In 2010, I wrote 2 books. The first book got me my literary agent and was the first “official” publishing deal I have ever had. I manifested exactly what I wanted before I knew to specify that it had to be a book that I would really LOVE to write.
Knack Absolute Abs: Routines for a Fit and Firm Core was supposed to be published by December of 2010 and got moved to August of 2011 when the bookstores started to collapse.
Searching for the silver lining in the bad news, I realized that this delay was a blessing in disguise. While fitness is what I do mostly, it is how I deliver fitness that makes what I do unique. Absolute Abs, a beautifully put together manual for any beginner exerciser looking to learn how to put a basic program together, was not the writing experience I had hoped it would be. Feeling more like creating a dictionary with terms and definitions, I was yearning to put passion and depth into what I was about to present to the world about who I am , what I do, and how I may be able to help transform the lives of others.
Then Fit 2 Love was born! Somewhere around September of 2010, I had come up with the new brand that had me so excited I could barely contain myself. Within 3 months, Fit 2 Love: How to Get Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually Fit to Attract the Love of Your Life was written, published and hit multiple best seller and hot new release lists on Amazon the day we launched. What I learned that I think is important to share:
- Write what you love-anything else feels like work: While I am proud of the Knack Absolute Abs book for all the information it provides, it felt like work every time I sat down at the computer to write. The brand has a built in structure that I needed to follow and that left me feeling a little “controlled” so my creativity couldn’t flourish. Fit 2 Love went on to become an Amazon best seller because I put my energy and resources behind that which I loved.
- Think of a book like a child: once it’s born, you now have to care for it and help it grow: I knew this before I got started because I have watched friends and other entrepreneurs write books and expect a lot more to happen once it’s out in the market place. I even had a client who was an author of 3 books with a major publishing company so I got to see what happened and what didn’t happen. There is as much work after you write it as when you write it, depending on what you want to do with it.
- A book is the best business card you have: If you have a book, and better yet a best- selling book, people pay attention. It sets you apart from others in your field and it’s an easy, inexpensive way for you to find the clients and opportunities that best suit your vision of how you want to grow your business and career. I am speaking this week at an event for 500 people and my breakout session was the first to sell out. To keep up with the exciting growth and development of Fit 2 Love and JJ Flizanes, visit www.fit2love.info and follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
JJ Flizanes, Director of Invisible Fitness, was named best personal trainer in Los Angeles for 2007 by Elite Traveler Magazine and was also one of the six featured trainers in Shape Magazine in 2003. She is the Author of the Amazon.com Best Seller Fit 2 Love: How to Get Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually Fit to Attract the Love of Your Life and Knack Absolute Abs: Routines for a Fit and Firm Core. She has appeared on NBC, KTLA, CBS and Fox 11 as well as numerous local and national magazines. JJ’s mission is to help women feel gorgeous and confident without starving or killing themselves in the gym.