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When is it okay to quit?
Is there ever a time when it's okay to quit? What happens when things are getting too hard and you're not getting a return on the investment of your time, energy, passion and commitment? Does that mean you're not on the right path, that the universe is not aligned... or does it simply mean that you suck?
I remember years ago my Classical Civilization teacher once wrote in a Christmas card; "You are like Sisyphus, and yet you keep on smiling" - who the heck was Sisyphus? I wondered. Then I found out. Sisyphus was a cursed king whose punishment was to roll a huge boulder up a hill only to watch it roll back down again, and again, and again, repeatedly throughout eternity. Great. Fabulous. Brilliant. I am like Sisyphus. Magnificent. Not.
Does this mean my life is destined to be Sisyphean? Definition: endless and unavailing, as labor or a task - I certainly hope not!
Not long after baptising my baby - uhem, launching my book, I discovered what a tough industry I had gotten myself into. It's been a confronting and challenging journey. Sometimes I feel like Rocky taking punch after punch and yet despite being deliriously exhausted and feeling defeated, I still get up and keep on going. I often hear the movie soundtrack playing in my mind - especially when I'm at the top of a staircase (seriously).
But I'm built for this. Having had strict Italian parents during adolescence conditioned me to keep going, try something new - a different angle, a deal, a plan, a bribe, a plea - whatever it took to turn a 'no, you can't go to that party' into a 'yes'.... and one day it happened... I got the answer I wanted - I got a yes. I was strategic, I argued my case, I had the parents on the phone, I had a promise, I made a commitment, there was a plan, it was a watertight argument. After that victory, I expected more yeses to follow... but alas, we had reverted back to nos. Mum found my ongoing persistence draining and asked "Grace, why can't you just accept no?", to which I replied "I just can't"... and indeed I can't.
Recently at a family BBQ, my cousin's 5-year old daughter Lara asked me "Zia, are you releasing another book?" My heart melted, then it sank. I've had the manuscripts ready since 2007, but have been held back by disappointment, fear and a shortage of moula. But in the spirit of Rocky i, ii, iii, iv, v & Balboa - I'm taping up my hands and stepping into the ring - again.
This time, the 'ring' is in the form of a sale - a special sale only available for my family and friends (of which I have several hundred scattered around Australia and the globe, whom I love and cherish dearly) and friends of friends. The plan was to create a 3-day sale so I could raise funds and build my 'audience' to reach that illusive point of critical mass; when enough people are talking about their kid's favourite book (Nubsy McNoodle Wanted A Poodle) that it would cause a sensation and eventually sell itself through word of mouth. A friend of mine's mother, Pamela Allen (successful author selling over 5million children's books), once said to me "Grace, once you have your audience, the rest is easy".
Stepping in the 'ring' was a big deal for me... it was putting myself 'out there' - being vulnerable... what if it didn't work? Well, I wouldn't know if I didn't give it a go. I likened the whole experience to that of having a party and no one turning up... and so far I have 4 guests... beautiful as they are, not quite a party - yet.
Following the steps of the infamous Corey of Narre Warren, I posted the details for my 'party' on Facebook and MySpace - surely we'd be inundated...? Hmmmmm....
I've had lots of people wish me luck... and while that is sweet, it's not quite as powerful as action. When we take action, we rarely need luck.
In 24-hours the 'party' is over. I'll be packing the orders and heading off to Singapore and India on Tuesday.
We would love to have more than 4 people come to the party, so please - if you haven't already, click the link to my special sale page and think about all the little people you could be delighting with the gift of a book - a signed, first edition copy, Australian-made gem that is destined to be their favourite bedtime story (that's what all parents have told me). If you yourself don't know of any little people, but know those that do... then please spread the word.
I've gone red-faced to write this ... but unless I try something new - a different angle, a deal, a plan, a bribe, a plea I will not get any closer to giving little Lara the answer she'd like to hear - a 'yes'.
Before one throws in the towel - or packs up their bat and ball, it's important to ensure they've tried all options. Perhaps it is only then, after exhausting all possibilities, that it's okay to quit... if only I could.
With love and gratitude,
Zia xxooxx
