You want to change, grow, and transform. You’re not sure exactly how, you just know that there is something more to who you are. Something important to uncover. Potential to unlock. So, what’s the pathway?

Throughout history, many successful people have turned to personal development to sharpen their saw and approach work and life with an iteratively optimized approach. If that is the path, the only thing left to do is to come up with a workable plan.

In this episode, David Andrew Wiebe reveals his battle-tested personal development plan that has guided him through life’s ups and downs and has led him to become a best-selling author, award-winning composer, and more. Later, he is joined by co-hosts Jody and Suzanna for a group discussion.

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Sponsors:

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The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here!

Highlights:

00:17 – Introduction

01:30 – Do you need a personal development plan?

02:54 – Reading

04:27 – Audios

05:27 – Coaching

07:01 – Courses

08:27 – Attending conferences

10:37 – Other worthwhile habits

12:11 – Next steps

12:55 – Group discussion

Summary:

In a thought-provoking Spark Infinity: Office Hours session from November 2024, David Andrew Wiebe and his co-hosts explore the multifaceted world of personal development planning, particularly emphasizing its application for creative professionals and entrepreneurs.

The Philosophy Behind Effective Personal Development

Understanding Growth Cycles

According to Wiebe, the foundation of effective personal development lies in understanding that growth isn't always linear or constant. He emphasizes that while continuous improvement is valuable, there are natural seasons in life when formal personal development might take a backseat to active creation or contentment.

"Personal development works like a mirror," Wiebe explains, "showing you all your flaws and imperfections. If you don't face this occasionally, you probably aren't growing." However, he cautions against turning personal development into a toxic pursuit of perfection, suggesting instead that it should be a tool for authentic growth and self-discovery.

The Parallel Universe Theory of Growth

The discussion highlights how personal development intersects with the concept of parallel universes. Wiebe suggests that identity shifts begin the moment you start imagining them, and assuming you maintain belief in your vision, manifestation becomes inevitable. This perspective challenges traditional goal-setting approaches, suggesting that solving problems might sometimes be counterproductive if you've already imagined a reality where those challenges don't exist.

Recent studies in neuroplasticity support this view, showing that visualization and mental rehearsal can create similar neural pathways to actual practice. Research from the Journal of Neurophysiology indicates that mental practice alone can increase muscle strength by up to 35%.

Core Development Practices: The Five Pillars

1. The Science and Art of Daily Reading

Reading emerges as a foundational practice in personal development, with research suggesting its impact extends far beyond simple knowledge acquisition. Scientific studies have shown that regular reading can:

Reduce cortisol levels by up to 68% during reading sessions

Improve sleep quality by establishing better pre-sleep routines

Decrease cognitive decline risk by up to 32% in older adults

Enhance vocabulary and communication skills

Strengthen analytical thinking capabilities

Improve empathy and emotional intelligence

Implementation Strategy

The recommended approach involves dedicating at least 15 minutes daily to focused reading. While personal development literature forms the backbone of this practice, Wiebe advocates for a diverse reading diet that includes:

Fiction works that stimulate imagination and creativity:

Classic literature that has stood the test of time

Contemporary fiction that challenges perspectives

Genre fiction that sparks creativity

Biographical accounts that provide real-world success templates:

Entrepreneur biographies

Artist memoirs

Innovation histories

Industry-specific materials that enhance professional knowledge:

Technical manuals

Industry journals

Current trend analyses

Advanced Reading Practices

For those seeking to maximize their reading practice, Wiebe suggests:

Creating a reading journal to track insights

Implementing a highlighting system

Developing a personal knowledge management system

Sharing key learnings with peers

Teaching concepts to others

2. Immersive Audio Learning

The modern landscape of personal development has expanded significantly with the accessibility of audio content. The recommendation for 30 minutes of daily listening acknowledges the reality of busy schedules while maximizing learning opportunities during otherwise unutilized time.

Optimization Strategies

Wiebe introduces Brian Tracy's concept of the "automobile university," highlighting how commute times and routine activities can become valuable learning opportunities. Research suggests that combining physical movement with learning can increase retention by up to 40%.

Content Selection Framework

The hosts provide a structured approach to selecting audio content:

Primary Content (50% of listening time):

Industry-specific podcasts

Professional development audiobooks

Technical training programs

Secondary Content (30% of listening time):

Motivational content

Success principles

Leadership development

Tertiary Content (20% of listening time):

General interest topics

Creative inspiration

Cross-disciplinary learning

3. The Transformative Power of Coaching

Perhaps one of the most misunderstood aspects of personal development is the role of coaching. The session provides valuable insights into selecting and working with coaches effectively. A key distinction emerged during the discussion: the importance of evaluating coaches based on their students' success rather than their personal achievements.

Coaching Selection Criteria

When selecting a coach, consider:

Track record of client success

Alignment with your values and goals

Communication style compatibility

Availability and accessibility

Investment requirements

Feedback and accountability methods

Maximizing Coaching Relationships

The hosts emphasize that effective coaching relationships should:

Provide regular accountability and feedback

Offer objective external perspectives

Help identify blind spots in personal and professional development

Create structured frameworks for growth

Foster independence rather than dependence

Advanced Coaching Practices

For those seeking to maximize their coaching experience:

Maintain a coaching journal

Record sessions for later review

Create action items after each session

Track progress metrics

Share successes and challenges regularly

4. Structured Learning Through Systematic Course Completion

The discussion challenges traditional educational paradigms while acknowledging the value of structured learning. Monthly course completion creates a steady progression of skill acquisition, particularly crucial in rapidly evolving fields like digital marketing and technology.

Course Selection Strategy

When choosing courses, consider:

Immediate applicability to current goals

Future relevance to career trajectory

Quality of instructor and materials

Time commitment requirements

Return on investment potential

Implementation Framework

To maximize learning effectiveness:

Create a quarterly learning plan

Block dedicated study time

Implement learning immediately

Document key insights

Share knowledge with others

5. Conference Attendance and Immersive Learning

Quarterly conference attendance emerges as a crucial component of holistic personal development. Beyond the obvious networking benefits, conferences provide:

Immersive learning environments

Real-world relationship building

Exposure to industry developments

Personal brand-building opportunities

Direct access to thought leaders

Maximizing Conference Value

The hosts suggest:

Pre-conference preparation

Strategic networking plans

Content creation opportunities

Follow-up systems

Knowledge integration strategies

Advanced Implementation Strategies

Resource Management

Financial Planning

Start with free resources

Gradually increase investment

Track ROI on development activities

Create a development budget

Seek employer support when possible

Time Management

Use time blocking

Stack complementary activities

Leverage dead time

Create accountability systems

Regular schedule reviews

Energy Management

Identify peak performance times

Match activities to energy levels

Build recovery periods

Monitor physical well-being

Maintain work-life balance

Integration and Synthesis

Knowledge Management

Create a personal wiki

Maintain learning journals

Develop teaching materials

Build resource libraries

Share insights systematically

Application Systems

Project-based learning

Teaching opportunities

Content creation

Mentoring others

Community building

The Human Element in Personal Development

Social Integration

During the group discussion, Suzanna emphasizes the importance of authentic connection and expression. Research shows that social learning can increase retention by up to 50% compared to solitary study.

