Uh, did I really do this 600 times?

Oh, hi friends!

This is my 600th newsletter.

That is…nuts!

I was going to write about what I've learned about my work habits and creative process and how it's changed my career and friendships and yadda yadda but you probably understand my brain a lot more than I do at this point. 

So all I can really say is this: if you want to do something often — and still enjoy it — it has to draw you in. You have to be *pulled* toward it and not have to *push* yourself toward it. 

It's the difference between the idea you've been kicking around for months that you want to pitch...or the one that's assigned to you, and you do because it's there.

It's the opportunities you create, rather than the opportunities you must react to.

It's the stuff you know you should do, versus, well, ALL THE OTHER STUFF IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. 

You know the stuff that pulls you. 

That's what you should do. 

So go.

Go, go, go and do that.

Always find some wisdom in Jane Yolen’s tweets (her Twitter bio says she’s written over 378 books!!).

OK, fine, this is the trailer for Cats that everyone is talking about. Including, probably, your cat.

How to reach out to someone whose career you admire. This is so smart, by my friend Dorie Clark. (Especially liked being clear that you have no expectations!)

NPR Story Lab is looking for radio series ideas! Get ‘em in. (h/t Tari Ayala)

Phoebe Robinson on not having money and then having money is a very good read.

The simple ritual that’ll help you unlock your motivation (hey, I wrote this one!).

This week I finished reading Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull, the co-founder of Pixar. I enjoyed it; it’s more business- and management-minded than I thought it would be so if you’re in a position to foster a creative workplace, I’d recommend it. (Funny thing: I told my friend Aransas, ‘I’m not sure why I always read so many business books, since I don’t run a business or manage anyone,’ and she reminded me, ‘Well, you run your own business and manage yourself.’ Oh, right, that!!) 

I also read Company of One by tech veteran Paul Jarvis, which advocates staying small as a business (also applies to freelancers). My biggest takeaways were to surprise and delight your existing audience, and launch quickly — before you’re ready — to get customer feedback. You may think he’s talking about a software launch, but when I read it I thought of all the writing projects sitting on my desktop. Gotta launch ‘em.

Oh, and this, as always, is important: “Companies of one need to be relentless in what they say no to, since plans, tasks, distractions, meetings, and emails, though they may all seem productive to a team at first, can become counterproductive quickly if not well managed. In saying no to anything that doesn’t fit, you leave room to say yes to those rare opportunities that do fit — opportunities that align with the values and ideas of your business.”

If you’re reading Brass Ring Daily, I have a hunch you’re a company of one, too! So say no often, launch early, and don’t forget to take a nap. Before you watch the Cats trailer, because it's definitely going to haunt your dreams.

Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Love, Kara