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​​Maybe....Alignment isn’t the answer.

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Quick Spin:

• Why alignment isn’t the goal
• The truth behind “You can have it all”
• How Character Theory helps you escape burnout and reclaim your power

🧩 Thanks for keeping Life's a Game Free

You know that feeling of being surprised by a delightful experience in a situation that's usually less than delightful?

That's what it's like banking* and managing my money with Mercury (which you'll read more about in a minute). Paying bills and tracking my expenses isn't inherently all sunshine and rainbows, but with Mercury*, it's a good reminder that better experiences are out there if we're willing to look for them. See for yourself.

We are in the home stretch to the release of TOXIC GRIT, coming October 21st, and I thought I’d spend the next few weeks giving you early access to some of the frameworks you will find in the book.

PS. You can pre-order the book here. (and get some bonus content!!!)

PPS - if you want me to come speak to your book club, organization or team - fill out the form here. I would LOVE to share more of the book live with you.

♟️ MY TURN:

One night in 2018, as I was navigating a divorce at the height of my career with 3 kids under the age of 4, I typed a phrase into my Notes app that I couldn’t stop thinking about:

You. Can. Have. It. All.

But the longer I sat with those words, the more friction I felt.

Because who is the "you" that’s supposed to have it all?

• The CEO in me wanted to dominate in meetings and scale the company.
• The mom in me wanted to rock my baby all night and forget every email and Slack message.
• The self-care part of me wanted to set down the babies and laptop and spend my day finding peace.
• And the newly single version of me? She just wanted to rediscover fun and pleasure.

All these characters were showing up at the same time, asking to lead the movie of my life.

And that’s when I realized:

I didn’t need to merge them into one perfect woman.
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I needed to honor their individuality and create a new way to navigate my life.

That’s how Character Theory was born and the core vehicle I use in the book for sharing how to release toxic grit from our lives.

Sparking your curiosity? Preorder it now!​

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♟️ YOUR TURN:

Let’s break this down.

What is Character Theory?

It’s the idea that we all have multiple internal characters - versions of ourselves - that want different things. And burnout happens when we try to satisfy them all at once.

Instead of forcing alignment every day, Character Theory teaches us to:

• Name the version of ourselves we are prioritizing
• Let that role take the lead depending on the season, week, day or even hour in our lives
• Communicate that choice to the people around us
• And most importantly, release the guilt

Character theory is about intentional imbalance.

We can have it all - just not all at once.

The 5 Laws of Character Theory:

1. You write the script.
   ​No more defaulting to the roles society chose for you. You get to decide who leads and for how long.
2. Characters vary by person.
   ​Your leading roles might look nothing like your best friend's or what the latest TikTok trend tells you - and that’s OK.
3. Characters vary by season.
   ​Different stages of life require different characters to step forward. Release the guilt and know the cycle continues. Sometimes you plant seeds, sometimes you grow, sometimes you enjoy the harvest.
4. Characters evolve.
   ​Just because your inner “Girlboss” isn’t the leading character doesn’t mean she’s gone. Driving the speed limit still moves you forward.
5. Not all characters are created equal.
   ​Some are main characters. Others are supporting cast. Knowing the difference helps you prioritize without shame.

♟️ Let's Win Together.

In the next few newsletters, I’ll walk you through another framework from my book, Toxic Grit. ​

But for now, a journal prompt:

Reply and let me know……I’d love to hear from you.

XO,
Amanda

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113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
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