Welcome back to the Power Writers Report after our summer hiatus.

I won’t bore you with the details, but my summer didn’t go according to plan. It actually went haywire. And yet—looking back—what I thought was the low point turned out to be the high point.

It required that I redefine my definition of success.

That’s why I like to ask authors, “What’s your definition of success?”

Some don’t have a clue how to answer that question. 

Others have a detailed answer. Then I nod, smile, and think, Yes… but it’s not that simple.

Publishing isn’t a neat line from point A to point B—it’s a heaping pasta bowl of choices, coincidences, and detours. Which means if you cling to one rigid definition of success, you risk:

• Missing the fact that you already succeeded.
• Deciding your goal wasn’t worth it after you achieve it.
• Or worst of all—never starting at all.

Since the journey will almost never match the picture in your head, here’s how to enjoy it anyway.

3 Ways to Redefine and Enjoy Success as an Author

1. Visualize multiple happy endings.
Don’t hitch your happiness to one outcome. Instead of “I’ll only be a successful author if I sell 10,000 copies,” imagine a buffet of wins:

• A popular podcaster recommends your book.
• You earn an endorsement from an author you’ve admired for years.
• You finish writing your manuscript. (Trust me—that’s a win most people never reach.)

The more possibilities you recognize, the more often you’ll realize you’re already succeeding.

2. Recognize every achievement.
Your big “moment” might look nothing like you pictured—but that doesn’t make it smaller. Celebrate when:

• A reader tells you your book changed their life.
• You release an audiobook and reach a whole new audience.
• A local bookstore puts your face in their front window.

Small victories accumulate into something far bigger. The more you count them, the less “failure” will even feel like an option.

3. Appreciate what’s right in front of you.
Gratitude is your insurance policy against disappointment. 

READ. THAT. AGAIN!

Ask yourself today:

• What am I proud of as an author right now?
• Where did I push through fear or resistance, even if the result isn’t visible yet?

Maybe a book club you never expected picked your novel. Maybe you reworked a chapter until it inspired a happy dance. Maybe you showed up at your desk despite the voice in your head telling you not to bother. 

All of that counts.

Bottom line: the more you let go of one rigid idea of success, the freer you become to enjoy every twist and turn on the journey.

I’ve seen Illumify authors achieve success in all sorts of unexpected forms. If you’re ready to explore every way your book could make an impact—and enjoy the ride no matter the twists—let’s talk.

Click below and let's discuss your hopes and dreams for your book--and your definition of success.