If you’ve ever met me, you know the story: I’m the woman who walked out of the corporate office, threw my sensible heels into the wind and announced to the universe, “I am going to quit my job, become a world-famous speaker and life coach, and make 6 figures a year so I can help the poor and needy and do God’s plan for me!

Twelve years ago, that sounded like a simple “I can do this plan!” I had a vision, a mission, and a dream that was worth celebrating with dinner out to Red Lobster!

Fast forward to today, and let’s just say the “get rich” part of the brochure had a typo. My literary empire currently consists of a Kindle book that earns me a cool 35 cents every few months and an occasional $6.20 for the paperback version.

As far as my coaching…well I have helped a bunch of people, especially those women who are struggling with alcohol in their later years in life but cash flow?? Hmm.. I have a hard time charging the big bucks like Warren Buffett would probably suggest.

I’ve hired every coach, every guru, and every “internet marketing expert” with a fancy LinkedIn profile and a rented Ferrari in their banner image. I’ve been pivoted, branded, funneled, and masterminded until my head spun. BUT fact is, I didn’t-couldn’t or wouldn’t do what I was coached to do.

I didn’t look at what I needed to be Grateful for. I forgot to focus on what i was Good at and I kept getting off track on my Goals because I didn’t understand how to use the system that is in my new book to move me to my destiny.

I did hit the #8 spot on Amazon in the 12 Step Recovery Category on Amazon with my last book “Speak to Me God I’m Listening, 365 Daily Meditations for Those Who Want to Hear God Answer Life’s Toughest Questions, ” so there is that! (Could be that my sister bought 5 copies on launch night along with a few friends, and in that one hour window I sold more than anyone else in that category!)

I’ve given away hundreds of books, which unfortunately count in “the algorithm” of book sales. Also, people can’t give me a review if I give the book away if it isn’t purchased on Amazon. UGH!

But we HAVE to look at the bright side and not focus on the “rotten potatoes in that bag of good potatoes” (that’s one of the one-liners or WWLSs-What Would Linda Say) that my counseling clients remember.

For me, the bright side is that people’s lives have been changed by that book, and when I looked today at the stats, out of 2,175,170 books in the Kindle Store my book is #926 in the 12 Step Programs after 7 years, which Chat GPT says is pretty darn good!

I am also a counselor, and I am really popular and could work 24/7 if I wanted to, so I can’t forget that God is using me, but not necessarily in the way or as much as I wanted Him to.

My point is, I never gave up HOPE- I just needed to see that there was Help, Opportunity, Praise and Encouragement that others were willing to give me to reach my dream but it came in God’s timing, not mine, and it took me realizing that I actually had to practice what I teach and preach.

And you know what? That is absolutely okay.

I’ve learned that success isn’t a microwave dinner; it’s a slow-cooked roast. God’s plan doesn’t usually sync up with our “I need it by Friday” corporate calendars. I’m still here, still writing, still coaching, still speaking and teaching, and still believing that my message is going to reach the people who need it most. I’m going to hit that bestseller list, I’m going to keynote that stage, and I am going to fulfill the purpose I was built for.

My next book was inspired by my husband Ralph, who came back from
a Christian treatment center in California in 2008 with a simple life habit that has stuck with us and has been used by countless people to rewire their brains and transform their lives.

If you’re reading this before August 12, 2026, consider this your official invitation to my launch party! Join me as we celebrate that it is never too late to start, restart, or keep going.

To anyone else currently “floundering”: breathe. You aren’t failing; you’re just in the middle of a very long, very important process. Don’t quit. Your timeline is not God’s timeline. Keep showing up.

Maybe God’s purpose for you right now is to be part of my HOPE launch team to push this book forward? I really need you to sign up here to join us!

See you at my book launch, and hopefully on my book reviews on Amazon on August 12th!

Blessings and Hugs!
Linda