The BIG 100: Embrace Being Bad

1 Key Lesson From 100 Weeks of Publishing

Today marks 100 weeks of publishing this newsletter and I feel the same way I did when I crossed the finish line of my first half-marathon back in 2013—a juxtaposition of awe (holy crap I did it) and a badass sense of accomplishment (of course I did). The former is a reminder that I’m capable of more than I think, so it’s vital that my goalposts keep on moving. The latter is a reminder that I’m a straight shooter and when I set my eye on a target, I inevitably hit the bullseye.

In celebration of this milestone, there’s one key lesson I want to impart.

1 Key Lesson

Back in August, a childhood friend sent me the photo below with this message “I thought this was right up your alley!”

She was right. The biggest unlock I’ve had in the past two years since I started my writing journey has been embracing that most of us crawl before we walk—let alone start running. Stride comes in time.

Case in point, my first edition of this newsletter was a hack job compared to what I aim for these days. But rather than be embarrassed about it, I smile. Because had I not shipped said hack job, I wouldn’t be celebrating 100 editions now. And as I keep publishing, I’ll very well look back on this edition 100 weeks from now and think it’s a hack job too. That’s the beauty of progress—better taste trickles through your work. So embrace being ‘bad’ in the meantime.

Favourite Newsletter Editions

In celebration of progress and appreciating the journey to 100, here are my 10 favourite newsletters based on either the quality of my writing or the topic I wrote about—both of which vary depending on when they were written:

• The Paradox of Freedom as an Employee Versus Early-Stage Entrepreneur

• Harry Potter & The Magic of Feedback

• Come-to-Jesus Moments

• Emotional Teaching

• Crowns, Flamingos & Writing Rituals

• You Won't Realize How Far You've Come Until You're Compelled to Take Someone Under Your Wing

• Why I Wouldn't Delay Solopreneurship (or Other Dreams) Because You’re Single

• What The 80 Entry Points to The Colosseum Can Teach us About Building

• There’s a Crack in Everything, That’s How The Light Gets In

• Therapy, Self-Awareness & Entrepreneurship

For the full archive, click here and leave comments on editions that resonate with you.

Favourite Independent Essays

Before I found the confidence to launch my newsletter, I wrote a bunch of essays that I shared on my website. At the time, I was too shy to share them on Facebook or LinkedIn—where people I know would see them—because I didn’t think my writing was “good enough” yet. But as I mentioned earlier, about how I look back on my first newsletter with pride for having taken the first of 100 steps, I’m equally grateful I found the courage to publish my essays (even if it was low key).

Here are my 4 favourite essays from my website (I published all but one before I started my newsletter so you likely wouldn’t have read them):

• How Rejection Set Me Free (With an Adventure Around The World)

• What if The Allies Hadn’t Come? Reflecting on D-Day From The Beaches of Normandy

• What Living in Quebec and Orwell's 1984 Have in Common

• 3 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me at The Start of My Career

You can find more essays on course creation and careers here.

Thank You so Much

Thank you so much for being an early supporter of my writing. As far as I’ve come with 100 editions, I know I’m just getting started. And whether it’s reading, replying, commenting or sharing, your kindness and encouragement mean a lot to me. Thank you x100.

Have a wonder-full week,

Alexandra

P.S. If you have a favourite newsletter edition, drop a comment to let me know.

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