Why I Wrote “Make Almost Anything Happen”

I wanted to provide optimism and inspiration to those living with the uncertainty that comes with pursuing complex goals.

While the book was written before the Covid-19 pandemic, it does provides insight into the complexity that is impacting our uncertain futures.  The goal was to help people manage the complexity of the many knowns, unknowns, and uncertainties of complex goals.

The book examines how over fifty of the world’s most successful athletes, entrepreneurs, Nobel Laurates, scientists, activists, moms and other unsung heroes achieved success by managing complexity. It provides a framework and a step-by-step process to develop a strategy to achieve a mission while managing the complexity of the many knowns, unknowns and uncertainties.   

I decided to write a book about 15 years ago. I was frustrated that most books about the future were not optimistic. This included the titles with positives outlooks combined with predictions of doom if their prescriptive recipes were not followed. Yet, history shows us that gloomy forecasts are usually wrong. I was also looking for a rewarding activity that could fit into the busy schedules of my three young kids and a demanding career. It took me about seven years to complete a first draft. It was not very good. While it was optimistic, it didn’t explain how our optimistic future would happen.

I spent a couple of years researching the difference between success and failure of complex goals. I learned that hard work and knowledge is often not enough. It required managing complexity and embracing uncertainty. I began writing an entirely new book on managing the complexity of complex goals. After three years of writing, I pitched the book three consecutive years to agents and publishers at the Writer’s Digest conference in New York. Each time, I would rewrite the entire book based on what I learned from literary agents, publishers and conference presenters.

Today, I’m happy to share with you the result. (See more)

I hope this inspires people and businesses to begin and stick with their dreams, goals and innovative ideas until they achieve their missions.