My client Jessica Bram’s book Happily Ever After Divorce:  Notes of a Joyful Journey is on the bookshelves now. But in a couple of weeks Jessica will have the official launch at Barnes & Noble in Westport, CT where she’ll give a talk and sign copies.

I know she’ll be in demand as a speaker across the country because her story, so beautifully written, will inspire anyone who has come face-to-face with heartbreak, tragedy and loss.

I challenged Jessica a few weeks ago, during our Mastermind Group meeting, to practice her talk in front of a friendly group before taking it on the road. She immediately put a date on the calendar, sent out an email invitation to close friends and then got down to work. Having the deadline forced her to get her thoughts in order, decide how to approach the talk and what to include. It was an artificial deadline, but one that had her moving forward toward her goal.

Now, I realize, this sounds much easier when I write it than it is to actually do it. It’s one of those assignments that separates the winners from the wannabes. It’s so easy to find excuses, put it off or decide against the goal entirely. But Jessica knows what she wants and is willing to put in the blood, sweat and tears to accomplish it.

Her practice talk was yesterday at 4pm. Jessica grabbed me before she began and admitted, “This is a real stretch for me!” I completely understood. Giving a talk, especially in front of people who know and love you, is terrifying. Twelve pairs of eyes watching your every move, judging your performance (because they want you to succeed) and wanting more than anything for you to do well is scary stuff.

She did an awesome job. Her stories gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. Her writing put me there with her in that vinyl-smelling motel room at the Jersey Shore, on the miniature golf course with her sons, and at the coffee shop table where she and her ex hashed out custody issues.

Now she has her first talk under her belt. She took a big risk and sailed through. It’ll never be that scary again.  Jessica will report in to the Mastermind Group Wednesday night on this goal. I can’t wait to see the smile on her face when she shares her success.

Advertisement