Every month I get an email called “Your Monthly Breakthrough
” that provides a cool little exercise or tool to help me in my business and professional life. This month’s breakthrough was about the 5 emails you should send each week. I jumped in and decided to give it a try.
It ended up being easier than I thought. For example, saying thank you (Email #1) was going to happen with or without the breakthrough. But it sure felt good knowing that I automatically have that in my repertoire. I sent a thank you email to someone who sent me important materials that I can really use. It was a no-brainer. The next one, Email #2, took me out of my comfort zone. It is about sending a note to someone you admire. I decided to reach out to someone that I did not know but admired from afar. I figured what could happen? The best I could hope for is to make a connection with someone that I already have interest or respect.
A few weeks ago, I was reading an article about female entrepreneurs and the struggles they have had in starting their businesses. One of the interviewed founders, Alex Bradberry of The Sparkle Bar, had such a simple, yet profound quote that it stopped me in my tracks. She said,
“It doesn’t get easier, you get smarter.”
I don’t know Alex. But I immediately liked the way she thinks. Her quote is relatable.. It’s so true!! In working on our businesses, we gather more and more knowledge, tips, tricks, ideas, processes, procedures, tools, you name it, every day to make us better at what we do. And entrepreneurs eat this up! The work and brain power required to run a business may not have changed, but our abilities to handle it all surely do. We get smarter (whether we like it or not. But of course, we like getting smarter). I second Alex’s sentiment all day long and I sent her an email telling her how much I admired her perspective and her business. I looked up her email address on her company’s website and fired off a short note. Nothing long. I just let her know I read the interview and her quote made my day.
And interestingly enough, I heard back from Alex. She sent me a short, kind thank you! I’m tickled that I probably made her feel really good about her hard work. And I have a new connection with someone that I admire. I already feel smarter.
If you want to see what the other 4 emails are that you should send every week, check out Your Monthly Breakthrough at www.thesoftersideofsuccess.com/monthly-breakthrough.
Jodi Henson is an entrepreneur and business consultant. She works with prospective and existing small business owners to help them overcome challenges and attain their goals. Jodi lives in NE Florida with her husband and family. You can contact her at jodih@jodihenson.com.