Andrea Isabelle Lucas (author of Own It All) dives into the challenges and support of writing your own book.
Hello love,
My book begins by sharing one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced. It was my rock bottom. It was the moment I finally realized, “Things have gotten completely out of control. I have to take back my power. I have to take ownership of my life.” I got to work, taking countless small steps, to build the kind of life I truly wanted. At each point in my story, there was some kind of risk that I needed to take. There were financial risks, emotional risks, creative risks. Whatever size risk I could stomach at the time. Whatever action I could muster—even something as small as printing out my cover letter and résumé and handing it to a hiring manager—I’d force myself to do it.
With every risk that I conquered, new possibilities emerged. So where does this story end? It doesn’t. Not yet, anyway. The story is still unfolding. I’m still doing things that scare me just the right amount, like publishing my book, Own It All. Even in the years since my book has come out, the world has undergone countless cycles of pain, celebration, tragedy and hope. I’ve seen big changes in my own life, like my kids growing up (and growing taller than I am). Time seems to be passing faster than ever. The world turns on, and it reminds me how precious our one life really is. It makes me feel grateful for the experience I referenced at the beginning of this email, because it was the moment I realized that nobody could change my life except for me.
To have gone from needing public assistance to buy groceries. To have built a business that has made millions of dollars and empowers humans every day. To be in a position to advocate for other people. The world is not perfect; my life is not perfect. But I don’t feel powerless, I feel victorious.
Along the way, there will be people in your life who love and support you, and who cheer for you, and the more you are willing to reach out to others and share your vision, the sooner you will make that vision come true, but when all is said and done, you’re in charge, and nobody can change your life or the world on your behalf. There’s no rescue squad, no savior, no Disney prince coming to clean up any of your messes, do your work, or achieve your goals for you. It’s all you.
I urge you to take everything back into your own hands. Every decision. Every space on your calendar. Everything you are longing to contribute. Everything you must leave behind. Take 100% personal responsibility for all of it. Make it happen. Own it all.
Grab a friend, or a pen and paper and ask yourself: what is the biggest risk I can take today to get where I want to be?
Send me a DM or reply here and let me know what you come up with. I know it’s possible for you. There is no right or wrong answer. Getting comfortable with taking risks is half of the battle. Let’s do this.
own it all
How to Stop Waiting for Change and Start Creating It. Because Your Life Belongs to You.
Own It All is intended for… – A woman who currently feels stressed out, depleted, overwhelmed, and unsatisfied—like she’s the underpaid intern of her life rather than the CEO. – A woman who wants to change one—or several—areas of her life, and who wants powerful stories, motivation, and guidance from someone who’s been there and done it. – A woman who wants to build a world with equal pay, equal opportunities, equal rights, and more women in positions of leadership. She’s definitely a feminist, even if she doesn’t necessarily use that word to describe herself. She’s tired of postponing goals, dreams, and changes until “someday later,” and she’s tired of feeling pulled in too many directions. She wants to get clear on her goals, prioritize like a mofo, and make things happen.