I want to write a book so good, so meaningful, that it lands me on Oprah. I want to sit beneath her shade tree in that lovely wicker chair and talk about, not just my book, but our shared philosophy of life. Tell me, do you think I have a shot?

That’s a question I field weekly. Once in a while I say yes, most of the time I find a nice way to say, not on your life.

Most of these inquisitors recognize that landing on Super Soul Sunday is, how should I phrase it, a stretch goal. They get that the mere suggestion could come across as arrogant, or delusional, or all of the above and more… But they’ll risk sounding ridiculous because they’re mission-driven. They want impact, and folks who want impact will put themselves out on limbs, even when it’s terrifying.

Look, you can ask your girlfriends or your team members or your clients what they think, and for the most part they’re going to cheer you on, tell you that you’re great, that you’re a shoe in. They’ve got their fingers crossed behind their backs, so, officially, it’s NOT a lie.

But I like to base my answer on sound analysis and research. (That’s why I get paid the big bucks.)

I’m a huge fan of the motto: success leaves clues. So that’s where I begin…clue hunting.

This is my spitball research approach.

• Who ends up on Super Soul Sunday?
• Which house published their book?
• What category was it published under?
• How did that author first get the attention of that publishing house?
• Then how did they end up, in all likelihood, on Oprah’s radar?