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BEYOND the ALGORITHM: Aligning Content Creation with Natural Rhythms
12 Plays1 month ago
Does the theory of creating content consistently, developing a cadence actually serve the human behind the content creation?
In this episode I share my contemplation around this topic from my experience as a content creator and a coach in the digital space.
I also provide insights & practical advice to support you in your content creation.
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Transcript
Introduction and Welcome
00:00:00
Speaker
Hello and welcome to the Life by Design podcast. I'm Marie Nicole. For those of you who don't know me and for those of you who do, welcome back to the podcast. I hope you've been enjoying the episodes.
Aligning Content with Natural Rhythms
00:00:11
Speaker
Today's episode topic, Beyond the Algorithm, Aligning Content Creation with Natural Rhythms.
00:00:17
Speaker
was actually inspired by contemplation around seeking consistency and developing a cadence in content creation and marketing activities for the sake of the algorithms, which is the advice we are given all the time by experts in the field of marketing for business and using social media to reach our ideal customer.
00:00:39
Speaker
Now it's a bit cool out here today which is why I'm sitting here with my um ginger and lemongrass
Nature's Patterns vs. Strict Schedules
00:00:44
Speaker
tea. I don't have my little fireplace on so I'm going to be cuddling up to this cup just to keep myself a little warmer.
00:00:51
Speaker
But it is nice to be out here. After engaging in and setting 14 day challenge for a webinar attendance, I also started to think about how great that was for our actual online presence, but is also something that's challenging to sustain.
00:01:08
Speaker
You know, especially if you don't have supportive practices and systems in place to keep up that daily content creation for just one platform in particular, which got me thinking about natural systems in especially wild nature and how it operates.
00:01:28
Speaker
So the moon and the sun don't rise and set at exactly the same time each day. They move through a sequence of patterns. And a flower is not guaranteed to open on a set day or even week.
00:01:40
Speaker
It opens when the conditions are right for its blooming. The same can be said for an an egg hatching. We know a general time frame of when it will hatch, but the conditions need to
Content Creation Challenge Insights
00:01:52
Speaker
be right.
00:01:52
Speaker
Women's 28-day cycles. They're not always guaranteed. They fluctuate according to the health of their body, mind, environment, and even interactions with others has an impact on that.
00:02:06
Speaker
So does this theory of creating content consistently, developing a cadence, actually serve the human behind the content creation? And does it actually serve the audience?
00:02:19
Speaker
That's what I was contemplating after that 14-day challenge. Now, I also set myself a 30-day content creation challenge Once I completed the 14 days, not specifically for one platform, but to ensure that I am sharing content across several platforms consistently.
00:02:36
Speaker
Now, as a self-employed single mum living in a rural location, working from home, it has been so important for me to stay in connection with people in the outside world via the use of digital tools and portals.
00:02:51
Speaker
So I actually see the value in this, but I also need to find the balance in it, which is why I wanted to share with you what I'd been thinking about around this. But there is something really powerful about group energy.
00:03:03
Speaker
So I actually accepted an offer to take part in a challenge that's been run by content creators based in the US, Louise and Fonzie from Biz Bros. And they have collaborated with Stacey from, i cannot remember her business name right now, but I am so sorry, Stacey, for that.
00:03:21
Speaker
But they have set, I think it's a 17-day challenge. And today's topic was actually, what is your ideal date? I thought this aligned beautifully with what I want to talk about in terms of whether or not just operating based on algorithms or operating based on our natural systems is actually more supportive or a combination of the two.
Elements of an Ideal Day
00:03:42
Speaker
So when think about my ideal day, I thought it would be really nice to share this with you as well because it aligns so well with the topic at hand. So when I think about my ideal day, it enables me to enjoy both having roots and wings and to explore beyond my nurturing little nest and discover new things and then returning to that comfort and security of my home.
00:04:06
Speaker
Now there are three key elements to an ideal day for me and that is connection to myself, connection to wild nature and connection to others. Now, this is not on a surface level or in a superficial way, but in a way that engages all my senses.
