I Heard You Like Ideas?
The philosophy and vision of this newsletter
First, I’d like to thank you.
There is a lot I could say about writing, my personal philosophy, and why I am taking the time to write you today, but sometimes less is more.
So thank you.
The primary foundation of this newsletter has always been ideas.
You know, those things that change the world.
That isn’t to say I have good ideas (I try to), but I truly believe that the most important thing you can have in life is curiosity and a hunger to learn more.
Everything is downstream from the good ideas of others. And I don’t claim, nor do I want to be, an “original thinker.”
As a writer, I’ve let my curiosity about myself and others guide me in life.
But it hasn’t always been easy. I’m sure you can relate.
My path, and all its ups and down will likely resemble your own in some way:
Full time creative and touring musician in my early twenties making $500 bucks a month writing for online music magazines.
Got a degree in English to teach high school, only to realize how corrupt and dysfunctional the US public school system is
Bartending and feeling totally lost in my career
Broke into journalism and worked as a journalist for two years. Saw the same problems in that field as I did in education. Knew I needed to make a real change
Started working as a freelance copywriter and marketer. Began to feel confident in my path again
Wrote for dozens of businesses and learned as much as I could about business/marketing/writing
Got hired full-time for a growing digital marketing startup to co-lead the fulfillment team. Currently helping 150+ clients use effective writing/marketing/communication to launch their own services and quit a 9-5
Got married, bought a house, first child on the way
I’m not telling you all of this to gloat. Quite the opposite.
I’m telling you this because, through all of these turbulent times, I pursued the thoughts and ideas that interested me. I learned from the experiences of others and realized that the only way to become the person I wanted to be, was to step into the unknown.
I tried and failed MANY times before I finally found my calling. And the only reason I’m writing this to you today is because I listened to the voice in my head that said: “Learn more. Try something else.”
My goal with this newsletter is to bring the ideas that have changed my perspective, allowed me to grow a successful career, and help others, to you.
I value curiosity, experience, and the power of your individual path. The ability to know what is in your own head and be able to confidently express it and manifest it into the world is not something that we are inherently born with.
We have to learn it. We have to communicate it. We have to embody it.
And this hasn’t been an easy thing for me.
If the thoughts, ideas, writing techniques, and strategies I share here change even one life, I will consider this endeavor — and the hours I sink into it — a success.
Have a great rest of your week.
With love,
-Joe