33 Comments
Dec 19, 2023Liked by Packy McCormick

thanks for writing Packy--- It takes a whole person to admit challenges.... It reminds me of the time when you were a kid and... you did...... Actually no it didn't. Thanks for sharing the wonderful adult you are becoming! DAD

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“If you do mediocre work, no one thinks about you. On the rare occasions when you do great work, people do. You can always earn that right back by doing great work.”

What a quote. This really hit home.

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Wow.. thank you so much for this fresh dose of honesty. It was so refreshing to read. Thank you.

I’m also gunning for a 2024 breakout year. Let’s do this, Packy! 🚀

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You're an inspiration for those, like me, who are trying to make sense of the world. You made writing about business in a fun way an entire genre. Once the kids are a little older and you get a full night of sleep, you'll be back to full strength.

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Thank you, Safi! Awesome to see you ripping this year.

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Dec 19, 2023Liked by Packy McCormick

smart, relatable, and honest. the good thing about writing by humans for humans is that your readers will - if you give them a peek behind the curtain - stick with you through the highs and lows.

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Appreciate you, Sari! Be unLLM-able!

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Not everyone can introspect and reflect with honesty. The fact that you're doing it while being sleep deprived says a lot about you, Packy. If it's any consolation, I've been struggling to write coherently thanks to a four month old and her four year old tag teaming on my sleep like Brett and Owen Hart. You've got this.

P.S: I'm stealing that "Last of Us extra" line. That is pure gold.

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Haha thank you Sairam, I may steal that tag teaming line back!

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Dec 19, 2023Liked by Packy McCormick

Age of miracles was the most informative and insightful series on nuclear energy and I'm so thankful that you put out such awesome content. Breakout material!!

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Thanks David! Very happy you enjoyed it!

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Dec 19, 2023Liked by Packy McCormick

Honesty is not always the best policy but it this case it is :) love it, as a tired mum, paving out a new freelance career and studying I love this kind of writing as it gives me hope. x

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no sleep, multiple things on your plate isn't easy, but you got this.

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Dec 20, 2023Liked by Packy McCormick

Always great inspiration, thanks a lot

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Thank you for writing this, Packy! There is a lack of publicly shared insights from people who experience what you do. It must have been scary, and I have a feeling confronting that fear will unleash something that feels grounded and true for you. I hope next year feels more invigorating.

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Fantastic piece. Highly relatable - I work in the casino business, oh sorry *music* business and am a father of three.

One thought for those that appreciate your work - consider an end of year anthology of your favorite things you’ve written laid out in a digital publication of some kind. I’m wishing all my favorite bloggers, writers and substackers did this so I’m sharing that idea far and wide.

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A sleep deprived omission - those that like your work *but can’t keep up* should have been in there.

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I can relate to the exhausting world of looking after tiny humans who don't sleep through - we had twins who woke through the night for the first two years. We were so exhausted.

I also relate to the point about thinking your friends are online somewhere laughing at your newsletter - they so don't care!

I've had a year of consolidation too after being one of the many tech redundancies this year, but it feels like the ideas and services that are emerging out of starting my newsletter are beginning to show promise, looking forward to the 2024 breakout.

Thanks for your honesty.

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Really appreciate what you've shared here. It's rare to see in a world so full of self-celebration these days, especially in the creator space. Thank you for your vulnerability.

If I can offer a reflection that you're free to ignore if it doesn't connect with you:

You're already enough. Regardless of what any of these numbers show or feedback you've received, you're already enough. I hope you can find yourself back in a place where you write for the love of writing, results be damned. I've been on a similar journey and learning how to create for myself again. It's a balance (need to survive, support family, etc.) but assuming I'm okay financially, I'd like to create from a place of abundance, not scarcity. It's been a long road to try to get back there. I'm still on it.

Wishing you well as you wrap up the year. Here's to a fulfilling 2024. <3

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Dec 19, 2023Liked by Packy McCormick

“when momentum is on your side, people focus on your strengths and forgive your weaknesses. When the momentum stops, they scrutinize the whole thing.” And true for the birds right now. Tough game but I’m feeling better after reading this! Thank you for truly inspiring me to think bigger, learn more passionately, and not feel self-consciously naive about feeling optimistic. Looking forward to 2024. Go Birds

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Go birds. 🦅

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Super appreciate the honesty and behind the scenes look!

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Nice job with this Packy, way to lay it all out there. Good read!

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