Turning 50 is about a year long journey and possibilities. While many posts are either musings or things that happen, there is a 50/50-2012 voyage that is going to occupy almost all year long…getting a book published.
The idea and thought of writing a book has occupied my thoughts over the last 10 years or so but like many things in our lives, they sit on a shelf. I had written some ideas and thoughts down years ago but inaction was taking hold. Then came along 50/50-2012 and the many things that I will do this year and the book is on the list of things I HAVE to do.
Armed with a co-author, Adam Cotterall, we really started the foundation of the book last year and as the 50/50-2012 started, we met to set our time lines and decided that we will look to get it self-published by years end. Adam is a great person to work with because we both have similar backgrounds in leadership. Adam has a great way of putting thoughts into actionable format. What I have found is that the 50/50-2012 has prompted me to embark on many things that I would like to do. It becomes a reason.
Both Adam and I have been putting a lot of effort into this book because we just don’t want to publish a book for the sake of it. We have met many times, attended a book writing workshop and continue to share ideas. Bottom line…it has to be meaningful and helpful. I really started tackling my stories this last weekend and I find my writing style is in spurts: nothing….nothing….nothing….write….write….write…nothing…repeated ? Once I write, I just keep on going. That has been the same for projects, my masters and any work.
About the book…it is on a topic I am interested and passionate about. The book is about storytelling and how we can build our own stories (we all have something to say!). I have been blessed with many personal stories and I felt it was important to help others discover and write their own stories. If you go with my personal statement “Everyone’s life is an autobiography…but make yours worth reading.” We need to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary and capture all the aspects that make up who we are. What I appreciate is that the book ties in nicely with the blog.
I think what I also enjoy is when I share the idea of the book with others, they are already interested and want a copy…of course signed ? My inspiration comes from my audience and especially my students/alumni are my inspiration.
So based on this post, what is something you reallllly want to do but have been putting it off. Dust your dream off the shelf and start figuring out how you can do it. I will be mentioning this journey throughout the year and am determined to have a book to you by years end. This goes back to a past post…are you a dreamer or a doer…I need you to be both.