Think Big. Go For It. Celebrate the Wins!

Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

1679

Abstract

The one in the picture is NOT mine. My friend was right when she said I have a poor relationship with money (and celebrating my success and owning my abilities) because I could not bring myself to take a photograph of my vehicle. The thought of getting someone to take a shot of me standing next to it was even less of my cup of tea. It’s a beautiful car and hasn’t got a mark on it, but going out my way to get the photo would have looked (and felt) too… posey.I have always been awestruck by the iconic design of BMWs. Those kidney-shaped grills resonate with me in some way. They make the front of the car look incredibly majestic — like a moustache. That’s why I bought it, not because it’s a luxury brand, and I have no regrets. It is a joy to drive — a pleasure on every trip — and I am mind-blown by its efficiency. Not quite as economical as my motorbike but blows my old car out of the water. I am probably saving enough to cover the finance payments!The car was my treat for my latest book contract. Not only am I working with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/little-brown-book-group/">Little, Brown Book Group</a> again, but they have given me permission to list it as a role in my profile, AND they are happy for me to announce the name of the book once it is published. As a ghostwriter, I have got used to being in the background, so it will make a refreshing change to say, ‘Hey, I wrote this!’You may have noticed that the photo is from the DVLA’s personalised registration page. So, does this mean that I’m considering a personalised number plate?Yes, it does, but I am struggling wit

Options

h that as much as I did with the idea of getting a car on finance. It goes against my previously embedded belief system. Why pay for something I don’t need? What is driving me (excuse the pun)? Ego?I believe the registration celebrates how I have succeeded — as a ghostwriter. The people I write for tend to be at the top of their game, and I have consistently gained trust despite never turning up to a meeting in a new car or a posh suit.A few years ago, when I was invited to an event by one of my clients (and now a friend), I was overwhelmed by imposter syndrome. The thought of mingling with some very wealthy people in my cheap suit filled me with terror. ‘Others will judge me,’ I imagined.The man who hired me and invited me to the event reminded me that he didn’t hire me as a suited and booted fashion guru. I was everything he had expected from a writer, he told me.So, why not celebrate the fact that I am winning as a writer? As long as I am still the same person, I will continue to be someone my clients want to hire.There are millions of superb writers out there who haven’t figured out how to make a living out of it. I dreamt of being a full-time self-employed writer for years, so I am proud of every minute I get to enjoy the role.Don’t be shy about blowing your own trumpet. Accept it graciously when others do.Originally posted on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/martinjmorrison_expressyourtruthwithclarity-activity-7122128821109055489-IQY3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop">LinkedIn</a>.</article></body>

You’re only here once

A DVLA mock-up showing a personalised number plate on the make and model of vehicle I drive.

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by BMWs, in the way that young children are enamoured with racing cars and motorbikes (well, I was). But the nearest I came to owning one was purchasing a fourteen-year-old ‘Bimmer’ around seven years ago. It was on the bottom end of the 3 Series, and it packed in after a few months. That’s what you get for £650!

A couple of months ago, I began seriously considering getting a Bimmer on finance or leasing a car. After an initial feasibility study, I threw both ideas out of the window… but not forever. Something drew me back to the showroom.

I had a lump sum coming in, so I figured out how much I could put down as a deposit for a £10k car. That’s peanuts to people who use car loans to buy vehicles, but it is a big deal to me. I don’t buy things on finance, ESPECIALLY cars. They lose value the moment you drive them off the forecourt. Why get a loan for a liability? I pay for them in cash, or I don’t buy them.

Well, I spotted this Series 1 116d Sport, and the dealer let me take it away for an afternoon. I fell in love with it, especially ‘Sport mode’. That experience sold me the car. I think the sales guy had my car marked at a glance.

I bought the car on finance!

The one in the picture is NOT mine. My friend was right when she said I have a poor relationship with money (and celebrating my success and owning my abilities) because I could not bring myself to take a photograph of my vehicle. The thought of getting someone to take a shot of me standing next to it was even less of my cup of tea. It’s a beautiful car and hasn’t got a mark on it, but going out my way to get the photo would have looked (and felt) too… posey.

I have always been awestruck by the iconic design of BMWs. Those kidney-shaped grills resonate with me in some way. They make the front of the car look incredibly majestic — like a moustache. That’s why I bought it, not because it’s a luxury brand, and I have no regrets. It is a joy to drive — a pleasure on every trip — and I am mind-blown by its efficiency. Not quite as economical as my motorbike but blows my old car out of the water. I am probably saving enough to cover the finance payments!

The car was my treat for my latest book contract. Not only am I working with Little, Brown Book Group again, but they have given me permission to list it as a role in my profile, AND they are happy for me to announce the name of the book once it is published. As a ghostwriter, I have got used to being in the background, so it will make a refreshing change to say, ‘Hey, I wrote this!’

You may have noticed that the photo is from the DVLA’s personalised registration page. So, does this mean that I’m considering a personalised number plate?

Yes, it does, but I am struggling with that as much as I did with the idea of getting a car on finance. It goes against my previously embedded belief system. Why pay for something I don’t need? What is driving me (excuse the pun)? Ego?

I believe the registration celebrates how I have succeeded — as a ghostwriter. The people I write for tend to be at the top of their game, and I have consistently gained trust despite never turning up to a meeting in a new car or a posh suit.

A few years ago, when I was invited to an event by one of my clients (and now a friend), I was overwhelmed by imposter syndrome. The thought of mingling with some very wealthy people in my cheap suit filled me with terror. ‘Others will judge me,’ I imagined.

The man who hired me and invited me to the event reminded me that he didn’t hire me as a suited and booted fashion guru. I was everything he had expected from a writer, he told me.

So, why not celebrate the fact that I am winning as a writer? As long as I am still the same person, I will continue to be someone my clients want to hire.

There are millions of superb writers out there who haven’t figured out how to make a living out of it. I dreamt of being a full-time self-employed writer for years, so I am proud of every minute I get to enjoy the role.

Don’t be shy about blowing your own trumpet. Accept it graciously when others do.

Originally posted on LinkedIn.