Years ago, I was a hopeful yet hesitant author. I was so hopeful to publish a book someday but I was hesitant to share my writings to the public. Publishing something means making it public. So how will I publish something if I am not willing to share it to the public? My thoughts were conflicted. I was an ambivalent author. (Ambivalent is being uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow.)
I was afraid of being judged and rejected. “What if they say my writing is poor? What if they don’t like it? What if they judge me and not just my book? Will they even bother to read it?”
But writing has always been there with me. I started writing letters even before I entered grade school. My father would write the draft and I would copy it as if it were my letter. In my innocent mind, it was as if I wrote it myself. When I entered grade school, I learned how to write my own. Since then, I have been writing letters, essays, and articles.
“I want to publish a book… But wait, perhaps when I grow old. But can’t I do it now while I’m young? I was afraid.”
That dream was put aside as I pursued my college studies in two degrees: BS Financial & Management Accounting and BS Accountancy. I wasted no time. After graduation, I took my review and passed the board examinations. I became a Certified Public Accountant. While I was hesitant to making myself and my works public, at least my PRC ID is so public – it reads Certified Public Accountant!
In January 2010, I started working as an associate in one of the top professional firms in Makati City. I was enjoying my work as an auditor that I almost forgot my longing to become a published author.
While I was reading an article about preparing better presentations, I stumbled upon an international organization called Toastmasters. The article said that Toastmasters is an avenue where you can enhance your public speaking skills.
“I wanted to become a public speaker!”
An inner voice whispered, “Go, check it out!”
In May of that year, I visited a Toastmasters Club in Makati City. I liked what I saw. In the following month, I became a Toastmaster. I started delivering speeches then. But before I would deliver my speeches, I had to write them first. It was subtle – I didn’t know I got back to writing.
In Toastmasters, I met different kinds of people. In several events, I have met public speakers, published authors and bloggers.
My inner being was telling me I want to be like them. The question that I needed to ask, “What are they doing?” Then came the answer, “They make their works public?” A public speaker speaks on stage in front of an audience, a published author makes his book available to readers, and bloggers put their writings on the internet open to the world!
“Let me try blogging.”
“What will I write?”
“I don’t know.”
In July 7, 2010, a light bulb flashed in my young mind as I revisited my first speech in Toastmasters. I rewrote it, edited it and published it as my very first blog post.
The next day, there was comment. I was frightened. But then I was freed as I read it, “I enjoyed reading your post.” Another comment reads, “Wow! It makes me shed tears…” There were other moving and encouraging comments.
I didn’t know that such simple article could stir a heart, shed a tear, and start an idea in the mind of a reader. I realized that the reward was so riveting, way much reverberating than the risk of rejection.
I continued writing small pieces. Little did I know that those small pieces would turn into something big.
In December 2013, I published my very first book entitled ‘The Gift of the Ordinary.’ I was giving out copies to family and friends. Weeks later, people were buying it. They loved it. They say they were moved, inspired and empowered. Some would even ask, “When is your next book coming out?”
I was awed by how it was welcomed by the readers. My ambivalence began to dwindle.
In December 2014, I published my second book ‘7 Keys to Achieve Your Aspirations.’ The limited publication was sold out. This year, I will be publishing my third book.
Sometimes I ask, “Is this worth publishing. This is not totally new. Most of the ideas are being shared by big names like John Maxwell, Joel Osteen, Stephen Covey, Brendon Burchard, Bo Sanchez, and many others. Will they even bother to read my book?”
But in my years of conversing with my readers and audiences, I realized that what I share to them coupled with my personal story is also impactful. It is also different when you actually meet the person sharing that message. There are times when I thought that what I’m about to share is a common knowledge but when I asked them, it dawned on me that it is not a common knowledge. It is something worth sharing. At times, they ought to be reminded too because common sense is not common practice as Brendon Burchard puts it.
An experienced writer once said that everything that has to be written has already been written. So why write? Write and share it because your story, your voice is unique. The impact you can make is different from that of others. That is your role. That is your spot in the greater scheme of things. So if you are called to write, write. Speak. Sing. Invent. Defend. Protect. Teach. Whatever it is you are called to do, do it! For me, it is to speak, to teach and to write.
My books are not perfect but they have pushed persons to progress in their personal projects. Even if that person is only one, I say that is success with significance.
I have published two books. This year, it will be my third. And I will continue to write and publish books.
Yes, I was an ambivalent author then. But with what I have experienced, with the supportive people around, and with the grace of God that abounds, from being an ambivalent author – I am now an aimful author. Surely not perfect, but purposeful. I aim to write to empower. This is Chris Dao-anis, at your service!
(Chris Dao-anis/CPA, as an author and speaker, helps aspiring and young professionals become better communicators and leaders. His first book ‘The Gift of the Ordinary’ is available at Mt. Cloud Bookshop, Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road, Baguio City and in Central Bookstores in Cebu and Metro Manila. For other resources, visit www.chrispoweracademy.com. For talks, seminars or speech coaching, email him at chrisdaoanis@gmail.com. You can also help him publish his third book by pre-ordering your copy. Visit www.chrispoweracademy.com/livinglarge.)