Recently, I received an email from the Writer’s League of Texas asking members to share their writing achievements for the year. I immediately deleted the email because I didn’t want to be reminded that I didn’t reach any of my goals.

While on my walk today, fretting about an upcoming work presentation, I realized that the feeling I was experiencing was very similar to when I pitched an agent for my debut novel a few weeks ago. I initially dismissed the pitch as an accomplishment because it was part of the Agent Symposium package I had paid for.

However, I didn’t have to go through with it. Public speaking is not my strong suit, yet I did it—I pitched my very first agent!

I took my query and expanded and refined it based on what I learned throughout the 10-month Agent Symposium. I watched YouTube videos of others who had previously pitched and searched blogs for tutorials. I practiced aloud, recorded myself several times, and kept refining. During the week leading up to the pitch, I drank Oolong tea to calm the nerves I held in my stomach. On the day of the pitch, I showed up, acknowledged my sweaty palms, smiled, and delivered the words I had written. I listened, responded, and made it through.

I pitched an agent! Although it didn’t result in landing an agent, and it took a while for me to realize it was a big deal, the audience within me is now applauding.