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Hi Everyone,
I loved spending time this month with Dr. Tom Guerillo as a guest on his RoboPsych podcast—we cover the impact of robots and artificial intelligence on the world of work, and what mindset and skills will be most beneficial to cultivate moving forward.
And I can't believe it, but this month marks the one-year anniversary of the Pivot book deal! My brilliant Portfolio editor Natalie and I have been working on the manuscript for over a year now, and we are close to finishing the editorial rounds but are not quite there yet. It really has been as intense as a part-time job! We have gone through five major rounds on the manuscript, and each one requires anywhere from 30 to 100 hours of editing and revising on my end, in about four weeks each time (aside from actually writing the first and second drafts).
PIVOT FOR PIVOT + FALL 2016 SPEAKING
Natalie and I both want to make the book as impeccable and timeless as possible, and as a result, have shifted the release date. Pivot will now launch September 6 (instead of March 8), and I am starting to schedule speaking events for next Fall—if your organization wants to partner for a keynote, career workshop, or manager-as-coach training, learn more here and let's talk!
Upon making this decision, I freaked out for a day, and now feel incredibly relieved :) Good thing I know someone writing a book about being agile to change! Keep reading the next section for the biggest mindset mistake I made, and how I corrected course.
BEHIND THE BOOK: MY BIGGEST MINDSET MISTAKE
My first reaction upon realizing that we weren't going to make the March 8 release date was disappointment. Then sadness. Then a business freak-out. All within 24 hours.
The disappointment and sadness had more to do with impatience: I have been working on the ideas in Pivot for two years now. I am anxious to get them out of my computer and into the world! But every editorial round has been critical—this will be a much better book because of all the time, attention, and feedback we have put into it.
The business freak-out revealed a big blind spot. My first thoughts there were: if Pivot doesn't come out in March, like I have been planning and working toward for two years, how will I earn robust income in 2016?! I have been very low key while writing the book, and was counting on this release date (and my parallel marketing efforts) to skyrocket things in 2016, ideally sooner than later!
However, I quickly realized I was treating my book like it was entering a child beauty pageant. You better win this thing, or else!! You better be smart, and beautiful and successful, and bring home the bacon! I was putting way too much pressure on the book to launch the next phase of my business, when really, it should be the other way around. My business and platform should be rock solid first, then the book release will be icing on the cake. Instead, I was treating my book launch like a crutch, leaning too many future-based hopes and dreams onto it, instead of turning inward to create those business structures first.
When I realized I had *just* written a whole book about being adaptable to unexpected change and quickly figuring out what's' next, I laughed, and started to take my own advice. Double-down on what's already working. Diversify. Have faith in the process. Realize that I will probably look back in September at the timing and say, "It all worked out for the best. Even one week earlier would have been too soon, and now I can't imagine it unfolding any other way."
WRITING
What's new on JB.me:
READING
- Slate on Hot Desking: The New Office Craze (h/t Adam)
- Loved this cover story on Rihanna in this month's Vanity Fair. An excerpt:
I mention that Eminem once told me he would trade a lot of his fame just to be able to go to the mall, and she exclaims, “Dude! Oh my God—this is scary and sad all at the same time. I literally dream about buying my own groceries.” Come on, I say. “Swear to God. Because it is something that is real and normal. Something that can keep you a little bit uncomfortable.” Uncomfortable?
“A hundred percent. Because life is not perfect, and the minute you feel it’s perfect, it’s not real. Artists sign a deal to make music; we didn’t sign to be perfect, or to be role models. We’re all flawed human beings who are learning and growing and evolving and going through the same bullshit as everybody else. The fact that people expect the day we sign we’re supposed to be perfect does not make any fucking sense to me. Even tragedy, every trial in your life, is a test. It’s like a class—you take an exam, and if you pass, you move on to the next. You still have to take another test and prove yourself again.”
LISTENING
FEATURED
- I was recently interviewed for the Showcasing Women Spotlight. My thoughts on business, what I wish I had figured out sooner, and what I would tell my teenage self:
What’s your favorite thing about business? I love that business is a true meritocracy: successes and failures (and income) are not feedback on you as a person, just on your business savvy and tactics. If something doesn’t catch with the market, there is tons of learning to mine in terms of product creation, marketing, copywriting, platform-building, etc.
What do you wish someone had told you about starting a business before you jumped in? That cash flow is king! Monthly recurring revenue is such an important part of any business model, and I didn’t move to monthly retainer for my coaching services until halfway through. The project-based billing model (including speaking) is much more sporadic and unpredictable.
What would you tell your teenage self if you could sit her down for a chat?All of your reading and self-development efforts will pay off! Insecurity is the doorway to opportunity, and your biggest challenges will soon become your biggest strengths and opportunities to serve others.
TOOLS O' THE WEEK
- Been waiting years for someone to create this! Find your phone, keys, anything with The Tile App.
- How cool are Moo's new Business Cards+?! You can program digital "actions" into your business card, so anyone who activates it can be directed to your website, invited to connect on a social network, and more. This link will give you 10% off.
READY FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE?
I'd love for you to join Momentum, a private community for smart, creative, driven people. With Momentum, you will get access to all my best tools, templates and resources, as well as the ability to ask me anything and collaborate with others, for just $1/day. Sign up here to be the first to know when doors re-open!
FINAL THOUGHTS
That's it for now . . . THANK YOU again for reading, for your support, and for being part of this new adventure with me.
And please feel free to reply and say hello any time! I would also love to hear what's on your mind and what questions you have so that I can address them in future newsletters :)
Warmly,
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