Make the Commitment, Step 2 of 7, Creating a Sustainable, Income-Generating Author Life You Love
Take yourself and your book and your career seriously, one day at a time
The first pillar of creating a sustainable, income-generating author life you love is Know it’s possible. Next, Step 2: Make the commitment.
These things are basic. Simple. But not necessarily easy.
You do have to want it and then choose it. On purpose. Decide to focus on the outcomes that you want for your book, your income, your author life, and commit to making these things so.
“Things never happen on accident. They happen because you have a vision, you have a commitment, you have a dream.”―Oscar de la Renta
Commit to your vision — the one you have right now and the one you develop and let emerge over time. This is a promise to yourself, and with such a commitment you will be transforming this evolving vision over time into reality. (Some authors even write out a simple contract to this effect, sign it, and post it near their workspace.)
“Commitment is what transforms a promise into a reality.” ―Abraham Lincoln
Commit, then look and listen for the answers you need, the inspiration, the things lining up in your favor, and take action in that direction. Take advantage of the opportunities in front of you to move your vision forward.
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans. That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. “ — Johan Wolfgang von Goethe
Truly, take this commitment as a contract with yourself. It matters to you so take it seriously. The things you want matter. Imagine. Take yourself and your book and your career and your author life seriously and soon you’ll see that others will too.
As with Step 1, knowing it’s possible, Step 2, making the commitment, is based on what I’ve actually seen working with and observing hundreds of authors in my career. Those who elect to bet on themselves, their author dreams, and their desires for certain results create a solid foundation for profitable author lives they love that can’t be replicated without that commitment.
An unwavering commitment doesn’t mean you never falter, or second-guess yourself, it means that when you do fall short or lose faith, you dust yourself off as soon as possible and get back at it. It means you have committed to the end goal regardless of ups and downs and windy path it takes to get there.
Now it’s your turn to make a commitment to your vision for an ideal author life — such as it is now and such as it may emerge and evolve over time.
When that has been secured, move on to Step 3 (next to be posted in this series).
Are you already interested in building an income-generating, sustainable author life with likeminded others? Join our private FB group, A Profitable Author Life You Love, and get inspiration, ideas, and support daily.
If you’re in the Chicago or Milwaukee areas, please consider joining one of our in-person Profitable Author Life You Love workshops, on 2/17 and 3/9. And, please attend one of our Ask a Publisher Happy Hours, 2/2 and 3/1, for beverages and light snacks, and to ask all your book publishing, book industry, author, agent, self-publishing, traditional publishing, author business, and book marketing questions.
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