Question: How do you write a book?

Back in 2008, when I first signed the publishing contracts with Penguin and Random House, I glazed over the clause outlining the expected length of the finished manuscript – a cool 90,000 words.

At the time, there was no way I could grasp the amount of work required to write 90,000 words. It was a mere detail, an insignificant number to deal with at some point in the future.

Flash forward: I remember when it came time to write. I opened a new Word document, and then sat back in my chair as I reveled at the inherent cliché of the moment – a blank piece of paper teeming with possibility, a naive canvas vulnerable to my inexperience.

I smiled, and then wrote, “The One-Week Job Project by Sean Aiken.”

Ha, now what? I thought.

Should I write about all 52 weeks? Maybe I should just write about the overall lessons and use stories from the different weeks to illustrate my point?

I had no idea where to start.

It was a lazy Saturday afternoon with friends. Our second annual Lord of the Rings Marathon was underway. As Frodo and Sam continued their epic journey through Middle Earth, Ian’s cell phone rang.

He jumped up and then left the room to take the call.

A moment later he returned and daringly pressed pause on the DVD player (you don’t press pause when you’re watching a 12 hour trilogy without getting some serious slack from the peanut gallery). Ian’s awe struck look kept our heckling to a dull grumble; we knew his bold action must come with good reason.

“That was Karen,” he announced. “She said she just received an email, from what appears to be a producer at the Oprah Winfrey Show. They’re trying to get in contact with Sean.”

(Karen registered oneweekjob.com so her email address was listed as the website administrator)

At this moment we’re thinking it must be a practical joke, something to chuckle at, quickly disregard and then rejoin the Fellowship.

“Karen seems to think it’s legit,” he added. “The producer’s email address is @harpo.com (Oprah’s company), and she googled the producer’s name and IMDb says she’s the real deal.”

I just got back from meeting with Random House (American publisher, May 4) in New York City, and Penguin Books (Canadian publisher, Mar 28) in Toronto. We were discussing ideas for upcoming book release of The One-Week Job Project, and how best to market it.

I invited my mom, sister, and baby niece to come along too. We stayed a few minutes from Time Square, and The Empire State Building. We had a wonderful time (yes, wonderful) visiting the different areas of Manhattan on a double decker tour bus, learning many tidbits about the city we would have never known. It was a great way to see the city, and made me want to spend a day as a tourist in my own city of Vancouver. We went to see a couple of Broadway shows, The Lion King, which was alright, and Wicked, which was absolutely incredible!

I was pleased with how the book meetings went. To be honest, I think back to when The One Week Job Project was just an idea, and then fast forward to today when I’m sitting in boardrooms with two major publishers discussing how best to market the book – it seems surreal.

It’s been very exciting to see things come together, and I can’t wait for the books release this spring – May 4th in the US, and March 28 in Canada.

If you have any ideas/suggestions to market the book, I’d love to hear ‘em! Let me know in the comment section, or send me an email!

-Sean

Happy New Year – I wish you all the best for 2010!

“One Day” – Matisyahu

One Day
sometimes I lay
under the moon
and thank God I’m breathing
then I pray don’t take me soon
I am here for a reason
sometimes in my tears I drown
but I never let it get me down
so when negativity surrounds
I know some day it’ll all turn around
cause all my life I’ve been waiting for
I’ve been praying for
for the people to say
that we don’t wanna fight no more
they’ll be no more war
and our children will play
one day

Read more »

It’s our choice whether we stay “lost”. There is hope.

Josh Shipp is a motivational speaker, teen expert, all around cool guy who is up to some pretty awesome stuff. He has a DVD out today that helps teens deal with being labeled and finding their identity. It goes on sale today. Check out the trailer here.

If you live in the Greater Toronto Area and are interested in finding out more about a career in the trades industry, check out this free skilled trades fair:

Apprenticeship Career Connections
International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga
Oct. 28th, 10:00am – 7:30pm

Grant Lingel recently sent me a copy of his new book, Imagine: A Vagabond Story. Here is an excerpt:

“We all felt the walls and barriers of our lives crushing us and knew change was necessary. Not out of fear of the ‘real world’ but out of curiosity for a new world. I never thought about my trip as an escape, just a passage through new doorways that I had never crossed in the past.”

Imagine: A Vagabond Story is a first hand account of Grant’s travel adventure throughout Mexico and Central America. The book reads like a travel journal, as Grant honestly describes his thoughts on the places he visits, the people he encounters, and the personal lessons he gleaned during his journey.

Grant’s story continually reminded me that amazing events can unfold when you open yourself up to new experiences.

When I was on the road during One-Week Job, typically I had no idea where I was working only days before my next job began. I’d receive an email, phone call, or meet a stranger on the street and it would completely alter my path.

