Pace & New Opportunities

Welcome to February. 😃

How are you feeling about being in the 2nd month of 2025 already?

I wanted to spend January reviewing, planning, and reflecting, but Mamma Mia the month went fast.

So, I’m focusing on setting a smooth, productive, pace for February and beyond.

Speaking of pace, in this newsletter, I’m sharing a lesson on a super move that can help you set yours and open doors to magnificent opportunities.

But I must warn you, it may trigger you at first.

Are you ready?

(P.S. Having read last week’s newsletter will make this lesson even more powerful)

Ha ha, I can see your face: eyebrows narrowing, head inching back and in your ears a loud “I don’t need help”.

You are right {{first_name}}, you don’t NEED help.

With the hand on my heart, when people tell me what I need and how they can help in emails and LinkedIn messages, 9 out of 10 times I stop reading before reaching the 2nd sentence.

But stay with now…

We are 15km in, the mood is high (it’s only day two 😅), and under a blue sky, I’m enjoying 50 shades of yellow in the French countryside.

Andrew, Founder of Homeless Entrepreneurs and Creator of the Great Walk, walks up next to me…

“Were you able to confirm the big client?” he asks.

“Yes, it’s confirmed, I’m just awaiting payment,” I reply.

“That’s fantastic, congratulations,” he continues.

“So, what do you need help with now?”

"Oh I’m good," I say. "I don’t need any more help."

He turns to me and in his very Andrew way, with no sign of a cuddle in his voice, says,

“You always need help, Erik."

“Your communication skills we know, but do you have a financial plan?"

“Hmmm, what do you mean,” I reply.

“Like a system for budgeting and forecasting income,” he says.

Gulp. Hmmm. Busted.

"No,” I say. 

"See, that’s something you need help with,” he says.

"So make a video where you ask for support managing your finances and publish it on LinkedIn.”

If you have been with me through the past newsletters you know that at this time, I’ve surrendered.

I’m neither fighting the uncomfortable feelings my ego wants to protect me from nor letting my ego run the show.

So, I do that (here it is).

(Notice how I’m using storytelling in the ask)

Three people reached out to me, offering their help, one of them being an old Toastmaster buddy, now, a financial advisor.

After a short call and leaning into receiving help with my new mantra…

Two kind men are helping me optimize my financial planning - without asking for a cent in return.

Both of them explicitly express, “Don’t think you have to do something in return, I just want to help you.

“What do you need help with?”

Ok, I still don’t feel comfortable with the word “need”, so let’s say, “want”.

What do you want help with?

I have learned two things:

The second learning came wrapped in glitter and glamour…

It’s a Wednesday evening in December and I’m invited to a business partner’s Christmas party.

Desserts are coming and she stands up, greets everyone, and turns to me…

“Erik is the best storyteller I know and he has an amazing story, he became homeless in 4 hours. Why don’t you tell us about it, Erik?”

Ehhh, that’s not entirely correct, and heeey, hello, I’m NOT prepared to tell a story now, I’m thinking to myself.

But with 20 pairs of eyes glued on you, what do you do?

I tell them a snippet of my story, and I can see eyes big as golf balls look back at me.

Once I finish, a woman leans forward, and asks, “What do you need help with?”

I didn’t have an answer.

Right then, with a room full of opportunities staring at me, I could hear Andrews’ voice loud and clear in my head, “You always need help with something”.

But I had not clarified what that was.

So I didn’t know what to say and…

Instead of telling a room full of women and men eager and curious to know (maybe even help), I said, “Let me think of it and come back to you tomorrow?”

“Of course,” she said.

And I did (but missed out on all the others).

The second learning- the super move:

Thank you Andrew. ❤️

Yes, you are independent and capable.

And yet, letting someone help sets a smoother pace, makes things more enjoyable, and doors open that you didn’t even know existed (even less, planned for).

If you think there isn’t something someone can help you with you are not thinking BIG or your ego is running the show.

So {{first_name}}, regardless of what it is, do you dare taking this opportunity to set a smooth pace and unlock the gates of new opportunities?

This is your invitation to share boldly.

Voila, get prepared to get exactly what you want and much more.

Are you up for that?

For instance, if you want help with self-promotion and sales conversations…

You know when people ask, “What are you doing? or “How much does it cost to work with you?”

And instead of mumbling, sweating, and giving them a history lesson - you slide in with an answer sweet as a carrot cake for coffee - I can help you with that.

But if you want help with some badass color palettes or interior design, I know a person who can help you.

There’s always something someone can help you with - let them.

With love, jazz, and sass,
/ E and little e

_{Written 100% human, 100% AI-free.}

P.S. Was there something you found helpful today? Or is there something you would have liked to hear more about?

I love reading your messages, and every question I receive motivates and inspires the next newsletters.