Kick Monday’s Ass: the bottle that brought us together… (April 26, 2021)

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass…

You know the swag you get when you attend an event?

I’ve never really thought much about it, beyond sorting it into “can use” and “can’t use” piles. The space in my car is limited, which means stuff I’m not likely to use gets ruthlessly culled and donated.

The branded stuff I DO take with me, I tend to use for awhile. As is the case yesterday, when I was sitting outside a coffee shop in Nashville (it was a PERFECT spring day), working on my book. I have a big, bright yellow water bottle that says, “Jeff Walker’s Launch Club” on it, from my days running Jeff’s writing team.

I LOVE this bottle – it’s aluminum and incredibly well insulated, and the water stays SO refreshingly cold. It’s rare you see me without it, and I’ll probably have it until I drop it and crack it and have to replace it.

Someone interrupted my train of thought to ask about where I got the bottle and how I knew Jeff, and it turned into a pleasant hour-plus long convo about marketing and copywriting. Turns out the dude was also a copywriter, knew many of the people I know, and even interviewed some of my podcast guests on his own show.

What a random and interesting connection to make, so far from home. All because of a branded water bottle I carry around with me everywhere I go.

So what’s the point?

1) marketing swag serves a purpose beyond branding and reciprocity (i.e. I gave you this gift and now you’re more receptive to the idea of giving me something, even if it’s simply your time). Not only can it be useful (like this awesome bottle)…

2) wearing the shirt or using the sticker on your laptop or carrying the water bottle… they’re all signals to people like you. Almost an invitation to connect and bond over your shared appreciation of a person, product, or service.

Considering how little in-person connection most of us are getting these days, I for one am glad I had my bright yellow sign of my people with me, and that it inspired such an interesting conversation.

And now, for something completely different:

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

Today’s badass is Linda Owens, who through the years has fostered 80 different babies in her home… and then sent them off to be with their families. Talk about selfless, and giving with no expectations. The world could use a lot more kindness, and a lot more Linda Owenses.

(If you know someone who should be featured as my Badass of the Week, leave a comment and tell me!)

New podcast episode!

I was thinking, “Oh s*** – here comes the panic attack!” That’s what today’s guest, Nicole Piper, told me happened when she’d just finalized a divorce, signed a monster mortgage to buy her husband out of the house, and got laid off from her job of six years… all within 24 hours. But then the panic attack never came…

Nicole’s story hits me in the feels in so many ways – not just because we both have a major breakup-in-the-midst-of-a-big-business-shift story, but also because of how she adjusted the attitude to one of winning. Life throws curveballs and catastrophes at us all the time, but how you move forward is all in how you react. I really think you’re gonna dig this episode.

Can’t-Miss Moments From This Episode:

  • The idea of not having a steady paycheck literally sent shivers down her spine (in a bad way) – what happened to make Nicole rethink her stance on her “safe” corporate job
  • How her world fell apart… and why even though she got divorced, signed a monster mortgage, and lost her job (all inside 24 hours!), her reaction was “this is gonna be good”
  • The big difference between hoping something will happen and expecting it to happen (hint: one will get you closer to your goals)
  • Planting your stake in the ground: the hidden advantage to going all in vs inching your way forward
  • Feel like the future is foggy and you don’t know what’s next? Here’s why you’re exactly where you’re meant to be (and how to get moving forward when you feel stuck)

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

On Repeat This Week…

 

I was jamming out to this while working on my book this morning: Live in the Moment by Portugal. The Man in collaboration with Tycho. Such a nice, mellow groove. I think you’re gonna dig it.
_______________

My home
Is a girl with eyes like wishing wells
I’m not alone
But I’m still lone, lonely
When I was young
Always go below the midnight sun
Those days are done
But I’m still glowing

Ooh la la la la la
Let’s live in the moment
Come back Sunday morning
A lie, oh well
When you’re gone
Goodbye, so long, farewell

kickass-angie

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.

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