00:04:22
Speaker
And right now, I live for the most part what I would consider to be an ideal day. But there are also aspects and elements that could do with tweaking.
Rural Living Challenges
00:04:31
Speaker
like access to wild nature, which I have expressed in previous episodes, that I live in an area where I'm surrounded by agriculture. So actually getting out into and immersing myself in wild nature is not necessarily an easy thing to do.
00:04:46
Speaker
And also there's the element of in-person interactions. I would like to have more of that in my days. That would be more ideal than just connecting with people through the digital space, even though I am so grateful for the digital technology and tools that allow me to work from my beautiful rural location and stay connected to the outside world.
00:05:08
Speaker
But the other thing I wanted to say here on this is that I am a person who has a tendency to just immerse myself in the beauty of what is and to see every day as a gift.
00:05:19
Speaker
So I don't like to be living for the future and what could be better. I never have been one to do that, although I do like to consider what would foster a more ideal future situation in areas of my life that I feel like that is required.
Setting Boundaries for Well-being
00:05:37
Speaker
And so I still think it's important in the meantime to actually enjoy and make the most of what is here and now and not be constantly looking out there of what could be better out there.
00:05:50
Speaker
So what about you? What would your ideal day be? And I ask you this question because I want you to think about it for a moment. Because it's easy to just move on with life according to the systems and structures that we're caught up in, and not really consider what is ideal for you individually.
00:06:08
Speaker
But when you do do that, and you start to look at the elements that help you so um and support you in your thriving, then you can make decisions around that. Now, I'd use this similar question in my La Luna Living workbook, going through that process of cyclical living, and I ask people to reflect on what their non-negotiables are.
00:06:29
Speaker
which sets a boundary around what to say yes to, what to say no to, and in order to create a life that is actually supportive of our desired way to live and really does foster our thriving. So it's not dissimilar to thinking about what an ideal day would be for you.
00:06:47
Speaker
Considering this will actually help you Look at these next set of um elements that I want to explore with you on the actual algorithms and natural systems that we can consider when it comes to our content creation.
00:07:00
Speaker
Let's base this on what is recommended to us, first of all. The contrast of the algorithms versus natural patterns.
Algorithm Schedules vs. Natural Adaptability
00:07:09
Speaker
And, you know, and algorithms, we are told...
00:07:12
Speaker
rely on predictability and consistent posting schedules to, you know, optimize that visibility and engagement. But the contrast with that is that sometimes we need to be ah need to be flexible.
00:07:24
Speaker
We need to be able to adapt our behavior according to what's going on in our life. And when we look at nature, that is exactly what happens. Look at, say, the conditions of a plant and I can say,
00:07:38
Speaker
If that plant is suffering, what are the changes I can make in its natural environment to actually support it in thriving more? Indoor plants are really good for this. I mean, I struggle with some indoor plants trying to understand what they need.
00:07:52
Speaker
And if they were out in the wild, they would ah they would either survive or they would die if they weren't in the right element or getting the right conditions and nutrients. And that's how natural systems operate, right?
00:08:04
Speaker
So let's look at that in terms of our content creation. What about that potential of adopting some kind of natural rhythm so that increases our creativity and actually supports our mental well-being and utilising that for our content creation patterns of behaviour?
00:08:21
Speaker
and Now, I'm not saying we should only post when we feel aligned with posting, but it's actually creating systems and supportive practices that foster us in being able to create that content So that we can put it out there consistently, but not forcing ourselves to do something when it doesn't align with the conditions that we find ourselves in.
00:08:44
Speaker
Now, the other thing I wanted to talk about is like the human element of content creation. Now, if we create rigid schedules and structures and we just stick to it no matter what, that actually can lead us to burnout and reduce creativity.
00:08:59
Speaker
Because we're so adamant that we've got to get this done on this day by this time and it's got to be at 6 o'clock because that's when everybody else is online. But at 6 o'clock, we're actually, and we're supposed to be online engaging at 6 o'clock when everyone else is engaging to actually amplify our reach.
