The Message: Anyone Can Be Brave
Do you consider yourself brave?
I do. My 10-year-old niece, Amoya, has described me as “reckless.” But I choose to interpret that as “brave.”
I think bravery is a little underrated and misunderstood in a world of loud voices and strong opinions, but less and less bravery. But the thing is, anyone can be brave.
To be brave is to act even when you are afraid. To do something counter to the crowd because you know it’s right. As Ned Stark says in Game of Thrones, it’s the only time a person can be brave.
So it’s not the absence of fear that makes you brave, it’s the decision to act despite the fear.
And that is what you need to have as a storyteller. The bravery to think of a story and then take action to bring it to life. AND, most brave of all, share it with the world. Whether they (“they” being the haters and critics with opinions but no stories of their own) like it or not, you did something that most people only dream of and that is something to be proud of.
Not everyone deserves your story, but when you have one that you feel brave enough to share, how lucky we all are for it. We benefit from the bravery of storytellers, especially when they’re brave enough to put their full selves into the work. Whether you’re a writer, a marketer, a business owner, a creative. Or a journalist.
And if the brave choice scares you, but you still want to try, how about thinking of the smallest brave step you can take and doing that first? See where it leads you.
The Lesson: “F%&K You Money”
“I’ve told you this before,” I sighed to my friend this past weekend.
“Yeah, but never like that with a boss and an office,” she retorted, a little exasperated with me.
We were both basically agreeing about something we all know to be true (at least if you read this newsletter): storytelling is how you convince people to take action and connect with them emotionally when trying to make a point.
The story I had told her was about my first job in advertising after leaving journalism. My boss, Doug, called me into his office on a random Tuesday.
I can’t remember what we chatted about (probably work), but near the end of the conversation he gave me the best advice I’ve received from any boss before or after. A piece of wisdom that shaped the rest of my career. And it was simple: always have “fuck you” money.
As in save up a little nest egg so that if ever in a job, you get asked to do something against your values, or they push you beyond what is fair, or you get a new boss who has it out for you, whatever it is you have enough money saved to be able to look them in the eye and say “f*%k you” (and then walk out).
I was probably 27 at the time. It made the difference in my career. Because from that point forward I had a goal: first to save up enough to feel comfortable. Then I had a freedom not many people in the working world have. If things got bad, or even if I got laid off, I had a cushion. I had my usual savings and my fly-off-the-handle money. I had a stash of cash that allowed me braver in my career.
Doug remains among the top three of bosses I’ve had. Because this white, senior-level man told me something no one in my immigrant family “work hard” ethic would have. Always have something set aside to keep you brave.
I have done my best work as a writer, strategist, and founder, and been able to push back in my career because I never had that underlying worry of losing a job or client and not being able to bounce back.
I know in this economy, F&%K you money is probably going to need to be a lot more, and regular savings are hard enough, but maybe then just ask yourself: what will it take other than money to make you brave in the work you do?
A Story Well Told
I still haven’t seen The Odyssey.
BUT.
I did make the trip to a theatre to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day. For longtime readers, you’ll know I’m a Marvel girlie, but over the past few years the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been struggling to tell a proper story, to create a cohesive, compelling plot worth sitting down to enjoy. In other words, it’s been a mess.
Not so Spider-Man: Brand New Day. I left the theatre satisfied. Full as if I had just eaten the most nourishing meal. I think it is the best of the Spider-Man films. Fully realized characters, engaging with real, human challenges despite being in a supernatural world. The metaphors, the action, and the villain were unmatched. The villain—especially perfect. I can’t say much about the villain without spoilers, so I’ll just say that superhero fans of the 90s will be thrilled.
It was a story of heroes trying to figure themselves out and find their way. Which, aren’t we all in this strange day and age?
It rightfully broke records, and I would 100% recommend a theatre visit or a stream, Marvel fan or not.
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