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The coffee shop delusion (and why your "mess" isn't working)
He had the perfect story sitting right there - and ignored it.
Stephen Stanberry
July 8th, 2025
In partnership with
friend, yesterday I told you about finding stories in your messy moments.
A few months ago I watched someone completely miss the point.
I was at my usual coffee shop when this guy starts frantically typing on his laptop. Phone buzzing. Papers scattered. Coffee spilled on his notes.
Just chaotic.
But instead of turning that beautiful disaster into content, he closes his laptop and starts crafting some generic "Monday Motivation" post about "staying organized."
He literally had the perfect messy moment sitting right there - and ignored it.
Here's what I realized watching him:
Most creators collect messy moments but sanitize them before sharing.
They take yesterday's pancake disaster and turn it into "5 Tips for Morning Productivity."
They take their business failure and polish it into "Lessons Learned on My Journey."
They take their raw, relatable chaos and... make it boring.
The shift that changes everything:
Stop cleaning up your mess before you share it.
Your audience doesn't need the lesson wrapped in a neat bow. They need to see you in the trenches, figuring it out in real time.
That spilled coffee? That's your opening line. That overwhelming to-do list? That's your hook. That moment of self-doubt? That's your connection point.
Find one messy moment from today. Share it exactly as it happened. No lessons, no takeaways - just the raw story.
Watch your engagement explode.
Till tomorrow, Stephen
P.S. What's the messiest moment you've been afraid to share? Hit reply - I want to help you turn it into content gold.
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