Kick Monday’s Ass: thanks universe (Oct 18, 2021)
It’s time to kick Monday’s ass…
I’ve been thinking a lot about timing lately, and the interesting (and often maddening) impact it has on our lives.
One year ago, I was barely keeping it together. I was just a week out from the infamous unexpected breakup and in pure survival mode. It was one of those times where I had too much to do and too little time to do it… and I NEEDED that, to keep myself from being lost in sorrow.
I was dealing with grief, packing, running client accounts, consulting, and wrapping up work with my old gig running a copy team for one of the biggest names in internet marketing… and at the time, the podcast, this newsletter, anything having to deal with my own personal goals got put on hold.
Basically I was tapped out.
As the past year progressed, and I had to manage client work and growing a brand while dealing with travel logistics and healing… a clear pattern emerged:
I was taking on client work because I was afraid of not having enough money. Then I’d be frustrated at myself for not having enough time to build Permission to Kick Ass, and round and round I’d go, chasing my tail.
Honestly most days it still doesn’t feel like I’ve done “enough” to build this thing.
I look at the things others do and get a bad case of comparison-itis… ’cause compared to some of my friends, I move at a snail’s pace.
But this weekend I got a much-needed reminder about how the universe is working FOR you when you take action (even if the action you take is slow AF).
Take my travels, for instance. Right now I’m near Miami, where one of my more recent clients happens to live. When I told him I was coming to town, we arranged to meet up for lunch and talk about ways we might be able to work together.
On a follow-up call this weekend, I let it slip that I had a podcast and a book manuscript… and I watched his face light up. He got as excited about Permission to Kick Ass as I feel, whenever I get a chance to talk about my “big why”.
He gave me some great ideas for how to keep going and growing.
So here’s a reminder, in case you needed one: if you’re taking action, you’re closer to where you need to be than you might think.
Don’t let those dreams sit, stuck in your head. Don’t push them off for “someday” when your money’s stable or your relationship’s solid or all the stars and planets align at precisely 11:11.
Start now, even if what you can do is limited or feels small. Even if you have to wedge it in between ten million other things you’re doing for the people around you.
Give yourself the gift of dreaming… and dreaming BIG. Give yourself the gift of taking steps toward those dreams, no matter how improbable they might seem. You might surprise yourself.
(note: there’s a lot I’m DYING to write here that I can’t really share because things are still in the works. But that talk was more than a validation that people resonate with this mission I’m on… it was the start of something big for PTKA. Stay tuned!)
Kick Monday’s Ass: You Can’t Stall Your Way to Success
Are you an overplanner? I sure am. You can count on me to bring approximately 100 pounds of luggage for a long weekend, just because I like to have options and WHAT IF THERE’S A FREAK HAIL STORM OF COURSE I NEED A HELMET. Also 10 pairs of shoes.
I digress… point being it’s easy to get stuck in creating the master plan (then the backup plan, and the backup backup plan, and the backup to the backup backup plan…). After all, that deep thinking and advance prep feels like you’re accomplishing something, even when you’re really not.
So if I’m describing you (and no shade – I’m totally talking to myself here too), here’s how to get a plan to “good enough” so you can get going.
Badass of the Week
This week’s badass is Henrietta Lacks, who’s finally been recognized for her contribution to the world by the World Health Organization.
She unintentionally had a positive impact on millions of lives and credit and acknowledgment are long overdue.
It’s another timely reminder that one person has enormous power and can absolutely change the world.
New podcast episode!
Alix taught us to be the hero of our own stories the first time they were on. This time we take a closer look at what your hero’s journey actually looks like. Turns out, it’s a lot of circles. Or as Alix likes to call it, “this horrible wreath of pain and learning and human experience.”
Don’t worry — we lighten the mood with plenty of Disney (and singing). Listen to get the tools you need to make the most of your journey.
Can’t-Miss Moments From This Episode:
- Feeling all alone in business? Spoiler alert — someone is having the EXACT same thoughts as you… and you might be able to help each other
- What is freelancing? Alix thought it was “being an employee but in comfortable clothes” and quickly discovered that misconception was a recipe for disaster. Here’s why “onsite freelancer” is a dangerous gig
- “To a hammer, every problem looks like nail.” Kinda corny, still true in business. Our past experiences filter the way we look at current problems, so here’s how to avoid the trap of behaving like an employee when you’re trying to be an entrepreneur…
- Bad news: you are almost certainly guaranteed to have more than one “worst day ever” in your business. Good news: Alix has a reframe to help you cope + salvage any golden nuggets for next time
- Scared of failing at business? Alix and I both failed (sometimes multiple times)! Hint: you can fail as many times as you need to, so long as you do THIS after…
You don’t want to miss this one. Click here to listen (and subscribe) now!
On Repeat This Week…
This one’s stuck in my head lately, so I’m sharing it with you too! Today’s tune is Closer I Am to Fine by the Indigo Girls.
_______________
I’m trying to tell you something ’bout my life
Maybe give me insight between black and white
And the best thing you ever done for me
Is to help me take my life less seriously
It’s only life after all, yeah
Well, darkness has a hunger that’s insatiable
And lightness has a call that’s hard to hear
And I wrap my fear around me like a blanket
I sailed my ship of safety till I sank it
I’m crawling on your shores
And I went to the doctor, I went to the mountains
I looked to the children, I drank from the fountains
There’s more than one answer to these questions
Pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source for some definitive
(The less I seek my source)
Closer I am to fine, yeah
Closer I am to fine, yeah
ANGIE COLEE
If you’re an aspiring freelancer who’s working up the courage to leave the day job… good news! I’m sharing all the things I WISH I’d known before making the leap so that hopefully your journey goes a little more smoothly than mine.