Community Building Strategies

Create mastermind groups

Join professional associations

Participate in online communities

Attend local meetups

From marketing to team-building, there are many fields to navigate for the modern artist and creator. Very rarely is there a clear path, and most are faced with the A or B choice of jumping in and taking a big risk or choosing the much safer route of status quo stagnancy.

In this episode of Creativity Excitement Emotion, David passes the mic with fractional CMO, marketing coach, college professor, and TV host extraordinaire Peter Murphy Lewis, who helps make the complicated entrepreneurial path simpler.

Download the PDF Transcript

Sponsors:

Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook: Get a free copy of the “Definitive Guide to Productivity for Artists and Entrepreneurs.”

The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here!

Highlights:

00:17 – Today’s guest, Peter Murphy Lewis

00:29 – What is a fractional CMO?

01:43 – Challenges Pete solves for his customers

04:17 – Interpreting data: How important is human involvement?

09:05 – How is marketing changing with the growth of AI?

13:04 – How artists can improve their marketing

24:25 – When is the right time for a solopreneur to find their first team member?

30:11 – Bass fishing

31:30 – Renaissance man

32:08 – Happiness is reality divided by expectations

33:29 – Success is in the prep work

34:47 – Books that have helped Peter

35:43 – What matters in life

39:18 – Peter’s forthcoming book

42:44 – Concluding thoughts

Summary:

In this wide-ranging conversation, Peter Murphy Lewis shares his expertise as a fractional CMO, discussing everything from data analysis and team building to marketing strategies for artists. With experience as a marketing coach, college professor, and TV host, Murphy Lewis offers practical insights for both established businesses and emerging creatives.

Understanding the Role of a Fractional CMO

A fractional CMO is far more than just a freelance marketer. Key distinctions include:

Experience as a chief marketing officer for medium to large companies

Comprehensive understanding of strategic planning and revenue operations

Deep knowledge of the complete marketing stack

Business acumen including budgeting and team management

Available at a fraction of the cost of a full-time executive ($300-600k salary equivalent)

Common Challenges and Solutions

Murphy Lewis primarily helps CEOs of companies in the $2-15 million revenue range with:

Data Analysis

Making sense of overwhelming amounts of data

Cleaning up "dirty" data

Fixing broken attribution systems

Team Scaling

Hiring and developing talent

Creating effective team structures

Building sustainable growth systems

The Evolution of Marketing in the AI Era

Current Challenges

Over-reliance on automation without understanding basics

Misuse of customer data leading to privacy concerns

Increased sophistication of competitors using data maliciously

Ad blockers and other technological barriers

Successful Approaches

Focusing on human connection and storytelling

Doubling down on personal relationships

Creating targeted, niche communities

Using technology to enhance rather than replace human interaction

Marketing Strategies for Artists

Murphy Lewis offers several key strategies for artists looking to grow their audience and business:

1. Leverage Bartering

Exchange services with other professionals

Find complementary skills that benefit both parties

Use bartering to build relationships and network

2. Document and Repurpose Success

Record testimonials after successful events

Capture positive feedback in the moment

Systematically repurpose positive press across multiple platforms

3. Build Strong Distribution Systems

Utilize existing platforms (CD Baby, Tune Core, BookBaby)

Create multiple revenue streams

Maintain consistent presence across platforms

4. Develop Professional Marketing Materials

Create professional pitch decks

Build comprehensive press kits

Maintain organized marketing assets

Building Your First Team

When to Hire

The right time to hire comes when:

Someone can perform tasks at 70-80% of your capability

You need to focus on revenue-generating activities

Administrative tasks are taking too much creative time

Common Hiring Challenges

Perfectionism

Difficulty delegating

Unwillingness to accept "good enough"

Asking Anxiety

Discomfort with making requests

Fear of negotiation

Uncertainty about fair compensation

Best Practices for Team Building

Start with interns or part-time help

Be clear about expectations and voice

Embrace imperfection in delegation

Focus on finding A-players who thrive on challenges

Action Steps for Implementation

For Artists and Creatives:

Create a list of services you can barter

Document all positive feedback and press

Develop a system for repurposing content

Build a basic pitch deck for opportunities

For Business Owners:

Audit your current data analysis processes

Identify tasks that could be delegated

Create clear systems for team management

Focus on finding and retaining A-players

For Everyone:

Start with a clear hypothesis before diving into data

Focus on building genuine connections

Document successful processes

Maintain balance between automation and human touch

Key Takeaways

Success in modern marketing requires a balance of technical knowledge and human understanding

Data should support, not replace, common sense and strategy

Building a team requires overcoming personal barriers and embracing imperfection

Bartering and relationship building remain crucial for growth

Documentation and repurposing of success creates compound returns

About Peter Murphy Lewis

Currently residing in Wichita, Kansas (literally inside a zoo), Peter Murphy Lewis brings a unique perspective to marketing and team building. His approach combines data-driven strategy with human-centered execution, helping businesses and individuals achieve sustainable growth while maintaining authentic connections with their audience.

Navigating the AI Revolution in Marketing

Murphy Lewis offers valuable insights into the role of artificial intelligence in modern marketing:

The Reality of AI Implementation

Many companies rush to implement AI without understanding basic marketing principles

AI tools often promise solutions but can't replace strategic thinking

The importance of maintaining human oversight and common sense approaches

Using AI as an enhancement rather than a replacement for human decision-making

Effective AI Integration Strategies

Start with clear hypotheses before implementing AI solutions

Focus on using AI for data processing rather than creative decision-making

Maintain human review of AI-generated content and strategies

Use AI tools to augment rather than replace existing marketing processes

The Power of Mentorship and Team Development

Murphy Lewis's forthcoming book focuses on the crucial role of mentorship in business success:

Key Mentorship Principles

Creating structured onboarding processes for interns and new team members

Developing clear SOPs and training materials

Building culture through intentional leadership

Identifying and nurturing talent with potential

Creating Effective Training Systems

Implementing 45-day onboarding programs

Using multiple learning formats (video, written, practical application)

Regular feedback and adjustment mechanisms

Clear progression paths for team members

The Personal Side of Business

The conversation revealed important insights about work-life integration:

Finding Balance

The importance of family in business decisions

How personal values influence business strategy

Balancing professional growth with personal fulfillment

Making decisions that align with long-term life goals

Building Sustainable Success

Creating systems that support both business and personal growth

Understanding the role of attitude in overcoming challenges

Maintaining perspective during difficult times

Investing in relationships alongside business development

Final Thoughts

The conversation reveals a crucial truth about modern marketing: while technology and data provide powerful tools, success ultimately comes from understanding human nature and building genuine connections. Whether you're an artist seeking greater exposure or a business owner looking to scale, the key lies in balancing technical capability with authentic human interaction.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of maintaining a growth mindset while staying grounded in fundamental business principles. Murphy Lewis's approach demonstrates that successful marketing isn't just about implementing the latest tools or strategies—it's about understanding people, building relationships, and creating systems that support sustainable growth.

