40 Comments

Thanks so much for including me! I feel honored 👏✨ haven’t read it all yet but just wanted to make a quick note on your “unfair advantage” which I personally don’t think is unfair at all.

You clearly state that you’ve dedicated yourself to this space which is nothing but an effort worth to be saluted and recognized NOT apologized for. This is where I find our culture confusing sometimes...

I’ll get back to reading now 🤓

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I need to make more of this point because you are right and it’s really that I want us all to see we have advantages and the quicker we lean into those, the more easeful it all is... will edit! And thank you Elin! ✨✨💫

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I’m delighted to have discovered you here because of this post- thank you both!

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✨💖✨💫

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Did you read the rest? I really want to chat about it! I’m so into this theory! My other “unfair” advantage is my husband is a coach so whenever I’ve had a wobble about Substack he talks me round... I also invest in coaches and mentors but there’s nothing quite like living with one that you love and respect and who really sees you! I know you and your partner work together too and I love that we share that with Kat River too! I’ve not seen it loads but then I’ve not been looking for it. ✨✨💫

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Your husband isn’t an unfair advantage either haha you earned him too 🥰 I wouldn’t be on Substack if it wasn’t for my husband... (to be fair... he thought I should’ve gotten on here already 2 years ago 🙈)

I did read but my sleep deprived brain and slightly anxious stomach (my family comes to visit tomorrow... life as an expat means no support 99% of the time and then when they do come you need to entertain and clean in advance 🤯🤯🤯) so right now I don’t remember and will have to read again, so sorry!

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Oh no worries it’s just a really interesting take! Sending you so many sparkles for your family time! I hear you on the cleaning. I work so hard while the kids are off sorting and organising - I’m looking forward to a morning off tomorrow. ✨✨🙏✨

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This is an incredible list you've put together Claire! One thing I've noticed that each of these authors has in common is the ability to be authentic. Authenticity trumps relevancy every day. I'm inspired to continue to just be me. Thank you. Xo

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Ahh that’s so true. Some are very new voices to me and for that I’m grateful! It’s all so insightful and helps us connect to our own possibilities too. 🙏✨

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Thanks for the tag lovely! Some wonderful posts here, can't wait to read them!

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You’re so welcome! I hope you’re having a lovely twixmas hush ✨🎄✨

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Me too!

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what a sweet little bundle of substack inspo, looking forward to reading them all slowly. I really appreciate the way you've gathered this list with intention and transparency in mind. I love witnessing other writers growing without obsessing over it, while leaning into becoming better writers with sharper offerings and getting the results to show for it and so, this list should be a gift!! Thanks for a gently motivating end-of-year read, Claire.

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Aw you’re so welcome Amara... it’s true isn’t it we’ve learnt so much from other platforms. There’s such a bonus in writing more and more we improve our craft... I look back on posts I wrote a year ago and see so much I’d change. ✨⛰️ ✍️

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Thank you for putting this together ... It is so inspiring and making me itch to get back to writing and Substack ! Hope you are having a wonderful break ❤️

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It is inspiring isn’t it. These were all in my saved folder and I’ve been pondering how I would tie them all together for a while now. We are having a lovely time; it’s a bit stormy today but we got on the beach yesterday. ✨🌊✨ Happy New Year to you Emily! ✨♥️

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I do love a storm! It's really dark here ... I woke up and thought my clocks had stopped ... Feels like the middle of the night ! Perfect day to stay snuggled up at home. Happy New Year to you too! 🎉

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Same same ✨ 🌚✨🎁

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What an epic round up thank you

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Welcome petal ✨😘

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Claire! I am so grateful to be included here! Excited to connect with you more - I just subscribed to you too💫 Wishing you a safe and healthy New Year❤️

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Happy New Year Ashley! Aw thanks so much I love your work and looking forward to reading more as I step into a sustainable and joyful 2024 in my business! ✨💫

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Nice one Claire. Just wanted to add a nuance to your great points about the power of generosity. I think it was Adam Grant or some other influential economist who did a big study on whether there is any truth to the notion that "all good men (people) finish last in business"—the implication being that generosity can be a weakness and a hindrance in business.

What he found was that the most generous people came out worst. But they also came out best. Generous people occupied both extreme ends of the distribution.

The thing that made the difference between the generous ones who succeeded hugely and those who failed spectacularly was that the successful ones honoured their own personal boundaries. They helped the most people but they also made time to help themselves—they didn't put other peoples' needs completely before their own.

Super interesting study that explained a lot about people I've known in my life and helped me feel better about drawing my own boundaries and saying "no" when I need to.

I also think Mike Sowden of @Everything is Amazing wrote about this too.

Keep up the good work Claire :)

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Replied on notes but just to say I really appreciated this Harrison!

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No problemo! I found it really interesting

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What an excellent list you've put together here Claire! My fav line is 'what's true for you'. For me this has to stay top of mind - what is true for me and my readers? Holding on to this allows me to stay steady, in my lane and (hopefully) to keep the dopamine hits and the yearning to be further along the path down to a minimum. I look forward to diving into the wisdom of these wonderful writers.

Also, I chuckled when you said today wasn't a day for maths🤣, that is me every day!

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Ha. Same Donna. I have to check my maths so many times! Yes this is it - there is so much inspiration in other people's stories but that's exactly what they are; stories. We all have our own path to walk. It's interesting with the dopamine hits and Sarah Fay spoke about this in her recent workshop which reminded me that social media is addictive because of 'random reward theory' like gambling... the dopamine comes from not knowing what to expect and the hit of the surprise... joyful, sustainable growth doesn't ask that of us... Substack didn't ask that of us but it kind of does now... it's subtle but it's there so we need to steer our ship on it I think? ✨

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Yes thank you for this brilliant and inspiring curated post Claire, as generous as always with your insights and thoughts. It’s very much appreciated and I will bookmark to read and refer to often xx

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You're welcome Lyndsay - there are so many gems and so much nuance of storytelling here... I've been really inspired by these two books I've read recently too.

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Yay!!!

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Inspirational - as ever 🙏

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Aw Jo! Hope you are having a lovely time.

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I have my reading cut out for me! Thank you so much for curating this list, Claire. I am very excited to dig in and get ready for 2024!

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Yay Kolina! Substack is my 'special interest' - I'm so happy to be of service.

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🥰🥰🥰

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A beaut of a post. Now to find time for some reading! Thank you

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I love the save function so much for this! There are so many gems to spur us all on. Hope you’ve having a wonderful break Nelly? ✨🤍🎁❄️✨

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Thank you for this generous compilation Claire, I’m saving this post and look forward to reading all your recommendations!

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You’re so welcome Hannah. Hope you’re having a nice break! ✨🙏

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You are the gift that keeps giving 🌠

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