The Secret Sauce to Success

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How Publication Guidelines Prepare Us for Real Life

I still remember the first time I submitted an article to a magazine. I had poured my heart into the piece, carefully crafting each word, confident that it would inspire readers. But when the rejection email arrived, my heart sank. It wasn’t a harsh rejection—the editor kindly explained that my article was beautifully written but not the right fit for their audience.

In the recipe for the secret sauce to success, I had missed one key step: I hadn’t read the publication guidelines.

That rejection stung, but it also taught me an important lesson—knowing your audience matters. The same is true in real life. Whether it’s sending an email, having a conversation, or posting on social media, understanding who you’re speaking to and how to communicate effectively makes all the difference.

As a writer, I teach my students about publication guidelines—knowing your audience, following submission rules, and refining their work to meet expectations. Over the years, I’ve realized that these same principles prepare us for success in everyday life.

Here are five key ways publication guidelines help us navigate life—and how biblical wisdom aligns with these truths.

1. Know Your Audience: Speak with Intention

Imagine spending hours perfecting a cherry pie recipe only to submit it to a fitness magazine that only accepts clean-eating recipes. No matter how delicious your pie is, it won’t get published because it doesn’t fit the audience.

Likewise, in life, we need to be mindful of who we’re talking to. A conversation with a child requires a different language than a business meeting. The way we share our faith with a questioning friend may look different than how we encourage a fellow believer.

Paul gives us a great example of this in 1 Corinthians 9:22:
"I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."

Paul knew how to tailor his message to different audiences while remaining true to the Gospel. As Christians, we should do the same, communicating with wisdom, grace, and intentionality.

Practical Tip: Before you speak or write, ask yourself: Who is my audience? How can I communicate in a way that resonates with them?

2. Follow the Guidelines: Learn to Work Within Boundaries

Every writer knows that submission guidelines matter. You can’t send a 5,000-word feature to a magazine that only accepts 800-word articles.

Life has guidelines, too. Workplaces have expectations, relationships require respect, and faith calls us to live with integrity. God’s Word is our ultimate guideline—it brings clarity and direction, just like a well-written rulebook.

Psalm 119:105 reminds us:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

When we follow God’s wisdom, we walk in peace. When we ignore guidelines—whether in writing or life—we create unnecessary struggle.

Practical Tip: Respect the boundaries in your workplace, relationships, and personal life. Trust that God’s guidelines lead to blessings, not restrictions.

3. Handle Rejection with Grace

Every writer faces rejection. It’s never easy to have a piece turned down, especially when you’ve poured your heart into it. But over time, I’ve learned that rejection isn’t failure—it’s redirection.

Jesus Himself experienced rejection. Yet, He remained faithful to His mission. When we face closed doors, we can trust that God is guiding us toward something better.

Isaiah 41:10 encourages us:
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Rejection doesn’t define us—it refines us.

Practical Tip: When you face rejection—whether in writing, work, or relationships—pause and pray. Ask, “What can I learn from this? How can I grow?”

4. Refine Your Work: Growth Takes Effort

Good writing doesn’t happen in one draft. The best stories go through multiple rounds of revision. Similarly, our faith and character grow through refinement.

God calls us to continually be transformed, allowing Him to shape us through life’s experiences.

Romans 12:2 reminds us:
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Every challenge, mistake, or setback is an opportunity for growth. Just as a manuscript gets stronger with editing, our faith deepens through trials.

Practical Tip: Take time to reflect on areas where you need to grow. Just like a manuscript needs editing, your heart and mind need regular refinement through prayer and Scripture.

5. Persevere and Keep Submitting

The best authors don’t give up after one rejection. They keep writing, improving, and pressing on. The same is true for life.

Maybe you’re in a season where doors keep closing. Maybe you’re struggling with parenting, health, or faith. Don’t quit. Keep showing up.

Galatians 6:9 encourages us:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

God is always working, even when we can’t see it. The breakthrough comes to those who keep moving forward in faith.

Practical Tip: If you feel discouraged, ask yourself: What’s one small step I can take today to move forward? Small steps lead to big victories over time.

Writing the Story of Your Life

Just like in publishing, life is a process of learning, growing, and refining.

When we:

• Know our audience
• Respect guidelines
• Handle rejection with grace
• Allow God to refine us
• Persevere through challenges

…we set ourselves up for success—not just in writing, but in every area of life.

So, what is one way you can apply these lessons today? Maybe it’s improving communication, stepping out of your comfort zone, or trusting God in the waiting.

Remember—He is the ultimate Author of your story.

I’d love to hear from you! What’s an area where you’ve seen these principles play out in your own life? Drop a comment below!

Additional Resources

Journal Through the Bible in 2025

Have you ever wanted to read through the Bible but found yourself giving up? Or even worse, you read the chapters and at the end question how they apply to your life. Tricia Goyer understands. For years she felt frustrated that she couldn’t stick to her commitment to read God’s Word all the way through. Things changed when she found a doable plan and wrote out a daily prayer. Tricia’s heart changed. Her life did, too.

God can bring real transformation into your heart and life when you daily commit to reading your Bible and praying through God’s Word. Praying through the Bible in One Year offers a guided reading plan and a daily prayer starter to help you make God’s Word applicable to your life. Discover the inspiration for real-life transformation.

Purchase a copy of Praying Through the Bible in One Year HERE.