Remember Peter's generous offer: he provides free fractional CMO sessions daily and welcomes artists and entrepreneurs to reach out for guidance in their journey. His commitment to mentorship and helping others succeed stands as a testament to the power of giving back to the community while building a successful business.

We are wrapping up our series of the most popular podcast content from 2024 with this, David’s interview on WeMaple.

We acknowledge you, the listener, for making this possible. Thank you for tuning in as the year unfolded. We look forward to an even better 2025.

Download the PDF Transcript

Sponsors:

Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook: Get a free copy of the “Definitive Guide to Productivity for Artists and Entrepreneurs.”

The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here!

Highlights:

00:17 – Introduction

04:22 – David Andrew Wiebe on WeMaple

Summary:

In a candid and wide-ranging interview on the WeMaple video show, award-winning composer and entrepreneur David Andrew Wiebe opens up about the profound events that shaped his unconventional path to success. From losing his father in a motorcycle accident at age 13 while living in Japan to teaching himself music and digital media skills after a college rejection, Wiebe's journey exemplifies the power of self-direction and resilience.

The conversation with host Matt Keay delves deep into topics rarely discussed in typical business interviews – exploring everything from the state of modern masculinity to the malleable nature of reality while offering practical insights on content creation, entrepreneurship, and personal development.

Wiebe's story challenges conventional wisdom about education and success, demonstrating how tragedy can become a catalyst for transformation and how betting on yourself, even in the face of uncertainty, can lead to unexpected opportunities.

His experience of building a multifaceted career spanning music composition, podcasting, authorship, and digital marketing provides a compelling blueprint for creative entrepreneurs navigating today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Key Interview Highlights

David Andrew Wiebe shares his remarkable journey from losing his father in Japan at age 13 to becoming an award-winning composer and prolific author

Discussion spans entrepreneurship, digital media creation, masculine identity in modern society, and thought-provoking perspectives on reality and consciousness

Reveals insights about betting on yourself, the power of mindset, and navigating personal transformation

Early Life & Defining Moments

David's story begins in Japan, where his family moved when he was five years old. Living in Takarazuka, between Kobe and Osaka, he experienced the typical challenges of cultural adaptation and language learning. However, his life took a dramatic turn at age 13 when his father was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident. After being in a coma for 10 days, his father passed away, leaving young David and his family to navigate profound loss and eventual relocation back to Canada.

This early trauma would significantly influence David's development and later drive him toward personal development work to process and heal from the experience. The loss of his father during such formative years adds particular weight to his later discussions about masculinity and personal identity.

Musical Journey & Educational Decisions

A pivotal moment in David's musical journey came at age 17 when he watched a friend playing popular songs by Blink-182, Sum 41, and Matchbox 20 around a campfire. This inspired him to take up guitar, leading to lessons where his teacher made the remarkable observation that David had surpassed him in the first lesson despite the teacher's 13 years of experience.

In 2009, David made a significant decision regarding his education. After being rejected from SAIT's New Media program due to full enrollment, rather than waiting for the next intake, he chose to teach himself the skills he needed:

Video editing

Podcasting

Composition (for video games)

New media creation

This self-directed learning approach would become a defining characteristic of his career path and entrepreneurial journey.

Entrepreneurial Development

David's entrepreneurial journey spans over 15 years of self-employment, with his last part-time employment being in 2011 and his final casual employment in 2016. His experience includes:

Content creation and podcasting (achieving over 111,000 downloads)

Award-winning music composition

Book authorship (9 published titles, at the time – now 11 books)

Ghostwriting and content packaging services

Digital marketing and consulting

Perspectives on Modern Society & Personal Development

The interview takes several fascinating turns into deeper territory, exploring:

Modern Masculinity

David offers thought-provoking observations about the conditioning of modern men through media, education, and societal structures. He argues that while getting in touch with feminine energy isn't inherently negative, there may be systematic efforts to reduce traditional masculine capabilities and strengths.

Reality and Consciousness

David shares intriguing perspectives on:

The malleable nature of reality

The power of intention and emotional states in manifesting opportunities

The importance of maintaining positive mindset during challenging times

Recommended Resources for Personal Growth

"The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle

"Your Wish is Your Command" by Kevin Trudeau

"Parallel Universes of Self" by Frederick Dodson

Dr. Joe Dispenza's work on consciousness and biology

Practical Advice for Aspiring Authors

David shares valuable insights for those looking to write and publish books:

Consider working with a ghostwriter if writing isn't your strength

Repurpose existing content (articles, courses, podcast episodes) into book format

Follow the blogging strategy used by Darren Rowse and Seth Godin – writing regular posts with the intention of them becoming book chapters

Maintain consistency in content creation to complete projects in 6 months to 2 years

Key Lessons & Takeaways

Embrace Self-Direction: Don't wait for formal education or perfect circumstances to pursue your goals

Value of Action Over Thought: Performance is about taking action, not just thinking about what to do

Reality is Malleable: Your mindset and emotional state can significantly influence your opportunities and outcomes

Consistent Content Creation: Success in creative fields often comes from regular, intentional content production

Multiple Revenue Streams: Develop various skills and income sources for sustainable entrepreneurship

Action Steps for Readers

Audit Your Content: Review your existing content (blog posts, social media, podcasts) for potential book material

Create a Content Calendar: Develop a systematic approach to creating content that can be repurposed into larger projects

Skill Development: Identify key skills in your field and create a self-directed learning plan

Mindset Work: Begin a daily practice of mindset development through meditation, reading, or journaling

Network Building: Connect with others in your industry through content creation and collaboration

Looking Forward

David Andrew Wiebe continues to expand his creative and entrepreneurial endeavors. His upcoming book "Digital NO-Mad" promises to provide a counterpoint to Tim Ferriss's "The 4-Hour Workweek," drawing from his own experiences with digital nomadism and its challenges.

The interview demonstrates how personal tragedy, creative passion, and entrepreneurial drive can combine to create a unique path to success. David's journey serves as an inspiration for those looking to forge their own way in the creative and digital space, while his insights into personal development and reality creation offer valuable perspectives for anyone on a path of growth and transformation.

In this illuminating episode of Creativity Excitement Emotion, host David Andrew Wiebe sits down with photographer and digital creative Karlo Keet to explore the intersection of traditional artistry and emerging AI technologies.

As the second most popular episode of 2024, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on how creatives can adapt and thrive in an evolving technological landscape while maintaining their artistic integrity.

Download the PDF Transcript

Sponsors:

Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook: Get a free copy of the “Definitive Guide to Productivity for Artists and Entrepreneurs.”

The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here!

