I discovered and embraced years ago that I'm a collaborative learner. While I'm capable of doing my own thing, I prefer working with others to create something together.
To thought partner with others. To inspire and be inspired by others. To challenge and be challenged by others. To uplift and be uplifted by others.
As I've been working on my book for the last eight months, I've come to deeply appreciate that writing a book—what may seem like a very solo endeavor—is one of the most collaborative things I've ever done.
This weekend, my son and I started recording a few episodes of my upcoming podcast. I'm the creator; he's the producer. I could do it solo, but it's way better to work with him, leverage his expertise, and feed off each other's creative energy.
I've experienced similar highs of creative thriving with my book editor, my book designer, my Kajabi designer, my publisher, my early draft readers, my testimonial readers, my podcast tour person, and so many others who've played a role in this book project.
Sure, I wrote the book. Sure, they're my ideas (borrowed from and influenced by many others.) Sure, my name's on the cover.
And, as Obama says, "[I] didn't build that. Somebody else made it happen."
A lot of somebody elses. All of whom have my deepest gratitude.