10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head

By Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor for Southern Writers Magazine

Good Morning America anchor Dan Harris wrote the book 10% Happier as a personal inspirational memoir in 2014.  Harris described the pressures of being a news correspondent and anchor which led to a devastating live on the air panic attack.               

Harris went on to explain how he felt and what he did about it. With help from his friends and celebrities, who also suffered from anxiety, his book has become a must read for meditation.

Writing a personal inspiration memoir is nothing new. Many have done so out of a feeling of gratitude that they survived the event. The event could be everything from an illness, an accident, a financial loss or marital disaster. Many of us have experienced such challenges and many have overcome them. Why not share the experience and the solution you found and help others do the same. I think it is a great idea. But how do we know we have a topic people are interested in or a topic that will reach a lot of people by reading your book. Here are some ideas that may help.

1)     Awareness:  Like many of us we tend to ignore things that do not affect us. Once it is brought to our attention we suddenly see it everywhere. It’s like buying a new car and once you get it home it seems like everyone in town has one like it.  

2)     The need to share:  The same is true for others finding you share a common problem with them. Once discovered they become eager to share their experience and solutions with you. You can use this to further your goal and share their secrets as well as yours with others suffering from your fate.

3)     Organizations:  Another resource would be organizations that assist those stricken with your problem. They are always a good source of information and can easily be found. Google and you will find the list is long.

4)     Endorsements: Dan Harris sought the endorsement of others suffering from anxiety or experienced the benefits of meditation. This too can be helpful but carefully choose among those that are willing to stand with you. Make sure they do not distract from your goal by being unpopular, controversial or counter-productive in any way. If they have a positive celebrity status it could go a long way

My wife and I having had such events in our lives have yet to write our memoir but are quick to share with others if we feel they are interested and want to hear. We have done so by speaking to groups large or small or simply introducing ourselves to others once we notice they share our circumstance. When all is said and done you could make a difference in the lives of others and this will make a difference in yours.