Highlights:

00:17 – Introduction

03:30 – Embracing the Age of AI in Creativity

Summary:

In this illuminating episode of Creativity, Excitement, Emotion, host David Andrew Wiebe sits down with photographer and digital creative Karlo Keet to explore the intersection of traditional artistry and emerging AI technologies. As the second most popular episode of 2024, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on how creatives can adapt and thrive in an evolving technological landscape while maintaining their artistic integrity.

The Evolution of a Creative Career

Keet's journey from teenage photographer to professional began with a simple point-and-shoot camera and darkroom experience

Transitioned through various creative phases, including 3D artwork and landscape photography

Currently runs Catstar Images, focusing on portrait photography and personal branding

Maintains multiple creative ventures, including web design and digital marketing services

AI Integration in Creative Work

Takes a pragmatic approach to AI implementation, using it as a complementary tool rather than a replacement

Utilizes AI for:

Initial logo design concepts and inspiration

Copywriting assistance through ChatGPT

Website development efficiency

Creative ideation and workflow optimization

The Future of Creative Industries

Keet and Wiebe discuss the projected landscape for 2025, noting several key trends:

Decreasing investment in AI startups, potentially leading to consolidation in the space

Continued evolution of AI tools, but at a more measured pace

Emergence of new roles and opportunities, such as prompt engineering

Emphasis on human creativity and interpretation remaining crucial

Marketing in the Digital Age

The conversation highlights the growing importance of digital marketing for creatives:

Personal branding becoming increasingly crucial for artists

Need for multi-channel marketing approaches

Value of professional photography in building online presence

Integration of traditional and AI-powered marketing strategies

Practical Applications

For Photographers

Embrace AI tools for initial concept development

Maintain focus on human elements and artistic interpretation

Consider diversifying services to include personal branding

Look for opportunities to submit work to contests and exhibitions

For Digital Creators

Use AI as a brainstorming and efficiency tool

Focus on developing unique creative processes

Maintain quality control over AI-generated content

Build a balanced workflow combining AI and human creativity

Action Steps for Creatives

Assess Your Toolkit

Evaluate current AI tools in your field

Identify areas where AI could enhance efficiency

Research emerging technologies relevant to your craft

Develop Your Brand

Create a professional portfolio

Establish presence on relevant platforms

Consider submitting work to awards and exhibitions

Document your creative process

Build Your Network

Join creative communities

Attend industry events

Collaborate with other artists

Share knowledge and experiences

Optimize Your Workflow

Experiment with AI tools for routine tasks

Document successful integration methods

Maintain quality control processes

Regular review and adjustment of methods

Industry Perspective

While concerns about AI replacing creative jobs persist, the conversation suggests a more nuanced reality. As Keet notes, "Rather than being against it, I choose it to be a tool for my work." This aligns with recent industry studies showing that creatives who embrace AI tools while maintaining their unique artistic vision tend to see increased productivity and creative output.

Looking Forward

The discussion emphasizes that while AI will continue to evolve, the human element in creative work remains irreplaceable. The future belongs to artists who can effectively blend traditional skills with new technologies, maintaining their artistic integrity while leveraging technological advantages.

The episode concludes with an optimistic outlook on the creative industry's future, suggesting that adaptation and openness to new tools, combined with strong foundational skills, will be key to success in the evolving creative landscape.

This conversation serves as a valuable resource for creatives navigating the complex relationship between traditional artistry and emerging technologies, offering both practical insights and strategic guidance for future success.

Originally aired as Episode 3 and ranked as the third most popular episode of 2024, this introspective discussion explores how intentional daily scheduling can transform your creative career.

Download the PDF Transcript

Sponsors:

Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook: Get a free copy of the “Definitive Guide to Productivity for Artists and Entrepreneurs.”

The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here!

Highlights:

00:17 – Introduction

03:01 – How to Script Your Ideal Day

Summary:

David shares his journey of designing an intentional daily schedule, inspired by marketing legend Dan Kennedy's time management principles. While his perspective has evolved since initially recording this episode during summer 2023, the core message remains powerful: deliberately scripting your ideal day is crucial to achieving your creative and professional goals.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

The Ideal Day Framework (Original Version)

Creative Work (2.5 hours)

30 minutes dedicated to songwriting

60 minutes for recording/production

60 minutes focused on book writing

Content & Marketing (6.5 hours)

2 hours for content creation

4 hours for marketing and distribution

30 minutes for research and market analysis

Strategic Growth (30 minutes)

Dream 100 strategy implementation

Targeted outreach to industry connections

Building strategic partnerships

Personal Development Components

30-minute daily workout routine

30 minutes dedicated reading time

Emphasis on consistency over intensity

Evolution and Current Perspective

David notes that his approach has shifted significantly since recording, influenced by concepts from "10X Is Easier Than 2X." His current ideal day framework focuses on the following:

Maximum of three priority tasks per day

Four focused workdays per week

Built-in buffer days for flexibility

Dedicated recovery days

Notable Insights & Analysis

The AI-Human Balance in Content Creation

While acknowledging AI's growing role in content creation, David emphasizes the irreplaceable human element in creating authentic, valuable content. This reflects a broader industry trend where successful creators are learning to leverage AI for efficiency while maintaining human creativity and expertise as their core differentiator. Finding the sweet spot between technological assistance and genuine artistic expression is key.

The Music Industry Marketing Model

David draws a fascinating parallel between music industry promotion and general business marketing. The "touring" approach he describes – maximizing the value of existing content rather than constantly creating new material – aligns with modern content marketing best practices.

This strategy particularly resonates in the digital age, where content repurposing across multiple platforms (what David calls "breaking down into smaller chunks") can dramatically increase ROI on creative efforts.

The Mathematics of Consistency

Rather than viewing luck as a random force, David presents it as a mathematical inevitability that emerges from consistent action.

This approach echoes Malcolm Gladwell's "10,000 hours" concept but applies it specifically to creative entrepreneurship. By breaking down large goals into daily 30 – 60 minute blocks, David demonstrates how significant achievements become more attainable through systematic effort.

Evolution of Time Management Philosophy

From Intensity to Sustainability

David's journey from a 14-hour workday mindset to a more focused, efficient approach reflects a growing understanding in creative industries about sustainable success. This evolution mirrors broader conversations in entrepreneurial circles about work-life integration versus traditional "hustle culture."

The Buffer Day Innovation

The concept of buffer days represents a sophisticated understanding of creative work's cyclical nature. These aren't merely rest days but strategic pause points that allow for:

Processing and integrating new ideas

Handling unexpected opportunities or challenges

Preventing creative depletion

Maintaining long-term productivity without burnout

Industry Context and Application

Creative professionals often struggle with the tension between artistic freedom and business structure. David's framework provides a practical middle ground, acknowledging both the need for creative spontaneity and business discipline. This balance is particularly relevant in today's creator economy, where artists must also be entrepreneurs.

