Greetings Grasshopper!

Tell me, when was the last time you found yourself running through the chaos of your day, shoes untied and your heart pounding with the rush to catch the next big thing? Maybe you feel a bit like I did on a certain bitterly cold January morning. I was in the Munich train station, bags heavy and eyes searching for a familiar face in the crowd.

I was on a trip of a lifetime, a tour of Europe's grand cathedrals with my classmates – none of whom I knew particularly well. I was the one trailing behind, a compact dynamo at five-foot-two, lugging around the essentials (and a few not-so-essentials) for a three-week adventure. It was a whirlwind of stained glass, bell towers and flying buttresses.

But this story isn't about the architecture, grasshoppers; it's about a moment of pure, heartfelt connection amidst the frenzy.

On that platform, quite certain I'd miss the train and the chance to see a dear friend, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Anne with a grapefruit in her hands – a simple, thoughtful gift because she knew me well. (A number of years later, and I still eat them by the bag.)

Then, she did something even more unexpected: she saw that my shoelaces were untied, and she knelt down and tied them for me. After a solid two weeks of everyone I knew constantly leaving me behind, it was an amazing act of kindness. The compassion of that gesture overwhelmed me.

Entrepreneurs, coaches, and seekers of deeper connection – we're all sprinting through life’s train station at full speed. But what if, in the midst of that sprint, we slowed down for just a moment to hand someone their grapefruit?

Think about it. In our rush for more – more clients, more sales, more impact – we often forget the power of a personal touch. We've blasted through email campaigns, dabbled in social media strategies, and poured resources into traditional marketing systems that, frankly, left us feeling cold. It's time we step back and re- evaluate.

What if you sent out a personal note?

A simple message that says, "I see you, I appreciate you, and here's a little something that made me think of you." It’s the marketing equivalent of that grapefruit – unexpected, genuine, and from the heart.

Now, I'm not advocating for sending actual grapefruits through the mail (but if you feel the need, scroll to the bottom for my mailing address). Instead, extend your version of that thoughtful gesture.

Maybe it’s a quick video message to a client you haven’t touched base with in a while. Or perhaps it's a handwritten note to a connection that's fallen off the radar.

*I can't imagine the postage on this one.*

The point is, grasshoppers, we need to give more grapefruits. To show appreciation not just for what someone can give us, but for who they are. Our audience – your audience – craves that authenticity and connection. They're tired of the same old marketing spiel. They're seeking someone who will listen, understand, and value them as individuals.

So, here's your mission, should you choose to accept it: think of someone who's made a difference in your chaotic world. Reach out, offer your grapefruit, and watch how a small act can transform not just their day, but yours as well. Change the narrative from one of self-serving promotion to one of mutual growth and gratitude.

Drop me a line when you’ve passed on that grapefruit. I’ll bet you’ll have a story as refreshing as the fruit itself. And maybe, just maybe, you'll realize that it's not about the hustle – it's about the humans.

Remember, you don't have to conquer another mountain to feel incredible about your journey. Right now, you have the chance to make someone's day a little brighter.

Tie someone's shoelaces, my friends. It’s the unexpected act of kindness that can leave the most significant impact.

Pattern interruption at its best.