You have probably heard the story of the producer who turned down The Beatles on the grounds that "groups with guitars are on their way out."

I very nearly did the same thing: a massive opportunity came my way, and I almost turned it down.

I was a young academic with a bit of a niche following, but that was it. One day Regnery Publishing called and asked, "We'd like someone to write The Politically Incorect Guide to American History. We think you're the guy to do it."

That was a brilliant title. I figured a book like that could do well.

But:

We had just had our first child, with a second on the way. (My first three daughters -- Regina, Veronica, and Amy -- are not even three years apart!) Also, I was teaching an unusually large load of courses in order to secure our financial position as our family began to grow. Could I simultaneously write a quality mass-market book without sacrificing my sanity or neglecting my family duties?

So I very nearly said no.

And then I don't know what happened, but a sense of determination overtook me and I said: I'll do it.

Everything began to happen for me when that book came out.

I was so young and foolish that I at first thought it was a bad thing that major newspapers attacked the book. No! That did wonders for me.

The book spent 12 weeks as a New York Times bestseller, and three full months in the top 100 at Amazon -- and that includes fiction, cookbooks, self-help (in other words, categories of books that Americans read much more than they do nonfiction).

And it all began when I accepted a project with a real deadline and decided: I am going to do this.

Much more important than the royalties I earned were the doors I opened: other books (I attracted the attention of an excellent literary agent who negotiated a huge advance for my next book), conference appearances, a cartoon series, invitations to teach classes and seminars, etc.

Had I been offering anything for sale at the time I would have sold a boatload of it.

On this list we talk about online business, and I really got to learn how to sell books online. I gave away a free chapter of the book, and in return built up a list of people who could be emailed to remind them about the book itself.

I didn't have to do any of this. I could have just continued on with my standard academic job, collected my salary, and stayed within the lines.

But I decided: nothing is going to happen unless I make it happen by somehow breaking the standard mold.

Perhaps 2025 is the year you do the same.

Just a few hours from now is the Chandler Bolt presentation with practical ideas on how to get that book out of your to-do box, and once in for all into your done box.

And without driving yourself crazy or depriving yourself of sleep.

Reserve your spot, and break that mold:

https://www.tomwoods.com/getitdonein2025

Tom Woods