Practical Application Tips

Start with a Clean Slate: Imagine your ideal day without current obligations

Focus on Sustainability: Design a schedule that prevents burnout

Build in Recovery: Include buffer days and complete off days

Track Results: Demand accountability from your marketing efforts

Remain Flexible: Be willing to evolve your schedule as circumstances change

The Dan Kennedy Connection

While not explicitly mentioned in the episode, David's approach mirrors Dan Kennedy's famous time management principles, including:

Structured blocks for different types of work

Clear boundaries between creative and administrative tasks

The importance of controlling your time rather than letting others control it

Strategic use of buffer time

Action Steps for Listeners

Get out your notebook and blue pen

Write down your ideal day without current constraints

Break down activities into specific time blocks

Include both work and personal development activities

Review and adjust regularly based on results

As David concludes, "If you're not willing to do that, I don't know if you can ever get it. You’ve got to be willing to take the actions." This episode serves as both inspiration and a practical guide for creators looking to take control of their time and build sustainable creative careers.

Our journey through 2024’s most popular Creative Excitement Emotion episodes continues with episode 61 – How to Make an Impact on Your Audience in 2024 – with Amos Bracewell.

Tune in to hear Amos share his Facebook community building success story.

Download the PDF Transcript

Sponsors:

Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook: Get a free copy of the “Definitive Guide to Productivity for Artists and Entrepreneurs.”

The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here!

Highlights:

00:17 – Introductory thoughts

01:42 – How to Make an Impact on Your Audience

Summary:

In this compelling conversation between host David Andrew Wiebe and entrepreneur Amos Bracewell, we dive deep into the transformative journey of building engaged online communities and the ripple effects of taking bold entrepreneurial action. The discussion weaves together Bracewell's personal story of building a Facebook community from scratch with the broader lessons he learned about leadership, community building, and business growth.

Listen to episodes 57 and 61 for full context.

The Coffee Shop Epiphany

Bracewell's journey began in January 2023 at a coffee shop in Abbotsford, British Columbia, where he first conceived the idea for his Facebook group. Despite initial uncertainties and no clear monetization plan, he committed to giving the project ten months. This leap of faith led to remarkable results: within 15 months, his group ENTV Today grew to over 9,300 members, and he conducted more than 450 interviews.

The Mother Principle: A Revolutionary Approach to Community Leadership

What makes Bracewell's approach distinctive is his philosophy of "serving from the bottom up." Rather than positioning himself as the central authority, he focuses on creating spaces where others can shine. This approach mirrors what he calls the "mother principle" – nurturing and supporting growth within the community rather than dominating it. This method proved so successful that by month four, he generated $5,000 in revenue, which grew to $30,000 by month five.

From Uncertainty to $30,000/Month: The Power of Persistence

The success of his community-building approach led Bracewell to develop the Catapult program, where he teaches others to replicate his methods. His students have achieved remarkable results, with some groups growing by 200-300 members per week – significantly faster than the typical organic growth rate of 50-100 members weekly for most Facebook groups.

The most profound lesson from Bracewell's experience is perhaps the power of taking action despite uncertainty. As he shares in the conversation, "I didn't even know what I'd be selling. And I knew that I didn't know." This willingness to move forward without having all the answers proved crucial to his success.

Breaking the Social Media Selling Trap

Instead of trying to sell directly on social media, Bracewell advocates for building a dedicated space where you can consistently provide value to members. He likens this to serving appetizers before offering the main course – when people consistently enjoy your free content, they're more likely to invest in your paid offerings. This approach typically converts 1-3% of group members into clients, creating a sustainable pipeline of warm leads.

The Talk Show Host Mindset

The most successful community leaders act more like talk show hosts than lecturers. They excel at drawing out others' expertise and creating opportunities for members to showcase their knowledge and talents.

While Bracewell's own group serves as an umbrella community for empowerment and networking, he emphasizes that this approach can work for any specific niche - from dog training to visual arts, from yoga to business coaching - as long as the leader is genuinely passionate about serving that community.

Beyond Numbers: Creating an Ecosystem of Opportunity

What sets this approach apart is its focus on sustainable, relationship-based growth rather than quick fixes or aggressive marketing tactics. Community leaders using this method don't just build an audience; they create an ecosystem where members actively contribute to the group's value, reducing the burden on the leader to constantly produce content. This approach can compress "five years of business growth into three to six months." This acceleration comes not just from the size of the community but from the quality of relationships built within it.

Essential Qualities of a Community Builder

For aspiring community builders, Bracewell emphasizes three essential qualities:

A genuine desire to gather others

The ability to hold space for others to shine

A commitment to helping others succeed

Artist's Takeaway Guide: Building Your Creative Community

For artists and creatives of all disciplines – whether you're a musician, visual artist, dancer, photographer, videographer, or other creative professional – here are specific ways to adapt these principles:

Showcase Others First: Instead of only sharing your own work, create opportunities for fellow creatives to present their processes, techniques, and journeys. This positions you as a curator and facilitator rather than just another artist promoting their work.

Cross-Pollinate Disciplines: While your group might focus on one area (e.g., music production), invite creatives from related fields to enrich the conversation. A musician's group could benefit from the insights of sound engineers, music marketers, or live event producers. This cross-pollination creates unique value and expands networking opportunities.

Create Interactive Content: Rather than just sharing finished work, engage your community with:

Behind-the-scenes looks at your creative process

Work-in-progress discussions

Technical demonstrations and tutorials

Creative challenge events

Collaborative feedback sessions

Industry insights and trends discussions

Build Industry Connections: Use your platform to bridge the gap between creatives and industry professionals (venues, studios, agencies, equipment suppliers, event organizers), creating value for all parties involved.

Monetization Opportunities:

Teaching masterclasses or workshops

Offering mentorship programs

Facilitating collaborations

Organizing showcases or exhibitions (virtual or physical)

Developing educational resources

Creating referral networks

Building industry partnerships

Remember: The goal isn't to create just another portfolio showcase group, but to build a vibrant community where creatives can grow together, share resources, and create opportunities for each other. This approach naturally positions you as a valuable connector in your creative niche while creating multiple streams of income through genuine relationship building.

We are looking back on the most popular Creativity Excitement Emotion episodes of 2024, and the fifth most popular episode of the year was 3 Things That Aren’t Going to Grow Your Music Career in 2024.

Tune in to hear why David feels detours are inevitable on the path to music career success, and get a refresher on popular music career strategies that could be holding you back.

Download the PDF Transcript

Sponsors:

Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook: Get a free copy of the “Definitive Guide to Productivity for Artists and Entrepreneurs.”

The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here!

Highlights:

00:17 – Introductory notes

03:07 – 3 Things That Aren’t Going to Grow Your Music Career in 2024

Summary:

In an industry flooded with advice, tools, and "must-do" strategies, distinguishing between genuine opportunities and distractions has become increasingly challenging. This eye-opening episode cuts through the noise to expose three commonly promoted strategies that might lead musicians astray.

