Are You Prepared to Step into the Spooky Unknown?

 

If you’ve ever watched a scary movie, then you know what happens to the idiot who goes up the creaky stairs that lead to a cobweb-infested bat-filled attic, or down into the cellar that’s cold and full of spiders, rats, and other slithering creepy-crawlies you can’t see hidden in the corners—something very bad. Thankfully, it’s all fake. The spider webs are fake, as are the ghosts, ghouls, and the occasional dismembered arm (or head) that just flew across the screen.

In real life though, there are those of us who spend a fair amount of time looking into the unknown. As entrepreneurs, we regularly find ourselves making decisions that send us traveling down “the road less traveled” rather than following the safety of someone else’s well-worn path. Sometimes it’s exciting, but it can very scary too.

That’s what it can feel like when you’re thinking about writing your first book. Deciding to share your expertise and passions with the world can be like looking down a path you haven’t been down before, and as you peer into that unknown, you feel antsy—sometimes straight up scared—about what might be lurking beyond the first bend in the road. What obstacles are lying in wait?  What will you do if you end up at another bend in the road? How many annoying bends in the road will you have to deal with? Is the risk you’re taking worth it?

Absolutely! You didn’t become an entrepreneur just to be different. You became one because you saw a need, or an opportunity to share something of value with others. And if you’re passionate about what you’re sharing, then the more people you share it with the better.

Writing a book isn’t the solitary scary venture it used to be either. There are dozens of books that talk about “how to write a book” these days. Read a bunch of them and utilize the ideas that resonate with you. Pay attention to the pitfalls and obstacles mentioned and decide how to best arm yourself against them.

Sharing your expertise with the world is very important, so don’t be like the idiot in the movie heading into the unknown without back-up either. Ditch the idea that you have to do it all on your own—no one succeeds in a vacuum. Find a writing coach or an editor you feel comfortable with and let him or her help you get over, through, or around the obstacles you encounter along the way. Needless to say, I’m here to help.