Very special surprise episode
I was in Los Angeles for my book tour, so I visited Elizabeth on the Disney lot in Burbank, California. So fun. Elizabeth took me on a tour of her glamorous (to me) workplace. She showed me the Seven Dwarfs Building, the old Animation building where she works, the buildings that hold the TV sets, the Studio Store, the “loop” that she and Sarah walk to give themselves a break, and so on. Mickey Mouse is everywhere–even the bike racks are in the shape of a Mickey head. Click here to see the photos.
Try This at Home
Consider convenience. Elizabeth decided to start getting her hair cut at the salon on the Disney lot — this convenient location makes her life a lot (pun) easier.
Happiness Hack
To calm down, breathe out. Elizabeth gets very nervous when she’s on the “pedestrian walkway” heading to pitch a show, so she tries to calm herself. I’ve found that when I “take deep breaths” when I’m nervous, I often start to breathe in too fast, which makes me feel a bit panicky; breathing out is more calming.
Know Yourself Better
How does your partner influence you? Whether that’s a work partner, romantic partner, best friend, etc. We talked to Sarah Fain — Sarah and Elizabeth have been friends since high school, writing partners for seventeen years, and now they also co-host the brilliant podcast “Happier in Hollywood” together. If you want to read more about why and how I give a treadmill desk to Elizabeth, I write about it in my book Happier at Home.
Gretchen’s Demerit
I had a little gift to bring to Elizabeth, and it was so obvious to me that I wanted to bring the gift that I didn’t make a note to myself or create any kind of reminder. I was so sure I didn’t need a reminder! Turns out I should’ve written myself that note.
Elizabeth’s “Hollywood” Star
Elizabeth gives a gold star to stay-at-home moms who take on a lot of responsibilities at her son Jack’s school. If you want to hear more from our visit together in Hollywood, listen to tomorrow’s episode of the “Happier in Hollywood” podcast. I sat in with Elizabeth and Sarah, as a guest host.
Bonus Gold Star
Gold star to everyone who has bought my new (bestselling) book The Four Tendencies and has read it, recommended it, or written an online review. As I’ve mentioned — more than a few times — it really does give a big boost to the fate of a book when readers leave reviews on Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. So thanks!
Free Resources
- I love getting to meet so many Super-Fans during my book tour! If you’d like to sign up to be a Super-Fan sign up here. From time to time, I’ll offer you a little preview or bonus, or ask for a small favor (nothing onerous, I promise.)
- Do you love great quotations as much as I do? If so, you might enjoy the free “Moment of Happiness” newsletter, an email newsletter where I send out a great quotation about happiness each day. Sign up here.