Tip 26: Take a bow

After doing Bikram yoga for many years, I can wholeheartedly say that the best thing about class is the finish, the end.

If you're already an author, you probably say the same about writing a book…

A final printed copy in your hands marks a sigh of relief, a bow, a celebration.

Just look at how far you’ve come from your initial scribbles on napkins and screwed up ideas in your head.

You’ve tamed your negative self-talk, agonised over every word until you’ve convinced yourself it wasn’t anything good.

You’ve been forced (probably by your editor) to ‘kill your darlings’ – all those phrases and ideas you thought were gold and had to go in … but didn’t make the final cut.

You’ve aimed for 90, structured your content, told a story, trusted your guide, leaned in to fear, embraced the pain and now you’ve left a legacy.

And if you’re still in the throes of writing, or just beginning, then use this – the end – as motivation. No matter how far away it may seem.

Audacious author and adventurer Hunter S. Thompson once said:

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

This is what it means to write a book.

Remember to savour the highs, the lows, the once elusive feeling after.

Take it all in, take a bow and breathe.

Because the ride doesn’t just end here – you’re probably already planning your next one.

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