Jane Austen didn't write Pride and Prejudice in a burst of creative genius over a weekend. She wrote it through years of consistent, daily practice—revising, refining, and showing up to her craft even when inspiration felt elusive. Her letters reveal a woman who understood something I see many of you struggling with: consistency is the foundation upon which all creative success is built.

So much of our online world is viral moments and overnight success stories, it's easy for you to believe that one perfect post, one brilliant campaign, or one flawless product launch will transform your creative business( and there are the lottery winning odd that it does happen to some people). But here's the truth that I've learned from working with successful authors and creatives: it's not the luck of a viral post that builds your career—it's showing up every single day and building your brand one post at a time.

I know consistency isn't glamorous. It doesn't make for exciting social media posts or inspiring success stories. It's the quiet work that happens when no one is watching, when your audience is small, and when you're not sure if anyone is paying attention.

But here's what I've seen consistency do for your creative business:

It builds trust with your audience. When people know they can count on you to deliver valuable content, updates, or products regularly, they begin to see you as reliable. Trust is the currency of creative business, and consistency is how you earn it.

It compounds your efforts. That blog post you published to three readers? It's still working for you months later when search engines find it. That social media post that got minimal engagement? It helped the algorithm understand your content better. Every consistent action builds on the last one.

It creates momentum. The hardest part of any creative project is starting. But when you've been showing up consistently, you're already in motion. Starting becomes easier because you never really stopped.

We have to talk about the perfectionist's trap…

I see so many of you fall into the perfectionist trap, believing that if you can't do something perfectly, you shouldn't do it at all. This mindset is the enemy of consistency—and therefore the enemy of your progress.

Jane Austen's first drafts weren't perfect. Her early novels were rejected by publishers. But she kept writing, kept submitting, kept showing up to her craft. The novels we love today exist because she chose consistency over perfection.

Your audience doesn't need you to be perfect. They need you to be present. They need to know that you're committed to your craft and to serving them, even when—especially when—things aren't going according to plan.

Why We Keep Talking About Weekly Wins…

This is exactly why we're always encouraging you to celebrate your weekly wins consistently. It's not just about feeling good (though that's important too). When you make it a practice to consistently look for and acknowledge your progress each week, you're training yourself to show up regardless of how "perfect" that week felt.

Some weeks your wins will be big—a book launch, a viral post, a major milestone. Other weeks, your win might be that you kept writing during a difficult period, or that you posted consistently even when engagement was low, or that you learned something new about your audience. But by consistently celebrating these moments, you're reinforcing the very behavior that builds successful creative businesses: showing up, week after week, regardless of circumstances.

When you consistently celebrate your weekly wins, you're also building a record of your progress. You're creating evidence that your consistent efforts are working, even when it doesn't feel like it in the moment.

Consistency in Your Creative Business

So what does consistency look like for you? It's simpler than you might think:

Publishing regularly. Whether it's blog posts, social media content, or newsletter updates, your audience begins to expect and look forward to hearing from you.

Showing up for your craft. Writing daily, practicing your art, or working on your business—even for just 15 minutes—keeps you connected to your creative work.

Engaging with your community. Responding to comments, supporting other creatives, and participating in conversations builds relationships that sustain your business.

Learning continuously. Dedicating time regularly to improving your skills, whether it's marketing, your craft, or business development.

Celebrating your progress. Yes, this includes consistently acknowledging your weekly wins, no matter how small they seem.

The key isn't doing everything perfectly. The key is doing something consistently.

I want you to start small. Choose one area where you want to be more consistent and commit to showing up there every day for the next week. Maybe it's writing for 10 minutes each morning, posting on social media daily, spending 15 minutes learning about book marketing, or yes—taking time each week to identify and celebrate your wins.

Track your progress, but don't judge it. Some days you'll do better than others, and that's perfectly normal. The goal isn't perfection—it's progress through persistence.

Remember that consistency is a practice, not a destination. Even Jane Austen had days when writing felt difficult, when words didn't come easily, or when she questioned her abilities. But she kept showing up, and that made all the difference.

I want you to imagine where your creative business could be a year from now if you committed to showing up consistently. Not perfectly, but consistently. What would your audience look like? What skills would you have developed? What opportunities might have opened up simply because you were reliably present?

When you look back at your weekly wins from this past year, what pattern will you see? I hope you'll see evidence of someone who showed up consistently, who celebrated progress regularly, and who built something meaningful through the power of persistent action.

