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I played (too many) videogames in college and often sank a lot of time into "character creation" – where you get to pick what kind of character you'll build for the game. Game developers knew players would obsess over getting it "right," so they built in something called a respec — a way to wipe your build, reassign your points, and start fresh without losing your progress.

Turns out, businessa and life can work the same way. Today, I share how I've been re-specing my own habits, business, and direction. You might be overdue for a reset yourself.

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I used to think gratitude was an obligation—something church kids did while passing an offering plate or something people talked about every Thanksgiving. But four years with The Five Minute Journal did something I never expected: it made me a grateful person instead of someone trying to feel grateful.

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In this episode I break down the hidden season high achievers avoid: the quiet "wintering" phase where you subtract, repair, and redirect your energy to what actually matters.

I share how cutting $25k/month in retainers, drinking 70% less, and reclaiming 80+ hours a month reshaped my life, creativity, and identity. If you're feeling the pull to shed old leaves and grow deeper roots, this one's for you.

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Last week, I hosted a live presentation called "From Expert to Author: The Strategic Blueprint for Writing a Book That Builds Your Business." While writing a book has always been a good idea for experts, I believe it's a non-negotiable in today's world. This is a long presentation, but I believe there's a lot you can learn from it. Check out the timestamps below for the different sections.

If you're interested in working with me in Q4 2025 or Q1 2026, go to mikekim.com/writeyourbook

• 02:44 The Role of a Book in Your Business
• 08:15 AI Has Shifted How Experts are Perceived
• 18:54 Crafting a Strong Book Proposal
• 24:26 Platform Audit and Marketing Strategy
• 30:05 Comparable Titles and Differentiation
• 35:35 Leveraging AI for Writing and Proofreading
• 39:36 Building Demand While Writing Your Book
• 49:21 Ways to Work Together and Final Q&A

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Read this episode: mikekim.com/foundational-frantic

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This week's episode is a bit shorter because I'm preparing for a live training later this week on How to Write and Market a Bestselling Book (register below).

My thoughts for this week: Just because the work is quiet doesn't mean it's not important. This really just boils down to a fight we all face: foundational vs. frantic.

Just like the autumn season here in the Northeast U.S. has a purpose, it's vital to define the purpose of the season you're in. You define it. Take agency over it.

My definition for Q4: depth of execution, not volume of activity. You might be in a different season. Good. All I'm saying is: define it.

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Read this episode: mikekim.com/book-roi

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In this behind-the-scenes breakdown, I share the real numbers and lessons from You Are the Brand: how large my email list grew, how the book hit the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller lists, and how I turned one book into $250K+ in coaching and certification offers.

You'll hear what it actually takes to hit those lists, what "writing a good book" really requires, and how the process itself rewires your identity and business from the inside out.

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Read this episode: mikekim.com/economy-of-meaning

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What if the next great economy isn't about money, content, or attention, but meaning? In this conversation, I unpack every major shift we've lived through—the Industrial, Knowledge, Digital, Creator, and Attention Economies—and why the next frontier for personal brands is the Economy of Meaning.

It's a wake-up call for entrepreneurs, coaches, and creators to stop chasing optimization and start embodying integration: to share stories that cost them something, lead with honesty, and build brands that matter because they mean something. I believe this is where personal branding is going in the age of AI.

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Read this episode: mikekim.com/delete-and-replace

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Most of us carry stories we didn't consciously choose. Growth usually requires letting go of those stories, but trying to them can feel impossible. In this episode, I share something that has helped me: instead of fighting to delete the file, save over it by creating new experiences in the same spaces.

Some stories can only be released when you transmute them into something with material consequence—a book, a body of work, something that makes it all matter. If you've spent years hiding behind other people's frameworks and voices, there comes a moment when what's clawing its way out of you demands to be heard.

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Waitlist for Book Accelerator: mikekim.com/writeyourbook
• My new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career: »
• Connect with Kevin Monroe on LinkedIn »

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