00:09:16
Speaker
But at six o'clock, we ourselves are caught up in preparing food for the family and taking care of our animals' needs. And it's finding that balance, right? So what works for you and what works for the algorithm may not be exactly the same.
00:09:33
Speaker
So I feel like it's important to give ourselves a little bit of leeway and be a little bit more gentle and forgive ourselves if we don't actually make it that day, that time,
00:09:45
Speaker
according to the platform. But focusing on creating a system, a natural system that aligns with our energetic systems needs so that we can actually create consistently and have the output go out into the digital space, but not actually just relying on us being sitting there in front of the screen all the time in order for that to happen.
00:10:09
Speaker
Because we want to actually also foster genuine connection and authentic ah creation of content that really does share who we are with our audience.
00:10:22
Speaker
Because that's why we're putting our content out there, right? To connect with our desired audience. As a business, that's we're looking for alignment. We're not looking to just get in front of people's faces whether or not they're the right person for us.
00:10:34
Speaker
As creatives, we are not going to be rigid in the way that we do things. We are going to have to be more fluid and flexible and adaptable, which is like the natural systems and cycles of wild nature.
00:10:49
Speaker
where If a duck is sitting on some eggs, it it turns the eggs constantly and it keeps it rotating and then it adds more of its down and it does not leave that nest.
00:11:01
Speaker
If the temperature drops too low, it needs if the temperature outside is too low, a duck will keep sitting on that nest until the temperature is at a point where it feels it's okay for it to get up and go and have a feed or have a bath We used to have a lot of ducks here and i used to observe this a lot. We'd just stay there because it wanted to nurture the outcome, the results that it was after, and that was to hatch its little duckling.
00:11:26
Speaker
And so we've got to do that for ourselves when it comes to our content creation. That's how I see it. That we need to make sure we are nurturing ourselves and supporting our own natural needs in order to create in a way that is authentic to us and actually aligns with our messaging.
Outsourcing for Sustainability
00:11:43
Speaker
It's not just about putting it out there for the sake of putting it out there. We are also constantly hearing that we should delegate. We should get outsource it, give it to somebody else. And there is actually some real value in that.
00:11:56
Speaker
But what I am speaking to in this episode is you as a new business owner or a micro business owner who is working predominantly on your own. Like for me personally, i used to have other people work in my business when I had a commercial space and I've come back now to working on my own.
00:12:16
Speaker
When I had my photography business, I had other people working with me. So I had processes in place that enabled someone to come along and pick up where I was up to or the stage that they're in in charge of and they would continue on with completing the task or do their part of the task.
00:12:34
Speaker
That's great if you can do that. But when you're on your own, you're the only person who is creating, distributing, editing, writing the copyright, all of that, then you need to be able to find a way that it is actually sustainable for you and doesn't actually drain you energetically in order to just meet your goals, which is what I really want to focus on here.
00:12:57
Speaker
It's a really important stage to also develop your systems and processes that enable you to bring someone else in and take over elements of it so that you can step away from it.
00:13:11
Speaker
And that's how I operated in both my photography business and then when I had my commercial space. I had procedures that I had documented.
Consistency in Business Processes
00:13:20
Speaker
So when people came in, they knew what the process was.
00:13:24
Speaker
It wasn't a, you just do it your way, work it out and hope for the best and then create a messy outcome where there's no consistency in the creation of anything and and this applies across the whole business. It's not just about content creation.
00:13:38
Speaker
In the commercial space when it came to the customer experience, having people come in and have an experience that was in alignment with the actual mission and vision of the business and the overarching ah value proposition that we had.
00:13:55
Speaker
And if so, if every staff member actually knows what the the vision and mission of the business is and the processes that we go through to take people along that journey, it makes it a lot easier to create consistency. And then the same can be said for your content creation. Yes, you can outsource elements of it and get someone to write the copy for you or do the editing for you, but you still need to have an understanding yourself or a system yourself that it allows you to break it down into steps that someone else can come in and work on a component and help you step away.
