For the last several years, my BIG business partner and I have both been saying we want to write a book. So late last year we decided to quit yakking and start writing.
Two people, two books. 60 days to finish and share with each other a first draft.
Amy and I both value commitment and accountability. And the gauntlet for both had been thrown.
I was a whirling dervish the next week—writing outlines, gathering up notes, consolidating rough drafts, doing research, and keeping up with all my other commitments. I was transported back to the 80-hour work weeks I thought I had left behind after leaving corporate America.
It was a Tuesday. I was traveling to meet with a client, and there I was—having a one-sided shouting match with my car’s navigation system. All because there was so much to do and I wasn’t finding much joy in juggling all of it.
In my pre-second act of life orientation I would have sucked it up and soldiered on. That’s what over-achieving drones did. Joy wasn’t part of the equation.
But, wait a minute! It doesn’t have to be like that this time, I thought. I’m the CEO of me this time around.
So I decided to take a sabbatical to focus on writing a book. Other than time with family, close friends, and a couple essential work duties, I cleared my schedule. I wrote like it was my job…because it was. But it was a labor of love.
The first few days felt really odd. Untethered from my iphone. No emails. No concalls. No travel. No daily calendar of activities. Unplugged other than research.
Lovely. Productive. Joyful.
On the 61st day I sent a first full book draft to Amy. And she sent one to me. Glorious.
Now it’s time for re-entry, and it’s feeling a little odd.
It’s like I’m being re-introduced to me and my priorities. Priorities that are getting re-arranged. Some activities I previously deemed as “must do’s” don’t seem important anymore. New things have taken their place, and new requests are getting close scrutiny: do they fit with my purpose or am I allowing myself to get side-tracked?
I took a break from my life and liked it. Learned a lot.
And will probably do it again…there’s lots of research, writing and editing in my future!
Image credit before quote: morgueFile
Like the idea of you and your biz partner holding each other accountable for your book writing.
Dieter — Amy and I are glad we held each other to task. It was a great way to move from talking to doing. Thanks for sharing!
And what a great job you have done on your book! I’ve been enjoying its evolution.
Jane, here’s an interesting article I just ran across on the subtle penalties women get when they follow the same rules as men. Thought you might be interested.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2013/06/17/why-women-must-ask-the-right-way-negotiation-advice-from-stanfords-margaret-a-neale/?goback=%2Egde_3160798_member_5835775457802346497
JoAnne — good stuff via the Forbes link, thanks for sharing! Am doing some major rewrites to the first book chapter based on the writing group’s insights….thanks for that, too!