I got three-fourths of the way through a report on another topic and scrapped it. These words felt more true.
And for my first report as a published author, I had to come with the heat!
Back in January, Inner Workout was featured in a Book Riot roundup. I did a happy dance about the book’s first feature but froze as I scrolled through the article.
The roundup also featured another book on self-care, written by an MD with over 100k followers on Instagram, and the book shared my pub date. Dun dun dun…
In the moment, it felt like I got punched in the stomach, but it ultimately turned out to be an incredible gift. This situation gave me an opportunity to live my values, showed me how I could be a better book marketer, and pointed me to what I want.
Living my values
I don’t want to buy into the capitalist lie that there can only be one winner. Once I moved through my emotions surrounding this other book, I realized that more values-aligned people talking about self-care is never a bad thing! So I reached out to the author to see if she’d be interested in a joint virtual event. Her team politely declined, but I’m proud of myself for asking. Collaboration over competition, always.
Becoming a better book marketer
The company name Inner Workout was fitting when I was building an integrative, mat-based practice. However, the name requires more explanation the further I’ve pivoted beyond that first iteration of the business.
I still love the name Inner Workout as both a business name and book title, but it can’t compete with the clarity of the other author’s title and sub-title: Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included).
Honestly, that could also be the title of my book, where I wax poetic about moving beyond the mainstream approach to self-care, but you wouldn’t know it based on my title alone. Inner Workout: Strengthening Self-Care Practices for Healing Body, Soul, and Mind is vague by comparison. I appreciate how Real Self-Care conveys a differentiated perspective on self-care. It’s giving I’m not like other girls energy, but in a good way.
I’ll carry this lesson with me when I write my next book. The title isn’t for the people familiar with my brand, it’s for the person browsing the bookstore, looking for a book title that speaks to them.
Pointing me to what I want
Jealousy often points you towards your desires. This isn’t an original thought. You’ve probably seen some version of this sentiment on social media.
I was jealous of this other author. Her credentials and audience size instantly gave her a level of credibility that isn’t immediately extended to me.
And as I’ve watched her launch progress, I’ve seen her achieve more things that I now know I want some day. A Good Morning America segment. A write up in a popular Substack and in the New York Times. I’m 90% sure this book will hit multiple bestseller lists.
There’s no ill-will or competitive spirit in this jealousy. In fact, this jealousy is opening the door to possibilities I didn’t realize I was interested in.
Pooja’s 10 years older than me, and seeing what she’s accomplished gets me excited for what the next decade could bring.
To steal another social media quote, I won’t compare my beginning to someone else’s middle.
However, I will allow my reaction to someone else’s middle to clarify my desires.
What desire is your jealousy pointing you towards?
If you haven’t done so already, now’s a good time to order Inner Workout and Real Self-Care (Bookshop affiliate links)!
really interesting piece Taylor!!! Definitely made me think about the some of the ways I feel jealousy in a new way