What I Learned About Life While Writing a Book About a Unicorn 🦄

Writing Decoding the Unicorn was as much an unintentional journey of discovery for me as it was a tribute to its subject, Dag Hammarskjöld. Known as an enigmatic and visionary leader, Dag had a knack for cutting through the noise of life to focus on what really mattered. As I explored his story, I found myself grappling with questions about my own life: What do I value most? What kind of legacy am I building? And, perhaps most importantly, what am I willing to stand for, even when it’s uncomfortable?

Unicorns are often seen as symbols of purity, magic, and rarity. But in writing this book, I came to see the unicorn as a metaphor for something else: the ability to stay true to yourself in a world that often rewards conformity. Dag embodied this spirit. He was deeply reflective, fiercely independent, and unafraid to take a stand for what he believed was right—even when it made him unpopular. In doing so, he became a living example of what it means to follow your inner compass, no matter how rough the terrain.

1. Perfection is the Enemy of Progress. As a writer (and a recovering Type A personality), I’m no stranger to the lure of perfection. But writing this book taught me that sometimes, great enough is good enough. The real magic happens when you let go of the need to control every detail and trust the process. And an unplanned rewrite (or two or five) can actually make things better than they were before!
2. Stay Open to Surprises. Some of the most profound moments in the book came from unexpected discoveries: an overlooked diary entry, a forgotten photograph, or a synchronicity that felt like a nudge straight from Dag. Staying open to these surprises reminded me that life, like writing, often unfolds in ways we can’t predict.
3. The Journey is the Destination. Writing a book is a long and winding road, filled with detours and apparent obstacles. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. The same can be said for life. It’s not about racing to the finish line; it’s about savoring the journey and finding meaning in every step. In one of Marisa Peer’s videos, she talks about how writing the book is relatively easy—a lot of hard work happens after the book is released and I’m learning just how true that is. So there’s no need to rush. There will always be something else to do.

At its heart, Decoding the Unicorn is a call to action. It’s an invitation to look within, to ask the hard questions, and to embrace the parts of yourself that make you unique. Dag Hammarskjöld’s life shows us that being true to yourself isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. And while you might not find a literal unicorn along the way, you just might discover something even more magical: the courage to live a life that’s authentically yours.

So, what’s your unicorn? And what are you willing to do to chase it?

 

This post was published originally at saracausey.com.