It struck me the other day as I was on the treadmill that running is pretty much the same as writing and publishing a book.
It requires dedication, persistence, consistency and taking that initial first step to actually do it ie action. None of what I’ve done over the last 12 months or so has been easy, but actually that’s been part of the fun too (see what I did there with my mindset). So I like a challenge, and I set myself smaller goals so that I can get to where I want to.
With visibility, the number one thing I wanted to do when I started out and was looking to build fame for my brand?
I became a Huffington Post blogger.
Unafraid of the reaction I would get (I am learning to become more bullet proof on a daily basis) I reached out mainly via FB to everyone I knew. I don’t think there’s anyone who follows me or is friends with me who doesn’t know that I’ve written a children’s book
I strategically planned my activity – looking at which activity would work for which months – what was I doing in October / November / December etc to heighten my awareness
I’ve also not given up. Undeterred when I have made visits to local bookshops and the manager has been dismissive because I self-published, I found the ones who liked me for me, and took a chance (some of them before they’d even seen the book or read the story).
And now thanks to this perseverance I’ll be staging another book signing this time at Waterstones in Guildford on Saturday 18th March. Like I said, persistence is everything.
Of course, my background as a journalist / PR / Comms expert has really helped. I know how to make the approaches, what works best, and how to effectively sell myself (which felt strange at first as I’m so used to selling someone else / a brand).
But it’s also why things have been coming my way, doors are opening, why I have met people in the strangest situations and how I’m connecting to people I never thought I would. Never stop connecting as you don’t know who knows who and sometimes people will go out of their way to help you, those you never thought would.
So, like running, keep going, set your goals to run five minutes on the treadmill, followed by five minutes more – before you know it you will have completed 20 or 30.
The last thing for me and which really has helped is my WHY.
This is a biggie as my WHY is my everything and it should be your everything too.
My WHY is simple – I want to spend more time with my little boy so I can be the mum I want to be.
I’m writing this whilst sat in a hotel room in Manchester city centre. Another two nights spent away from home.
But instead of sitting here feeling sorry for myself, I’m using this time to write, to catch up, to create. So that I know that the momentum I have already started can continue.
Yesterday I finished writing and editing my second James and the… book. Tonight, I’ve reached out to my lovely and super talented illustrator in America. The journey for the sequel to James and the Amazing Gift is already underway.
I’m so glad that you’re here with me, sharing every step of the way!
And yes before you ask, every time that I’m away from J in particular, my heart breaks.
But I want him to know that his mum is doing all she can to make it better. That she will be there for him at the school gates and he won’t remember the times I’ve been apart from him.
If you have read this far good for you.
Now you know what you need to do.
Take that step to get on the treadmill, email that client, make that sales call. And just keep doing what you need to do.
Because you can, and you will succeed.
Nicola x
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