My dead mother accidentally revealed a genius strategy

friend!

Nineteen years ago, my mom passed.

Last week, I found one of her old books.
Dog-eared. Worn.
And right there in the margin, scribbled in pen:

“Not everything needs to be perfect.”

That’s it.

No caption. No lesson. Just that line.

But when I read it,
it felt like she was speaking straight to me
and to this version of you too.

You, the one who rewrites the caption 8 times.
Records the video, deletes it.
Second-guesses what’s worth sharing.

If these years of storytelling have taught me anything,
it’s this:

People don’t connect with perfection.
They connect with presence.

And in a world where AI spits out content in seconds,
authenticity is your sharpest edge.

And trust me, your story doesn’t need a highlight reel.

It just needs to be real.

You don’t need
A massive audience
A curated aesthetic
A new idea every day

You need one story.
Told honestly.

Because in 2025,
the ones who stand out won’t be the loudest.
They’ll be the clearest.
The most consistent.
The most human.

And showing up human doesn’t mean oversharing.
It means owning your truth
Even when it’s unfinished.
Even when it’s imperfect.

So if you’ve been waiting for the perfect version of your story…
Stop.

Just tell the truth.
Start there.

I promise, it’s more than enough.

Cheers,

Stephen

P.S. Ever find yourself thinking…
“I feel invisible online.”
“I don’t know how to stand out.”
“I’m not ready to post yet.”
“I’m too private to build a brand…”

Then reread my mom’s line:
Not everything needs to be perfect.

Now go write the post anyway.

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