What’s your vision? Regardless of where you are on your author journey, getting clear on your vision influences every part of writing, publishing, and marketing your book.

Once you determine why you’re writing a book, it’s important to envision your life as an author. If you are wildly successful, what does that look like? If everything you ever dreamed about as an author all came true, how would you feel about yourself? Where would you be? Who is with you?

I’ve heard many authors tell me they want to be on the New York Times Bestseller List. Terrific. But, what does that mean?

Does that mean having a staff of people working for you in a New York midtown office? Are you flying around the country or the world promoting your book or doing radio and television interviews? Have you quit your job and moved your family across the country? Are you in constant demand as a keynote speaker at top conventions? How many times a month are you getting on an airplane?

You get the idea. Maybe you’re like many authors with more modest goals for the future. It may be that you want to sell 100 books or 1000 and do a few talks at local bookstores. Consider the time and energy you are determined to put forward. Either way, be BOLD! This is not the time to settle!

While you may not be able to envision the personal transformation you’re about to undergo, you probably have an idea about where you want to be on the other side. Just as your WHY charts the direction for your book, your vision for the future informs how you publish and market it. Because we know success doesn’t magically happen, your vision determines how much time, money, and effort you need to invest in your project and yourself. It sets you on a path to find your greatness, whether that be large or small. Having a vision pulls you toward your destination and is crucial in finding your success.

To express your vision, create a vision statement. This is a  constant reminder of the life you want as an author. The act of creating a vision statement sets your intentions. It helps you focus. When you display the vision statement, its presence in your working space is a reminder of what you are working toward. Your vision is a springboard when you’re feeling energized and an inspirational lift when you find yourself stumbling along the way.

To create a vision statement, consider a few things:

Thing big – This is the time to imagine your ideal self.

Think of where you are going – What is your life going to look like?

Project out 5 or more years – Think of the long-term impact of what you are doing.

Think of who, where, how much – Quantifying what you want establishes goals to reach.

I envision reaching 10,000 writers and empowering them to write a book that meets their “why.” 

I envision traveling nationwide, teaching families strategies to cope with children who have autism.

You can also create a vision board. Creating a vision board is a more concrete way to express yourself. Gather a variety of magazines or use pictures on the internet and cut out pictures of the life you envision and then post them to a poster board or something similar. You can also use photographs or small objects if you like. You can include material things like the clothes you’re wearing and the car you’re driving, but also include the people you speak to, the expressions on their faces, your family and friends, and the work you’ll be doing 5 years from now. It can be about the THINGS you want, but it’s more important to describe the FEELING you want.

Create a vision board or a vision statement which reflects your unique vision as a published author. Finally, post it where you can see it every day.

While envisioning your life as an author IS important, be careful not to get bogged down by this step or others. Circle back to your vision as you go through the writing process. You’ll gain clarity as you get further along.

What’s your vision for the future? Where will you be if your book is wildly successful?

Ready to write your book but don’t how to start, how to finish, or lack the motivation to get you to the finish line?

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