Welcome to the Danger Zone
everybody (fails)… sometimes
I just dated myself with that title… but for all my 90s kids, admit it. You sang that one too, right? It just seemed so RIGHT to choose that song because it’s so true. Everybody hurts sometimes. And everybody fails sometimes. And yet we all pretend like failure is something avoidable. Like we can simply…
Read More2 phrases that could be holding you back
So last week I spent way too much time agonizing about sharing my story. In the end, I wrote it up and posted it… and got probably the most powerful reaction I’ve ever had to something I’ve written. If you missed it, you can check it out here. If you don’t have time to check…
Read Morewhy everyone needs a kudos file
When I was first starting out, there was something that wasn’t really talked about in entrepreneurship and owning your own business: It’s friggin’ lonely. Sure, the bros bragged about Lambos and parties and working from the beach (#laptoplifestyle #douche). A few more genuine folks talked about the freedom and flexibility and fun projects. I was…
Read Morewill someone actually pay me for this?
There’s this interesting kneejerk reaction that happens when you’re thinking of ways to get people to give you money. Of course, there are a few exceptional people who either feel no such fear, or feel it and proceed anyway. But for the rest of us, that question of “yeah, but is this something people will…
Read Moregetting advice you didn’t ask for
I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been there… Screwing up the courage to share something you’ve been working hard on, and ask for feedback. And then that feeling of being sucker-punched when someone reacts critically. This happens often in copy and marketing, so I have seen folks develop an interesting self-defense mechanism to…
Read Moreevery solution creates another problem
I have this really cool bedside lamp – it’s a touch lamp with three lighting levels and I love it. The only thing I don’t love is that it takes specialty bulbs… G9 to be specific. If you haven’t heard of those, they’re pretty weird looking and sometimes a bit finicky: I was reading in…
Read Moreself promotion and nuclear winter
To say I have a flair for the dramatic is a tiny bit of an understatement. It makes sense, considering it was once my dream to write for television. Mmmmm… drama. Delicious. So I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise that I am good a catastrophizing. Turns out this is a skill a lot of…
Read Morethe “school of hard knocks” is a thing… and it’s about time you graduate
Some thoughts to ponder this weekend, particularly on education. [WARNING: I’m fired up, swearing ahead] Recently I was talking to someone about my path to becoming a coach. It sparked an interesting discussion on education, training, certification. Or rather, it brought up the age-old notion that only folks with degrees and certifications are qualified to…
Read Morekindness costs you nothing
I had a couple weird experiences within 24 hours, and I was surprised at how strongly they affected me. And it ties back to a little knowledge nugget that’s served me well over the course of my career… Kindness costs you nothing. It can seem daunting and maybe even a tiny bit overwhelming to be…
Read Morehow to get hired (especially if you’re just starting out)
Last week, I got a bit ranty about why you shouldn’t offer to work for free. (refresher: There should always be an exchange of value, whether you’re paying a mentor to educate you/shorten the learning curve, or you’re being paid/trained as a copywriter. Both you and your client/mentor will value your work more.) At the…
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