Just Do It!

by Christine Burke

Now in middle age, I have been carrying around a book idea since my early 20s. It’s a personal account of a portion of my life and my profession at that time. I can’t decide whether I should fictionalize it or make it a true account. I keep thinking that, “one of these days”, I will get around to finishing it. You see, I wrote the opening paragraph, oh, so many years ago, and that is about it. I have the packet of index cards ready on my office bookshelf, should the magical time come.

I haven’t written that book yet, but I have written three professional ones. What got me there? Hmmm, let’s see. The first one, a short “how-to,” arose from a frustration in my business. Clients had paid gobs of money to other “professionals” and did not get what they’d paid for: a simple business solution that was easily DIY. I finally got tired of regurgitating the same thing again and again, so I wrote the book on it!

The second book, again a “how to,” was created as tips of the trade for professionals. I had previously created an online class, but was not getting the traffic I wanted. I knew that a book would increase my credibility and also be an additional method for reaching customers in the industry. It was actually pretty easy to write, as I took the sections from the class, formatted it, and there it was!

My third book was intended as a marketing tool. I wanted it to help with search engine optimization (SEO) and also provide a collaborative effort to support other entrepreneurs. This one was completed much more quickly because I included writings from other business owners and I had set a public deadline. All of those people were counting on me, and I had to be the example! Needless to say, I got it done. It was down to the deadline, but a firm date surely helped.

What does this have to do with you? Getting that first book out there might be daunting and challenging. Reflecting back now, it was way easier than I thought. That is, of course, after I had done it! Consider other ways to “get over the hump” so to speak. If you can’t get that novel or other story out there, might a professional or other genre help? I also realized, as I was working on the second book, how perfectionism might be impacting my timeline. I found that no one was more critical than I was, and I gave myself the freedom to Just Do It and get it out there. Lastly, co-writing or seeking inclusions from other authors or participants may be just the thing you need to put you across the finish line. In any case, just commit to making it happen. Then DO IT. I did, and I’m more than pleased.

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Christine Burke combines her personality and experience in her consulting, educational, and entrepreneurial endeavors. She is the owner of OMG! Outsourced Marketing Guru, StrategicIntelligenceServices PLLC, and ShopSeniorCare.com. Her focus is providing marketing resources and education to business owners and professionals in the legal, senior and startup spaces. Christine’s books are available on Amazon and Selz.com.