Feelin' Good with Marie: the week where I catch my brain lying, plan Alaska in six days, and find out my problems are just feelings in costume
Happy Sunday!! hope you enjoy the world cup.
The wall keeps moving
There’s a voice that shows up at the end of every long run. Mile whatever, it goes: “Okay!! That’s it!! We’re DONE here!”
Last week it was at mile 8, and I kept going. This week even further.
I always thought I was hitting my limit, or would fail the next time around. Like I wouldn’t be able to finish.
Except, I do it. Then I wonder: if these limits are just illusions/stories in my head, where else am I applying that?
I can run further than I thought because I never tried. So how about with work? Or life?
Food for thought…
The six-day rule
We planned Alaska in six days. Barely a plan at all, flew into Anchorage and figured it out. Glaciers, wild animals, rain on the tent, cheddar fondue (!!!).
And it made me realize: almost everything great in my life was decided FAST.
If you wait long enough, your brain replaces “what if it’s amazing” with “what if it’s annoying.”
So here’s the rule I’m testing: if something makes you feel small and alive at the same time, you get six days. Book it or lose it.
What’s the trip that’s been dying in YOUR tabs?? Your six days starting now ⏰
Do things that don’t scale (with people)
Since we started building our creator program, only 2 people have ever told us no.
Two!!
By the time we ask, we found them ourselves, watched their videos, got on a call, heard their story. They can tell we actually SEE them.
Everyone wants a platform and automation for finding good UGC creators. We tried those but the only thing that worked was the embarrassingly old-fashioned manual way of actually spending time looking.
There is no software for caring and there never will be...
Thing of the Week: check if it’s a feeling
Went to an unconference session for YC founders with Amy Buechler that left me feeling amazing (i love her and everything she does)
I need a mind mapping technique which includes lot of circles and arrows. I will spare you the flow chart but here’s a takeaway:
Most “problems” are feelings wearing a problem costume.
Fear, overwhelm, pressure, shame, all feels like these huge problems we have to solve. But they are feelings inside our bodies.
And the difference matters, because problems get PLANS and feelings get PROCESSED.
So this week’s Thing is a question: next time something feels heavy, ask “is this a problem or a feeling?” Half the time, there’s nothing to solve. There’s just something to feel, and then it moves on.
(Also from Amy: if you’re relying on motivation to get through the week, you have a goal, not a vision.)
You have to be kidding
Can you tell Michael and I love these throwback tech memes?
okay there is DEFINITELY a bubble
Quote for you
“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” - Rabindranath Tagore
Book the trip. Sign the creator. Run the extra mile. Staring doesn’t count!!
And that’s the week!!
Until next time: feel the feeling.
Marie 💕 💕 💕 💕