The 3 Keys to Finishing What You Start
Yesterday was a milestone I will never forget: the official launch of my book, Subtle Shifts: Simple Strategies for Sustainable Success.
To say this moment has been a long time coming would be an understatement. Over the past several months, my days were packed with client work, family commitments, and the final details of preparing for the launch. It was one of those seasons of life that stretched me thin but also reminded me again and again of the quiet power of patience, persistence, and the people you surround yourself with.
Writing a book is not a quick sprint. It is not even a marathon in the traditional sense. It feels more like an Ironman triathlon where you are constantly shifting disciplines, battling fatigue, and relying on sheer grit to keep moving toward the finish line. There are exciting moments of progress, but also long stretches where it seems like you are standing still. And through all of it, you learn that it is not the big leaps that get you to the finish line, but the countless small steps along the way.
I must be honest: I did not execute every part of my launch plan as I had envisioned. I had big goals and high expectations, and there are things I now wish I had done differently. But that is the nature of projects of this size. You learn as you go. Ultimately, success comes from steady, persistent effort.
Why This Feels So Big
The numbers alone show how challenging it can be to publish a successful book:
- Roughly 80 percent of books never sell more than 100 copies.
- Around 96 percent never reach the 1,000-copy mark.
Knowing those odds, I am especially grateful and thrilled to share that I have already passed that first milestone. I’m excited to keep building toward the next and hope you will help me get this into the hands of 1,000 people. But even more than the numbers, what strikes me most is how much the process itself mirrors the central message of my book: progress does not come from seismic shifts, but from subtle ones.
Writing, editing, designing, and publishing demanded countless shifts in attention, assumptions, and actions. Each decision, from the words on the page to the layout of the cover, was a reminder that small, intentional adjustments matter.
As I reflect on the keys to finishing this project, three things stand out:
People, Patience, and Persistence.
People.
None of us accomplishes big dreams alone. From my family cheering me on, to clients whose challenges inspired chapters, to friends who encouraged me when the finish line felt far away, community was the backbone of this project. Every meaningful endeavor rests on the shoulders of others who support us, challenge us, and share in our celebrations.
Patience.
A book takes far longer than you think it will. There are long stretches where progress is invisible and doubts creep in. Patience is what steadies you in those seasons, reminding you that slow progress is still progress.
Persistence.
At some point, resistance inevitably appears. Fatigue, setbacks, and obstacles you did not anticipate will arrive. That is when persistence matters most. It is the daily choice to keep showing up, to keep adjusting, and to keep pressing forward even when the end feels out of reach.
These three things are not flashy. They do not make headlines. But they make all the difference in finishing something of this magnitude.
The Surprise That Made It Real
As launch day approached, I carried all of these reflections with me. Then something magical happened.
Preorders started shipping early, and almost overnight, photos and congratulatory messages began streaming in. Friends, clients, and colleagues were holding the book in their hands, something that had existed only as a manuscript on my computer for so long.
Two photos in particular stopped me in my tracks: one from my mom, and another from my sister and nephew, each proudly holding a copy. Those images reminded me why this work matters. They reminded me how powerful it is to see a lifelong dream not just completed, but shared with the people you love most.
Thank You
I could not be more grateful for the support I have received from so many of you along the way. Without your encouragement, this book would never have seen the light of day.
And now, it is officially here, available everywhere books are sold.
Please share this link with others so we can get this into the hands of 1,000 readers!
