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Welcome
How Do You Express Productivity?
Madonna said to Express Yourself, so that's what I've been doing this year.
In fact, these past nine months has been one giant experiment. At the start of January, my desire was to unleash my most creative self, and I'm happy to say that she's finally arrived. Was the road a bit bumpy? Sure, but it always is, and you can't make progress without discomfort.
Today, as I sit here typing these words, I am reflecting on what's been working, and there's a lot to cover. Bear with me because I have a point.
First, putting out monthly thoughts without really bothering with a strategy for it has been transformative. It has set free the control freak inside of me, and she's been able to take a vacation. Well deserved, I think, after all these years. She can now come and go as she pleases.
As a result, I find myself less and less concerned with public opinion. That't fantastic. Huge, actually. Being able to speak up without fear of judgement or imposter syndrome creeping in is a big win, and it's what I wish for everyone. We all deserve to have a say, and be the most expressive versions of ourselves. That's the real American dream.
Secondly, the artist within has emerged. I have recorded a collaborative song, due for release soon. Tweaks are still left to be made, but still. My vocal chords have been dormant for far too long, and unleashing that part of me again is what led to this month's takeaway.
You find your voice by using it. Just like with anything else, it's the doing that makes all the difference. A lot of people mistakenly think that you need to find your voice before you can express it. Not so. It's when you use it that you find it. If you are blessed enough to live in a society that allows for free expression, take the opportunity. Leverage your voice in as many ways as possible. Don't take it for granted. Somewhere deep inside, I knew that, but I still hesitated for far too long.
These newfound a-ha moments have set me on a different trajectory, and I'm excited to see where it all leads. I have decided to release an album, for example. No telling when yet because I still have write it, but the pieces are falling into place. Serendipitously, this month's photoshoot gifted me both the cover and the title of that album. You get a small glimpse today with one of the images in that series.
How do you best express productivity though?
Sometimes people ask me what I actually "do" because I don't just focus on talking about work and "getting things done" on social media. My feeds are not as carefully curated as other businesses, and they don't display only offers and services. I also post about people I meet, fun things that I'm doing, and how I'm enjoying life. Whatever I feel like at the moment... It's perhaps an unusual strategy.
Instagram marketers DM me constantly, asking if I need help to "come up with a plan" to increase my follower count. "If you only separated your business account from your own personal stuff," they say, "you would do so much better." That may be, but it would come at the price of having multiple accounts, and once again, muting a part of myself. Thanks, but no thanks. The plan is to have no plan. Interesting words from a planner, wouldn't you say?
I cannot separate who I am from what I do because productivity is a lifestyle. The fact that I have time to be on the road for months while still running my business and coaching my clients speaks volumes. There's plenty of time to have fun, see my friends, record songs, host events, and still get everything done. Productivity is about creating the happiest version of yourself, so I can't imagine doing it any other way - numbers be damned.
How do you use your voice and express your productivity?
❤️
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