Hey there —

Imagine yourself on the precipice of a huge opportunity.

You’ve applied for your dream job. You’ve submitted your manuscript to the publisher. You’ve interviewed for the promotion.

And now, you’re in that wonderful world of limbo, waiting to find out whether you’ll be popping the champagne or crying into a pint of ice cream.

Do you choose to: A) expect the worst, or B) hope for the best?

When something we really want is within our grasp, yet ultimately out of our control, it can be tempting to keep our expectations low in an effort to avoid disappointment. But is that really the best option?

Downplaying your chances of success might seem like an act of self-preservation, but can easily lead to getting stuck in the same unpleasant emotions you’re trying to avoid.

And while we would never advise putting all your eggs in one basket or counting your chickens before they’re hatched (wait—are those actually the same thing?? 🤯), studies have shown that positive thinking has a myriad of benefits.

Instead of forcefully dampening your optimism, embrace a hopeful outlook by fostering a healthy sense of desire, rather than desperation.

Here’s exactly how you can do that…

Practice gratitude.

What are you thankful for in the present moment? Recognizing what’s great about where you currently are means you can let go of the idea that whatever you’re hoping for has to happen in order for you to be truly happy.

Remember your own resilience.

Think about times you’ve experienced disappointment in the past. This may feel counterintuitive, but realizing that you’ve survived this scenario before is a great reminder that, if necessary, you can survive it again.

Reframe your fear.

Chances are, you can think of at least one time where a “no” actually turned out to be a good thing and led you to something even better. This can help you reframe potential rejection as just another essential part of the journey.

Self-reflect.

Ask yourself why you want this. If, at any point, you feel your self-worth getting tangled up in the outcome, take a moment to look in the mirror and remind yourself that you’re a freaking awesome human and that your value isn’t dependent on any one definition of “success.”

Be prepared.

Okay, let’s say things don’t go the way you hope. What’s your next step? Creating a plan for what you’ll do in that case means you won’t get stuck wallowing in the “now what?” Rather than being tempted to give up on your dreams completely, you can take the time to process your feelings (and eat that pint of Ben and Jerry’s), then get back to work.

So go ahead, buy a bottle of champagne. In fact, pour yourself a glass now, in celebration of putting yourself out there and taking big steps, because that in itself is a win, no matter the eventual outcome.

Craig Richard: Whispers and haircuts — the science of ASMR

12-min. audio | NPR’s TED Radio Hour

Sure, listening to a random stranger whisper into a microphone might not be your thing, but what about a trip to the hair salon, or an episode of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross?

Physiologist Craig Richard explains that ASMR—Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response—is more than just some weird videos on YouTube, and the science behind why it may help you feel more rested. (It’s all about the brain tingles.)

If you find this clip fascinating, check out the full podcast episode, covering everything from what your dreams may be trying to tell you, to the future possibility of human hibernation, and how to avoid burnout with purposeful rest.

Listen to the clip →

4 ways to make your to-do lists less overwhelming

Article | by deprocrastination.co

Hi, my name is Ashley, and my browser currently has 46 open tabs.

If your to-do list (and brain) is feeling as overwhelmed as my Safari window, check out these tips for reducing the clutter.

Like me, you might feel simultaneously seen and personally attacked, but ultimately grateful for these practical strategies.

Read the article →

All Your Questions Answered!

Master YouTube Q&A

We’ve been getting lots of questions about our YouTube course — which is open for enrollment right now! — so we wanted to answer some of your most burning questions:

“What equipment do I need for this course?”

You don’t need to blow money on fancy gadgets and gear to make the most out of this course. All you need is something to film with (like your smartphone), a computer for editing, and the courage to try new things.

“How long is the course?”

Master YouTube is broken into 5 modules with 27 total lessons and roughly 8 hours of content. You also get a 64-page companion workbook full of content and exercises to complete as you progress through the course.

“Is Master YouTube right for me if I’ve already started posting on my YouTube channel?”

That depends. If you’re posting inconsistently, struggling to identify what makes your channel unique, or how to get your videos in front of more eyes, then this program has the practical steps you need to overcome these roadblocks. It’s also right for you if your channel is lacking a sense of direction and you don’t know where to take it.But if you’ve already grown your channel to 50k subs, and you know exactly what content to put out, and how to present your information in an engaging way, keep doing what you’re doing! You probably don’t need Master YouTube.

“I’m so nervous! What if this doesn’t work for me?”

We’ll give it to you straight - we can’t guarantee you’ll 10x your subscribers and earn a full-time income overnight after going through Master YouTube.But we do guarantee that if you do the work, follow the steps, and commit to moving forward, you’ll feel more confident about what your channel has to offer and you’ll be actively working your way there. And if not? You’re protected by our 30 Day Money Back Growth Guarantee. Just shoot us an email and we’ll give you your money back.

“Will you open the doors to Master YouTube again?”

The short answer is: yes, we’re going to open the doors again. But, at this stage, it probably won’t happen until late 2022. We’re working on bringing more courses you’ve asked for to life, creating new high-quality content, and we want to make sure we’re supporting our current students. All of which means we won’t be able to accept new Master YouTube students for a while.So if starting a YouTube channel is on your list of 2022 goals and you’d like a roadmap to show you the way, now is the best time to hop in because enrollment ends April 26th. We hope to see you there!

Written by Ashley Martin

Edited by Matt D'Avella & Shawn Forno