This morning I’m enjoying ceviche costeno as a celebratory bribe for submitting the manuscript for my next book, Brazen: The Courage to Find the You That’s Been Hiding. Certainly this is just the first step of many in the process of launching a book out into the world, but it feels like a BIG first step nonetheless.
I’m a giant proponent of bribing ourselves, especially when we’re working on a protracted project. Sometimes you’ve just gotta dangle a carrot out there for yourself to give you that added umph to keep on going. I’m officially obsessed with this ceviche and so I’ll do just about anything for it, including sequestering myself with my laptop for lots and lots of hours.
It makes me think back to a line I wrote in Breathing Room about “firmly treating ourselves with gentleness.” Yes, that’s a great mantra. We don’t let ourselves off the hook, we don’t self-sabotage, and we’re sure to reward ourselves when we follow through. We firmly treat ourselves with gentleness.
Exhibit B. An extra fine tip Sharpie in the most perfect bougainvillea-inspired fuchsia. I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s a lot more fun to edit with a pen as gorgeous as this one:
Whatever you’re working on today, I just want to encourage you that you will feel so much better if you get it done. Even if it takes you months, years, decades. Even if you have to bribe yourself with ceviche and Sharpies. If you believe in it, if God has called you to do it, if your soul is clamoring . . . then do it. People will likely look at you weird and ask you aggressive questions like, “Oh, so you’re back to that. I remember when you were working on that last year. So how’s it going? Do you think you’ll ever really get it done?” All this will be said in a very skeptical way, and you’ll want to put a fork in their eye. You’re already skeptical. You don’t need anyone else to join the Skepticism Club on your behalf.
Well, for the record, I am someone who believes deeply in underdogs, come-from-behinders, and Cinderella stories. I’m a Chargers fan, for crying out loud.
So, as soon as you’re done reading this, get back to work. Do it for you. Do it for your daughters, who need to see their moms alive.
Yesterday, six-year-old-Lane came into the room where I was working and she said, “Mom, I just want to tell you two things. First, you have a really neat job. Second, keep going.”
I’m sending that same sentiment your way today.
Believing in you,
Leeana
