Something amazing happened today.
I saw my book for the first time.
I'd envisioned this moment in time for years - years before I actually had a book deal and specific content in mind. And then as the creation of Coaching Into Greatness became a reality, I imagined what it would be like to see the cover, to feel the book and actually hold it in my hands.
I dunno' - I guess part of me expected the ground to split and open up.
But that didn't happen, of course. The earth didn't move. It wasn't anything that obvious.
One word popped into my mind though, quiet at first, then more and more insistent . . .
Legacy.
It hit me as I stood in my kitchen on this beautiful New England spring day. I wasn't just holding a book, my book. I was touching my Legacy. How many people have that privilege?
Words can't describe the roller coaster of emotion I've experienced with the creation of this first book. The moments of disbelief - can this really be happening? Who am I to write a book? Waking up, filled with anxiety, fear like a red hot poker asking me, "What if nobody buys your book?"
Let's be honest, I've had more than a few days where I've felt like Cybil with my head spinning around. It's interesting when you write a book on authenticity and scarcity and fear and abundance. All those things seem to pop up at interesting times in your day and smack you on the head. And of course, it's always super fun when your friends that know you so well remind you when you're struggling that you just happened to write a book whose theme is Struggle is strictly overrated!
Lots of people have likened writing your first book to having a baby. (Yes, a scary thought for some of us!) There's all the anticipation and excitement - what will the book look like? Will it be any good? Will it be free of typos? What will people think?
Then there's the fear and doubt - who do I think I am to write a book? What if no one cares? How will my life change? How will I have to show up every day? What if I'm not doing enough promotion?
And on and on and on.
But when it's all said and done, what stays with me is one word.
Not fear or doubt.
Legacy.
This book is the first expression of my life's work. It's the beginning of my imprint on the world.
Good or bad or otherwise . . . it's all me.
And today, that's a pretty cool thing.
