Kick Monday’s Ass: there’s your subject line (Oct 11, 2021)

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass…

Lately I’ve spent a lot of time with marketer friends. Since we’re all big nerds, we came up with a new game called, “There’s Your Subject Line”.

It’s my new favorite game, by the way… because like a lot of folks, when I sit down to write my brain conveniently forgets all the interesting shit I might have done, and when that happens I often struggle to write anything at all, let alone something useful.

But when I’m hanging with friends and colleagues, I’m in my element, telling stories and having fun. I get to see how people respond to different things, face to face. And recently some powerful reactions to stories led me to writing down all my favorites from this dorky little game.

This is particularly important to me, as in recent weeks I made a decision to embrace FUN as one of the foundations of my business.

See, I’ve spent so much time in others’ businesses that I had this idea in my head of what my business was SUPPOSED to look like… serious. I’m pretty sure that led directly to the big block I’ve had in writing about my travels… this ridiculous idea that if I’m going to write it really should be important or useful or inspirational.

But you know what’s also inspirational, aside from business nuggets that get you unstuck? Having a boatload of fun while building something you’re really excited about.

So to celebrate my decision to focus on FUN, I am sharing a few of my faves from “There’s Your Subject Line” (along with a forewarning to get ready for some silly stories in the near future). Happy Monday!

• everyone wants to spoon Matthew Lillard (but I already did)
• all my mosh pit fights were about children
• throwing rocks at explosives
• shrieking crosses the language barrier
• remember: it’s LOW, not HO
• don’t put your keys in your goodies – a cautionary tale
• I’ve seen a lot in Wynwood but never someone quite that naked
• there’s a penis on my sandwich?

 

Kick Monday’s Ass: you’re the only you out there

 

I hear a lot of “but the market is already saturated” and “don’t I have to have my own thing?” objections to starting/building a business. And to that I say: you are your own thing. With close to 8 billion people in the world, there’s plenty of space for you to find your tiny corner and build a platform.

And one thing I love to do? Borrow and adapt – look at what others are doing, see what’s working for them, and see if there’s a version of that you can model on while building your own thing. Then get out there and sell it – ’cause without sales, you ain’t got a business.

Badass of the Week

This week’s badass is Nyla Covington, winner of the coveted homecoming queen title.

What makes that badass? I’m glad you asked!

Because moments after being crowned, Nyla walked over to a competitor and gave her crown away. Not gonna lie… when I read the full story, I got a bit misty-eyed.

We move mountains with our kindness, when we uplift one another. May Nyla and Brittany’s story inspire us all.

 

New podcast episode!

 

What do a professional athlete, home stager, physical therapist, business coach, and wildly successful entrepreneur all have in common? They’re all the same person!

My guest today is Fabienne Raphael, and she goes way beyond a triple threat. And rather than following the traditional biz advice of niching down and choosing the ONE thing, she leaned into ALL of her strengths. Listen to find out what happens when you dare to do things your own way.

Can’t-Miss Moments From This Episode:

• Fabienne used to play handball and stage homes, I used to fight fires and pick up trash — yet we still use those experiences in our biz today. If you think your past experiences don’t matter, we’re here to show you oh, yes they do!
• Don’t you dare call yourself a beginner in front of Fabienne! There’s a lot of stuff you don’t know when starting a biz — Fabienne explains why it doesn’t matter as much as it might seem.
• “Oh geez, what will they think about me if I do ____?” Newsflash: yes, it’s your business… but you-centric thinking is keeping you from finding real solutions. Here’s what Fabienne says you should focus on instead of worrying what people think…
• Especially when you’re first starting out in business, it can feel a bit like you’re screaming “Can I help you?!” into the void. Fabienne and I are here to tell you — keep screaming.
• The critical question Fabienne asks herself to get to know her people and bust through any doubts that might pop up (you can use this one to help you grow your business too!)

You don’t want to miss this one. Click here to listen (and subscribe) now!

 

On Repeat This Week…

 

Recently I went through an exercise with a mastermind group I’m part of. It’s one of the coolest groups I’ve ever had the privilege of joining and it’s about systematically dismantling the stories we tell ourselves… those toxic society-and-family-driven narratives that hold us back from achieving our true potential.

In this exercise, we were tasked with telling someone in the group what they meant to us. The challenge: we had to pick a specific action or thing they said, and then pick a song that showed the sentiment we were going for.

One of the group members shared this song with me, as her response to my picking up and traveling. Not gonna lie, I ugly-happy-cried and now this is in permanent rotation on my Mellow Spotify playlist. Today it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Something to Believe in by Citizen Cope.
_______________

Is it impossible to be learned
Is it impossible to be taught
‘Cause anybody could be burned
And anybody could be caught
I’m standing in the night
Trying to get it right
‘Cause this here life
Will test you over and over again

‘Cause you keep giving me something to believe in
And I keep giving up
‘Cause the walls are falling down
‘Cause you keep giving me something to believe in
And I keep giving up
‘Cause the walls are falling down