Likewise, Grant’s incredible experience wouldn’t have been possible if he wasn’t willing to leave his comfort zone, embrace uncertainty, try new things, meet different people, and take risks. A conscious decision to make it happen. Reflecting back on it, he’s glad that he did:

“{The trip} taught me how small the world really is, how similar we all really are and how it is the people you meet along the way that shape who you are and who you become.”

To read the first few chapter’s of Grant’s adventure and order a copy, visit his website.

I just posted something from Seth Godin a couple days ago, but he’s just that good. This was his latest post. Have a read and see why you matter.

During my week as a Yoga Instructor in Week 7, I met Henri. I remember he said to me:

“When my students come into the class, it is my opportunity to impact the outer world through my inner studio. If I can change their mindsets, so that when they leave here, they are feeling calm and relaxed, that will alter how they experience the rest of their day and the other people they encounter. In doing so, I am creating a ripple effect far beyond I know the implications of.”

Every day we have the power to impact those around us – a kind word, a genuine smile, an inspiring blog post – whether that impact is positive or negative is up to us to decide. The important thing to remember is that either way, our ripples will be felt.

If you don’t know who Seth Godin is, get to know him. In every blog post, he provides value.

Just graduated, and can’t find a job? Read this recent post by Seth, Graduate school for unemployed college students.

Reading Seth’s post reminded of a conversation I had when I was a Radio DJ in Week 22. One afternoon, a Radio DJ I was working with said to me, “The most important message I take away from what you’re doing is to be pro-active about figuring out what you want to do. If you don’t know what to do, well don’t just sit around and wonder what to do. Do something.”

When I first graduated, I wasted a lot of time and energy worrying that I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Of course, it didn’t help my situation. I was so concerned with making the right choice that it prevented me from making any choice at all. Thankfully, I eventually recognized this.

What is your “something” going to be?

I’ve been asked to speak at The Health & Wealth Annex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on May 8th, 2009. There are still spaces available – register on the website if you wish to attend. The event last three full days and costs $149.

From the website, here some benefits that past attendees said they took away:

See you there!

-Sean

I imagine many graduates are wondering what they’re going to do this summer – whether any companies will be hiring for new positions in this economic downturn.

If you’re having difficulty finding a full time position, an internship can be a great way to get some experience in the meantime and make you more marketable to future employers. Here’s one for this summer that was passed on to me.

Sosauce (a travel website based in New York City) is offering an eight week Summer 2009 marketing internship followed by a two week socially conscious travel experience.

From the website:
“For anyone who has ever dreamed of changing the world, this is your chance! You will gain incredible experience with a young company at a very exciting stage and have the opportunity to travel abroad, chronicle a socio-environmental issue, and have fun – all at the same time.”

Here is the link to find out more information and apply for the spot.

Good luck!

Photo by Stephen Poff

I received this question from a reader and thought it would be interesting to give my answer, but also share with other readers.

Q: Can everyone really pursue their true passion in life? If this were the case, you’d have an influx of people pursuing the same careers (rock star, athlete, pilot, actor, author, etc). Who would do the run-of-the-mill jobs that we need to keep our society running?

A: Great question. When I was a Radio DJ, I asked the morning host how he got into radio.

He said that many radio DJ’s are actually “failed musicians” – meaning they originally tried to support themselves by being rockstars, but for a variety of reasons, couldn’t quite make it. But, he said that being a radio DJ allows him to be involved in the same industry, interact with the same people, and cultivate his passion for music.

It made me think that we don’t all have to be rockstars, because we might be equally as happy being the guy who hands the rockstar their guitar.

In theory, could everyone pursue their true passion in life? I don’t know.

Might take some juggling to make it work. Though I’ve realized that there are many ways to pursue our passions, whether being involed in the industry in some way like this radio DJ, or looking to satisfy your passion outside of work.

Got a question for Sean? Send it to oneweekjob@gmail.com

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Photo by code poet

The folks over at Brazen Careerist have kicked off a contest highlighting the impact that blogging has had on our lives. A ticket to SXSW Interactive (huge media summit) is up for grabs valued at $425.

To enter, you must write a post on your blog about how blogging has impacted your life before December 12, 2008.

Read all the details here at Brazen Careerist.

I remember not more than five years ago when Ian, Karen (Ian’s wife), and I started a travel blogging website – blogs seemed so foreign to most people.

When I explained the concept of having a travel blog to others, my first question would be, “Well, do you know what a ‘blog’ is?” Most people would say “No” and so I’d then have to explain the concept of blogs. Web + Log = Web Log = Blog.

Now they seem so commonplace that asking such a question may insult the other person, “Of course I know what a blog is!”

Blogging has hugely impacted my life over the past year with the start of the One Week Job project. There’s no way I would have been able to contact so many people, set up the different jobs, and then share my experience with countless others had it not been for the introduction of blogs.

How has it impacted you? Share your story and maybe win some free stuff – we all love free stuff!