This past week I was inspired to complete my next book. There’s a feeling I get sometimes, of “Fait Accompli”, and knowing that something will happen with complete confidence.
I sensed it, and decided to take it on fully.
I’ve had some clarity recently on who it is I want to help. In the end, it’s always a version of me. I’m the greatest expert on myself. I updated my website with this statement:
Nowadays, Chris likes to help people like him – those with unconventional backgrounds who have achieved incredible success and still feel like fakes that have fooled the world and are too ashamed to admit that this is their problem.
I know the above is powerful to a certain person because it is powerful to me.
And that gave me the final push I needed to complete my book, titled:
Unorthodox Success and Secret Shame – How I Stopped Feeling Like the World’s Biggest Fake and Found Peace in Being Me.
This is the book I wish someone had given me 4 years ago when I was in my deepest pain. This is the book that is effortless for me to write today.
Because that is true, I know I am dialed in.
Once I felt that clarity, I gave myself a 60 day challenge to not just finish writing the book, but have it published and released for the world.
I’ve been wanting to write another book for a while. My first book took me 14 years to complete, and I don’t want to repeat that process. I want to do the opposite. A 60 day book challenge sounds really good to me.
I created a roadmap:
- 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 24 – Let beta readers read it and give feedback (Beta readers will only be accepted who can commit to quick turnaround)
- July 1 – Feedback received, make changes, complete next draft
- July 5 – Have Robin edit it
- July 11 – Make final pass for myself
- July 12 – Have copywriter create the back of book
- July 12 – Design cover through Upwork.com
- 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.
Once I completed that road map, I could see that this was doable. I then started the work. When I get in this creative space I can feel the Muse with me. I’ve been working on the book each morning all this past week. My first draft is basically done, which is the hardest part. Now it’s a matter of editing.
When this is done, I will have a book out in the world that will help the people it helps. It will also be another published title under my belt. I will have a story about how I created and completed it within this tight time frame.
I can gift it to people, and it will be available for sale for the world.
Within my Frolic 100 email list I know there are 2 groups. There are those who resonate with what I write, my problems and stories speak to them. There is also another group that likes to watch me work, my process, and take inspiration.
Whichever group you are in, I hope you enjoy watching it happen.
What long-gestating idea have you been sitting on? What’s a 60-day-challenge of your own that you can create to finish it?
