{"id":1498,"date":"2021-11-30T17:00:27","date_gmt":"2021-11-30T17:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/camden.papabeaupreblog.com\/?p=1498"},"modified":"2023-04-05T23:00:28","modified_gmt":"2023-04-05T23:00:28","slug":"dream-plan-do-it-work-hard-realize-your-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/camden.papabeaupreblog.com\/?p=1498","title":{"rendered":"I’m a published author! (the magic of ‘dream, plan & do)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I\u2019ve wanted to write and publish a book for decades, always keeping the idea in the back of my mind.\u00a0 \u201cSomeday,\u201d I\u2019d tell myself, \u201cwhen my life isn\u2019t as busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

While years passed, I never stopped believing<\/strong> it would happen. My passion for writing \u2013 and the joy it has always brought me \u2013 was as strong as ever.<\/p>\n

I remember the exact day and moment it became real.\u00a0 It was on Friday September 14, 2018, during a long Dover walk, on\u00a0 a still hot, late summer day. I was 64 years old; my birthday was exactly one week away.<\/p>\n

\u201dGo for it,<\/em>\u201d the little voice inside shouted out, \u2018the time is now Andy. Make it happen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Energized, I put a plan<\/strong> in place.\u00a0 I spent the next nine months thinking about the angle of the book, researching ideas and brainstorming in person with people I knew in Boston, New York City, Naples, Florida and Washington, D.C.. The famous advice for authors \u2013\u00a0 \u201cWrite what you know\u201d<\/em> \u2013 helped me zero-in on the angle: I\u2019d write a business book about companies doing \u201cemotional marketing\u201d (head and heart branding). The idea still wasn\u2019t crisp enough; I knew it was too vague. I couldn\u2019t figure it out.<\/p>\n

In May, Grammy and I went to France, recharging batteries in Paris and Normandy. In June I had shoulder rotator cuff and bicep surgery at Mass General Brigham; my recovery was long.\u00a0 I got caught up in the busyness of Fall and holidays but never stopped thinking about the best angle for my book; it was always in the back of my mind and I kept refining various ideas. I wanted to write a book that would inspire others, something meaningful.<\/p>\n

When New Year\u2019s 2020 dawned, I was refreshed, focused and energized. Something had happened over the last eight months: the book angle was now crystal clear.\u00a0<\/em> I\u2019d write about lesser known \u2013 but successful \u2013 companies making the world a better place, deeply caring about their people, the planet and community.\u00a0 I\u2019d make their stories come alive through the first person perspective of the inspiring founders, CEOs and sustainability leaders who made greater purpose happen. The book would inspire other businesses to make the world a better place, a noble mission indeed.<\/p>\n

It was time to Do It.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I researched hundreds of potential candidates, narrowing down the list as the months passed.\u00a0 My first interview was in March 2020.\u00a0 One week later COVID-19 descended upon the United States as it spread across the globe. Everything shut down, communication was difficult, no one wanted to (or could) meet in person.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t easy getting people to answer emails and care about being in my book.<\/p>\n

2020 was a nightmare, but I kept my dream alive, working hard<\/strong>, pushing through barriers, never giving up. I built relationships with companies I didn\u2019t know (except for one, RedRiver in Claremont, NH). I switched to Zoom to conduct real-time video interviews with business executives. By the end of the year, I had written five stories.<\/p>\n

2021 was better than 2020, but still challenging. I found five new companies with great stories and built relationships, eventually conducting interviews and writing their stories. By late August, I had written 10 stories (one dropped out).<\/p>\n

During a complicated and extremely difficult time in my life, I\u00a0 found the focus and energy to get through the home stretch. With help from key people (Grammy; Amy Pattee Colvin, my editor; Fiona Wilson from UNH and the design company 100 Covers), I created a book cover, finished editing, secured \u201cbook blurb\u201d quotes from people (for the back cover and Amazon page) and wrote six other book sections. There were endless readings and improvements. I secured approvals from each of the nine companies, the final step.<\/p>\n

On November 9, 2021, on my son\u2019s birthday, The Purposeful Nine was published on Amazon. I was proud of the final product.\u00a0 My dream had become reality.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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