We interrupt this broadcast…
TL;DR:
The newsletter will be taking a few weeks off
As some of my earliest supporters, you get access to Circle - my new class and community site (see instructions below)
I’ve been working on a number of things and I want to share some updates about those things. So today’s newsletter is more newsy and less thought provoking than normal - although I’ve tried to give you some things to think about as well.
Newsletter Hiatus
I’m going to take a multi-week hiatus from the newsletter. There are a lot of reasons for this. As I shared last week, Gayle and I are moving into a new house, I’m selling my house, there are some wonderful client projects I’m working on right now, and I want and need to dedicate some additional energy to my Circle Community launch (more on that below).
This is a demonstration of two important principles:
Refresh and reframe when something feels stale. For the first 50 or so issues, the newsletter was a lifeline for me. I needed to write it. Many of the last 22 have felt a little more challenging. I’ve got a lot of ideas for future direction. I need to spend some time planning. It’s easier to plan something when you’re not also in the middle of it. The newsletter is definitely not going away but I am taking this intentional time off. Assuming I don’t make any changes to the publishing schedule the next edition will come out on August 21.
Act with intention. Many years ago, my word for the year was intention. I often do what’s in front of me rather than what I intended or planned. I’m a great planner but not as good of an actor on those plans as I’d like to be sometimes. This stems from wanting to do too many things. So, I’m being quite intentional right now as I navigate this busy season of life. I hope that this time of intention brings some new clarity on the other side of it.
Circle Community Launch
While I’m going to take a short break from the newsletter, I’m not going away at all. In fact, part of what I’m trying to think through is how the newsletter fits into my own personal media brand/company. From written content like this, to my online classes, to making more videos, and getting back to podcasts, I love making stuff. I’m trying to reduce all the physical clutter in our new space so I’ve got more mental space to create great content.
As a part of that, I’m moving from my current online course host (Podia) to a new host (Circle). The full move won’t be done until the end of August, but I’m ready to open the community up to newsletter subscribers. As a newsletter subscriber and one of the earliest supporters of my work, I want to extend a lifetime of FREE access to you if you’d like it.
Go to: https://iwannabemewhenigrowup.circle.so/checkout/iwbm-community-all-access-pass
You can sign up to pay for access or you can get LIFETIME free access by using coupon code NEWSLETTER. The coupon is only redeemable until September 30, 2023.
This will give you lifetime free access to the community including all courses and communities I offer now as well as into the future.
If you do choose to pay for access now and change your mind at some point in the future just drop me a note and I’ll move you to a free membership. Several of you ask for ways you can support me and paying for monthly or annual membership is certainly one of the ways you can support me now and in the future.
Some Things You Might Find Interesting
What I published this week: Article publishing is on hiatus until we get back from Europe in August so I can focus on moving my courses and community over to Circle (see big announcement above). I also love using the time away on a trip to brainstorm writing ideas.
Our friend Amy hosted Gayle for dinner the other night to give her some moving boxes. This was my reaction. Amy got them from the Facebook “Buy Nothing” group for her community - which is my tip for you - check out your Buy Nothing group on Facebook. Amy earned the hero designation this week as I was just about to go buy boxes to use for packing. I am diligently beginning to fill them all up.
As Gayle and I get into full final prep mode for our coming Northern European vacation, I’ve got two final tips for you:
Download Google Maps for offline use before you go. We’re also trying an app called CityMapper.
I’ve made an appointment with the local AAA office to get cash in the various foreign currencies we need. We’ll also both set travel alerts on our credit cards. You do have to be a AAA member to take advantage of this but AAA offers one of the lowest conversion rates you can find.
One day in Creative Work Hour, Gray mentioned he had the opportunity to see The Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps present their 2023 show In Absenthia. At a different time in my life, I dreamt of being a member of a traveling performing group like a Drum Corps or the singing/performing group Up With People. I never acted on that dream beyond a little research. That said, I still like watching these performances a great deal. Here is the 13 minute show of The Blue Stars for 2023.
Ways You Can Support Me
Purchase one of my digital courses and/or products
I offer courses and digital products focused on organization, planning, productivity, technology, and personal development. Check out all of the offerings currently available at the circle link above. I’ll be restructuring how you buy access to my classes as I relaunch the newsletter.
Subscribe to and Share My Newsletter
If someone forwarded this to you or if you’re reading online, hit subscribe so you get every issue delivered right to your inbox every Monday morning at 8 a.m. eastern time.
And, remember to share this with a friend and/or on social media if you read something in here think someone else might find it valuable.
Buy Me A Coffee
You can buy me a virtual coffee if you feel my work has added monetary value to your life in some way. Just visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/iwannabeme and follow the on screen instructions.
Subscribe to Medium
I publish much of my writing on Medium. To read all of the content there, you need to have a subscription which gives you access to the entire library of Medium content. It’s a great place where I start nearly every day. If you want to subscribe, consider doing so through my referral link: https://iwannabemewhenigrowup.medium.com/membership
Subscribe to Readwise
Readwise is an incredible service that takes all of the highlights you take on Kindle, on various web sites, and in so many other places and stores and organizes them for you. It generates a daily (or more often/less often as you prefer) set of highlights for you to review so that you can better remember what you read. Readwise also syncs with all kinds of apps including Evernote, Notion, Obsidian, Roam Research, Log Seq and more. If you’d like an extended 60 day trial, use my link https://readwise.io/kara
Get cash back at the pump
I’ve been using Upside for well over a year now to get cash back at the pump at occasionally at restaurants and on groceries. With upside, you can also see where gas is cheapest which, especially right now, is handy. To get started using Upside, download the app (links below) and sign up for an account. If you’re so inclined, you can enter my referral code: KARA3995. Then, join me in getting cash back. I’ve earned about $50 in six months through nothing more than a check in when I get gas. I don’t drive much anymore though so I know folks who have earned much more since they fill up their tank far more often than I do.
Get started today by downloading the app and signing up. Don’t forget - referral code KARA3995: Apple or Android
Affiliate Links
I do use affiliate links (a link that you click on and then if you purchase the tool, I may receive a little money or service in return) for products that I use and recommend.