High Hopes

God has been really gracious and generous this week.

In the space of 4 days, 1 met up with 3 different prospects to discuss ways I could meet their writing needs.

1st up on Monday morning was the CEO of an IT solutions company that offers graphic design, web design and photography services. Over a one-hour chat, the CEO mooted the possibility of outsourcing to me all the copywriting and business proposal writing needs of the company, subject to his partners' agreement.

On Thu morning, I met with the lady whose department has been tasked to roll out an ambitious PR campaign for occupational health and safety. She needs someone to translate the legalese in the new statute to language accessible to the layman. In addition, she needs powerful taglines for the collaterals that will convey the department's message to the world. The project is expected to run for a year.

On Wed evening, I met up with the financial adviser and her partners to discuss a writing project. It turned out they were recruiting writers for a series of educational books. Each writer would be an expert in their respective fields of practice. The ultimate objective was to release the books for publication throughout the year and to hold a conference in Dec, where the writers would speak at workshops during the conference.

I was asked what I would like to write on, bearing in mind that someone in the team had already started on a Creative Writing book. I thought hard, and finally suggested Career Counseling.

Career Counseling, I explained, is a subject that individuals of all ages need to know about, especially students faced with tough decisions about subject combinations, whether to go into the Arts/Science/Commerce stream, whether to follow the orthodox educational path or to take the road less travelled. Students need to be guided on the impact tomorrow of the choices they make today, and to be educated about their options. Most of all, they need objective knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses so that they can make informed decisions, and not rely solely on what their parents want or what their peers think is best for them.

I must have been quite convincing (it's easy if you're passionate about something), because the interviewers seemed satisfied and welcomed me on the team.

I was asked to submit a mindmap/outline of the proposed book(I'm gonna write a book!) asap, plus start writing the book proper.

Last night, I shot off an email to the coordinator with my proposed outline. Today, she replied with some suggestions, and asked me to send her the chapters as I write them! At the same time, the marketing i/c asked for my bio and photo, which are to go on the publicity website, and one of the interviewers gave his views on issues which he felt I should address in my book.

The whole thing has become so unreal. I can't believe I'm going to write a book, have someone publish it for me FOC, and have my name out there as an expert on career counseling.

I mean, I don't exactly have 20 years' experience in the field. How can I claim to be any kind of expert?

After a good deal of freaking out, here's my plan:

First off, this project has to be dedicated to the LORD. Only He has the wisdom I need to successfully execute this project. If I pull it off, it will be a testimony to all who know me of what He can accomplish through a willing follower.

Secondly, as my family may relocate to Melbourne later this year, I will use my time there to concentrate on obtaining certification in Career Counseling.

I already have my eye on a particular school that's affiliated with the career coaching institute that I underwent training with last July. The cost is reasonable, and it's accredited as on par with a degree course in Australia.

As I study, I will also look for opportunities to coach part-time in Melbourne, using anyone I know as a starting point to practise what I'm learning.

Hopefully, by Dec, I'll have enough material and enough credibility to go on stage and share with my audience what I've learnt through my own career journey.

So here I am, possibly on the brink of some really great things, and terrified!

How do I move from newbie to expert, from the steep end of the learning curve to a point where things are in control?
How do I build up my expertise and reputation so that no one will doubt my credibility and ability to deliver?

Being a starving writer is something I can do with my eyes closed.
Being a bestselling writer and career planning expert?
That's something I've never even thought about, and here I am in the unique position of having these things being practically offered to me.

No wonder they say "Be careful what you ask for; it might come true."