Counting the cost
Leave it to January to put things in perspective.
At the top of the year, I resumed work to meet an inbox filled with requests from potential authors who wanted to discuss their book ideas and how I could assist them.
I wasn’t necessarily surprised by that.
I understand that the work I do is somewhat seasonal. As a memoir ghostwriter, my service is most in need at the beginning, middle, and end of a calendar year. (Birthdays are popular, too.)
What do these periods have in common?
These are the moments when people are more likely to be in a reflective mood, considering how far they have come, what they would like to accomplish, and if a book can help them get closer to their personal goals.
Some people come out of this reflective state feeling self-assured that they need to write a book. They understand why they need to take that step, and how beneficial it could be to an audience.
One thing leads to another and there I am, in the middle of a snowy January (or a warm June or a rainy November) meeting some of these individuals and having the opportunity to hear their stories and book ideas.
None of that is surprising to me. It’s simply the way the world works.
But here’s the surprise: although these potential authors come to me with a why, many of them haven’t considered the cost. And by cost, I’m not just referring to a dollar figure.
The expenses that come with writing a book (especially, a memoir) are relatively small compared to the time, collective effort, mental energy, research, and emotional fortitude that’s required in the process.
Many times, I have to help these amazing people, with incredible stories, count the cost before they make any sort of commitment. But they aren’t the only ones who need help counting the cost.
Counting the cost is only part of the process; it’s not the end.
Wherever you look, you’re likely to find a self-help book, a pseudo-psychologist, a cliché quote on social media, a speaker with a microphone, or a preacher on a podium telling you to know your why. Heck, I might have even written something about that.
We all put so much emphasis on understanding our why, searching for a purpose, and looking for meanings. And that’s great.
But when we get the answers we need, we don’t spend enough time counting the cost required to fulfill the goals we set for ourselves or achieve the dreams we have. January forces us to do that.
After all the merriness, goal-setting, vision-boarding, and well-wishing of December, we are forced to face reality, answer the tough questions, and put in the work in January.
The last 31 days might have put things in perspective for you. They might have forced you to take some time to count the cost of all you want to accomplish in the near future. And, frankly, you may be feeling bogged down by that reality.
But as you begin this month, I’m encouraging you to buy into the perspective that January presented you with.
Counting the cost is only part of the process; it’s not the end. This part of the process isn’t supposed to deter you from moving forward. Instead, it is supposed to keep you informed and help position you for success in the long run. So, embrace it.
Take the time you need to really count the cost—all of it. Then, come out of the other side of this part of the process, with a better perspective, more knowledge, deeper understanding, and greater awareness of what boxes need to be checked, the sacrifices to be made, and the depth of discipline and diligence needed to get you over the line.
If January puts things in perspective, I hope February enlightens and strengthens you.
Recently:
Two weeks ago, I shared why I believe the secret to life is knowing when to leave on my podcast/weekly-personal-journal-type-thing.
Since then, several YouTubers have announced that they are quitting YouTube, some prominent sports coaches, including Bill Belichick, Jurgen Klopp, and Xavi, have announced their resignation and one of my favorite business experts has written about quitting time.
I don’t know what it is about 2024 but it seems like this year, more people are more willing to step away from situations that no longer serve their purpose.
Make of that what you will.