“What do you want to do with your life?” 3 ways to answer the world’s worst question
It’s the nightmare inquiry made of every soon-to-graduate liberal arts major in America. The niggling worry of every newly committed entrepreneur. The unscratchable itch burning every person who hits upper tiers in Maslow’s hierarchy. “What do you want to do with your life?” The question sounds harmless when posed by …
Read More
Bust through boring like the Kool-Aid Man: 3 free tools to write copy that pops
As a child, I consumed the written word the way I now consume brownie batter: in small, rapid bites, each flavor distinct but devolving quickly into a flurry of blurred indulgence. The pleasure never gets old, even though I seem to. After devouring all the text on a cereal box, …
Read More
The Perks of Being an Outcast in Middle School
I’ll never forget the look on Amy’s face when she stopped me in the school hallway and said, “Congrats on winning Most Original. You really deserve it.” Amy (not her real name) was one of the cool kids. Even though we were both in 8th grade, she was a woman: …
Read More
A simple cure for writing overwhelm
You’re staring at a blank Word doc, watching the cursor flash, when suddenly the thought hits you: Would anyone notice if you just crawled under your desk, curled into a ball, and nursed a bag of Swedish Fish until tomorrow comes? And by “bag” I mean “bottle.” Dear reader and …
Read More
Pump up your perceived value with the Glade Candle Method (and discover the benefits of your soulful services)
Walking through Wal-mart the other day, I happened upon a mid-aisle display of pumpkin- and foliage-scented Glade air fresheners. Images of hayrides and color-changing leaves wreathed the cardboard display, which touted the “feelings of fall.” To an outsider, it looks innocuous, a gentle reminder that autumn is here and you …
Read More
Your customers want to buy X. Stop trying to sell them Y. (Use this fill-in-the-blank formula instead!)
When was the last time you bought something? Like actually pulled out your wallet and handed cash to someone else in exchange for a product or service? For me, it was this very cup of iced tea. It cost $2.21, which I paid for in exact change. (Yes, I’m that …
Read More
How to “distraction-proof” your brain (and FINALLY write that blog post/email series/webinar/website you’re oh-so-eager to publish)
Raise your hand if your morning routine looks like this: Your alarm goes off (or a little one crawls into bed with you). You open your eyes, silently beg the ceiling for strength to tackle the day, then reach for your cell phone and open your Mail app. Maybe you’re fastidious …
Read More
Engage ideal clients on your About page with these fill-in-the-blank headline starters
Do you get the heebie jeebies when you think about your About page? Maybe you (gasp) haven’t written it yet. Or maybe you have, but you kind of hate it. You don’t like promoting yourself. You think your life’s boring. You think your About page is too salesy. Or WAY …
Read More
I chose the path of MOST resistance. Would you?
Wednesday night, I hit bottom (of my Funfetti batter mixing bowl). I had tears in my eyes as I licked my spoon clean. After throwing the bowl into the kitchen sink, I stormed back into the living room. Boyfriend sat on the couch, looking up at me with obvious distress. I’d …
Read MoreProcrastinate much? Ditch the self-reprimands and try this instead.
To stall is human. You know when you’re slumped on the couch, watching your 3rd straight hour of audition reels for The Voice on YouTube, when that tiny voice in your head whispers “Maybe you’re…avoiding work?” Um, yeah, that was me yesterday. I’ve been sick this week, and I needed …
Read More