The Sales Funnel Fallacy

While sales funnels have become a popular marketing tool, their effectiveness for musicians requires careful examination. The episode highlights several critical insights:

Building effective sales funnels requires significant time investment and multiple iterations

Most musicians abandon the process after early attempts fail to deliver results

Even marketing professionals with years of experience require multiple attempts to create effective funnels

AI tools, while helpful, aren't a silver bullet for funnel creation

Key quote: "Even with help from AI, I'm highly skeptical that building a sales funnel is going to save your career."

The Production Perfection Trap

The endless pursuit of better production quality might be a misallocation of resources. The episode suggests a more practical approach:

Focus on audience feedback rather than theoretical production improvements

Essential production skills worth developing:

Basic recording capabilities

Self-editing proficiency

Basic mixing knowledge

The importance of getting honest feedback from your audience about production quality

Understanding when "good enough" is actually good enough

The Social Media Treadmill

Perhaps the most timely warning concerns the exhausting pursuit of social media trends. The episode breaks down why this approach often fails:

The proliferation of platforms makes comprehensive coverage impossible

Constant algorithm changes render "hacks" temporary at best

Success stories often hide the reality of consistent, long-term effort

Most viral successes come after hundreds of attempts

Key quote: "You must build something that you own and control or you don't have a stake in the market."

What Actually Works: Building Long-Term Assets

Instead of chasing trending strategies, the episode advocates for focusing on owned assets:

Website Development

Creating a central hub for your music and content

Building a platform you control completely

Email List Building

Developing direct communication channels with fans

Creating a marketing asset that isn't subject to algorithm changes

Physical Address Collection

Expanding beyond digital-only connections

Creating opportunities for meaningful fan engagement through physical merchandise and materials

The Reality Check

The episode serves as a crucial reality check for musicians who might be spreading themselves too thin across multiple strategic initiatives. The core message emphasizes that while these tools and platforms can be useful, they shouldn't be the primary focus of a developing music career.

Action Steps for Musicians

Audit your current time allocation across different activities

Evaluate the real returns on your marketing efforts

Focus on building owned assets before chasing trending strategies

Develop essential production skills without getting lost in endless upgrades

Create sustainable, long-term marketing strategies rather than chasing quick wins

This episode ultimately advocates for a more measured, sustainable approach to career building in the music industry. Rather than chasing every new trend or tool, success comes from building solid foundations and owned assets while maintaining a clear focus on what truly moves the needle for your career.

It’s time to look back on the top six most downloaded Creativity Excitement Emotion episodes of 2024, and our journey begins here – 2 Ways to Make It to The Top, which was the second episode of the year.

Tune in to hear David share why he’s highlighting the most popular episodes from 2024, and get a crucial refresher on the two paths to success available to you.

Download the PDF Transcript

Sponsors:

Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook: Get a free copy of the “Definitive Guide to Productivity for Artists and Entrepreneurs.”

The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here!

Highlights:

00:17 – Introductory notes

09:05 – 2 Ways to Make It to The Top

Summary:

In the competitive landscape of the music industry, conventional wisdom often pushes artists to become entrepreneurial leaders. However, this enlightening episode challenges this one-size-fits-all approach, revealing that there are actually two distinct paths to success: becoming a driven leader or strategically aligning yourself with one.

The Anatomy of a Driven Leader

Driven leaders in the music industry possess distinct characteristics that set them apart:

Rapid Vision-to-Reality Execution

They transform ideas into tangible results with remarkable speed

Can complete significant projects (like full albums) within six months

Excel at energy management and focused concentration

Notable quote: "They're able to take a vision and move it to reality rapidly. It's almost like they have an idea and snap, six months later, there it is."

Forward-Thinking Mindset

Consistently anticipate future needs and challenges

Create data-driven strategies using charts and statistics

Think weeks or months ahead while managing present tasks

Demonstrate strong emotional intelligence in team management

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Maintain consistent reading habits (even if just two pages per day)

Utilize diverse learning methods (audiobooks, podcasts, courses)

Actively seek self-education opportunities

Transform educational content into accessible formats for on-the-go learning

The Alternative Path: Hitching Your Wagon to a Star

Not everyone is naturally inclined to be a driven leader, and that's perfectly okay. The music industry has countless examples of successful artists who excelled in supporting roles:

John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin: Despite being less famous than bandmates like Robert Plant or Jimmy Page, his contributions were crucial to the band's success

Donald "Duck" Dunn: A legendary session bassist who played on countless hits without being the frontman

Steve Jordan: A drummer who built an incredible career supporting artists like John Mayer and Keith Richards

The key is recognizing your strengths and finding opportunities to support driven leaders who are already on their way to success. This requires:

Self-awareness and honest self-assessment

Loyalty and dedication to supporting others' visions

Excellence in your supporting role

The ability to set aside ego for collective success

Breaking Down Success Myths

The episode challenges several common misconceptions about success:

The Leadership Myth: Research shows that not everyone is naturally suited for leadership roles, and forcing this path can lead to burnout and frustration. According to a Gallup study, only about 10% of people possess natural leadership talent.

The Above-Average Illusion: The episode references the well-documented psychological phenomenon called "illusory superiority" or the "above-average effect." Studies show that:

93% of American drivers rate themselves as above average

88% of people consider themselves above average in job performance

This cognitive bias can prevent people from choosing the most suitable path to success

Action Steps for Both Paths

For Natural Leaders:

Develop systems for quick project completion

Create forward-looking strategies

Establish daily reading habits

Build teams that complement your strengths

For Support Players:

Identify driven leaders in your genre or area

Develop excellence in your craft

Build a reputation for reliability and loyalty

Network within your chosen leader's circle

The music industry's history is filled with examples of both paths leading to success. Whether you're a natural leader or someone who thrives in a supporting role, understanding and embracing your authentic path is crucial for long-term success and satisfaction in the music business.

Remember: "Go and find the driven leaders and hitch your wagon to them." This timeless advice has launched countless careers and continues to be a viable path to success in today's music industry.

Are you having trouble connecting with the world around you? Are you having drab and boring conversations? Do you wish you could connect more effortlessly with the people around you?

Communication is one of the most crucial skills you can learn, and sad to say, formal education doesn’t do much to support you on that journey.

In this installment of Spark Infinity Office Hours, David shares time-tested methods for having better conversations. Later, Jody joins David to unpack the conversation further.

Download the PDF Transcript

Sponsors:

Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook: Get a free copy of the “Definitive Guide to Productivity for Artists and Entrepreneurs.”

The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here!

Highlights:

00:17 – How this topic was chosen

01:14 – What’s the goal of this presentation?

01:29 – Set an intention for the conversation

02:41 – Introduce yourself

03:47 – Learn the FORM

06:43 – Do your homework

07:57 – Tune into WIIFM

08:46 – Ask more questions (and listen)

09:49 – Find common ground

11:02 – Learn something about everything

12:23 – Become a journalist

13:19 – Ask for what you want

15:37 – Be spontaneous and/or funny

16:15 – Additional resources

17:26 – Next steps

17:50 – Group discussion

Transcript:

David: We are talking about 10 ways to better conversation, which already sounds ridiculous, bad wording and all. This is something I just found out the other day. So YouTube literally tells you what it thinks your channel is about, what your audience is searching for, and the types of content it expects you to be creating.

