Before You Write Your Book: Make the Commitment!

If writing your first--or next--book is on your goal list for next year, I'm so excited for you! Today, I want to help you commit to writing your book. This is probably the shortest email you'll read today, and hopefully it will be in the top 3 most impactful.

In order to succeed at what is, undoubtedly, one of the more challenging goals to achieve, you've got to commit to following through.?

Whenever I start writing a book, I'm full of energy and enthusiasm. And yes, every single one of the almost 60 times I've published a book, I've been full of energy and enthusiasm. It isn't the beginning or end of any process that's tough...it's the middle (what I call the "yucky middle"): the time when my initial excitement has worn out and long before I can see the light at the end of the publishing tunnel. It's when I don't feel?as motivated?(okay, not very motivated or completely unmotivated) to keep going on the project. The middle isn't sexy. It isn't exciting.?But it is necessary.

So, this is a great time to get really clear about why you need to keep going when the going gets tough, frustrating, or boring. I like to picture people reading my book and having "aha" moments, or imagine having conversations about how my words helped them to avoid pain or gain an awesome benefit. (Having an awesome?book cover?helps a lot!)

My tip is to write down how you're going to feel when you're done and what great things you envision are going to happen, then put them on a 3x5 card where you can see them all day, every day. Then commit to working on, writing, or at least looking at your manuscript every day until you are done. It's extra cool to meet other aspiring authors in your process, because they help to keep you going.

Speaking of new books, my next book and workbook are coming January 23rd:?You Must Market Your Book?and?I Must Market My Book Workbook.?I'm putting the finishing touches on both right now, and I can't wait for you to see them.?

See you tomorrow!