… am not in Starbucks.

Yesterday (Sunday), I needed to write something for a client and didn’t want to drive the five miles to my office. So I went one mile, to Starbucks.

It’s a nice place, and I’m in there at least once a week.

But… I try not to write there.

That’s because I write out loud.

Not just quietly mumbling the way I had to do it in Starbucks. I mean full volume, with emotion. Like I’m giving a talk to an audience.

The thing I wrote yesterday was okay. But when I came in this morning and was able to rewrite it in my usual way, it got way, way better immediately.

Where you work matters. Creating a spot that works for you will improve both your work quality and degree of satisfaction.

(And yes, I wrote all of this out loud.)

… published an article on LinkedIn.

Fifteen minutes later, my colleague Ken invited me to speak on a panel in March.

Was he already planning on inviting me?

Not likely. I haven’t spoken to Ken in months.

The article (which he forwarded with his invitation) prompted him to reach out.

In my experience, people don’t reach very far for solutions, whether that’s finding a new dentist, filling a panel of speakers, or referring one professional to another.

Your job is to stay in front of the people you know, over and over again, in a way that positions you as a likeable expert.

… had a blood test.

The woman who took my blood was a student; I was her second patient (I asked).

After confirming that patient #1 had not died, I gave her permission to move ahead.

It took three tries and two arms (both, unfortunately, mine).

But she got it done. I have no doubt that by the end of the week, she’ll be doing these perfectly.

We all start from square one, whether it’s launching a newsletter, planning a webinar, or taking someone’s blood.

If perfect is a requirement for starting something new in your business, you’ll take a lot of courses and do a lot of rehearsing … but not get much done.

… wrote a 1,300 word newsletter for a client.

Isn’t that too long?

Not in this case.

What matters is covering the topic well. For that newsletter, 1,300 words was exactly right.

The Wall Street Journal averages 54 pages a day. Nobody complains that it’s “too long.”

Your content is equally valuable. Focus on helping the reader and worry less about length.

… received three emails.

All from colleagues who wanted to know if I had seen a recent article about the power of newsletters.

Why me and why this article?

Because I’m known for specializing in email newsletters (and for being distractingly good-looking, but that’s probably beside the point).

When you are known for a particular thing, the mere mention of it has people sending articles your way.

Oh … they also send clients, referrals, and invitations to speak and write.

You can stand out and be remembered by getting better, or you can narrow your focus.