So it suggested 10 ways to better conversation. It's one of many topics it brought to the table for my channel. So yeah, the phrasing is awkward, but I like the topic, so I am running with it.

And I do reject some of its suggestions because they're just kind of way out there. However, Spark Infinity is all about social media growth. So my thought process is if we can cater to the algorithm and give it what it's expecting, maybe we can improve our results.

And we might as well do that and test it for ourselves to see if that's the case. Obviously in Spark Infinity, just for anybody new that might be coming along to watch this, we're focused on social media growth. So we are mostly going to be looking at how to interact with others online today.

But much of what we'll cover can be brought out into the real world as well. What's the goal? What are we aiming for here?

In an earlier presentation on what's the point of social media, we determined that establishing connections is one of the reasons to be using social media in the first place. So let's use these tips. Let's get better at having conversations that matter.

Number one is set an intention. Many conversations suffer for lack of intention. If you don't know why you're calling someone in the first place, you're basically just hoping that something will magically happen.

And yes, sometimes it does. I've had spontaneous conversations like that. But you will get better results if you know why you're contacting someone in the first place.

So ask yourself, why am I contacting them? What am I going to talk to them about? What do I want to get out of the conversation?

I don't want to put too fine a point on it. We don't want to overthink this. It's not about analysis paralysis, but take a moment, take a breath and think about these questions before contacting anyone.

Examples. You might be contacting someone to congratulate them on their new book, to ask for a shout out, to assess the suitability or their suitability as a client. That would be like a pitching or quote calling example, to request help with a project, to invite them to an event. Those are just a few examples.

So key lesson here is always set an intention, not an agenda for the conversation you're about to have. Agendas are for meetings. Intentions are for conversations.

And this will help cut down on meandering conversations that don't go anywhere and increase your chances of having a conversation with desired results. Number two, introduce yourself. OK, so it's my observation that many millennials have found an odd, non sequitur way of communicating with each other.

There's no hello. Oftentimes there's no my name is the classic Tai Lopez ad. Come to comes to mind before he even introduces himself or you even know what he's talking about.

He just says something about knowledge while showing off a Lamborghini in the background. Well, thanks, Tai. But this non sequitur way of communicating is annoying and really doesn't work in reality.

Generation Z or Generation Z is being raised on smart devices and is often clueless about interacting with the world around them. I am not criticizing Gen Z. I appreciate Gen Z, but we do need to pass some things on to them so that they can be better in the real world.

So being a digital native has both pros and cons. Key lesson, unless you know the person you're talking to, briefly introduce yourself and keep it short. Name and title is often enough.

And in some cases you don't even need the title. Never take it for granted that people know who you are or don't care enough to know. So make sure you're respecting yourself and others by introducing yourself.

Number three, learn the form. When getting to know someone, it's important to lean on a tried and true framework so you don't run out of things to say. The form framework, F-O-R-M, is taught in virtually every networking organization.

And as it demonstrates, and as you'll see, open ended questions allow for conversation to unfold in a natural, friendly manner. F stands for family. Here's an example of a question that is not going to work too well.

Tell me about your family. What does everyone do? How old are they and what they like to do in their spare time?

You're asking multiple layered questions. It's a little creepy that you're asking me so much up front. That question is no good.

Here's one that works. Where are you from? It seems like an odd connection.

How does that tie into family? Don't worry about it. Just ask, where are you from?

It'll lead into all that. O stands for occupation. Try not to ask, what is your job role at the company and annual salary?

People don't often like to talk about what their income is upon first meeting you. And you're asking a lot of specifics again, that might lead them to believe you're stalking them or something like that. Simply ask, what do you do?

And people are free to answer that question however they want. One thing, by the way, I noticed this in Calgary a lot. People are preoccupied with that question.

What do you do? So they can size you up, categorize you and decide whether you're worth interacting with, just putting that out there. Don't do that.

R stands for recreation. Here's a couple of examples above what's not going to work too well. Hey, you're in great shape.

What do you do? Swim? That's pretty creepy and pretty forward.

Do you have any hobbies or anything? That sounds pretty uncertain. A lot of people don't have hobbies or passions that are ashamed to that they don't, so it's not a great question for R.

What we do want to ask is what do you like to do in your spare time or off days? People usually can identify a thing or two, even if it's just sitting in the park or catching some sunrise that they are happy to talk about. And then M, M stands for message.

I would say there isn't always a message to deliver, but oftentimes there is. Thing not to do unless the conversation is leading here. You're such a great conversationalist.

You would do so great in my multi-level marketing company. Join me. I think we've all been approached.

And if you're 25 and under and haven't been approached yet, trust me, you will. At some point, somebody is going to talk about a business opportunity and I'm not saying join. I'm not saying don't join.

It's up to you. And some of those opportunities are pretty great. I learned a lot as a network marketer.

However, this may really not be the time or place to, especially if you're just getting to know someone, drop a message like that, a better approach is it's been great chatting with you. Are you on Instagram nowadays? It seems people are far more likely to exchange their Instagram information before a phone number.

Of course, if you're online, you may already be interacting on Instagram. So you might have a different message. So if the only thing you take away from today's entire discussion is forum, you will be miles ahead of mouse and having better conversations.

Key lesson forum offers a solid foundation for the initial stages of getting to know anyone. Number four, do your homework. It's very easy to learn a few things about someone before contacting them.

Especially if they've got an online presence, it takes five to 10 minutes, maybe 15 to 20 minutes on a bad day. We're not trying to creep on them. We're not trying to find about their life story or their personal info on Facebook or any of that.

It's just learning a thing or two about the people you're about to talk to. But most people don't do this and it's gets to be really tacky and lazy. If you're pitching or trying to sell someone on an idea and let's face it, you're always selling yourself in every context, not knowing anything about them will negatively impact your conversion rates, and this is where it gets really bad is failing to learn about public figures and entrepreneurs before approaching them is generally in bad form.

And don't be surprised if you get pushed back or aren't responded to. Here's the thing, right? I've got lots of content online.

I've got books, I've got music. It doesn't take that long to learn about me,

Commit, do the work, and everything will work out. We’ve all heard, and possibly even clung to, some iteration of this platitude. But is it true?

In this installment of Spark Infinity Office Hours, David reflects on the last 90 days of posting to Instagram, and the results he’s seen from his efforts. Later, David and Jody further unpack what they’ve been learning and discovering in growing a social media presence.

Download the PDF Transcript

Sponsors:

Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook: Get a free copy of the “Definitive Guide to Productivity for Artists and Entrepreneurs.”

The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here!

Highlights:

00:17 – Introduction

00:55 – How it all began

01:32 – Content rollout

02:19 – How paid exposure was used

02:49 – Analyzing the stats

06:40 – David’s next steps

07:12 – Lessons and discoveries

10:25 – Pockets of genius

13:57 – Next steps

14:30 – Group discussion

Transcript:

David: Welcome to Spark Infinity Office Hours. It is October 17th, 2024. Today, I don't have a presentation for you so much as a 90-day review, and I am joined today by Jody.

