Texts from Last Week

My phone did most of the talking last week.

So, rather than telling you what I’ve been up to, I’m sharing four screenshots and the ideas they sparked.

(Btw, the screenshots are included in this email, but if they don’t appear in your email provider, click “Read in app” to view them).

Text 1: On connecting with others

This text chat was about how I keep my professional connections alive.

A fellow consultant, Brendon Baker (Brendon Baker) txt me about a recent gig for a high-profile client, and how the whole thing came about.

In short? Through R&R.

(No, not Rest and Relaxation…. Referrals and Relationships!)

He asked how I keep my connections alive, and I told him the truth: I don't have a structure, or even a CRM nudging me to 'Contact Bob, it's been 90 days since we last spoke.'

When someone comes to mind, I just reach out. Sometimes there's a reason, sometimes it's just a, 'Hey, I saw this and thought of you.'

Usually it when I’m out walking, where it’s super easy to grab my phone and shoot a text, or a voice note.

You can have all the systems in the world for networking, but if your underlying mindset is transactional, people can detect it.

But that’s also the tricky thing about organic connection. It’s hard to turn something natural into a system, re-engineer your approach, or teach someone to do it “organically”! Any tips??

Text 2: Graphic design room service

A pre-coffee text message I sent to someone who “just gets it” at 5am.

A shout-out to Jade Miller (Jade Miller).

You’ll know Jade’s work if you’ve seen The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint, because she designed the cover and all the illustrations in that book, as well as the illustrations for my next book Work Fame.

I had a bunch of sessions coming up and, at the last minute, decided I wanted an A3 worksheet designed. I woke up at 5am, grabbed a notepad and drew what I wanted from my hotel bed.

(Yes, don’t follow me for wellness content).

I filmed a 90-second video, explaining my scribbles and shot it off to her via Whatsapp.

She designed it that day, it was printed the next day, we were off to the races.

I loved this approach. I love that I didn’t have to sit down in front of a computer and write an arduous email explaining what I wanted. It took me 90 seconds to draw; 90 seconds to record what I wanted… and done. SO EASY.

This is one of the underrated benefits of finding really good people. You can send them a random sketch and say, “You know what I mean?”

(Although, in fairness, next time I’ll give you more notice, Jade! Btw, she does more than just illustrations, she’s got the best brain on getting your book out into the world, too).

Text 3: Keynote homework

Dr Jason Fox sent me a glorious 5-page PDF of strategic questions to ponder ahead of our session to map out my new Work Fame keynote.

Look, tomorrow, I was meant to be flying to Munich, to pick up a Porsche 911 convertible to go on an incredible cross-country convoy; but work has been relentless, and I’ve had to stick around (I make it sound like an easy decision as I write that but it wasn’t, I have so much FOMO).

However, that also opened up the opportunity to work on a project I’d been putting off - packaging up and perfecting my new Work Fame keynote.

I’ve enlisted former Australian keynote speaker of the year and great friend, Dr Jason Fox, AKA Foxwizard to help design my new Work Fame keynote speech.

I have the content (obvs, it’s in the book), but Jason is masterful at the keynote structure, storytelling, vocab, taking the audience on a journey (or, in his language, “A quest”) and stage craft. I can’t wait to see what unravels by working with him!

In this text, he shared the best curated primer questions. These go waaaaay beyond the generic, “What are your three key messages?”

These are big questions that make you stop and think about what you want the audience to experience, what you want them to believe differently by the end, what they might initially be sceptical about when it comes to you as the messenger, and so much more.

If you’re looking for help with a keynote, keep an eye out for Jason’s work.

I’ll share some behind-the-scenes of the process here and on socials next week. In the meantime, sign up for his brilliant newsletter here.

Text 4: Omg.. 26 days to go?

My friend, Jet, checked in to see how the book launch was going…

His message included the words, “One month left?!”

Whaaaaat. Seeing it written down like that made it feel VERY REAL.

The good news? The pre-launch is actually going brilliantly. The pre-sales have already convinced a bunch of Australian retailers to stock Work Fame, including airport bookstores around the country from October (if you’ve pre-ordered, thank you so, so, so much!)

Come to the launch premiere

If you’re in Brisbane, you’re invited to celebrate with me in style.

Friday 16 October, 5pm

There’ll be a red carpet, a cool venue, a decent bar tab, food, the best opportunity to meet the wonderful people in my network/community/friendship groups, and oh yeah - a very fun mystery guest I’m not revealing yet.

Get your Brisbane premiere ticket.

And if you’re buying Work Fame for a team, organisation, event or group, the bulk pre-order specials are available until 30 September.

See the Work Fame bulk pre-order options.

…and one more thing

The Work Fame podcast is now live.

Listen to the Work Fame podcast

If there’s a question you want me to tackle on the podcast, send it my way.

🌴

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See you next Friday,

Leanne “R&R” Hughes