Tiny talk with Allison Usavage

You spend a lot of time writing emails, I’m assuming more than the average person. First, why? And second, what makes a good email?

I spend a lot of time writing emails to people because people write emails to me first. 🙂  But in all seriousness, I like email as a format because you can get in-depth and everything is clearly documented, but it’s a method that allows people to respond on their own time. If you don’t attend to a Slack or text or DM right away, you’re immediately behind. Need a few days to respond to an email? It’s fine! I know not everyone feels that way and I try to respect others’ inbox habits, but that’s my take. It’s also a format that can take on any tone– casual, funny, formal, annoying– and I appreciate its flexibility. What makes a good email? Hmm… it gets the job done and results in no confusion and a simple/easy/frictionless next step from the recipient. 

First things that came to mind for me that stretch or compress time, every time: Running in the woods. Making and managing personal finance spreadsheets. And playing Civ 5 (which I haven’t done in years but it’s the most time-warping game I’ve ever played). 

You know I’ve got a list of things I’ve done a 180º on (not 360º), and they’ve stuck. What’s something you’ve changed your mind about recently?

This one’s hard to answer. I think maybe my answer is that I’ve 180º’d on dramatic change. I used to love big pivots… now I like little soft changes. 20º’s are more appealing than 180º’s. Moderation is in. Dramatic shifts are out. 

If you had to describe yourself using only three things you’ve made or created, what would they be? No cheating and claiming your kids.

My favorite things to create are things that enable others to create or grow or succeed or celebrate. I loved the systems (mostly via Coda docs) I created for Datalands and Relays… they were the behind-the-scenes business grease that kept the creative engines running smoothly. I love my garden(s)– how I am a guiding hand but they are in a state of constant change via our kids, nature, the plants themselves, the bugs, the sun, the weather, the location, the deer, and all the other co-creators and destroyers. I influence but I don’t control, and that’s OK. And I love the photos I’ve made of people really doing the things they love, with the people they love. If it’s real and emotional– baking, learning, creating, growing. 

What’s a small thing that always makes your day better?

Doing 20 minutes of something for myself in the morning, no screens. I always start my day with a cup of coffee and some emails, but if I can pull myself away and do a few vinyasas or fail at a game of spider solitaire (IRL with cards, no apps here) before everybody else wakes up, my day is better.