How to write your first book in 273 easy steps

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I posted something to LinkedIn for the first time one year ago today. It felt really good to put my thoughts down on “paper”. So the next day I did it again and eventually started a blog. Looking back today there are 3 lessons that stand out.

TODAY IS ALL WE HAVE

Since then I’ve written 273 more articles. It’s surprising how these little posts can add up over time. In fact, a few people have asked me if the next step is a book.

The typical how-to or self-help book is about 40,000 to 50,000 words. I’ve now written about 58,000 words. So writing a book isn’t the next step. It’s the previous 273 steps!

I have thought it would be cool to write a book someday though. But this year has taught me that someday doesn’t exist. All we have is a series of todays.

DON’T WASTE A GOOD CRISIS

What got me started on 13 July 2019? A crisis of course. I had just come through what I felt was the most bizarre annual salary review in my 20+ year career.

I was more than a little bit angry and frustrated. I decided then and there I was done asking other people for permission to be awesome.

The lesson is that a crisis or disappointment can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth.

SIMPLY BEGIN

“Begin, with the humility of someone who’s not sure. And the excitement of someone who knows it’s possible.” - Seth Godin