Feeling the Love?

Sometimes you just have to be your own cheerleader. Or, as Dolly Parton said in "Straight Talk" (yes, revisiting a 90's classic film. Sue me.) 'You grab your bowling bag and get the hell out of there'. Now, technically, Dolly (Dr. Shirley - seriously, go watch the movie, its great!) was talking about leaving a bad relationship.

I'm talking about leaving the fear - which is different but just as debilitating. See, a funny thing happened a couple of weeks ago. I sold my first book. And I've been snoopy dancing like a maniac and talking to my editor and going through edits and copy-edits and rounding up a blog tour and generally planning for the release.

And a lot of other 'busy' work. Work that needs to be done, but that has been taking time from the actual writing of future books. I realized, in talking with a friend who also sold recently, that she was going through the same thing. Doing the busy work and kind of hesitant to move forward with a different book. We started talking to some online friends who said what we both already knew: we were afraid. Plain and simple - we're in uncharted (for us) territory: Published Author Territory and that brings a different set of business plans and problems. Will the next book sell? Will this book get good reviews? Will it sell well? What will the cover look like? What if... What about... The question list goes on. 

Everyone gave the same advice: just do the work. Don't focus on the fear. Move forward. Lala Corriere reminded me to think about the positive, to really take that positive in and make it grow. 

So, totally stolen from Lala, an affirmation: Tomorrow morning, or NOW, go seek the sun. Let it shimmer on your face through windows or through pure air. If you’re in the cold country get in front of a fire. Close your eyes. Say this, but make it yours as you please:

Start with
I am the light of a thousand angels. I am love. I am kindness. I am prosperity. I am creativity. I am (fill in the blank). I am… I am... I am...

End with:
I am the light of a thousand angels.
So be it!

I love this - no, I don't chant it daily...but I did once. I also like these quotes:

Practice rather than preach. Make of your life an affirmation, defined by your ideals, not the negation of others. Dare to the level of your capability then go beyond to a higher level. ~ Alexander Haig 


Success is a process, a quality of mind and way of being, an outgoing affirmation of life. ~ Alex Noble 
Actually I love the affirmation and the quotes for what they helps me remember. That I am worth a little self-cheerleading. I am a good writer. I have accomplishments. I'm more than a set of fast-moving fingers on a keyboard. I have the power to be and do whatever I want to be and do. It's a message I want to pass along to the kiddo...and anyone else who will listen.

So, do you have an affirmation list? Are you your own cheerleader? 

Comments

  1. Oh, I love that affirmation. Great post, Kristi!

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  2. Thanks, Liz! I'm trying to practice what I preach!

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  3. Wonderful post! Fear and self doubt go hand in hand with writing...in my opinion. Some days I'm my own worst enemy and others I'm my biggest fan. You just have to go with the flow and get it done!

    Congrats again on your sale...you're awesome Kristi!

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    1. Exactly, Christine. Some days, I'm a great cheerleader..others, I lean - a lot! - on friends...who kick my butt to get back to work.

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  4. Great post and some awesome affirmations to add to my facing fear toolbox.

    I'm trying to use the "Always be your C's" from Daniel Stewart too. (just have to zoom in on the perfect C adjectives. I'm liking confidient..)

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    1. Connie, love that! And Confident is a great cheerleader word!!

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  5. My best cheerleader is my daughter. She never gives up hope for me, or encouraging me. I'd be lost without her support. Good post!

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    1. My DH is mine, D'Ann..and bebe, too, although she doesn't get what I do just yet.

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  6. Some days, my self-inflicted cheering is better than others. I believe it more readily and buy my own hype. Other times, affirmation to what I want to believe, is needed. My crit partners are excellent at cheering and reminding - or boot kicking my butt. My husband believed before I ever toyed with the thought. It was his idea that I started to write in the first place. Still, there's no comparison to believing in yourself...and having satisfaction and happiness in the results of your hard work.

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    1. Yes, Sheri, cheerleaders are great...but we have to remember to cheerlead for ourselves, too. Believe, believe, believe!

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  7. Awesome post, Kristi! I had a professional tell me yesterday that I wouldn't get anywhere without his services. He not only made me mad, he made me more determined than ever to be my own cheerleader. And I love the affirmations you put up - copying! Great reminder - thanks so much!

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  8. Great post, Kristi... I've been my best cheerleader since middle school.

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  9. I love that affirmation! Now, if I could just find the sun.

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  10. Joanna Strong-BransonMarch 22, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    I have had to be my own cheerleader for most of my adult life, and frankly I'm fairly successful at it. I'm motivated and upbeat most of the time. But recently, my husband volunteered for the job- complete with offering an image of him in a skirt with pompoms which had me smiling for days. Now, I'm showing him how best to support my writer-life and enjoying the opportunity to have someone else do the cheerleading for a while!

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  11. I love this post! My husbands my biggest cheerleader,esp.when I'm being my own worst enemy.

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