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Greetings Friends! 

This is my last PivotList of the year before going into holiday hibernation mode. My final meeting of 2020 is scheduled for Friday, and I don''t know about you, but I am READY TO REST! What. A. Year.

To think that it started for me by getting woken up in the middle of a cold night on January 1 to take lil'' pup Ryder out for an emergency potty session. There I was, half asleep and freezing, picking up runny stool. Is this a sign for how my year is going to go? I wondered at the time.

Hah! In hindsight I can say, yes. Yes it was . . .

#2020

??  Speaking of Ryder, if you have a furry (dog) friend in your life (as so many families did adopt while WFH this year!), or you want to give a gift to a family who does, here''s my ongoing list of Ryder's favorite things. 

For another favorite holiday gift, check out Harlem Candle Company''s bestselling candle that might as well be an actual Christmas Tree: Essence of Winter Spruce. I love this scent!

Now onto this week''s round-up of resources . . . 

?? READING: A poignant piece on The Losses We Share by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex:

"Some have bravely shared their stories; they have opened the door, knowing that when one person speaks truth, it gives license for all of us to do the same. We have learned that when people ask how any of us are doing, and when they really listen to the answer, with an open heart and mind, the load of grief often becomes lighter - for all of us. In being invited to share our pain, together we take the first steps toward healing."

I also just re-read Unsubscribe: How to Kill Email Anxiety, Avoid Distractions, and Get Real Work Done by Jocelyn Glei. Anyone else going to declare email bankruptcy at the end of this year from 2020 messages you didn''t get to? Pairs nicely with a 2009 throwback, The Tyranny of E-mail: The Four-Thousand-Year Journey to Your Inbox by John Freeman.

?? WATCHING: Strike a match, light your new Essence of Winter Spruce candle, and throw this 8-hour YouTube video on in the background, with a relaxing fireplace and crackling soundtrack: ? Christmas Ambience: Winter Wonderland. Bonus: cozy up further with a Heated Throw - I use mine every day!

??  LISTENING: Christmas Classics on Spotify, as well as the Schitt''s Creek Soundtrack.

For a favorite recent podcast, check out this fantastic conversation between Tim Ferriss and Jerry Seinfeld: A Comedy Legend''s Systems, Routines, and Methods for Success. It''s a must-listen for anyone who creates or captures ideas for a living. Pair that with my episode from earlier this year on why it''s a superpower to be highly sensitive (even sometimes cranky): 209: On Seinfeld, Sensitivity, and Trend Spotting.

??  EATING: I''m not sure if they deliver to your area, but if you want wine dropped off at your doorstep without having to venture out, the Drizly app is my go-to. Save $5 if you use referral code sthdx at checkout.

??  TOOLS: Camo - "Look amazing on video calls. Use your iPhone or iPad as a pro webcam and get powerful effects and adjustments for Zoom, Meet, and more." Shoutout to Linda Warner for the recommendation!

That''s it for now . . . THANK YOU for reading and listening, for your support, and for being part of this adventure with me. I am grateful for you every day.

Wishing you and your loved ones the happiest holidays, and I will see you in the new year! 

??  With Love, 

P.S. Did you get this forwarded from a friend? If so, sign-up for your very own PivotList here to get my curated weekly(ish) best-of-the-web round-up :) And subscribe to Pivot with Jenny Blake wherever you listen to ''casts! 

Hi Friends,  

I hope this PivotList finds you and your families well! What a trying year we''re in . . . and I doubt it will let up, given that we''re in a major election year here in the states. The sad state of our political process is that powers-that-be will likely try everything to create more confusion and chaos-on all sides-to win. As Julio Vincent Gambuto''s viral Medium post states, Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting.

I just heard a meme that 2020 is now an adjective, one akin to "hot mess" or "disaster." As in, Ugh - that''s so 2020! Hah. I am still looking for the silver lining, and no doubt there is tremendous positive change afoot with the national sustained protests and even the Facebook advertising boycott. 

That said, does anyone else feel totally exhausted and lacking in motivation? Or maybe it''s just me, NYC humidity, and the hourly evening "bespoke" fireworks that have woken me and my family up 5-10 times a night for almost a month now...

