Don’t let doing it “the right way” blind you from Pinpointing the Pathway that’s MEANT for YOU
In my STUDY, SAVOR, & SUPPORT Each Other CHAT☕️🍵, we’re doing a deep-dive into our Book Club selection! This week is Chapter 5 of BECOMING AN ARTIST: Reinventing Yourself Through Mindful Creativity by Dr. Ellen J. Langer.
In Chapter 5: The Rule of Absolutes, EL reminds us that, to make sense, the rules we follow must apply to us as individuals, in a context-specific way that applies uniquely to us.
Yet, we often forget this. We compare what other people are doing, believe in the unspoken belief that there’s a “right way” to do things. And, because of that False Evidence Appearing Real, our F.E.A.R. makes us not try at all or give up prematurely.
What’s the Solution? According to EL, it’s “Putting People Back Into the Equation.”
Without meaning to do this, I recently did exactly that. And it completely transformed a F.E.A.R. that’s held me back…for a long time.
I’m excited to share the whole story with you today. Not because I’ve overcome all of the F.E.A.R.s inside of me. I doubt anyone can. But, I know — for a fact — that when it comes to this fear, I’ve done more than just dip my toe in the water. I’ve leapt off the diving platform, launched into a spinning somersault, and slipped back into the calm, cool water…ready & willing to do it again!
By now, you’re probably wondering…
What’s the F.E.A.R. that’s kept me small for all of these years?
It’s Marketing, my dear friends. Marketing!
For my sci fi series, THE OBSIDIAN CHRONICLES. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE the creative process: the writing, the editing, the artwork, and the music I’m making to accompany it. But, when it comes to Marketing — which, any Author will tell you is equally important — I’ve fallen behind.
Mostly because I had this (irrational) F.E.A.R. that, to do Marketing “the right way,” I would have to “SELL, SELL, SELL!” I’d automatically picture this pushy salesperson, shoving my book into someone’s face, and my enthusiasm would crumble. So, what did I do?
Absolutely NOTHING.
At first, I thought it was my Nervous System revving into a state of Fight-Flight-Freeze-Fawn-or-Flop, and choosing to FREEZE. For a very long time.
But, then, I slowly realized…
That NOT-moving was PRODUCTIVE.
It was my Nervous System realizing that the “SELL, SELL, SELL” Model of Marketing simply was NOT for me. But, I started to have hope that there was a better pathway for me:
The first inkling came when I found Dan Blank here on Substack, and I read his phenomenal book, Be the Gateway: A Practical Guide to Sharing Your Creative Work and Engaging An Audience. For the first time, I realized a “human-centered approach” to marketing existed!
So, in my Synergy of Science & Self Newsletter on Substack, I started to share the 1st Book in my series, OBSIDIAN: Birth to Venus. I even made it available to read for FREE, at the link below:
THE OBSIDIAN CHRONICLES
Then, after writing an especially exciting Chapter, I realized, NOT-moving wasn’t right anymore. I was READY to Move!
Too bad everywhere I looked, I saw lots of the same Marketing “Rule” — to “SELL, SELL, SELL” — being practiced by many successful authors. Of course, I love to sell my books. But, still, there was something about the way that message was conveyed that felt out of alignment with me.
Until, one day, I came across Priya Rajput 💌 on Substack.
And, I knew. I KNEW: Priya’s the “Marketer” I’ve been looking for. Because her focus is on helping authors to forge genuine, authentic connections with readers. So, I didn’t hold back. I told her the truth:
It’s thrilling to publish my creative writing, to go on this Attorney-to-Creative Journey wholeheartedly, but it’s also made me fall woefully behind in some areas, like learning how to do marketing (which is hard for me as an introvert who loves building true connections, rather than “selling”). The metaphor of writing a book and giving birth to it as an author is very accurate. The nervousness, excitement, and desire to do it with love and care are spot on! So, I’m happy to see there are ways to do marketing like yours. In the midst of a lot of hard-hitting paths to “sell, sell, sell!”, your approach to helping authors to share their work in this deeper way is a breath of fresh air. It sounds like such a thoughtful and engaging way to introduce book babies into the world.
In other words — without meaning to — I did exactly what EL encourages us to do: “Putting people back into the Equation.”
I considered how I would feel if I worked with Priya, and was able to discern that her connection-centric approach to Marketing was the “Rule” that was right for me.
So, without further ado, please take a moment to read Priya’s amazing interview, full of her fun & insightful questions for me, and Priya’s beautiful reflection about my OBSIDIAN series.
This is precisely why I believe so strongly in the Power of Community to HEAL, and I encourage everyone to find their “RIGHT people.”
Because these are two people who helped my already-open mind to have F.E.A.R.-busting, real-life experiences: Dan Blank‘s words helped me to see a new way of being. And, Priya Rajput 💌‘s heartfelt connection to me and my creative work allowed me to not only see, but experience, Marketing as simply a wholehearted extension of that.
Now, take a Mindful Minute, to ask yourself:
⭐️ How are YOU a unique Creative?
⭐️ Is there a F.E.A.R. holding YOU back?
⭐️ How might you find your own “RIGHT people”?
⭐️ What could you try, to find your own “RIGHT path”?
⭐️ Can you IMAGINE, how amazing it would feel, to overcome your own F.E.A.R.?
🧠🎨The F.E.A.R. Warrior in Me🎨🧠
🧠🎨honors & respects the F.E.A.R. Warrior in You,🎨🧠
Marisa
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That’s MY MISSION in life: to encourage myself & others to BREAK FREE, to Be Our Truest, Most Authentic Self!
Join me! Together, we can be who we CHOOSE to be. Who we’re MEANT to be:
Happy & Healthy ♾️ Creating a life we LOVE ♾️ Full of Hope, Passion, & Purpose
© Marisa Victus
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