[Parent Teacher Conference 1st Grade]

Teacher: “Aileen gets her work done, then distracts her classmates.”

Parents: “Give her more work.”

This has basically been the theme of my life. If I’m not busy, I’m a pain in the ass.

So naturally, I had some free time last month and I kept myself busy (you’re welcome, family LOL):

• This newsletter is redesigned! I’m hoping you find it more modern, easier to skim, and packed with content that sparks ideas, insight, and creative thinking.

• BrandKramp.com was redesigned too. It’s now much easier to navigate and figure out how I can help business owners, leaders, and solopreneurs.

• Summer Skool 2.0 is ready to roll! I’m really excited about this one. We’ve got a fantastic lineup, smarter topics, and conversations designed to help all of us level up — not beginner stuff, but real perspective for people already in the game. I’m also excited to welcome Michele Marquis and Matt Patterson as momentum makers and presenters.

Now, back to the whole “pain in the ass” thing…

I’ve realized it’s a superpower.

It’s what makes me ask questions. Push deeper. Figure things out. Rework things that aren’t working. Stay persistent. Show up when people need me. Keep building.

What my first-grade teacher saw as “distracting” was probably just energy looking for somewhere to go. And honestly? I think we all carry some version of that.

Some label. Some criticism. Some line of BS we absorbed somewhere along the way about who we are, how we work, or what’s “wrong” with us.

Too much.
Too loud.
Too curious.
Too stubborn.
Too ambitious.
Too weird.

Maybe the thing you were taught to tone down is the thing that gives you your edge.

So, here’s something worth thinking about:

What if the trait you’ve spent years trying to manage… is actually your superpower?

What would it look like if you stopped fighting it — and started bringing more of it into your work and the world?

Think.

About.

That! 

Stay curious friends!

Aileen