to kick yourself in the ass first - very, very gently. This blog is my gentle yet firm kick to get myself back on track and Get The Book Published This Year!
Just writing it makes me enthusiastic about the book again. To make sure I'll keep moving forward though(I know myself a little after living with me all my life), here are the 2 deadlines I've set: Deadline 1: To submit the manuscript on or before May 1, and
Deadline 2: To launch the book this fall. You can hold me to it if you like.
(Just don't be offended when I tell you to mind your own business if you do ;) Oh, and one last thing:
The book's title: 'The Art of Divine Selfishness - transforming the world by thinking of YOU' I'll keep you posted of my progress (or lack thereof) in the next blog.
Until then! ************* Wait, before you go:
Maybe you have some project you want to finish or reconnect to as well. Feel free to use my blog as your external deadline, and post WHAT you'll do and WHEN you'll finish in the comments below.
That might motivate you to move forward again as well!
If you want to share some other thoughts or comments, you can post those, too.
I'd love to read them!
Related Articles -
book marketing, Divinely Selfish, how to publish a book, how to write a book, launching a book, the Art of Divine Selfishness,
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