Archive - Today I...

Behind-the-scenes advice for busy solo professionals courtesy of Michael Katz, Blue Penguin Development

Archive

2026

June 29 … am eating breakfast in a Portland, Maine diner.
June 19 … am reading a book about specialization.
March 27 … backed up all my email.
March 26 … asked a simple question.
January 27 … am reading a book called Alchemy.
January 13 … saw an ad for “Boston Globe Weather.”
January 06 … received an email from Ryan McCormick, M.D.

2025

December 30 … unsubscribed from 8 lists.
December 22 … parted ways with my accountant.
December 19 … was on time.
November 17 … went to a doctor.
November 12 … saw snow falling.
October 28 … received a set of keys in the mail.
September 18 … sent someone a refund.
September 16 … didn’t hire a client.
August 12 … received a nice testimonial from a client.
August 11 … am exactly twice as many days old as my son Evan.
August 06 … sent a thank you note to a podiatrist.
July 30 … heard that exam “blue books” are back.
July 28 … read a post by Dave Barry.
July 07 … had coffee with my friend Dave.
June 23 … have been unemployed for 25 years.
May 21 … had a good laugh.
April 30 … received a $180 credit.
April 10 … read an article about travel.
April 02 … received an interesting LinkedIn message.
March 28 … signed a two-year lease extension for my office.
March 10 … published a newsletter with a missing link.
March 03 … was surprised.
February 04 … ate three doughnuts.
January 24 … read about the presidential inauguration.
January 09 … am sick.
January 06 … updated all my copyright dates to 2025.

2024

December 18 … made a newsletter suggestion.
December 11 … wrote in Calibri, 12 point.
December 09 … wrote a 1,500-word newsletter.
December 04 … almost deleted an email by accident.
November 28 … did not send a standalone, “Happy Thanksgiving” message to my newsletter subscribers.
November 18 … received an email promotion.
November 08 … found a birthday card under my car seat.
October 28 … read the TV listings in the newspaper.
October 14 … have been married for 35 years.
October 10 … did not win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
October 08 … heard someone say the word “coincidental.”
September 30 … have been publishing a newsletter for 25 years.
September 12 … learned something about Google’s home page.
September 04 … received an email from Joel.
August 06 … waited six minutes for my 2:30 pm call.
August 02 … played the “newsletter resend game.”
July 25 … walked into a doctor’s office.
July 17 … unsubscribed from a terrific newsletter.
July 08 … arrived at a broken web site.
July 05 … unsubscribed from four email lists.
May 30 … reconnected with an old friend.
May 13 … almost made a mistake.
May 10 … made a cup of coffee.
April 29 … left my phone in the car. Again.
April 25 … was gifted a vanilla bean scone.
April 16 … sent a reminder email.
March 25 … have 23 emails in my inbox.
March 20 … received a gift in the mail.
March 05 … received three newsletters (at 10 am).
February 26 … have received five messages.
February 22 … saw a post in my Instagram feed.
February 21 … have updated the look of this newsletter.
February 15 … received an email from LinkedIn.
February 05 … received my copy of Wired Magazine in the mail.
January 31 … spoke with a client.
January 17 … let my car warm up.
January 10 … am disappointed in my car dealership.

2023

December 20 … feel very rushed.
December 18 … have my finger on the button.
December 04 … don’t have a Facebook account.
November 28 … have unsubscribed from 8 email lists.
November 21 … am going upstairs.
November 08 … had a presentation run long.
October 26 … saw a LinkedIn post from a job-seeker.
October 24 … was invited back.
October 04 … received an email from a wedding officiant.
October 02 … got an email from the American Red Cross.
September 29 … received two LinkedIn invitations.
September 25 … called my friend Mike.
August 10 … got a new subscriber to my newsletter.
August 09 … am slightly ahead of the curve.
August 02 … had breakfast with David.
July 20 … used AI to summarize a podcast.
July 14 … will be going to dinner with friends.
June 21 … am accomplishing much more than usual.
May 24 … sent a gift to a client.
May 23 … ignored some good advice.
May 16 … am still waiting.
April 27 … checked a link one last time.
April 19 … am all alone in my building.
April 10 … deleted a lot of emails.
March 20 … bought a new keyboard.
March 14 … made a suggestion.
February 23 … listened to a live webinar.
February 07 … received an unexpected note in the mail.
January 30 … scheduled a client newsletter for 8:15 AM.
January 17 … made one small edit.
January 09 … read one statistic.
January 05 … updated the copyright notice on my web site.

