“Imagine how you want to feel at the end of the day. Start working towards that now.” 🤔 ~Lin Manuel Miranda

By Jessica L. Williams • Issue #256 • View online

Our theme for this quarter of LEAD.Well is “Finishing the Year Well,” and I love that Stephanie is approaching it this way versus the typical “finish strong” vibes that are often popping up at this time of year.

A few questions she gave us to think about:

What season am I in right now?
What do I want to prioritize or deprioritize this quarter?
And perhaps, most notably: What do I want to be true at the end of December?

I started thinking about all the things I wanted to do and made a list and then immediately felt overwhelmed because it was too much. These past few months have been full of ups and downs, so I feel like this season needs to be one of reflection and ease.

That ~~said~~ written, this is what I want to focus on for the next two months:

Plan a 3-4 week break for #jesspicks around the holidays. As of now, I think 12/11 will be my last issue of the year. In the meantime, I’ll be working on filling sponsor and classified spots (if you want one, lemme know!) and possibly a reader survey.
Work on my Membervault marketplace. I am very pleased with the free and paid offerings that are currently there. I want to figure out some of the behind-the-scenes tech pieces and think through how to connect the marketplace to techbizgurl.com. (full disclosure: I may be overthinking that last piece, and it might be enough to add a “Work with Me” tab and point it there. 🤷🏾‍♀️)
Create a few content pieces. I want to do a year in review post like this one and a #jesspicks #loves roundup (like this) for 2021.
Take more joy breaks. I was able to go to a BeMoved class this week, and it was glorious. We jazz-handed and jitterbugged! 💃🏽. I also ordered this LEGO set. I need to get better at putting my oxygen mask on first. And that will take some practice. Baby steps.

If I can do the above by December 31st, I think that’ll be a wonderful ending to 2021.

How about you?

What season are you in?

What do you want to focus on this quarter?

What do you want to be true at the end of December?

How can you finish your year well?

And if I can help with anything, just hit reply and let me know.

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: You Are Who You’ve Been Looking For by Adam Roa. Just watch it. It’s incredible. Tip: Josh Spector

📚 Reading: Who is Maud Dixon? This book was such a good thriller. I could have easily watched it on Lifetime. I feel like the book description gives so much away, so I’ll leave you with this blurb: “Who is Maud Dixon is a stylish psychological thriller about how far into the darkness you’re willing to go to claim the life you always wanted.” Dun dun dun.

📝. Resource: Communicate Like a PRO. I love scripts, especially ones for tough conversations like saying no. Stephanie Pollock has put over 80 copy and paste-able scripts in one place to help us communicate better, including pitching ourselves, asking for client testimonials, and asking for money on an overdue invoice.

#reads

billy chapata.

@iambrillyant

take your time. don’t let everyone else’s pace become your own because of fear of being left behind. don’t look to emulate paths that don’t belong to you because your own journey feels unfamiliar. don’t rush everything that you are becoming out of impatience. take your time.

9:21 AM - 28 Oct 2021

12 Things You Don’t Have To Do To Succeed As A Creator

“There’s nothing wrong with creating to express yourself, improve the lives of others, or simply because you enjoy doing so.”

I bet there is at least one of these that will stop you in your tracks, make you pause, and get your brain thinking. For me, it was this one: “You don’t have to monetize.”

I know, I know. I’m working on creating a marketplace as we speak. But I am not necessarily doing this to get paid. And that’s not a success metric for me. I do what I do to help you build your passion projects and help you be entrepreneurs within the life you already have. So, when you tell me that you’ve started your newsletter or launched your side hustle, that is success to me. The money part is simply icing on the cake.

joshspector.com • Share

9 Ways to Become a Morning Person (And Not Feel Miserable)

Not everyone is a morning person, so I’m not saying you need to become one. However, what I do love about this post are the suggestions for things you can add to your mornings to make them a little bit better.

My faves:

Creating a ritual you look forward to (that cup of coffee in the mornings tho)
Don’t check your phone for 30 minutes after waking up (I need to work on this)
Schedule more things in your week that you look forward to (helloooo dance class!)

theeverygirl.com • Share

#icymi

😍. Last issue’s top pick was: My MemberVault marketplace.

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🤝. Get introduced to others within the #jesspicks community!

#classifieds 🗞

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#lifevibes

Cheers to us! ☕️

#supporters ☕️

Thank you 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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Did you enjoy this issue?

By Jessica L. Williams

#jesspicks is a hand-picked roundup of the best resources, inspiration, and tools for side hustlers. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday. ☕️| | Curated by @techbizgurl.

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“Imagine how you want to feel at the end of the day. Start working towards that now.” 🤔 ~Lin Manuel Miranda

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