AuthorJessica Malnik

Our daily lives are filled with stories. They influence nearly every action and decision we make. Sometimes we’re not even aware of the stories we are telling. There is so much power in getting clarity on what we’re telling ourselves and separating fact from fiction. As Brene Brown wrote in her best-selling book, “Rising Strong” (A must-read) “You either walk into your...

It is never been easier to stay perpetually busy, while never get anything done. The default state that most of us live in nowadays is simply responding to whatever is right in front of us or screaming the loudest. We’re on “the urgent treadmill.” Respond to emails. Respond to texts. Respond to Instagram DMs, Facebook messages, Twitter DMs, etc. Attend meetings and calls. More phone...

One mistake that I find myself making is over-relying on sheer willpower. The reality is that our willpower is finite. Building habits are the vehicle to push us through when our willpower is depleted. It allows us to keep up the momentum. I realize there’s irony in talking about habits and momentum, as this is the first time in 8 months where I’m sending out this newsletter late. It...

August is a month where things slow down and a lot of people take vacations. The oppressively hot summers in Austin – where I’m based – is enough to make any sane person want to get away for at least a few days. Some people use travel for “self care” or to get out of a rut. For me, travel has been one of the best ways to reignite my creativity. I’m naturally a very...

I’ve been thinking a lot about the differences between amateurs and professionals recently. Amateurs show up only when they are inspired or want to. Professionals show up and do the work consistently, usually every single day. It is possible to be an amateur in one aspect of your life, and a professional in another. Or vice versa. On the last weekend of every month, I share recommendations...

Empathy is the ultimate superpower. It is what makes relationships last and entire communities flourish. The problem is I think we’re suffering from a major lack of empathy today. Worse- we confuse sympathy with empathy. Empathy is putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and feeling what they are feeling right alongside them. Sympathy is saying it without actually putting...

On the last Sunday of every month, I share recommendations to 4 thought-provoking things I read – or in some cases – listened to in the last month. 1. The pursuit of happiness is baked into the U.S. Declaration of Independence. As a country, we’re obsessed with seeking happiness. As this long read suggests, while we all want happiness, the things that we chase that we think will...

On the last Sunday of every month, I share recommendations to 4 thought-provoking things I read – or in some cases – listened to in the last month. This month’s post is loosely centered around professional development. 1. Doing things that don’t scale is common advice for startup founders. What many people don’t realize is it is also a way to keep your optimism about...