“Who you are when you prioritize rest is the truth of who you really are.” 😴 Kandice N Cole

By Jessica L. Williams • Issue #289 • View online

I’m taking some much-needed (and encouraged) time off from the job next week and planning to do some thinking about the rest of the year. I ran across an article in my archives that has some great questions for mid-year reflection. Here are a few of my answers:

What were my goals at the beginning of the year?

I did not set goals because that felt too heavy. Instead, I picked three focus areas for the year:

💰 Personal Finance.

My plan: Learn more about investing and decentralized finance/web3 crypto and build a 3-month emergency fund.

How it’s going: I have started building my emergency fund! 💪🏾 I have almost two months saved. I haven’t done as much of the learning but hoping to see if there are 1-2 things I can do before the end of the year.

📝 Content Marketing.

My plan: Figure out a content marketing strategy that works. How can I repurpose content? How can I use social media? Are there other distribution channels I should be using? How can I best show up?

How it’s going: With help from Alice, I am establishing more of a presence on Instagram, which is fantastic. I also got into an ad revenue-sharing program with Microsoft, and it’s nice to see my content on MSN.com. I am still thinking about other ways to show up and provide value.

💃🏽 Dancing.

My plan: Take more breaks and prioritize self-care.

How it’s going: Dancing is good for my soul, so I try to go weekly. On weeks I’m unable to, I try to do a yoga class at least. With my shoulder issues, I have weekly appointments with PT/chiro, a self-care I didn’t realize I needed. I want to get better at taking breaks from work and adding more movement to my day. That’ll help with my neck/shoulder issues and overall health.

Are my goals the same—or have things changed?

I still feel good about my three focus areas for the year. So if anything, I want to continue my progress and find more ways to answer my guiding question for the year:

How can I do less, better?

Fill in the blank: “This year, one of the best decisions I made was _______.”

Hiring my VA Alice. She is a genius with graphics and helps me show up on Instagram and Facebook. Also, because I know she’s taking care of that piece, it gives me space to think about other things. It changes my thinking, too, because now I feel more open to seeing what else I can delegate. What are things that only I can do in my business? It has been a game-changer for me as an entrepreneur.

What’s something I definitely want to create, achieve, or experience before the end of this year?

This answer is where I could use YOUR help:

What are some goals you have for the rest of the year? What type of content would you like to see?
What is your business’s #1 most pressing question/challenge right now?
What questions would you love to ask me?

I would love to understand your goals and struggles. So that I can curate the best resources or maybe even create something that will help you.

Hit reply and let me know. I’m all ears.

On to the picks!

Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, that means I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.

#sponsor

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#loves 😍

📺. Watching: Maggie. Is anyone else watching this cute new Hulu show? A psychic sees her future in the readings she’s doing for other people and tries to deal. 🔮 I’m about four episodes in and already rooting for the two main characters to become a couple. It’s a fun, lighthearted watch.

🎧. Listening: Side Hustla! Podcasts. This Spotify playlist features podcast episodes helpful to us in building our part-time businesses. A few are there now, and the list will continue to be updated. I recently added one by Jon Acuff that covers how to charge more for your side hustle.

#reads

Anne-Laure Le Cunff

@anthilemoon

Life becomes a lot more fun once you realize you don't have to catch up to others 🥰

3:02 AM - 21 Jul 2022

Be consistent and small. That's how you win at business.

“Let the giants and the bullies be big. Yes, they’re hard to miss, but they’re also hard to miss.”

I love how simple and complex this is at the same time. Regina tells us to stay consistent and stay small. Keep going.

Take small steps every day. Enjoy the process of going through everything that you are going through.

onlineoutlier.com • Share

#icymi

😍. Last issue’s top pick was: Dylan’s 1K Roadmap Course

🤝 Want to connect with other #jesspicks readers? Fill out a profile and get an introduction as soon as next week.

#classifieds 🗞

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#lifevibes

Thanks Shayna for the tip! 💖

#supporters ☕️

Thank you 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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By Jessica L. Williams

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Key phrases

personal finance education startup Kandice N Cole Jessica L Williams three focus areas ad revenuesharing program other distribution channels content marketing strategy

Older messages

“There is only one success: to be able to spend your life in your own way.” 😍 ~Christopher Morley

Saturday, July 16, 2022

I finally got to do a Movie in the Park in Chicago this week, which has been on my summer bucket list “There is only one success: to be able to spend your life in your own way.” 😍 ~Christopher Morley

“Whatever you did today was the way it was meant to be. Be proud of you.” ⭐️ ~Oprah Winfrey

Saturday, July 9, 2022

A little encouragement... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

“I hope you feel free to do the things that feel like a balm to your heart.” 💖 ~Morgan Harper Nichols

Saturday, July 2, 2022

darling, pause for a moment... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” ⏳~Michael Altshuler

Saturday, June 18, 2022

My fave time management mantras ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

“Your greatest revelations are waiting for you to rest and receive them.” 😴 ~Octavia Raheem

Saturday, June 11, 2022

Restorative yoga ftw! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The Growth Newsletter #139