My Definition of Success

All too often we’re shallow enough to think the prize is worth the journey. Really it’s the journey that’s the prize.

When I was little my dream fit in three words: publish a book.

I didn’t care about sales and didn’t even know about the Times list. All I wanted was to see my book on a store shelf.

Now I’ve written three books, signed with an agent, and I’m waiting to hear if and when my books will hit stores.

But the moment I signed an agent contract wasn’t the moment I found success.

Signing my first book deal won’t be that moment either.

There’s a misconception that success equals sales stats and how many digits are on an advance check. Those are extremely important. Publishing is a business after all! However, they aren’t how I define my success as a writer.

Wanting to see my book on a shelf is what started my journey, but I’ve found the journey is actually more important than whatever success I may find at the end.

In college writing was the last job I wanted because I believed I was way too extroverted for it. Thankfully, an author sat me down and explained the marketing and publicity side of writing and I realized writing isn’t just about writing.

I couldn’t be a writer if I didn’t live life to the fullest because writing is about sharing truth of experience.

It’s giving words to the feelings of others.

It’s a medium to use when one physical person has a message that needs to reach thousands and millions and billions of others. I write because I want to communicate to everyone and writing is one way to do that most effectively.

As I’ve progressed from a third grader penciling sentences on wide-rule paper to a post-graduate typing thousands of words on my Mac, I’ve learned writing isn’t about writing.

Writing is about communication.

I graduated college last December with a degree in Strategic Communications. I had no idea one year later I’d be signed with an agent and already hearing positive feedback from multiple publishing houses.

At heart, I’m a communicator. At heart, I just really love people. And at the core of what I do, the goal isn’t to just “get published” anymore.

The goal is to communicate truth – through living, through interpersonal interactions, through writing. That’s why success isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime book deal (however awesome that would be!).

Writing is so much more than words. Success is so much more than numbers.

Writing is a venue where words are necessary to communicate powerfully and effectively with the masses.

When I get my first book deal I’ll be thrilled, no question about that! But success isn’t signing my name on my piece of paper.

Success is the growth I’ll learn through the process of getting there.

Here’s to the journey!

Sarah Rexford is a Marketing Content Writer, working with brands to grow their audience reach. She studied Strategic Communications at Cornerstone University and focused on writing during her time there, completing two full-length manuscripts while a full-time student. Currently she trains under best-selling author Jerry Jenkins in his Your Novel Blueprint course and is actively seeking publication for two books.

Instagram: @sarahjrexford
Twitter: @sarahjrexford
Web: itssarahrexford.com