00:14:30
Speaker
Let's think about that in terms of a natural ecosystem and all of the elements that contribute the overall ecosystem. Now the outcome is that a flower will bloom, but it's not just the plant that does that.
00:14:45
Speaker
It's not just the plant that creates the flower. It is the conditions around the plant that actually feeds it the nutrients it needs, it gives it the temperature it needs. You'll have a bee that comes and pollinates a flower, a bird that distributes a seed and the the debris that breaks down around it that actually enables the nutrients to then become a part of the soil system which creates the conditions let's say, it creates that warmth within the soil and even the insects contribute to that.
00:15:17
Speaker
When I'm talking about working in a way that's in alignment with natural systems, let's look at this as our business is an ecosystem and we are the ones who get to decide on how we set up that ecosystem to support the desired outcomes.
Quality Content and Audience Resonance
00:15:32
Speaker
And so if we want to delegate to somebody else, then we set the ecosystem that makes it that everyone knows that the part that they play in contributing to that ecosystem to actually produce the outcome we desire.
00:15:45
Speaker
And it starts... with us as the designer of our lives to actually look at all of the elements that contribute to the ecosystem. Now let's look at the impact on our audience.
00:15:56
Speaker
How do audiences respond to content that is created with a focus on quality and authenticity over just being rigidly rigidly consistent? You know, just putting something out there because I've got to put something out there. I said I would, so I do.
00:16:12
Speaker
but it doesn't resonate, then is that really going to serve the audience's need? Because that's our intention. We're creating content, isn't it? To actually serve the audience so that we can engage with them on a deeper level with our business offerings.
00:16:25
Speaker
And so we ourselves need to feel like what we're creating is at a quality as well as the consistency, but at a quality that's actually going to meet the needs of the person engaging in the content that we create.
00:16:38
Speaker
So if we can actually foster um that engagement and loyalty in our audiences with people who appreciate our content because it resonates with them on a deeper level,
00:16:48
Speaker
then it's really important for us to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves, especially as micro and small business owners. If we need to actually feel energetically aligned with the messaging we're putting out, it's not just about putting it out there for the sake of meeting that cadence that we have said we would meet.
00:17:07
Speaker
So it is really, feel, it is really important for us to take care of our needs as well as put out the content that's going to reach our audience.
00:17:17
Speaker
Which brings me to actually incorporating some flexibility in our content strategy, being pragmatic about it and saying, is it really feasible for me to create content and distribute it every single day and actually engage every single day on five or six platforms?
00:17:35
Speaker
Potentially not. If we are sitting there actually creating content for each platform individually, but if we can work out methods, practices, systems and processes that enable us to create content that we break up and distribute across platforms consistently, then that makes sense.
00:17:52
Speaker
That makes it makes it achievable and sustainable, which is why I am so passionate about being a a coach in this area because I want people to do it in a way that's supportive to their energy system, not just do it for the sake of putting something out there.
00:18:09
Speaker
I have people ask me all the time, should they use scheduling apps? And it's like, yes, you can use scheduling apps or you can you can actually create a schedule for yourself, which is supportive to you turning up and creating the content and putting it out there and scheduling some time where you are actually engaging in those platforms as well.
00:18:30
Speaker
Because they are social platforms. It is actually important to be on there yourself, but it's doing it in a way that is authentic and aligned with what you are trying to achieve and what your audience is seeking.
00:18:43
Speaker
It is not just doing it for the sake of doing it. And when I said earlier that, you know, six o'clock at night, if you're preparing food for the family and you can't actually be engaging on the platform that you just posted on, then maybe shifting it to a time that you can and it might be for you that at lunchtime is actually an easier time for you to post and engage at the same time whatever works for you that's what it comes down to finding a rhythm that actually works for you where you can post and you can be there now in terms of if your audience is global which my audience is
00:19:19
Speaker
It's putting practices into place where you can engage with the people on the other side of the world that still aligns with what you
Balancing Algorithms and Personal Health
00:19:26
Speaker
need. It's not self-sacrificing in order to grow that business and to reach the financial goals, but actually deplete ourselves energetically and then end up burning out in the process.
