Take a Chance on You

It's Sunday. Time for Confession.

How often have you told someone about a great book?

How many times have you helped someone (sometimes just an acquaintance) start or finish a project?

How much time and energy have you put into promoting the work of your  friends, family and colleagues? 

My guess:  A lot.

Now, consider this question carefully: Have you put the same amount of time, passion, energy and talent into your own book or writing project?  How about half the time? A third?

Crickets.

That's what I thought.

And why not?

Don't have time? You had time to help your friends.  Besides, you just spent countless hours writing and rewriting over 200 pages.  Try again.

Too shy?  

You poured your heart and soul into 75,000 glorious words. 

Oh, did you mean for that next great American novel to be locked away in your desk for no one to read? Pardon moi. 

Authors need to focus on more than writing.  We need to change our mentality. It's time to think our book from Mind to Market.

If you're capable of promoting others (including total strangers), you could (and should) do it for yourself.

It's time to get out of the way of your own success.

Here's why:

You deserve it.

No one knows you or your work better.

No one can speak about your work more authentically.

No one will commit as much time and energy.

No hero is on their way to save the day (or your book from oblivion)

Be the hero you are waiting for.

Promote Thyself.