As for the Pivot podcast: I'm taking a short break to pause and design what's next for it content-wise. Over the next few weeks, I''ll be releasing the full series of conversations with Penney Peirce, who is family to me now and consistently named as a listener favorite when I get feedback notes.

After our first interview together in 2016, we jokingly started naming these follow-up conversations "The Penney & Jenny Show." Until now, these interviews were spread out over the last four years - now they'll be bingeable as a consecutive series :)

??  PIVOT PODCAST LISTENERS-I''D LOVE YOUR VOTE IF YOU HAVEN''T ALREADY! 

For nearly five years I published new podcast episodes weekly. Then when the pandemic hit I shifted to daily for three months, and now I''m piloting another format by releasing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Which frequency is your favorite? Cast your vote by clicking below, and you''ll get a surprise bonus :)

What frequency of new Pivot podcast episodes do you enjoy most?

• Weekly (on Sundays) 
• Daily (7x/week)
• Mon, Weds, Fri (3x/week)
• I don''t listen . . . yet :)

I'd love to hear what else is on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey ?

Now on to this week''s round-up of resources . . . 

• ??  PODCASTING: Latest episodes: 
  • [Best Of] Penney & Jenny 2: Dreams and 24-Hour Consciousness (May 2016)
  • [Best Of] Penney & Jenny 1: Intuition and Frequency (April 2016)
  • 244: Design The Life You Love with Ayse Birsel
  • 243: Crowdfunding Venture Capital And Accessible Angel Investing with Chuck Petid
  • 242: Nahko-Take Your Power Back + "Love Letters to God" Live
  • 241: Get Off Autopilot & Be Your Own Benefactor with Antonio Neves

• ??  FEATURED: I talk to Clint Padgett from Forbes Books about the importance of clarity in conversations, whether introverts are better at introspection than extroverts, and tips on how to strengthen your mind.
  
  

• ??  READING: Sarah Young of Zing Collaborative has a weekly Friday Favorites newsletter that is thoughtful, thorough, and expansive. I am only sorry that I have been missing out by not subscribing sooner! (Scroll to the bottom of the homepage to sign-up)
  
  

• ??  WATCHING: Osby Berry''s beautiful rendition of one of my favorite devotional songs, So Will I (100 Billion X), originally by Hillsong United. ?? Album version is here ?
  
  

• ??  LISTENING: Speaking of devotional songs, I listen to a variety across religious and spiritual lines. I''m a little shy to share this with you, but here''s my Spotify playlist of songs that move my spirit ??
  
  

• ??  TOOL: Two subscriptions I just signed up for (as an experiment) to make life a little more convenient, caffeinated, and beautiful: Trade Coffee and Bouqs (for myself or a monthly reminder to deliver a bouquet of joy, gratitude, or celebration to a friend :)
  
  

That''s it for now . . . THANK YOU for reading and listening, for your support, and for being part of this adventure with me. I am grateful for you every day!

??  With Love, 

Hi Everyone,

What a tear-jerking sight to see our first elected female Veep (among so many other meaningful firsts) giving her acceptance speech last week! This weekend Padma Lakshmi shared a moving NYT OpEd about what it meant to her: Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Moved Me to Tears.

I first learned the election had been called upon hearing that now-familiar pandemic sound of pots and pans clanging outside of our windows. We didn't have the TV on, so at first I thought Michael was just watching a loud movie! Then I realized, with tears in my eyes, that Pennsylvania had been called. While walking Ryder in Central Park shortly afterward, there were such feelings of camaraderie, hope, reverie, and relief among passersby-at least in New York City.

I loved seeing the sparkle and genuine heart-based leadership on display during the acceptance speeches. This year has been such an intense exercise in staying present and increasing our capacity to deal with uncertainty. And now, here''s hoping for some reconciliation and relief, in spite of the ongoing shenanigans. 

This week on the podcast, Dr. MJC returns for our 16th (!) episode in the Pivoting Around a Pandemic series, and shares his experience as a participant in the Pfizer vaccine trial. Listen in: Dr. MJC on Vaccine Trial Updates and Post-Election Pivots

?? FREE UPCOMING EVENT FOR ENTREPRENEURS: REINVENTING YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESS - WORKSHOP ON 11/23

I''m super excited to be teaming up with two of my business besties and most inspiring friendtors, Dorie Clark and Mike Michaelowicz, to jam in a free virtual workshop on reinventing yourself and your business. It's coming right up on Monday, Nov. 23rd at 12pm ET/ 9am PT/ 5pm GMT.