00:19:38
Speaker
So that's where I want to bring this whole idea of. It's not just about the algorithms. It's also about fostering our own health and well-being that is really important when it comes to creating content and doing things that actually enable us to fuel our creativity <unk> and step away from the computer or step away from the phone and just engage and immerse ourselves in activities that really ignite our passions and our fire so that we actually do have that out reserve that overflows out of us that we can then put towards creating content that serves others.
00:20:17
Speaker
And I was actually looking for some supportive material on this. So as I've been thinking about, hmm, algorithms is one thing, natural systems is another, I wonder if there's actually articles or I've heard of books, a on the topic and I actually haven't read them yet but I would like to but I just wanted to plant the seed for you how aligning with natural rhythms can lead to more so sustainable and enjoyable work practices which is exactly what I talk about in my La Luna Living because I think it's really important for us to find a rhythm that enables us to cover all bases of our business activities and also ah be supported personally ourselves because without us our business doesn't exist
00:21:01
Speaker
two books that were recommended that I would actually really like to read is one, The Nature Fix, Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative by Florence Williams.
00:21:13
Speaker
And this book explores how being in tune with natural rhythms can enhance our creativity and wellbeing.
Books on Natural Rhythms and Creativity
00:21:19
Speaker
And the second one is Flow, The Psychology of Optimal Experience by, I can't even say the name, Mahali.
00:21:29
Speaker
I am going to put this one in the show notes because I am not even going to try and pronounce it. But this delves into how aligning with one's natural flow can lead to greater creativity and satisfaction. Now, if you would like support in working in a cyclical manner, creating a rhythm for your life and business that supports you in thriving, like tuning into and learning how to trust your intuition to determine what's important to focus on and what's not, when to focus on it and when to when to do it and when not to do it, because sometimes what we need is inaction and recognising that.
00:22:02
Speaker
Now, this is where I can help you as an embodiment coach. Now, I also offer the focus of consumer to creator, which is the embodying of who you wish to become as a content creator.
00:22:13
Speaker
And the this coaching service is a way of helping you develop self-awareness, self-empowerment and embodiment of who you are here to be and how you are here to serve in the collective.
00:22:24
Speaker
If you are in New South Wales or the ACT in Australia, A great entryway working with me as a coach is um through the Digital Solutions Program, of which I'm a digital guide. You'll find links to these options in the show notes.
00:22:37
Speaker
And I just want to remind you that investing in yourself is what will serve you in fostering the conditions that support your thriving personally and professionally. Developing habits and practices and systems and processes at a foundational level can also help you create your life by design,
00:22:55
Speaker
So I really want to invite you to consider when it comes to your content creation, that being rigid may not actually serve you or your audience. However, being structured in your approach to remaining consistent will enable you to continue to create without sacrificing,
00:23:12
Speaker
your health and well-being in the process.
Thriving within Natural Systems
00:23:14
Speaker
And establishing a rhythm that supports your energy system is the key. So you can continue to show up as your authentic self and connect with your ideal audience, working within those elements of what an ideal day feels like for you, not only living your life by design, but actually fostering thriving and enabling your inner essence to be your outer expression.
00:23:39
Speaker
So I hope today's episode has helped ignite in your mind that it's not just about working with the algorithms. It is also about working within your natural systems and what is supportive to you.
00:23:54
Speaker
That is actually what fosters you thriving as well as your business. Thank you so much for staying all the way to the end of this
Listener Engagement and Closing
00:24:01
Speaker
episode. I hope it provided you with the insights and inspiration that you need right now on your quest of fostering thriving.
00:24:08
Speaker
If you are looking for a coach to support and guide you through your own unique journey of creating a life by design, reach out for a connection call. You'll find a link in the show notes. Also, please do pass this on to someone you think could get value out of it.
00:24:23
Speaker
And I'd really appreciate if you left a review for this podcast or comment on YouTube. I'd love to hear any insights or inspirations it activated in you. And I look forward to soaring alongside of you too.