Monday motivation
Oh, hi friends!
A strange thing, the Monday of a holiday week that is not quite a holiday this year.
So what do we do?
Say “all bets are off,” kick up our feet, enjoy a quieter inbox, and finally start Season One of The Crown?
Or dig in and use this time to spend a week writing (as I’ve seen a few friends say they’re doing)?
Or reflect on what we’re grateful for this year, or perhaps only today, since sometimes it’s easier to see when you choose a more narrow perspective?
It is OK, whatever you do.
Decide now and let your week unfold as you choose.
“A couple of weeks after I started at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, I went down to West Virginia to visit Martha at Alderson prison. The rules were that I couldn’t talk business results with her, but I could tell her what I was doing and seeing.
So I talked about seeing the inspiration boards for a new line of high-end bed linens the design team was developing. Martha asked me if I wanted what I saw. I said I thought they were beautiful and moved on to the next item on my list. She stopped me and said, “That’s not what I asked you. Did you want them? Until you covet them, you have to keep sending them back to work.” That’s why she became such an icon—she never subscribed to the “good enough” theory. It has to be great. Consumers know the difference.”
While digging through some old quotes I was struck by this one, from a profile of investment fund founder and CEO Susan Lyne. She was talking about Martha Stewart's high standards for her products.
But it made me think about the work we all produce. If you looked at your work and asked the question, “Do I covet this?” what would be your answer?
Would you want to read the novel you’re writing?
Would you want to see the TV series you’re pitching?
Would you want to listen in on your own meeting?
If not, why not? And how can you change it so that it might start speaking to you?
Our 10-Minute Musical Is Here!
Letters from May aired during the Sound Bites Streaming Live festival on Friday night — it was a great time! Of course, nothing beats a live performance, but thanks to a wonderful cast and editor and lots of teamwork, I’m so glad this came together. The livestream is available here on YouTube for a few days, you can see Kris and I talking about the show and then our 10-minute musical starts at the 12:48 minute mark. Thank you all so much for your support.
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
You can also support my work by checking out my new motivational journal, Do It For Yourself, designed to guide you through your creative and work projects.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara