There will be competition. The might be jealousy. But your job isn't to prove, perform or people please. Your job is to grow, To stay kind. To keep showing up for your path - not theirs. Making people like you? Not your responsibility? Your energy is to sacred to waste on comparison. ~Ayca Anil
Oh I can guarantee, that jealousy monster will try to sneak into your head all of the time. You will be out there trying to prove to people you are better than they are. Your story has better characters. Your cover is better. Your sales are better. Your workshop has better content. And it is hard not to do so. With lists showing up on a regular basis from the New York Times and USA Today Best Sellers List or the Amazon or Barnes and Nobel Lists in your daily feed or even how many stars and reviews you have compared to someone else, competition and the need to "one-up" someone will always be there.
But is it worth it?
Is that energy and all of that mental and emotional stress getting you anywhere? All that it is doing is sapping your energy that could be better spent making you a better person and a better writer. Think about it. If you are getting up each morning and diving on social media to see what everyone else is doing, checking on the reviews of all the other authors. See who else made the list that you wanted to be on, what are you then going to do? You are likely going to sit around and complain for the next hour or so. You will be "in your head" with negative self-talk about how much of a bad writer you are, and "see I knew I wasn't that good" or "why can't I get what they have?"
Let me tell you a little secret though. What those editors and agents really want is someone who shows up to work every day. They want the person they can count on. They know who you are and you know what else? They are looking out for you. They are protecting you.
One author of mine, at the time of writing this post is in the middle of a ten book contract. That's right, ten books! Now here is the things. She got that contract because she showed up and stayed in her lane. She doesn't complain and she doesn't argue. Now, if there is an issue, will she address it with her editor, sure. But, she is nice about it. She is also getting additional projects when they need those projects, she gets the great time slots for release dates. Again, she stays in her lane.
Intentionally going out there to "make people like you" does not come across as real. People see right through you. Oh, they will take those doughnuts and treats to the office to get people to like you, but they are there for the doughnuts and not for you.
Use your energy for you. Be nice. Be kind. Be yourself. Trust me. It works.
No comments:
Post a Comment