This Year: Courage

Placing one's hat in the ring

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

I’m passionate as a fired-up book coach about helping people doing their best work. Cheering them on as they put their hat in the ring, to signal to the world, “I’m doing this thing!” and then I see them blow away the watching world’s expectations, just like I know they could.

But it takes a lot of courage to do such a crazy, reckless thing as write a book, or write a blog post, poem, story. You are seen. Watched. Judged. By your family first, then the fans, yes, but also the haters, and maybe even the stalkers. Who knowingly puts them self at such risk?

You. You do.

Because the world needs you to be full of joy, doing what you do best. They need to see you alive and to have a bit of their own hope doing jumping jacks back into their lives, too. You were made for this, and you’ll die a little inside if you keep the fire on low, just smoldering with no spark lit.

What’s stopping you?

SO MANY THINGS.

I understand. I have them, too. But it is your job to be alive, and if being alive involves moving, it means moving past things, to get where you want to be.

In the ring, hat placed down. That’s where you want to be. Need to be.

You’re doing this thing, and I’m here to help.

This Substack is meant to be part VISIONEERING, part CHEERLEADING, part PLAYBOOK, and part ORANGE SLICES—sweet, helpful, and refreshing—all to get you back in the writing game, ready to tackle the work, and win at being the best human you can be.

You’ll find out pretty soon I’m all big, tough talk and really just a soft marshmallow inside. I really care. Like really.

I know what it’s like to think your world is over, that there’s no hope left, and that you better throw in the towel, before you embarrass yourself further. I’ve been this close to giving up. But I didn’t, won’t, and that’s why I do what I do.

No else can tell your story for you. Only you. The world would be incomplete without it.

So if you’re willing to get past the first bit of awkwardness in sharing your story with others, I’m in it with you. Put your cards on the table, place your hat in the ring, and write your book.

Question: What’s one thing you feel holds you back from being all you can be as a writer? Comment below or Direct Message me for a thoughtful response.