How are you doing, bud?

Jody: Good.

David: Thanks for being here today.

Jody: 90 days. That's a lot of days. Staying consistent.

David: Staying consistent. Yeah.

That whole 90 day… like we started with Spark 90 and transitioned to Spark Infinity. So that's part of the significance there. I still came up with as catchy of a title as I could, which is can 90 posts change everything?

This is how it all began. I started posting again to Instagram daily on July 18th this year. I originally created my account on December 7th, 2012, just for reference, anyone who's wondering.

And when I started Spark Infinity a little over 90 days ago, I had fewer than 1000 followers. To be honest, it was probably something like 850. And I got a cold start, meaning I hadn't posted anything to Instagram since February.

There are different reasons for that. Clean slate happened in February. But the months following that were also, I was in a transition, figuring out what I was going to do for work and passion in life.

The content rollout looked out, looked something like this. I talked a little bit about this and I think the initial or maybe even the first ever Spark Infinity office hours. But the first push had nine posts.

Then the second had eight. The third had 10 posts. Fourth had 19 posts.

And then I finally found my rhythm with the fifth push, preparing 53 posts and then scheduling them out. So initially I really had no more than about a week's worth of posts, which meant I could spend one day creating stuff, scheduling it out, not have to do something for a week. Eventually I got to the point where I could, I was much further out, 20 days, 30 days.

And so in total, I published 99 posts, but Instagram counts your stories as well. So it turns out I published 210 posts, including stories. Paid exposure, paid promotion and shout outs were utilized during this process.

But to be specific, I'm only relying on one source of paid promo and only one shout out was purchased so far. I did purchase another one today. Paid exposure ended up generating the most followers and engagement of anything I did.

So compared to posting and sharing out my Instagram account on Spark Infinity calls or in the podcast and things like that, where I saw the most followers and engagement was with paid promotion. Probably the biggest thing you'll notice is that I'm up to 6,346 followers starting at under 850 and certainly under a thousand that may be noteworthy. The other thing that might stick out is the 4,000 accounts reached in the last 30 days.

But the really funny thing I noticed was I checked this on desktop, but on mobile, those stats look a little different. It looks more like 12,000 accounts reached in the last 30 days. So I don't know what the discrepancy is.

I have yet to figure out why that happens, but just know that these stats look a little bit different in my mobile dashboard. I will attempt to narrate through. I don't have any huge revelatory discoveries in these stats yet, but I think the more I stare at them, the more stuff I'm going to find.

So in the last 90 days, there's been a reach of 9,735 accounts reached. So almost 10,000 people have at least seen the posts, whether they did anything or not with them is a whole other matter. By content type, hosts had the most engagement and then reels and then stories.

But this is really not a big surprise given that I created more posts than anything else. Fewer reels, fewer videos and some stories. You know, by and large, I reached more non-followers than followers, which is kind of nice.

Engagement number, 8,834 accounts engaged. Vast majority non-followers. It's incredible.

So I engaged 23 followers. Shows how much my old friends care. And non-followers, 8,811.

Again, by content interaction, posts had way more engagement by a huge margin, but the reels actually had a pretty good reaction and stories did okay. Considering I was probably posting two to three stories per day, that tells me even though it's kind of worth doing, it's not something to stress over. That's for sure.

And then profile, 6,577 visits. Out of those people, three people clicked my link tree. So that's not doing much for me right now.

And then of course the followers are up to 6,351. Instagram provides some other really good stats on, hey, here's the times where people are engaging most on Monday through Sunday. And that will be worth looking into as well in more detail.

This is just a really brief glance into top performing content. I realized pretty quickly as I was delving into this that I could honestly spend hours. There's simply different ways of visualizing this content.

Instagram gives you a lot of options and I'll talk more about that in a minute. But what we see from top performing content is the three reels that I published most recently, they say about 14,000 views, but in the mobile, it actually says 30 over 30,000. I think that paid promotion, that's an unexpected side benefit given that I think a lot of the other content was getting maybe two, three, 400 likes max.

So within insights, you can view top performing content based on views, interactions, accounts reached, accounts engaged, and shares. And based on which option you select, you're going to get a completely different view of which content was ultimately top performing. I've really only done a surface level dive of this so far.

And in fact, I probably could have spent 15, 20 minutes on this alone if I had spent a little more time looking into this today. But there's at this time, there is still much to be learned from outperforming content. In other words, the content that did the best.

And I think this is the way a marketer would think if they publish 90 posts, they would look at top 10, top 20, do the 80, 20, figure out which ones were working best, and then iterate on those, create more like that. Looking to the future, I've already planned out a bit of content beyond those initial 90 days. I'm going to address my strategy, just like I said, looking at the content and figuring out what worked and what didn't.

Incorporate more visual media reels and videos into my content schedule. That's already starting to happen. Use more humor in my posts.

In settings like these, it may not always come across, but at play, I have a sense of humor that while does not appeal to everyone, does appeal to a certain demographic. And focus on what I'm good at. And I'll talk more about that in a moment.

I'll share a few lessons and discoveries. Creating and publishing content did not always spark joy on this journey. Consistency can be like that though, in my experience.

I really have no problem coming up with new ideas. And I definitely had some fun. But at times, generating and editing captions kind of felt like a chore.

At first, it was fun. I was writing it myself. And then I decided to start using Claude.ai, which I love. And then I made a prompt and then I tweaked the prompt. And then I kept tweaking the prompt. And that was kind of fun.

Once I settled into a groove and was kind of getting what I liked, it was less fun. Next lesson or discovery, running multiple promotions simultaneously makes it harder to measure where the results are coming from. This realization comes from running the ongoing promo, paid promo alongside shoutouts.

It's much better to isolate your promotions. And running them independently would make it much clearer what results you're getting from each channel. And this was a timely and super important discovery.

I'm really not good at all aspects of marketing. I shared in an earlier video on fine-tuning and micro-adjustments that I've been learning and trying many things simultaneously in my business. And this had a really great benefit.

So spreading myself out like that and tackling different aspects of my marketing, it taught me that I've got pockets of genius where I operate exceptionally well, but many, many other areas where there's no fruit on the tree to speak of. Let's start here. I'm great at writing, but in a sense, I suck at blogging.

Neil Patel gets over 500,000 visits per day to his website. Sometimes 600,000. He's amazing at blogging.

I've had sites that got me over 1,200, maybe 2,000 visits per day at a time. I've never seen six figures. And him and I even started blogging around the same time.

I think he was maybe a year earlier than me. I'm great at interviewing people, but I suck at podcasting. I have trouble sticking to themes, staying relevant to my audience, weaving narratives, knowing the difference between content that will work versus what won't.

James Schramko has earned over 5 million podcast downloads to date. I've only got 110,000.