We All Had Help

Anyone who is successful
(any definition of successful)
has had help.

They might not acknowledge
that help.
Heck, they might not
KNOW about the help
they were given.

But it was there.

Someone helped them.
Usually numerous someones
numerous times.

I, for example,
a couple days ago,
suggested another writer’s book
for a Best Of 2024 Award.
I didn’t tell that writer.
I just did it.

And if she wins
or is nominated,
I will be happy for her
and I will continue to be silent
about my part
in that success.

Everyone has had help.

Help others.

Hope others help you.

When you’ve achieved success,
realize that someone DID help you.

Someone To Vent To

There are frustrations
in every job,
every business,
every industry.

If we don’t express
these frustrations to someone
(this could be a human someone
or a cat
or a plant),
if we don’t vent
some of these extreme emotions,
they will erupt
usually at the most inconvenient time
when we are with customers
or people we’re trying to impress.

I have someone I vent to.
I express my frustrations
to him on,
at least,
a weekly basis.

He is outside the industry
so he is unlikely
to ever inadvertently
reveal my feelings
to people I sell to
or partner with.

I’ll preface the deluge
of complaints
by telling him
“I just have to vent.”

He knows then
that he doesn’t have
to provide solutions.
All he has to do
is listen.

And I do the same
for him
when he needs to vent.

We both feel better,
are calmer,
and can go back
to whatever we’re working on.

Ensure you have someone
to vent to.