For All the Marbles Episode #6; The Eulogy You Get to Hear While You’re Alive, Andrea Driessen- Founder of Gracenotes

When Andrea Driessen and Bart sat next to each other at IMEX, the conversation didn’t begin with sales, logistics, or “What do you need?” Instead, Andrea asked something rare: “Tell me more about you.” That moment became the spark for this deeply meaningful episode. Andrea is the Founder of Grace Notes, an author, TED/TEDx speaker, longtime entrepreneur, and former ownerof a speakers bureau. Today, she’s leading a global movement to help people experience something precious while they’re still here: a living eulogy. In this powerful conversation, Andrea shares:Why people feel invisible at work and in lifeHow “messages of mattering” transform confidence, culture, and connection her father’s 11-word note that changed everythingThe four roadblocks stopping people from expressing appreciationWhat happens when we wait too longthe extraordinary riffle effect of a handwritten Garce Note You’ll hear emotional stories, practical tools, and reminders that we simply can’t afford to postpone what matters most. This episode is a masterclass in noticing, appreciating, and expressing the good in others before it’s too late.   Major Takeaways / Learnings 1. We must not wait. Life changes without warning. A grace note written today can become someone’s anchor tomorrow. Bart shares his “blue screen of death” metaphor and his own heart-attack anniversary to reinforce the message: Don’t wait. 2. People feel unseen, more than we realize. A third of employees feel invisible at work. Half feel undervalued. Women especially feel unseen. Grace Notes offer a simple, profound antidote. 3. A “living eulogy” shifts how people view their impact. Most people don’t know the good they bring to others until they're gone. Grace Notes allow us to tell them now when they can internalize it, live into it, and be changed by it. 4. Four roadblocks stop people from expressing appreciation. Andrea identifies the big four:Lack of timeEmotional bandwidthFear of awkwardnessNot knowing what to say She gives tools to overcome each one. 5. Handwritten matters. A physical note becomes a keepsake, a reminder, a reassurance. People keep them on walls, drawers, binders—sometimes for decades. 6. Brave moves build brave lives. Andrea shares the 11-word note from her father: “I’m in awe of my kid doing such a brave thing.” She still has it on her wall—even now. 7. Attention is one of the purest forms of love. When we fully “erase ourselves” and focus on others, we give the rarest human gift: presence without agenda. 8. Meaning > Matter. People don’t need more things. They need more meaning. Messages of mattering help create it.   Memorable Quotes From Andrea:“We shouldn’t have to be dead to hear our eulogy read.”“People feel invisible. A simple note can change their day, their career, their life.”“We overthink what to write and underestimate its impact.”“The attention we give one another is our greatest form of love.”“If we don’t believe in the value of our work, no one else will.” From Bart:“Most people don’t… but you do.”“Don’t wait to say I love you. Don’t wait to send the note.”“The universe is meeting you where you are because your intention is pure.”“You don’t need the applause, you need the impact.” Why It Matters 1. Start your own Grace Note practice today. Pick one person. Write 3–4 sentences. Send it. Don’t overthink. 2. Create a “Kudos File” or “Brag Box.” Keep the notes others send you. Pull them out on the tough days. 3. Use the “habit swap” method. Swap one episode of Netflix, one social scroll, one distraction—for a Grace Note. 4. Schedule a monthly “Grace Note Meeting” with yourself. A simple recurring calendar block. 10–20 minutes. It changes relationships. 5. Lead with meaning. In leadership, sales, family, and friendships: People remember how you made them feel seen. 6. Practice presence. Erase yourself—focus solely on the human in front of you. Resources; Connect to: Andrea Driessen | LinkedIn Website: Keynote Speaker | Gracenotes