What’s up Reader,

How are you?

Is life treating you well?

Are you experiencing joy, even if it’s a bit here and there?

I hope so. I don’t think I wish that enough around here, and I’d like to improve on that.

The main goal of this letter is to help you live a brighter, more intentional life, so that you appreciate each chapter and grow into your highest potential.

If you're struggling – or even if you're not – set aside some time for yourself today to just be. No distractions. You deserve that.

Doing so will help you attract peace, love, and happiness into your life.

Remember, these aspects don't just magically pop up on their own. That's the power of intention. You spark the light and enjoy the campfire later.

Today's letter is for you hard-workers out there. I know you want more out of life. More money, more accolades, more energy to do more, more, more.

However, your biggest superpower is to tread carefully along your success journey, and that's what we're going to hit on.

This one's a brief one, and you'll see why shortly.

Let's dive in 🪂

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It’s Great To Put Your Head Down, But…

A few years ago, back in September 2021, I (finally) booked a project after the COVID drought. It felt liberating after a year and a half of no gigs.

This project was for a company called Texas Food & Wine Alliance. Essentially, they were looking to interview some well-known people in the food industry to raise awareness. So they asked me to produce a film for them.

Food bloggers, restaurant owners, pitmasters… you name it.

One of which was a chef named Tiffany Derry (she’s amazing — you should look her up if you’re interested.)

This wasn’t her first interview.

I quickly learned that Chef Derry was a very popular food connoisseur. She was known for her TV appearances on Cutthroat Kitchen and Hungry Investors, so you can say that interviews, cameras, and big lights were second nature to her.

Anyone who's made their way to national television has put in the work, there’s no doubt about it.

During her interview with another top chef based here in Austin, she was asked about what lessons she had learned throughout her journey.

She took a few moments to reflect, which raised the suspense, then, in her words, she responded with, “It’s great to put your head down, but don’t forget to pick it up once in a while.”

I was dumbfounded by the simplicity of this insight.

For some reason, it has always stuck with me. Even to this day, I use it as a reminder to remain balanced. Easier said than done, but again, the intention is what matters.

These past seven days have by far been the busiest week of my life. On top of traveling for the last three weekends (and feeling like I could never catch my breath), I had a full workload to take care of. It felt like I was nonstop putting out fires for clients.

There were mornings I felt the urge to wake up and get straight to work. Some, I did. But I did my best to set aside 10-15 minutes to meditate regardless of how dreadful it sounded.

It’s wild what just a short window of time can do for you.

Although it was pretty hectic, I believe it helped me avoid self-destruction. I happened to make it out alive, thankfully, but in retrospect, I would've definitely had a more difficult week without the intention. That’s why it’s important to pick your head up once in a while.

Get after your work. Make the most of your potential. But don’t sacrifice your well-being along the way. This is a recipe that will ultimately leave you dissatisfied.

And when your well-being feels out of whack, don't resort to cheap dopamine, like social media, alcohol, or drugs.

Spark the fire by doing the activity that brings you solitude, albeit meditation or a nice book or a beautiful walk in nature. Then, enjoy the campfire of joy later.

The last thing you want is to spend your life chasing the next achievement just to look back and wonder what those roses actually smelled like.

You're the master. You're the author. You're the leader.

Choose the direction that will holistically serve you the best.

​

Cheers,

A

P.S. Keeping today's letter shorter because I honestly didn't have time to write during the week, and it's time for me to spark my own fire of solitude. Taking a digital detox the rest of this weekend. If you feel inclined, join me :)