2022

November 21 … heard about some snow.
November 17 … found a broken link.
October 31 … wasted the morning.
September 26 … have four things I plan to do.
September 22 … found a typo.
September 20 … heard a story about the subway.
August 23 … am one year older.
August 03 … read an article about National Potato Month.
July 29 … went to the marketing gym.
July 26 … spoke with a restaurant owner.
July 19 … spoke with a new independent consultant.
June 27 … have been unemployed for 22 years.
June 02 … received a sales pitch.
May 31 … am breaking my own rule.
May 25 … went to somebody’s web site.
May 09 … am in Maine
April 21 … had three newsletter topic ideas in a row.
April 18 … watched the Boston Marathon.
April 11 … found a dime in my office parking lot.
March 30 … was asked a question.
March 21 … received three emails on the same topic.
March 01 … returned a call from a stranger.
February 22 … received a cryptic email.
February 14 … have been a father for 29 years.
February 10 … received a follow-up email from Staples.
February 09 … accidentally sent the wrong email to a client.
February 07 … watched an ad for weather.
January 07 … “wasted” half an hour on the phone.
January 05 … had to rewrite a client newsletter.
January 04 … printed out a new weekly activity sheet.

2021

December 13 … am not in Starbucks.
December 10 … published an article on LinkedIn.
December 07 … had a blood test.
November 23 … wrote a 1,300 word newsletter for a client.
November 11 … received three emails.
November 05 … threw Jeff Bezos’ book in the trash.
October 21 … was a speaker at an online conference.
October 14 … have been married for 32 years.
October 07 … spoke with an independent consultant.
October 05 … am sending you an email.
October 01 … have a new computer hard drive.
September 30 … celebrate 22 years.
September 27 … was turned down by a prospective client.
August 18 … heard from a client.
August 11 … received a request to connect on LinkedIn.
July 28 … spoke with a friend.
July 25 … had a “get to know each other” Zoom call.
June 30 … ignored a movie.
June 25 … am back in my office.
June 23 … have been unemployed for 21 years.
June 21 … turned down a request.
June 14 … had my oil changed.
June 09 … sat inside a Starbucks.
May 12 … almost ignored a new client.
April 05 … received an email from Kelly Rourke.
March 26 … had a coaching call.
March 23 … reread the draft of a client newsletter.
March 17 … resent a webinar invite.
March 15 … have switched to the Oxford comma.
March 08 … copied an old newsletter.
March 03 … broke the email rule. Again.
March 01 … still have not resubscribed to Rolling Stone magazine.
February 25 … wasn’t sure what to do next.
February 24 … had a telemedicine call with my doctor.
February 08 … unsubscribed from Michael Lewis’s podcast.
January 21 … got an email from a prospective client.
January 15 … was asked to work on an additional project.
January 04 … am moving slowly.

