"If you can read, you can write." - Terri Trespicio, author of Unfollow Your Passion

We don't just have one major passion in life or a single road to success, and fixating on finding yours could be making you miserable and keeping you stuck. That's the core message in Terri Trespicio's book, Unfollow Your Passion. It's also the topic of her TEDx Talk, which has been viewed more than eight million times. In this episode of The Selfish Gift, Terri tells Maggie the surprising story behind that talk—and her unconventional road to success as an author, speaker, brand consultant, and writing teacher. (And did I mention she's also a poet?)

Terri is a licensed instructor of the Gateless Writing Method, developed by Suzanne Kingsbury, which had a huge impact on Terri's writing and personal growth. In this conversation, she describes the Gateless approach to writing, explores the misconception that writing is only for professionals, and emphasizes the power of writing as a tool for self-discovery. She also shares her personal, story-led writing process and the story behind the publication of her book.

If you have ever worried that you're spinning your wheels and need encouragement to trust yourself and keep moving forward, listen in.

Takeaways

• Don't feel pressured to know your purpose or passion; it's okay to try different things and not have it all figured out.
• Failure is a part of the learning process and should not be feared.
• Success often comes from a winding career journey and trying different paths.
• Mindset is important, but it's not everything; skill development and practice are also crucial for success.
• Expanding one's comfort zone is more important than seeking discomfort.
• Writing is a tool for self-discovery and personal growth.
• Craft in writing is essential for effectively sharing one's story or expertise.
• The Gateless Method is a transformative approach to writing that focuses on craft and removes criticism and judgment.
• Sharing one's work can be challenging but is a powerful and transformative experience. Know and love your work before seeking feedback from editors or agents.
• Be flexible in the writing process and trust the inherent qualities of your work.

For more, check out:
territrespicio.com
maggielangrick.com
wonderwell.press

And follow:
instagram.com/ttrespicio
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instagram.com/wonderwellpress
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