12/22/2008 After 5: Springfield speaker embraces life changes in first book Change Up
A Visit With the Author
Your book contains lessons applicable to anyone, but in some cases, it seems to speak more to women. Was that intentional?
It really wasn't. I was just sharing insights about what I know about change. I used women's examples more because I'm a woman, so I know from my own experiences. It's weird, because every time I've given this book away at a speaking engagement, my secret hope was that a woman would get it, and a man has gotten it every time.
What advice do you have for would-be authors?
Get clear about your reason for writing. If someone has a book about their family, and they really just want to say, "I've written and published a book," they can do that ... for probably less than $1,000. If you want to have a best-seller, that's another ballgame.
How much did you invest in your book?
A little more than $5,000. The book is printed on demand. I took a class that cost me $2,500 about how to make a book a best-seller, even though I wasn't sure I'd try that with this book. But that class guided me to where I wanted to have this printed.
What will you write next?
I have a couple of titles: "Stop Your Drama" or "Stop the Office Drama." I'm not sure which will come first. They're basically the same book, but targeted for different audiences.
Then I have (an idea) for a series of books ... that will help people get clear on what they're really committed to, because what I find is that people will say they're committed to something ... but they're doing things that are incongruent with that.
How do you achieve personal and professional balance?
Ballroom dancing is something I do almost every Friday night and on Thursday mornings at Ballroom World. I work out three or four times a week. Almost every morning, I do about an hour of journaling, meditation and prayer work. That's where I get my inspiration.
An Oct. 9 invitation-only event at The Tower Club was the public celebration of a book three years in the making by local speaker and consultant Marlene Chism.
She published her book, "Success is a Given: Reading the Signs While Re-Inventing Your Life," to help others navigate life's changes and fulfill a personal goal.
"I've had it written for over three years," Chism says of the book, noting that fear of sharing too much of herself and being judged by readers kept her from publishing sooner. Chism says she ultimately decided to move forward to maintain her personal integrity.
Her Springfield celebration was a nod to friends who have helped her along the way. An electronic launch followed Dec. 10, with Chism working with Amazon.com and several joint venture partners. Chism doesn't yet know how many books have sold.
Reaching out to others isn't new for Chism. As sole proprietor of Springfield-based ICARE Presentations, Chism's work - primarily speaking engagements - is centered on improving communication and relationships everywhere.
The book is published through Chism's ICARE Publishing division and printed on demand by BookSurge, a subsidiary of Amazon.
It's not surprising that Chism's first book focuses on change, as it's a topic she knows well. A decade ago, she left her job of 21 years as a Kraft factory worker to launch a public-speaking career. Her only prior experience was in high school competitions, where she made it to the state level.
Chism, who has a communications degree with a minor in psychology from Drury University and a master's degree in human resources development from Webster University, blends her knowledge and insight with real-life examples - some of them serious, and some funny - to illustrate points throughout the book. Topics range from comfort zones, guilt and courage to power, beliefs, listening and choices, and the book shows how each relate to making - and surviving - changes.
The book also helps readers understand signs that indicate they're ready for change, and she explores what she calls the three life tragedies. No. 1 is knowing that you want something more, but you don't know what it is; No. 2 is knowing what you want but not believing that it's possible; and No. 3 is knowing what you want, believing that it's possible but being afraid or unwilling to do what it takes to achieve it.
"You have to know what you're willing to do. Are you willing to be uncomfortable (or) give up your 401(k) ... to make it happen?" Chism says.
Each chapter ends with "signposts" that summarize the author's thoughts on specific topics. From learning how to say no to dealing with power, the book covers a lot of ground.
In the epilogue chapter, titled "Happiness," Chism writes, "Success is as much the joy you feel on the journey as it is arriving at your destination."
Posted: Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Article comment by:
Jennifer Hicks
I have known Marlene for over 10 years and her transformation to what you see and experience has been wonderful to watch. Her insight to personal, professional and life issues is amazing. Her drama triangle is something I use and has help change my life. Success is a given and her ideas and strategies will enpower you for success. Be ready success is on the way!
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2008
Article comment by:
Teri Leigh Baird
I am so very happy for Marlene's continued success! What a wonderful personal and professional milestone as well as the great "Ah ha" of Success Is A Given.
I am blessed to know her.
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2008
Article comment by:
Sharyn Dawson
Marlene is a genius! There isn't a situation she doesn't know how to handle. Her book is full of wonderful insight. I can't wait for the next one!
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2008
Article comment by:
Suzie Crossno
What an amazing woman! Marlene has reached her goals and caught the hearts and minds of many business people across the country, helping us all to become more successful in business and our personal endeavours. Kudos to Marlene!!
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2008
Article comment by:
Amy Lawrence
I became connected with Marlene through through my mentor Tessa Greenspan. She recommended that I read Marlene's book and talk with her. Marlene's book gave me the much inspiration I needed to keep my tea business, "An Afternoon to Remember," going. Too often we get caught up in the future. We need to remember the journey is what counts. Marlene's quote, "Real success is the result of being happy while on the journey," really hit home with me. We do wait for success to make us happy. We should enjoy the present-now. It's not about tomorrow, it's about today. I'm so thankful that Marlene's book helped to put me back on the right track.
