People are always amazed when I tell them that I never set out to be a writer, have never taken a single writing class, and didn’t know the first thing about writing a book when I decided to write my first one. But what I did have, once I made the decision to write Work It, Girl, was three keys to success: a passion, a partner and a plan.

A Passion (or two)

I have always had a passion for helping others manage their careers. In my 20+ years in the career counseling field I have worked with youth, college students, professionals, military service members and their spouses, civilians, and entrepreneurs. And honestly, I love every minute of conducting one-on-one sessions, large group workshops and small group seminars. It really is my passion.

However, I eventually, I discovered that I was blessed to have a second passion when a colleague and friend showed me the ropes on becoming a freelance writer. What I loved about it most was that it gave me another avenue by which I could help even more people manage their careers. And so I wrote, and wrote, and wrote career and job search articles for many national and international print and online publications. I couldn’t believe I was getting paid for yet another thing I loved to do, even though I was doing it just because I loved it. Once I got really good at writing on these topics, I challenged myself to hone my research, interview, and writing skills by covering topics on which I was not an expert and I found equal satisfaction (and success) with that, too. I knew then, then that my passions for writing and for career management were fueling a fire…what next?

A Partner
For me, there was a natural evolution from writing articles to writing a book. At first I made no real efforts toward writing one. I just knew there was a book in me—somewhere. What I didn’t know was how to get it out. And every time someone asked: “So, when are you going to write a book?” my answer was I’m ‘thinking about it’. But, lo and behold, while networking with a fellow military spouse and freelance writer, the idea just came up in conversation: “We should write a book together.” By the end of that phone call we had literally come up with a working title and a draft chapter outline. My writing partner and I were on our way to becoming published authors much faster as a team than we would have as individuals. With my second book, the Mocha Manual to Military Life, I also had a co-author, but this time, I was asked to be the partner. And there I was, on my way to having a second book published! On other projects, my partnerships have taken on various forms. Sometimes my partners and I exchanged services (I scratch your back, you scratch mine). Other times we served as cheerleaders or accountability partners for each other. I have learned that when it all boils down to it, we are all partners in some way, and there are innumerable ways partnerships can be mutually beneficial. If you haven’t already, try one, don’t just work in isolation.

A Plan
Lorraine and I recognized that by already having a title and an outline we had the makings of a strategic plan. Our next step was to create our action plan, one that we could actually implement. So, we brainstormed a to-do list, including research, writing, editing, marketing, a web site, and more; set estimated due dates; discussed our strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes; and split the list between us. Finally, we built in frequent accountability calls, but agreed we’d be available by phone and e-mail at almost any time. With all this in place AND the deep down desire to make it happen, how could it not happen?

As I look back over my years of setting goals and achieving goals, I realize that this formula has worked every time. And so, I challenge you to Work It, Girl! Share your response to any or all of these questions right now: What is your passion? Who are your potential partners? What’s your plan?

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