Hello again;
If you’ve ben following me for very long, then you know I’m all about asking for what you want.
This can be a concrete verbal request, or it can be a prayer or positive thought. When you let your wishes be known to your friends, family, God, or the universe; they are more likely to be granted.
But what is really amazing is when someone who knows you really well provides something you needed before you even knew to ask for it.
That’s what I’m writing to tell you about today.
My good friend Alex Okoroji did for me this week. She gave me an opportunity to do some advance promotion for my second book. She even helped give it a name.
You can read more about it in This Guest Post.
During the holidays I heard lots of ads for diet programs, exercise equipment, fitness centers, etc. I thought hey I learned a lot about diet and nutrition while preparing to have gastric surgery. I thought people think my weight loss experience is inspiring even though I had surgery as part of my process. So, maybe I should write an ebook on the subject.
I started writing down some of my thoughts. My first full chapter ended up being about how depriving yourself doesn’t work and that its not the food that is the problem but the amounts of it we purchase or make.
I was thinking of a title of under the knife what I learned about diet, exercise, and human nature while preparing to have gastric surgery.
I continued writing chapters. I even drew up a tentative outline. Since authors always need encouragement, I shared my writing with some of my close friends.
One of the people I sent my work to was Alex. She read them and encouraged me to keep after it. And she was the one who told me that its not the cookie its the bag would be a better book title. She compared it to Who Moved My Cheese.
Last week I sent her a chapter on affirmations. I think the reason why affirmations don’t work for a lot of people is they are hard to use when you are struggling. You have to get used to using them and stick to it. So, I wrote that chapter and sent it off to her. She was so impressed by it that she made me an amazing offer.
She said Max how about we get you some advance publicity for the book and introduce your writing to my audience? I said yes about six times. I had done Alex’s radio show The Naked Talk twice, and I am well aware of the power of her community.
And the one thing I learned from my first book is that you can never start promoting one too early. So, she edited my chapter for reading as a blog post. And she uploaded it to her site.
You can See It Here.
But it wasn’t until after the post was live that I realized just how great a favor she had done for me. You see the reason most people don’t accomplish more is they are afraid to announce to themselves and to the world that they are going to do it.
I understand this. We are afraid of looking foolish should our dream not become reality. But by keeping the dream to ourselves we also don’t have anyone to help hold us accountable. Goals and dreams take action. Action is easier when you know people are watching.
As I’ve gone through the process of having gastric surgery, losing over half my body weight, and getting healthier; I’ve been encouraged by all the people who followed my progress and cheered me on via the internet. I have gone through the process with heart, determination, and humility. So, even when my progress wasn’t as good as i wanted; I still felt love and support. And this was critical to my continuing to move forward and succeed. I don’t want to disappoint myself, but more importantly I never want to disappoint all those people who are inspired and motivated by me.
Alex’s post was the first time I told the world that I am working on a weight loss book. I prefer to think of it as a book about living healthier and making better choices, but amazon doesn’t have a category for that.
I have noticed that since then I am more open about telling other people I am working on this project. I have mentioned it in my last two radio interviews, and I have been sending the book or at least a chapter to host I’m pitching for future shows. I have even started approaching hosts of shows I’ve already done to see about going back on their show to talk about this second book.
And I should mentioned that when Alex posted the guest post she modified the book title just a bit. She called it its not the cookie its the jar. I’m not sure which is better. The latter name might offer more merchandising options down the road.
I want to challenge you to share at least one of your life goals in the comments section. I want to hear those big crazy dreams that you have never shared with anyone else. And as always if you aren’t comfortable saying it out loud, you can email me with it. It will all be completely confidential.
Sharing Is Caring
I am so grateful to Alex. She has been and continues to be an amazing friend. She has already invited me to appear on her show again when the book is published. And she is always there to encourage me and remind me that I am a super star.
I hope you have at least one friend like her in your life. If you don’t, then I strongly urge you to go out and make one. They can be online or off. As you can tell from me distance doesn’t have to keep you from making real connections.
I thank you for taking the time to read my work and visit the sites of people I have mentioned. I know you have lots of demands on your time. You also have lots of options for information, education, inspiration, and entertainment. So, thanks and take care out there, Max
It took me a bit to make it through this post. VoiceOver kept jumping me back up to the top for some unknown reason, but glad I did.
