I didn’t shower yesterday.
Not for any reason except I kept getting sucked into a work or Facebook vortex every time I looked at the computer. And I kept looking just when I was about to shower.
I went to bed feeling filmy.
I actually love the shower. I don’t avoid it like my friend Victoria, who’s scared of water like a cat.
I’m just too lazy to deal with drying my hair. If I had the bone structure for a Sinead O’Connor buzz cut, I’d do it. If I weren’t at that age where a bob is a “that age” haircut, I’d do that.
But long hair is what I’ve got, and it takes a good, boring 10 minutes under the blowdryer or I’ll be damp and shivering for hours.
I’ll spend the day craving soup.
And I guess that’s why I put off the process of looking and smelling nice till the last possible hour every day. Like, before I go out to dinner. Or sometimes, before bed. Or sometimes, tomorrow.
So what does that mean for business?
It means I dread anything that’s face to face. Even Skype. “Will you be a guest expert on our group call?” Sure. “It’ll be on video.” Oh wait. Something just came up.
(Unless it’s for enough money. You know gay for pay? I’ll go clean for green.)
It’s one of my favorite things about what I do. It’s yesterday’s-sweats-friendly. No bra, no shoes, no problem.
I love that knowing how to write copy that sounds like me means that I can remain a grubby troll while my words go out, showered and pine-scented, and do business for me all day.
But then again, sometimes a face changes everything.
Most of my best opportunities come from in-person moments.
In fact, I’m featured on two great podcasts this week (both released on the same day like I’m Kim Kardashian plugging a new selfie book) all because of times I showed my face.
One, Duct Tape Marketing, I got invited to do because my friend Michael Port recommended me. I went to Michael’s event, Heroic Public Speaking Live – I STRONGLY recommend it – and then took a 3-day intensive taught by him and his wife Amy Port.
I wanted to bail out of both those things, because I’m scared and lazy, but I went and showed my face.
And then Michael passed my name along to John Jantsch, founder of Duct Tape. He’s kind of a big deal.
Podcast booked.
The other, I booked because I met the host, Chris Winfield, at a dinner party. I didn’t feel like going to the dinner (or showering for it, anyway) but I rallied, and a few minutes chatting across the table with Chris led to what might be…
My best interview ever?
I don’t want to overhype it. But it’s personal. It’s energetic. I’m the third guest I know to call her interview with Chris “my best one yet.”
And I think it’s because it has a secret ingredient: Face.
Not mine, Chris’s. While we talked, I was just on audio, happily unwashed, while he was on my screen on video. (A perfect arrangement. Can I just live my life this way?) So I could see him nodding, laughing, giving me the “yes, yes, keep talking about that” gestures.
On these interviews, I often sound (to me, anyway) like someone just woke me up. Or dosed my drink. Or didn’t wait for my root canal anesthesia to wear off. This one was different.
Seeing my listener reacting kept me sparked up.
Go here to listen to the podcast, leave a comment about it, and see the highlights — which include:
- My scaredy-cat, “Hell maybe” approach to life
- How growing up with a shrink Dad affected my copywriting
- The selfish motivator that makes me most productive
It’s called “Crushing Crappy Copy (One Word at a Time).”
Want to make me look super cool to my podcast host?
Leave a comment at the bottom of the podcast page.
The Duct Tape one is great, too, and your perfect choice if you like the shot-glass size podcast (the Chris one is a couple of pints). John Jantsch is a superb host and an honor to talk to. You’ll find out which clients I have the most trouble writing for, and you’ll hear me speak the phrase, “WHASSUP, GIRLFRIEND! GOT A FRIEND WHO’S DYING?”
That’s not good copy.
Listen to my Duct Tape interview here. It’s called “How To Give Your Content CPR.”
Now you.
Not running off to listen to me talk about me?
Tell me about you. Do you avoid leaving the house or showering or being seen on a screen? Do you have, or fantasize about, a job that lets you say “no” to all human contact?
Have you rallied, dragged yourself out and shown your face – and reaped the benefits?
TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS.
