Issue #182 | February 17th, 2026

Presented by Ecamm​

Hey there,

You know that feeling a week after you finish something big — a challenge, a streak, a project, or even a personal experiment? You’ve crossed the finish line, but now you’re left wondering: “What do I do next?”

I’ve been getting that question a lot lately, especially from those who just wrapped up our 30-Day Video Challenge. But honestly, this applies to anyone who’s just completed a sprint, a habit streak, or any kind of focused effort.

Let’s get unstuck.

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Story of the Week

The Post-Challenge Blueprint: What Comes After the Finish Line

Finishing is a win, but the real growth comes from what you do next.

Here’s a simple blueprint to help you reflect, assess, and decide on your next move:

1. Celebrate the Win (Don’t Skip This)

You finished. That’s huge. Most people never even start, let alone finish. Take a moment to acknowledge your effort — regardless of what the numbers say.

2. Look Beyond the Vanity Metrics

It’s easy to obsess over views, likes, or followers. But real progress often hides in the details:

• Are you more comfortable on camera?
• Is your editing faster?
• Are you better at coming up with ideas?
• Did you get out of your own way and hit publish, even when it wasn’t perfect?
• Did you connect with even one person who resonated with your message?

3. Review What Worked (and What Didn’t)

Go back through your content or your process:

• Which videos or posts got the most engagement?
• What topics or formats felt easiest or most fun to create?
• Where did you struggle or lose momentum?
• What feedback did you receive from your audience (or yourself)?

4. Ask Yourself: How Did This Feel?

Did you enjoy the process? Did you dread it? Did you find a groove, or was it a grind? Sometimes the clearest signal about whether to continue is how the work felt while you were doing it.

5. Decide: Persist, Pivot, or Pause

Now that you’ve reflected, it’s time to choose your next step:

• Persist: If you’re seeing progress (even if it’s not all numbers), and you’re enjoying the process, keep going! Raise the bar or set a new goal.
• Pivot: If something isn’t working, but you still want to create, try a new format, topic, or schedule.
• Pause: If you’re burned out or not enjoying it, it’s okay to take a break. Use what you’ve learned to inform your next experiment.

6. Set a New Mini-Goal

Don’t let the momentum fade. Set a new, smaller goal — maybe a weekly video, a new series, or a different platform. Keep the habit alive, even if you slow down.

Remember: Progress Isn’t Always Obvious

You may not have gone viral. You may not have doubled your followers. But you’ve built skills, confidence, and momentum that will serve you well in whatever you do next.

Finishing is a win. Learning is a win. Showing up is a win.

Here’s to your next experiment — whatever it may be!

Quote of the Week

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."

—Robert Collier

SPI News and Notes

Most creators either ignore their analytics or stare at dashboards without knowing what to do next. Sound familiar? Join Caleb and me for a live workshop on Tuesday, February 24th at 12:00 PM PT / 3:00 PM ET exclusively in the SPI Community. In this session, we’ll break down how to read your social media analytics — and turn those insights into stronger content your audience will love. Learn more here!​

Posting short-form video works, but repurposing it across platforms can feel confusing and time-consuming. Join me and Gideon Shalwick from Vubli (affiliate link) for a free live workshop on Tuesday, February 24th at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. In this session, we’ll walk through a practical framework for repurposing intentionally so you can get more mileage out of your content without adding more work. Click here to learn more and secure your spot!​

The online business world has changed completely since I started in 2008. That’s why we’re making a big move at SPI and why I’m confronting the “passive income” elephant in the room in my latest podcast episode. The truth is, my focus has shifted from passive income to helping you build a community of superfans. That’s where it all begins, and that’s your insurance against all the changes and trends to come. Tune in for a sneak peek at what’s ahead!​ Want to get an email from me every time I release a new podcast episode? Click here, and I’ll make sure you never miss out!

Cheers,

Pat Flynn

Co-founder, SPI Media

Dad Joke of the Week

What do you call a snowman with a six-pack?

An abdominal snowman.