I got a text message today that made me a better writer
Today started off terrible. As par for the course at my job recently, people were sending me emails asking for small edits or complaining about things that (at least in my mind) require far less energy to fix on your own than typing an email. I also found out that I’m “not the right fit at this time” for another literary agent and I endured what I consider thee most nerve-wrecking experience ever as a creative when I had someone change my work and THEN, ask me to edit their edits.
I’m a writer by trade. My 9–5 involves writing emails, newsletters, and other donation solicitations for various nonprofits. I also write for a small company that spotlights unsung artists and entrepreneurs, and if I’m lucky, in between those jobs and some Twitter scrolling, I’ll sneak in a freelance gig or some writing for pleasure.
So as I’m scrolling Twitter today (annoyed with work by this point), I get a text message from Gen Y’s favorite entrepreneur Gary Vee (calm down — I don’t actually know Gary, I just signed up for his community text platform).
Anyways, I jump in his live to see him getting birthday love from his brother, his sister and parents, and a host of friends and collaborators throughout his journey.
76ers owner Michael Rubin came on to talk about how Gary never quits on anything and how Gary helped him execute the vision for the All-In Challenge which raised more than $50 million to fight food insecurity during the pandemic.
Perhaps my favorite two stories came from longtime friends/coworkers. One spoke about how he and Gary individually emailed 5,000 people to sell a new wine. The other told a story about traveling with Gary to Cooperstown, NY to see a baseball legend inducted into the Hall of Fame. Apparently, they decided (after traveling all the way there), they’d skip the ceremony to attend a random garage sale event that they’d heard about happening nearby.
Obviously, I enjoyed these stories because they speak to Gary’s flexibility, his determination, and all the things about him that made me a fan years ago but what really stuck out to me was that during both of these stories, Gary interrupted ever so subtly to guide the storytellers in the direction that “provided value to the listeners”.
Even during his birthday celebration…even with epic stories and loving adoration being cast in his direction, Gary wanted to ensure that every single person watching and participating got value out of the experience.
I jumped off to return to work shortly after but I jotted down a note about my epiphany that this is exactly what makes a great writer, a great creative, and in general a great leader in any field — providing value to your team and your audience.
My day had been terrible up to that point but whilst I had been waiting for a pat on the back to energize me to be more productive, Gary reminded me that really deserving those pats means being consistently and intentionally committed to empowering and providing things of value for others.
Obviously we can praise Gary (or criticize if that’s your preference) for a number of reasons. Whether he’s empowering people to see opportunities within obstacles OR encouraging us to live in gratitude OR encouraging us to just not give a f*ck (when appropriate), Gary Vee has helped so many. But today, his text message and his subtle reminder to provide value in everything that I do…that we all do…made me a better writer and professional.
From one obsessive compulsive November baby to another, Happy Birthday my friend and thank you for always providing lessons, resources, and value in all of your work.
