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Changing My Game

Guest post by: Rebel Brown

Article Overview: Have you ditched an old recipe and found a new way to cook up your success?

Changing My Game

Hanging onto old recipes limits our success. We all have old recipes running around in our brains. It's human nature to find and follow a pattern. We creatures of habit feel more comfortable that way.

I became aware of an old, and dangerous, recipe in my own life not too long ago.

I've helped companies grow for over two decades now as a consultant. In 2009, I decided it was time to step into the life of my dream as an author and speaker, sharing my consulting experience to help people think differently about how to grow their business.

I've always been an independent person, rarely taking the tried and true approach to anything. Must be my name. When I began to write Defying Gravity, I wanted to self-publish, primarily to have control of my content and direction.

Everyone I spoke with strongly suggested that I stick with the a known recipe for success as a first time author. That recipe declared I needed a NY publishing house to be taken seriously with my first book. After many discussions, including a big argument with my own intuition, I changed my plans and headed down that path. When a well-respected NY agent signed me, I was thrilled.

But as things progressed, it became apparent that the houses, and my agent, wanted to change my book pretty dramatically. They didn't 'get' what I wanted to write - they only knew their traditional formulas and focus areas. I wasn't about to sell out for the NY houses. I know my audience and I understand the value I offer.

I finally drew the line about what I wanted to write. My agent fired me. OMG - how's that for a wake up call? I was a little lost for a bit, but then I remembered my original dream. On the recommendation of my friend Scott McKain, I connected with Clint Greenleaf or Greenleaf Book Group. Three weeks later I signed with them - and I've never looked back. Greenleaf is everything I dreamed of in a publisher - innovative, supportive professionals who are creating new recipes for authors to power unprecedented success.

That old recipe for author success? Forget it. It may work for a few, but not for most, and certainly not for me. I'm working with Greenleaf on some pretty exciting things - beyond the book itself, which I am finishing as we speak. Defying Gravity is my book, written my way - with superb and out-of-the box additions from the smart, innovative thinkers on the Greenleaf team.

The traditional publishing approach felt so wrong for me. Greenleaf feels so right. I just know I'm on the right path - creating my own recipe for success as I go along. I'm learning every day and adjusting with every conversation. And I'm cookin' up some pretty fun ideas along the way!

What about you? Have you ditched an old recipe and found a new way to cook up your success? I'd love to hear about it!

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Article Tags: business, business strategy, coaching, defying gravity, leadership, reinvention, transformation



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