🙂
I have been a bit blocked since the start of the new year. I know my dreams and I have no shortage of them. I am not even afraid to share them here. I just feel kind of jammed, as my mind is a bit bogged down, but I am writing, hoping the simple act of writing will help unclog things.
🙂
I like the jar one by the way. Glad you are getting a head start on things for your second try at this. You are building something worthwhile and amazing.
Kerry recently posted…#BeReal – LISA LISTWA
Hi Kerry; I think your decision to write to help clear up your blocks is a good idea. Often we try to figure out things in our minds when its our hands mouths and feet that need to do the work. A lot of my progress has come from just doing the next job in front of me. And when you are a blogger you are a writer. So writing to get unstuck makes perfect sense. I hope you are right that I am building something special and long lasting here. And I believe that its just a matter of time before some of your big dreams start to come true. thanks so much for your comment my friend. I need to do more of it myself as my site’s traffic numbers and comment frequency are both down. and since you gave me your thoughts on the title of this second book, I’ll ask your opinion on something I’ve been thinking about today. I’m considering pulling the ebook as a free gift to new subscribers. I’m thinking of a deadline of valentine’s day as it is the third anniversary of my first weigh in. I’m not sure what I’ll replace it with, but I’m thinking that people may sign up more if they know they will be losing out on the opportunity. I’m also thinking of raising the price of leading you out when the second book is released. Since my book was published prices people are charging have gone up. And many people have told me that the book offers much more value than the five dollar price tag. Just throwing some ideas out there for your consideration and thoughts from anyone else reading this. Thanks again and keep moving forward my friend. xoxo max
Hey Maxwell, You already know how I feel about your effort. Kerry is right when she says you are building something worthwhile. Oh yes you are… I need to apologise about modifying your title though…(That wasn’t intentional. in fact I didn’t realise it, until I just read this post). Perhaps, I should blame it on my subconscious . Ultimately what you call this book all comes down to what you feel comfortable with and how you want people to respond to it. You reserve the right to even change it completely, if you want.
Please don’t worry so much about numbers and the drop in blog comments. Let me explain. Max. The world is changing, everything is fast paced. There are so many social media platforms, blogs, websites, podcasts, video and digital magazines to visit in the midst of a busy schedule.
People are back and forth several platforms, they read, take whatever lessons or message they can find and move along. The primary purpose of the amazing work you are doing here, is to have a platform to share your voice, your wisdom and impact lives…which you do. Building better interaction and connection here will eventually happen.
Do you know how many people have listened to all the many radio shows & podcasts you have done. Geez! They all know a Maxwell Ivey exists. All you have to do is consolidate on your popularity with the New Book. Believe me, the new book will help you sell the old one.
It was a privilege to share your awesome chapter as a guest post on my blog. Pity I haven’t found the time to reply comments yet. I will. Stay Winning Max. And keep up with the writing Kerry. Xx
Hi Alex; You said a lot of important things here. First, your comment shows you not only read the post but you read the previous comments. That’s something I rarely do unless I’m one of the first and the number of other comments is low. BUt thanks for reminding me just how crowded the net is and just how many demands there are on people’s time. What I was really referring to is that when I comment on my friend’s sites i get more visitors and comments to my own. I don’t generally focus too much on raw numbers regardless of how good or bad they may appear. It all comes down to doing good work, building good relationships, and waiting for the results as you said. And it wasn’t until just now that the idea of the new book selling more copies of the old one came to me. I’m even hearing from friends who have said that the second book will give me permission to raise the price of the first one as well. As for the title I think the jar is even better. If it was your subconscious then what could be a better endorsement for it being right. Too often its over thinking that gets us into trouble. I appreciate all that you have done for me. I really love how you encouraged kerry as well. She has had a short story published in an anthology, and I know she has an amazing world of fiction inside her that will be at the top of the best sellers list some day. Looking forward to what happens next on this amazing adventure we are both on. I like to think about bilbo Baggins at the beginning of the habit. He was challenged to step outside the front door of his snug little habit hole. He didn’t even have a handkerchief with him. And by taking on bigger and bigger challenges he ended up being the hero of the story. I guess that makes you Gandolf in my story. 🙂 take care out there my friend. xoxo max
maxwell ivey recently posted…Alex Okoroji helps me tell the world that my second book its not the cookie its the jar is coming
Very inspiring Maxwell, and I also like the cookie analogy. I’ll be honest, I have mixed feelings about sharing dreams and goals. I really think it depends on the goal and who you choose to share it with. I’ve seen people become bitter and discouraged after well meaning friends and family make it their mission to “talk sense” into them, and others who freely share but never actually do anything about achieving their goals. They just like the attention they get by sharing their grand dreams. Then there are people like you, obviously well grounded in your goals and able to share your journey with others as you continue to grow.
