I have to admit something upfront…
I’m not great with exercise. 😅
I bought a rowing machine—used it three times. Then I bought an exercise bike, which I do use… but let’s just say it’s dangerously close to becoming a clothes horse.
The thing is, I really admire people who exercise consistently. People who wake up early, get it done, and actually enjoy the process. How do they stay motivated? How do they keep going when the results aren’t immediate?
And one day it hit me:
Self-publishing is exactly like working out.
The people who succeed in both areas aren’t necessarily the most talented or naturally gifted. They’re the ones who show up consistently, even when progress feels slow.
Let’s break down how this fitness mindset applies directly to growing a self-publishing business.
1. Start Small and Progress Over Time (Progressive Overload)
In fitness, there’s a concept called progressive overload. It simply means starting with what you can manage and gradually increasing the challenge as you grow stronger.
You don’t walk into the gym for the first time and try to deadlift 100kg. You start small and build up. That’s how real growth happens.
Self-publishing works exactly the same way.
Instead of aiming for a six-figure income right away, focus on these small but powerful steps:
✅ Sell one more book this week.
✅ Get one more email subscriber.
✅ Create one more book this month.
These small wins compound over time. If you improve by just 1% every day, imagine what your business will look like in a year.
It’s not about where you are right now. It’s about where you’re going—and the next achievable step you can take.
2. Consistency is More Important Than Intensity
Here’s something that always stands out to me about people who exercise regularly: they don’t obsess over the outcome. They focus on the process.
They don’t look in the mirror every day and ask, “Am I fit yet?”
They just go to the gym, follow the plan, and let the results follow naturally.
This is the exact mindset successful self-publishers adopt.
If you only focus on hitting a bestseller list or making a certain amount of money, you’ll burn out.
But if you make content creation, book publishing, and marketing part of your weekly routine, success becomes inevitable.
Here’s what that looks like in action:
📌 Posting on social media once? Not much happens.
📌 Posting consistently for a year? You’ve built an audience.
📌 Sending one email? No big impact.
📌 Sending emails every week? You’ve built a warm list of buyers.
Success isn’t about massive effort once. It’s about sustainable effort over time.
3. The Beginning is the Hardest—But It Gets Easier
This is where most people give up: the beginning.
In fitness, the first few weeks are the hardest. You’re sore, tired, and not seeing any results yet.
In self-publishing, the first few books often feel like they vanish into the void. Your YouTube videos get 10 views. Your email list has 3 people on it (and one of them is your mum).
But the truth is: this is normal.
💡 Your first book might sell slowly—but by book five or ten, things start to pick up.
💡 Your first email list might be tiny—but with consistent effort, it grows steadily.
💡 Your first piece of content might get ignored—but your 50th starts to gain traction.
You don’t see progress every day, but it builds underneath the surface. And when it breaks through, it can feel like “overnight success”—but it’s really just the result of consistent effort finally paying off.
4. Find What Motivates You to Keep Going
Just like with fitness, not everyone is motivated in the same way.
Some people need a workout buddy. Some track their progress. Others need a trainer or an inspiring community.
It’s the same with publishing:
- You might be motivated by tracking sales.
- Or by seeing your email list grow.
- Or by getting lovely comments from readers who love your books.
Whatever it is—find it, lean into it, and protect it.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep going.
Final Thoughts: Publishing is a Long Game
If you’re feeling stuck or discouraged right now, here’s what I want you to remember:
1️⃣ Take it step by step—don’t try to leap from zero to bestseller in one jump.
2️⃣ Fall in love with the process—the creation, the learning, the showing up.
3️⃣ Understand that success compounds—the effort you put in today will build momentum over time.
Don’t measure your success by what happens today.
Measure it by where you’ll be in 6 months, 12 months, 2 years—if you keep going.
You’ve got this.
And if you ever need support or encouragement along the way, I’m here.
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