✨ the SPARK 163 ~ Don’t justify or explain

Welcome to the 163rd issue of the SPARK. A weekly newsletter where inspiration meets real online strategies, behind-the-scenes stories, and a boatload of valuable resources.

Hi, ,

I was a pretty picky eater when I was a kid.

Some people would probably still say I’m picky… but the truth is, I like what I like, and I’m fine with that.

It’s one of the reasons I started juicing years ago. I knew I needed (and wanted) to consume more nutrition.

Since I’m sensitive to the texture of foods but can pretty much drink anything, I jumped into trying juicing and haven’t looked back (almost ten years ago).

Problem solved.

Here’s the crazy thing… for some reason, even at this stage in my life, I’ll come across people who make comments about what I eat.

As though it was anyone else’s business. 🙄

Yet, at times, I’d find myself eating something or keeping quiet because I didn’t want the comments. Sometimes, I’d want to try something, but more often than not, I was perfectly content with something simple.

Maybe it’s my generation (and older), but this idea that we’re supposed to do things, like things, or behave a certain way to please others is ridiculous.

And… the idea that people feel it’s their place to voice their thoughts and opinions boggles my mind.

I don’t justify or explain how, when, or what I eat to anyone anymore. And it feels great.

The older I get, the easier it is to do that in all areas of my life.

Including my business.

At the end of the day, it comes down to trust.

Do you trust yourself enough to live your truth?

Start saying no to things that no longer serve you.

Stop… 👇

• Using platforms, you don’t enjoy
• Trying tactics because someone else made ten quadrillion dollars in 30 days, and you can too
• Going to events that don’t actually move you closer to the life you want (FOMO)
• Creating content that doesn’t sound like you/feel like you/or attract who you really want to serve
• Selling a product or service that isn’t in alignment with what you truly want to create just because it makes money

OWN what you want and put your whole heart into it.

I’ve had a handful of conversations with trusted friends this past month about what we want 2024 to look like.

A key factor in getting clear about what we want in the next year starts with how we want our lives to feel.

I want ease and simplicity.

All while growing my business that supports the lifestyle I want.

Ease doesn’t mean ‘easy.’

It’s not always easy to say no to things (or people).

It might mean turning down projects that bring in income or passing on an opportunity for ‘visibility’ (summits, speaking, contributing).

I’ve shared this before, but it bears repeating… especially as we enter the New Year:

As you make your plans for 2024 (or start implementing them), my suggestion is to pause for a moment and ask yourself if what you’re doing is because you want to do it or you feel like you should.

It’s hard to sustain behavior for the long term if it isn’t what you want to be doing to begin with.

SPARK Spotlight 🔥

Active Pieces

I haven’t jumped into this (just saw it yesterday), but you can automate AI tasks for content & sales. It’s an incredible alternative to Zapier. Get the lifetime deal on AppSumo!​

Get ActivePieces here

A Little Brainpower 🧠

These four things resonate deeply. No “productivity hacks” here. Read “4 Mindsets of Highly Disciplined People.”​

From one of my favorite authors. Read Ryan Holiday’s “31 Lessons I’ve Learned About Money.”​

If live streaming is part of your marketing for 2024, now you can “Use StreamYard to Live Stream on X.’​

Tool Time 🛠

• Social: I had no idea SEMRUSH had a social scheduling tool. Check out SEMRUSH social here.​
• Twitter/X: Another option for creating and posting tweets with AI. Try Snowball free here.​
• Video: This seems to be more for faceless videos, but I haven’t tested it. Check out Magic Hour for video here.​
• Visuals: Mind mapping, notes, and team planning in a visual tool + AI. Try Creatily VIZ here.​

Here’s to creating what you want in 2024! 🥳

As much as I love the holiday season, I’m glad this one is over.

Having been back in the States almost a year now, it was a very different feeling being here for all of the holiday hype (for lack of a better word. And if you’re new here, I spent the previous two years in Costa Rica).

The only way I can describe it all is that it simply feels like a LOT (too much for this girl).

As someone who desires ease and appreciates simplicity, I’ve already decided that next year will be different.

I’m not sure what that means or looks like, but it will definitely be different than it was this year.

I’ve truly hit a point in my life where nothing is worth my peace of mind.

Fortunately, there are a few days left of quiet before the New Year starts, and I’m back to my normal schedule.

I intend to enjoy the solitude, get some fresh air, catch up on a little sleep, and ease into all I hope to experience in 2024.

Happy New Year to you! 🥂🍾

With much appreciation,
Kim