Backstory: Becoming Flawesome by Kristina Mand-Lakhiani

In our world, we often make decisions without questioning them. For example, if your parents were in business, you might assume that you will also become an entrepreneur without questioning it. Similarly, in my case, both my parents had university degrees, so it was expected that I would pursue the same path. Being in the personal growth industry for 20 years and surrounded by professional friends who have written and published books, including best-selling authors, I always took it for granted that I would write a book. It seemed like a natural part of our industry. However, being honest with myself has always been somewhat of a curse. I knew that I would only write a book when I had something meaningful to say. It took years because I focused on my work as an entrepreneur and marketer, helping other authors share their messages and teaching other people's methods. It wasn't until later that I realized I had my own perspective to share. Although much of what I share is based on the teachings of others, it's important to note that there are no entirely new ideas after thousands of years of human evolution.

At some point, I felt a strong desire to share my message with the world, and that was when I knew I was ready to write the book. As I started writing, my initial concern was finding a remarkable publisher. Given my background in the industry, I felt the need to publish with a reputable and noteworthy publisher. However, the search for a publisher became challenging, and I began questioning my approach. Having witnessed the natural process of book writing and contributing to other books, I realized that if I wanted to write a book about being true to myself, my values, and my authenticity, I had to do it on my own terms. This realization led me to choose self-publishing. I wanted the freedom to make my own decisions about the content, writing style, and structure. The initial version of the book reflected a rebellious spirit, aligned with its topic. However, when the manuscript was complete and I was ready to publish, a reputable publisher, Hay House, approached me. I saw the opportunity for my book to benefit from being published by a respected publisher, so I decided to work with them. My only condition was that I could maintain my unique and somewhat obstinate style in the book. We did collaborate on further editing with Hay House, resulting in a more conventional shape for the book. Nevertheless, at its core, this book remains an act of rebellion.

It was only then that I realized the most challenging aspect of writing a book, especially for someone like me who identifies as a writer, is the process of publishing it. Writing is a joy and a pleasure for writers. It is a form of self-expression, our craft, and our creative outlet. Therefore, the publishing phase has been the toughest part of this journey, a long and arduous process. It often feels like reaching the end of the manuscript is the finish line, but in reality, it's just the beginning. So, in answer to your question, that's the story behind this book.