2020

December 22 … got to my office late.
December 07 … disagreed with my designer.
November 24 … had two unsatisfying interactions.
November 23 … have done three things.
November 17 … made a mistake.
November 13 … got an email from my brother.
November 11 … resent my newsletter.
October 29 … purchased a patio umbrella.
October 28 … was asked about my services.
October 21 … received a question from a long-standing client.
October 13 … received an email that missed the mark.
October 07 … did not win the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
October 06 … broke my own rule.
September 23 … fired a client.
August 31 … am preparing for vacation.
August 19 … really like my clients.
August 06 … read a client’s newsletter.
August 03 … heard a “red flag.”
July 28 … sent emails to a bunch of people.
July 23 … did not get hired.
July 14 … celebrate 100 years.
July 07 … am kind of embarrassed.
June 17 … got to my office at 10 am.
June 09 … logged into an old client’s LinkedIn account.
June 05 … received two emails.
May 26 … heard an old song on the radio.
May 13 … read an article about cruise lines.
May 07 … began work with an old client.
May 04 … am thankful for backup.
April 29 … did not record a video.
April 23 … lost some newsletter subscribers.
April 22 … encourage you to produce more content.
April 20 … read about a brown-eyed girl
April 15 … completed a client project.
April 11 … received an email about the Corona virus.
April 09 … called my health club
April 06 … am not sweating the small stuff.
April 01 … am wondering.
March 30 … shaved.
March 27 … emailed my friend Martin.
March 26 … received another “wash hands” email.
March 24 … got to work late.
February 24 … closed the door on a prospective client.
February 07 … had someone unsubscribe from my newsletter.
February 04 … wrote my newsletter.
January 30 … called an electrician.
January 14 … planted another seed.
January 10 … read about a new bus route in Michigan.
January 09 … have set up my tracking sheet for the first half of the year.
January 02 … well, OK, this started yesterday.

2019

December 02 … received a new pair of glasses in the mail.
November 14 … sat next to a client in a meeting.
November 13 … received a follow-up email from my bank.
November 07 … heard a radio ad for a rug company.
November 06 … am watching my office building being painted.
November 01 … told somebody my last name over the phone.
October 18 … received an email from a financial planner.
October 17 … am thinking about yesterday.
October 14 … have been married for 30 years.
October 07 … did not win the Nobel prize in medicine.
September 24 … have three questions for you:
September 23 … am checking the stats of my most recent newsletter.
September 04 … was asked what my hourly rate is for copywriting.
September 03 … am publishing content.
August 26 … heard an interesting quote.
August 22 … received a birthday email from my dentist.
August 01 … spoke to a human being.
July 24 … attended a networking lunch event.
July 03 … am going home early.
June 21 … spent all morning rewriting my home page.
June 20 … read an article about email newsletters.
June 10 … have been talking with the cable company.
June 07 … had a conversation about newsletters.
May 30 … sent an email to a bookkeeper.
May 22 … received an email from my local library.
May 08 … have run out of teenage children.
May 01 … scared away a prospect.
April 18 … checked my “broken links” report.
April 17 … am reviewing some statistics.
April 10 … swallowed six pennies.
April 09 … received an email looking for advice.
March 26 … ate some oatmeal.
March 20 … sent my taxes to my accountant.
February 28 … got a call from an old client.
February 20 … read that YouTube has updated its community guidelines.
February 12 … read a story in someone’s newsletter.
February 05 … spent way more time than necessary.
February 04 … am working at Panera Bread.
January 25 … talked to someone who doesn’t have a Twitter account.
January 23 … received an email with a long email signature.
January 21 … will be speaking with a prospective client.
January 16 … watched a three-minute YouTube video.
January 10 … had my credit card compromised.
January 08 … had a call with a new client.

