What I learnt from publishing my first book.

Today, a year ago, I launched my first book through a publishing company.

At the beginning of 2020 I had a desire to publish a book. I had no idea where to begin or what I wanted to write about, but the desire was strong. I enrolled in a writing course and visualized holding a book in my hand, every single day! I could taste it, feel it, see it. Every cell of my body was immersed in this vision.?

Travelling and being enriched by exploring and encountering different places, their people and culture is part of my value system. It’s through this activity that you look at life from a different perspective. You open yourself up to the magical moments that can be answers you have been searching for that changes your life trajectory. It’s a grounding experience and humbles you when you get home and you are so blessed by what others have done for you that you can’t help but want to give back. The people I have met on my travelling journeys and the itineraries created for my clients have brought me immense joy and stretched me to think of out the box. I value helping people and asking bigger and better questions to find bigger and better solutions.?

Combining my desire to publish a book together with my passion for travelling and helping people (facing a global pandemic) was the inspiration behind the birth of this book.?

What did I learn:

You don’t need to know how it is all going to come together, you just need to start and have a burning desire and a big enough WHY. Open the laptop, type that first word, reach out to that person. Take the first step. Don’t allow yourself to be numb or overwhelmed because the task is too big or you have never done this before. We grow outside of our comfort zone. New neural connections fire and wire together and the brain breaks its predicting cycle. Break it down into smaller pieces. It makes a huge difference when you start small. Just keep going….

You will be rejected and have many obstacles to overcome. I drafted a list of 27 people in the tourism industry that I felt quite confident would jump at the opportunity to be part of the journey. I wrote to them, phoned them, asking for assistance, for input, for feedback and all 27 turned the invitation down. I felt defeated and a “victim” mindset was starting to surface. Awareness of your emotions and mindset will help you identify whether you are sabotaging?or advancing in your journey. Be honest with yourself. Allow to feel all emotions without the judgment. ?Identify the message in the emotion and be alert to any patterns that keep resurfacing - there is something there that once conquered, acknowledge or understood will dissolve or collapse. Awareness is a game changer. I changed my mindset from “why me” to the “warrior in me”?and I carried on reaching out.?It took 1 person saying “Yes” and the rest is history.?I met new people, made new friends and the outcome for this book exceeded my initial expectations. I could never have planned it in the way it unfolded. Stick to the purpose but change the plan to get you were there is flow, enthusiasm and things come together effortlessly.?

Don’t take rejection personally. You have no idea what challenges others are facing. Turn the thought of being rejected into "something better is on the way". Give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Thank them and bless them on their journey. Move on, without carrying rejected baggage. Make the journey lighter for you (and them).

I have no idea what impact this book had on the Tourism industry. It was birthed in the beginning of the pandemic, hoping Covid will vanish quickly but reality is we didn’t know what we know now and the closing chapter has yet to be written. What I do know is when power, purpose and desire comes together, despite not having all the answers or having an end in sight,?there is a surge in collective creativity when people come together which births hope, solutions and bonding. I am humbled by everyone who contributed and shared their solutions and professional insights.?Thank you and happy anniversary my fellow contributors.

I pray for my friends and businesses in the tourism industry. Sending you my love and light.