Before I published my first book, Think Pink, I prepared myself for success by ‘acting as if’.
I created a vision board that included a print out of an Amazon top 10 list with my name in the number one slot, when I met new people and they asked what I did for a living, I’d say ‘I’m a writer’, even though my book was yet to be bought by a publisher.

There’s a great quote from a fabulous book called Do Less, Achieve More in which the author, Chi-Ning Chu talks about a conversation in the 1960’s between the super successful cowboy dude, Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds who was a struggling actor at the time:

“Before the Angel of Success arrives in your life, you should devote yourself to preparing your welcome for her. Polish your craft and strengthen your body to be fit so that you can do your job and enjoy success when it comes. Sharpen your mind and spirit so they are ready to face the challenges that accompany a visitation from the Angel of Success.

If you are not ready when the angel knocks, she will flee. And who knows when she will make it back around to your door again?”

Both Burt and I know how important it is to prepare yourself so that when the Angel o’ Success comes a knocking you have a nice mug of hot chocolate and a batch of yummy scrummy cupcakes baking ready for her arrival.

I never doubted I’d be an author-girl. Now, I’m by no means the best writer in the world, but I did do everything I could to learn about the industry - I interviewed my favourite authors, I wasn’t afraid to reach out and ask for help, I learned everything there was to know about the publishing process and most importantly, which lots of wanna-be authors forget to do, I wrote. I practiced my craft every single day - in journals, writing features for magazines, passing up social dates to complete my book. I asked questions, I learned lessons, I inquired about signing books at my local book store - I got myself to a place both mentally and physically where NOT being a published author just wasn’t an option.

By raising my make-it-happen energy to a level of complete go-for-it-ness, I felt positively fearless in my pursuit. For sure I got rejected, I’ve got 42 rejection letters in a box under my bed all saying ‘thanks, but no thanks’, but when you’re prepared for success, these are just mere blips, mini diversions on your road trip to destiny.

Five years on, and I’m now a successful author with 10 published books in the Lola Love series and two brand-new exciting book projects in the pipeline. Of course I have doubts and wobbles and moments where I think ’should I just get a proper job?’ but that’s all they are, just moments and I have a career I absolutely adore all because I ‘acted as if’ and prepared for that Angel o’ Success…

You can’t wait until you’re successful and until you have a large audience to start rocking your very best work. You become successful by producing kick-ass work even when you’re teeny-tiny. This concept applies to everything, not just writing a book. In order to be kick-ass, act as if you’re already kick-ass. Go on, I dare you!

Has ‘acting as if’ worked for you? I’d love to know your stories!