Like anything in life there are variables and I believe the key to finding what works for each of us is mustering the courage to honest with ourselves about how truly committed we are to whatever it is we want to achieve.
Marquita Herald recently posted…How to Beat a Motivational Slump
Hi Marquita; yes you are right which is why i told people to share via email instead of commenting if they felt it was better for them. I guess I am effected by the fact that I approach my growth differently than a lot of people. I like the truly motivated to have at least one person they can share with. and that was my goal. yes we do all know at least one of those people who feel they are helping you by being realistic and showing you just how crazy your dream is. I’ve also been lucky to meet a lot of equally insain people along the way. take care now, max
I have dreams, big dreams. I would rather dream big and not receive it than aim for the bottom/middle and receive what lurks there.
The higher you aim, the more you will receive.
I share my dreams with my husband but very few people other than him. I am a fairly private person and feel there is a thin line between sharing and boasting.
This is a wonderful article. I was drawn to the point about not becoming concerned with your number of followers and comments on your blog.
Hi Phoenicia; I’m glad to hear you have someone you can share with who will support your dreams. Too often I hear from people whose spouse or family members aren’t supportive. We’ve all heard stories about people whose friends and family not only don’t get what they are doing but make no effort to understand or even pay attention. and alex reminded me that the number of comments isn’t as big an indicator as it used to be because of all the competition for people’s time and attention. I know that I get far more comments when I make the effort to visit my friend’s blogs and leave comments on their posts. sharing other people’s content also works well. I am happy to see you stopping by my site. I look forward to exchanging messages with you on a more regular basis. take care now, max
It’s Not the Cookie It’s the Bag is a great title. Can mean so many things. Good luck with it Max.
Hi ken; appreciate your visiting and giving me your opinion. now need to finish the book come up with a cover get people to review it. all the not so fun stuff that goes along with writing a book. thanks again, max
Hi Max, and congrats on having a second book in the works! I think your story will inspire many people, and I am looking forward to reading it.
I will check out the links you’ve included in the post and promise to visit Alex’s site. We are so very fortunate when someone believes in us and is willing to help promote our work.
My dream is to live where there is no winter. I live where there is a long winter of 5 months and what bothers me most about it is the lack of colour during that time. LOTS of white and snow, and we all know that while is not a colour. Hopefully, one day I will live where it is lush, warm and green 12 months of the year.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…tips for pairing wine with chocolate
Hi Doreen; thanks for your support. You are so right its critical to success to have people share your work. we need people to believe in our cause and want to charge the windmills right along side us. alex is cool that way. Haven’t known her long but we clicked. its not warm year round here in texas sorry sweety. it was in the twenties just a couple nights ago. I hear that hawaii and puerto rico meet your requirements but p r is so much cheaper to live in. where do you see yourself living? do you have a city or even address picked out yet? stay warm and when there is too much white there is always your imagination or the internet. lol will definitely let you know when the book is finished, max
Hi Max – glad to see you back and wow, writing a second book – you amaze me. I really like the It’s not the cookie, it’s the bag – Fascinating title.
I wish you much success with this second book.
hi lenie; and you amaze me with your constantly posting long detailed posts every week. some of the information you share is as entertaining as it is informative. I do hope this second book does well. currently i’m at that stage of mostly done but not sure its ready for my editor. and i was really hoping to have some equipment sales come in so i wouldn’t have to depend on the book to be successful. I’d love to just do the work believing it will be fruitful without the pressure that goes along with all that. but its inescapable I guess. thanks for your encouragement my friend. take care, max
I just love the title It’s Not the Cookie It’s the Bag. So clever and unique. Deciding on a title can be so hard. This article is an interesting story. It is so great when somebody helps like that. My husband often does that for me. I hope the book works out great for you.