24 Nov My Evolution as a Writer

Why Your First Work Won’t Be Your Best — And Why You Should Create It Anyway

An honest look at growth, reinvention, and the power of imperfect beginnings.

Most people see the polished book. Few see the drafts you outgrow, the versions you retire, or the courage it takes to publish before you’re “ready.”

I wrote my first book in 2011. Since then, I’ve written seven books.

Here’s something I rarely talk about: I eventually pulled my first two books out of print.

When I revisited them years later, I could clearly see the flaws, the gaps, and the inexperience in my writing. The next three books didn’t age the way I hoped either, so I revised and released updated editions.

But those early books weren’t mistakes. They were steps — necessary steps.

They helped me find my voice, understand my audience, and grow into the writer, teacher, and coach I am today.

Then, over the last few years, something shifted.

My last two books — Overcoming 1st Timer Syndrome and Speaking for Impact — came from a different place. A lived place. A practiced place.

They were built on years of coaching leaders, speaking on stages, training teams, and walking professionals through these challenges in real time.

Because of that, I don’t feel the need to revise them anytime soon. The content feels lived-in, tested, and aligned with where I am today. And others have confirmed that shift.

Last year, a client purchased Overcoming 1st Timer Syndrome for every participant in their leadership program.

And just last week, a coachee in our Speaking for Impact program read the entire book in one weekend. He called me with a story that encouraged me deeply: He had an important presentation coming up but almost no time to prepare. So he opened Chapter 5, applied the framework, and delivered his talk with clarity and confidence.

The audience assumed he spent hours rehearsing. He hadn’t. He simply used the structure from the book and delivered with presence.

These moments remind me of three lessons I learned the long, hard way:

1. You cannot improve what you never start.

People warned me early on that I might regret publishing too soon. They weren’t wrong — my early work had flaws. But without those imperfect beginnings, I wouldn’t have grown into the writer or leader I am today.

2. Experience writes better than theory.

My earlier books were built on what I learned from others.
My latest books were built on what I’ve lived, practiced, tested, and taught to thousands of professionals and leaders.

3. Reinvention is not failure — it’s stewardship.

Updating or retiring old work isn’t something to hide. It’s part of serving readers with integrity. As you grow, your work should grow with you.

If you’d like to explore the two books that reflect my most current teaching and coaching, you can download free samples here:

📘 Speaking for Impact
👉 Get the Sample…

📗 Overcoming 1st Timer Syndrome
👉 Get the Sample

If you’re afraid to create or publish because you worry you’ll be embarrassed later, I hope this encourages you:

Your best work often comes after your earlier imperfect work. Start anyway.

#LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #WritingJourney #AuthorLife