The path to creative success isn't found in perfect moments—it's built through consistent ones. Jane Austen knew this. Every successful creative who came before you knew this. And I want you to know it too.

The question isn't whether you're ready to be perfect. The question is whether you're ready to be consistent.

Your creative business is waiting for you to show up. Not just today, but tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that.

Are you ready?

Leave a comment sharing one thing you are going to do to start building your consistency.

Until next time,

Melissa

Ready to build the consistency that transforms creative dreams into thriving businesses?

Join us at The Austen Pathway, where Jane Austen's legacy of creative independence meets modern business strategy.

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There's something magical that happens when you start celebrating your weekly wins. It's not just about feeling good (though that's certainly part of it). It's about rewiring your brain to embrace the very mindset that separates thriving creatives from those who stay stuck.

As Caroline shared in our weekly wins discussion, she learned last minute her audience hadn’t been warmed up to the topic she was about to give a presentation on. Panic could have won out. But, having a growth mindset transforms how we approach every challenge, every setback, and every opportunity that comes our way.

When you believe that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, suddenly those intimidating new ventures or last minute adjustments to your plans don't look quite so scary.

Here's the truth: growth lives outside your comfort zone.

That blog post you've been putting off? The social media platform you've been avoiding? The networking event that makes your palms sweat? These uncomfortable moments are exactly where your creative business needs you to show up.

But here's where weekly wins become your secret weapon. When you're actively looking for victories—even small ones—you're training yourself to spot progress in places you might have missed it before. That awkward first Instagram Reel? It's not a failure if you posted it. That email newsletter with only three subscribers? It's not embarrassing if you hit send.

Let's be real for a moment. This journey isn't all sunshine and roses. There will be days when your book launch feels flat, when your social media engagement drops, or when that pitch gets rejected. These moments sting, and pretending they don't won't help anyone.

But here's what a growth mindset teaches us: even in those tough moments, there are wins waiting to be discovered. Maybe your book launch didn't hit bestseller lists, but you learned valuable lessons about your audience. Perhaps your social media took a dip, but you discovered which content truly resonates with your community. That rejected pitch? It forced you to refine your message in ways that will serve your next opportunity.

The Weekly Wins Practice in Action

When you commit to finding and celebrating weekly wins, you're doing more than just positive thinking. You're actively training your brain to:

* Recognize progress over perfection – Every step forward counts, no matter how small

* Embrace experimentation – If you're looking for wins, trying new things becomes less risky and more exciting

* Build resilience – When you know there's always something to celebrate, setbacks become temporary rather than defining

* Stay motivated – Regular celebration creates momentum that carries you through the challenging weeks

This practice becomes the foundation for taking on bigger challenges. When you trust that you'll find the wins along the way, that new revenue stream doesn't feel so overwhelming. That speaking opportunity becomes exciting rather than terrifying.

Jane Austen didn't become one of literature's most enduring voices by playing it safe. She wrote with wit and insight that challenged the conventions of her time. She negotiated her own publishing deals (within the limitation of her time) when women rarely controlled their own business affairs. She understood that growth required courage.

You have that same courage within you.

It's waiting in every small step you take outside your comfort zone, in every weekly win you choose to celebrate, and in every challenge you decide to meet with curiosity rather than fear.

So here's your invitation: What's one win from this week that might have seemed small but actually represents a step outside your comfort zone?

Maybe you:

* Posted on a social platform you've been avoiding

* Sent that email you'd been drafting for weeks

* Had a difficult conversation about your creative work

* Tried a new marketing strategy

* Set a boundary that protects your creative time

* Finished a project you thought you'd never complete

Whatever it is, we want to celebrate it with you. Because when we share our wins together, we're not just building individual confidence—we're creating a community that believes in growth, supports bold moves, and understands that every creative journey is worth celebrating.

Your weekly win is waiting. What will you celebrate today?

Until next time,

Melissa

Ready to turn your social media from overwhelming to outstanding?

Join The Austen Pathway's Social Media Navigator for just $10 a month and get access to weekly 15 minute workshops that will help you level up your social media marketing in a way you never thought possible. Stop struggling with algorithms and start building the engaged community your creative work deserves.

Each workshop is delivered straight to your inbox and available for you to listen to at your convenience. 🎧

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As authors and creatives, we often focus relentlessly on what's next—the next chapter, the next book, the next marketing strategy. In this constant forward motion, we frequently overlook a powerful practice that can transform both our creative process and our content creation: celebrating our wins, no matter how small they might seem.

