Do You Need to Change Before You Can Author Change?

Many writers feel called to write books that inspire others to create change. Maybe you are one of them. If so, your book might cause readers to change their personal lives, habits, work, health, relationships, thinking, or spiritual practice. Or your book might move them to create change in the world—by becoming more ecologically minded, politically involved, or ethically outspoken. When you write a book that causes your readers to take positive action in these ways, you author change. You become an author of change.

Very few people, however, like to change. As an authors of change, therefore, you must become quite intimate with change. Not only must you embrace change, you must know how to change personally when necessary and you  must possess the ability to help and inspire others to do the same. Additionally, as a writer you must be willing to make changes that allow your work to reach the most people possible.

In fact, you might need to change before you can author change.

Let me be clear: As an authors of change, you must become more than a writer—even though most writers prefer to simply write. You must become a:

• Community Builder
• Reader Engagement Expert
• Promoter
• Inspirer of Action
• Professional (Inspirational) Speaker
• Businessperson
• Content Expert (not just a writer)

If you want to become an author of change, ask yourself if you are willing to be more than just a writer or an author. Are you willing to become the type of writer that authors change? Are you willing to create and lead a tribe? Are you willing to do what it takes to start a movement—to become that type of person? Are you ready, as well as willing, to wear all those hats, to develop all those skills, or to find a way to implement a system, a team, a community to help you do so?

If the answer is “yes,” then you can, indeed, become an author of change. You need only start implementing the changes necessary to author change on all levels: in your life, in the lives of others, and in the world. Become the type of writer that can author change. Then author a book that inspires others to change as well.

If you answered “no,” it’s time to consider if you you are cut out to be an author of change. Or find a way at the very least to change your level of willingness to change, desire to become an author of change or comfort with change itself.

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles