Are you choosing to live a happy, fulfilling life?
Studies show that 90% of what separates a happy life from an unhappy one is within your control. One of the most powerful ways to unlock your best life is by setting, pursuing, and achieving meaningful goals.
You have the power to choose happiness—but don’t just take my word for it! Here’s how real people, just like you, are creating happiness by chasing their biggest goals.
Ready for a dad joke?
Consider this a lighthearted amuse-bouche for your brain before we get serious. Sure, it might be groan-worthy—but hey, at least you’re getting your money’s worth, right? 😆
Someone once asked me to write three words that describe me… I wrote: lazy.
How Alex Turned a Gift for Her Grandma Into a Published Novel
🌟 Welcome to this month’s Interview with a Goal-Crusher! 🌟
Each month, I sit down with someone who’s achieved big things through goal-setting and determination to uncover their secrets to success. Then I share those insights with you… Think of it as free mentoring from someone who’s already making it happen. Who wouldn’t want that?!
As an independent author, I’ve learned a few things about the publishing process:
- It’s hard to write and publish a book.
- The writing process barely scratches the surface of the hard part.
- Self-publishing your first book can be lonely because nobody rushes to buy your book.
It was this third bullet that led to this month’s interview.
When I learned the partner of one of my prior goal-crusher interviewees was publishing her first book, I knew I wanted to be there to support her in this journey.
I reached out.
I learned more.
I was super inspired by her story.
I knew I wanted to share it with my Operation Melt readers.
That’s what sparked today’s Interview with a Goal-Crusher featuring Alex and her inspirational story behind her first book.
Please introduce yourself and tell my readers about you and what you do.
Hi! I’m Alex, or Rachel Alexandra, which is my pen name.
I work at JPMorgan as a writer, I’m in nursing school, and in July, I published my debut novel, The Flip Side of Forever.
What motivated you to write and publish your book? What was your vision? Can you share some/all of your story?
Easy – my grandmother.
She’s always been my biggest fan.
She would publish the emails I send her if it was up to her. She’s a huge romance fan, so for her 90th birthday, I wrote a book and gifted her the first edition of the first draft. It’s changed a lot since then, but the story has stayed the same.
The story follows Brett Zelenka, a heartbroken young woman who returns to her parent’s lakehouse after her divorce, where she runs into Jake McKenzie, her ex-best-friend-turned-whirlwind-summer-fling.
It’s a second-chance, friends-to-lovers, small town, summertime romance that explores the loss of identity, changing plans, losing meaningful relationships, all while growing older.
What was the first step you took to get started with your goal?
I just started writing.
That’s really it – I’ve always been a storyteller, and I’ve always had dozens of ideas in my head for books. I have three to five WIPs at any given time. I’ve always had notebooks full of half-thought out, unpolished ideas. Some of them become parts of stories, some of them are reworked, some of them are cut altogether.
When I’ve finished writing down whatever scene inspired the idea, I turn to Pinterest and Spotify. Every book has its own playlist and Spotify board. The playlists are lawless – the only requirement is that the song reminded me of a moment or a character. The boards are a little more organized. I use them for character inspiration, aesthetic creation, and just kind of creating the “vibe” of the book.
For The Flip Side of Forever, the vibe was kind of “dark beachy.”
What were your biggest challenges in achieving your goals? How did you overcome them?
Putting it out there.
There is a certain vulnerability of allowing people to read something you poured your heart and soul into. Writing draws from such a personal place that it feels like opening the pages of your diary.
About six months ago, I saw Lauren Sanderson, an indie artist, who has been writing and producing her own music for most of her career. When someone asked her advice on getting started, she said, “Just start. Put everything out there.”
That stuck with me.
What goal success tips and techniques have worked well for you that you would like to share with my readers?
I keep a list of goals on my phone. It’s kind of a to-do list for the year.
I reevaluate what I want every January, check my goals from last year, and see what I’ve accomplished, how my priorities have changed, and what I want to work towards for next year. Some of them are continuations of goals from the previous year that are designed to keep me motivated towards a bigger goal. Some of them are hobbies I want to try, habits I want to build, or projects I want to start.
There’s probably thirty things on my list every year. I try to check in every few months to see if I’m on track or if I need to adjust my focus.
What is one goal you are excited about right now?
My second book!!
I’m hoping to have a draft finished by the end of the summer.
Oh, and I’m also graduating nursing school at the end of December. So I’m really, really excited about that, since I’ve been working on that nonstop for the past two years as well.
What else would you like my Operation Melt readers to know about you, your writing career, your journey or about goal success in general?
I think a lot of people are afraid to do things that they are interested in because it takes a lot of time, they can’t make any money from it, or they may not be good at it. Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly, and you can use that first step as a jumping off point.
This is not my first novel, just my first published novel. I’ve been writing for years until I finally had something I believed was worth sharing, and I got there by practicing, failing, giving up writing for years at a time, and then starting over.
The path to reaching your goals is rarely linear, and, honestly, that’s what makes it worth the ride.
How can people learn more about you?
My Instagram is definitely the best way. I use @authorrachelalexandra for all things writing and @alexpxff for everything else.
I also use TikTok to connect with other writers (and readers) at @author.rachelalexandra.