Our mission is to cover a range of topics and practical tips to help you: 

• Take control of your business
• Build on your unique passions and talents
• Develop a unique personal brand
• Determine what''s already working in your business and double-down on it
• Move past burnout and depletion from the events of this year
• Amplify your best ideas and create a game-plan for sharing them in 2021

?? Register here to join us! 

Now onto this week''s round-up of resources . . . 

• ??  PODCASTING: 255: Dr. MJC on Vaccine Trial Updates and Post-Election Pivots and 254: The Practice-On Generosity, Peculiarity & Showing Up with Seth Godin
  
  
• ??  FEATURED: I was honored to write the foreword for Lisa Lewis Miller's brand new book! Career Clarity: Finally Find the Work That Fits Your Values and Your Lifestyle. "Career Clarity gives you the soulful framework you need to empower you to feel alive, joyful energy in your work; to trust your capabilities to reach for bigger challenges; and to confidently make your next move - no matter where your life or career leads you."
  
  
• ??  READING: Another first for the new administration! An adopted presidential pup :) It warmed my heart to read the NYT's Dogs Return to the White House. President-Elect Joe Biden's two-year old German Shepherd pup, MAmir, will be the first shelter dog to live in the White House. 
  
  
• ??  WATCHING: I normally don't enjoy psychological thrillers (aren't we all stressed enough?!) but I can't help but delight in the cityscapes and emerald-toned high fashion of Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant in an unraveling Upper East Side murder mystery on HBO Max, The Undoing. Warning: there are some graphic scenes in the first few episodes as partial flashbacks unfold. 
  
  
• ??  LISTENING: Seth Godin has been brilliant everywhere he appeared for his podcast tour, and I particularly enjoyed the dynamic conversation on Mitch Joel''s Six Pixels of Separation podcast.
  
  

  There's a reason celebrities reading mean tweets became an instant internet sensation. It's the humor and humility with which they deadpan truly mean gibberish, transmuting it in the process. So you can imagine my delight this weekend to discover a podcast among similar lines, hilariously titled "Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet." From their show description: 

  "Is your beach too sandy? Water too wet? Ice too cold? More importantly, do you feel like yelling about it on the internet? We're here to help. Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet features dramatic readings of one-star reviews written by people who just need to have their voice heard." 
  
  

• ??  TOOL: Perhaps more relevant for pre-pandemic times, but nonetheless - for those sensitive to sounds and loud rooms or venues, the SoundPrint app allows you to gauge the volume where you are, whether it's at safe levels or ones amenable to conversation, and even share that information back out with others. 

That''s it for now . . . THANK YOU for reading and listening, for your support, and for being part of this adventure with me. I am grateful for you every day!

??  With Love, 

Hi Friends, 

How are any of us supposed to sleep for the next week?! Your guess is as good as mine. I certainly don''t have any answers, but I have been doing a lot of reflecting this year. 2020 has been a year of reckoning in every way. Today''s podcast is a quick on-the-go-isode, recorded on-the-go on my iPhone while throwing the frisbee for Ryder in the park. Although it's a bit noiser than usual, I hope you enjoy the New York City soundscape.

So many of us were feeling incredibly hopeful and optimistic heading in to this new decade. In keeping with the theme of radical reimagining, my hope is that this episode helps you reflect not just on the theme you set at the start of this year, but what theme has chosen and shaped you.

Key questions:

• What are you secretly relieved has dissolved or disappeared this year?
• What are the different permissions granted, that you might not have had the courage to do on your own?
• What word chose you this year?

I''ll repeat what I said last week: I am sending love, hugs, and high fives to all of you for making it this far into this crazy year, and deep breaths as we approach the election here in the U.S.

Friendly reminder, too, that I have a special interview with Seth Godin launching Tuesday - and it has nothing to do with politics if you need a place to rest and recharge! We recorded in early September, and it was Seth''s book (and subsequent conversation) that helped me "dust the rust off" after my summer podcasting hiatus.

