Hi Reader!

Both of my sisters are currently going through different endings in their professional lives.

And as I reminded one sister this week, every ending isn’t a failure.

Sometimes choosing to end something is not only the right choice, but a win. Maybe:

• they keep pushing your boundaries
• you want different outcomes
• you've outgrown it
• it is no longer aligned

Very few things last for time and all eternity. So accepting that it's time to end and closing it out thoughtfully and clearly shows that you are a professional.

And when you shift your mindset from “it’s a failure” to “it’s a natural progression” and tie up any loose ends, you'll keep relationships intact.

(In fact, that’s exactly why, as part of the collaboration series, I shared three scripts for ending collaborations in a way that protects your energy and the relationship.)

So if you are in the middle of an ending right now, spend a few minutes thinking about what’s unclear and how you can add clarity in the winding-up process.

And if you aren’t in the middle of an ending right now, jot down one or two things that aren’t clear about an existing relationship, so that you can add clarity there.

If you only have 20 minutes this week, the task above is the most important thing to do. But if you have a little more time, keep reading.

Chat soon,

P.S. If you are in the middle of an ending, I know how hard they can be. It’s far easier to be on the outside without the swirl of emotions. So if you need a neutral sounding board to figure out what actions could help you walk away gracefully, hit reply, and I’ll try to help.

Other things on my radar...

• It's been three years since the CCB opened as an alternative way to resolve copyright disputes. And more than 1,700 claims have been filed. The first report summarizing what is (and isn't) working is now available.
• I get these kinds of scam emails forwarded all the time from clients with active trademark registrations. It's something I warn them will drastically increase once they have a registration. If you have a trademark, here's a good rundown of some of the current scams we are seeing.
• If your products, services, or website is used by minors, then you'll want to be aware of a new South Carolina law that still has lots of question marks. (And it is very similar to the laws in California and Maryland that are tied up in the courts.)
• I've been curiously watching the past few years the development of Matthew McConaughey's trademarks. And it appears that the logic behind this was to prevent AI deepfakes. I'll be watching to see if other celebrities take this route (and how McConaughey chooses to enforce these trademarks.)