This quote is most often attributed to the late founder of Apple, Steve Jobs. It popped in my head last night as I move on to the next phase of my book.
I received the feedback from the last of 5 beta readers. Each of them had suggestions to make the book better, and none of them found huge fundamental problems with the book. It means that after spending another day or 2 with my book, I’ll be done, ready to send it for a final edit, and then typesetting for publishing.
I’ve passed the hump of this project. I realized this book will get done. Right on the timetable that I had created when I started.
It would have been easy to let this book spiral out of control. To let the scope of it grow. To see it as unfinished and toil endlessly. However, there was always a shipping date attached. Shipping on schedule was always an important part of the story of this book.
That I had the confidence to start off with such a declaration was based on my past history of getting things done. I’m able to dream big, and I have a knack for shipping product on time.
I also put myself on the hot seat by being public about my intentions. This is the same as when I was a rave promoter, announcing events, selling tickets, and not even having a venue booked. Sometimes not knowing where I was going to hold the rave until a few days before. But I had no choice. I had to succeed. Everyone was watching me. And I did.
Talk about a trial by fire.
I can think of other examples of how I do this these days. When I speak in public, I’ve learned I’m best if I just “show up” and not rehearse or have anything laid out. Just put it on the calendar.
As I reflect, the common thread here is putting it on the calendar. Make my declaration, be public about it, put myself on the hot seat, and then leave myself no choice but to have it come together.
I’m sure that Steve Jobs quote is tied to them setting incredible deadlines for their early products. They didn’t even have the product, but they knew they needed it for a certain date. Because he had already said it was going to happen.
How about yourself? What is your intention? How can you put yourself on your own hot seat by publicly declaring it? Imagine what would become possible if you do.
Book update:
The subtitle was changed to better reflect the book’s story. I think this will be the final version:
Unorthodox Success, Secret Shame: How I Stopped Feeling Like the World’s Biggest Fake and Found Peace in Being Me.
Here is the latest updated timetable:
June 10 – Project started
June 10 – Project timeline created
June 10 – Mine the content from my blog for material as a starting point
June 11 – With blog content filling some of the material, figure out what needs to be written and create the table of contents.
June 12 – Fill in missing chapters.
June 13 – Create 4 sections, sort chapters
June 13 – Review, edit, amalgamate
June 24 – First draft completed
June 22 – Commission book designer on upwork.com
June 24 – Let beta readers read it and give feedback (Beta readers will only be accepted who can commit to quick turnaround)
July 1 – Book cover concept approved. Changes submitted for next version.
July 1 – Feedback received, make changes, complete next draft
July 4 – Back of book blurb first draft created.
July 5 – Have Robin edit it
July 7 – Book design finalized, including back of book.
July 11 – Make final pass for myself
July 12 – Typesetter through Upwork.com
July 22 – All publishing files are completed and in my possession.
July 23 – Print sample copy through lulu.com
July 30 – Review sample
August 3 – Make final edit/changes.
August 5 – upload to Amazon
August 5 – Order personal copies for myself through lulu.com
August 10 – For sale on Amazon as Print and Kindle – Book is published and project completed.
