 the SPARK 136 ~ Starting from scratch is not a failure
Hi, {{ subscriber.first_name }},
Before I started my business in 2008, I had a short window where I tried real estate & insurance (definitely not a good fit for me).
I started with real estate loans and then figured I might as well be a real estate agent too. It only took one client and a few calls after 6 pm, “Can we go view this house tonight?” to realize it was a “hell no” for me.
At one point, my Dad, being the comedian that he is, said, “Hey, maybe the Post Office has a license you can get!” 😂
Neither of those industries fits my personality, and I felt just as “stuck” as I did in retail management.
Even though I wasn’t sure what my business would look like, I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I was going to do whatever it took to make this work.
This journey has been anything but a straight line.
I created this doodle last year, and there have been more changes since then:
The biggest changes since creating that doodle last year:
- Moved back to California (with the new goal of spending six months here and six months in Costa Rica… I just want to follow summer 😉)
- Shifted #FtheHUSTLE to ‘the SPARK’ with a different direction
- Launched “Create It – The Content Planner”
And guess what?
There are more changes coming.
The subject line of today’s newsletter was inspired by this Twitter post by @DanKulkov.
Here it is again for the people in the back:
“Starting from scratch is not a failure. Ignoring the reality is.”
Why would you stick with something that isn’t working?
Or worse, that you don’t enjoy? 🤯
Because a productivity guru or coach told you that you have to put in 10,000 hours (which, btw, has been debunked because it isn’t science-based) before pivoting?
Consistency in your business is important, but you also have to know when to turn the page or change directions.
How many people do you know who have “stuck with something,” and yes, they’re making money, but they’re miserable?
That’s another “hell no” for me.
Think back to when you were a child.
How many things did you try before you found something you wanted to stick with? Sports, music, art, science…
Even if your parents made you do it, the only way to figure out what you loved or were really good at was to try.
Some people find that “thing” right out the gate… and that’s fantastic.
But if you haven’t, keep looking.
The other thing to do here is to get really honest with yourself before you decide to start from scratch.
It could be a product, a program, a course, a niche…
Are you starting from scratch because:
- You didn’t get the results you wanted quickly enough? (this industry isn’t for the faint of heart)
- You don’t have the audience yet?
Often you need to go back and see what did work and focus on improving what didn’t work before starting over.
When you know you’ve really given it your all, and it’s still not working, having the courage to start from scratch can be the best thing you do for yourself.
Ignore anyone who tells you otherwise.
It’s YOUR business.
YOUR life.
Spark Spotlight 
My new site builder, Kadence WP, is launching AI site building! Here’s a quick screenshot from the preview video. The link is below:
Kadence WP AI Roadmap
Watch the reveal video here.
Featured Articles 
✔ This fits right in with my “do what works for YOU” belief. Read “8 Controversial Opinions That Can Catapult Your Entrepreneurial Success.”
✔ I signed up for Lemon8 but haven’t done anything with it. This has me thinking. Read “TikTok’s Lemon8 Could Kill Instagram.”
✔ For all my SEO friends, this one’s for you. ”I Asked ChatGPT to Write and Optimize an Article – Here’s What it Can’t Do.”
This one is for the Women ♀
I wrote this first and felt so strongly about it that I turned it into a podcast.
Listen to “Empowered & Unleashed: A Lesson for Women over 40 Who Crave More in Business” here.
Tool Time 
Had some fun with the first tool this week, although I don’t think I’ll use any of the videos it created. I was recording a podcast and was looking at the screen too much.
- AI Video: This tool takes your long-form video and automatically creates ten shorts with captions. Works great! Try Opus.pro free.
- Slack alternative: I’m not a fan of Slack, so if I need a team chat tool, this looks like a great alternative. Try Noor free here.
- Presentations: Not a fan of Google Slides or Powerpoint? How about using AI to create your presentations? Use Decktopus to create it for you.
- All-in-one: Sell digital products & services, schedule meetings, send invoices, and receive payments. Try CheckYa free here.
- Journal: A little twist with an analog product. I’ve been diligent about using this every day and love it—the Weekly Undated Planner from Passion Planner.
Hilarious… 
I’m pleased to say that I’m still incredibly focused on my “10X is Easier than 2X” work (previous emails, but you can check out the book here and video series here).
I don’t remember the last time a concept resonated so deeply with me.
I feel zero resistance to implementing and practicing this work… it’s making a huge difference in my daily activity as well as how I’m thinking about my business and life on a much bigger scale.
Have a wonderful day,
Kim
