Unlock Your Superpower and More With Ellie Shefi 

Ellie Shefi is the award-winning author of the books: “Unlocking Your Superpower: 8 Steps to Turn Your Existing Knowledge into Income”, “Sisters Rising: Stories of Remarkable Women Living Extraordinary Lives” and “The Authorities: Powerful Wisdom from Leaders in the Field”.

We spoke one-on-one with Ellie to learn more about what drove her to write these three inspiring books, tips for others who want to pen a book, and what’s next for her in 2021!

1. You have three books: Why did you decide to write them? 

One word: COVID. When my friends started losing their jobs and their businesses, I knew I needed to do something. As an impact-driven strategist with 30+ years of real-world experience whose expertise is identifying deficiencies, anticipating obstacles to success, and then preparing customized action plans that generate results, I knew that I could quickly create resources that would be of service, so I sat down and began writing. Each of my books serves a different purpose, but all of them provide practical, results-driven, easy-to-implement tools, resources, and strategies.

If you are an entrepreneur or budding entrepreneur (or if COVID has forced you to change careers or find supplemental sources of income), then you’ll want to pick up a copy of Unlocking Your Superpower: 8 Steps to Turn Your Existing Knowledge Into Income. I wrote it one month into lockdown when my friends started losing their businesses due to COVID’s industry shutdown restrictions. Unlocking Your Superpower: 8 Steps to Turn Your Existing Knowledge Into Income is a powerful step-by-step playbook that teaches you how to start, pivot, diversify, or scale a knowledge- or service-based business. It’s clear, direct, and designed for you to implement what you’re learning along the way.  

The Authorities: Powerful Wisdom from Leaders in the Field, which I co-authored with #1 New York Times best-selling authors Les Brown, Bob Proctor, Marci Shimoff, and other industry thought leaders, discusses business, real estate, retirement, estate planning, mindset, and more, so it’s a great book for a broader macro view.

Sisters Rising: Stories of Remarkable Women Living Extraordinary Lives is the book series I created that is by women, for women, to celebrate and showcase women. The first volume features a diverse group of nine incredible female entrepreneurs (I’m honored to be among them). Sisters Rising is the choice if you’re looking to learn from, and be inspired by, a powerhouse group of female entrepreneurs.

2. What has the feedback been since each came out?

The feedback has been incredible! It’s such an honor to receive emails from people whom my books have helped. I absolutely love hearing about the clarity they’ve gained, the actions they’ve taken, the results they’ve achieved, and the growth they’ve experienced. 

3. What was the hardest part of writing three books so quickly, and what did you feel after getting your thoughts/feelings out on paper?

For Unlocking Your Superpower and Sisters Rising, the hardest part was the sense of urgency I felt to get the books out into the world. COVID hit, lockdowns ensued, and my friends started struggling. I knew I had to do something—fast. Unlocking Your Superpower is designed to help entrepreneurs start a business and generate revenue or help them navigate an existing business through pivot and diversification plans. Similarly, the first volume of Sisters Rising showcased female entrepreneurs—it was my way of bringing attention to them and helping them gain new clients so their businesses could weather the pandemic. 

Carving out the time to write as much and as fast as I wanted to was also challenging. In addition to running my companies, teaching my programs, and writing my books, I’m an attorney with the US judiciary and the dean of a law school—positions that needed extra time and attention during the pandemic. 

Thankfully, the actual writing wasn’t difficult for me. I’ve been writing and ghostwriting for so long that I’ve developed an efficient system for writing quickly and easily. And because I had a clear objective for each book, I was able to get all three out into the world within just five months. 

Each time I released one, I felt relief that I was able to quickly and effectively respond to a real need; that I was able to share my knowledge, skills, and passions in an impactful way; and that I was stepping up, speaking up, and showing up as a force for good. It’s been amazing to get these resources into the hands of people who need the tools and strategies they provide. 

4. What books are you currently reading or would recommend to others?

I gravitate to personal and professional development books, as well as autobiographies, so right now my list includes Walking with the Wind, by John Lewis; The Big Leap, by Gay Hendricks; Believe IT, by Jaime Kern Lima; Becoming, by Michelle Obama; You Are a Badass, by Jen Sincero; The Power of Vulnerability, by Brené Brown; Unshakable, by Tony Robbins; The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle; Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl; Untamed, by Glennon Doyle; High Performance Habits, by Brendon Burchard; and, of course, Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill.

5. Will you be writing future books?

Absolutely! In fact, I have two scheduled for release later this year. In SuccessONomics, which I’m co-authoring with the legendary Jack Canfield, I discuss my three main principles for success. I’ve recently submitted the manuscript and am excited to watch its evolution as we begin the editing process. SuccessONomics is scheduled for release in late summer or early fall 2021. 

I’m also currently co-authoring Women Who Shine with #1 best-selling author, Kate Butler, and a group of incredibly resilient and remarkable women. In it, I discuss how to live your life as a force for good. Women Who Shine is likewise expected to be released in late summer or early fall 2021. 

6. What insights would you offer aspiring authors who want to put their thoughts to paper?

First, have a very clear objective—know from the start exactly what point you want to make; what knowledge, skills, or resources you want to share; what transformation you want to evoke. Understanding exactly where you want the reader to be at the end of the book allows you to reverse-engineer the journey and create a clear pathway to guide them to your desired outcome and increase the efficacy of your message.

Second, be authentic! Writing in your real, raw, authentic voice facilitates a deeper connection with your readers, which in turn, leads to greater success. 

Finally, and most importantly, just start! You have knowledge that only you can share—a story that someone in the world is waiting to hear. So embrace progress over perfection and get your book out into the world! If you get stuck, seek support at ellieshefi.com. I’d love to help!