It's great to consume valuable ideas, but it may be even more valuable to connect with people who share an interest in those ideas.
With that in mind, I'm launching a series of topic-specific Facebook groups where The Interested can connect with others interested in that topic.
This is a bit of an experiment, but to kick it off I've created a group for people interested in social media and marketing.
Assuming it goes well, I'll add additional groups around other topics soon.
Now, on to this week's ideas...
* * *
"What people say about you and your work reveals more about them than you or your work."
The other day I took a few moments to write a bunch of thoughts and observations that have been rattling around my head recently - this post is the result and people seem to find it helpful.
But, hopefully it gives you some thought-provoking ideas about luck, perfection, opportunity, time management, and what determines the course of your life.
* * *
"Return doesn't have to equate to financial gain. I could list enough personal and emotional reasons to warrant a book. The three big ones for me have been: passion, community, and a desire to give back to the arts."
For three years, Shannon Byrne has poured her energy, time, and resources into a passion project called A Song A Day.
She hasn't made a dime from it, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been worth it.
* * *
"Good copy carves a path to an emotion, a feeling. A copywriter's purpose, then, is to identify the words and concepts that create the shortest possible path to that emotion."
Less is more when it comes to copywriting.
* * *
"Very few people are intentional about their own values and beliefs. Additionally, very few people are proactive about designing their environment. According to Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, 'If you do not create and control your environment, your environment creates and controls you.'"
This post will make you want to redecorate your office.
While that may be a slight exaggeration, the core concept is smart and the post features visual representations and explanations of valuable wisdom including that action precedes inspiration, 100% is easier than 98%, and nothing happens until after you commit.
* * *
"Research shows that the No. 1 barrier to self-compassion is fear of being complacent and losing your edge. And all the research shows that's not true. It's just the opposite, meaning that self-compassion can lead to greater achievement than self-criticism ever could."
We're genetically predisposed to focus more on our mistakes than our successes, but the New York Times suggests research shows there are concrete things you can do to stop being so hard on yourself.
The three recommended steps include to choose to at least try a new approach to thinking about yourself, combat your inner criticism with kindness, and make a deliberate effort to recognize how you feel when you self-criticize compared to how you feel when you let go of things.
* * *
"When you know exactly who you're talking to, you speak to them directly – without vagaries."
What does country music, hip hop, and successful marketing have in common? Specificity.
Margo Aaron explains why you need specificity in marketing and points out that much like country or hip hop music, good marketing speaks exactly to a specific audience and in doing so becomes more powerful.
* * *
"You are a jigsaw puzzle piece of a certain shape. You could change your shape to fit an existing hole in the world. That was the traditional plan. But there's another way that can often be better for you and for the world: to grow a new puzzle around you."
Jessica Livingston is a co-founder and partner at Y Combinator, the legendary startup company accelerator.
* * *
"Most people never stop and define their deepest, most important goals. This allows them to procrastinate on them indefinitely. If you don't come out and say that you want to write a novel, it's not going to happen."
These lessons may be written for young people, but it's never too late learn them.
* * *
"You have to do whatever it takes to get your total blogging income over $2k a month. My research revealed the majority of bloggers that had over $2k in monthly income made money from more than just ads and affiliate links. They hustled to get sponsors for their posts, and they got on the phone to sell people on paying them money for monthly client services."
Almost every blogger dreams of making money from their efforts, but few make enough to survive on and the ones who do have several things in common.
The report breaks down how the richest bloggers make their money (online courses), which niche topics make the most money (personal finance), and which ad networks and affiliate deals are used by the most profitable bloggers.
* * *
"Successful people refuse to be limited to binary choices and recognize there are infinite options at our disposal if we have the patience, courage, and creativity to look for them."
If it seems like successful people play a different game than those who struggle, it's because they do.
* * *
If you've got something you want to accomplish in 30 days or a new habit you'd like to develop, I'd love to help you do it!
* * *
WHERE I FOUND THIS STUFF
I discovered some of this week's ideas from the newsletters of Creative Mornings and Khe Hy - they're awesome and worth your time.
* * *
Dig this newsletter but haven't subscribed yet?
Thanks!
Josh
No comments:
Post a Comment