2018

December 20 … was turned down by a potential client.
December 11 … got buried in the bureaucracy.
December 06 … sent out a promotional email for a friend’s product.
November 27 … was hired by two different former clients.
October 30 … was hired by a new client.
October 18 … received a spam phone call.
October 10 … was charged a $10 cancellation fee.
October 02 … have yet to hear from the Nobel committee.
October 01 … sent a snail mail follow-up to webinar attendees.
September 19 … left my computer’s power cord in a client’s office.
September 14 … sent a survey to subscribers, asking about an upcoming webinar.
September 13 … began work with a new client.
September 11 … had breakfast with a friend, a financial planner.
September 05 … didn’t charge somebody for my advice.
August 15 … received a friendly email from an online vendor.
August 08 … got an email from a new client.
August 06 … read a useful article about e-newsletters.
August 01 … mailed three birthday cards.
July 16 … reread the newsletter I published last Friday.
July 10 … have 12 fewer people on my newsletter list than yesterday.
June 27 … received a thank you gift in the mail.
June 21 … have five things to do, all written, that require creating, editing, and/or coaching on.
June 15 … begin work again with an old client.
June 14 … read a story about a viral video.
June 13 … saved $50 off my monthly Verizon bill.
June 04 … have new license plates for my car.
May 31 … received an email with an odd greeting.
May 23 … read something in a magazine.
May 08 … received an email from a newsletter subscriber.
May 01 … am writing something very complicated.
April 26 … am rewriting somebody’s bio.
April 17 … got an email from Beth.
April 13 … forgot my computer at home.
April 03 … received an email from the New England Business Association.
March 28 … saw my doctor.
March 19 … sent an email to webinar registrants.
March 16 … referred one colleague to another.
March 06 … received an email called Significant Digits.
February 28 … am in love with Staples of Milford, Massachusetts.
February 27 … had breakfast with a new colleague.
February 14 … received an email from Norm.
February 13 … am working on my back-up computer.
February 08 … am writing a newsletter.
February 07 … called a doctor’s office.
February 06 … called “Customer Service.”
February 02 … am writing about the “Today I” message I sent you yesterday.
February 01 … got a call from my neighbor, Rick.
January 25 … sent a special offer to people on my newsletter list.
January 19 … saw a truck with the words “Equine Transport” printed on the door.
January 09 … got to my office about an hour later than planned.
January 05 … received an odd compliment.

2017

December 20 … received an email from Accurate Consulting Group.
December 14 … was mentioned in a client’s newsletter.
December 07 … received a check for $440.20.
December 04 … received two emails.
November 21 … got an email from Ken.
November 16 … saw my doctor.
November 15 … went to the supermarket.
November 10 … went to the doctor.
November 06 … am contacting podcasters.
October 30 … tried to send someone a thank you note.
October 26 … made an appointment to speak with someone I’m thinking of hiring.
October 24 … have been asking for help.
October 11 … spoke with a potential coaching client.
September 20 … am in need of a handyman.
September 13 … received a follow-up call from Verizon.
September 12 … have a new profile photo on LinkedIn.
August 23 … had a difficult discussion with a designer.
August 21 … am plugged back in.
August 17 … was asked a question by a client.
August 07 … was asked by a prospect, “Why should I hire you?”
July 28 … renewed my driver’s license.
July 26 … sent a thank you note.
July 24 … suggested a wording change.
July 05 … received a nice email from a long ago contact.
June 13 … am creating a new webinar.
May 23 … listened to a company CEO talk on the radio.
May 19 … had a good idea for a future newsletter.
May 18 … read about an interesting finding.
May 08 … have a son turning 18.
May 02 … moved an app on my phone to my home screen.
April 27 … received a newsletter.
April 03 … received an email from my bank.
March 31 … didn’t give up.
March 24 … have a new office chair.
March 01 … got a new sign-up for my newsletter.
February 28 … sent out a “last chance” reminder for my webinar tomorrow.
February 23 … got an email from Amazon.
February 21 … was notified of a failure.
February 14 … published a client’s newsletter.
February 08 … stated a fee to a prospective client.
January 31 … am waiting to hear back from a prospective client.
January 30 … deleted one of these “Today I” posts before sending it.
January 11 … added text alerts to my company credit card.
January 05 … have been contacted by two prospective clients.

