Why I Left a Book Publishing Deal...

About 12 years ago I was given a book deal on a silver platter, which was a DREAM for a younger version of me.

An agent at a notable publishing agency was following my work at the time and she was so drawn to the leadership work I was doing that she asked to sign me as a client. She said signing was the promise of a book deal.

All I had to do was write the book. She would handle the marketing, book tour, and all of the details.

However... it wasn't a book I actually wanted to write. It was a book SHE wanted me to write.

I did sign to be her client, and the following 6 months consisted of heavy writing sessions, tweaks, and research on other competitive pieces that were in the same vein as I was in. It felt heavy, hard, and completely uninspiring for me.

Ultimately, I had a hard conversation with her:

Me: "I don't want to write the book that you want me to write. It's not worth my time if my heart isn't fully in it."

My agent: "But Sarah... think about it. Every author writes their first book for their agent and for the masses. Get your foot in the door. Then you can write whatever you want from there."

I ended our relationship in that conversation. She didn't understand why I would be throwing away such a great opportunity.

And other people thought I was nuts, too.

It didn't align in my gut and I was clear that the novelty and "prestige" of being a published author with a book agent wasn't worth the tradeoff of time and energy.

But that was a big part of me beginning to make unpopular decisions that aligned with my inner wisdom. Here I am, 12 years later, creating exceptional, quality support for my clients that is founded in their inner wisdom and truth.

It takes bravery to make unpopular decisions that come from your gut - but that's where the most fulfillment can come. It's all about integrity: your insides matching the outsides.

One of the first things to do to hone your attunement to your inner wisdom (your gut) is to notice when you're out of alignment with it.

Three Signals You’re Overriding Your Gut

When you try to ignore your gut, there are three main signals. As you read through the list below, consider how much you might have normalized these common behaviors. They might happen so habitually that you haven’t noticed!

Here are a few signs:

1. You’re spinning in mental loops. Replaying conversations, overanalyzing options, or trying to predict outcomes often means your mind has taken over.

2. You feel the need to justify your decision. If you’re convincing yourself why something makes sense but it doesn’t feel right, it’s worth a second look.

3. You’re seeking excessive outside input. If you’re polling friends or crowdsourcing clarity, pause. Your gut may already know—but it needs your attention to speak clearly.

Living from your gut is not about perfection—it’s about presence. This work can be truly life-changing.

The more you practice, the more natural it becomes to lead your life from a place that feels whole, true, and FULLY YOURS.