What if tomorrow doesn't come? Create What You Wish Existed!
How to find time to create? A question that usually pops up in many conversations I had including with my own self. You have an idea like writing a book, a blog, starting a business or creating a change in your life but just couldn’t find the perfect time. I certainly still have these moments. I still face the challenge of creating the things I wanted.
Since I started working on personal development, I learned to be very intentional in achieving my goals. At the beginning of this year, I decided to write a book together with my eldest daughter, Arwen. When she was four, she helped me on finding the right cover on the previous books I published. When I launched my third book, she expressed how she wanted to have one too. Like other supportive moms, I said, “Let’s do it!”
Since then, I started encouraging her to share with me the story behind each characters she drew. She got better each time she created something. Her story had lots of twist and for a four year old kid, I thought that was pretty amazing.
Since then, I started encouraging her to share with me the story behind each characters she drew. She got better each time she created something. Her story had lots of twist and for a four year old kid, I thought that was pretty amazing.
One time, I gave her papers and coloring materials. I challenged her to draw anything she wanted, then tell me the story behind it. She ended up with a colorful 20-page illustrations with a magical adventure story of a little girl returned from the woods with her family. We stapled it all together after she added page numbers and then picked a picture for her book cover. She chose a photo of her with her sister, then called it as “My First Book” and then printed it out. (As shown in the photo)
Since then I knew, I had to turn what we started into a published book. Like other goals I set earlier this year, I was confident that I have enough time to achieve it. Then I started on my new job in March. Two weeks after that covid lock down kicked in. Kids were pulled from school and many parents including myself wondered how to juggle between a full-time job, home-schooling, managing daily-chores and dealing with other commitments.
Life got busy. I had an endless list of things to do. Time flies. But the idea of writing a book together with Arwen at her young age was always on my mind. I knew I had to help her getting a book published to move to the next level. I had many draft stories we created together but we haven’t finalized the one to publish.
Arwen turned five in May then suddenly it was fall. As we reached the last quarter of the year, I feel time goes faster and faster. As I revisit my goals, including publishing book with my 5-year old girl, thoughts like “I can delay this to next year” kicked in. I was convincing myself, “Now isn’t the best time.”
As I contemplated, I was reminded of asking powerful questions,“WHAT IF TOMORROW DOESN’T COME? WILL I REGRET THE THINGS I COULD HAVE DONE?”
I realized the same thing I’ve written on my third book, Let Go and Create, Today is all I have. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Create a life that focuses on what truly matters. Live without regrets.
As I gain clarity on my purpose, and recognize the time I have, I was laser-focused. The reason why I became intentional was a clear WHY. First, as a writer, it is important for me to create this legacy with my kids. Others may have a different perspective on what they want to create and that’s fine too. Second, it’s another way to cultivate her creativity. Someday, when my I’m gone, she can look back at this book and she will remember our journey writing it together. Third, we both love to create, so this would be a fun activity for us anyways. Fourth, I knew that others would be inspired or maybe even transformed with the result of what we did.
It wasn't easy managing different commitments and was a quite a stretch for me for the past few months but being intentional, staying committed in the process and having the right networks helped me to get going.
When you have a Clear Why, you are unstoppable. No matter how many commitments you have, you will find time for what’s important to you.
And that was the beginning of the creation of her book. The idea has been there for a long time but it was only when I took action and commit to the process then it became a reality.
The result - my 5-year old daughter's book got published in November. (eBook and Paperback). The joy in her young angelic face was precious. The confidence she gained, from the time that it was an idea until now is indescribable. The unexpected reward, is to see that many people out there, both young kids and adults, are encourage to create and to do things together with the people they love.
Like my five year old girl, most of us wanted to do something but sometimes, we need a helping hand to show us the way to make things happen. Don’t let the desire of your heart to create what you truly want remain just a dream. Don’t let that dream die. Connect with the people that can help you to make it happen. If a five-year old kid can do it, I believe you can do it too if you are intentional!
Oh by the way, if you have a story to share, interested in publishing your book and looking for someone to show you the way, I can help you get started. Book a free consultation with me.
