The Perks of Failure
The Pick Me Up is a Monday morning newsletter filled with advice, personal stories, and tips to help you get out of bed and jumpstart your week.
Greetings, friend! It’s me, Jen Glantz. I’m writing to you from Brooklyn.
Yesterday my mom mentioned that now is the best time to plant flowers.
They’ll grow by spring she said and I thought about how months and weeks go by and you don’t see anything but the soil looking back at you and you wonder if you did it right, if a shinning marigold will pop out, eventually, ever.
The thing is, you don’t know for sure, but you have to work for *it*, that thing, that beautiful flower or that moment of success even if there’s no guarantee it’ll ever bloom for anyone to see.
This is what I’m reminding myself, on repeat, today.
In this issue: The perks of being a failure, odd jobs to do in your free time, and some of my favorite snacks.
Why you’re getting this: I'm Jen Glantz and this is The Pick-Me-Up newsletter. I've been sending it every Monday, for 8-years, to thousands of awesome humans, just like you. Thank you for letting this email live in in your inbox. It truly makes my heart explode with joy.
Meet Pick-Me-Up Sponsor: Sunsama
If you’re someone who feels like you’re constantly working on something, whether work tasks or life tasks, and you want to give yourself a break, you need a system to help you organize your day, from your to-do’s to what exactly you should start first.
For the past few months, I’ve started using Sunsama, a virtual planning assistant that has helped me establish a routine and pulls in my emails, calendar events, and tasks into one single app, so I know exactly how to focus on my day ahead.
I’m SO happy with the platform. Give it a try and plan your day in Sunsama.
Instant Pick Me Ups
🍪: Whenever I fail at something or get rejected, I try to tell myself this:
Well, that didn’t work out. But Jen….what opportunities can you create for yourself instead?
When every publisher rejected my third book, I published it myself. When podcast companies laughed at my idea for a show, I created it myself and have put out over 250 episodes. When I got laid off from my full-time job, I took the skills from that job and became a freelancer instead and doubled my salary.
What did you fail at recently? How can you create your own opportunity to seek the redemption and success you deserve?
📚: I promote so many books I adore in this newsletter but I often forget to share the books that I have written over the years. So here they are. There are three of them. I hope one day there will be 30 of them. I hope for that more than I hope for anything else.
🎧: Perhaps you need a playlist today that’ll put you in a good mood and make you want to dance. If so, I have your back with this one right here. Listening to it right now and bopping around in my desk chair.
Being a Failure Has Perks
On any day of my life, I am failing miserably at something.
The days I’m crushing it with my business, I’m being an absent friend who forgets to write back to a handful of text messages.
The days I spend writing chapters of my book are sometimes the days I drop the ball on important deadlines for my business or don’t have the energy to write back to pressing emails.
The days I pause to do a workout or cook dinner from scratch are often the days I don’t have time to finish the last four items on my daily to-do list. Those things get piled on top of the sand castle of things I have to do the next day.
And you know what?
I’ve learned that’s okay.
I’ve learned that balance isn’t for me and it’s not how I function. I’m an all-in, stubborn Aries, enneagram number 4, that swan dives deep into things at the expense of other things in my life.
I’m not the perfect entrepreneur, author, podcast host, digital creator, best friend, daughter, dog mom to goofy, fiancé to Adam.
I’m always failing at something in my life...
...while something else is thriving.
Life isn’t about being perfect, getting everything done, being everything to everyone.
Life is about showing up and showing some compassion for yourself and all the things you’re constantly doing and doing the best you can.
& sometimes it’s not even the best you can but it’s what you can - in that moment - and you know what?
THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH ⭐️
All my love,
Random Pick-Me-Ups
Playing On Repeat: Playing this song on repeat this morning for the ultimate pick-me-up.
Learn a Language: I’m thinking about using this app to learn a language. What language should I go with?
Odd Jobs: Looking for some ways to earn a bit more cash after your job ends for the day? I have a list of odd ways for you to earn an xtra $1,000 to $10,000 a week. Check those gigs out here.
Pantry Picks: I'm organizing my tiny kitchen space this week and here are some of the things I'm picking up to add to my home.
Quick chewy bar snacks /Popcorn /Protein snacks /Small bins for organization /Door organizer / Best healthy soda in the world
1:1 Coaching: I’m officially opening two spots for 1:1 coaching for the spring season. If you ever wanted to work with me as your professional side-kick to help you get a new career, start a side hustle/personal brand, or elevate your business, book a coaching session.
Share: Email someone this newsletter (thank you, dear friend).
Ps. Let’s work together - here’s how:
👏1:1 coaching: I specialize in working with people who want to switch careers, start their own business, improve their personal brand, or are feeling lost in life. Book a session and let’s work together this month.
👏Courses: Want a quick pick-me-up? I offer a handful of digital courses that include videos, assignments, and real-time personalized feedback from me along the way. Check them out here - the most popular one is the personal branding course.
👏Company workshops & speaking: I offer company workshops and conference keynotes on topics that include personal branding, social media trends, storytelling, and more. I’ve worked with Google, Apple, HBO, ESPN, and more. Learn more here.
Advertise: Want to showcase your business or brand in one of my newsletters or on my social media? Let’s chat about open opportunities.
+ Random:
Books // Card Game // Bridesmaid for Hire // Scared to Be a Mom // Shop
Instagram // TikTok // Podcast
I’ll be back next week with a new Monday Pick-Me-Up. Until then, I leave you with this:
Take a sticky note. Write a word on it. A word that describes how much of a badass you are. Go ahead, pick your word. Now hang the sticky note on a mirror. Leave it there for the week. See what happens every time you see it and read the words. See how you feel. See the lingering effects of reminding yourself of a word that you are.
This is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you, fellow enneagram number 4. 😊