How To Plan For Interruptions: 3 Strategies to Quickly Get Back on Track After a Setback.

 

I will joyfully admit, I am one of the nerdy folks who gets unusually excited about planning.

I love, love, love to plan. Crafting a well-defined map of how I am going to get from A to Z (with all the roads in between), is incredibly inspiring, and lights me up in ways I can’t even describe. 

I know not everyone feels this way, but more often than not, I find my clients leaning into my enthusiasm for planning.

What's important for all of us to remember, however, is that even the best-laid plans are subject to change. 

I think it's the nature of life and business. 

So, what are we to do when life gets in the way and our plans get derailed? 

My recent experience with the month-long flu was a good reminder of how we can experience a big interruption or setback, and still achieve or make progress toward our goals. 

I was excited to finish the year strong and had my Q4 plans dialed in. I was particularly excited as this quarter's...

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Understanding Overworking: The Two Main Reasons You're Putting Yourself At Risk For Burnout

 

Did you know that the average small business owner works 52-hours a week?

 

And, for many small business owners (my past self included) that number is far greater. The lines between business and life have become so blurred that work can encompass most of our time.

It’s our first thought when we wake, and extends all the way to the late-night problem-solving sessions we entertain before sleep. 

Many of us have come to accept the “cult of overworking”.  We have succumbed to the pressure of being “always-on” and wear our “busyness” as a badge of honor.

We glorify work as if productivity and wealth are the only measures of success. 

Yet, stories from the finish line, say otherwise. One common regret from the dying in their last days is, “I wish I hadn’t worked so much”, and would have spent more time on meaningful activities and relationships. 

Contrary to standard belief, more is not...

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Overcome time anxiety with three simple steps.

 

Confession time…

I used to be one of those people who would constantly complain about being “SO busy”.  I had dozens of excuses about why there wasn’t enough time to: work out, spend more time with my husband or girlfriends, take time off, make healthy meals for myself, etc. All the activities that I really wanted to be doing, but convinced myself that there wasn’t the “time to make it happen”. 

I know many of you can relate. 

And, truth be told, I was completely guilty of prioritizing “busy work”. I would fill up my days and weeks with low-value activities, instead of the things that actually create more freedom in my business or joy in my personal life. 

For me, I could easily waste a good 2 - 3 hours of my day (both work & at home) by: 

 Not having a “plan” for my day
 Randomly answering or sorting emails, texts, chats, etc...
 Allowing staff of clients to...
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Why Time Away Is The Secret To Increasing Productivity In Your Business

 

Business owners have a serious obsession with productivity.

And, with good reason. Generally, more productivity translates to a better bottom line.

I have several tricks up my sleeve for creating more efficiency and productivity throughout my workday. These strategies have allowed me to accomplish more without increasing my to-do list.

But, I return again and again to my #1 productivity booster, which I refer to as the 3R’s:

 

Rest. Relax. Refuel.

 

Before I created YBBL, I was in desperate need of a change. I was deep into the cycle of “feeling like I always needed to be working”. Somehow I feared that my business would “fall apart” if I stepped away. 

I was working from the moment I woke up until I finally “crashed” at night. And, it wasn't even effective. Working all the time was making me less productive, less profitable, and generally miserable.

We all have times in our businesses that need more effort....

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Five Ways to Master Productivity While Working From Home

 
 
I love the flexibility that comes from working from home. Less time commuting is a BIG perk. So is creating a work environment that fits your “flow”, the ability to pop in a load of laundry, or slipping in a longer yoga class or mid-day walk. I like that working from home offers me plenty of options when it comes to work-life balance.
 
But, working from home also has its downsides. And for some, productivity can slip over time as we fall into habits that don’t support our goals. Plus, we all know there can also be a million sneaky distractions looking to hijack your time (looking at you Instagram #wellness)
 
Let’s take a look at a few ways to boost productivity as we work from home. These simple tips can have a big impact. And, remember you're not alone if you found yourself on the work-from-home-isn’t-productive-struggle-bus. It happens to the best of us! So read-on for the tricks that...
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Coach, Consultant or Both? How to Choose the Best Support for You & Your Business.

business overwhelm Jan 26, 2021

 

“So, what exactly does a business coach do?”

