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✨ the SPARK 192 ~ Measuring the Right ROI

Time to Start Eliminating Things

Author

Kim Doyal
July 18, 2024

In partnership with

Welcome to the 192nd issue of the SPARK, a weekly newsletter that helps you transform daily experiences into compelling content that
captivates and sells.

One rule we had growing up that even our friends knew was that when Mom walked into the house at 5 p.m., it had better be clean.

Anyone else relate? 😉

With three of us, err… more like two of us, because I can’t say that my brother was always as helpful as he should’ve been, it was pretty easy to whip it into shape quickly.

I’m grateful for the chores and structure we had growing up, and I passed it on to my kids, too. At 27, my daughter now says the same thing (I can assure you she didn’t when she was 12 when I’d ask her to go back and redo something correctly, haha).

It’s wild to me when I look back and think about how much my parents did while working full-time. Fortunately, it wasn’t like today when you had to have your kids in a zillion activities (I won’t even talk about not having the added pressure of posting our lives & accomplishments online).

They were of the generation where they were taught that you had to “work hard.”

Which they passed on to me and my siblings.

You didn’t hire people to do things you could do yourself (and as young parents, the money wasn’t there anyway). This was pretty much middle-class America.

You spent your week working and taking care of the family; then weekends were spent taking care of the house and any other family obligations.

That started shifting with my generation (I will happily pay people to do things that buy back my time).

At almost 80, my Dad now has a housekeeper and people to help with his property, which is necessary.

But what if we redefined “necessary?”

I was listening to an episode of Lewis Howe’s podcast with Dan Martell, the author of “Buy Back Your Time,” and so much of it resonated with me.

When we think about buying back time in business, we tend to think of hiring people, outsourcing work, etc.

Which is essential if it supports your business model.

However, if hiring means a lot of training, meetings, and ongoing people management, is it worth it? 🤔

Justin Welsh runs a 4M/yr business as a solopreneur in a way that supports his lifestyle.

So, there are other ways to grow and scale.

At this stage in my life, I don’t know that there’s much I value more than my time and peace of mind.

Before I get more specific about business activities and whether or not they’re giving me the right “ROI” - I have to share a statement I heard from a spiritual teacher I listen to:

“If you’ve been at something for 18 years and you haven’t created the life you want from it, it doesn’t ring your bell.”

(Insert whatever length of time resonates with you, for me, it’s 16 years)

That statement hit me like a ton of bricks.

It’s not always about doing things differently.

Maybe it’s about doing something different.

As I pondered that, I started examining my business's actual work and what lights me up.

I started thinking about the things that don’t light me up first (social media) and have narrowed it down to two things:

  • Writing

  • Recording (audio/video)

The first step in figuring out what lights you up is to ask better questions. The brain will naturally begin searching for a solution.

We don’t realize how often we think the same thoughts, which leads to the same choices, which leads to the same behaviors (how’s that for a vicious cycle?).

To get a different outcome, you have to think differently.

Circling back to “Measuring the right ROI,”…

If how you’re spending your time isn’t giving you the income or peace of mind you desire, get really honest with yourself and ask, “Do I even want to keep doing this?”

There’s no point in trying to change your behavior if what you truly want is something entirely different.

For me, this would mean:

  • Eliminating all creation that doesn’t light me up

  • WAY less social media

  • Less time on the computer in general

  • Paid traffic + quality content on two channels as my primary traffic sources

  • Tuning out & unsubscribing to marketing/marketers that don’t resonate on a deep level, regardless of perceived missed opportunities

  • More white space

Eliminating things that no longer work for us (and quite possibly never did) is often the easiest place to start.

Also… my guess is the things you don’t enjoy never really brought the ROI anyway. 😉

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A Little Brainpower 🧠

A little update on what’s happening in the world of AI. From ChatGPT to Gemini: how AI is rewriting the Internet.

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Whatever it takes 🤣

My countdown to Costa Rica continues, and holy moly, it’s 19 days from today!

This move is a little bittersweet because spending so much time with family has been lovely. My first move to Costa Rica in 2021 was unknown, and I was still trying to find my footing after losing my Mom in 2019.

Now I know what to expect, and I know with every ounce of my being that Costa Rica is good for my soul (and my body… I really don’t like the cold anymore).

Fortunately, technology makes the distance much easier, and I know everyone will be down to visit (plus, I’ll be back at Christmas).

Between now and August 6th (the day I fly out), there’s final packing to do, my Dad’s 80th birthday, and squeezing in a few more visits with friends.

I’m also going to soak up as much sunshine and long nights as possible here since it’s rainy season down there.

My first week in Costa Rica will probably include a lot of sleep and, of course, time to schedule the massage therapist (I stayed in touch after I left 🤣).

Hopefully, sharing this journey inspires you to travel, go for what you really want, and create a life that fuels you.

Here’s to living a joy-filled life!

Have a wonderful day,
Kim