Every professional, no matter the field, has moments of wishing clients understood a few key things before they showed up.

Maybe you think, If only they knew this one truth, their results would come so much faster.

Those insights, the “I wish everyone knew…” thoughts, are some of the most valuable sources of material for a nonfiction book. They reveal the missing knowledge that stands between people and progress.

Think about your daily work. Are there misconceptions you correct over and over? Myths you constantly have to dispel? Foundational ideas you teach every single time because without them, nothing else works? Each of those could become a powerful chapter or even the central theme of your book.

For example, a therapist might wish clients understood that forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting the past or excusing harmful behavior. It’s a way to give themselves peace and freedom from further suffering.

A nutritionist might wish people knew how to avoid combining certain foods that slow digestion or how to use specific ingredients to naturally boost metabolism.

A financial advisor might wish clients in their thirties knew the four critical mistakes that can quietly cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars over time.

These recurring lessons are valuable clues. They reveal what people don’t yet know but truly need to.

Exercise: Your “If Only They Knew” List

Grab a notebook and write this sentence at the top:
If only my clients (or students/patients/customers) understood that…
Then complete it ten times. Don’t overthink. Let it flow naturally.

Examples:
If only they understood that saving $100 a month can change their future.
If only they knew that consistency matters more than motivation.
If only they realized their worth isn’t tied to productivity.
If only they saw how small daily habits build confidence.

Once you have ten statements, review them and underline three that feel most universal or most emotionally charged. Those are strong book material because they touch something deep, something readers will recognize in themselves.

When you write your book, teaching these truths early on saves your reader from the same mistakes your clients have already made.

It also builds trust. You’re saying, “I’ve seen where people go wrong, and I’ll help you skip the pain.” That’s not theory, it’s mentorship.