January Mini Challenge - Day 1
Let’s Just Look 👀
Hello friend,
Welcome to our January Mini Challenge here at The Literary Assistant.
I’m really glad you’re here.
This month, we’re not running after fixes, algorithms, or “should do’s” as I often see my clients do… and I’m admit can be guilty of myself sometimes.
We’re slowing down.
We’re noticing.
We’re switching into observation mode.
As creatives and authors, we’re often told to optimize, rebrand, overhaul… all the time. But before we change anything, we need to see what’s actually in front of us.
Observation is powerful because it removes judgment.
It creates space.
It lets clarity emerge without force.
Think of this week as standing back from your work and asking yourself…
“Let me really see what I’ve made.”
No shame.
No urgency.
Just curiosity.
We have plenty of time for the doing. This is just about noticing and noting it down.
Today’s Focus
Today is about setting the tone for reflection.
You are not behind.
You are not broken.
Your social media and newsletter are not failures… they are data. They are stories in progress.
And stories deserve to be read carefully.
Today’s Gentle Exercise (10–15 minutes)
Grab a notebook, a notes app, or your favorite cozy place to write.
Answer these prompts… without editing yourself…
What platforms am I currently using (social + newsletter)?
How do I feel when I think about showing up there?
What do I enjoy sharing the most?
What feels heavy, forced, or draining?
If my content were a story, what chapter am I in right now?
That’s it. No fixing. No action steps yet.
Just observe.
A Reminder for This Week
You are allowed to…
move slowly
change your mind
notice patterns without acting on them immediately
By the end of this week, you’ll see your work more clearly and clarity always comes before confidence.
Tomorrow, we’ll start observing your social media—the good, the awkward, and the surprisingly strong. (Yep, I know you are doing some awesome things that we are going to build on.)
Until then, take a deep breath.
You’re doing better than you think.
Warmly,
Melissa
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Continue the mini challenges each month. Feel free to cancel once you have what you need.
Book Rec
Show Your Work! is about why generosity trumps genius. It’s about getting findable, about using the network instead of wasting time “networking.” It’s not self-promotion, it’s self-discovery―let others into your process, then let them steal from you. Filled with illustrations, quotes, stories, and examples, Show Your Work! offers ten transformative rules for being open, generous, brave, productive.
In chapters such as You Don’t Have to Be a Genius; Share Something Small Every Day; and Stick Around, Kleon creates a user’s manual for embracing the communal nature of creativity― what he calls the “ecology of talent.” From broader life lessons about work (you can’t find your voice if you don’t use it) to the etiquette of sharing―and the dangers of oversharing―to the practicalities of Internet life (build a good domain name; give credit when credit is due), it’s an inspiring manifesto for succeeding as any kind of artist or entrepreneur in the digital age.