Pastor Rechard Larkin Discusses His Journey To Becoming An Author

Pastor, Educator, Speaker, Author, Coach, and Executive, Rechard Larkin is on a quest to enlist, equip, and empower pastors, preachers, lay members, and business leaders to write, witness, work, and win with the right book. He is committed to galvanizing a fundamental shift in how leaders triumph over their trauma and share their stories of transformation. 

Ahead of the holiday season, we've obtained an exclusive interview with the What Do I Do Next? 10 Steps To Becoming Who God Created You To Be writer to discuss his transformation to becoming an author.

Vocal readers, please enjoy our interview.

Did being a pastor, and working in the education system make the transition to becoming an author happen naturally for you?

Rechard: No. The transition to becoming an author wasn't as natural for me as one may think. Whereas, my background in education and ministry helped me to better understand some things concerning writing and publishing, the process, commencing to completing, necessitated me obtaining a coach. Wherever you are along the spectrum of skill sets, a coach's purpose is to make you better. With only about 3% of people who begin writing a book actually bringing it to fruition, I think it would be safe to say that transitioning to becoming an author is unnatural for many. But, it can be done. Because I did it. Despite the challenges, however, I'm very thankful for the experiences that have helped me become an author and allowed me to continue growing as a writer.

Let's continue talking about your author's journey. What would you like to share with us at this time?

Rechard: Writing my book was an absolute journey. It began with a dream while sleeping one night in June 2016. In the dream, I saw the title of the book as well as the chapter titles. I was awakened from my sleep and I jotted down what I saw in the dream. As a result, I knew i had a book in me. But, I didn't really know where to start. So, it took me 5 years (2021) to truly begin writing. Then, I got a coach; and once I began the writing process with Taurea Avant, 80% of my book was completed in 3 days during her book camp. Today, I am the proud author of What Do I Do Next? 10 Steps To Becoming Who God Created You To Be I am working on my sophomore book What Do I Do Next? 5 Keys To SHIFTing Your Mindset For Success and my third publication which is Daily Devotion with Pastor L. - a daily journal, devotional, and prayer book. I am so excited to share that as part of an Elite Publishers Group, I plan to help 100 pastors (and other church leaders), business and community leaders become published authors this upcoming year and galvanize a fundamental shift in how they triumph over their mental and emotional distress and share their stories of transformation. Oh yeah, I want to encourage your readers to pick up a copy of my book at https://whatdoidonextbook.com. And they can grab one for a friend, too.

How did you find your purpose in life? What advice would you have for anyone who is seeking their purpose? What are the first steps?

Rechard: The amazing thing is that the idea of fatherhood changed my life. It was with the prospect of becoming a dad that I realized I mattered - that my story mattered. In fact, people transform when they realize their story matters. However, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as everyone's journey will be unique. I would encourage anyone who is seeking their purpose and what to do next with their lives to take some time to reflect on what they are passionate about and what makes them feel most alive. 

In my view, this is best accomplished by seeking God for guidance and direction. Once you have a better sense of what you are meant to do, you can start taking steps toward making it a reality. One of the most important things to remember is that you don't have to do everything all at once. Just take it one step at a time; have faith and trust that the journey will unfold before you. Everything happens for a reason, so even if you make a wrong turn, it will eventually lead you to where you are meant to be.

With all you are accomplishing in your professional life, how do you maintain the family and friend life balance? As well as carve out time for yourself?

Rechard: Maintaining a healthy balance between my professional life and personal life is something that I must remain mindful of. It can be difficult to juggle both, but I find that it's important to set aside time for myself and the people who are most important in my life.

I start by using my calendar for everything. I find it important to schedule things that you would like to get done. blocking out hours in my calendar for family and friends, so that I can stay connected with those who mean the most to me. I also try to carve out some time each day just for myself - whether it's going on a run or reading a book. This helps me clear my head and take a break from the hustle of everyday life.

I also make sure to take vacations throughout the year, so that I am able to fully disconnect and recharge. This gives me time away from work to focus on my personal relationships and myself, which helps keeps everything in balance.

Overall, maintaining a healthy balance between my professional life, personal life, and self-care is something that I prioritize on a daily basis. Taking the time to invest in all three areas helps me stay grounded and happy.

Finally, I make sure to set realistic expectations for myself and understand that it's okay to take some time off. Prioritizing my mental and physical health is essential in order to stay balanced and focused on the tasks at hand. It's important to remember that balance isn't just about work - it's about taking care of yourself, too.

During the holiday's many people are grieving and experiencing hardships. We need motivational speakers, pastors, and educators like yourself that are divinely gifted with words from the heart to uplift others. What would you like to say to anyone who is having a hard time this holiday season?

Rechard: I want to remind everyone who is having a hard time this holiday season that you are not alone. Many of us feel lost and overwhelmed because of the seats that have become vacant at the dinner table. It is important to remember that there is always hope. Reach out to those around you who love and care for you. They can provide a listening ear or offer help during difficult times. 

Take the time to do activities that you enjoy and focus on nourishing yourself, both mentally and physically. Life can be unpredictable but we have the power to take small steps every day in order to better ourselves and our circumstances. Be kind to yourself and avoid self-criticism or comparison with others.

No matter what life throws at us, we can always find a way to make it through with courage and grace. So, to anyone who is having a hard time this holiday season: I see you, I care about you, and I am sending you strength and love. You are capable of so much more than you think. Hold on to that thought, and know that brighter days are ahead.

We concluded Pastor Rechard's interview by asking about life, family, blessings, and his vision.

Life is…

Rechard: Life is not perfect, but it sure is beautiful.

Family is…

Rechard: Family is something that we often take for granted, but it is one of the most important institutions in life that extends beyond just a blood relation. It's a bond that brings people together in times of joy and sorrow - a series of relationships that teach us, shape us, and remind us of our own value and worth.

I would like to see…

Rechard: I would like to see the world with fresh eyes and an open heart, exploring the beauty of different cultures and creating new experiences.

I am blessed because…

Rechard: I am blessed because of the capacity for love and joy that comes from connecting with God and the people and things I care about which affords me the opportunity to make mistakes, learn from them, and grow into a better version of myself each day.

More on Pastor Rechard Larkin

His work life includes serving as Senior Pastor at Mitchell Zion Baptist Church, coaching and consulting individuals, groups, and organizations, as well as, aiding the offender population and staff at The Hancock State Prison as Chaplain. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Georgia College & State University and has made a commitment to lifelong learning through further academic pursuits, in addition to personal, professional, and spiritual development. The author of What Do I Do Next? 10 Steps To Becoming Who God Created You To Be ultimate objective is to help 1,000,000 men, women, and families improve their personal relationship with God as well as their relationships with their fellow man.

Keep up to date by visiting https://rechardlarkin.com/

Stylist: Ka'Mya Larkin

Photography: Go @shotsbygo