 the SPARK 145 ~ What do you REALLY want?
As much as I’ve enjoyed the little taste of fall we’ve had the last few days in Northern California, I’m not quite ready for summer to be over (even if I did light a pumpkin spice candle when it was raining. #dontjudgeme).
I was setting up a time to chat with a friend next week and just about fell out of my chair when I realized that next Friday is September 1st already. 🤯
This is why I’ve been hunkering down, staying super focused, and tuning out as many distractions as possible.
In other words, I’m doubling down on ME.
It’s now been over two months since I started my simple 3-step journaling process, and I’ve accomplished more in these three months than I had even hoped for.
If you missed this process, it’s pretty simple.
I start each day with a mantra I write. I’ve also added meditating back into the equation (why is this always the first thing to go when I get busy?).
However, this process actually starts in the evening.
I review the day and write down the following:
- Three things I’m grateful for
- Three wins for the day
- Three things I’m going to accomplish tomorrow
I rewrite the three things I’m going to accomplish that day in the morning, and then I get busy.
The catalyst for creating this incredibly simple habit for myself (that has also produced massive results) was that I started by setting a BIG goal for myself. *Thank you, Dr. Benjamin Hardy & his 10X is Easier than 2X book that inspired the BIG goal.*
I’m giving myself three years to attain that goal (but now think I can probably attain it sooner).
Since then, I’ve set a few smaller goals that I want to achieve prior to my BIG goal.
It is SO much easier to stay focused when you have a clear target you want to reach.
We’ve all heard the reasons for starting with “WHY” (Thank you, Simon Sinek), but my “why” wasn’t concrete enough.
Here’s what I mean.
I started my business because I wanted to be home for my kids, with a desire for freedom being the driving force behind everything.
What I’ve realized, though, is that I attained that as soon as I started my business. The simple fact that I was working from home and controlling my schedule created more freedom than I’d ever had before.
Sure, I had other goals, but I was operating from a place of what I needed as opposed to, “What do you REALLY want?!”
Two years in Costa Rica changed many of my perceptions about what I REALLY want and what’s important to me.
I also realized you can create more and still want to live with less (oxymoron?).
Scaling and growing your business (and income!) doesn’t mean you have to want a big team, a huge company, and more responsibility.
Unless that’s what you want (and maybe you’re perfectly happy with keeping things the way they are – that’s Ok too).
The question of “what do you REALLY want?” isn’t something many people let themselves play with.
They won’t let themselves go there because they don’t think it’s possible… and they stop themselves before they’ve even let themselves dream.
They come up with all sorts of reasons.
- I don’t have the time/money/resources
- I can’t because kids/spouse/family
- I have bills to pay
- I don’t know how
I want to challenge you to start dreaming again.
Start with “What if” questions that support what you want.
What if it were easy, what if I could, what if it were fun, what if I could learn…
Your brain will look for answers to whatever question you pose.
Start asking better questions.
And do yourself a favor…
Tune out the noise and distractions that inundate us daily.
The more space you carve out for what YOU want, the easier it will be to create it.
Spark Spotlight 
For all of you with WordPress agencies…
My good friend, Kyle Van Deusen, just released the most comprehensive set of checklists you can use in your business!
Client management, communication, operations, project management, sales, & website management!
Featured Articles 
If you’re on ConvertKit and using the Creator Network, take a look at these great tips from Chenell Basilio on using it the right way.
Learn how to write titles that make your readers and viewers think you’re speaking to them. Read “Use Mirror Titles for a Massive Boost in Clicks.”
Learn how to use Custom Instructions in ChatGPT to get better output and save yourself some time. Read “How to Transform Generic ChatGPT Outputs into Quality Content with ‘Seed Prompting.'”
This week’s issue is brought to you by Events Calendar Pro. All the tools you need to manage your events on WordPress easily.
Tool Time 
- Advertising: Use this tool to see how your ads are going to look on different platforms. Use AdMocker free here.
- Clone yourself: Well, almost. Create a digital copy of your own voice! Type your content & AI does the rest. Use Revoice free here.
- SEO: Get up to speed with SEO with this free course by Mangools. Read “The Complete Guide to SEO for Beginners.”
- WordPress Blocks: I use this plugin and love it. They’ve just added timelines. Check out Stackable for Gutenberg here.
Latest Podcast Episode 
I had some fun with this week’s podcast episode… and had mocked all the noise around Alex Hormozi (yes, I bought the book).
Listen to Intuition in Action & Trusting Yourself in Business KDS: 113
Facts! haha 
Space is filling up! 
The first of the LIVE two-part workshop I’m co-hosting with Jason Resnick is next week! We’re going to show you how to create the right offer for Black Friday and Cyber Monday that gives you a cash injection in your business while serving your customers first!
We’ve packed this workshop so you will literally have everything you need to create a successful campaign (that you can use over and over again beyond BFCM weekend!).
Be sure to watch the full video on the sales page to get Jason’s CRAZY Bonus offer! (it’s only listed in the video!).
We’re really excited about this workshop, and we hope to see you there!
Whew!
That’s it for this week. I hope you enjoy the last weekend of August.
p.s. We still have a few spots left for the first-ever Women’s Business Retreat in Costa Rica this October. Click here for more info.
