Hello my friend,
At the risk of alarming you, we are almost at the end of another month. Say what?! As shocking as this might feel reaching yet-another-week is by all accounts an achievement. Is that a bit contrived? I hope not.
Before I go any further I would like to say both thank you and sorry to anyone who emailed me last week about my content problem question and has not yet had a reply. I set down a few balls - coming to that in a moment! - and outbound comms is almost always the first thing to give. I promise I will reply as soon as is humanly possible since I know that I asked for you to email me.
This weeks' watch-word is Community.
I spent a good number of my working hours last week in the company of fantastic people. In spaces created by some of the communities of which I am a part. And I know, before you say anything; "community" has become as much of a buzzword as 'content', 'digital courses', and 'passive income'.
"You're launching a new community platform for niche-market sea-life enthusiasts who want to learn how to invest in crypto?"
"OK then, Colin. You do you!"
But that's enough of my comedic cynicism. What have I drawn from the community space this week? So, so much.
I presented a WIP workshop to the Studio Sonder crew and gained fantastically valuable feedback which will help me shape the public presentation when I run it on 6th May.
I co-worked twice with two different community groups, putting some time into my LinkedIn content and social media plans. I picked up no fewer than 10 new connections on LinkedIn, too, and had a couple of really nice conversations on the DMs.
I dropped into a peer-to-peer chat about client retention and loyalty and went deep on the ideas I have around keeping your best customers.
And, most importantly, I spent time with two of my favourite groups of friends to exercise my creative muscles, storytelling capabilities, and game-playing skills. A round-table story-read of a collaborative piece and then the most exciting IRL session of D&D with my regulars, most of whose legs I have never seen. What a way to show up with and for people!
But what's the point?
Surely just 'hanging out' is not worth of an entire newsletter... I'd wager that, actually, it really is.
I mentioned before that I've dropped (see: set down) a few balls and my communication has been slow. It was kinda intentional. I'd agreed with myself a month ago that April was going to be a time of attention-to-personal-care and a moment to recoup my energy. A space of really looking at what I need to make sure that May, June, and July all come out and swing for the fences.
I have to get some home-runs soon. (Universe? Are you listening?)
What's occurred to me in the last week is that my needs for how I look after myself have changed. And no this is not hashtag self care hashtag personal growth hashtag life goals. This is a conscious acknowledgement that I have grown; I can grow; I will continue to grow.
The spaces, people, activities and energy I was met with have all but filled my cup. Previously I might have eschewed all human contact in favour of hibernation or watching a movie. But not now. I found places that could support me in this moment and, really, asked nothing more than that which I was able to give.
That, my friend, is refreshing to say the least.
Coming into May I feel a gentle rumble of energy which is going to fuel everything I do. It's not LOUD, or BOISTEROUS, or EXPLOSIVE! It's persistent; consistent; intentional; knowing.
It is the long, slow burn of effective and efficient fuel, keeping the fire lit just enough so that everything keeps moving at the right speed.
So, please, let me plant the seed for you. Have you been looking after yourself in the right way for You? Are you putting yourself in places that ask nothing more of you than that which you have to give?
Think about it, OK?
You know that I only want what's best for you!
Now go get 'em. It's almost May and that is exciting.
TTFN,
Tom
(PS. If you have thoughts on what you've read here please whack reply and share them with me. Your input and ideas truly keep me going!)