“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” 🏄🏾♀️ ~Jon Kabat-Zinn
Stop fighting your life. Start building with it. (#447)
There are a lot of times when I’ve felt like I need to get my life together before I can really focus on my business.
When I’d have more. More time. More energy. More consistency.
A more predictable schedule.
That’s what I’d need to do it “right”… right?
But life doesn’t magically get simpler.
If anything…it just gets fuller.
More caregiving responsibilities. More chaos. More things competing for my attention.
And at some point, I realized that I could keep waiting for the perfect conditions.
Or I could learn to work WITH what I already have.
W is for Work With 🤝🏾✨
(not against, not around - with)
Work with your schedule.
Work with your energy.
Work with your responsibilities.
Work with your unpredictable days.
Because trying to force your life to look like someone else’s version of “productive”? It’s exhausting. And…it’s not sustainable.
It looks like:
Trying to stick to a perfectly structured, color-coded schedule when your days go off the rails.
Trying to do deep work when your energy just isn’t there.
Trying to build like someone who has way more time, space, or support than you do.
I’ve tried that…and it doesn’t work.
What does work is getting really honest with yourself and asking:
What do I have to work with today?
Time?
Energy?
Focus?
Support?
Some days, the answer is a lot. Other days…it’s not much.
And that’s okay.
Instead of fighting it, I’m learning to build around it.
For example, I used to be a morning person. My best thinking was between 7 am and noon. I built my whole routine around that. Then life changed.
I could either keep mourning my old schedule or adjust.
Now I work in pockets throughout the day. Sometimes 8 pm. Sometimes weekends. Sometimes, in an Uber on the way to pick up my nephew.
Probably not ideal. But it’s what I have. And it’s enough to work with.
For you, this might mean:
working in 15-minute pockets instead of waiting for 2-hour blocks
matching tasks to energy levels (admin tasks when low, creative when high)
designing offers that fit your actual life
keeping things simple enough to maintain when life gets chaotic
giving yourself permission to adjust when life happens
Because the shift is this:
Instead of asking:
How do I fix my life so I can build my business?
Try asking:
How do I build my business around the life I actually have?
—
Because you don’t need perfect conditions to make progress.
You just need to keep moving forward… in a way that works.
—
When you do, things start to feel lighter…
More doable…
More sustainable…
More yours…
And that keeps you going.
—
💬 Over to you: What’s something you could start working with instead of fighting right now?
On to the picks! ✨
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#picks 😍
🤑. More Americans are taking on side hustles to make extra cash. This quick 4-minute clip breaks down common options, how to get started, and a few helpful resources. Tip: Vanessa Flowers
Want to find a side gig? Start with: what are you already good at?
Need a little guidance from me along the way? Grab my $9 course.
💗. Love the hell out of yourself today
Whatever that thing is that brings you a bout of joy––don’t judge it.
Whoever that person is that makes you smile hard––don’t judge it.
Whatever weird dance you do on your own in the living room––don’t judge it.
Just love the hell out of you today. Just love the hell out of you and see how you feel at the end of the day.
By: Tanya Moushi
📺. Paradise on Hulu. I thought this was just another Secret Service drama (and it is 👀)… but whew. Episode one had my jaw on the floor. The twists keep coming, and Season 2 just wrapped. It’s intense, but so good. Also… the soundtrack? 🔥 Are you watching?
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick: Email Templates That Turn Subscribers Into Buyers
🌟. Feeling pulled in too many directions? Sometimes intentionality starts with one clear step. Let’s find yours together.. get some pocket-sized clarity!
#classifieds 🗞
📱. What if your content didn’t depend on your energy every day? GetPostFlow helps you stay consistent without doing it all yourself. Get 10% off your first month.
🌱. If consistency has been hard lately… you’re not alone. AccLounge helps you focus on one thing for the week and keep going. 25% off your 1st month with code JESS.
💌 Say no to overthinking your sales emails. These 15 templates help you write faster, sell easier, and keep your energy for what matters.
(like these? let’s partner up!)
#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
Thank you, Fonda, Kelly, Melinda, Tawanna, Gia, Lori, Ayana, Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Hmza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keyn, Terry, Vanessa, Meredith, Lauren, Meg, Maria J., Chivon, Kim, Luciano, Colie, Chasity, Laurie, Latienda, Collette, Anne, Kristen, Liz, Katherine, Monale, Betsy, Melissa, Lindsay, Jennifer, Kayla, Madison, Rae, Stephanie, Christine R., Christine M., Frances, Hannah, Chris, Brandy, Mea, Kristian, Maria K., Avery, Adam, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L’Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️
Love this. Thank you for the reminder that we can adjust to what is and even 15 minute pockets are good. 15 minutes a day is over 90 hours in a year. So much could be accomplished if I keep that in mind, and let the 15 be enough, if that's all I've got. Appreciate you.