A day isn’t complete without a bit of enjoyment in it.
You need to laugh, to smile, to daydream, to connect, to be a little silly now and then.
These are the things that keep you grounded as you figure out how to grow your business. And that continue to keep you grounded once you have a full roster of clients and are figuring out how to keep up with deadlines, with changes to digital marketing, and with sharpening your own skills.
It can feel difficult to fit moments of levity into your day. But, here’s the thing… it doesn’t have to take lot of time. Five minutes of doing an activity you enjoy can change how your whole day feels.
A few suggestions for bringing more joy into your days through small moments…
Connect with a Friend
In between bursts of work, pause for a couple of minutes to send a friend a quick note that you’re thinking about them. If they respond immediately, indulge in a 5-to-10-minute conversation before acknowledging you need to get back to work.
You can have even more fun with this by setting up a group text with multiple mutual friends and sharing funny moments when they come up. I know one group of friends who shares how many tries it took them to get the daily Wordle. It’s a shared interest and a moment of daily connection that takes just a few minutes.
Do Something You Enjoy But Aren’t Good At
It took me a long time to realize the value in having hobbies that I’m not great at. I’m not competitive about those hobbies and my entrepreneurial brain doesn’t look for ways to monetize them.
Instead, I can just do them for the sheer joy of the activity.
Things like juggling a soccer ball, doing a quick drawing, or practicing a card trick take only a few minutes and they are a complete — and enjoyable — brain break from whatever work item I’m focused on at the moment. And there’s no pressure… it’s all just for fun.
Have a Laugh or Get Inspired
One of the best things about social media is all the funny or inspiring channels out there. Find a few of those that resonate with you, and when you need a quick break, spend a few minutes scrolling the new content. If you get a chuckle or a case of the warm-fuzzies, that’s time well spent.
Short little breaks geared toward pure enjoyment can keep you fresh and focused during your workday… and they can make your day feel more satisfying overall.
In Case You Missed It…
People don’t enjoy irrelevant marketing. Fortunately, first-person data can help you create marketing messages that are more relevant. But you have to know what it is, how to ask for it from your clients, and how to use it. Then, you’ll know about the audience you’re writing to, and you’ll be positioned to give them what they want. In her newest Trends & Technology column, Jen Phillips April digs into what first-person data is and how you, as a digital copywriter, can use it to deliver better results to your clients. Give it a read.
AI is a fantastic, time-saving writing tool. And if you want to stay relevant, you should absolutely learn how to use it. But it’s possible to use AI too much. Even if you’re just repurposing something you’ve already written. And even if you edit what it spits out to sound, well, human. If you want to stand out — and help your clients stand out — then it pays to write like a real person. Bonnie Fanning shares some easy-to-apply tips to give your social media posts an edge. Check out her latest Social Media column here.
Businesses are about to get busy! Yours included. It happens every year right around this time. There’s a big push to get things done between September and the end of the year. And knowing that, you can position yourself to be the one your clients turn to for help. In her most recent Reality Blog, Jennifer Ayling shares some ideas to help you prepare for the upcoming busy season.
Mark Your Calendar
August 27: Developing a growth mindset conveys a lot of benefits to you and your business. You’ll become more adaptable, more confident, and a better problem solver. You’ll even do better at deepening your relationships and communicating. But what exactly is a growth mindset and how do you cultivate one? That’s what this live training session is all about. I hope you’ll join me!
3 Things I Think You’ll Enjoy…
Personalizing emails can go well beyond addressing a reader by their first name. But a good personalization strategy can pay off big-time for your clients. Learn more about personalization and find ideas you can suggest to your clients in this piece.
Working with a client who relies on local business? Check out this local SEO research guide from Neil Patel. (On a related note, Neil is the 2024 Bootcamp Opening Keynote Speaker, which is very exciting news! Check out the details here.)
Telling stories is one of the best ways to connect with an audience and hold their attention. See three simple steps to telling small stories within your marketing materials.
That’s all for now. Have a great weekend!
