I’ve been quietly writing my book for the past few months, and let me tell you—it has been quite a journey. This experience has been far more challenging than I ever imagined. Writing a book is truly a marathon. I’m so grateful to have someone in my corner to support, guide, and challenge me to keep going. Without that support, I might have given up a long time ago.
That someone is Shanna—my book editor and writing coach. We meet every Monday afternoon. This past Monday, she asked me, “How was your writing experience last week?”
I replied, “Shanna, I didn’t feel good about it. I felt like my writing was disjointed.”
She asked, “What do you mean by disjointed?”
I explained, “Well, in my past chapters, everything followed a clean chronological order. The stories flowed from negative to positive, making them easy to follow. But in this chapter, I didn’t stick to that structure. I started with a positive story, then went to a negative one, and then back to positive. It felt messy, uncomfortable, and, well, disjointed.”
Shanna surprised me by saying, “Coco, I just read your writing, and this chapter is the best you’ve written so far.”
“What? For real?” I asked, shocked.
She said, “Yes. Your writing has matured. You’ve moved beyond simple structure and are now synthesizing information and experiences in a way that’s more sophisticated. This chapter was a joy to read—keep writing like this. You’re getting better and better.”
Her words floored me. Before that conversation, I had felt so discouraged, questioning what I’d signed up for. Writing felt like an uphill battle. But after talking to Shanna, I felt re-energized and motivated to keep going.
This experience highlighted the power of having someone in your corner. It showed me two key things:
Safety to be vulnerable: I felt safe expressing my struggles and true emotions with Shanna. I could tell her honestly how I felt without fear of judgment.
An objective mirror: Shanna saw the brilliance in me that I couldn’t see myself. She looked at my work with fresh, objective eyes, while I was bogged down by self-doubt.
This combination of safety and perspective is incredibly powerful. As someone writing a book for the first time, I don’t always know what I’m doing. On top of that, my brain is wired like everyone else’s—to focus on the negative. Evolution has conditioned us to look for threats and shortcomings as a survival mechanism.
Add to that my upbringing, where adults often focused on what I needed to improve rather than what I was already good at. That conditioning led me to focus more on my flaws than my strengths, which isn’t helpful when you’re trying to create something meaningful.
But having Shanna in my corner helps me break through that negativity bias. Her support motivates me to keep going, even when things feel hard.
Whether it’s writing a book or pursuing any other goal, the journey often feels like being in a boxing ring. You’re in the fight, giving it your all, but it’s tough. That’s why having someone in your corner matters so much. They’re the person who gives you water, towels you off, and says, “Here’s what you’re doing well—keep it up. Here’s where you can improve—focus on that.”
As a life coach, that’s exactly what I do for my clients. I create a safe, nurturing environment where they feel supported, guided, and challenged to achieve their goals. But it doesn’t have to be me. The key is to find someone who’s right for you—someone who can be in your corner, cheering you on as you navigate your journey.
One of my clients, Kevin, recently shared how much this kind of support has meant to him. Kevin is a young, successful small business owner making a seven-figure income, but he was navigating the growing pains of his business and relationship challenges. He said:
“Coco, I’ve never shared my feelings or struggles with anyone before. I felt overwhelmed, lost, and constantly weighed down by negative thoughts. But talking to you changed everything. I feel clearer, more confident, and re-energized. What you’re doing is so impactful.”
While saying this, Kevin had tears in his eyes. His words deeply touched me and reinforced why I love doing this work. It’s so fulfilling to create a safe, nurturing, and supportive space where people can reach their potential and create the life they truly desire.
If you want to experience the power of having someone in your corner, I invite you to schedule a free 45-minute consultation with me. Just send me an email at Coco@nullCocoDuanCoaching.com. Let’s see how we can work together to help you achieve your goals and build the life you desire.
