Welcome to the 174th issue of the SPARK.A weekly newsletter where inspiration meets real online strategies, behind-the-scenes stories, and a boatload of valuable resources.
Hi, MailJenny,
I did something last week that I haven't done in a while.
I had what I call a 'connection call.' After emailing back and forth a few times with a subscriber, I asked if she wanted to hop on a call.
Sidenote: I'm a bit of a contradiction at times because as much as I love connecting with people (always fuels me) and having my regular accountability calls... I also love seeing 'no calls' on my calendar. Anyone else? 🤪
Anyway...
I replied to Kelley (what's up, girl!) after she sent me the email below:
Totally made my day.
After a few email exchanges, I asked her if she wanted to hop on a call.
Not only did I enjoy our conversation, but it also validated that I'm on the right path with what I'm doing and the direction I'm heading.
In fact, when I talked with Kelley and explained the psychographics I use to determine my target audience, she literally told me, "Now that you say that, I am your target audience. No wonder your content resonates!" (paraphrasing).
It's so easy to get caught up doing the work, automating and creating processes, or repurposing that we forget the goal is to connect with people and solve their problems.
Instead of appeasing platforms.
Do you know how much pressure you can remove from your life if you stop thinking about the masses and think about one person?
This has been on my mind a lot lately since I saw my mentor last week, and we were talking about my move back to Costa Rica.
We started talking about "enough."
I used to think that "enough" was settling (the 1980s called, and they want their Successories posters back—anyone remember those? 👇).
Don't get me wrong; I love me some inspiration, a good quote, or a message that resonates.
But in a culture that screams "bigger, better, more,"... even saying you only want "enough" can somehow feel "less than."
Or that you're not ambitious enough.
Especially when the needle has moved from millions to billions (seriously... what the bucket?).
But...
What if we reframed "enough?"
What if you took some time to get quiet and wrote out what you really want, both in business and your personal life?
For example, most people I know want more time—more time for family and friends, work they love, travel, hobbies (that you do simply for fun—not everything needs to be a side hustle), etc.
To have more time, how much money do you truly need?
The internet will tell you that you need "7 figures."
But if your business earned you "enough" to live the lifestyle you want while doing all the things that bring you joy (including peace of mind by having money to save for retirement, education, etc.)... is that enough?
I've always had big goals, but in the last few years, they've shifted.
Having a big goal is invaluable because it supports us in moving forward. According to Dr. Benjamin Hardy, when we set a big goal, our mind subconsciously works to make that happen.
My big goals have shifted as I have become less attached to their achievement and more focused on the process and journey of attaining them.
Which circles back to enough.
Also, defining your 'enough' doesn't mean you stop when you've attained it.
It means you've created choice.
Now you can choose to go for more or create more... whatever that more is for you.
All of this ties in directly with your business model.
I'm seeing more and more people shift their business models from having 'teams' (because, of course, the bigger the team, the more successful you are <sarcasm>) to a solopreneur model or the creator plus one or two people.
Suggestion:
Take the time to create your own plan for enough. Or, as Noah Kagan of AppSumo says, define your "Freedom Number."
Remember... we're supposed to enjoy the journey.
SPARK Spotlight 🔥
Jason Resnick is about to open the doors to his "Creator Quickstart," version 2.0! I purchased the first version (an email course) and have seen 'behind the scenes' of this revamp. Holy moly! (he's added videos and so much more).
Click here to get on the waitlist when the doors open.
A Little Brainpower 🧠
You may be tired of saying the same thing, but your audience isn't. "Don't be original. Be repetitive."
Interesting interview & case study. "Winning SEO by building free AI tools."
Here's a behind-the-scenes look at my move back to Costa Rica: "Why I'm Moving Back to Costa Rica A Year Later."
Tool Time 🛠
Notion: Use this Chrome extension to send your screenshots to Notion. Screenshot to Notion & Annotate is free here.
Video: Another AI video editor that does everything you need (edit, convert, record, you name it). Try vmaker free.
Audio & AI: I'm tempted to try this for voice cloning. It does just about everything for Audio. Try Wondercraft free here.
No-code: Want to create your own AI tool? 50+ customizable components. Try Toolmark.ai here.
*Bonus Resource: Brand NEW! AI Success Cast For entrepreneurs, marketers, and tech enthusiasts. Listen & Subscribe here.
We get better by doing 😉
Image by PJ Milani of the I.D.E.A. Newsletter
Content Snackz 🥨
Type of Content: You Choose (will make sense, stick with me)
Difficulty: Easy
What it is: Pick a platform where you have an audience but haven't been active (and your profile and info. are current; don't go sideways updating). Don't worry about how long it's been or what the last thing you posted was. Make sure it's a platform you actually want to use.
Post consistently, every day, for a week.
Look at the platform's metrics and anything else that supports what you're posting. Examples: website traffic, subscribers, comments, customers.
I've done this over the past week with Medium and YOWZA! I'll share the results next month in a deep dive when I have more than a week's worth of results and data, but it's 100% worth the time and energy.
The last few weeks have been a lot of fun.
Digging deeper with #EverythingIsContent (I'll share details of the first cohort in the next few days) has reignited a level of creativity that seems to be on overdrive right now.
As much as I'd love for that energy to stick around, I know my own processes. When inspiration hits, I run with it until I need to "tap out," so to speak.
Add to that the time change, and I'll probably be doing some catch-up on rest this weekend.
Either way, I'm grateful for the flow of energy right now.
Have a wonderful day, Kim
Kim Doyal
@kimdoyal
/
work with me
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