“You feel differently towards the world when you make things.” 🎨~Milton Glaser
Guess who’s back...! 👋🏾 (#329)
Helloooo from the other side… 👋🏾
I want to thank you for being so supportive of my June newsletter break. I have been operating on low power mode while juggling a new role, caregiving, business, and life.
This meme made me chuckle because it feels so true. We are human, after all…
I realize this season has a lot going on, so my productivity and rest will look different. And I’ll do the best I can.
While I am still not back to full capacity, the pause felt right. And it gave me the space I needed to get a significant thing done…
I’ve wanted to get “ready” for paid speaking engagements for years but could never make it happen. It kept falling lower and lower on my to-do list.
I think when it really got down to it, I didn’t feel like I could call myself a speaker.
I’ve spoken many times before and even received a stipend once. But at what point can you call yourself a speaker?
Is it when you speak?
Is it when you get paid?
Is it when you have a speaker reel? Or a speaker page?
Is it when you kneel, and someone dubs you Ser Speaker?
Is it something else?
That little “you are an impostor” voice pops up at the weirdest times, yeah?
I realized if I were to get this done, I’d need some help.
Sometimes coaches need coaches, amirite? So I enlisted my gurl Saya, a fantastic facilitator and speaker, to help me. (Hire her, she’s amazing). She has pushed me to grow from every experience I’ve taken with her, and I knew I needed some of that juju.
One of the first things she had me do? Claim that I was a speaker.
She said you are a speaker when you say you are. No other criteria need to apply.
And we’ve worked together to set things up so I can get speaking gigs.
Media Kit (this page has already come in handy!)
Was I scared to put these up? YES! Are the pages perfect? Nope. Am I glad to have it done enough to put out there? Absolutely!
And here’s the thing: I can always tweak and improve it as I experiment and learn. Baby steps 😉
If there has been a project you’ve wanted to get to for a while, think about what might be holding you back. Where might you need help? Or do you feel stuck? Leave a comment and let me know - we can work through this together.
On to the picks!
P.S. If you hear of any speaking opportunities to chat about side hustles, newsletters, or inspirational topics, I would surely appreciate it if you send them my way!
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.
#loves 😍
🎙️. Tool: Oasis. Reading
’s newsletter, I discovered this cool voice memo-like tool that will take your rambly messages and turn them into blog posts, Twitter threads, outlines, song lyrics, and more.📺. Watching: Succession. I waited until the show was over to go down this rabbit hole. #latetotheparty. My first thought was: “All these people are terrible.” My second: “I can’t stop watching.” It is a gripping drama about dads, siblings, and outsiders fighting for control of the Waystar Royco (love the name!) media empire. Will start season 3 soon - are you watching?
#reads
12 Things to Remember When You are Feeling Overwhelmed With Life
What is a small, soft, gentle way you can give to yourself today?
I understand that many of us are dealing with overwhelm in many forms. Love the suggestions in this post, especially these reminders:
“Doing more things won’t make you a better person. It’ll make you a tired person.”
Finding a way to make tiny changes every" day.
“It can’t all matter at the same time.”
Reply and let me know if any of these resonate.
—
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick was: The Purpose of Your Life Is to Choose a Lifestyle
💬. Side Hustle Convos: Learn from others who have started successful businesses and are juggling it with their day jobs.
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#lifevibes
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Thank you, Gia, Lori, Ayana, Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Humza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keryn, 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!! ❤️
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That meme seems like a dark joke to me, it’s way too relatable in the worst way lol. But it’s important to be aware of it, it’s important to know. So thanks for the reminder.
Also, really excited for you that you’re working on getting those speaking gigs! All the best! ❤️ This line is gonna stick with me: “You are a speaker when you call yourself a speaker. No other criteria need to apply.”
This was a resonating post in many way - the overwhelm and the imposter syndrome bit particularly.
I’m trying to push myself to start cooking classes - both online and in person. I know people want them, I know I can do them, I know how to set them up. All I haven’t done is taken that last step because ... I dunno. What if people don’t book and I’m hustling for no response?
Worse, what if people DO book and I’m committed to doing this thing??!!