I get this question a lot -- usually from irritated business owners who've hired support but aren't receiving the solutions they need. 

And, I understand the confusion—coaching and consulting are often used interchangeably. But never fear reader! Today we will clear up any confusion and clarify the differences between the two. This will help you avoid the headache of expectations that don’t pan out and frustration from money spent on the wrong solutions.

 

Choosing the Right Support

Meet Heather from Sweet Solutions Bakery. She received her first Easy-Bake Oven at five and has been obsessed with cakes & confections ever since. Six months ago, she made her dreams a reality and opened Sweet Solutions.

Heather is thrilled that she can make a living creating her whimsical cakes and treats. Yet, owning a business has been challenging. At times, she feels like she is...

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The Science of Self-Care: Why Taking Time for Wellness Isn't Optional

 

As a business coach for women who have been struggling with overwhelm and burnout, I love that we are collectively pushing "pause" on hustle-culture. 

 
This past year gave many of us the opportunity to slow our roll.  As we were leaning-in, it was a great time to revisit the state of our health and well-being. My social media was (and still is) full of advice on #selfcarehacks #selfcareideas and #selfcarethreads. 
 
We are re-thinking what it means to be an entrepreneur. There is growing awareness and attention to the quality of life. Promises of glory by #grinding #hustle, #slay, #grit, #werk, #riseandgrind feel empty when you consider the costs. 
 
And the costs are high. According to Jeffrey Pfeffer, author, “Workplace environments in the US may be responsible for 120,000 excess deaths per year; accounting for about 180 billion dollars in additional healthcare expenses.” 
 
So,...
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Five Easy Tips To Help Clear Business Overwhelm & Get You Laser Focused Fast!

business overwhelm Jan 05, 2021
 
Dealing with overwhelm is my new client's #1 frustration.
My heart goes out to the ones who are in this space. Endless to-do lists are exhausting. Not knowing how to prioritize is so frustrating, and can leave you feeling like you're spinning your wheels.
 
The following strategies are the ones I always return to when I am feeling the creep of “all-the-things”.  I can still feel overwhelmed too—only now I don’t have to stay stuck in that space. I have the tools to help me:
 
 dial in my priorities
 take action on what matters most for my business
 and feel accomplished at the end of my day
 
Start by choosing one or two strategies that resonate the most. Once you feel competent and comfortable in that area, move on to the next. The goal is to give you tools that will help decrease your overwhelm while helping you be more productive and efficient with your tasks!
 
 

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My Year In Review & Sneak Peek for 2021

business life self-care Dec 29, 2020

Hello Lovies!

2020 has been….

Well, let’s say that I am thankful that our little family embraced what we could and made the best of it.

And, it wasn’t all bad.

In fact, 2020 forced me to re-evaluate my need for “busyness”. I took the time to revisit my self-care practices and path for healing. If not for staying home, I may have skipped valuable lessons for which I am feeling grateful.

 

Looking Back

We started the year as an RV family, and in March, made the huge pivot by putting down roots in SW Florida. Beach time allllll the time!

And then, COVID.

I miss our travel lifestyle, but I am thankful that we were able to quarantine in the new house. We kept busy with “projects”:  painting, putting together furniture, etc...We got to know our sweet little town by walking in the parks and trails. Met our new neighbors and had a few great socially-distanced driveway meet-ups. 

Plus, time and stability allowed YBBL to blossom.

...
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Practicing Self-Care Makes Me A Better Business Owner

 

Before business life, I prided myself on my commitment to self-care.

Movement was especially important to me, I would log several miles a week on my daily walks.

But as things got busier, taking time away to walk felt self-indulgent.

I tried to schedule walks on the weekends, but because I already had a backlog of “to-do” items, it rarely manifested.

At first, I was willing to forgo self-care because my business was a high priority.

In fact, I saw my “sacrifices” as a badge of honor.

I was a dedicated business owner, giving my all to see the business succeed.

But, the sacrifices kept coming until my entire regime of self-care practices disappeared.

My business was like a screaming child, demanding all my attention...

My schedule climbed from an eight-hour workday to ten, twelve, even fourteen hours.

If I wasn’t sleeping, I was working the business, talking about the business, or thinking about the business.

And, with all the stress,...

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