Being an author, days 1 +2

there were tears in the apple store

there was indeed oyster shucking

Yesterday was my first full day of being an author. I can report the onboarding experience was crap, but the snacks were good and the joy was off the charts.

Here’s what I learned:

1. Being head of IT is the worst part of the job. On Friday I turned in my computer to SYP and therefore needed a new one before I could do any authoring/businessing. Luckily, Brad had an old computer from a former employer that I could trade in for a credit (because start up costs are not nothin). For reasons I won’t bore you with here, it took me three trips in one day to the Apple Store before leaving with a new computer. I don’t know why tech issues get under my skin as they do, but there were not not tears.

2. Getting to say what I think is the best. I’ve always tried to say what I think, but sometimes the nature of consulting is that I’m mostly trying to help the client say what they think. Or helping SYP say what it thinks. But now it’s just me! Which is also terrifying. There’s safety in group decision making. A comfort in respecting the expertise of others. It’s pretty exhilarating to imagine a future myself based on what I think is best and then make it.

3. I have learned who I work for. One might argue I work for readers which I don’t dispute. But my first customer is my brain. I was tempted to fully schedule this week in advance with tasks, but instead I decided to see what my brain thought when the week arrived. When my brain said, “I feel like logistics!” I set up my LLC. When it said, “I feel like talking to others!” I shared a post on LinkedIn about becoming an author. When it said, “I need a break!” I made my new favorite smoothie. I’m aware this is not possible every day because if I’m scheduled to give a talk I will in fact be giving that talk and not making a smoothie—no matter what my brain says. But it’s pretty cool that mostly I can listen to my brain (and body) instead of contorting it to the demands of my Google Calendar.

4. I’m having a lot of fun! I’m catching up with old friends like Lauren Currie. I’m helping 2 Pages with MBS with a project. I had a blast catching up with Steve Pratt today. I got to play some small role in helping ZoeSanders start Who Am I Today? (you should subscribe!) I had time to exercise this morning and my body feels great. I’m reading Steven Pressfield’s Turning Pro which is revving up all this creative energy in me. I’m having dinner with my recent project team tonight and can’t wait. There may be oyster shucking involved.

I am 100% sure at some point I will find this life and business inconceivably hard and will look back at this post with all my doe-eyed optimism and howl. But also, one of my best life strategies has been to soak in the fun and joy as it’s happening. Future Bree will deal with tomorrow’s troubles!