The Japanese word “ganbatte” can be translated to mean “do your best” in English, much as “good luck” is used in America. In Ganbatte: The Ultimate 90-Day Emotional Wellness Planner, Joni Hough guides you through ninety days of the year using concepts learned through therapy for her bipolar disorder, positive psychology and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Use the mood tracker to create and maintain habits, document prescription medication use, and record your daily mood. The monthly, weekly, and daily spreads keep you organized and focused on your goals. Prompts throughout Ganbatte invite you to nurture your emotional wellness while showing gratitude for the things in life that bring you joy.
Joni Hough is a certified health coach and former teacher dedicated to helping people with mood disorders lead more joyful and stable lives. She developed Ganbatte for her personal use after spending time in treatment for her bipolar disorder. Joni enjoys learning new things, making lists, and watching Doctor Who. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, David, and three cats.
We asked Joni a few questions about her publishing journey and her goals for the book.
Joni on working with SPARK Publications
The SPARKlers took my vision and gave me a book that is so much more than I knew to be possible. The team walked me through this process that I had zero concept of and made it so easy. This planner is like my baby, and the SPARK Publications team was the epidural that made it not painful.
Ganbatte: The Ultimate 90-Day
Emotional Wellness Planner
Did a particular moment SPARK your interest in writing a book?
One of my dreams has always been to be a published author, ever since I sat on my bean bag chair in my high school bedroom reading Sassy magazine and writing bad teenage poetry. I wrote this particular book after I struggled to find the right planner for me. I finally said, “I’m just going to make my own. There isn’t one out there that fulfills all my needs; I’ve bought enough of them to know.” After sharing it with a few people, I realized that maybe my planner could help other people living with mood disorders.
Now that your book is published, are you looking forward to any particular goals or experiences?
My big, ultimate bucket list goal is to one day be on a TedX stage. For now, I’m just looking forward to helping as many people with mood disorders as I can, using the planner as a tool for recovery.
What surprises did you encounter on the road to writing and publishing the book?
I recently found my sketchbook with the original notes for the planner, with all of my original brainstormings. I was surprised by how much of the original notes were still there in the final version, yet it’s so much better than what I could imagine.
How did SPARK Publications help in championing and publishing your book?
SPARK Publications took my ideas and made them better, while still keeping the heart and soul of my dream there.
What advice do you have for other authorpreneurs and aspiring writers?
Go for it. You will learn so much about yourself through the process. Eventually, you realize you can do anything you put your mind to once you’ve accomplished something this big.
Tell us about your future plans—what’s next for you?
First, I’m running a half marathon. I started training for it about the same time I started the book, and they’re both coming to life at the same time.
For the book, I created a ninety-day challenge to provide group coaching that ties into the planner, and I’m offering one-on-one coaching as well. You can follow my Facebook group or YouTube channel for inspirational videos and updates.
If you could broadcast two sentences to the entire world, what would they be?
You are enough as you are right now. And that doesn’t mean you can’t grow and be even better. That’s the epitome of what DBT therapy is; I like myself as I am, but I can still learn and grow.
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