​

Written from my cozy corner in Belgium, still processing the sensory overload that was Sri Lanka...

Hi Global Minds

Sometimes you need to travel halfway across the world to remember what's right in front of you.

Between the spice-scented markets and endless cups of Ceylon tea, Sri Lanka taught me something I couldn't learn from any productivity book: the art of in-the-moment living.

My laptop's been closed for a record week and a half, my inbox has cobwebs, and you know what? The world kept spinning. And my own personal world spun better.

But first, 💌 You’re Invited 👇

Before I dive into today's reflection about finding clarity through distance, I want to invite you to our FREE Journaling 101 Workshop happening March 29th at 12:00 PM EST.

Because sometimes the best way to figure out what matters is to put pen to paper and just... write.

In this interactive session, my stellar JoClub facilitators will walk the global room through exercises to show how journaling can help you:

• Identify what truly deserves your energy
• Create space for what lights you up
• Build clarity around your priorities

Feel free to forward this invitation to a friend 💌

Now, back to Sri Lanka...

There's something about being in a place where your usual metrics of success don't matter.
​
Where no one cares about your follower count or how many emails you answered today.

Where the most important decision is whether to have your curry spicy or extra spicy.

*I learned to go with “sudda spicy” aka, gringo’s spicy in Sinhala*

In the middle of Sri Lankan nature, I found myself doing something I hadn't done in years: absolutely “nothing productive.”

And in that big and beautiful nothingness, everything became clearer.

I've been reading "Buy Back Your Time" by Dan Martell, and while the book is brilliant, it took sitting in a Sri Lankan wood carved bench, admiring long-necked white birds, watching the sunset to really understand its core message:

Focus isn't about doing many things better – it's about doing fewer things that actually matter.

So I made a decision.

Right there, between sips of fresh king coconut water, I started deleting tasks from my big plans for 2025:

• Those meetings that don’t lead me where I want to go? Deleted.
• The launch that drains me rather than energize? Canceled.
• The projects that looked good on paper but felt heavy in practice? Simplified or eliminated.

It was clear as day to me that 2025 was the year I dove head first back into creative work.

My focus needs to be on writing, hosting, making.

The basic filter is this: Any item that does not directly pour into my creativity or growth of JoClub is not worth my prioritization.

And with that clarity and decision, I finally started winning my time back.

Every time I canceled something I thought would be huge from my year, I felt a giant wave of relief come over me.

Since this epiphany, I've canceled or deleted at least four major projects. And damn, do I feel light.

*A sign I should have done this mental spring cleaning sooner*

Why didn't I cancel everything sooner? Like at the first sign of my mental strain?

Because ambition can often lead to blindness for what actually matters.

Stepping back from my hamster wheel on the other side of the world allowed me to see a basic lesson in success:

True ambition isn't about doing more, but about creating meaningful impact with less.

When we strip away the noise, we discover that our most powerful work happens in the spaces of clarity and focus; not in the never-ending to-do lists that swallow us whole before lunch.

What would happen if you deleted half your to-do list? Not delegated, not postponed – deleted.

What space might open up for the things that actually light you up?

Stay introspective,

XO,

Jo

PS: I'm searching for a creative genius to join my little corner of the internet. If you (or someone amazing you know) can work design magic, I want to hire you for:

✨ A fresh branding project (one-time gig)
✨ Thumbnail design that makes people stop scrolling (ongoing freelance)

The application is super simple - show me your best work and tell me about yourself. I'm seeking someone who can capture my crazy essence and turn it into visual storytelling!

🚨 Apply here before March 23rd. My team will reach out to the chosen ones on March 24th.

Let's create something beautiful together!

💫 Application link: https://forms.gle/fHM8Yo5sJtPVf8US9​

​

Other goodies to make this week above average:

📚 Currently Reading: "Buy Back Your Time" by Dan Martell which is a step by step guidebook on reclaiming your life force minute by minute. It's blunt, and will expose your toxic traits, but so worth it. Get the Book​

🎥 Just Posted: 15 Min Language Learning Routine (for busy people) because we have no time to be making excuses. Watch it here​

​

✈️ Coming Soon: A super secret travel hosting project that has me brushing up on my Italian with a private tutor on Preply... more details soon, just know, it's absolutely insane!!!! Get 50% off your Preply Tutor here​

Want to advertise on my newsletter? Reply to this email or send an inquiry to collabs@joclub.world.

Too many newsletters? No worries! Just click here to mute Jo's Journal. You'll still get all our other curated goodness in your inbox. ✨

​

As a disclaimer, some of the links listed above may contain affiliate codes that allow us to earn a small commission to bring you this free weekly newsletter.

Explore more:

Need more time to align with your goals and strategize how to grow your big ideas? Learn more about JoClub.​

Catch you on socials 🏄🏾‍♀️ ​​​​​​

Psst: Remember to add me to your ‘Safe Sender’ list or add jo@joannafranco.com emails to your ‘Primary’ inbox so you don’t miss out on any of "Jo's Journal" newsletters.

Want to stop receiving emails from me completely?​ Unsubscribe from everything.

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205