Jack Canfield & the Power of Action

One of the big things that stops people from publishing their own book is what I call the Perfection Curse. Aspiring authors feel that everything must be squeaky clean and flawless before a book can materialize. And the burden of juggling all the details keeps them from staying with it long enough to see their book become a reality.

Here's some advice that goes against the grain of what you'll read elsewhere: Of course, strive for the best book you can create, but don't let the Perfection Curse keep you from breathing live into your book idea. Just get it out there -- then fine tune it later.

Here's an excerpt from an article by Jack Canfield, author of The Success Principles and co-compiler of the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul books. (You might say Jack knows a few things about selling tons of books.)

As you begin to take action toward the fulfillment of your goals and dreams, you must realize that not every action will be perfect. Not every action will produce the desired result. Not every action will work.

Making mistakes, getting it almost right, and experimenting to see what happens are all part of the process of eventually getting it right.

Ready, Fire, Aim!
Don't be afraid to just jump in and get started moving toward your goals. As long as you pay attention to the feedback you receive, you will make progress. Just getting into the game and firing allows you to correct and refine your aim.

I believe this trait is one of the biggest factors that lead to my full-time author status. If I hadn't started dabbling in publishing and selling information in the early 1990s, if I had waited till I "had it just right," if I had been paranoid about my early attempts at packaging my reports and manuals ... I would probably still be only thinking about "some day" publishing my own book.

But I took action. I got something tangible (albeit low-budget and primitive) out into the world. I got feedback from real, live human beings. And I made a little bit of money right out of the starting gate, which inspired me to improve the material and the packaging, reach more people, and generate more revenue still.

This approach is especially effective using today's digital printing technology. Put your first book together as best you can, then print only 50 copies. Make notes on how to improve the book as you get feedback from readers. If things go well, print more as needed. Then, at some point, update the content and, if needed, upgrade the look of the cover. Then print 100 or more digital copies.

Continue this process until your book gets as close to perfect as you can make it. If sales are brisk, then -- and only then -- should you do a larger offset print run.

Consider Jack's and my advice: Action is a powerful thing. Take it!

-Bob

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