I love that Alex’s motivation for publishing her first book, a romance novel, was her 90-year-old grandmother! Simply adorable and amazing… it is an example of how we all find inspiration and motivation in different ways and places.
Alex’s approach of building Pinterest boards and playlists around the worlds she creates is a great idea. I can honestly say she has changed the way I will write my next fiction book. I don’t know about you, but when a goal-crusher interview changes my mindset about my work, it just hits differently.
There are multiple killer goal-crushing secrets in Alex’s interview. I want to highlight a few that stood out to me.
A Brave First Step
How did Alex get started with her goal of publishing her book? She started writing!
There’s real magic packed into that answer.
All too often, people get stuck trying to figure out how to become a writer, a runner, a coach, a business owner or any number of other goals. The answer is always the same… take a brave first step.
You can’t become a writer without writing. You can’t become a runner while sitting on the couch.
You don’t need special training and anybody’s permission to just start doing it.
Disclaimer: This strategy may not be as effective if you aspire to be a doctor. 😂
You’ve Gotta Get Uncomfortable
Alex mentioned that it was tough putting her creation out there. She was opening herself up to criticism and more. That’s scary!
But she did it!
It’s hard to reach your dreams from inside your comfort zone. To become the person you want to be, you’ve got to get a little uncomfortable.
I love the sentiment that courage is not the absence of fear.
Courage is doing the thing despite the fear.
You Are In Charge of Your Goals
Alex mentioned that she uses the notes app on her phone to track her goals. She constantly pursues multiple goals and has a structured approach for reviewing and adjusting them.
Alex is a goal-crusher!
Do you want to accomplish big things in your life?
Nobody is going to do it for you… You are in charge.
The life of your dreams begins with writing down your goals.
Alex is Project Managing Her Life!
Speaking of goals and goal-crushing, let’s take a look at the ways Alex’s story demonstrates several Project Manage Your Life (PMYL) principles:
✅ Commit to SMART Goals
We just reviewed how Alex sets and tracks her goals using her phone. Most importantly, she is committed to setting and crushing her goals. And, based on her story about her grandmother, it is clear that she is focused on the “why” behind her goals (the R, or relevant, in SMART if you’re keeping track at home).
✅ Build a Plan That Works for You
Alex’s approach to writing is uniquely hers. The idea of multi-sensory world-building isn’t what all authors do, but it works well for her. Furthermore, writing books while working full time and going to school is A LOT. How many people would even attempt (let alone master) the kind of balance Alex has pulled off?
✅ Don’t Go It Alone
Alex has supporters who help keep her going. For example, she shared that her grandmother was a massive inspiration for this book. I also know, having spent some time talking about goals with her, that her fiancée, Mallory (also a goal-crusher… read her story here), is a big supporter and accountability partner.
✅ Enjoy the Journey
Alex writes because she loves it. She has ideas for worlds and stories inside her, and her writing lets them exist. What better way to enjoy the journey than by doing something you love… just because you love it?
🔥 Now It’s Your Turn
I feel honored to have the opportunity to share Alex’s story with you. Based on first-hand experience, I can tell you that she is so impressive and a model goal-crusher. I’m thrilled to continue following Alex’s journey and witnessing her change the world.
Want to know a secret? You don’t have to admire Alex’s journey from a distance. You can be part of her journey by grabbing a copy of her book, The Flip Side of Forever.
You can also start your own journey by setting and crushing your own goals.
If there is a goal inside you, you just need to take that first brave step. Everything else gets easier the moment you start moving. So let me ask you:
💭 What dream have you been ignoring, and why is it important to you?
💡 What is that first step you can take RIGHT NOW to make it happen?
Once you take the first step, the rest is just a project…
And I can help you manage it.
Want a System That Helps You Build Confidence One Step at a Time?
That’s why I created Project Manage Your Life …to give you a clear, proven system for turning ideas into goals, and goals into reality.
I’ve taken everything I use with my coaching clients and packaged it into a 3-part system:
📘 Project Manage Your Life – the book that teaches you my 6-step goal-crushing framework… I’ll even give it to you for free (click below).
📝 PMYL Workbook – the companion guide packed with templates, trackers, and coaching-style prompts to help you put the process into action.
🎯 PMYL Coaching – personalized 1-on-1 support to help you build momentum, overcome challenges, and keep going … even when it gets hard.
These tools are your structure, your support, and your reminder that you can do this, even if your inner critic disagrees.
💥 So… what’s that first step? Take it today!
✨ I believe in you, let me help YOU believe in you! ✨
Calling All Goal-Crushers…
Know a goal-crusher with a story worth sharing? Or maybe it’s you? Let’s connect … I’m always looking for inspiring new interviews! I am always looking for new Interview with a Goal-Crusher candidates. Hit me up and let me know who I should be talking to.
Meet Coach Tony
Tony Weaver is a master life coach, technologist, consultant, writer, and founder of Operation Melt.
He helps project managers and other left-brained high-achievers pursue their biggest goals.
Through free resources, personalized coaching, and his proven Project Manage Your Life system, Tony empowers clients to move their dreams from “someday” to success — one step at a time.
Learn more about Project Manage Your Life, the system my clients and I use to crush our goals, at OperationMelt.com/PMYL/
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Meet Coach Tony