Just before the New Year at a holiday party, I was chatting with a girlfriend doing the whole “Where do you get your hair done?” type thing. Then, like always, others joined in and as predicted, the conversation went to, “What do you do?”
Everyone answered with a job title or career field. I answered that I was a writer. But, no one asked anyone more questions after that. The walnut high top dining table we gathered around fell silent. There was more excitement in how we chose our outfits for the evening than there was about being a realtor or make- up artist.
I felt so un-cool. I was much more than a writer. And I’m pretty sure, Jocelyn was much more than a second grade teacher.
I hate awkward silence, so I threw out “What have you done recently to make your life awesome?”
Still silent. But, at least this time they didn’t stare down at their holiday hooch cocktails. They looked around. A couple of them started to open their mouths, but then stopped.
“Or maybe I should ask, what will you do to make it more awesome?”
Silence.
“Really?” I said. “Come on. There’s got to be something.”
Joe, who I just met twenty minutes prior, let out an adolescent like squeak; a sort sound check on his voice. “Um, well I think I want to write a book this year.”
Every person I meet tells me they’ve always wanted to write a book. Whether they are hiring me to write it or not, once they discover what I “do”, it always comes out.
Then I always get asked, “Does having a book really make a difference?”
And then, “What would I write about?”
And then of course, “Do you think anyone will really care?”
Truthfully. Um, no, not really. A book is just a book is just a book. Unless… it’s ‘The Book’ that tells us what’s real. People want real. They want answers.
So, point blank – if your book has an answer – A REAL ONE – then, yeah, a book makes a difference.
But, many books get written and they sit on the shelf. And that’s it. That’s what that person has left to be remembered by. Something totally unreal. A list of things they’ve done with absolutely no intrigue or emotion involved.
Snooooze.
Yes, they say there is a book in everyone. And there is. But, there’s plenty of books out there that have done absolutely nothing for anyone – because they really have nothing to do with the “real” of the person at all.
I CAN say this – what you are capable of and what will create the dramatic shift is most likely the thing you are afraid to tell anyone.
It’s why the conversation stalls. Most of us are afraid to talk about what we really really want to do. But, that’s what they want to hear. No one’s fooled by the fake anymore.
I wondered as I looked at these guests around the room, What would happen if they all told their truth right now?
Here’s what I think…
HOLY AWESOMENESS!
If Joe opened his mouth like he meant it and owned what he wanted, we’d be silent from being engaged, not bored.
Then something happened. Maria, who was hosting the party, came over and asked what we were talking about and why everyone looked puzzled.
I told her the topic. She immediately said, “Interactive textbooks for children. Children need assistance while doing homework when others can’t help.”
Everyone widened their eyes and started flooding her with questions. It was the way she said it. Maria held the job title, Stock Broker. But, even more, she was a visionary. That’s what she was to everyone in that moment. She answered some questions and by the third she left the room and came back only minutes later with a stack of small books. She handed them out.
“Here,” she said. “It’s my personal short. You’ll love it. It’s funny. It’s punchy. It’ll take you less than a half hour to read it. You’ll get me and why I’m doing this.”
I took it home that night and read it in less than 20 minutes. I have to say this again.
HOLY AWESOMENESS!
It was a feeling of connection to this person I had never felt before. I’ve done a lot of reading. I write books! I read and edit 400 page books one after the other. I take visions and expand them to inspirational masterpieces. But, they take time for people to read. Maria managed to capture emotion, intention, and purpose in just 35 pages.
Why isn’t everyone who wants to write a book doing this?
I found out later that because of that short story she wrote, she landed a hefty investment for her vision.
I didn’t want to leave this world without my imprint. I had to start somewhere. Even me, being a writer can get flustered in a loud room trying to make conversation and get across who I am and what my mission is in less than five minutes. Suddenly, I had this answer. I want to get more people to leave imprints in life, that’s why I write their stories. Now, I could write a story about my vision and let them get me.
Here’s the cool part. Everyone I sit with, in less than 15 minutes reveals to me what that “thing” is. Their hook. Their truth. Their mission. It’s sitting inside and they have no idea how to get it out. Somehow, I was blessed with the gift of connecting to just about anyone. I can get out the book before they even know they have one.
Every single one of the hundreds of authors I’ve worked with are sitting on a kingdom of stories that they didn’t even realize. Their stories create purpose in the world and patent who they are and why they are different.
Every time their book is written from truth they give access to something REAL. And each time… the book did make the difference. It crafted the life they wanted.
Everyone has an answer to something that is unlike anything anyone has ever heard. The question is – will the answer be shared?
People today, can’t wait to be inspired 300 pages later. They’d like it in less than 30 minutes.
The time it takes to read a compelling story of just 35 pages is all that is needed to rev up the drive to get what is needed.
We want to be recognized for who we are, but when it comes to ourselves – It’s HARD! We’re with ourselves every day! We protect ourselves and guard our ego when we write it ourselves. It’s fricken scary! Sometimes you need a little help.
A book is more than just a story. A book is something that can spark the beginning of a movement because people are addicted to potential.
Show them the train of potential and they will ride with you.
Your own Personal Short is that train.
It’s more than a great product or service. It’s that feeling that they need to be part of what you are doing.
We bring that out of you and into the hungry pool of fish that want what you have.
They see the something stunning in you, the something that’s out of this world.
Your Personal Short creates the platform for you to be heard.
- Your voice is found – no, not the one you think you have, the one that will start the movement.
- Your story is written – the story that speaks. The story that inspires other voices – voices of truth. It catapults your BIG PICTURE.
- It’s that book you’ve always wanted to write, but it’s done faster and more effectively.
- You have something to present quickly. Now, not later…
When you go through the process of creating your Personal Short with us, you’ll feel safe. You are seen and will continue to be seen because you have begun your quest. Your cause will never go unnoticed.
It’s like having your own custom landmark story based on your desires and needs to achieve powerful and creative entertainment and knowledge and ultimately your own FULFILLMENT in all areas.
A normal book of less than 200 pages can cost near $20,000 just to have a first draft.
But, you can have something even more powerful and more accessible to people for a fraction of that.
Your Personal Short is an experience for others and for yourself. It is the process of defining the magic in you. It’s what brings in the wealth, the balance, the promotion of you and the success you want to have on your own terms.
Anything is possible. You have potential. Now, it’s time to reach it. Get your own Personal Short and discover the Holy Awesomeness within you.
What a great blog
Just as you said, Sumeer………………Holy Cow!!!!!!
Why is it that we feel scared to share our REAL person to the world?
Yes, I do have a book inside and yes I asked myself, would people really care to read it……
Now I know what I need to do in order to get a taste of how much interest my “Book” would actually have, if/when I decide to publish it.
Thanks for opening my eyes to this option.
Wow, that is really inspiring!
Fantastic post about owning our truth. I’m working on that very thing.
Here’s to us all who dare to follow our dreams – one word at a time.
xo
This design is steller! You certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
I didnt know that before, thanks!
Hi, Thank you for this fantastic post! I will certainly bookmark this website. Cheers.
We need to talk! I have been writing since high school and now professionally. Not a book or anything “exciting” but copywriting, ghostwriting, etc. for corporate America. I’d love to hear about what you do, how you do it and trade tips. Congrats on being published! I have a book or two in me for sure, but they haven’t come out yet. You are right with everything you said above!