Who is This Blog For?

The rough draft of my book's "Forward" - whatever the heck that is, may have the answer:

What the book is not:  About a person that was picked last in gym and then became an Olympic athlete, who can relate?  It's a book about an average guy, that is moderately successful, that fought adversity.

"Getting Picked Last in Gym" is a metaphor for something you wanted to do and couldn't, in life, school, work, maybe your first failure.  Remember, all my jocky friends, your first failure?  Pretty rough - probably still hurts, huh?

All of us have been there; some more than others.  Hopefully, this has your wheels turning and you are starting to think about your story(ies).  I'll share my Chapter One with you next time. 

How Do You Eat An Elephant? In Very Small Bites!!

This is similar to writing a book. 

You may recall from my last post that one of my goals to accomplish over my career/life is to write a book. I also deputized each of you to be part of my accountability group and help me reach my goal.

Here’s an update.  So far, I have a title, dedication, bullet point outline and about 800 words written.  FYI, a book needs to be a minimum of 60,000 words.  So, for my non-math guys, my book is exactly 1.333333% complete!   However, if I take my own advice and eat the elephant one small bite at a time, the book will get done.

Now I am whining, but please indulge  me (this is the last time I will complain, promise.)  Writing a book:    it seems fairly easy – ya,  for someone  else and  if you put your nose to the grind stone, but believe me it’s hard!! Remember, I have a full time job, wife and a family, so my writing is in my free time, which g-d forbid, interferes with “Words with Friends” time, so no more acceptances that are new.

I was having writer’s remorse that other than a good title (at least I think so and from other people’s reaction, it seemed to be good) maybe the story is not that interesting, except to my Mom.  But I have the need to get it out.  I feel that my story is a microcosm of most of our lives.  By sharing maybe someone else’s life will be better because I ate the elephant one bite at a time! 

P.S.  Here’s the title:  “How to get Picked last In Gym and Survive!”  (The Plight of Just an Average Guy).   A funny thing I discovered as I talked to people about my book is that everyone has a story they want to tell too.  So this process is much more than about writing a book; its about life.
I welcome your stories and comments!!

Summer Reading List

What does accountability mean to you? If you are like most of us, it is the spine crawling sound of   scratching your fingers on a chalkboard.  (For those who remember, now they use some kind of techno method, I’m sure.)

After pondering this for some time, the best definition I have heard is “doing what you say you are going to do.”

So, if this the meaning, is actually holding yourself accountable easy?

I am actually starting an accountability group, because who cuts you more slack, the company you work for or yourself?  It is a close call!  As to the slack issue, I think an outside group might be the way to go, but I will share my experience and the group’s success with you in a few months.

One of my goals to accomplish over my career/life is to write a book. I have now deputized all of you as part my accountability group, so help me reach my goal and I will help you.  When you next see me, ask me how my book is coming along and share something with me on you “to-do list” that hasn’t quite left the ground (yet).  I promise to give you an accountability “nudge” too.

In closing, my summer reading list is actually to start writing a book.

Have a good summer and enjoy your summer reading list, whatever that might be!!