Grab a copy of Seth''s The Practice: Shipping Creative Work, and listen to his latest Akimbo episode, Books Matter, on how "books transcend time and space." 

Now onto this week''s round-up of resources . . . 

• ??  PODCASTING: Latest episodes:
  • 253: MIRACLES-What was your word of 2020?
  • 252: On Spiritual Awakening, Faith, and Surrender
  • 251: Listener Q&A on (Furry) Imposter Monsters
  • 246: What is Your Job Today? (You Decide)
  • 245: Radical Reimagining (and Recovery)-Everything is Up For Grabs

• ?? FEATURED: Hilary Sutton''s Hustle & Grace podcast - such a delightful conversation! On Navigating Change and Radically Reimagining the Future. And thank you Hillary for all the additional feedback on my pivot-in-progress after we stopped recording :) 
  
  

• ??  READING: Gearing up to read Eula Biss''s Having and Being Had, hailed by the AP (and others) as "A sensational new book [that] tries to figure out whether it''s possible to live an ethical life in a capitalist society. . . . The results are enthralling." 
  
  

• ??  WATCHING: Reruns of SNL''s 2016 season on Hulu - they are oddly soothing, and it''s surreal to see cast members hugging freely and shaking hands with strangers in Times Square (IMAGINE?!) . . . sad to realize how shocking the simplest social gestures have become, but thank goodness they temper it with so much smart humor. This 2020 season has been on of their best, IMHO! 
  
  

• ??  LISTENING: Somehow the link escaped last week to Sarah Young''s Weekend Grooves playlist on Spotify! Linked again for your listening pleasure. Be sure to also subscribe to Sarah''s fantastic Friday Favorites round-up (scroll to her website footer). The page I linked to also has a free Fall Intentions download-everything she creates is thoughtful, beautiful, and inspiring. 
  
  

• ??  TOOL: This is more of a mega piece of physical equipment, but I''m so excited - ordered a Tonal strength-training system earlier this summer after reading this feature in the NYT: The Race is On to Be the Peloton of Weight Lifting. It arrives any day now! Michael and I have already cleared a living room wall . . . forget optimizing for hosting guests (#2020), home gym here we come :)  

That''s it for now . . . THANK YOU for reading and listening, for your support, and for being part of this adventure with me. I am grateful for you every day!

??  With Love, 

Hi Friends,  

I am delighted-who are we kidding, OVERJOYED!-to introduce you to one of my favorite artists of all time, Nahko. How does one even begin to thank one of their biggest heroes?!

Nahko is an artist, a seeker, a storyteller, and a medicine man through soulful music. I love that his music sits at the intersection of deep personal introspection with incredible activism and social justice.

He and his band, Nahko and Medicine for the People, have provided the soundtrack to everything important in my life these last five years: solo journeying, writing and then launching Pivot, meeting my husband, getting married, and now navigating the 2020 coronacoaster.

?? Listen through the end for a special acoustic performance (yes, I almost fainted!) followed by bloopers of me at peak nervous-awkward interviewing :)

??  Check out full show notes from this episode with links and favorite songs ?

??  PIVOT PODCAST LISTENERS-I''D LOVE YOUR VOTE! 

For nearly five years I published new podcast episodes weekly. Then when the pandemic hit I shifted to daily for three months, and now I''m piloting another format by releasing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Which frequency is your favorite? Cast your vote by clicking below, and you''ll get a surprise bonus :)

What frequency of new Pivot podcast episodes do you enjoy most?

• Weekly (on Sundays) 
• Daily (7x/week)
• Mon, Weds, Fri (3x/week)
• I don''t listen . . . yet :)

I'd love to hear what else is on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey ?

Now on to this week''s round-up of resources . . . 

• ??  PODCASTING: Latest episodes: 
  • 241: Get Off Autopilot & Be Your Own Benefactor with Antonio Neves
  • 240: The Beauty of Conflict with CrisMarie & Susan Campbell
  • 239: Resilience and Compassion Fatigue with Colleen Pelar
  • 238: 5 Re-Orienting Inquiries for Revolutionary Times
  • 237: 16+ Software Tools Behind the Pivot Podcast

• ??  FEATURED: I share why this is the summer of self-education in CNBC''s 5 ways for Gen Z members to learn or earn in a pandemic summer of busted plans ?
  
