I’ll share! It’s the secret to reaching your goal
I’ve had the poem below on my bulletin board for so many years, I don’t even remember the first time I came across it. I tend to overthink big decisions, and it is a good reminder that things don’t start to happen until you make your choice.
Until One is Committed
Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
The moment that one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help 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 one could have dreamt would have come your way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832
I’ve experienced this magic over and over
From choosing a college to changing jobs, from volunteering to writing a book—I have learned firsthand that making a decision opens doors.
For ten years, I was the first one up to use the bathroom we shared so that my teenage daughters could get as much sleep as possible. When my youngest left for college, I had a choice: sleep longer or do something for myself with that time. Two mornings a week I exercised. On the other three, I began writing my book.
I had a lot of memories about the years my dad coached and when I played, so I would pick one and write about it. Then, I’d start a new Word document and write about another. As they grew in number, I began to think that maybe they could become a book. I began taking writing classes. But it wasn’t until I attended the Writer’s Institute (held in Madison, WI for 31 years, until COVID-19 brought it to an abrupt and devastating end) that I really believed I could write a book.
I found my tribe and knew what I had to do.
In a hotel ballroom filled with people — many with silver hair and children raised, like me — I felt a sense of belonging. The speakers ignited my enthusiasm with their knowledge about writing and how to market one’s writing.
I decided I was going to write a book
When I made that commitment to myself, everything changed. I had more focus. I began to think critically about how to organize the stories. I connected with a writing coach, who also happened to be a Title IX basketball pioneer, and she urged me to keep writing. I came across books that inspired me when I wasn’t looking for them. And I met other writers who offered their support.
On the day I finished my first complete draft, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
And I was at a new decision point. I could stop right there, put it in a drawer and move on to a new project. Or I could take the scary next step and seek feedback from writing coaches and early readers. Up until that point very few people even knew I was writing. I wasn’t sure it was something others would even want to read.
I made a new commitment: turn the rough draft into something publishable
Once again, people and resources came into my life that helped make that happen. I sat next to a woman at the Writer’s Institute who noticed my Nancy Drew watch. She’d written a book about the authors of the Nancy Drew series and runs an indie publishing company. I hired her to do a high-level edit which gave my lengthy manuscript tighter focus. I contacted a writing coach in Colorado after I read about her book in the UW-Madison alumni magazine. When the pandemic hit, I received the gift of time I needed for my book and began looking for a small traditional publisher.
Lack of success and a ticking clock forced another decision. It became more important to me to put my book into the world for the 50th anniversary of Title IX next year than to find a publisher.
I had never been keen about self-publishing, but once I decided to go that route – again, magic
My commitment gave me renewed enthusiasm and energy. I found the self-publishing guide that I had forgotten was saved to my computer. An email arrived about a self-publishing webinar by a woman I’d seen at a conference. A friend and early reader offered to share her marketing insights over coffee.
Since early September I’ve been juggling the many tasks of moving my book toward publication, while writing blog posts and thinking about marketing opportunities. I find it exhilarating most days and exhausting on a few. And because I need time to prepare my manuscript for the formatter (it will be available in both print and e-book!), I will be taking a short break from writing Lessons from the driveway.
I’ll be back on January 1
I wish you a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season!
And for the new year, I wish you boldness. Make a commitment and look for the magic.
Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash