I'm reading a book - "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig. It's a worldwide bestseller that's been all the rage in book clubs and reading groups since 2020.
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The book's about a magical library with infinite books, each one showing a different version of your life based on your choices. It got me thinking - would it be a good or bad thing if we could see all those different lives? I ask because I honestly believe that while I could have made a different choice at any point in my life, there is no way I could choose or predict the outcome.
I truly believe it's more about what we do with the life we have and what we’re doing … now … that matters.
A routine I’ve had for many, many years includes a morning meditation and an evening reflection.
Every evening I think back on my day - the good, the bad, and everything in between. It's not about beating myself up over mistakes, but more about learning from them. I ask myself:
- What did I do well today?
- Were there moments I could've handled differently?
- Did I stick to what's important to me?
I take those reflections and add them to the top of the list for tomorrow. If I didn't finish something today, it's on tomorrow's list. If I messed up and need to apologize to someone, I make sure it’s on the list. If I made a promise to someone I put it on the list.
What I know to be true is this: Living without regrets isn't about never messing up. It's about learning, growing, and moving forward. "The Midnight Library" really hits home with this. We can't control everything, especially the outcomes of our choices. But we can control how we respond and what we do next.
Each day is a new chance, a fresh page. And this practice of reflecting and planning? It's been a lifelong journey of discovery and growth for me. I encourage you to try it out. It’s a great way to clear away any regrets you may have now and to move forward in a way that helps you live a life without regrets.
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A Marketing Tip
Want to reduce your ad spend, get more leads, make more sales?
Survey your market so you know what they want to buy. Then offer it to them to buy.
Many years ago, whether I was doing market research for a client, I would spend $5 a day for 3 days on a Facebook ad. That ad would send people to a Facebook Group poll or a survey. We’d analyze the data and let it tell us the direction the client should go - create the new product, change a product, replace a product. It’s an excellent way to know what your market wants.
Set Up a Survey
In this example we'll set up a TShirt survey
Start a New Google Form: Go to Google Forms and create a new blank form. Name the survey appropriately, for example, "Shirt Survey."
Introduction: Write a brief introduction to the survey, explaining its purpose and encouraging participation. You can offer incentives like a chance to win a gift card or a deep discount on another product.
Collect Basic Information: Begin with collecting basic information like first names and email addresses.
Ask Questions for Specific Preferences (in this example we're surveying for tshirts):
Shirt Color: Add a question for selecting Shirt colors. Use images to show different color options and allow multiple selections.
Shirt Style: Include a question about the preferred type of Shirt. Use images to illustrate different neck types (e.g., crew, v, square) and label them for easy selection.
Shirt Design: Keep the selection options to 5. Use images to show different designs with each clearly identifies. Use checkboxes with predefined options.
Finalize and Test the Survey: Preview the survey to ensure all elements are correctly set. Adjust the layout and question settings as needed.
Distribution and Response Collection: Share the survey through various channels like social media, email lists, or ads. Aim for a good number of responses (100 would be great for meaningful data.)
Analyze the Results: Regularly check the responses. Google Forms will aggregate into graphs and charts for easy interpretation. Use these insights to guide your new Shirt product decisions.
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From the Research Files
aka random bits of info you may or may not be able to use in your life
Do you know how earthworms breathe? They don't have lungs. Instead, they soak up oxygen through their skin. That's why you see them wriggling around on the ground after it rains a lot. If they stay underground they’d drown because the soil gets too soggy after rain, and they can't get enough air through their skin.
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Pun of the Day
What do you call the Greek God of regret ?
Apollo…gies.
🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
If you are at all informed /entertained /amused /educated by today’s edition of Burke’s Bits, here's where you can show your appreciation.
P.S. It’s nearing the end of 2023. I’ve been reviewing my business memberships and associations so I can decide which ones have served their purpose and which ones are worthy of my renewing.
One membership I am definitely renewing is with Titans Xcelerator Mastermind. It’s a group owned and led by Brian Kurtz, former Executive Vice President of Boardroom Inc. and Founder of Titans Marketing - a direct marketing education company. For nearly 40 years, he’s been fortunate to know and work with some of the greatest direct response marketers who ever lived. And he shares that knowledge with the business owners and copywriters in the mastermind.
It’s an affordable (incredibly affordable considering the value I get every week I’m on a call with him and the experts he brings in to share with us)…option for business owners and copywriters who are struggling to grow.
If you’re new to business - you need to be surrounded by business owners who can show you what you should do next.
If you’re struggling to get your business past a milestone - you need access to business owners who’ve taken their business to $1M/year in sales to $50M/year in sales.
If you’re ready to exit your business - you need to be around people who have exited and entered numerous businesses. Join us.
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