✨ the SPARK 218 ~ The Joy of a Digital Diet (And Why My Brain Thanks Me)
Creating Space for Better Days
So last week, I started my Master’s program in Financial Planning & Financial Psychology.
Returning to higher education at 54, having had my business for almost 17 years (what the bucket?!)- my perspective is much different than it would be if I hadn’t been doing what I’m doing (pretending I have a crystal ball).
In many ways, I’ve gotten incredibly spoiled from all the online courses I’ve taken from creators and people who understand what makes a course ‘good’ (it’s not just the material or knowledge of the instructor).
It’s much easier today than in 2008 to start and run an online business.
There are a lot of things that are just a “given.”
It boggles my mind to experience this program's convoluted processes (onboarding?) or to learn how and where to find things.
For the cost of this education, I expected more.
Instead, it feels like the school is playing catch up to processes and user experience (I’m probably making it sound way worse than it is, but ‘me thinks’ an automated welcome sequence with relevant links isn’t too much to ask).
I will, of course, happily give my feedback, but I’m not holding my breath.
Before I go any further, let me say that I have zero regrets about doing this (I already have some great insights)… but after only one week, I’m reframing my approach and how I intend to make the most of this program.
I’ve done the same regarding how I’ll do my marketing and use social platforms.
A massive reframing of my approach is necessary.
With the desire to save my sanity and get back to a place of joy for my day-to-day life, I’m trying something new this week.
A Social Media Fast (it probably doesn’t count, but I’m still on Substack and reading notes here and there).
The drama surrounding the TikTok ban (not directed at users or creators) and the money from big tech pouring into U.S. politics…
My brain needs a break.
I’m working on my own reframe for which platforms I’ll use and how I’ll use them. I haven’t quite landed on what that looks like, but nothing would make me happier than sticking with my ‘Marketing Trifecta’ (Substack, Email, YouTube—which I’m relaunching).
The intention in doing this (besides my sanity) was to get back into alignment.
My first official day of my “fast” was this past Monday.
And HOLY MOLY!
Even with a wonky sleep night, I felt focused, got two newsletters written, and felt like I’d just given myself a “time raise” (you know me, I like to make up words/phrases… my other favorite is “time lottery” which is when an appointment cancels and you have new-found time, even if you were looking forward to said appointment).
Now more than ever, we must be diligent about where we place our time, attention, and money.
Earlier this week, I found myself in need of a psychological/spiritual/mental boost.
I often have YouTube on in the background when I’m working, but it’s primarily the sound of the ocean (I don’t know how people can listen to words when they’re working - my brain can’t handle it).
I was looking for a meditation one morning, and Dr. Wayne Dyer showed up in my feed (I’ve listened to him/read his books, and have seen him in person a few times), and it was exactly what I needed.
He instantly brought me back to a calm place, and I could refocus.
You really don’t need another book, course, podcast, or video about:
How to get more traffic
How to grow your email list
How to master Substack notes
How to launch a podcast/YouTube Channel
How to be seen everywhere…
If you aren’t clear on what you truly want to be doing and where you want to be.
For me, that’s still going to be my Marketing Trifecta - and I’m writing this before I’ve even recorded my first video (which I’ll be doing before the end of the month, so probably next week 😉).
I’ve set up some accountability with my friend
to keep myself on track with YouTube.I’m allowing myself some grace to figure out what a “new normal” schedule will look like and how school, work, and the rest of my life will fit together.
And that’s O.K.
Some weeks, I’ll knock it out of the park, and others, I’ll wonder, WTF was I thinking?!
But that’s just life, isn’t it?
Be easy about it.
SPARK Spotlight 🔥
Podcasting + Substack
My good friend, Ross Brand, shared some great insights from his talk at Podfest, where he shared the opportunity for podcasters who use Substack.
Ross highlighted five specific opportunities; it’s a quick read (or listen because, well, it’s a podcast).
A Little Brainpower 🧠
From one of my favorite AI tutorial sites, Ben’s Bites: Build better landing pages in minutes with AI.
Even one or two of these ideas could push the needle for your newsletter. “How I grew this newsletter from 0 to 18k in one year.”
A little hope goes a long way - from a favorite comic (illustrator), The Oatmeal. “Everything is on fire.”
Book Club! 📕
My dear friend and brilliant writer is hosting a book club. Her niche is for people in the construction industry, but the book club is open to anyone interested in having thought-provoking discussions about business books. The first book is Atomic Habits by James Clear. The book club is completely free!
Tool Time 🛠
Donald Miller of StoryBrand recently released an updated version of that book, aptly named “StoryBrand 2.0.” He used to offer a free tool for creating your StoryBrand and recently released an AI version, StoryBrand.ai. I haven’t tried it yet, but he knows his stuff, so I have high hopes for it. You can get a free trial of StoryBrand.ai here.
Charts, MindMaps, Drawing: Collaborative visual workspace for ideas and planning. Use MoreDraw free here.
SEO: This looks pretty interesting. I'm unsure of the future of SEO, but this could still help with content. Create text and images. Try Outrank.so free here.
Text to Charts & Graphs: This thing keeps getting better and better. Napkin turns your text into visuals, so sharing your ideas is quick and effective. FREE while in Beta. Try Napkin.ai here.
Audio: I grabbed this for school to quickly get the audio from a lecture. Ritmo helps you capture and organize audio from any browser tab. Get the free Chrome extension here.
Same girl, same… 😂
To wrap this up, this is a little public service announcement for people in the U.S.
A friend recently told me that the White House manages the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Instagram and Facebook accounts, which automatically change when the office changes.
So, if you followed the previous administration, you might want to double-check whether you followed official accounts and adjust accordingly.
I’ll report on my social media fast next week, but already, it’s been a game-changer.
Have a wonderful day,
Kim
Yikes it’s the end of the month and I have yet to record. Something tells me this will be a big part of the conversation.
Thank you for mentioning my book club, Kim! I have a nice group of people participating from all aspects of my life - which is really cool!