It\u2019s the last day of another year. Personally, I\u2019ve experienced 69 of these milestones. Younger people might ask, \u201cDo they get easier? More difficult?\u201d Not really. They are what they are and what you make them.<\/p>\n
Isn\u2019t that true of any day of the year? Your birthday is simply another day. But if you approach it with expectations (you expect a certain someone to buy you a certain something, for example) and those expectations aren\u2019t met, your day goes down the toilet. But that\u2019s your perception\u2014no one else\u2019s. It\u2019s how you choose to view things.<\/p>\n
As authors, we sometimes cling to certain expectations. We pour so much energy, time, emotion\/heart into our projects and we expect to be somehow reimbursed to a similar degree. Why shouldn\u2019t we be? We paid our dues\u2014we did the work\u2014we suffered appropriately. We should be duly compensated. We should land that contract with a major publisher. We should get a review in the Library Journal.<\/p>\n
When circumstances don\u2019t dictate what we expect, then what happens? We experience disappointment\u2014a serious negative that brings us down and sometimes causes us to crash. I\u2019ve known way too many authors who could not take the pain of disappointment and who quit before really giving their projects a chance.<\/p>\n
So my message to you today is to curb those damaging expectations. The last day of 2009 may not have any special significance to you\u2014no publishing contracts coming forth, for example. A day isn\u2019t going to make a difference. Your wishes will not change things. But you may be able to make the changes or the results that you desire. <\/p>\n
If you want this to be a wonderful day full of laughter, friends and good will, start it by changing your attitude. Put a smile on your face, contact your friends and tell them what they mean to you, take the time to enjoy the antics of your household pet, linger over your mocha this morning\u2014relish it\u2014and speak kindly of and to everyone in your life today.<\/p>\n
If you want to change your \u201cluck\u201d with regard to your book project, take control. Be proactive on your behalf.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tEducate yourself and keep learning.
\n\u2022\tEmbrace instead of shun the information you need.
\n\u2022\tKeep an open mind.
\n\u2022\tSet realistic goals.
\n\u2022\tBe persistent and consistent.
\n\u2022\tSeek the right kind of assistance.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s fun and rather exhilarating to dream of amazing success\u2014to have wonderful expectations. But also maintain a sense of realism with regard to your desires. And if you do the work and make the sacrifices, you will experience a measure of success today and in the future.<\/p>\n
Let me help you to attain that success. As you know, I\u2019ve been writing for publication for nearly 37 years. I had a successful career as a freelance article writer for most of that time. And I am the author of 29 books (number 30 AND 31 are in the works). Based on my work with SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) for the last nearly almost 14 years and with my clients, students, and the authors I meet at the various conferences where I speak, I wrote my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/em><\/strong>. Professionals are recommending it. Some are comparing it above our most familiar books on publishing. Authors at all levels call this book their bible on all aspects of authorship and publishing.<\/p>\n Order your copy today at http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a><\/p>\n And be sure to sign up for my online courses\u2014The Book Proposal Course <\/strong>starting January 5 and my Book Promotion Course <\/strong>starting January 12. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/courses.htm<\/a> If you see another course you\u2019d rather take, let me know\u2014I teach my online courses on demand\u2014at your convenience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s the last day of another year. Personally, I\u2019ve experienced 69 of these milestones. Younger people might ask, \u201cDo they get easier? More difficult?\u201d Not really. They are what they are and what you make them. Isn\u2019t that true of any day of the year? Your birthday is simply another day. But if you approach […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t