More about Teavana - next time. A job interview.
We spend our life proving ourselves. When we are young, it is to our parents, our friends, our teachers. Over time this circle grows... bosses, boyfriends, husbands, even, possibly, consumers if we produce something for sale. Sometimes these opportunities to demonstrate our value is obvious. Like answers during an interview, we describe our lives to others verbally. We meet friends and, even with good friends, couch our actions in ways that make us look like the good and worthy people we are.
I think this is something we all do, every day, subconsciously even. But still, like walking down the street, it is part of our lives. But sometimes we are called on to do it. We are asked to speak at a conference about work we have done, or present a project in front of our class. We interview, or we set out to impress someone really important, like a lover or a boss. Or, we have to ask for something.
One of my least favorite jobs.... (well, and to be honest, the job I literally walked out of. Which, let me just say in the spirit of the above, walking out of anything is not like me at all!)... so anyway, this job was telemarketing, asking for money from alumni of my University. Even knowing the money was going for a good cause, I just could not handle it. I felt like I had to personally prove myself to strangers. And being just 22 ears old at the time, it was beyond my confidence.
Fortunately, since then, I have matured. I have learned that by not asking I don't give people who care about me a chance to support me. I have learned that some products deserve to be sold.... to be known about by the people who could benefit from them. I have learned that avoiding the no means I lose opportunities to grow and to prosper. Instead of adding to the world, I take something out of it.
But still, asking is difficult for me. This is particularly poignant for me right now as the model for publishing my third book is based on a kickstarter set up. I was both thrilled and anxious when Molto Mayhem was accepted by Inkshares Publishing. Backed by Ingram (the world's largest book distributer and marketer) I knew that Inkshares would bring a whole new level of professional publishing to my book.
But still, I was nervous. This new model is requiring that I put myself (and my writing) out there, asking potential readers to take a leap and pre-order this fun novel. In exchange I have to believe in the thing I am selling, my writing, my story, my book.
And this is at the heart of proving ourselves. When we do it subconsciously we do not have to consider the alternative, what if my proposal is rejected. What if I am rejected.
The interview was over.... the girl was sitting on her own for a moment and, thinking on all of this I leaned over to get her attention. "I would definitely hire you if it were me. You did great!" I told her. Because all of us need to be reassured, now and then, that the our proposition, whether accepted, or rejected, is valued just for being put out there.
Would you like to learn more about Molto Mayhem, or how you can support the drive to get it published?
Check out my Inkshares website page. It has a description of the story, First Chapter, funding/ordering levels, and more: https://www.inkshares.com/projects/molto-mayhem
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