One Bite at a Time 🍽️

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Hi reader,

Oh, the pressure we put on the next step!

Every time we say “This time will be different!” or “My next try will be perfect!”, I feel like the universe lets out the tiniest sigh.

If you’ve ever coached with me, you know saying something like “…but I’m going to leave all that behind. Clean slate. I’m starting over again…” triggers an involuntary tick on my face.

Why?

There is no new chapter.

You always take it with you.

So you can start today, Wednesday, January 7th.

Or a month ago, on December 7th.

Or this Saturday.

Because you’re not leaving anything behind in 2024.

But the next moment can be as different as you want it to be.

And even if the next moment isn’t as you like, you have the moment after to build on that.

So what small, consistent thing can you start in the next moment to make the moment after this better?

My body and soul are still warming up into 2025, which has helped me take a bite-sized view of any big-time plans.

It’s amazing how much you can eat with ease when you chew slowly 🍽️

Join in January, grow all year

Take on 2025 with the tools to manage leads, clients, and projects like a pro—and a chance to win a $10,000 prize package for your business.

I’m taking my own advice and easing into the New Year 🥱

Hopefully you make an opportunity to do the same.

In the meantime, here is the Best of BringYourWorth.tv, including a make money marathon happening today at 1:11 pm PT. Jump in! 👇🏾

One of the resources I wish I had when I started writing (cough) decades ago was the Institute for Independent Journalists. I’ve known founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis for almost as long as I’ve been freelancing and have loved her new, inclusive take on what defines good, important journalism.

And the Institute for Independent Journalists is having its 2025 live, online freelance conference on Feb. 27-28!

Here’s the breakdown: Engage in 12 information-packed, interactive sessions on pitching, harnessing artificial intelligence, funding your journalism, podcasting, boosting your income, and more. On day one, keynote speaker and author Celeste Headlee will share her experiences working in mainstream media (NPR, PBS, WNYC), as well as independently. Learn directly from editors what they want in a pitch, including from Bloomberg, the New York Times, Washington Post, Economic Hardship Reporting Project, and more. Fellowship directors will explain how to get funding for an important journalism project. The best way to weather a storm is together.

Only $59 early bird registration for 12 live, interactive sessions, delivering 15 hours of learning. Sign up now and get instant access to a bonus bundle with four recorded full-length editor panels, three recorded interviews with freelance experts and New York Times opinion editor Katie Kingsbury, a layoff recovery guide, tip sheets, freelance checklists, an income tracking worksheet and more.

And BringYourWorth.tv viewers get an exclusive discount! Register here and use the promo code DAMON to get an immediate price off the already early bird cost.

Details: 

Feb. 27-28, 2025

10 am - 7 pm ET 

Here’s to the next leg of the journey 📍

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As you’ve seen in recent BringYourWorth.tv episodes, my office has been stacked with books lately! Shortform is one of my favorite companions for understanding books quickly and remembering the highlights from classics I may have forgotten. The service goes well beyond summaries, giving serious breakdowns, analysis, arguments, and even overarching themes connecting a book to other pieces of literature. It also showcases material related to your favorite book, like popular podcasts, articles and more. Shortform is a great way to sample new books you’re curious about or to go deeper on ones you already know super well.

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🙋🏾 I’m Damon! (http://www.damonbrown.net) I help side hustlers, solopreneurs & others like yourself bloom. As a bestselling author, 2x startup founder & 4x TEDTalker, I co-founded the popular connection app Cuddlr and led it to acquisition within a year while being a stay at home dad with my infant son.

🫱🏼‍🫲🏿 Today, my boutique coaching business Bring Your Worth supports hundreds through one-on-one virtual and in-person support, as well as behind-the-scenes services for TED, HEROIC, and other impactful organizations. You can catch this free weekly newsletter as well as the 18,000-subscriber strong television show BringYourWorth.tv.

🚀 Think coaching could help you get to the next level? Reach out and let’s chat.

📚 You can also grab my 27th book, The Complete Bring Your Worth Collection, everywhere books are read, heard, and sold.

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