Happy Sunday,I’m officially a Growth Operator at Late Checkout. I got the title, raise, and psychological boost. The high didn’t last long. Thirty minutes into hosting my first community workshop, I didn’t feel like an operator. My mouth was dry, my notes were thin, and the pauses stretched on too long. The clock was crawling. This was new, uncomfortable territory for me. Most of my work happens behind a keyboard, not in front of a group. I’m used to showing what I know by doing, not explaining. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. My seasoned co-host jumped in to help me out. We answered questions through the second half. By the end of the hour, I felt like we’d shared something useful. Far from perfect, but it was mine – my first workshop and one more brick of belief. Taking on the role of Growth Operator means helping the business grow by whatever means possible. I’m part writer, part marketer, part designer, with some other parts mixed in. To get here, I had to grow. And growth doesn’t feel good in the moment. It feels messy, awkward, discouraging. Sometimes it’s painful. But it’s the only way. So whatever your “first workshop” is – present it, publish it, put it out there. Do it once and do it again. Keep doing it. I’m rooting for you.
September in 3 snapshots 😂 Thursday night comedy — Drove 15 minutes to see Big Jay Oakerson at the Blackfoot Hotel. Danko dragged me out with a polite invite. We caught up for an hour before the show started. Full room, funny sets, and home by eleven. One of my favourite perks of city life is weekday shows. I take advantage 2-3 times a year. Not enough. ⛺️ One night in Syncline — Drove 2.5 hours to the edge of the Rockies for an 18-hour camping trip with friends. I sat by the creek, cooked soup over the fire, and sipped on ciders under the stars. Sarah made waffles for breakfast. Quick trip but a good rip to close out the camping season. 🎂 Bouncy castle in the barn — Drove 6 hours to Macklin, Saskatchewan, to celebrate my nephew turning four years old. A small family get-together on the farm. We smoked burgers, caught bugs, and bounced in his Paw Patrol castle. Life out there is different. Quiet, vast, more cows. It’s a life I’m grateful to be a part of. Just wish it was 35% closer to home.
3 Lessons Learned I. Calm conversation is a gateway to compassion. Resentment grows in silence. Curiosity cuts through it, reminding you that people are human – struggling and doubting, just like you. Don’t forget to talk to people. II. Impermanence is a spice of life. If you want to feel something more deeply, remember it won’t last. Homes change, pets grow old, chapters close. Reality feels heavy. That’s the point. When you see that everything is finite, you start paying attention. You’ll breathe deeper and listen closer. III. Sharing creative work is always intimidating. That feeling never goes away. Whether it’s your first essay or Spielberg’s next movie, putting work into the world comes with uncertainty. Will it resonate? Will it translate? At best, it’s a coin flip. Worry less about those who won’t get it, and focus more on reaching the ones who will.
3 fun videos to check out
I’ll leave you with a quote 🤔 “Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship you have.” — Robert Holden Until next time, Scotty
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