Burn out, anime, and maybe a first client.

1 minute read time

Today’s issue: Burn out, anime, and maybe a first client.

I promise this story isn’t about anime.

Burnout sucks. Last week my brain went on a vacay and I was sitting in front of my laptop looking lobotomized. I pushed myself for a ‘win’ so hard, I just… shut down.

So I did what any self-respecting burnt out person does: I binged anime.

Before you ask, ‘Uh, what does this have to do with starting a business?’ There’s a connection, I promise.

I’ll spare you the anime review, but the underdog won because he just helped people. That’s it.

So I decided to use this burnout to be productive-ish.

I talked to people — old friends, new connections, and strangers.

Then a couple days ago, I had a convo with a complete stranger on digitial minimalism (no Cal Newport). She mentioned she needed help. But me semi-brain dead and not thinking said, I could help because I just solved the issue for myself. And then she asked how much it’d cost for me to help her.

Mini pause for the excitement of client #1 mixed with the pure white rage of the last 3+ weeks.

Except it wasn’t a perfect fit. She needed an admin for finances or something I knew nothing about (or was interested in). So I had to decline.

But it was the first person who said YES.

Maybe there’s something to casually helping people in your community and not trying to force something to happen (haha?).Or even when you’re burnt out it can lead to good thing if you don’t fall prey to self-pity? Idk I’m trying to be deep here.

Bottomline — Not everything is a lesson but it can help lead you to some interesting places. For me it just happened to be burnout, anime, and talking to people.

So question: Is the traditional hustle the only way to succeed? Or can unexpected journeys lead to unexpected opportunities?