Hi Playmakers,
If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I wouldn’t give her a to-do list.
I wouldn’t tell her which career path to choose or how to make the “right” decisions. I wouldn’t warn her about the heartbreaks or failures or sleepless nights. She’s going to need all of those.
What I would tell her is this:
You’re going to doubt yourself. You’re going to feel behind. You’re going to wonder if everyone else knows something you don’t.
They don’t.
Keep going anyway.
You won’t always feel brave, but you’ll learn how to act brave. Sometimes, that’s enough. You’ll learn to speak up, to take up space, to leave when something isn’t right. You’ll learn that nobody is coming to give you permission. You’ll have to give that to yourself.
And somewhere along the way, you’ll realize you’ve become the person you needed all along.
This week I want to focus on the younger version of each of us. The one who didn’t know yet that the hard days were shaping her. The one who was still figuring it all out, but kept showing up.
What would you say to your younger self? How can you take that wisdom and share it with someone who’s coming up in the world now?
The Play of the Week: Katrina Lake, Founder of Stitch Fix
Katrina broke Silicon Valley rules… and built a billion-dollar company doing it.
Before she became the youngest woman to take a company public, Katrina Lake was a kid in San Francisco, raised by immigrant parents who worked in education and healthcare. She thought she’d follow their path. Instead, she created one of her own.
While getting her MBA at Harvard, Katrina launched Stitch Fix from her dorm room with a SurveyMonkey quiz and a bold idea: use data to deliver better fashion.
Investors doubted her. She built it anyway.
By 34, Stitch Fix IPO’d at over $1B. Then Katrina did what no one expected — she took maternity leave. Twice. As CEO.
I’m working with sponsors to help make this newsletter possible. My goal is to pick companies that are relevant to my audience. Take a look at this week’s sponsor to support them and this newsletter.
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The Execution Plan: Your Play for the Week
Insights are only valuable if they’re acted on. Let’s turn this knowledge into impact with small but powerful action steps.
This week’s challenge: impart some wisdom you would have loved to share with your younger self.
When you’re coming up in the world, it’s easy to assume that everyone around you knows exactly what they’re doing. Find a special person around you that’s working hard. Maybe they’re young and trying to figure things out. Maybe they pivoted into a new career path and feel out of their element. In a respectful way, share a piece of wisdom with that individual. Ideally, it’s something you wish someone had told you when you were in their position.
Call to Action:
1️⃣ Reach out to that person and share some thoughtful wisdom.
2️⃣ Report back and let me know how it went! Drop a comment or share your post below. The best responses may be featured next week.
Playmaker’s Spotlight: Real People, Real Wins
Every week, I spotlight somebody from the community who is making a big play in their career or industry, but today is a little bit different.
As first responders continue to search for victims in the horrific floods in Texas, I wanted to spotlight an incredible woman named Diana Smith as today’s #Playmaker. As the rapid flash flood hit in the middle of the night, Diana faced a wall of water entering her home. Thinking quickly, Diana miraculously made it through the flood by getting into her kayak with her two dogs and riding the storm out. All survived.
A true hero.
@nbcnews Diana Smith grabbed her two dogs and her kayak when flash flooding sent a wall of water crashing into her Hunt, Texas, home.
Want to be featured next?
Make sure to tag @Jenny Stojkovic on your post for a chance to be featured.
The Extra Edge: Industry & Success Trends
👠 We don’t have to take our shoes off when going through TSA anymore! Rejoice!
❤️ This man saved 165 people during the Texas floods. He is an American hero.
🐶 A random shelter dog identifies a man’s seizure and promptly gets adopted.
This musician, known for having a lot to say with almost no filter, was born today. Who is she?
How to Get Involved:
The Wednesday Play isn’t just a newsletter — it’s a community. I’ll be announcing much more in coming weeks and months! For now, let’s connect across social.
