The Power of Vulnerability: The Heartfelt Response to My Book Launch Request

The Midlife Shift is an Amazon Bestseller

“Can you please please buy my book for under a dollar and give me a review when you’ve read it? Of course, it would help with Amazon’s algorithms and push it to become a No.1 bestseller in specific categories.”

That was what I asked of my inner circle of one hundred people I know.

That was the essence of my newsletter’s content last week.

That was what I did for eight hours non-stop on Tuesday last week.

And you know the response—almost everyone who could buy the book did so. Whoever had access to the reviews section also made a review.

I was staggered and overwhelmed by how everyone wanted to help and contribute to my book’s success.

Humanity in action, I thought. After careful reflection, I understood why.

I was ‘Vulnerability’ in action. Getting off my high horse and asking for support made me vulnerable enough to open my heart. I spoke in a universal and intuitive language that everyone understood.

I opened the hardened walls of my heart to connect.

Brene Brown defines vulnerability as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. It is the core, the heart, the centre of meaningful human experiences.” She says, “Vulnerability isn’t good or bad: it’s not what we call a dark emotion, nor is it always a light, positive experience.”

I put my hand out, not knowing what to expect, but I received overwhelming love and support. Everyone told me somehow that “they’ve got my back.”

Human beings are innately good. They want to help, cooperate, support, and have your back, but only if you’re genuine enough to really want it. Only if your inner core truly desires it. Only if you allow your soul to remove the ego and possess the flesh.

After one woman called me to say she had asked her daughter in Canada to buy and review the book for me because she doesn’t have an Amazon account, I got so emotional that tears unexpectedly started to fall.

Growing up with a mindset that meant admitting weaknesses was not intelligent meant it took me a long time to understand and appreciate the power of vulnerability.

Today, I understand that when we allow our true feelings to guide us, we magically meet and open up to the right people. The more we open our hearts, the greater our capacity for empathy. The greater our capacity for empathy, the more self-aware we become.

In the end, my book's reaching number one didn't really matter. Sure, I will lead with it, as I’ve done here, and it will help book sales.

But I know that on my deathbed, the only thing that I will recall is the heartfelt connection I made with those people who showed up for me.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.