I will never, ever get sick of celebrating my BIRTHDAY.

Last night, at 7:11pm Pacific Standard Time, I turned 27.
Which feels like a bonafide grown-up number.

What I love most about birthdays (besides the fact that everyone has to be extra-nice to you, spank you, or both) is the opportunity to spin back through the year, and relive the most epiphanous moments.

In the spirit of reflection — and revving for the new year, to come — I’ve rounded up my Absolute Favorite Posts of the Year, for your business, your brain, and your spirit.

AND! There’s an impromptu poem for you, at the bottom o’ the post.
Yes, yes… you can skip to the end, if you must. (Sigh. Typical.)

My Absolute Favorite Posts of the Year—
for your BUSINESS

:: How NOT To Write A Sales Page

“If you’re ready to stop being an AWFUL PERSON and FAILING AT EVERYTHING, I can’t wait to hear from you.”

:: 10 Ways Your Website Is Breaking My Heart (And How To Take The Pain Away)

“The only time the phrase “Coming Soon!” is even remotely exciting (or believable) is in the bedroom. And you know it.”

:: The Definitive Guide To Gathering A Torrent Of Testimonials (With Dignity)

“When it comes to really wooing your potential client — and showcasing your most impactful skills — your testimonials are what seal the deal.”

:: 19 Potent Ways To Turn Your Blog Into Pure Currency

“To paraphrase the legendary Sioux leader Crazy Horse, ‘today is a good day to monetize’.”

* * *

My Absolute Favorite Posts of the Year—
for your BRAIN

:: How To Survive When Everything Sucks

“When life sucks, don’t pretend that it doesn’t — but make sure the suckiness has a limited shelf life.”

:: How To Throw A Rave Inside Your Brain

“Be easily amused. (You’ll be more amusing.) REFUSE to engage in small talk. Read your horoscope like it’s your job. Make today your never.”

:: Tell Us Who You Are. No, Seriously.

“Not every piece of your story is relevant, urgent, or newsworthy. Not in every setting. Not for everyone you meet. Self-edit — strategically.”

:: It’s not CRAZY…It’s “Bojangles McNutballz”

“Consider this your personal call-to-action to speak (and sing, and blog, and Tweet) with supercharged style & specificity.”

* * *

My Absolute Favorite Posts of the Year—
for your SPIRIT

:: In Praise Of Fetal Positions, Meltdowns & Uninformed Decisions

“You are worthy of love. You don’t have to DO anything. You have a beautiful heart, you have a beautiful soul, you have a beautiful body. Everything about you is beautiful. You can’t fuck it up.”

:: Agony + (boys) + SUCCESS :: 3 vignettes from a year on the verge

“One man’s calculated risk is another’s catastrophe. My field is your box. My box is your circus.”

:: Broken-hearted Humanity :: And How To Be Kind When The Answer is NO

“As a sad-eyed therapist from teenage days of yore once told me, ‘Life is messy.’ No fucking kidding.”

:: Wild-Child Philanthropy :: 17 Ways To Be A Patron Of The World, Without Spending A Dime.

“What’s the most avant-garde way you could give your time / electricity / skills / renewable creative resources away? Go buck-wild, child.”

* * *

Three Ways To Make My (Belated) Birthday Exceptionally Awesome
(And A Spoken-word Poem, For You)

1. Make a donation to a socially-conscious non-profit. (Think $5 won’t make a difference? I’m happy to tell you… you’re wrong.) My personal favorites: Planned Parenthood, GEMS Girls, National Public Radio, and the American Civil Liberties Union.

2. Set three intentions for yourself – say, for your business, your brain, and your spirit — and share ‘em below, if you feel so inspired. I want to know how you’re planning to grow.

3. Get yourself a copy of my new mini-product — FIVE SCRIPTS TO FILL YOUR CLIENT DOCKET.
Already got one? Send me a (raw-honesty) review, or pass the link along to a friend who’s struggling to garner attention, gain traction — and get paid for their gifts.

POEM!

As I woke up this morning, swaddled in goose down pillows with just about the sweetest, kindest boy I’ve ever met & the prospect of French toast in my future, I was struck with a bolt of superstition – if I’m so happy now, there’s got to be something horrific on the horizon. No one can be on a perpetual crescendo, forever.

Then I thought, fuck that.

And I wrote a poem about it.

You can read it here, or download an MP3 of me performing it.

* * *

Happy birthday to me. Happy everything to you.

Rainbow-sprinkle extravaganza via :: Love. Luck. Kisses. And Cake.