One of the most common questions I receive about my book is "how long did it take you to write the book?"
The short answer--the one people want to hear--is about twelve months or so, and that doesn't count several weeks of intensive editing. As the deadline drew near, there was the tedious rereading the manuscript for small nits and errors.
The real answer to the question is that it took many years of mistakes, learnings, and experiments. It took years of seeing how the patterns and associations I learned over time played out in the journeys of others. Some of them ended up as stories in the book, as examples of both of what to do and what not to do.
When it came down to pulling a manuscript together, it was more than just me, too. My book coach and editor, Anita R. Henderson, and editor Karin Crompton challenged, cajoled, and made suggestions. They read, reread, and read again. My ten beta readers, who were gracious enough to agree to reading the manuscript, provided excellent feedback and made the book much better than it would have been otherwise.
The sum of all that input from others was invaluable. Moreover, the reactions and questions I've received from readers since the book has come out has further sharpened my thinking as well.
It's the same with your professional service practice. You bring a mountain of experience to the table with every client you meet. Even if you just started your business, the sum total of your journey to date--the highs, lows, failures, and successes--all of it contributes in some way to the professional you are. Some of has more value than other parts of your story, but the sum total has value. It's up to you to determine and recognize that value.
Every client, whether they eventually work with you or not, is additive to who you are as a professional service provider. The questions they ask, the situations they bring you, and the reactions they have to what you bring to them are often quite unique. Not all of it is equal; some learnings are more valuable than others, but it all has value.
Wisdom comes from recognizing those bits and pieces that seemed insignificant at the time, but proved to be immensely valuable given time, more experience, and reflection.
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Business consultant and coach, author, and podcaster John Ray advises solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their two most frustrating problems: pricing and business development. John is passionate about how changes in mindset, positioning, and pricing change the trajectory of a business and the lifestyle choices of a business owner. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.
John is the author of the national bestselling book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices. The book covers topics like value and adopting a mindset of value, pricing your services more effectively, proposals, and essential elements of growing your business. The book is available at all major physical and online book retailers.
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