This is a story about sticking my toes in the sand and kicking myself in the pants. Both activities helped me accomplish something major in my professional life while inspiring me to be my best self in my personal life.
I’ll be the first to admit, I wasn’t sure I had the discipline to actually finish writing my book. I started this project just over a year ago. I went in with enthusiasm and great intentions. But then life happened. I would schedule writing time, and then schedule over it. By September last year, I had set aside the entire project and didn’t write a word for the rest of the year.
The new year came and suddenly I started getting “signs” that I needed to finish this book. First, @Tracy Imm sent me a copy of her book with a kind note saying something I said a few years before encouraged her. Then I received a couple of emails from people I’ve coached over the years – all expressing how something I said made a difference in how they managed their careers. I felt like I was bringing value to people in my community – and that’s what I wanted my book to do too.
I had received advice from a few people, suggesting I just take a week or two and go somewhere just to write. While that sounded great, I couldn’t see a way to make it happen. Until I did.
The kick in the pants led to the toes in the sand…A few weeks ago I woke up and decided I was going to finish that book no matter what! I started checking flights and last-minute deals to somewhere warm and sunny. By the end of the day I confirmed my reservations to Puerto Vallarta and less than two weeks later the sun and sand surrounded me.
Each morning I went to the gym, grabbed breakfast, then headed to my room where I had a balcony and ocean view. I sat in front of my laptop and the words just started flowing out. Each day I would write until the sun moved to the spot that made it too hot to stay there. That’s when I’d head to the beach with sunscreen and a great novel. By the end of the sixth day, I completed the last chapter and sent it off to my editor. I know I still have rewrites, but still, it felt amazing.
The title is Dare to be Deliberate in Your Communications Career. I interviewed a diverse group of communications executives to learn about the ups and downs of their career journeys, advice they give, advice they received, career derailers and what it takes to move to the executive suite as a communications leader. They are a wise group of people, and I can’t wait to share what they had to say.
(The book also inspired the Dare to be Deliberate workshops. Investing in your career development is the best thing you can do when wanting to rise in your career.Join us here.)