2016

December 22 … unsubscribed from about the 10th mailing list this week.
December 20 … spoke to two real estate attorneys.
December 07 … received a chilly email.
December 05 … got a very short email from a company promoting an upcoming event.
December 02 … drove 30 minutes for a meeting.
November 30 … got some new business cards in the mail.
November 17 … am helping a new client prepare for their newsletter launch.
November 03 … listened to an election-related anecdote on the radio.
October 18 … met with a prospective email newsletter client.
October 14 … am celebrating my 27th wedding anniversary.
October 13 … was asked a simple question.
October 04 … bought some paint.
September 27 … sent a second email to my list.
September 19 … walked away from a potential project.
September 15 … started my snowblower.
August 26 … am in control of my office air conditioning.
August 23 … got an email from my accountant.
August 15 … read three blogs/newsletters.
July 27 … got a call from somebody looking for “Ralph.”
July 19 … closed the door on a prospective client.
July 15 … received a gift from Michelle.
July 06 … received an apology note from a vendor.
June 23 … am celebrating.
June 16 … called my attorney.
June 13 … received an envelope in the mail from a bookkeeper.
June 07 … got an email from a friend.
May 27 … got an email from somebody I had hired.
May 24 … read an email from August 2015.
May 18 … was turned down for a project by a prospective client.
May 13 … received an email from a prospective client.
May 09 … heard the accountant across the hall talking to the UPS guy.
May 05 … have 601 subscribers to this blog.
May 03 … spoke with somebody about maybe hiring him.
April 26 … rewrote parts of my web site.
April 14 … received a request to edit something I wrote.
April 06 … heard from two members of my Content Club.
April 04 … have accomplished nothing.
March 23 … took my dog to the vet.
March 21 … heard from a friend who got laid off last week.
March 17 … told a potential client that I wasn’t a good match.
March 10 … launched something early.
March 08 … told a prospect I could probably help her.
March 01 … responded to people who “liked” an article I posted on LinkedIn.
February 24 … used up a $50 Starbucks gift card.
February 12 … made $400 in 7 minutes.
February 02 … received a newsletter.
January 28 … asked for a 50% deposit from a new client.
January 26 … answered a newsletter question.
January 18 … sent a bunch of “nice to meet you” emails.
January 13 … got an email from my graphic designer.
January 05 … spent 90 minutes on the phone with a consultant.

2015

December 16 … got to my office at 10am.
December 11 … picked up a Sports Illustrated while waiting in the doctor’s office.
November 30 … spoke to a prospective client.
November 24 … am finishing a book about storytelling.
November 16 … am preparing for a full-day, private workshop I’m giving in Toronto this week.
November 05 … received a question via email.
November 03 … gave somebody his deposit back.
October 28 … got an email from my friend, Robert.
October 27 … am six weeks into testing a new idea.
October 22 … stood up while presenting a webinar in my office.
October 20 … didn’t sign a contract.
October 13 … still have not heard back from the Chamber of Commerce.
October 09 … ordered more photo stamps.
October 08 … had someone thank me.
October 06 … wrote in Calibri.
September 30 … am asking for testimonials.
September 28 … sent a check.
September 24 … “wasted” two hours in the middle of the day.
September 17 … shared the newsletter of one client with another.
September 14 … took control.
September 11 … got a note from an email newsletter client.
September 09 … repeated myself.
September 01 … am reviewing something I finished writing yesterday.
August 31 … made a list of 13 things that I intend to get done this week.
August 26 … met with a prospective client.
August 14 … threw out a good story.
August 11 … launched something new.
August 10 … offered a discount.
August 06 … took a walk.
August 04 … didn’t get hired.
July 21 … asked my attorney to review a contract.
July 15 … still haven’t heard back from a new client.
July 13 … suggested that a client purchase a domain name.
July 02 … sent a survey to my newsletter subscribers.
July 01 … read a blog post from Bernadette Jiwa.
June 22 … celebrate 15 years since I left my last job.
June 22 … woke up early.
June 17 … told somebody to start writing.
June 16 … sent away a prospect.
June 11 … got an email from Jana.
June 09 … called somebody on the phone to talk about her business.
June 02 … updated my email signature to reflect a change in my business focus.
May 28 … read an article about robots.
May 21 … just realized that my shirt is on inside out.
May 20 … am unhappy with Budget Rent A Car.
May 18 … read a quote by Joseph Campbell.
May 12 … have been fooling with my web site.
May 08 … am waiting to hear back from my tech guy.
May 06 … replied to a newsletter that I received.
April 24 … have been promoting a free webinar I’m offering next week.
April 14 … received a signed contract and deposit in the mail.
April 13 … got an email from Sharon (she’s a writer).
April 02 … reposted a newsletter I wrote last year.
April 01 … read an email newsletter success story.
March 31 … have lost 9 newsletter subscribers.
March 26 … received eight email newsletters.
March 24 … read a blog post which described, in detail, how to sell an online product.
March 17 … got a visit from 1992.
March 11 … listened to a salesman at my local coffee shop.
March 10 … called the 800# on the side of the Grey Poupon jar.
March 03 … got a call from a woman about speaking at an event in May.
February 24 … was hired by a new client.
February 20 … got an email from my gym, asking me where I’d been.
February 18 … went to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
February 09 … am listening to artificial coffee shop noise.
February 04 … got hired by a terrific new client.
January 26 … suggested to a client that we hold off on publishing her newsletter for an extra day.
January 19 … received a holiday card at my office.
January 14 … earned $177.30.
January 12 … updated the copyright on my web site to 2015.
January 08 … am thinking of switching to a Mac computer.
January 06 … got a call from a prospective client.

