"Who do I know that if I spent more time with, I'd be a better version of me?"

Too many times, I've thought I could do it on my own. I wanted to be self-made. Why did it matter?

Who cares.

Since leaving that unhelpful mindset behind me, I've received guidance, advice, and help from incredible humans. Relationships that would never have happened with my former beliefs.

This thought hit me when I took a bite of scrambled eggs with a close friend. I am infinitely better through relationships with other people.

It is better to be built by many rather than only one.

Enjoy this week's letter:

Marketing Micro Essay 💡 New podcast ep!!

(Time to read: 3:40 minutes)

Season 2 of my podcast is finally here.

To start the season right, I released an intro and two interviews. The first interview is with a dear friend, Thomas Ciampa.

You can find the episode below or click here.

We discuss SEO, websites, and content. Here are the top five takeaways from the episode with a link to read the micro-essay:

1. Good marketing balances brand and performance

2. SEO is evolving, not dead

3. Website design is critical for user experience and SEO

4. Discipline solves many problems in life and work

5. You are worthy no matter what you've accomplished

Click the link below to read more of my commentary on these insights.

Read my five takeaways from my conversation with Thomas

Three Books / Three Quotes

“While the artist’s goal is greatness, it’s also to move forward.
In service to the next project, we finish the current one.
In service to the current project, we finish it so it can be set free into the world.”

– Rick Rubin (The Creative Act: A Way of Being)

“People who can quickly distinguish what matters from what doesn’t gain a huge advantage in a world where the flow of information never stops.”

– Shane Parrish (Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results)

“To know a person well, you have to know who they were before they suffered their losses and how they remade their whole outlook after them.”

– David Brooks (How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen)

Heard / Saw / Experienced

Heard:

Failure is good.

So then, one must ask, how can I help people feel safe enough to fail? That's leadership.

I loved this episode on the Six Pixels of Separation podcast with Amy C. Edmondson. She has written on psychological safety and explores the concept of failing and how we can do more of that together.

To ultimately make more progress.

Love this podcast and think you'd enjoy this episode:

Click here to listen to the episode

Saw:

What the hell is the show Fargo?

I started watching it with my wife a few days ago, and it's oddly satisfying. Aka, I can't stop watching.

I'm on episode 4 and still trying to understand why it keeps me returning. I love reverse engineering shows, but I'm struggling with this one.

I enjoy it for the accents, the unique style of the Midwest, and the intricate and engaging plot. I'll report back once I get through more.

If you've watched it, I'd love your thoughts on why it's irresistible.

Experienced:

Defeat.

While I hate feeling defeated, there is good in it. My ego is nonexistent when I feel that. I also realize my tendency to sulk in sadness.

This week was rough for me. Even though I released season two of my podcast and am hitting one year with my job, I struggled to feel those achievements.

Instead, I focused on the areas I came up short.

Moving forward, I will focus on my wins to help inspire gratitude. How do you avoid getting stuck on feeling defeated?

With the podcast coming out this week, I had little time to write. Check by next week for a new life micro-essay.

Until then, stay well. Praying for peace and progress for you.

– Jo (every second counts)