The Paradigm Shift That Changed It All
I struggled a lot with self-confidence. Especially around the time my book was scheduled for release in last 2005. I worried a bit too much about what people thought of it. I was consumed by too many rejection meetings and letters from publishing houses. I felt like a reject that had to default to self-publishing my own book - a practice which, at that point, was not as common as it is today.
Shortly before the release, I was invited by a good friend to attend a special event where one of my favorite authors was speaking in celebration of his own book release. My friend knew I was a huge fan of this individual so she actually scored me access to visit with him for a few minutes during a pre-event reception.
His advice changed my life.
As I walked through the receiving line to meet him and have him autograph a copy of his book, I couldn’t help but tell him what a huge influence he had had on my life. So much so, I too was coming out with a book of my own and had him to thank for inspiring me to do it.
He was intrigued and asked me to hang back.
He finished signing books for the rest of the receiving line and walked over and took me by the shoulder. “Now tell me this story.”
I told him how I had become intrigued with entrepreneurship as a freshman in high school when my dad brought home his book from work. He thought I might like it and boy was he right. I must have read it a dozen times that year.
He couldn’t help but smile.
I told him about my journey as an entrepreneur, my company’s recent acquisition, and my desire to write a book. I told him about all of the rejections I had received and how discouraged I was. But I had made a commitment to get this message out and so I had taken a huge gamble to write the book and self-publish.
Here I was telling this best-selling author about my little dream and what I was doing to make it happen. I felt like a complete idiot for sharing as much as I did. But somehow, I couldn’t help it. He was just so accommodating and seemed committed to hearing me out.
We probably spoke for about ten minutes when he asked me to write down my address. He was going to send me something. I couldn’t imaging what it was - maybe the name and number of his agent? His publisher! I was so excited I could barely write my name and address.
He thanked me for sharing my story and insisted he’d be in touch.
My friend who had brought me was beaming ear to ear because of my excitement. During his “speech” that night, he mentioned me by name. “He said he was reminded by a soon-to-be-published author” what it means to be humble, but hungry.
I was over the moon!
Two days later a FEDEX package arrived on my door. In it was a packet of information that this author had collected over the past twenty years about why self-publishing was the way to go. Along with a note which read, “Never let anyone tell you what you can’t do. You are proof that you can do anything you put your mind to. I’m a little envious of you and your passion. You go create those Ripples and prove those who rejected you wrong.” Signed, Harvey Mackay.
Here I was thinking I was some sort of failure for having had to self-publish my book. And before we was a package of notes and ideas that Harvey had collected that said otherwise. It was the most amazing gift and it completely changed my attitude about my book. I no longer felt embarrassed but instead, proud.
Thank you, Harvey, for changing my paradigm in a big, big way.
Ripple On!!!