Three Things I Learned From Writing a Book
I have gathered three valuable lessons from my experience writing and publishing my upcoming book, Purposeful Performance: The Secret Mix of Connecting, Leading, and Succeeding. The launch is approaching, and I am excited to share these insights.
1. You’re not going to get it right the first time.
After spending months writing the first draft of my book, I finally mustered up the courage to present it to my wife. With colored pens and highlighters in hand, I eagerly awaited her feedback. However, instead of praise, she pointed out that while I had a lot of valuable content, I needed to get to the point much earlier in the book and cut out certain parts that were not relevant or engaging enough. It was hard to hear, and I couldn't help but feel frustrated by her comments. But when I later presented the same manuscript to a story editor, his critiques mirrored my wife's. As painful as it was, their criticism motivated me to rewrite the book extensively. This time, I focused on creating value for my target audience by doing thorough research and ensuring the book got right to the heart of the matter. Looking back now, I can't help but smile at how much of my original draft was scrapped. In other words, it wasn't very good! But in the end, this experience taught me an important lesson and helped me create a more meaningful and impactful final product.
2. To succeed, you need a peaceful environment and a supportive circle of family and friends.
In my experience, I owe a great deal of gratitude to my incredibly supportive family and friends. Without their constant encouragement, I could not have completed this book. My wife, in particular, showed unwavering support by giving me the space and freedom to focus on my writing, even if it meant sacrificing quality time with our family. She would often tell me, "You need to write. Open your laptop and get to work." My story editor played a vital role in pushing me to delve deeper into the themes and messages within my writing. We had lengthy discussions about the impact of running a business with good intentions and how it relates to each chapter of my book. Beyond philosophy, we also shared our worldviews and explored the underlying themes.
Additionally, I sought feedback from family, friends, former colleagues, and new connections from LinkedIn. Their support, thoughts, and ideas were instrumental in keeping me motivated until the very end. Writing a book is not a solitary journey but a collective effort fueled by the encouragement of others around you.
3. Sharing your stories with people you don't know can broaden your outlook and provide valuable insights.
As I wrote the final chapters of my book, I included examples of leaders and companies who have taken a stance on various social issues. These stories were written with an impartial perspective, and I often shared them with friends, strangers, and acquaintances in social settings. Learning from their diverse viewpoints was gratifying, and it opened my mind to new perspectives. This diversity of opinions inspired me and challenged me to think more deeply about my writing and how others may perceive it. During one conversation, I was met with opposing views about my “Western perspective.” It caused me to reflect on our suppliers and partners overseas and how our beliefs and values impact them. In these moments of opposition, I realized there is always room for personal growth and learning. We have so much to gain from each other, and I am grateful for those who spoke up against my views so that I could expand my understanding and enhance my writing.