Most of us set limits for ourselves related to the things we will and won’t do. You may want to make some money writing and selling articles to magazines, but you can’t imagine setting yourself up for all of that rejection. You might want to have your book published, but you can’t stand the idea of pitching it over and over again to publishers. You may dream of earning a living through your writing, but you don’t have the discipline and you don’t want to change.
Anyone I’ve ever met who didn’t achieve his or her writing dream, failed because of one thing: they refused to step outside their comfort zone.
I’ve certainly had my share of losses and disappointments in life for the same reason. There are things that I HATE to do. And here’s a peek into my warped belief system. “The older I get, the more entitled I am to avoid doing the things I dislike.” And I proudly adhere to this self-proclaimed (self-defeating) policy at times. But this week, I was forced out of my comfy, safe box and I aptly handled something I would typically avoid, if I could.
One of the things I HATE to do is make phone calls—I love email! AND I dislike having to discuss business issues that I don’t really understand well—like insurance, investments and so forth. As the new Executive Director of SPAWN, I’ve been attempting to arrange for a credit card for the organization to use for web hosting fees and other online expenses. I believe it is time that we keep the organization business separate from our personal business in all manner. And what better time to make those arrangements than during our transition and before the new website is ready to go up.
As it turns out—long story short—I was required to track down some information and, in order to do so, I needed to talk to someone at the IRS and at the Secretary of State’s office. I really didn’t want to do it. I was pretty sure that I wouldn’t understand their responses to my questions—I wasn’t even sure what questions to ask. But guess what? I spoke with some very helpful people on the phone and they made the instructions quite clear. It wasn’t a scary experience at all. It turned out to be easy and successful. Yay!!!
I feel good to have hopped a hurdle. I find myself more comfortable a step or two outside of my original comfort zone. Now that I’ve broken the ice, I think I can even talk to the bankers with more confidence.
What have you been yearning for, but you’ve lacked the courage to go for it? Are you afraid to send a query letter to Entrepreneur Magazine or Cat Fancy? Are you intimidated even by the task of writing the query letter? Maybe you haven’t been working on your book because you suddenly feel it’s not good enough. Or you have no confidence when it comes to approaching publishers with your manuscript. Why don’t you follow my lead and do a little stretching this week.
If you need help, consider signing up for one of my on-demand, online courses where you will receive one-on-one attention for 6 or 8 weeks and ultimately learn how to establish a career as a freelance article writer, how to write a successful book proposal, how to promote your book or how to establish your own publishing company.
http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm
Yes, I know that the economy is poor. But there is quite a bit of value in my online courses that could compute into one or all of the following:
• Greater earnings for you.
• A better chance at finding a good publisher.
• More book sales.
• A lucrative business experience.
What I’m offering through my online courses amounts to anywhere from a $500 to $1,200 value when you consider the time and expertise you’ll receive during the 6 or 8 week course of your choice. This concept makes the $125 (for the article-writing course) and $200 (for the book promotion and book proposal workshops) seem like a real bargain. And it is—I did some research this morning and found similar courses for $395 and up.
I still have a few spaces left in the article-writing course that’s starting tomorrow.
Questions? PLFry620@yahoo.com