I Stalked My Boss (Legally) and Here's What Happened

Motion before emotion

"Motion before emotion" 

I love David Senra's Founders Podcast, it’s one of the GOATS if you want to be inspired and learn about entrepreneurship. I was listening to David (don’t know him as David, btw, just a fan girl!) on Chris Williamson’s podcast, Modern Wisdom, when he said something that stopped me in my tracks… “Belief always comes before ability.”

It resonated on a deep level, but only with the version of me that exists now. In the beginning of my career, when I hated myself so much I was drunk-dialing my therapist with a death wish, I couldn't believe my way into anything. I had to move first and let the belief catch up later.

Let me paint you a picture I haven’t shared before:

When I was working as a lowly digital producer at Comedy Central and desperately wanted to move into Development (the people who actually bought TV SHOWS - THE GLAMOUR!), I had good instincts, a solid reputation as a hard worker, and little else.

To work in Development (oohhhh ahhh) I was told it was impossible. I was on the wrong track. I hadn’t worked in a talent agency, met all the managers, and I wasn’t SUPER connected. All the things I was told I needed. I ignored ALL OF THIS NOISE. I ignored being told what I couldn’t do, I ignored not having the right experience, I ignored imposter syndrome, I ignored every single emotion and thing that was not THE THING: move into development. I focused on the first thing I DID know: I needed the president of the network to notice me because he hired development executives. 

Being the Executive in Charge of Key & Peele: brought to you by not giving a f*ck what anyone else thought or said - including myself. I ignored ALL of the noise and just moved forward.

One day at work (still in lowly digital) I noticed there was a janky printer station right outside of the president’s office. I asked facilities if I could make that mess of ink cartridges into my desk. They said “no” to my ridiculous idea. I asked one more time and suddenly the answer was “fine.” (NOTE: I don’t take no for an answer on things like this because “no” is usually arbitrary!). 

Now, the President couldn’t ignore me because I was literally in his way. From this position outside of his office I volunteered to read scripts for him, I scheduled informational meetings with him, I overheard his conversations in the hallways and researched THE F*CK out of anything I heard him off handedly mention. By the time I actually applied to be in Development, I knew more and he knew me. 

I turned that printer into my launching pad. There is zero percent chance I would have become The Executive in Charge of Key & Peele without that damn printer. I moved my body to where the action was, day after day, until I really was doing the thing. The emotions - confidence, belief, belonging - came later.

Here's what I've learned: Many of us have lost belief in ourselves due to our circumstances. And it's nearly impossible to tell someone who feels trapped, terrible, or burnt out, "Just believe in yourself!" That's like telling someone who's drowning to just swim harder…it’s not easily done.

But there's another way: MOTION BEFORE EMOTION.

You don't wait for motivation to show up. You don't wait to feel ready or worthy or confident. You strip away everything that's not THE THING - the actual physical step you need to take toward a goal and you MOVE! Walk over and ask for the printer desk. Move your hands across the keyboard and start the first chapter. Update your Linked.In bio. Stop thinking about dating and PUT YOUR BODY in a place where you might meet someone! 

One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from Goethe, who wrote: 

“The moment one definitely commits oneself…A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings, and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

Want to make your life easier: choose motion before emotion every time. 

I want to hear from YOU!

What do you think of motion before emotion? What do you think about David Senra’s take that belief comes before ability? Do you think we evolve into that attidue? What’s your version of asking for the printer desk? What’s the smallest, most concrete action you can take toward the thing you want - not preparing for the thing or thinking about the thing, just moving toward the thing itself? 

Join me in our chat, where we’re continuing this conversation (and many more).

We had an awesome conversation about last week’s post (being in a good situation and bracing for doom):

T$ Stamp of Approval

This week, it’s all about David Senra - truly - a podcast that makes me think and is DEEPLY enjoyable. 

Here are two episodes I loved.

• Episode #389 - The Founder of Jimmy Choo: Tamara Mellon: I didn’t know this story ALL ALL and I ended up with such mad respect for Tamara Mellon.

• Episode #186 - Phil Knight (Nike): Just an insane story for anyone who struggles with wanting to know their purpose in life (so like, all of us). ALSO PHIL KNIGHT JOURNALED! What in the heavenly f*ck?! He even talks about regretting NOT journaling when he was building his company. “You have these thoughts when you’re living through them and they’re so impactful at the time, you think, ‘there’s NO WAY I’m going to forget them’. You’re going to forget it. Write it down, document it.” Journaling advice from Phil Knight y’all!

Preview of This Week’s Glow Getters

On Sunday, Glow Getters will receive a replay of Monday’s Journaling 101 livestream and journal prompts based on Motion Before Emotion. If you’re inspired by today’s newsletter, but starting any sort of “motion” seems impossible, this is for you…just click below to join us!

AND ONE MORE THING!

Thank you so much for joining me for my first-ever Substack LIVE! We journaled, we dug deep, we uncovered truths we didn’t even know we were carrying… and honestly? You made it such a meaningful experience. I loved seeing your comments, your vulnerability, and your willingness to show up for yourselves (and each other).

✨ Missed it? Or want to revisit the magic? Glow Getters will have exclusive access to the full replay, so you can go back, re-listen, re-journal, or just let it wash over you again whenever you need a reset.

If you're not a Glow Getter yet but want access to this and all upcoming live session replays, now’s a great time to join our cozy little corner of the internet.