Absolutely, because it’s September right now.
That’s the best thing about Septembers.
That’s the best thing about Tuesdays.
That’s the best thing about thirteenths of months.
That’s the best thing about right heres and right nows.
What have you been putting off? What are you afraid of? Is lack of momentum smothering your energy, focus, optimism, and ability to be grateful?
I have great news!
You’re not alone. People you love are struggling, too, right now. You have friends who are struggling. You have family who are struggling. You have me, too.
For four years, we wrote pert-near every weekday. Then, suddenly, I could no longer stand the sound of my own author’s voice. It wasn’t writer’s block. I don’t believe in writer’s block. For all of us, ideas are everywhere if we open our eyes and ears and hearts and minds.
It was something far more sinister – call it The Enemy or The Great Dragon (as Scripture does), call it Lizard Brain (as Seth Godin does), call it Resistance (as Steven Pressfield does)… heck, call it Mel.
Whatever that toxic sludge slathered in your every creative nook and cranny is? Name it.
It’s time to leave Mel.
For me, I know God is with me. He’s given me certain gifts and talents to use to help others. So, too, it’s true for you.
But Mel is always lurking… always ready to pounce and tempt and tease and… hmm… besmirch. Yes, besmirch! (Somewhere my friend Rosslind is smiling.)
Outlast Mel.
What matters to you? What do you have to say? How can you offer your God-given gifts and talents to your world? Your community?
Because, by stepping up, and doing what you were meant to do, you’ll not only peel off the sludgy layers of Mel, you’ll start to shine for others by example with your words and deeds.
I have no interest in becoming a rainbow-unicorny motivational moonbeam writer and speaker. I do believe you have to be willing to do the work and be brave, and I don’t believe every single person in the world is capable of doing every single thing, nor will I ever try and sell you something that preaches that.
But I do believe you woke up this morning with a purpose. It may be plastered in plaque. It may have atrophied given Mel’s ability to distract us with an ever-increasing number of beeps, buzzes, and squirrels.
But I had to write this to get past that. I’m committing to publishing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I might publish more; I will not publish less. Every other Wednesday we’ll be publishing a podcast we can’t wait to tell you more about. I’ll also publish a weekend digest edition to which you can subscribe instead.
We’re going to talk about marketing and management and communication and leadership and family and team and engagement and try and be the least full-of-crap words on the web.
If, as a byproduct of our work, you’re motivated to meet your Mel head-on and move right on by to do the work you were born to do, then I will feel very blessed.
But, first and foremost, I’m doing this for Him. I’m doing this for me… for my family… I’m doing this because it’s who I am.
Here’s the funny thing: In one way or another, it’s who you are, too.
And there’s no greater gift than today: Tuesday, September 13th, 2016.
On this day at this time in this place, let’s say together:
“Up yours, Mel.”
See you tomorrow, okay?