  

• ??  WATCHING: Alone on Netflix - filmed with survivalists in the Arctic . . . so good! And so. cold. ?? Perfect for humid, sweaty NYC summer days ?? 

  The Great Beauty is a GORGEOUS Italian movie filmed in Italy; an instant classic and beautifully done must-watch.
  
  
• ??  READING: No Filter-The Inside Story of Instagram
  
  
• ??  LISTENING: Super introverts unite! Loved Jonathan Field''s interview with Ann Pachett on Solitude, Writing & Indie Bookstores ?
  
  

• ??  TOOL: I love Canva for quickly creating images and design assets; it''s cloud-based so you can easily collaborate with team members and on mobile. They just announced an accompanying desktop app which is a great addition to the suite!
  
  I also loved this podcast interview that the (Australian) founder Melanie Perkins did with Guy Raz for his How I Built Resilience series ?

That''s it for now . . . THANK YOU for reading and listening, for your support, and for being part of this adventure with me. I am grateful for you every day!

??  With Love, 

Hi Friends! 

Long time no talk . . . it is great to be back :) This message was drafted "July 16" ??  and you know how it goes sometimes, especially in #2020: a week passed, then two, then I fell into the pit of sleep-deprivation despair (see also: nightly bespoke fireworks as I shared in episode 245: Radical Reimagining-Everything Is Up For Grabs).

And then I started to sleep, and lean deeper into the pause, while re-airing the entire Penney & Jenny series on frequency and intuition in August.

And then!

I started cooking up an entirely new-but-related direction (more on that in the coming months) . . . because what''s the point of writing a book called Pivot if you''re not going to read the tea leaves of change, energy, and creativity and pivot! 

As I said in March, we all got pivoted this year-big time-and if you''re not questioning everything, now''s the time! It''s also the time to VOTE. Please, pretty please, do that if you haven''t already (or register if you plan to go in person). 

One of the strangest things that happened for me during this #2020pocalpse is that I stopped reading books. Books are oxygen for my soul, and ever since I was a kid I''ve read at least one a week (minimum). They are my teachers, best friends, inspiration, recharging station, and refuge.

But with the business challenges resulting from halting all travel and all speaking gigs, raising a puppy during this time who just turned one! gratuitous pic below, and adjusting to a whole-new-NYC, I have not had the energy or focus to read beyond my daily hold-it-in-my-hands NYT and weekly New Yorker. This is the equivalent of saying "I haven''t had time to eat." It does not compute! 

This last week was the first time I tore through a book in months, and it truly massaged my brain-even the cover speaks to my book-loving spirit! I have avoided all books with the T-word in the title these last four years, but this one (and another brilliant gem called On Tyranny) escaped my filter. Read on below to get the book I just mentioned, and all my best recs this week :) 

I am sending love, hugs, and high fives to all of you for making it this far into this crazy year, and deep breaths as we approach the election here in the U.S.

I have a special interview with Seth Godin launching that very day - and it has nothing to do with politics if you need a place to rest and recharge! I can''t recommend his new book The Practice: Shipping Creative Work highly enough! You can pre-order now :) 

Before we get on to this week''s round-up . . . here''s my proud dog-mama Ryder pic (and my Amazon recs for his favorite things if you also brought a furry friend into your home this year!) What a joy . . . they are truly angels in fur coats :)

Now onto this week''s round-up of resources . . . 

• ??  PODCASTING: Latest episodes:
  • 251: Listener Q&A on (Furry) Imposter Monsters
  • 250: Staycation in the City
  • 249: Self-Defense Strategies with Sensei Ando Mierzwa
  • 248: Horseshoe Theories and Ongoing Pandemic Pivots with Dr. MJC
  • 247: Cultural Appreciation and Remote Team-Building with Chris Littlefield
  • 246: What is Your Job Today? (You Decide)
  • 245: Radical Reimagining (and Recovery)-Everything is Up For Grabs

• ??  FEATURED: Lawyerist''s #285: From Career Plateaus to Pivots, with Jenny Blake and How to Become a Career Coach''s The 3 Stages of a Coaching Business and How to Pivot Between Them (where I accidentally entered my Cranky Curmudgeon mode and ranted about misconceptions surrounding becoming a coach, and why I stopped taking on new 1:1 clients in 2020)
  
  

• ??  READING: And now for the big reveal! My latest brain massage book to make sense of WTF is going on in America . . . What Were We Thinking: A Brief Intellectual History of the Trump Era. Author Carlos Lozada read over 150 books from the last four years (on all sides of the political spectrum) and synthesized them in a succinct, beautiful, incisive, humorous way. Do not pass go without also picking up your pocket-sized copy of On Tyranny: 20 Lessons from the Twentieth Century.
  
  

• ??  WATCHING: On Netflix - Call My Agent! BRILLIANT. Dream Home Makeover (delightful!) and Get Organized with The Home Edit (they can be squeaky, but I loooove what they do. #colorcodingalltheway) Check out their gorgeous suite of books too ?
  
  

• ??  LISTENING: Sarah Young''s Saturday Morning Grooves on Spotify, and for a related playlist checkout my Walking In the Sun Yoga tunes :) 
  
  

• ??  TOOL: Earlier this year I transitioned all of my business operations to Notion - it''s so epic that it replaces Docs, Sheets, AirTables, Evernote, checklists AND MORE. I''ll share more on exactly how I''m using it in a future newsletter, and I highly recommend Marie Poulin''s Notion Mastery course ?
  
  

That''s it for now . . . THANK YOU for reading and listening, for your support, and for being part of this adventure with me. I am grateful for you every day!

??  With Love, 

Hi Elijah, 

As someone who is quick to hit "unsubscribe" myself, I promise I will treat your subscription with great care, bringing you the most helpful tips and tools from 'round the web on a weekly(ish) basis. To do that, I'd love to learn more about you.

Which of the following best describes your Pivot adventures? Click on the description below that resonates most, and you'll be redirected to a surprise freebie :)

• Pivoter: Making moves within your role or organization, or looking for another full-time position that helps you feel inspired and energized, confident that you're growing and making a positive impact.
  
  

• Side-hustler or solopreneur: Getting off the ground building a heart-based business, either full-time or as part of a Pivot portfolio. Looking for support setting up systems that help you grow with ease and joy-to earn twice as much in half the time (as was my goal when I pivoted into self-employment after leaving Google in 2011).
  
  

• Manager: Seeking ways to expand for yourself and your team. Interested in coaching tips and tools for accelerating "aha moments" in career development conversations.
  
  

• People Operations / HRBP: Creating scalable career development solutions within an organization, such as an internal "drop-in" coaching program and/or employee and manager career development workshops.

Thank you in advance, and I can't wait to bring you even more of what you're looking for!

If you have any special requests, you can also let me know in this super quick 5 question survey (just for fun, visit this page to respond via chat bot :)

Have a specific question you think others could benefit from? Leave me a brief audio note for a future Listener Q&A episode of the Pivot Podcast.

Warmly, 

Hi Friends! 

I hope this message finds you-who are we kidding-well? Anxious? On the edge of your seat? Unable to sleep through the night? Hitting refresh on your preferred news site 100x per hour? At least if you are state-side...if not, maybe you''ve just got popcorn in hand watching our democracy teeter on the balance. 

My husband Michael remarked that watching election night coverage (we never watch TV news) reminded him exactly of the sights and sounds of WWE when he grew up. Hah!

I often debate with myself whether to express how I *really* feel here about politics, etc. (friends of mine know I love a good ol'' "cranky curmudgeon" rant!) Truth, authenticity, and integrity are important values of mine, and I love being as transparent as I can.

At the same time, what this week has made clear is that there are 70 million people (give or take) on both sides of our political aisle. (I''ll save my rants on the limits of our two-party system and polarized news media for another time.) Everyone has their reasons for voting how they do, and the fact that we had record turnout means that so many of us are passionate about important aspects of our future! I don''t like blanket statements, assumptions, or disparagement surrounding those reasons any more than you do.

For now, I''ll just say this: My hope for the future is that we can build bridges across the aisle. That, together, we can transcend bullsh*t click-bait, algorithmic social media that siphons us further into partisan rabbit holes, and take our power back from talking heads on TV (or anywhere else). It starts at home, with our neighbors, and in our own cities. 

?? The Practice-On Generosity, Peculiarity, and Showing Up 

Speaking of starting at home, I was *delighted* and honored to have Seth Godin on the podcast this week to reconnect us with our life-giving creative projects, through his new book The Practice.

As he shared in our conversation, "The marketing-industrial complex has been on a tear for a hundred years to make almost everyone feel inadequate, because it''s the single best way to sell you something. If that game isn''t giving you joy, don''t play that game."

Seth Godin is an inventor, thought-leader, contrarian, mentor, mensch, and an ongoing inspiration to so many of us. Listen in as we celebrate our (almost) ten-year friendiversary and discuss a range of topics for those in the business of playing with ideas: shipping creative work even when tired, generosity and building with word-of-mouth in mind, choosing which information "rooms" to hang out in online, Tik Tok and social media tourism, and speaking to (and selecting for) the yearning of the people you seek to serve.

Although I'm at my awkward finest when interviewing my biggest heroes, Seth chief among them, I hope you enjoy this conversation on all things leadership and creativity :)

Now onto this week''s round-up of resources . . . 

• ??  PODCASTING: Latest episodes:
  • 254: The Practice-On Generosity, Peculiarity & Showing Up with Seth Godin
  • 253: MIRACLES-What word chose you this year?
  • 245: Radical Reimagining (and Recovery)-Everything is Up For Grabs
• ??  FEATURED:
  
  • The Best Thing with Antonio Neves: What You Can Learn In a Pandemic with Jenny Blake. Antonio''s new book Stop Living on Autopilot is available for preorder!
  • From earlier this year, Leanne Hughes' First Time Facilitator: 22 facilitators and trainers answer: What I wish I''d known before starting my business (Episode 120)
  • Michael Devellano''s Automate & Grow Podcast (thank you DC for the introduction!) - I had so much fun riffing with Michael on this one about all-things business :)   
• ??  READING: 
  
  • Brain Wash: Detox Your Mind for Clearer Thinking, Deeper Relationships, and Lasting Happiness (h/t Alexandra Franzen)
  • ReadTheGeneralist.com via MBS: "A newsletter for those curious enough to go beyond the headlines and understand how technology is changing the world."
  • NYT's Modern Love: He Married a Sociopath: Me. Having dated more than one sociopath in my twenties (UGH, #LearnTheHardWay) it was fascinating to read this perspective, and see how they''ve made it work. 
• ??  WATCHING: Former Googler and viral TikTok'er Sarah Cooper's standout inaugural special on Netflix! Must watch: Everything's Fine
  
  
• ??  LISTENING: A cornucopia of election-related pods, until you can't stand it anymore: Axios (via MJC), The Ezra Klein Show, The Daily - after that, perhaps jam to this background Chill music playlist via TheWhat
  
  
• ??  TOOL: Better Touch Tool for Mac users to improve trackpad functionality 

That''s it for now . . . THANK YOU for reading and listening, for your support, and for being part of this adventure with me. I am grateful for you every day!

??  With Love, 

Hi Everyone,

What''s on your holiday wishlist that you can''t quite bring yourself to invest in? In the past, two items sat atop my aspirational-yet-practical wishlist for over a decade: a Dyson vacuum and Tumi carry-on luggage (never has the latter been so irrelevant). Now I have both, and I am in fact, obsessed. My per-use value (and joy) far outweighs what seems like an expensive price tag. 

I have also pined a long puffy coat for at least 10 years, since the mornings when I was living in CA, training for a triathlon in 2009. For inquiring minds, I finished nearly last in the swim portion after panicking at the start line, then switching to a backstroke the rest of the way to calm down. 

But now a few things have changed: I'm in New York, walking Ryder once or twice a day, the weather has turned freezing, and the pandemic has given us all permission for upgraded PJs.

So, I bought myself a sleeping bag masquerading as a coat and I have never been happier. Now I look forward to leaving the house when it''s freezing out! This coat is warm, light, and delightful. I feel like a marshmallow wrapped in a cloud, and I don't care how ridiculous I look because I am so cocooned. And yes, I proudly wear my Comfy on dog walks too (thank you mom for that great gift last year!). 

How about you? What''s your must-have purchase that you''d recommend to others this year, large or small? I''ll share the top suggestions in next week''s PivotList :) 

Now onto this week''s round-up of resources . . . 

??  PLUGS: I''m thrilled to back Sarah Santacroce''s Kickstarter campaign to help her fund and launch The Gentle Marketing Revolution book. I was honored to co-write the foreword with Penney Peirce, and jam for a podcast together earlier this year on self-care for introverts, empaths, and HSPs (Highly Sensitive People). Listen here ?

?? READING: The Almanack of Naval Ravikan. Filled with pearls of wisdom, I loved this one in particular: "Become the best in the world at what you do. Keep redefining what you do until this is true."

?? WATCHING: Ted Lasso on Apple TV - such a lighthearted, good-humored, much-needed pick-me-up. Thank you Sarah Young for the recommendation!

??  LISTENING: Jonathan Fields'' fantastic interview with Matthew McConaughey for the Good Life Project. Right from the opening, McConaughey shares this gem (for context, he doesn''t wear a watch):

"I am working and I''m peddling, day-to-day I have a lot of responsibilities, and I''m good at that. All of a sudden, what I find is, I''ll get ahead of time. Meaning, is it 6:00 yet? It''s 4:22 - ah geez, well slow down, slow down.

If I click off and check out to have my time in nature, be outside, get back with the rhythm that''s outside of my vertically stacked responsibilities, I can come back and go...what is it? It''s 3:15...and I look at the clock and it''s 3:17 - OK, there we go, I like it.

A minute or two behind is my favorite spot - to be just a hair off, like a great drummer, on the back side of the tune, not on the front side of the wave.

Then I find that all those vertically stacked responsibilities - when I''m starting to run on reserve - lays down and becomes lateral in front of me, and I can see it. Instead of the proverbial weight on my shoulders, I can hop from lily pad to lily pad with a lot less stress. That''s what nature gives me - that clock."

??  DRINKING: My all-time go-to daily favorite, deliciously aromatic and flavorful morning tea: Rishi''s Earl Grey.

??  TOOLS: Goody: "Send a gift as easily as a text" - delivered beautifully as well! I made Michael test it out with me :) Their delightful virtual gift-opening experience is perfect for these remote times, and there''s no more guessing (or collecting) mailing addresses-the recipient enters their own info, and you are only billed once they have accepted your gift. Create an account by sending your first gift (this took me about 10 minutes to fumble around and figure out).

That''s it for now . . . THANK YOU for reading and listening, for your support, and for being part of this adventure with me. I am grateful for you every day!

??  With Love, 

Hi Elijah!

I'm thrilled that you're here-I know inbox real estate is a hotter commodity than New York City closet space, so before we go any further, thank you for letting me share a sliver of your time and attention.

Here are a few resources to get you oriented, and making rapid progress on designing this next phase of your life and work:

BOOK: If you''ve hit a pivot point in your career or business and are wondering what''s next, grab a copy of Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One (available in paperback, Kindle, and Audible).

PREVIEW CHAPTER: Check out this free excerpt on High Net Growth Individuals, those (I'm guessing like you!) who prioritize learning and impact over bank account balances, even though they often end up wealthy in both. You will learn how to assess your risk threshold and get a quick overview of the four-stage Pivot Method, a framework to help you quickly and continuously map what's next.

QUICK-START: Recalibrate your compass and set yourself up to find more fun, freedom, and flow in your work:

• CNBC: Former Google career coach shares a visual trick for figuring out what to do with your life
• Business Insider: Forget a 5-year plan - do this instead
• Oprah.com: What Is Your Happiness Formula?
• Fast Company: This Former Googler Used Burnout to Reignite Her Career 

PIVOT PODCAST: And finally, be sure to subscribe to the Pivot Podcast as well, wherever you listen to 'casts! Join me for intimate conversations with authors and friends on finding opportunity in unexpected places through practical tips and tools. You will learn to embrace fear, insecurity, imperfection and intuition as the superpowers they are while navigating the pivot process.

My motto? If change is the only constant, let's get better at it :) 

More from me soon!



 

P.S. Even with all this Pivot planning, don''t forget:

"What you can plan is too small for you to live."
-David Whyte