Developing a Better You

Category: Personal Development (Page 11 of 56)

2 Keys to Achieving Your Dreams (part 1): Pivot

“Pivot. Pivot. Pivot!

If you’re a fan of the classic TV sitcom Friends, it’s an iconic scene. Ross is directing Rachael and Chandler on moving a couch up a switchback staircase, with predictably hilarious results. But hidden inside the humor is a clue to achieving your dreams.

I lived my dream of being a professional musician, but after twenty-six years the passion was gone. Still, it was comfortable, familiar, and easy, so when my long-buried dream of being an author resurfaced, I ignored it. Denied it. Tried to stuff it down.

When I finally acknowledged that music wasn’t fulfilling anymore and pivoted toward my new dream, the difference was palpable. The relief. The excitement. The energy. The passion. All the things I’d lost long ago doing music came flooding back when I focused on becoming an author.

None of us get everything we want in life. Many things are beyond our control. That said, how close is your current life to your dream life? Does your career, way of living, health, relationship, hobby, fill-in-the-blank, bring you deep satisfaction? Perhaps you’re holding on to something that was a dream-come-true in the past—is it still your dream now? Has your vision of your ideal life changed? Do you have the courage to pursue the new one?

Get quiet. Look deep inside. Be truly honest. Then ask yourself a hard question—are you ready to pivot? If so, tell people you trust. Make a plan. Take the first step. If you do, you’ll be on your way to achieving your dream, and you’ll take another step toward Becoming Yourself.

If you’d like to know more about my published books, click here.

How an Amazing Fact About Redwoods Helped My Depression

While I’m away on book tour promoting my debut novels for a few weeks (you can read about them here), I decided to share some popular previously published content. Here’s a rare video post from September 19, 2020, featuring me with long Covid hair. (Remember when we stopped getting haircuts for awhile there?) I hope it helps you on your journey toward Becoming Yourself.

I’m trying something new. After over one-hundred written posts here at Becoming Yourself, I decided to make a three-minute video to share this week’s personal development thought (you can subscribe to my YouTube channel here). I’d honestly love to hear your opinion or advice on this format. Do you prefer video or written posts or both? Leave any thoughts in a comment below, and thank you so much for being a part of this community. It means more to me than you know.

And Now For Something Completely Different…

This is a curveball.

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know I usually share my personal development journey in hopes that it will help you with yours. This post is something different.

I’ve dreamed of being an author since I was a kid. After long years and a lot of struggle, that dream is about to come true. My first two novels will be published by Penguin Random House in a few weeks. In lieu of my normal personal development focus, I’d like to tell you about my book series. If you’re not interested, feel free to stop reading and check back next week.

The first two books in my spooky middle grade monster mystery series MONSTERIOUS publish on May 9, 2023. Why are they such a departure from what I normally write here? Because I was a scared kid, afraid of everything from the dark, to bullies, to the woods, to our basement. But I loved spooky stories. Seeing characters in those books face their fears gave me the courage to face my own. I want to write novels that give kids today the same spooky fun and help that those kinds of books gave me. And they are so fun to both read and write!

Come meet me at one of my events!

MONSTERIOUS books are geared for ages 8 to 12, but are great for anyone who enjoys fast-paced spooky thrillers with lots of action, humor, and heart. The books are short, can be read in any order, publish in hardcover, paperback, and audio simultaneously, and come out fast.

MONSTERIOUS: ESCAPE FROM GRIMSTONE MANOR (May 9, 2023) is about three friends who are trapped overnight in a haunted house amusement park ride and discover the monsters are real.

MONSTERIOUS: THE SNATCHER OF RAVEN HOLLOW (May 9, 2023) is about two friends who learn that a mysterious monster is responsible for the disappearance of babies in their small town—but no one believes them.

MONSTERIOUS: TERROR IN SHADOW CANYON (Aug 22, 2023) is about five hikers lost in a remote wilderness who are stalked by a flesh-eating monster.

All three books are available for preorder now wherever books are sold. The first two hit shelves May 9. A fourth will follow in January 2024. If they sound fun to you or to some spooky-loving reader in your life, I would be incredibly grateful if you’d buy them. As a debut trying to find an audience, every sale really helps in my goal to have a career an author. If this free blog has been helpful to you, and you’d like to support my writing, this is a great way to do it!

For more book info, fun background on me and my family, a calendar of tour appearances where you can meet me, and buy links for all my books, visit MattMcMann.com. You can even download a free spooky short story as my thanks for visiting.

Thank you so much for being a part of not only my personal development journey, but my writing journey as well. I hope my sharing about both helps you take your next step toward Becoming Yourself.

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