What Are You Waiting on Permission For?

What would you do if you knew you absolutely could not fail if you gave it your very very best? I asked myself that this weekend as I was digging through boxes, trying to decide what to keep and what to toss, and wondering how in the world I'd collected so many spare pieces of electronic equipment I now have absolutely no use for.

The answer came back, clear as a bell, "write a book."

But the book that popped into mind wasn't one of the two fantasy novels I've been working on, no, it was a book idea I've been chewing on for almost ten years that I just didn't have the nerve to go for previously. It would be a bit controversial, and would need to hit a very fine line to be the smart cultural critique/hope for a brighter tomorrow I had in mind. Previously I just wasn't sure I had the chops for it. Later that day on twitter I stumbled upon a great link for putting together a winning non fiction proposal and marketing plan in the "There Are No Rules" blog by Jane Friedman on Writer's Digest.

Inspired I wrote to teacher and writer Betsy Prioleau, whom I'd had the pleasure of getting to know a little when I interviewed her about her marvelous book "Seductress: Women Who Ravished the World and Their Lost Art of Love" a few years ago. I told her about my book idea and asked boldly, if she liked it, could I interview her for the proposal? Shortly after she replied and said she thought it was a great idea but she was on deadline with her newest book at present - which is perfect because I haven't even finished drafting my mission statement for it yet!

If that wasn't enough yes from the universe, when I told a dear friend about it he said he'd like to play a part, he'd like to help make the website really top of the line and he is an expert web tech guy. We are already talking about the design and function of the book's pre-site, a place where we'd start the conversation and create a robust survey so that the book really listens to what's going on.

Another friend and client also gave his thumbs up and recommended that I use some of the promotion ideas I've wanted to follow for him, for myself. And I had to stop and ask myself, why not?

I will hit bumps and serious roadblocks. I know this. And this project cannot be my end all be all, like all of you I have to earn a living, and I love my clients and the projects we have going together. Indeed, this is one of the most exciting times in my life professionally - but I think that's exactly why things are coming together so beautifully. I'm now more and more about the process and less and less about what others think.

In the past ten years I've reinvented myself for the fourth time in my life, and this has been the most rewarding one because it's the most authentic. I am now giving myself permission to really be myself. It has not been clear sailing all along, oh no. It's been one rough migraine filled ride. But it's also been joyous and interesting and exciting because I'm dancing to the beat of my own drum.

How about you? What are you waiting on the Permission Slip from God for? What if you are the only one who really needs to say yes?