In the time leading up to a big day, you do everything you can. You make plans. You consider contingencies. You supply, you restock. You practice, you rehearse, you try to anticipate. You ask for help… a lot of help.
Good planning goes a long way. Giving a speech is a lot easier if you know exactly what you want to say. Laying the foundation for maximum impact comes through careful work done over the course of weeks, months, and years.
But some of the plans, you already know, will need to be adjusted on the fly. “No plan survives contact with the enemy on the battleground,” as they say. And in this case, the enemy is Taliban-like: hard to pin down; hard to predict. The enemy is tight schedules, dozens of unknown venues, places you’ve never been, and countless variables outside your control. (Not to mention your own fears and doubts… ultimately the most challenging enemies.)
In the interim between calm and storm, it’s good to take a long run early in the morning, preferably up an extinct volcano near your apartment. Or if you don’t run, just walk. Go outside and look up at the sky and say to yourself: “Whatever happens, things will be different after this is over.”
Process is important. It’s not the big event; it’s what led up to the event to bring you there. It’s not the finished product; it’s remembering what you put into it. Worldly success is fleeting, so if you can focus on what will be different in your own life after it’s done, so much the better.
Looking at the work from a distance, you see some things you’re impressed with, and others that you’d change if you could. But it’s too late to change, because in the end, an artist has to deliver. An artist has to be able to say, “Here it is, world! It’s your turn now.” Ultimately, that’s what it all comes down to.
And In This Case
You spend a year writing a book, then you spend a year waiting for it to come out. You ask your publisher about book tours and hear that no one does them anymore because there is no money, and no one buys real books these days anyway. So you decide, what the hell, we’ll do our own book tour. And because nothing worth doing is ever easy, you decide to make it the most epic book tour you could possibly think of.
Then you get on a plane and fly to New York City, home of big dreams, small hotel rooms, and Dunkin’ Donuts. And then, the next morning, it all begins.
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Image: SM
September 6, 2010
Pascal
Best luck Chris on your tour, can’t wait to receive your book.
September 6, 2010
viqueen
Can hardly wait to meet you in Omaha! May you have a fabulous journey.
September 6, 2010
Hillary
Thanks for reminding us that it’s the process that matters more than the end result. I also appreciated the reminder that our own fears are often our biggest enemies. Keep pushing on and good fortune will find you!
September 6, 2010
Luce
Congratulations in hitting this big milestone for you. Enjoy the book tour and I can’t wait to hear about it.
September 6, 2010
Alex Hajicek
“It’s not the big event; it’s what led up to the event to bring you there.”
I couldn’t agree more. Best of luck!
September 6, 2010
Zachary
Enjoy the ride Chris
September 6, 2010
Barbara
You have worked hard Chris and this is part of the reward. You have built a small and growing army and we will be supporting you – and each other – along the way!
September 6, 2010
Heather Allard
Congratulations, Chris! Will you be coming to Providence? Would love to meet you and buy your book!
Heather
September 6, 2010
Jennifer
Hello,
For years I’ve wanted to be self – employed using my nearly life long skills and passions: writing and photography. Obligations and children came along and I got side-tracked from my dream. I bought into the false sense of security that a “job” gives.
Then I found your site and Zen Habits. Then lots of other resources. I began a blog and started making plans to live the way I want to.
Not quite two weeks ago my well paying, but extremely stressful position became redundant. I see this as the perfect gift. I now have the time to devote to my goals.
I’ve just started a souvenir business and my wedding photography business will be up and running within seven weeks. Other micro-businesses to follow.
So thank you for sharing your ongoing journey so candidly. You are going to do just fine on this tour. By the way, people like me do still buy real books.
Take care and enjoy the ride…
Jennifer
Grand Bahama Island
September 6, 2010
Tim Dean
one of the best things you’ve written Chris
September 6, 2010
Bonnie
You will be outstanding!!
I’ll look for you in DC or Baltimore – I know there’s a schedule somewhere.
Bonnie
September 6, 2010
Christopher
Here’s to domination! See you in NJ!
September 6, 2010
Josh Bulloc
Now you have done the writing and publishing you are 20% done. Now time to market and sell your butt off.
Josh Bulloc
Kansas City, MO
How can I help?
September 6, 2010
Amanda
May the tribe be with you!
September 6, 2010
Mindy
Have a great time on your tour Chris! I’m sure it is going to be AWESOME
September 6, 2010
Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot
Happy book touring:) I’m keeping an eye on my letter box and looking forward to reading it. I know the book will be marevelous and everyone who reads it will be inspired:)Have fun meeting your peeps.
September 6, 2010
Callie Oettinger
Happy Travels and Bookselling! See you in D.C.
September 6, 2010
Melissa Dinwiddie
Congrats Chris! Have fun, and I’ll see you in San Francisco! (And thanks for the sweet email.)
Don’t forget to let me know how else I can help.
September 6, 2010
Lindy klk
Hi Chris,
I really want to say ‘Ditto’ to all the above comments ~ they have all said it perfectly!!
I too believe it is one of your best posts to date and though it may relate to your book tour, it is so pertinent to us!!
Thank you for putting it so succinctly!!
Best wishes for a wonderful, exciting (& tiring!!) time ~
September 6, 2010
Adeline Chong
Have the time of your life. Real excited for you!
Adeline
September 6, 2010
Sheila Martin
Absolutely lovely, Chris.
See you next year, in either Victoria or Vancouver…
September 6, 2010
Douglas
Chris,
Wow! What a wonderful way to start your book tour in the big city of New York.
Congratulations again and looking forward to seeing you in Michigan.
September 6, 2010
Arthur
Cool post! It’s true that nothing will ever get done until you take the first step to make it happen and that one must be ready to face whatever may come, but also always ready for contingencies.
Your blog’s amazing! Best wishes.
September 6, 2010
Jonathan
good luck Chris! I cannot wait to purchase the book tomorrow.
September 7, 2010
Aaron
Everything is going to go great, Chris! Look forward to seeing you in LA!!!
September 7, 2010
Lisa
Chris,
You are an inspiration. Good luck on the tour and keep us all posted. See you in Boston.
September 7, 2010
Bill Enross
Word Up Chris – See you in Cambridge on Friday, rock on.
September 7, 2010
Jon - iPad Case
Congratulations on getting a mention by Seth Godin! I just read his latest post and there you were! That should help with your book sales!
September 7, 2010
Trisha Carter
May you have many memorable, enjoyable, challenging and thrilling moments as you go on this journey.
Look forward to following from afar
Trisha
September 7, 2010
Karen
Looking forward to when you’re in Toronto – will enjoy meeting you!
September 7, 2010
Wyman
Hi Chris,
You did really great on the book. I read it in a couple of days. Just heard from Amazon that the three pre-sale books have been shipped. I will pass them around and try to increase your readership. Have fun on the book tour. I hope your wife will fly out to see you regularly.
September 13, 2010
Jennifer Moore
WTG, Chris! Safe travels, and I look forward to seeing you in DC!