How to BE significant...plus tips for creating time for your passion projects and book
Never in a million years would I have imagined the trajectory that writing a book would send me on.
My whole life, I kept pushing it off because with so many other priorities (school, money, kids, work) vying for my time and attention, I couldn’t see the value of pushing my book up to the top of the list.
Actually, that’s the lie I told myself. The truth is, I just didn’t believe in myself.
It took life, God, the universe, whatever you want to call it, giving me the biggest kick in the ass to finally commit to writing my book.
The funny thing is, finally committing to my book, to myself and to my dreams, has brought more opportunities, more abundance, more fulfilment than I could ever have imagined.
And all those excuses I gave myself? Now I see them for the lies they were:
❌ I used to tell myself I don’t have time to write a book because I need to make money. 🙌 Truth: Now I make money from writing books and helping others do the same.
❌ I used to tell myself I couldn’t work on my book because it would take time away from my kids. 🙌 Truth: Now I’m a hero to my kids, I’m inspiring them to go after their dreams and instilling in them the belief that they can make anything happen.
❌ I used to remind myself I was just a nobody, and who was going to read my book or listen to me, anyway? 🙌 Truth: Now I’m sharing the stage with celebrities (more on this in my next newsletter!), I’m friends with some of the thought leaders I admire most, and I KNOW I’m making a difference.
It’s so tempting to put yourself last. Not least of all because it lets you off the hook from actually having to do the work involved with making your dreams come true. Or risking failure. Embarrassment. Rejection.
It’s so much easier to choose the well-worn, predictable, “safe” path.
But take it from me, this journey has been worth every failure, every setback, every rejection.
It’s taken me further than I ever imagined I could reach. And made things come true that I didn’t even dare to dream.
You never know what writing your book will lead to. But I can tell you, from experience, that all the best things to come will happen when you take that first step, and then another, and another after that.
Bet on yourself for a change.
Cat xo
PS: I’m Cat Margulis and I’m a book coach and editor who helps speakers, coaches, experts and thought leaders write, finish, publish and market their books to grow their brand, business and impact. If you’ve got a big vision that involves your book and you don’t know where to start or what to do next, email me at hello@passionprojectpod.com and I'll help you discover your next best step.
How to Make Time for Your Book
Speaking of time…
Did you catch the Grammy Awards?
You have time.
Are you planning your menu for the Super Bowl this Sunday?
You have time.
Have you scrolled through social media in the last 24 hours?
You have time.
Now…
Do you have time if it pays you?
Do you have time if it creates wonderful new opportunities for you?
Do you have time if it brings you closer to your hopes and dreams coming true?
You have time.
And if you’re still insisting you don’t have time to write your book, you’re in luck. Because I have a knack for creating time out of thin air :)
Here are some quick ways I coach and support my authors to create time. You’re welcome.
1) Make writing a daily habit. Even if it’s 20 minutes a day, by committing to a consistent practice of working on your book, you’ll create momentum, which has all kinds of positive feedback loops that will benefit you as you move forward with your book.
2) Join the 5am club. When I have a goal and can't find the time to move toward it, joining the 5am club always helps me to create the extra time I need in my day. I love that these hours are uninterrupted, and coming off of sleep and dream state can make it easier to get in the zone and in the flow.
3) Sprint toward your goals. When all else fails, I make a commitment to push lower priority/less urgent items to the periphery of my days and weeks, for a short time only. For example, I might go on a book revising sprint for one month, and commit to less that month to create space for that sprint. It means I might step back from reading to the kids at night, take fewer meetings during the day, and delay starting any new projects or working with new clients until the month is over and I’ve met my goal. Knowing that this is for a short time only and I’ll be back 100% for all the people and opportunities in my life the next month, gives me the peace I need to focus, create and dedicate.
PS: If you would like help with creating and sticking to your writing goals, email me at hello@passionprojectpod.com. I’ve got a program for you.
How to Be Significant
Sometimes hope shows up in the unlikeliest of places.
That’s my takeaway from Matt Rogers' interview with Caryn Bird for his podcast with Beth Cook, called Be Significant.
I’ve had the joy of working with both Matt and Caryn on their books, and I had the pleasure of introducing them at one of my author meet-ups, so it was especially gratifying and inspiring to listen in on their chat about the business of sports and high-performance athletes, parenthood, journeys to entrepreneurship, making your dreams happen and being significant.
Listen to the interview to hear Caryn’s story and to learn her tips for how to win on the court, as well as off, and subscribe to Be Significant for more great interviews with guests who share their significant stories and unique insights on the world. Matt's book Significant Recruiting is available now on Amazon.
PS: If you want to be part of a community of authors who are being significant, email me at hello@passionprojectpod.com to learn more.