Ready... Set... Panic?

I have a serious love / hate relationship with starting new design projects.

Maybe you know this routine …

Pursue the work like a hunter on safari
Jump through flaming hoops trying to land it
Party like a rockstar when you win it

… and then …

Abject terror when you actually have to DO IT. 

[ Yes, I’m a frequent flyer on this mental trip. 😜 ]

***

It’s that moment when the dopamine fades, the to-do list starts ballooning, and the pressure to be brilliant sinks in.

That’s when I start Googling things like, “What’s a good career pivot for an over-thinker with a passion for ice cream?” [ Asking for a friend, of course. ]

If you’re anything like me (a recovering perfectionist with a sweet tooth and occasional procrastination issues), then you’ve probably seen this movie before.

The fear isn’t total failure.

It’s that I’ll show up and receive anything less than A+ on my first draft.

Which is even more ridiculous, because deep down I know that’s an impossible, mentally-damaging standard, especially when it comes to creative work.

***

So here’s OUR collective Monday Mantra:

Start scared. Start messy. Start ANY way.

Whatever “start” you’ve been dreading — the sales page, the podcast, the tough conversation, the new offer — give yourself permission to be a glorious, awkward beginner.

It’s not about nailing it on day one.

It’s about showing up, trying again, and celebrating your progress.

Like with ice cream. Or a nap. Or ice cream followed by a nap — the true mark of a productive adult.

Catch you next Monday. Bring a spoon. 🍨😉

Organize EVERYTHING.

Your brain deserves better than a thousand half-finished Google Docs and a desktop that looks like a crime scene.

Enter MyMind: a private, no-fuss way to save and sort ideas, articles, photos, links, notes, etc. — without folders, chaos, or judgment.

Think of it as a second brain that actually calms you down instead of stressing you out.

There’s no rules. No reminders. Just your own brilliant mess, quietly waiting for you when you’re ready.

Ahhhhhhhh … I can feel the tension relief already!

Victory Points

By: Mike Shary
( my board-game-loving, copywriter extraordinaire and mentor, Dad ❤️ ) 

I wish I had a nickel for every time someone said that to me.

I get it.

The only games most people have been exposed to include old “standbys” like Monopoly, or Sorry, or Clue. And frankly … I’ve never enjoyed those boring, cookie-cutter games either.

Inevitably though, once I manage to convince someone to give modern gaming a chance, they’re shocked to discover that they love it!

Virtually everyone tells me they had no idea all the fun they’ve been missing. They look forward to playing and discovering new games. And they become avid game players after all.

As our friend Zig put it, you don’t have to be great to start something new. And it’s the same with gaming.

Over the next several weeks, I’m going to share the best “starter” games that will ignite the fun and enjoyment of gaming for yourself, your friends and your entire family.

First up is a train adventure called Ticket to Ride Europe. (#promo)
 

This game is elegantly simple and can be learned in 5 minutes. Yet it offers enough strategy to appeal to old and new gamers alike.

You’ll collect cards of various types of train cars and compete with up to 4 others to lay claim to railway routes through the great cities of turn-of-the-century Europe.

Will you risk trips through the dark tunnels of Switzerland … Venture aboard a ferries on the Black Sea … Erect lavish train stations in the great capitals of the old empires?

The problem is you can only take ONE action per turn. And there’s a delicious, constant tension between whether to collect resources or claim track on any given turn.

And don’t worry if geography isn’t your thing. All routes are clearly and easily identified on each card. The key is to identify your assigned routes and collect the resources you need to claim the limited tracks you need to complete them before your competition.

Even the end of this game is great fun as each player shows off the creative ways they overcame obstacles and completed their routes.

Ticket to Ride has become an entire franchise of similar train games that started with the original Ticket to Ride USA.

Ticket to Ride Europe is the second game in the series, and it incorporates numerous improvements from the original that make it a great place to start.

Next week, prepare to discover a totally different kind of “first-step” game created by the godfather of modern board gaming.

If you’re ready, here’s a few ways we can work together:

1. Free Brainstorming Session: Stop overthinking and start executing. In this bite-sized strategy session, we'll identify your biggest growth opportunities and ways to implement them immediately.

2. One-on-One Deep Dive: Ready for real transformation? Let's spend 60 minutes mapping out your business evolution. We'll tackle your biggest marketing challenges and create a customized, actionable roadmap for growth. Ideal for entrepreneurs who are done waiting on "perfect."

3. 60-Day Web Accelerator: Join other business coaches, speakers and consultants who've learned to launch fast — and iterate later. This intensive program will build, transform and optimize your entire online system in just 60 days. No more endless tweaking. Just real results.