Kick Monday’s Ass: with a little help from my friends (May 9, 2022)

It’s time to Kick Monday’s Ass…

I’ve been thinking a lot about the “company you keep” and how it’s impacted me over the years.

We often talk about the importance of networking as a means to get ahead, hit goals, advance our careers. But I don’t often hear folks touting the pure human-to-human benefit of having a peer group.

I haven’t told this story often, but it was actually my business mastermind group that I first broke the news to, back in 2017 when I knew I had to leave an abusive relationship.

No, I don’t make it a habit of sharing all my personal details with every business group, since that’s not what we’re there to accomplish. But that day, in that mental/emotional state, with that particular group of people, I knew I could share what was in my heart.

Members of the group reached out over the ensuing weeks to check in, share resources, and generally remind me that I’m a good person who would get through this (spoiler alert: I did).

The right peer group will hold space for you, challenge you, celebrate you, push you out of your comfort zone. It’s so much more than happy hours and seeing how many fucking business cards you can toss at people.

Relationships, man. Such a worthwhile challenge to pursue.

Moving on…

Last week on the podcast…

Claire Fernan and I first met when she was a student in one of the programs I coach for. We were working on building and growing her career as a copywriter when she suddenly realized it wasn’t really what she wanted. Cue the head trash and wondering if it’s OK to quit or pivot. We talk about what it’s like to completely change directions, when to listen to your own heart, and owning your ever-changing identity. Click here to listen.

Section 42: Life, The Universe, and Everything…

Man, I missed California in the 5 years I’ve been away.

If only the cost of living weren’t so butt-clenchingly high.

I do love this complex I’m in… no more nightmare neighbors like in Vegas. In fact, this is about as far away from nightmare as you can get.

My fee included access to the community amenities, like the juice bar (?!), gym, rooftop lounge, and pool/hot tub. Last week when I first partook of the hot tub, I wound up talking to some of the residents for 2 hours. Then Friday I met some of them on the roof by happenstance and same thing… we’re exchanging numbers, they’re recommending great food, I’m recommending places to travel. All around, a good time.

Then I took myself to Knott’s Berry Farm yesterday – here’s the thing about holidays… only a few big ones like July 4th and NYE are the ones that have theme parks truly packed. More family oriented ones like Mother’s Day, people assume the parks will be packed when they really aren’t… and those folks stay away.

That’s how I found myself alone at an eatery in the park, talking to this cute couple who thought I must be incredibly lonely without my kids on Mother’s Day. Despite my multiple reassurances that 1) I have no kids, only Stella (no Dana! Only Zuul!) and 2) I’m totally fine flying solo, they insisted on buying me a Mother’s Day drink and chatting with me until they needed to go.

I think one of the best things I’ve done for myself is this digital nomad thing. It’s forced me to step out of my comfort zone in multiple ways, and the people I’ve met along the way (minus the Vegas nightmare) have been incredible and inspiring.

Offer a week update + Marketing Minute…

Accountability time – last week I made offer #4 of the year of weekly offers.

I sent out an email about the two 1:1 coaching spots I’ve got available. I’m still scheduling calls so if you’re thinking about it but have questions, hit reply and we’ll set up a quick call. No charge and no high pressure bullshit – not my style.
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The Marketing Minute is about this complex in Anaheim where I’m staying.

Whoever designed the entire place was on. freaking. point.

What I mean by that is, they created a community within the complex and designed amenities that make it to where there’s no real need to “leave home”. You’ve got everything you need for a good time right here (except groceries, which can be delivered).

Even people in the tiniest studio apartments have ample space to enjoy, between the pool and hot tub, the outdoor seating area with grills and a fire pit, rooftop lounge, the gym, the juice bar with nitro cold brew on tap, the community kitchen, and the community seating area/workspace.

I’m not listing all this stuff out to brag. Until I got here I literally never thought about how much thinking must go into a well-designed community. And never before have I found one that works SO well.

As someone who works from home, I appreciate the fact that I’ve got so many places to go hang out that aren’t going to cost me extra (like a trip to the coffee shop or the spa would). Not only that, the creation of so many excellent community spaces has led to, well, an actual community.

As I mentioned above, I’ve already met and traded contact details with several residents, and it’s forcing me to get out of the house more often than I might otherwise.

This is a masterful example of on-point user experience design, I gotta say.

So how do you take a well-designed community and apply that thinking to your business?

Well… when was the last time you sat down and thought about all the potential wins and desires of your ideal buyers? I’m not talking about ALL buyers, because everyone has opinions, and like assholes, many of them stink.

But if you could create something amazing for your biggest fans, what would be a gamechanging experience for them? If you answer that question, you’ll be well on your way.

On repeat this week…

I think the theme today reflects the song perfectly. Today I bring you With a Little Help from my Friends by Joe Cocker. Only I chose a completely silly version of it that I hope you enjoy.

Rock on,
Angie

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What would you think if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song
And I’ll try not to sing out of key

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends