Hey Reader,
Last Monday, I was on a shuttle heading to Hood River to meet a stranger from the internet - someone I agreed to spend two weeks with in Costa Rica, starting July 8.
This is not even close to the weirdest thing I’ve ever done.
It was one of those perfect moments where openness met timing. I randomly saw a Facebook post from someone looking for strategic marketing support in exchange for an all-expenses-paid trip to Costa Rica. The catch? She needed to book the tickets the same day.
My first thought was, “This was MADE for me.”
Was it lucky? Sure. Jupiter in Cancer for me is like that friend who’s always bringing over wine unannounced - welcome, but you’ve still gotta open the door.
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But luck doesn’t really mean much if you don’t pick it up and run with it.
Luck isn’t passive - it’s something you engage with.
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It’s being willing to put yourself out there, even if you look a little reckless. It’s the rush of adrenaline and the flutter in your stomach when you send the DM. It’s showing up even if you don’t know exactly what you’re getting into, trusting yourself to handle whatever comes next.
The funny thing is, when I finally met the woman behind the Costa Rica trip in person, we had a fantastic mutual connection - one of my speakers at Reinvent(ed) last December.
We spent the day together, and suddenly it was obvious luck had nothing to do with it. I'm a pro, she knew what she needed and put it out there, and it was easy for me to answer the call.
This whole encounter has been the reminder I desperately needed that when you lean into openness, into possibility, you invite luck in. And when luck knocks, you better answer fast, because it doesn’t hang around for long.
I’ve been thinking about how often opportunities slip by unnoticed because we’re waiting for certainty or permission.
Hell, I had a moment where I text my bestie and said, "Is this crazy?" (She said no, and now she's coming, so now you know why she's the bestie.)
I felt this again recently at a Tash Sultana concert at Edgefield with my bonus sister (imagine reggae Brandi Carlile - exactly as many lesbians as you’d guess; I’ve literally never felt safer at a concert). Midway through a song, I had one of those perfectly clear, universal nudges that felt like a tiny divine assignment: just love everyone a little more.
The universe was not subtle. 10 minutes later, a man walked by with a hat that literally said “Love Everyone.”
Message received, Universe.
All that to say: openness isn’t just a vibe. It’s a practice. Maybe you call it luck, manifestation, or just being quick on your feet, but I promise you, your willingness to shoot your shot can make all the difference.
Anyway, next time you see something that feels a little wild but also somehow exactly right, say yes first and figure it out later.
Your own Costa Rica moment might be waiting.
Pay What You Can Sessions are back!
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Every year, I open up a handful of one-off sessions for people who’ve been wanting to work with me but needed a lower cost entry point.
They’re 60-minute Pay What You Can sessions, and I only offer 10 of them once a year - near my upcoming business anniversary in August.
Since 2011, these sessions have sparked everything from new businesses to sold-out launches to fleshing out the next book concept.
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Some people come with a laundry list of questions. Others just want to be witnessed while they figure out what’s next. Regardless of where you're at, I’m here for all of it.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, circling a big decision, or needing some strategic clarity with a side of permission to do things your way, this is for you.
Suggested minimum for these is $100, but/and/also no one will be turned away.
These usually fill in a couple of days, and I haven’t posted about them publicly yet, so if your gut says yes, grab one while you can.
Talk soon,
From the Common Wealth
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Welcome to the Tuesday tastemaker
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