Over the last few weeks on my coaching calls, I’ve noticed a common theme amongst women: ‘it’s already been said/done-itis’.
You know, “Who am I to start a business?” “Who am I to write a book?” “Who am I to be a speaker?” “Who am I do create an exercise DVD?” “What do I have to say (offer) that hasn’t already been said!”.
Ooooo girl. That kind of thinking is death and will absolutely crush your dreams.
Today, I thought I’d share an awareness I had from experiencing my own ‘it’s already been said/done-itis’ and what helped me feel the fear and move forward anyway.
I’m about to tell you something I’ve never shared with anyone. Something that scares the bejeezus out of me!
Lately, I’ve been getting some hints from the Universe that it’s time to write my first book. Gulp. Just writing that feels terrifying!
I’ve never considered myself a writer. Nor have I always dreamt of being a published author. But, I also never intended to be an entrepreneur, pioneering a movement of change for women. And, I’m beyond grateful I said yes to that when the idea showed up. So, I can only hope to feel the same after writing a book. Gulp. Again!
Yet the internal battle begins:
Who am I to write a book?
What do I possibly have to say that hasn’t already been said?
Who would read it?
Do I even have that many words in me?
I don’t even know where to start?
Those thoughts and many more just like them spiraled in my brain for days, pushing me deeper and deeper into my Ego ‘I can’t do it’ mindset. Until I had, what I consider to be a pretty big awareness.
It happened unexpectedly when I was putting together your special Valentine’s Playlist: A Lotta Love. It was:
There sure are a lot of songs written about love.
Seriously, have you ever considered how many thousands, if not millions of songs have been written about love? There’s ‘All You Need is Love’ by the Beatles. There’s ‘The Woman I Love’ by Jason Mraz. There’s “Someone Like You” by Adele. There’s “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. There’s ‘Crazy Love’, ‘Because You Loved Me’, ‘At Last’ and on and on and on.
The experience of love is fundamental to all humans, so of course it’s ideal to write about. It’s something we all know and can relate to.
But, imagine if The Beatles believed there were already enough songs written about love. We’d be missing out on so many incredible songs!
The Beatles writing about love doesn’t take away from what Jason Mraz has to say about it. And, what he has to say about it doesn’t take away from what anyone else does either.
So, why would that be any different for me and my book? No gulp this time!
All I have to do is share what’s in my heart and let go. It’s not up to me to determine who reads it and gets something out of it. It’s not up to me to figure out how it will get published. At least not right now.
What is up to me is to write. To sit down with pen and paper and let Spirit move through me.
Boy, that feels a whole lot better. It doesn’t feel like it’s just up to me anymore. It doesn’t feel like my whole life revolves around the success of my words. It feels like a blessing—first, for me and then for others.
One last comforting thought: The fact that there are other successful books on my topic out there demonstrates that there is already an established audience ready for this information. And, that’s a very good thing.
Something completely new, unknown and original may not jive with anyone. At least this way, I see proof of what’s possible.
If you are considering starting your own business, building your own website, writing your own book, or producing your own film and are experiencing ‘it’s already been said/done-itis’, I hope you’ve found comfort in this post.
At the end of the day, you are here for a reason and your voice matters. Make the decision and take action.
Wishing you courage and fulfillment of your deepest, heartfelt dreams.
Love,
Amber
How did you know? I have so much right now that is bursting at my seams! I want to write- I knit, I sew, I create beautiful things and I am wanting to sell them. But the fear is so strong that I keep stumbling. You have helped me to find courage and realize that I can succeed. I love your message and feel you’re like a friend by my side when I need encouragement. Thank you for that. I am GRATEFUL!
@Leslie! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m so glad the timing was so perfect. Isn’t it amazing how fear can cause us to shrink. Lean into the expansive energy that makes you feel alive. Sounds like you know you know your work is beautiful. I bet others would love an opportunity to buy and wear it! Light ahead to your adventure. xo-A.
I would love to see what you sew and knit, Leslie! If you post some of them on line, I’d love to look at them! 🙂 I also love to sew.
Amber, I think you should go for it! I would definitely buy and read your story, in book form. And what a fun place to get started–on a writers retreat! 🙂
Check out the book Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon. It will certainly inspire you to write that book – or song, or play – or paint that painting, or build that structure, or…!
@Justine – You are so sweet. I love how you are supporting Leslie…and me! So great to connect with you.
@Little Willow – Will definitely check it out. Love me some good books! Thanks for sharing.
It is eerie, I was just going through some thought processes that involved something along these lines. I was thinking about how different people do similar things, yet are still completely their own person.
For example: Oprah and Ellen. Both host(ed) a daytime talk show. Both had(ve) great success at it. What made them successful and different is not what they did but HOW.
Another example: if I say names like Jane Fonda, Richard Simmons, and Jillian Michaels, most people think of exercise videos/programs. Yet, all were completely different and appealed to different crowds.
Whether it had been done before or not did not matter. What matter is that those who did simply went out there, used their own voice, and they did it.
You can do it, Amber!!!