My Baby Shower Invite

Published On: August 22nd, 201319.2 min readBy 6 CommentsCategories: Books, Business, Destination Aha!, Life, Life Purpose, Meaning of Life, PR, Public Relations, Success

Drew Gerber's Baby Shower Invite

Before I started writing my first book (available now!), I’d heard people say that writing a book is similar to giving birth. I thought, really? Isn’t that a little over dramatic? Obviously due to a natural barrier, I haven’t given birth. (Not that I wouldn’t have wanted the experience, but life is life.) But now that I’ve finally given birth to my book, I know exactly what those people meant!

Truly, if I had a choice between writing another book and giving birth, I’d probably choose labor.

Luckily, my good friend Heather was there along the way to help me through my contractions because, in all honesty, and after going through the initial process, I was clear that no one should tackle the book writing process alone. (I’ve already shared a little about this and my “why” behind writing a book.)

While I learned so much throughout the process, my biggest insight happened after the book was complete. I had just “given birth” and completed a goal I’d had for at least 7 years; a major accomplishment! Without skipping a beat, the conversation in my company went from “Whew, thank God that’s done!” to “Let’s market this immediately.” We were right on to the next thing, without a single pause.

This is something I’d given my heart and soul to for many, many months; a delicate existence handled with such care by my team and the people that love me.

Here’s my lesson learned.

In life and business, we spend so much time focusing on and worrying about the next “whatever” that we often don’t stop to smell the roses. But when we begin to center on what’s happening in the moment – being present and acknowledging our success – we build our gratitude muscles and start to train our minds to focus on what’s really important.

I know this is easier said than done, but think about it for a minute. Were you really focused on that amazing conversation you had recently that could change yours or someone else’s life? Are you truly grateful you get to work in your comfy sweatpants with your best friend (aka your dog) curled up next to you all day long?

Have you taken the time to celebrate the completion of your first (or second, or tenth) book?

I missed that step.

The most impactful interview I’ve ever seen is one that Oprah did with a monk. She asked him how often he meditated and his answer was truly eye opening: “All the time.” I remember in that moment a whole new world opening up for me and meditating took on a new meaning. Up to that point, I’d thought of meditation as a practice I do to bring focus to my life. But it was then I realized that meditation is my life. It’s in those moments when I’m fully awake that life happens. Not a memory or a prediction, but life.

You’d think, armed with this insight, it would be a cakewalk for me to stay in the present moment and celebrate each and every one of my accomplishments. Well, actually, sometimes it’s more like a cake stomp as I awkwardly feel my way with this new-found knowledge; moment by moment, trying to focus – sometimes being aware, but other times falling into a deep sleep for a long time, only to snap out of it by the reminder of what is available by being fully awake.

So I’m snapping out of it. It’s time for me to slow down and celebrate by giving my baby a proper introduction and baby shower! I hope it’s as big a gift to you as it is for me.

author

About the Author:

Drew Gerber

For 30 years, Drew Gerber has been inspiring those who want to change the world. As the CEO of Wasabi Publicity, Inc., lauded by the likes of PR Week and Good Morning America, he sparks "aha" conversations that lead to personal and business success. His PR firm is known for landing clients on Dr. Phil, Oprah, Anderson Cooper, The Wall Street Journal, Inc., Entrepreneur, and other top media outlets. Wasabi Publicity lives to launch conversations that make a difference and change the world.

Comments

  1. Patricia Weber August 22, 2013 at 11:17 am - Reply

    Congratulations on your book Drew. I await the email with the link.

    It might be because of being a sales person and sales manager in my early computer career because I recognize the NEED to celebrate. Regularly. Heck I even celebrate my birthdays more than a day the older I get!

    When you reach a goal it’s not the end, it’s one more stepping stone to doing all that you want to do while here on this earth. I can remember regularly stopping to celebrate a new customer, another order by a customer, a new salesperson on the team, you get the idea.

    I get this lesson for celebrating. My take away is to apply it now to meditation! That is a new one for me. Thanks Drew. Keep on celebrating.

  2. Lisa Kanda August 22, 2013 at 12:28 pm - Reply

    Drew,
    Congratulations on your book and thank you for the free copy!
    Absolutely agree with staying in the moment (as much as it is possible) and using meditation to help quiet the “voice in my head” so I can be present.
    I enjoy your blog and message. Looking forward to sharing my Aha! moments.

    • Drew Gerber August 22, 2013 at 12:30 pm - Reply

      Thanks for reading, Lisa. I’m loving this baby shower!

  3. Marion Lovato August 26, 2013 at 4:48 pm - Reply

    Enjoyed your blog so much because it reminded me of how we “hurry” through to the next project, etc. without really enjoying what we’ve done. I’m as guilty of that as the next person, so thank you for reminding me to slow down and enjoy!

    • Drew Gerber August 27, 2013 at 11:02 am - Reply

      Thanks for reading, Marion!

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About Drew

For 30 years, Drew Gerber has been inspiring those who want to change the world. As the CEO of Wasabi Publicity, lauded by the likes of PR Week and Good Morning America, he sparks “aha” conversations that lead to personal and business success. His PR firm is known for landing clients on Dr. Phil, Oprah, The Wall Street Journal, Inc., Entrepreneur, and other top media outlets. Wasabi Publicity lives to launch conversations that make a difference and change the world.

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