Hey Reader
September is here—the new-term feeling, the first crisp edge of autumn, the end-of-holidays exhale. No need to wake me up when September ends; August already did.
On my part, a lot has happened. I’ve learned that life goes in circles: someone’s outside almost always looks better than their inside. Sometimes I worry about the future, but more often I’m focused on the present. Because I can’t control the future, but I can build a better version 0 for my version 365. Starting from now.
It was the last Thursday of August, and I exhaled while waiting for guests to arrive at my founder connection dinner. The name sounds formal, but really, it was just friends — some founders, some funders — gathering around a table.
I had just finished recording a podcast with Ania Wysocka, who scaled her company to 3 million users while staying her only full-time employee.
In that quiet moment between switching gears, I looked up. Golden light spilled across the glasses, soft and cinematic. A frame worth remembering in high resolution.
August felt like a year compressed — from Canada to founder dinners, to comedy night plans, to the offhand comments from friends in the ecosystem who said, “This is magic you create.” Maybe it’s a pivot, maybe not. But what I know is this: my superpower is creating spaces where people connect. Every time I lean into that, I find more of myself.
And maybe that’s enough for now — not solving the future, just building version 0 today, trusting that version 365 will take care of itself.
💌 Gift for Your Pocket
When I use ChatGPT these days, I use it more and more to reply in several different personas. It’s a fun way to get fresh perspectives — Try it out. :)
And very real — should you try ChatGPT Pro? New video here:
✍️ Prompt for Your Week Ahead
What’s one small version 0 you can build this week, trusting that version 365 will take care of itself?
P.S.
- Published the podcast with Andrew Wilkinson — there’s gold in every minute. Here’s a 3-min version for a quick read There will always be more To-Dos https://open.substack.com/pub/lydiaclinzi/p/there-will-always-be-more-to-dos?r=2fccr2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
- I’ve learned so much from Escape 9 to 5. Here’s a video: What I Learned from 25 People Who Left the 9-to-5
- If you’re in London, join us for my comedy night on 13 Oct. It’s not one of those “sit in the dark and listen” events — there’s real magic in gatherings, and I’ll make sure you leave with at least one memory worth keeping.
💌Thinking of coming? Just hit reply — even a quick “maybe” helps me plan. I’d love to see you there.
💙 Lydia
