Happy Monday, Creators 👋

You like the inspiration to start off the week. Got it. We're keeping that.

The biggest ask was for more behind-the-scenes. More how-to. More of the actual business of being a creator. Millennial parents — who happen to be our biggest demographic — are navigating so much right now. Work is shifting. Uncertainty is real. And you want to know what the path actually looks like from someone who is walking it.

Here's the thing. That's a stretch for me, but I’m up for the challenge.

I'm a geriatric millennial. And somewhere between American Gangster and Power, I fully internalized the idea that you just don't go around running your mouth, talking about your business. Lol.

But we're doing things on the up and up over here, so I'm getting comfortable pulling back the curtain.

The third thing I kept hearing is that you want conversations to encourage where you are right now and where you are going!

I'm restructuring Remarkable Monday around exactly what you said you need. Every issue, starting today, will have four parts:

1. Inspirational Thought — The Monday fuel.

2. Creator Update — Behind the scenes. What I'm building, what's working, what's not. I’ll still keep the podcast interviews (returning in the fall) with guests who can answer these questions as well.

3. Weekly Playbook — Actionable insights for the week ahead.

4. Question for You — Because this is a two-way street, and I love hearing from you.

You have everything you need. And then some. No second-guessing this week. No waiting for perfect timing or better conditions. Use what you have to get where you need to go because what you have is more than you're giving yourself credit for.

This week I'm doing a deep dive into paid UGC. Not sure what those letters mean? Here's the short version: brands pay everyday people to create authentic-looking videos or photos. Unlike influencers, you don't need to post anything on your own page. You just make the content, hand it to the brand, and they run it in their ads.

I'm recording portfolio videos this week to start pitching to brands. I'll report back on what the process looks like, what I'm learning, and whether the numbers make sense.

Don't let this week just happen to you. Get organized today, and tackle it with the Eisenhower Decision Matrix.

#1: Do First — Urgent & Important: Handle these yourself. Right now.

#2: Decide (or Schedule) — Important, Not Urgent: These can be the long-term goals or decisions that build the life you actually want. Block time for it, or it will never have the time to “get around to it” later.

#3: Delegate — Urgent, Not Important: Feels pressing. Doesn't actually need you. Pass it off if you can. Time-box it if you can't.

#4: Eliminate — Not Urgent, Not Important: The scroll. The busywork. The noise. Drop it completely. That time belongs to your Quadrant 2.

Grab a sheet of paper. Draw four boxes. Put everything on your list into one of them. Then attack accordingly.

What are you working on this week, and how can I pray for you? I really want to know. And trust, I read ALL of your replies personally.

Now, hit reply. I'm listening.

I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media.

FYI: I’m mostly active on LinkedIn these days. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.