2014

December 17 … listened to a telemarketer.
December 10 … helped someone simplify the way she describes her work.
December 08 … went to the web site of someone whom I met the other day.
December 03 … asked someone, “What type of client is a perfect match for you?”
December 01 … got an email from someone who wanted to know about fees.
November 24 … got together for 90 minutes with my friend Deborah.
November 18 … received an enthusiastic thank you email from a client.
November 11 … am preparing for a webinar that I’m presenting tomorrow.
November 07 … received a snail mail letter from my friend Dianna.
November 03 … received two books in the mail from Mike Michalowicz.
October 28 … make some edits to a page on my web site.
October 20 … had lunch with my friend Will.
October 16 … found a broken link on my web site.
October 10 … took my dog for a walk in the woods.
October 08 … received 8 chocolate bars in the mail.
October 07 … received a wonderful email note.
October 02 … finished up a year-long marketing class.
September 30 … added LinkedIn and Twitter icons to my web site header.
September 29 … got a nice note in the mail.
September 26 … didn’t send a promotional email to everyone on my list.
September 22 … sent 500+ snail mail cards promoting a free webinar I’m offering on Sept 30th.
September 16 … sent out a promotion for a webinar I’m offering tomorrow.
September 11 … posted long format content on LinkedIn.
September 04 … began work with a new client.
August 28 … updated my web site to include my mission in life.
August 25 … received an email from someone in my Marketing One Year class.
August 14 … was talking to another solo professional at the gym.
August 04 … am rereading a book called Do The Work, by Steven Pressfield.
July 30 … have six fewer newsletter subscribers than I did on Friday.
July 18 … heard somebody walk past my open office door.
July 17 … told a potential client that I didn’t think I was right for him.
July 15 … launched a new product.
July 14 … received a newsletter from a company.
July 03 … got my lawnmower fixed.
July 01 … received 7 emails in response to an article in yesterday’s NY Times.
June 27 … received a one-sentence email from my friend Ron.
June 26 … am asking for help.
June 23 … am close to launching my 45-part marketing program.
June 17 … bought a new laptop computer.
June 11 … launched the Blue Penguin affiliate program.
June 10 … am already looking forward to playing basketball tonight.
June 09 … am thinking about an important question.
June 02 … sent an email to someone who had endorsed me on LinkedIn.
May 30 … have been hired for two new projects.
May 29 … received a nice testimonial.
May 28 … set the date for my company ice cream party this summer.
May 12 … increased the font size on my web site by about half.
May 08 … received inquiries from three potential clients.
May 07 … joined a service called Clarity.
May 05 … helped a client “prelaunch” his web site.
May 01 … didn’t feel like coming to my office.
April 28 … spoke with a lawyer.
April 24 … visited the web site of someone whose blog post I had stumbled upon.
April 23 … spent 10 minutes connecting with people on LinkedIn.
April 17 … spell-checked a webinar announcement before sending it.
April 14 … have been thinking about something.
April 08 … spoke with a friend who is preparing for a meeting tomorrow.
April 04 … attended a small networking breakfast.
April 02 … sent a book to each of the people who’ve signed up for my One Year Marketing class.
March 26 … read an article in the Wall Street Journal about “likeability.”
March 24 … decided to create a 60-day video course.
March 21 … gave someone a copy of my book.
March 18 … launched a free, 5-day video course.
March 17 … received a “please unsubscribe me” email.
March 13 … have 84 new subscribers to this blog.
March 10 … changed my email signature to include a message about my Marketing One Year program.
March 06 … sent my mom a birthday card from my computer.
March 05 … made $2,500 in one hour.
March 04 … attended a small “user group” meeting for a service I use.
February 25 … rolled out a new one-hour webinar.
February 21 … published my newsletter.
February 18 … spent time on a low priority project.
February 13 … received an invitation for a “meetup.”
February 10 … reformatted my computer hard drive.
February 06 … celebrate 26 years since the day I first met my beautiful wife.
February 05 … finished preparing for a talk I’m giving tomorrow.
January 31 … am preparing for a talk I’m giving at a trade show next week.
January 30 … connected one client with another.
January 29 … received a complaint.
January 23 … made a note in my calendar.
January 20 … am celebrating Penguin Awareness Day.
January 17 … read an article about making your blog standout.
January 15 … announced my pricing webinar for next Wednesday
January 14 … went to a 9AM meeting, an hour’s drive from my house.
January 08 … realized that I’ve never heard back from a new client.
January 07 … have been fooling around with a service called MindMeister.
January 03 … received an e-mail from “Christopher McIntosh, Publisher.”
January 02 … am back at work after a full week off.

