In a world overrun by email, there are still a few I actually enjoy reading. One of those is the Creative Groove Newsletter written by the amazing Jen Jones Donatelli. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, or who Jen is I encourage you to look her up, and then to sign up for the newsletters; they are short, punchy, and chalk full of fascinating content from roller skating options, to a grow a forest accountability app, to invitations to learn about cool events in the city such as The Full Cleveland (a 12 hour megahike across town).
One of her more recent newsletters began with the headline: “If you’re looking for five powerful words that can take you to the next level, here they are: ‘Ask, and you shall receive.’” In that letter, Jen relays her own story of pitching herself to an editor at Enslow Publishing back in 2006. She recalls what a “long shot” the ask was, and how she waited for a polite pass to her inquiry for a gig (if any response at all). She didn’t have to wait long for a response, but instead of the anticipated “thanks, but no thanks,” she was offered the job and went on to do really incredible work. She recalls, “…I can say with 100% certainty that none of it would have happened if I hadn’t summoned the courage to send that initial email.” Speaking of courage… Enter Scott Simon, founder of Scare Your Soul. Scare Your Soul is a movement that “inspires people to engage in repeated small acts of courage that lead to big changes.” I recommend signing up for his newsletter too! In it, you will receive weekly challenges to get you out of your comfort zone, and more fully into your life ;) Each month has its own theme around which the challenges are centered. For instance, June’s theme was self-love while July is all about relationships. I am lucky enough to know both of these cool cats which led me to synthesize Jen’s letter with Scott’s mission to come up with my own idea/challenge for all of you who follow. Here it goes: I want you to think of 10 ‘asks’ you have yet to make, but really want to – maybe that looks like asking someone on a date, maybe it looks like asking someone for a job, maybe it looks like asking someone to teach you a new skill, or maybe it looks like asking someone you want to learn from out for a cup of coffee. My asks are all centered around people I one day hope to work/collaborate with (at this point on what and when are TBD). I am so confident in their abilities, and their missions, and their characters that I’m okay with not knowing what these projects look like yet – just that I want to be a part of what they are birthing into the world. The list of those people are below and while it is scary to ask people you idolize to work with you, amazing things can happen if you do (see my note next to number 10). As a nod to something I learned from Randy Pauch in his “last lecture,” I’m hoping that by posting my asks publicly I’ll make it harder for people to say ‘no’ (wink wink). Click here to see Pauch’s speech.
Famous People I want to work with: Lena Dunham, Liz Gilbert, Glennon Doyle, Thrity Umriger, Austin Klein, Taylor Swift…it goes on and on but those are some off the top of my head. I would love if you are reading this if you would just post one ‘ask’ in the comments below. After all, you never know someone who…
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I am a creative writer, a runner, a seeker, a teacher, and a student. I've been practicing yoga since 2014 and story-telling my whole life. Archives
July 2021
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