At The Austen Pathway, one of our traditions is our "Weekly Wins" session. It's a simple concept with profound impact: each week, we come together to share and celebrate their achievements, from finishing a difficult chapter to reaching a new reader milestone.

"I am so happy that you made it to Weekly Wins this week," is how we often begin these sessions. This simple acknowledgment sets the tone for a practice that has become transformative for many authors in our community.

Why does this matter so much?

Because the author journey is filled with long stretches of solitary work where progress isn't always visible. By intentionally pausing to recognize our wins, we:

* Reinforce positive habits through celebration

* Create moments of joy in what can sometimes be a challenging process

* Build confidence that carries us through more difficult phases

* Document our journey in a way that creates authentic content

* Connect with others who understand the significance of these milestones

Jane Austen herself understood the need for balance. While she worked diligently on her manuscripts, letters from her life reveal moments of celebration when she completed chapters or received positive responses from early readers. This balance between disciplined work and joyful acknowledgment contributed to her sustainable creative practice.

Weekly Wins: A Dual-Purpose Practice

What many authors in our community discover is that Weekly Wins serves two powerful purposes:

1. Personal Sustainability Regularly acknowledging progress combats the isolation and self-doubt that many authors face. It reinforces that you are moving forward, even when the larger goals may still be on the horizon.

2. Content Creation Gold These celebrations become some of the most engaging content you can share with your audience. Readers love authentic glimpses into your creative journey—both the challenges and the victories.

One author in our community began recording her weekly wins in a journal with the goal that at the end of the year, she can celebrate a whole collection of wins.

How to Implement Your Own Weekly Wins Practice

Ready to transform your author journey through the power of celebration? Here's how to begin:

1. Schedule It

Set aside a specific time each week dedicated to reflecting on and celebrating your wins. Make this appointment with yourself as non-negotiable as your writing sessions.

2. Document Everything

Create a dedicated journal, digital note, or even a simple jar where you collect your wins throughout the week. This creates a visual reminder of your progress and becomes a treasure trove of content ideas.

3. Expand Your Definition of "Wins"

Wins aren't just about word counts or sales figures. Did you:

* Work through a difficult plot problem?

* Receive a meaningful reader message?

* Learn something new about your craft?

* Establish a consistent writing habit?

* Take care of yourself so you could show up for your writing?

These are all wins worth celebrating.

4. Share Strategically

Consider which wins might resonate with your audience and share them authentically. As we often say during our sessions, "If you have also released something this week, let us know so we can celebrate your win with you."

5. Create Community

Invite your readers, fellow authors, or community members to share their wins alongside yours. This reciprocal celebration creates meaningful connections and engagement.

Join Our Weekly Wins Tradition

At The Austen Pathway, we've witnessed the transformative power of this practice firsthand as we’ve practiced it together for quite awhile in our own business.

"We love seeing what they are celebrating," is something we say often, and we mean it wholeheartedly. There's something powerful about having others witness and affirm your progress.

As Jane Austen might have observed, it's often in these small moments of acknowledgment that we find the strength to continue our creative journey. By balancing celebration with continued progress, we create not just better books but more sustainable and joyful creative lives.

Ready to transform your author journey through the power of Weekly Wins?

Join The Austen Pathway today and become part of our community. For just $10/month, you'll gain access to weekly social media workshops, articles to inspire you, and other powerful practices that blend Jane Austen's legacy of creative independence with modern marketing strategy.

Your wins matter—and they deserve to be celebrated.

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Do you ever feel like you're constantly swimming upstream? You know what I'm talking about—that social media post you worked so hard on barely got any likes. The print proof for your new book came back with weird formatting issues. Your newsletter open rates are... well, let's not go there today. We've ALL been there, trust me.

But here's something we’ve discovered that's been a total game-changer for our community: taking time each week to celebrate our wins, no matter how small they might seem.

Why Our Weekly Wins Check-In Works Wonders

Sometimes it’s hard to see the good that’s happening in the midst of a rough week. But, when you know you are accountable to find the good to share, it makes you look for it.

Isn't that brilliant? Sometimes we need that little nudge to look for the good stuff.

I want to share with you why this simple practice has become the highlight of our week:

1. It Flips the Script on Your Inner Critic

You know that voice in your head that's constantly pointing out what's not working? Yeah, that one. When you actively hunt for wins each week, you're basically telling that voice, "Not today, thanks!" You start noticing the good stuff that's happening all around you instead of just the frustrations.