2013

December 18 … took some time to display the holiday cards I’ve received on my credenza.
December 16 … got an e-mail from someone who wants to reuse an article I wrote.
December 10 … am loving a service called SoundGecko.
December 09 … turned down an invitation to speak at a business event.
December 02 … left myself a voicemail.
November 26 … began reading a book about explanation.
November 22 … was invited by a client to their “holiday open house.”
November 19 … am publishing my 100th entry on this blog.
November 14 … asked the guy who serviced my snowblower:
November 11 … spent all afternoon trying to post a video on my web site.
November 06 … quoted a price to someone and he said,
October 31 … have been writing “Happy Halloween” in my emails.
October 29 … called someone back who had left me a message.
October 24 … purchased a new URL for the Today I web site.
October 22 … received an email from someone thanking me for a card I sent via snail mail.
October 17 … told someone who emailed to inquire about my upcoming newsletter course that it probably wasn’t a good match for her.
October 15 … sent a “hope your event goes well” note to a colleague whose announcement I received.
October 07 … sat next to another dad at a basketball game while our sons were playing.
October 04 … asked someone what he did for a living and got a 10-minute answer.
October 01 … sent a friend a link to an article.
September 30 … was in Starbucks with an hour to kill before a lunch meeting.
September 25 … spent half an hour after breakfast reading a business book.
September 23 … decided I won’t take on any new business until November.
September 20 … got a voicemail from a colleague who had just received a promotional e-mail from me.
September 18 … have added 15 new people to my newsletter subscriber list (and it’s only 1pm).
September 17 … attended a business conference (Constant Contact’s #onecon)
September 13 … launched a new blog.
September 11 … gave a client a free copy of one of my webinars.
September 09 … sent a joke gift to a client (actually, it was last week).
September 05 … added 21 new subscribers to my newsletter list.
September 04 … printed out a short version of my bio.
September 03 … Spent 45 minutes on the phone with an old client.
August 26 … subscribed to the Boston Business Journal.
August 22 … increased the font size of these posts when sent as an email.
August 20 … received an email from the place I bought my car with the subject line: “Customer Birthday.”
August 15 … called my own voice mail.
August 14 … received an email from a newsletter reader who pointed out a typo in my last issue.
August 08 … had to switch to my back-up computer when my primary died.
August 07 … went to see a doctor for a problem I’ve been having with my knee (don’t ask).
August 01 … began work with a new client who handed me an initial deposit.
July 31 … spent an hour with a consultant whom I hired to help me think through certain aspects of my business.
July 29 … had a phone conversation with a prospective client.
July 25 … sat in the Chicago airport waiting for a plane home.
July 22 … referred a designer after someone complimented me on my new web site.
July 17 … celebrated my company’s 13th birthday with an ice cream party.
July 16 … drove 40 minutes to have coffee with a client for about an hour.
