I’m delighted to announce that my new book, Don’t Quit Your Job, is now written.

The I’s have been dotted, the T’s have been crossed and the manuscript has been polished to within an inch of its life.

It’s a big and welcome milestone.

The last time I turned the pages on my draft book was a couple of months ago and it’s been interesting to peek inside once more.

Ostensibly, this was a final read before I ship the draft off to The Typesetting Guy so he can sort the formatting, spacing, indents and so on.

So I had my serious hat on.

But as I leafed through the book, I started to smile.

Re-reading how I burnt myself out, quit my job and then returned to the SAME job two years later reminded me of how far I’ve come and the chutzpah I had to jump back into the fire which burnt me.

As it happened, I got a question on this very topic from a mindset workshop participant on Wednesday.

And it made me think about how a senior colleague I knew from v1 of my career pulled me into a meeting room during my first week in v2 and said how much respect he had for me coming back to the job which chewed me up, then spat me out.

Going back really was a huge moment and I’m proud of myself for trusting I could handle the heat a second time round.

I’m also proud of how I’ve turned scribbles, doodles and ideas in my mind into something legible. Taking the seed of an idea then watering it, nurturing it, watching it grow and occasionally bloom in unexpected directions has been super satisfying.

Not just because the book is packed with insights for anyone who has doubts or frustrations about their job.

But also because the rhythm, the tone, the stories, the humour, the metaphors and even the format of the book are not off-the-peg. I haven’t tried to fit my writing into a template or mimic the bookshelf big guns and I’m chuffed at myself for that too.

So yes. Lots to be proud of.

Mind you, there’s still a few hoops to jump through before I can publish the book (like the formatting, cover design, ISBNs and some other very sexy tasks). I even thought about dusting off my MS Paint and designing the cover myself, but then I came to my senses.

Thankfully, I haven’t had to figure all this out alone.

Newsletter subscriber and all-round good egg Jim Roberts (hi Jim!) has two fantastic dystopian rainforest thrillers published on Amazon with the third about to swing into view. And he’s provided no end of self-publishing tips, suggestions, advice and encouragement, all of which have been gratefully received.

Same thing with my copyeditor Kathy. She’s been an absolute star. Although Kathy did warn me that launch day can be a bit anticlimactic. We'll see about that! While I'm not sure when that day will be just yet, it’s certainly closer than it ever has been.

So there you have it.

Lots of pride, excitement and a rising sense that at long last, this book is actually happening.

Before I go, I have a favour to ask.

Do you know someone who might enjoy Don’t Quit Your Job? If so, could you forward them this email?

And if you’ve been forwarded this email, I’ve put a handy newsletter sign-up link right here:

https://signup.followingfulfilment.com

Pop in your details and you’ll be the first to hear about all my launch day plans.

Have a great weekend.

To fulfilment,

Tom