Writing a book is not easy. While writing PayUP!, I had the idea that what I wrote about involving insurance disputes and representing policyholders did not fully explain some of my philosophies about being a policyholder advocate and why I like the competition of being a litigator—standing up for people against a well-funded and sophisticated opponent.

So, I wrote a second book, Mavericks & Merlins: Sailors And Renegades Leave Shore, What About You? While some may think the book is about a unique 70-foot racing sailboat that has set all kinds of sailing race records, I think it is more of a story about why all of us should be questioning the big “why” of what we do and what we truly want our lives to be.

For instance, in chapter three, I discussed how Merlin was such a radical boat design by Bill Lee that some suggested those sailing on Merlin would end up in Davy Jones Locker. Yet, Lee chose to challenge the status quo and followed his dream despite obstacles and not knowing exactly what the outcome would be. I wrote:

To dream big requires you to like doing the tough stuff to get where you want to go. If being a success were easy, then everyone would rise to the pinnacle of their chosen professions. Of course, not everyone can stand at the podium. I think it’s important to know that even when you’ve tried as hard as you can and you don’t rise to the top, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. The real failure lies in not trying at all. That’s as true on the racecourse as it is in the company boardroom.

…

For many of us, it’s safer to do nothing to move toward our dreams. Daily routines swallow us whole. We barely have time to think, much less dream. Routine is predictable and comfortable. I would contend that inertia comes from a fear of the unknown and, for some of us, from an innate laziness that sets us up for failure. Fear of failure itself stops some of us in our tracks. Don’t get me wrong: I love to win. But I’m not afraid to fail either. We can and should learn from our mistakes and setbacks.

While the book is now available, the official book launch will be next week, November 16. If you liked PayUP!, some have suggested to me that Mavericks and Merlins is a much easier read because the lessons apply more to what we face in life rather than the obstacles meeting us when limited to insurance claims.

I hope you will join me on November 16 at 4 pm EST for this book launch.

Thought For The Day

Fast Is Fun
—Bill Lee