I’ve lived much of my life being pretty easily discouraged from doing what I want, whether because I was being told to pay attention to something else or being told, and telling myself, that I can’t do it.

Writing has always been my passion but my disposition meant that I never truly took it seriously. And then, last year, I did.

I researched the pros and cons of self-publishing.

I research the procedures of self-publishing.

I weighed up the budget.

I did back to back proofs and edits of my manuscript.

I tried to get people to read it and provide feedback.

I threw together a cover in Canva.

I ironed out the blurb.

I set up a business plan.

I registered a business for self-publishing.

I sorted through BISAC codes to find mine.

I decided the formats and dimensions.

I printed test proofs.

I researched and tested different printing formatting.

I figured out how to convert my manuscript into a workable eBook.

I revived my abandoned blog, turning it into an author website.

I set up an online store.

I created a bunch of social media accounts

I have been learning how to use those social media accounts.

I have been tracking my work and keeping a solid planner.

I’ve been experimenting with marketing.

I looked into my legal obligations.

I’ve researched lending rights and library distribution.

I looked into local distribution.

I have made book things to go along with my release.

I learnt how to figure out my “small business” taxes.

I researched local and international postage options and procedures.

I’ve built a mostly-working content creation process.

I’ve kept up with the retail listings of my upcoming book.

I figured out how to become a verified Goodreads author.

I hit the max Insta words for a caption!

And there’s so much more!

Oh wow. I did a lot.

Whenever you feel like you’re not doing enough: make a list of what you HAVE done. Write out every little thing and celebrate it. Sometimes it feels like what we’re doing is just twiddling our thumbs, but we are almost always making little steps towards our goals, and we truly need to celebrate that more! 😁

Every foot forward moves us along the path!