Hello, and welcome to Continuous Improvement, the podcast that explores personal growth, self-reflection, and the journey towards becoming the best version of ourselves. I’m your host, Victor, a software engineering manager in the fintech industry. Today, I want to share with you my experience of self-publishing a book and the valuable lessons I learned along the way.

A couple of months ago, I decided to take on the challenge of writing and publishing a book online through Amazon’s self-publishing service. Let me clarify, I am not a professional writer or artist, but rather someone who was looking to improve my communication skills and embark on a journey of personal growth.

The motivation to write this book came to me during the COVID-19 lockdown last year. As I had time for self-reflection, I realized the importance of enhancing my abilities to think, speak, and write effectively. It was during this time that I stumbled upon a YouTube video by Dr. Jordan Peterson, a renowned clinical psychologist and professor from Canada. His advice that “if you can think, speak, and write, you are absolutely deadly,” resonated deeply with me.

To further explore this path of self-improvement, I enrolled in Dr. Peterson’s self-authoring program, which provided online prompts for self-reflection. Simultaneously, I joined a Toastmasters club to enhance my public speaking skills. It was during this time that I met a mentor who encouraged me to take the leap and write a book.

Getting started wasn’t the most difficult part; it was maintaining the habit of writing despite feeling unmotivated. I faced distractions like constant notifications on my phone and negative self-talk that made me doubt my abilities. Thoughts like “I’m not a good writer” or “Nobody will read what I’ve written” often deterred me. But despite these difficulties and uncertainties, I remained true to my objectives and persevered with my writing journey.

However, what disappointed me the most wasn’t negative feedback, but rather the lack of feedback altogether. In today’s digital age, traditional books face fierce competition from platforms like YouTube and podcasts. While I still appreciate the printed word and read extensively to stay mentally engaged, it was discouraging that even my close relationships, such as my girlfriend, didn’t take the time to read my work.

Though I did receive some positive feedback when I announced the publication of my book on social media, only two people actually bought it. This was a sobering validation of my efforts. It made me realize that without being a high-profile figure like the CEO of Disney, Jeff Bezos, or Elon Musk, it’s incredibly challenging to gain recognition for one’s contributions.

This realization became one of the invaluable lessons I learned from this self-publishing journey. It’s clear that if I want to reach more people and create an impact, I should study marketing strategies and better understand audience expectations before diving into another self-publishing project.

If you’re interested in learning more about my journey and are seeking inspiration in your own endeavors, I invite you to check out my book. You can find it on Amazon by searching for https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FHXLD4G.

Thank you for joining me on this episode of Continuous Improvement. Remember, personal growth is a continuous journey, and sometimes the most valuable lessons are found in the setbacks and disappointments we face along the way. Stay motivated and keep striving to become the best version of yourself.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast for more inspiring stories and valuable insights. Until next time, this is Victor signing off.

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