Unattached and Liberated

Happy Thursday, everyone. I hope your heart is happy and your soul is at peace.

My latest book came out on Monday. Like any author, I hoped it would sell like crazy and be well-received by those anticipating its release. That said, I decided to take a different mental approach when defining this book’s success.

You see, in past years, I made the same mistake a lot of people make when striving for professional success. I hitched my happiness wagon to results and outcomes. When one of my books became a #1 best-seller, I was happy. When one didn’t, I was a little disappointed.

Something in me recently changed. I can’t quite put my finger on it. Yet, somewhere deep within my soul, I’ve realized that this cause-and-effect mindset is childish at best and toxic at worst. It’s silly to value my worth as a writer based on sales and rankings. Sales come down to marketing and advertising, not my ability as a writer. Rankings have to do with statistics and computer algorithms, not by passion for telling stories.

So, before releasing Beyond the Veil, I decided I wasn’t going to pay much attention to the Amazon rankings, and I certainly wouldn’t allow them to affect my mood one way or another. The day after it was released, my mom called and was excited to inform me that Beyond the Veil had become a #1 new release in a few different categories. Was I happy? Of course, I was… but no happier than I was before hearing the news.

After a lot of soul-searching, I asked myself a very important question. What’s my favorite part of being an author? The answer came from within me, yet I still found it surprising. I’m happiest when I’m in the middle of creating a new book. I’m happiest when I’m writing. Seeing my name on a best-sellers list isn’t the most rewarding part of the journey. Once I realized this truth, I felt utterly liberated.

There is an element of vulnerability involved with slapping my name on the cover of a book. The writing isn’t just words arranged into paragraphs on paper. It’s an extension of my heart, mind, and soul. Each book is tied to a certain chapter in my life and brings back memories of what was happening during that period of time. My goal is to evolve as a person, and I strive to reflect this in my writing. This is my new measuring stick for being a successful author. If I feel a sense of pride while holding the finished product in my hands, then I know I’ve lived up to my own high standards.

As for those on the outside looking in, I believe my books will find the people they’re meant to reach. Only time will tell whether that’s 100 people or 100 million people. Some things are beyond my control. So, I’ll focus on what I love most and continue to grow, both as a person and as a writer.

To say I’m uninterested in receiving awards or making the New York Times best-sellers list wouldn’t be entirely true. Every author would welcome recognition for their work. In my case, I would consider those achievements a happy byproduct of pursuing my passion - the cherry on top of a cake that’s already delicious. I don’t write for the recognition. I don’t write for awards or trophies or best-seller lists. I write because it makes me feel alive. I write because I have stories to tell. I write because it frees my mind and sets my soul on fire. When my fingers are on a keyboard, the world around me disappears just long enough that I can make sense of it all. It’s when I feel unattached to outcomes and most aligned with my true calling.

With gratitude,

Andy

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