Welcome to ScratchNotes. Each week, I share one idea about creativity and brand building so you can take inspired action.

Start journaling.

Last summer, an interviewer asked me, “Why this company? Why small businesses?”

Without hesitation, I shared how self-determination is a through line in my career.

And how that value took me from working with nonprofit founders to ecommerce entrepreneurs and eventually pursuing my own ventures.

I said “self-determination” because I'd already reached that conclusion, and that specific word through my morning pages.

That's the first time I felt the connection between daily journaling and better speech.

Journaling doesn't just help you process events.

It helps you articulate your values.

Last week, Jordan and I went on a double date to Comedor in downtown Austin.

(Highly recommend the Bone Marrow Tacos.)

We met with one of Jordan’s peers who runs several founder events in Austin.

As a rule, he doesn’t kick off conversations with what you do. Rather, who you are.

If you’d asked me to expand on “who I was” in 2024…

I would have put on a mask to hide the struggle.

I was amidst a huge identity shift. The nouns that defined me were fading away.

Since I started handwriting 3 pages a day, I am rooted in who I am.

I speak without hedging because writing clarifies your thinking.

By journaling, you pull forward ideas and vocabulary from the back of your brain…

you consider alternatives before you reach conclusions…

And it comes through as executive presence in conversation.

I just finished Lieve Hendren’s book The Joyful Flow Formula.

Much of what I’ve discovered about creativity and emotional regulation through books like The Artist’s Way, War of Art, and The Creative Act…

Lieve has connected to neuroscience studies and how the brain works.

One chapter in her book dives deep into the power of telling your own story, whether that’s through journaling or documenting your life through another form.

By doing so, you train your brain to see your patterns, spot possibilities, and steer your everyday life toward the vision you have for yourself.

How often do you get to sit down with an author and ask about their creative process?

Much less ask about the neurological research behind creativity?

This Saturday, April 25th at 4 pm, Lieve agreed to host a workshop.

We originally were going to do this as a picnic just for the Book Club.

But I’d love to invite you too!

Lieve will be sharing ways to quickly access brain states for peak performance.

This includes prioritizing joy, dropping into creative flow when you want (instead of waiting for inspiration), and eliminating needless stress.

I’ve been using her tips since starting my new role at Amazon and can confirm:

these strategies help to better manage your focus and creative output.

Here’s the invite:

It’s been a rainy week, and we have a nearby backup plan if we need to call it.

Reply back if you plan to join so I can get a headcount.

I’ll follow up with you individually with the exact location on Saturday.

Hope you can make it!

Annabel

P.S. Here’s last week’s letter on resetting routines to do your best creative work.
If you’re starting a new project or habit this season, this might help.