I've been cocooning.
I've been working on my first book for the last four months. I'm in the home stretches of my first draft – one more chapter and a few short sections to write, and I'll be done.
Writing a book is one of the most wonderful, awful things I've ever done. It is an extraordinary feeling to take my knowledge and beliefs and bring them to life on the page. And it is a terrible feeling to wonder if what I say matters and if anyone cares.
These questions and doubts and fears create an ideal playground for my Inner Trolls, who try and convince me to stay small and quiet and safe.
“Who are you to write a book? What on earth could you possibly have to say that hasn't been said before? Who cares what you think? How elitist are you to think that what you say matters? What will people think of you?”
Ironically, much of my book deals with managing those Inner Trolls. It's about using processes anchored in Meaning, Mindset, and Mindfulness to overcome outer AND inner obstacles to create a successful business and a fulfilling life.
So as I write this book, I have the unique opportunity of practicing what I preach AS I preach it. (I know – meta, right?) And I know what I'm writing about works, because it is working. Right now. I'm over 50,000 words in and SO CLOSE to the finish line.
But this wonderful awful process of writing a book takes a lot of energy and time. So I've been cocooning. I've dialed back some of my business building measures in order to focus on the book. Yes, my revenue reflects that choice, but that's okay. Because not only is this book an investment in my business (and will lead to increased revenue), I have faith that this book is important. That it matters. That it will change businesses and lives. Because it's already changed mine.
Sometimes we need to cocoon, to give ourselves time to gestate and rest. And it's scary – pulling back to move forward, slowing down to speed up. But there's a lot of action going on in that cocoon. You're developing, you're growing, and eventually, you'll break out, spread your wings, and fly.
Don't be afraid to cocoon. And when it's time, don't be afraid to emerge in your glory.