Ep. 29 - Navigating the Author's Journey: Controllable vs. Uncontrollable Factors

November 15, 2023

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Authorship

The investment of countless hours in writing, publishing, and marketing a book is a significant effort for any author. However, the aftermath of a book launch not meeting the expected impact can be discouraging. The episode introduces the importance of a mindset shift, focusing on what authors can and cannot control.

Understanding Your Why: Setting Clear Goals

Acknowledging the highs, lows, and moments of doubt in an author's career, the emphasis is on the need for authors to clarify why they are writing a book and what validation they seek. Establishing clear goals becomes crucial in recognizing the impact and success of the book.

Recognizing Achievements: Signal of Success

Success signals for an author can manifest through various milestones, including book sales, impact assessment, and feedback from readers. The episode encourages authors to understand these signals unique to their goals.

Controllable Factors: What Authors Can Control

The aspects authors can control in their journey are outlined, such as the content, effort put into writing, and strategic marketing decisions. The significance of exerting influence over marketing and branding is emphasized.

Navigating Unpredictability: Understanding What Cannot Be Controlled

While authors can control their efforts, once the book is in readers' hands, their reactions become uncontrollable. The discussion delves into the importance of distinguishing between controllable and uncontrollable factors in the unpredictable publishing industry.

Maintaining Focus: Lessons from Success and Failure

Focusing on controllable factors and putting forward the best efforts is crucial. The episode advises authors against obsessing over uncontrollable elements that may hinder success. Learning from both controllable and uncontrollable aspects is suggested as an opportunity for growth.

Keep Going, Stay Focused, and Persist in the Author Journey

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Episode Transcript

[00:00:00] As an author, you will invest countless hours of effort into writing, publishing and marketing your book. You receive a lot of help along the way, but by the time the book is published, thousands of hours have been dedicated by you as the author alone to get your book finished and out there. So it can be discouraging when your book launches and it does not make the splash and have the impact that you intended.

[00:00:28] So in today's episode, I want to explore about having a mindset of focusing on what you can and cannot control as an author.

[00:00:37] I'm Zach Kristensen, and this is Beyond the book presented by Juxta book.

[00:00:42]

[00:00:51] Now this perspective is crucial for you as an author because you'll experience highs, lows, and moments of doubt in your career.

[00:00:59] To help [00:01:00] you with this, you first need to understand why you're writing a book and what is that validation that you're seeking to recognize that your book has accomplishing and having the impact that you want it to make.

[00:01:13] By taking the time to understand what this looks like for you as the author will make it easier for you to recognize the signal of achieving these goals.

[00:01:22] Some examples of these signals and goals can be shown and established through book sales. Looking at the impact that it's making, but the feedback you're receiving from those who have read it or taking it, these different milestones.

[00:01:38] So with that in mind and the mindset in mind of what you can and can't control, let's dive into what you can control as an author. Well, you can control as the content of the book, the thoughts and the effort that you put in to riding and getting the book polished and marketed.

[00:01:55] Now, once you invite someone to read and give feedback on the [00:02:00] book, you cannot control their reactions, the interpretations of what's been written or whether or not they're going to share the book or tell others about it.

[00:02:10] You'll have significant influence over marketing and branding decisions. Now what you can't control is a reader's response whether or not they buy the book or share it.

[00:02:19] Understanding these distinctions will help you navigate the unpredictable nature of the publishing industry.

[00:02:26] Responding to successes and failures is controllable, but others reactions to it are not.

[00:02:34] As an author, focus on what you can control and put your best efforts forward.

[00:02:40] Obsessing over uncontrollable factors I can hinder your success. Some of the reactions that you receive that you cannot control can be valuable but if it's not of substance, It's not what's in your control and you should just keep moving forward.

[00:02:57] So learn from both the controllable and [00:03:00] uncontrollable aspects that will shape your author's career and the impact that your books make.

[00:03:05] Use it as a learning opportunity and as an opportunity to grow.

[00:03:09] Keep going, stay focused and persist in your author journey.

[00:03:13]

[00:03:18] To get help expanding what you can control as an author.

[00:03:21] Visit juxta book.com. To set up your author coaching session today.

[00:03:28] If you have any questions about a recent episode, I'd love to hear from you. Visit juxtabook.com/beyondthebook and click the appropriate button to leave your question and we will include it in our weekly Q&A episode.

[00:03:44] Your book is just one chapter in your author journey. Think beyond the book as you craft your path. Thank you for your questions and thank you for listening.