Decide like Dolly! How do you define success?

Dolly Parton is an icon who needs no introduction, especially for those of us from Sevier County, Tennessee. Her confidence, artistic energy, and commercial success permeate our community in the most cheerful manner possible. Let's think about who she is: a self-proclaimed hillbilly who DECIDED to be a songwriter, musician, performer, actress, movie producer, employer, international philanthropist, and, according to my fellow Gatlinburg-Pittman High School marching band member, Danielle Parton, a dang good aunt.

Who doesn't love Dolly? Is it me, or do you feel like you actually know her? What I love most about Dolly is that she DECIDED her destiny. She's a Christian who embraces God's gifts while she also respects the need for hard work to realize those gifts. Hmmmm, maybe that would be a good song title: "Heaven and Hard Work"

What do you think? Have you ever DECIDED to be something? Happy? Free from worry? A writer? A published author? A published author who sells lots of copies?

Few of my clients are trained writers. I teach them a variety of skills, including brainstorming. They are amazed at what their brains produce in spite of their doubts. To demonstrate, I just set my timer to 60 seconds. Once I hit the start button, I'll type my clients'' professions until the buzzer sounds. GO!

• retired teachers

• attorney

• educational missionary

• tech specialist

• retired stewardess

• long-haul trucker

• entry-level insurance guy

• college student

• high school student

• housewife

• artist

• private school fundraiser

• apartment complex manager

• retired veterinarian

• dentist

• ob/gyn

• musician

• entrepreneur

• professor

• factory worker

• school principal

• science teacher

• yoga instructor

• nurse

• hospital administrator

• lieutenant colonel, Army

• retired DOJ professional

• teachers

• realtors

• consultant

• ecologist

• clinical social worker

• preacher

• astrophysicist

• insurance agent

• women's minister

• fireman and engineer

• outlaw biker (Yes, you read that correctly. I ghostwrote his memoir A Million Miles with Big Bad Good Bob.)

The timer sounded. Whew! I could list so many more professions.

What I do NOT see on that list is the word WRITER. Who cares? I don't, and you shouldn't either. All of those people are writers now. I love helping "regular folks" decide to be and actually become writers and published authors.

Now that you are a writer, I challenge you to write your definition of success in this industry. Your success could be helping struggling families, sharing your faith, teaching a skill, promoting a business, setting the record straight, leaving a legacy, making money, or something else. You decide. Today, I challenge you to apply the decision-making energy and attitude that made you a writer to drafting a plan that will help you find that success.

If reaching more readers is your goal, I have a simple but incredibly useful tool our Annual Book Marketing Planner.

If your goal is to grow a project from wherever it is (idea, rough draft, stack of sticky notes, whatever) and send it into the marketplace, I have the Step-by-Step Trail Guide from Idea, to Published, Profitable Book.

If you have a different goal and need a tool, tell me. My team and I will create it just email me at [email protected]

One of Dolly Parton's famous quotes is, “I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.” Sometimes, I have to replace that word people with the word I. Dolly's mindset is admirable, and writers like you share it. You can apply that spirit to the next steps in your author journey, too. If you need help, the Crippled Beagle Publishing team is here.

XOXOXO

Jody

Look at the confidence in her expression!