When I submitted my book proposal for SOMEDAY Is Not a Day in the Week to my agent, she told me, “Sam, you’ll get a better deal if you have a bigger platform.”
In other words, my book deal depended less on my track record or the topic’s relevance and more on my social media following.
So, I did something I have never done (and really didn’t want to do,) I bought a program promising to boost clicks and followers. And it worked—at first.
But who followed me? Clorox Bleach. Accounts with thousands of followers but no posts 🤔 People I didn’t know and who didn’t care about my work.
It just felt wrong—and flew in the face of what I believe as a creative, author, and storyteller.
So, I canceled the program and returned to what felt right: creating and sharing real-life examples, original insights, and actionable techniques to inspire and add value.
Maybe it’s naive, but I remind myself daily that I’m already wealthy in what matters: meaningful connections, joy, health, freedom, and work I love with people I respect.
I choose to value… Quality over quantity. Meaning over metrics. Connection over clicks.
ACTION
Grab a paper and pen and let your thoughts pour onto your paper as you reflect on these questions:
What does being “wealthy in what matters,” mean to you?
Are there areas in your life where you’ve chosen external validation over internal fulfillment? How did that feel?
What steps can you take today to begin aligning your actions with what matters most to you?
What other things can serve as inspiration for you to continue to create authentically, even when “success” isn’t instantly measurable?
P.S. Want help to get clear on what matters most to you? Click here and enter your email to download my NOW to NEXT Box as featured in my upcoming book A.G.E.N.C.Y. (coming in 2025!) to get back on track.