EDITOR’S NOTE:

I used to work with Haley Bryant, founder of the Start Again Today newsletter. 

I was writing for Animalz, a content marketing agency. She was the VP of Ops.

Honestly, I don’t remember our conversations. I don’t remember what, exactly, was said. The words are lost. But I do remember getting off each call and feeling better. 

I felt better about my work, my copywriting and marketing. I felt better about myself.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou

Haley’s leadership made me feel empowered. And now I’m incredibly happy and proud to have her on for a VeryGoodCopy Micro-Interview.

In only 294 words, Haley shares: 

• The true mission of a leader...

• How she exploded her productivity… 

• The single, fundamental change that helped her enjoy work… 

And more… 

Thank you, Haley.

Let’s get started:

1) “What’s your work routine?”

I wake up at 6 and spend the first hour of every day — except Saturday — meditating, reading and writing. By the time I write my newsletter on Sunday mornings, I have a variety of ideas to choose from.

As a mom, efficiency is key to maintaining some work/life balance. I block 4-8 hours of calls Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and keep Wednesdays and Fridays open for deep work.

Breaking my responsibilities out into quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily buckets in Asana has exploded my productivity and consistency.

2) “What do you know about your work now that you wish you’d known when you first started?”

To elevate out of reactive mode, help others see, structure and solve problems systematically. When you’re proactively solving problems instead of putting out fires all the time, work can be so much fun.

3) “What did your biggest professional failure teach you?”

Don’t wait for other people to give you permission or opportunities. 

You are the CEO of your personal and professional development.

4) “What’s the #1 thing that has helped you shorten your craft’s learning curve?”

Practice with an audience. 

Writing a weekly newsletter has been a forcing function to read, reflect and think out loud improving my communication skills at work and the number of tools in my toolkit.

5) “What book has helped you the most over your career?”

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. 

It reminds me that everyone is in search or pursuit of their personal legend, and my role as a leader is to help them recognize and realize their potential.

6) “And your parting piece of advice?”

Understand, acknowledge and work through your limiting beliefs. When you stay open to yourself and the opportunities all around you, work (and life) can be so much fun.