Ode to Danielle LaPorte + Hannah + my brewing book

written by Bari Tessler July 24, 2012

Today is not about a money teaching (well, not directly anyhow . . . of course you know by now that everything can be connected back to our money relationship!) Today is about a few things: Gratitude, Coming Out, and Moving Forward.

It’s time to take you behind the scenes of the creative process over in my corner of the universe. My intention for sharing this story with you is to share a piece of my path, to inspire us all to say YES to our unique expression and whatever it takes to get there. If you’ve ever had an “I can’t do that because I suck at this” moment, this is for you. Here’s my “I suck at that” story, my admission, my truth: I am not a writer. I’m not a writer!

It’s not that I can’t write, or haven’t written. I put blood, sweat, and tears (and LOTS of chocolate) into my 150-page Master Thesis for Somatic Psychology. It nearly killed me, but I wrote every word.

You see, I’m an idea gal, and concept person, a story teller. I have more ideas than I know what to do with. My ideas swirl around with me on my hikes, in the shower, in conversations with friends and clients . . . in everything I do. But when I’ve tried to sit down and put pen to paper, I freeze.

I draw a blank. I bang my head against my laptop. Blech. I thank my lucky stars I’ve found a team to help get all those swirling ideas in sentence form, so that my teachings can serve you, my community. I collaborated with a wonderful co-writer and editor, Josh Levin, who partnered with me to bring my Home Study Program to fruition.

I also work with the amazing Angela Raines to add her sparkle and love to my copy over the years. And then there’s Hannah. Many of you know her as my “right-hand woman”. Although I hired her originally as my Virtual Assistant, she’s become what I call my Business Manager Extraordinaire.

We work together on most things that happen in my business, including the co-creation of these newsletters for you. Hannah and I have found our groove in the coffee shops of Boulder, CO. I bring a topic, she helps me tease out the outline, typing away as I download what’s inside of me aloud. She drafts. We tweak. We shift. She cuts, she pastes. I muse, I word change.

And eventually, my teaching finds its way to your inbox.

Lesson #1:

Know your strengths. Accept your gaps. And for the love of all things sacred: find your TEAM, my friends! Collaborate and co-create. Concoct your “special sauce” so that you can shine. Do whatever it takes to get the ultimate end goal of this life of yours: Live your fullest expression and get your gifts into the world. But wait, there’s more. Y

ou see, a book has emerged in this head and heart of mine. My book is calling my name, “Write me, write me! I’m in you!” And all my writing “stuff” has reared its head: “But I can’t write! How could I author a book? I’m not a writer. I’d be a fake if someone else wrote it!” Fast forward to Portland, Oregon, earlier this month. I’m in a small group focus session with the one and only Danielle LaPorte, who I’ve been following for years. I consider her a mentor and a teacher, and I treasure her wise words. So there I am, with my book begging to be born and my writing blocks standing “in the way”.

Many of my online business sisters were there in the room. I could feel their support and the way we hold each other accountable for our greatness. I take a breath, raise my hand, and ask for help: “Danielle, here’s my question: I’m not a writer, I consider myself more of a therapist, teacher, and speaker.

But there’s a book in me. How do I reconcile that? Am I fake if someone else writes my book?” The energy in the room was palpable. I could feel that I was voicing a question I knew I was not alone in. Her answer, in a fiery nutshell of truth she’s known for: “Bari, you are the Queen of your content. Own it.” Exhale. Oh, riiiiiight.

What a gift to receive from her. She spoke with such clarity, heart, and conviction. And reminded me of what I know in my heart. And lit a little fire under my tush to make it happen.

Lesson #2:

Be the Queen of You. This is true for anything and everything in your life. Be the Queen of your content. Be the Queen of your numbers. Own your wisdom, take responsibility for your gifts.

This is not about ghost writing, where you simply step away and hand it off. Nuh-uh, no way. I’m there, with my voice and intention and opinion about every word on the page.

A great analogy (and quick money teaching, I can’t resist): Don’t ghost write your bookkeeping practice. Hire someone, yes! But get in there, look at your numbers, review, engage. It’s your life. It’s your goals, it’s your dreams. It’s your money. It needs you, too. Now, some of you may be thinking to yourself (I’ve heard this one a LOT): But writing is a learned skill, like anything else. Just commit to writing 1000 words a day, Bari! It’s true.

Everything is a learned skill. However, there is also choice. We all need to decide where to put our energy, where to push our edges, and what’s calling for our attention. Years ago I didn’t know the first thing about accounting, and I was terrified. However, I dipped my toes in there and wouldn’t you know it, I fell in love.

I learned a skill I never would have imagined I could or wanted to master.

Lesson #3:

Discern what’s yours to learn, and what’s yours to opt out of. It’s not about veering away from challenge, or refusing newness. Experiment. Dip your toes in. Proceed or course correct. So. What’s next for me and my book?

Lots of unknown here still. But it’s on, my friends. I’m signing up for Danielle LaPorte’s and Linda Sivertsen’s Big Beautiful Book Plan. I’m gathering my resources, my team, my teachings. I’m held accountable by my friends and colleagues (and now, you, my community). Stay tuned. And you? What’s yours to do here on this planet? Where do you need your dream team to help you create your dreams?

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