I’m the opposite. I love dressing up but never have any place to go. So I end up doing my dishes in my favorite heels. Or watching the Hamilton the Musical PBS documentary in that fabulous shoulder baring red dress I bought three summers ago because that garment deserves a momentous occasion and Lin Manuel Miranda is a big something, darn-it! Yup. I’m the one clip-clopping through the grocery store, not sporting the college sweats, who has been asked seriously in that voice (you know that judgmental voice that usually comes out of a relative over Turkey dinner), “Ooooo….where do you think you’re going?” when I’m literally buying sliced munster cheese in a black tank top and yoga pants.
S’funny, I’m at my least efficient when I don’t start my day with a shower. Need a clean shirt (altho’ it can be a t-shirt and yesterday’s sweatshirt).
Oh well, it takes all kinds to make the world go ’round!
Great post Laura. I hear you on hanging out comfy at home.
I’m lucky to have people from all over the world come to stay with me. I couldn’t help noticing that it was people from the US who tended to take daily showers and spend the longest time in them, including my cousin. I’m delighted to hear that in the interests of comfort you forgo the freuency
I shower on the mornings when go for a run, otherwise, I’m in my comfy house clothes for the day.
I just got back from a gathering on climate change in Edinburgh (Scotland) where they were encouraging 4-minute showers as a way for people to reduce carbon emissions. I think I can do that – except on the days when I have to wash my hair, sometimes I think I’d like a Sinead or a bob, for now, it’s long romantic tresses.
I did have some fruitful encounters based on getting out the door to that gathering.
Thanks for creating space for being real.
Such quality copy, Laura. I think I’ve figured out your secret. It’s when people don’t think you’re writing copy that makes it the best stuff.
Like your posts here. We all just think we’re having a good time learning about your personal life and having a great laugh because you’re the funniest person on the internet. But really, you’re writing the best copy in the world to get us to do something (listen to your podcasts.) (And probably most of us actually do know it because we’re writer types and you’ve taught us so well.)
But we still keep coming back because everyone wants to read what the most hilarious person on the internet is going to say next. Thank you.
Now, I’m a shower person. Every day. Love being clean. But I remember now, after working many years at my standard corporate job where I went in to work every day, I had the opportunity to work virtually (at the same company) for a time. And I remember not having any reason to shower. So I didn’t… for days.
Until my wife said, “You really ought to shower, you big slob.” I think it started to bother the kids too.
But man, I saved so much time! I could get maximum sleep and maximum work done. And no one would even know.
So I can understand your practices.
I’m back at the real corporate life now. Cleaning up, figuring out what to wear. Pretty inefficient.
(But I did start a video podcast show within my company, so now I’m even on camera once a week!)
Thanks for writing the best. Copy. Ever. Every. Time.
Oh, how I relate to this. I live in my yoga pants. My favorite day is after the laundry is done and I have a full selection of clean yoga pants. Ha. These days getting on jeans and mascara means I’m dressed up. And yes, I love the limited human contact. The world out there is exhausting.
Selective hygiene is definitely the BEST part of working from home! And wearing the same clothes over and over… Oh, and naps…
I love when your e-mails come knocking. And how you always write about stuff I can SO relate to, but would never think it funny…until YOU write about it.
That analogy of your showered and pine-scented words that do business for you all day – Brilliant! And troll….well troll is just stinkin funny.
On your pretty photo: Those bookcases, that chair! Truth – I’m a copy-obsessesed interior designer. Or an interiors obsessed copy-writer. Yah, that one. Also, your teeth and your lashes look fabulous. And your nose – it’s clean…so there’s that!
Can’t wait to to check out those podcasts. After I shower. Well, maybe I’ll just check them out now….
Thanks, LB, for brightening my day!
You took my comment about the nose, Rochelle. For a self-conscious person to post an up-the-face shot, that’s pretty bold.
But I agree, looks good. No bats in the bat cave!
I can’t think of a time I had a raging success because I went out in public when I didn’t want to. However, I would estimate that 98% of the time, when I do drag myself out I end up having the BEST time which I guess is a success in and of itself.
And when I get home tonight I will check out that podcast because I must know the context of “got a friend who’s dying” haha!
PS I am also dying to know – what plugin do you use that allows you to copy the text and then share it?!
I’m cheering (as I sit here unshowered at 3pm) because I just started listening to Chris Winfield’s podcast and that means your dulcet tones will be in my ears soon!
A few weeks ago, I forgot the last time I had showered. As for today, I’m on day 2. I’m a filthy person. This is what working from home does to me. (And I love it.)