For Peet's sake

Please don't make things harder than they need to be

Confession: I spend an enormous amount of money at my local Peet’s Coffee.

It’s one of my largest recurring monthly expenses.

But it’s not that I’m such a caffeine hound.

My daily Peet’s runs give me something everyone (especially a solopreneur ghostwriter) needs: human interaction.

Pre-pandemic, I’d load my dog Rigby into the car, drive to Peet’s, and go inside to order. Because I’m a regular, ordering was a breeze. (For those who remember the TV show Cheers, I feel like I’m the “Norm” of Peet’s; everyone knows my name—and even dubbed my go-to drink “The Amy.”)

We’d say good morning and chat a bit about our lives, and inevitably I’d strike up a conversation with someone else waiting for their java. And because I tend to arrive at Peet’s around the same time every day, I’d bump into others with a similar schedule.

In the early stages of COVID, everything shifted.

No one was allowed inside Peet’s, and orders had to be done through a mobile app.

You’d still drive to Peet’s, but your drink would be waiting for you on a table stationed in front of the entry doors.

Convenient and safe, yes.

Ideal for fostering human connection? Not so much.*

Whether at your favorite coffee shop or in the working world, when you place a barrier between you and your intended audience, you make it unnecessarily harder for others.

Some examples:

• Gated content (Want my wisdom? I’ll need your email first.)

• Language usage (Overly formal or talking about yourself in the third person: “Amy requests you subscribe to her newsletter”)

• Too many clicks (Ain’t nobody got time for that.)

But even if you don’t do those things, you still might be unintentionally putting up walls.

Here are five ways you’re making it hard to work with you—and how to fix it:

1. You’re negative

Those who lead with positivity help others feel more relaxed in their presence, making them more receptive to them and their ideas. Smiling signals that you’re approachable and kind, making you appear more likable, confident & trustworthy.

2. You’re closed-minded

See new ideas not as threats but as opportunities for growth and learning. When you’re curious, receptive to, and tolerant of new ideas and people, that openness fosters connection.

3. You’re an enigma (and not in a mysterious, cool way)

When you’re clear, people understand you, what you offer, your value, what differentiates you, how you can help them and how they can assist you. Clarity helps others know, like, and trust you.

4. You wing it—a lot

Time management is about prioritizing those things that matter most. Eliminate distractions and tasks that don’t serve your larger goal. Being intentional with your time helps you be more prepared.

5. You’re oblivious

Honing your powers of observation is essential for increasing your awareness, and that’s nearly impossible to do when you’re multitasking. So put down your phone, give people your undivided attention, and listen to understand, not respond.

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And speaking of being oblivious…

Ever received a rambling email or muddled message, wondering what the sender meant?

Your ability to communicate effectively is a huge career asset, but professional communications often leave little to be desired.

In my latest Forbes article, I share five questions to ensure your message is well-written and well-received.

Shine on,

Amy

P.S. When I’m not writing this newsletter or going on my daily Peet’s run, I’m a social media ghostwriter. (Yep, that’s a thing). I help founders craft their stories to communicate and connect better, magnifying their reach and impact. (Think personal branding and thought leadership.) Learn more here.

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*I’m happy to say my Peet’s has reverted to its pre-pandemic ways, allowing me to once again go inside the store to pick up my almond milk latte with steamed cinnamon (aka “The Amy”) and engage in much-needed human interaction and conversation.