2. It Gets You Moving on Those "Almost Done" Projects

Funny thing about knowing you'll need to share a win each week—it makes you want to make sure you HAVE a win to share! Suddenly that project that's been sitting at 95% complete for three weeks seems more urgent. "I finally hit publish on that blog post" becomes your win for the week!

3. It Creates the Best Kind of Community Vibe

There's something absolutely magical about celebrating together. When someone shares their win—whether it's sending your manuscript off for edits or simply organizing their desk drawer—we all get to bask in that little moment of joy. We love celebrating with you!

4. It Shows You How Far You've Actually Come

When you're in the day-to-day grind, it can feel like you're standing still. But a collection of weekly wins over months? That's some serious evidence that you're making progress, friend. On those really tough days, you can look back and remind yourself: "I've done hard things before, and I can do them again."

Want to Try This Yourself?

It's super simple to get started:

* Pick a day each week for your "wins check-in" (we do ours on Wednesday)

* Count EVERYTHING (seriously, finding the perfect GIF for your blog counts!)

* Find a buddy or join a community where you can share your wins (we suggest sharing here with us :)

* Keep track somewhere—in your journal, a notes app, wherever works for you

Your Turn!

While so many people are constantly pushing us to do more, be more, achieve more—taking a minute to say "Hey, I did some cool stuff this week!" is pretty revolutionary.

We'd love to know: What win are YOU celebrating this week?

Drop it in the comments below—our community would love to cheer you on!

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As founders of The Austen Pathway, we spend our days helping authors and creatives build sustainable businesses. In this Q&A session, we discussed one of our favorite topics: how authors can move beyond traditional book marketing to create meaningful connections with audiences through speaking engagements and personal branding. We wanted to share these …

Hey there, friends!

I've been thinking about what makes this creative journey so special, and I wanted to share some thoughts about three themes that keep popping up in our community.

Celebrating the Little Things

You know what?

We're all guilty of it - rushing past our small wins to focus on the big goals still looming ahead. But here's the thing - those tiny victories add up! That newsletter you finally sent out? That's worth celebrating. The social media post you hesitated to share but published anyway? Total win.

I catch myself doing this all the time - brushing off the small steps as "just doing what needs to be done." But when we pause and actually acknowledge these moments, something magical happens. We build momentum. We gain confidence. We remember why we started this creative journey in the first place. It might seem simple but repetition was part of my win this week!

Learning Surprises Around Every Corner

Isn't it funny how the best lessons often come when we least expect them? I love those moments when I set out to learn one thing and end up discovering something completely different - and usually more valuable!

This happens in our creative businesses all the time. You might start researching email marketing and suddenly gain insights about your reader community. Or perhaps you're working on your author website and discover a whole new way to talk about your books. These unexpected discoveries are pure gold, and they remind us to stay curious about everything we do.

The Joy of Trying New Things

Let's be honest - trying new things can be scary! That new social platform, that different approach to marketing, that genre you've been curious about but nervous to explore... they all come with a hefty dose of "what if I fail?"

But here's what I've learned (the hard way, of course): the most exhilarating growth happens when we venture into unfamiliar territory. Sometimes it works beautifully, sometimes it flops spectacularly - but either way, we learn something valuable and often have fun in the process! Caroline talked about this in her win this week.

So this week, I'm wondering - what small win are you brushing past that deserves a moment in the spotlight? What unexpected lesson has surprised you lately? And what new thing might you be brave enough to try?

Remember, we're all figuring this out together, one small step at a time. And that's exactly as it should be.

Until next time, Melissa

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Hello Friends!

Before diving into our community celebrations, be sure to check out Caroline's newest article HERE where she shares valuable insights on building sustainable sales through the art of storytelling.

The Power of Creative Community

There's something magical that happens when creative minds come together. many of us often work in solitude, finding your community can transform not just your work, but your entire journey.

This week, we've seen beautiful examples of this among our members - from collaborative book launches to supportive feedback, everyone wins. In this space, when we share our challenges and triumphs, we create a community that strengthens each individual who is a part of it.

As Jane Austen herself understood, even the most independent spirits thrive when surrounded by supportive connections. Your creative business doesn't have to be a solitary endeavor - and indeed, it shouldn't be.

Community Wins:

* One writer let us know that she finished her manuscript and it’s off to the editor. Woohoo!

* Another author has been loving the weekly workshops and has been finding her social media posting to be a much easier, and enjoyable process. Awesome!

* And, we have a creative who found had their first Substack post hit the 1,000 likes milestone. Great one!

