2024: the year I start taking my own advice

because the "perfect" moment doesn't exist

#WednesdayWisdom

“you’re overthinking because you really care—you don’t want to fail. you don’t want to let people down. but no amount of planning, worrying, or over-analyzing can give you control over what happens next. breathe. loosen your grip. experience life as it comes.” ~

Michell C. Clark

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Morning Musings

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the best when it comes to practicing what I preach. As I wrote in my first book, Stop Waiting for Perfect, it’s okay for other people to fail and make mistakes, but not me. Never me.

Well, in 2024, I’m doing my darndest to be done with that thinking. Yes, I can make mistakes, too. I don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect before launching. Case in point: the new merch for said book.

I’ve been sitting on this idea since forever. Truth be told, I’d planned on designing and selling merch with the original title, Trust Your Dopeness, long before we had to pivot to SWFP. Point being, much like my podcast (season two is coming soon, I promise!), I’m notorious for waiting for perfect—despite writing an entire book encouraging you all to do the contrary.

In my business coaching session with

Jenni Gritters

last week, she encouraged me to quit overthinking. To simplify. It’s almost as if my brain was like, “sorry, cannot compute.” Me? Simplify? Yea, right.

Then I read The 12 Week Year in one sitting on Saturday based on the recommendation from a few social media friends. Now, when I tell you these white men dragged me for absolute filth on the third page. Particularly this part:

“You can be smart and have access to lots of information and great ideas; you can be well connected, work hard, and have lots of natural talent, but in the end, you have to execute. Execution is the single greatest market differentiator.”

Well, okay, Brian and Michael, you don’t have to yell! Then these white dudes had the audacity to take it even further, which led to the second dragging that I rightfully deserve:

“You create things twice; first, mentally, then physically.”

So often, I have the ideas (and the information, and the connections, and the talent), but fail to actually create the product (hello, merch). Well, this is the year we start experimenting and executing and, dare I say, have a little fun in the process.

Chances are you’re like me and you have Big Ideas. But also, if you’re like me, you need to get out of your own damn way. So put on your Big Girl Panties (or whatever your equivalent is) and do the damn thing. Start small. Start imperfectly. But please, for the love of Beyoncé, just. friggin’. start!!

This year, in addition to my theme of Elevated & Empowered (for how I want to show up in not only my business, but also life), I’m giving myself permission to Experiment & Execute. I hope you’ll do the same.

What ideas are you sitting on? How can I help you thrive? Let me know in the comments! I want 2024 to be the year we all do the damn thing, whatever that thing is!

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Get Your Official SWFP Merch

We’ve got totes, too! Grab your mug and tote at the link below. I can’t wait to see y’all rocking your merch. 💜

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Voting Ends Sunday, Jan. 14!

Alright, friends! We’re just a few days away from the deadline to vote for Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago awards! I’m nominated in the best nonfiction writer and best new nonfiction book categories in the Arts & Culture section and would greatly appreciate your support. Let’s add award-winning author to my bio, shall we?

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Upcoming Events

Here’s where you can find me the next few weeks. I’m really excited (and anxious) to be making my debut as an official yoga teacher this month!!

• Jan. 25: Yoga for Fertility series with Pulling Down the Moon

• Jan. 27: Community Care Workshop: Creating & Setting Your Intentions for the New Year with Sista Afya

• Jan. 31: New Moms Nest with Nia’s Nest

• Feb. 25: Book Club with The Groove Chicago

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In Case You Missed It

I made my writing debut with Peloton over the holiday break! In this article, I talk to experts to learn why (gasp) it’s okay to sleep in on the weekends. I also wrote another story for Expectful; this one is about setting boundaries as a new mom.

I also had the pleasure of chatting with fellow writer Bailey Lang about all things publishing, perfectionism and parenting in her newsletter, Word to the Wise!

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Links I Love

• tina turner + sweet berries + danny ocean (

  SHINE BRIGHT HQ
  )

• Claudine Gay’s resignation at Harvard proves Black women’s leadership is still political (The 19th)

• Time to Enter Your Successful Era (Balanced Black Girl)

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Now Hiring

1. Director of Communications for Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective

2. Senior Writer, Employee Storytelling for The New York Times

3. Lawmaker Communications Manager for The States Project

4. Executive Assistant for Next River

5. Chief Partnerships and Impact Officer for Gradient Learning

6. Program Coordinator for Cave Canem Foundation

7. Integrated Marketing Director at GoFundMe

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Stop Waiting for Perfect is Out Now!

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Thank You

A special thank-you to April, Cait, Amanda, Harleen, Megan, Najja, Jessica, Priti, Cat, Jenna, Mallory, Rachel, Angel, Sarah, Camesha, Vix, Anna, Stephanie, Dominique, Tiffany, Emily, Mabinty, Lindsey, Casey, Lynnae, Dani, Amanda, Raina, Abigail, Sharon, Kristen, Heather, Renae and Jennie for becoming paid subscribers and helping to fuel this newsletter. I truly appreciate your support! 💜

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