July 15 … got a thank you note from my accountant, regarding the birthday card I sent to her.
July 11 … sent a handwritten note and a copy of my book to a new client.
July 10 … launched a new mini blog and only told a few people about it.
July 09 … went back to the gym, after having been out for over a week on vacation.
June 28 … am going on vacation for a week.
June 27 … emailed a new client who was late in paying an invoice.
June 20 … recommended a book to my friend, Jim.
June 18 … spent two hours writing in a coffee shop.
June 17 … had a guy come to the house to give us an estimate on new windows.
June 13 … offered to sell 50 copies of my book
June 12 … went to check on my subscription to Inc. Magazine,
June 11 … paid someone one day after receiving his invoice.
June 07 … paid $789.50 to a designer
June 06 … took a 20 minute walk outside
June 05 … received an email from a newsletter reader
May 31 … combined, rewrote and reconfigured a few of the pages
May 29 … responded to an email from someone
May 28 … agreed to let a bank in another part of the country reprint
May 24 … sent a handwritten thank you note to someone
May 22 … called someone who was having trouble receiving the log-in information for my webinar
May 17 … purchased the newly published book of a colleague
May 15 … gave a container of “official” blue penguin paperclips
May 12 … sent a “custom haiku and free pair of ‘cat socks'”
May 10 … received the email below from my bookkeeper.
May 09 … spent 15 minutes talking to one of my newsletter readers
May 08 … went to a networking meeting and had nice conversations
May 07 … spent an hour sitting in my office,
May 06 … had some work done
May 03 … sent a suggestion to a company regarding their affiliate program
May 01 … registered for an educational/networking event
April 30 … sent a thank you note
April 25 … bumped into a guy
April 22 … received a note from One Year Program alumnus,
April 19 … took responsibility for a mistake
April 17 … am leaving early to go home
April 11 … listened to a radio program
April 10 … picked up my son Jon’s sneaker from the dry cleaner.
April 04 … spent 20 minutes on the phone
March 29 … wrote a newsletter
March 28 … drove 45 minutes
March 27 … politely badgered a client
March 19 … used my “lines I don’t cross.”
March 15 … well, actually, this was a few days ago.
March 13 … read for about 30 minutes
March 12 … cancelled a $9.95 per month charge
March 10 … am working in my office
March 08 … received an email from my buddy
March 05 … spent half an hour on the phone with a client
February 28 … sent a book to someone
February 27 … took a 30-minute nap
February 21 … ordered a book on Amazon for a client
February 15 … spoke to a guy named Paul.
February 14 … sent a “check-in email”
February 12 … read an article that talked about being more likeable.
February 11 … feel sick.
February 06 … was hired by a woman I’ve known for years,
February 04 … received about 25 requests
January 31 … met an old client for coffee.
January 30 … noticed that I was getting a bunch of newsletter subscribers
January 29 … read an article in the Boston Globe
January 28 … got an email announcing a free webinar.
January 25 … returned a phone call

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