We love hearing about your wins and celebrating with you. Leave your win for this week in the comments.

Ready to find your creative community and master your marketing?

Join The Austen Pathway today for just $10/month and connect with fellow creatives who understand your journey. Together, we're stronger, more resilient, and infinitely more creative.

Until next week, Melissa & Caroline

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When it comes to building a creative business, there are ALWAYS going to be days where it is tough.

It's not always rainbows and sunshine, and there will be moments when those storm clouds roll in.

This week at The Austen Pathway, we've had our share of fun and the tedious!

Caroline is celebrating a coaching client who's taking her makeup business to the next level, while I'm rejoicing in the simple (but oh-so-satisfying) accomplishment of filing my taxes. These wins remind me that business growth happens in both the dramatic leaps and the necessary administrative tasks.

But it's SO important to remember on those days that struggle is simply part of the entrepreneurial journey – not a sign that you're on the wrong path or lacking what it takes to succeed.

I know for our community of creative business owners, when I experience these challenging days, there are certain strategies I rely on to help weather the storm.

And today? I am sharing those things with you.

* Acknowledge Your Wins, No Matter How Small – Just like Caroline's client milestone and my tax completion, recognize that progress comes in all forms. Taking time to celebrate even small steps forward builds the resilience you need for the journey ahead. (You can join in every Wednesday with us here at The Austen Pathway)

* Return to Your Authentic Purpose – When things get tough, reconnect with your "why." As Jane Austen demonstrated through her own creative independence, staying true to yourself provides an anchor during difficult times.

* Manage Your Mindset Actively – Confidence and resilience aren't fixed traits—they're skills you can develop. Take 10 minutes to journal about what's working rather than what isn't.

* Connect With Your Community – Creative entrepreneurship can be isolating. I've found reaching out to fellow creatives who understand my journey, whether in our community here or my personal network, makes all the difference on tough days.

* Apply Strategic Thinking to Challenges – Instead of being overwhelmed by problems, I break them down using our "Think, Apply, Perfect" framework. What's one small action you can take today to move forward?

Next time you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your creative business, come back to this list and see if these help. And if you are experiencing this or have extra hints and tips to share, we would love to hear about them in the comments.

We love to hear from you!

With Jane Austen's spirit of independence and modern business savvy,

Melissa

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Does this sound familiar?

You're sitting at your desk, staring at a blank page, feeling disconnected from your project. The initial excitement has faded, and you're wondering if anyone even cares about what you are trying to create.

You've been putting off engaging with your audience because, honestly, some days it feels like you're just talking to yourself in the deep, dark, digital void.

You find yourself questioning whether all this effort is really worth it when the publishing journey feels so solitary and overwhelming.

If so, these feelings are so often caused by ONE big thing.

And that is the isolation that comes with being a creative entrepreneur.

When you're working alone day after day, it's easy to lose perspective on your achievements. Those small wins that should be celebrated get overshadowed by doubt. Without external validation or accountability, motivation wanes, and suddenly your passion project starts feeling more like a burden.

But you CAN shake off these feelings, I promise!! And these are my go-to steps I share with my clients and community to make this happen.

* Join our weekly Wins of the Week video sessions where we celebrate progress, not perfection.

* Share your achievements, no matter how small, with our community who understands the significance of celebrating even the little wins.

* Draw inspiration from fellow authors and creatives who are navigating similar challenges.

* Create accountability by checking in with us here at The Austen Pathway.

* Reconnect with your "why" by seeing how your work positively impacts others in the community.

Give these things a go and watch the transformation they can create.

I can't wait to hear about you turning those solitary struggles into wins to share with the community, and our inbox is always open if you want to chat further about finding your place in our supportive community.

Until next week,

Melissa

Have joined us yet? Come check it out! 👇

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Share Your Wins!

Each week, we host our midweek celebration of accomplishments, both big and small.

As Melissa mentioned in today's video, we deliberately schedule this in the middle of the week—not only because it aligns with our own working rhythm, but because it provides that crucial motivational boost when you might need it most.

Whether you've finished a chapter, gained a new subscriber, or simply maintained your creative practice during a challenging week—we want to hear about it!

As Caroline talks about, mentors can make such an impact on your success and mindset, if you are looking for one-on-one help, check out out WORK WITH US page.

Drop your wins in the comments below and let's celebrate together. The power of sharing our successes creates ripples of inspiration throughout our community of authors and creatives.

See you next Wednesday for another round of wins!

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