Productivity Paradox

Quitting is one of those things that’s been given a bad wrap but, in reality, can be great on your journey toward reaching your goals. Quitting isn’t easy, especially because a lot of people believe that winners never quit. But what if I told you that wasn’t accurate? What if I said that winners actually quit quite often? In this episode, we’ll be chatting about quitting what no longer serves us. I’ll be talking about using constraints to laser in on what’s most important and using those as safeguards to guide you to your goals and ambitions.  What’s In This Episode: Eliminating the negative connotation associated with quitting Permitting ourselves to quit what doesn’t serve you Using constraints to laser in on what’s most important and push you toward growth

It’s time to turn “stuck” on its head and begin to use it as leverage to create the success and happiness you want. We’ve all had those moments where we feel like we just want to throw the covers on over our heads. In this episode, we’re talking about getting past those moments where we feel stuck. I share how to reframe how you look at low points, my tips for overcoming feeling stuck, and using the traps that can make you feel stuck as an opportunity for growth and testing new boundaries.  What’s In This Episode: Reframing how you look at low points in your life  How to deal with life's highs and lows Tracking the progress you’ve made toward your goals How to find your peak periods of productivity

You can’t pour from an empty cup. We’ve talked about this idea a few times on the show, and it’s so true. I couldn’t wait to bring on my friend, Kristen Ley, founder of Thimblepress, to chat about celebrating little wins, taking care of your wellbeing, and so much more. We dive into everything from getting back to her North Star, to gaining back her mental and physical health. She shares why you need to learn to say no to the things that don’t serve yourself or your purpose and why she’s such a big believer in having a morning routine to set your day up for success.   What’s In This Episode: Detoxing from the lifestyle of doing everything for everybody Creating a morning routine to set yourself up for success The number one rule for maintaining harmony in your life How to celebrate your wins, big or small

People-pleasing at the expense of yourself can be so destructive. As women, a lot of us fall victim to the collective issues of chronically apologizing, and this affects us in all areas of our lives. It’s time we start taking note from powerful women in the world who are doing their thing, on their own terms, without apologizing for it. In this episode, I’m going to talk about honing in on the confidence to be boldly and unapologetically you. I discuss being more direct, using the five-second rule to help yourself overcome chronic apologies, and starting to embrace your true self.    What’s In This Episode: How to be more direct Moving on from your people-pleasing ways How to do what you want unapologetically Learning to be confidently and boldly you Giving yourself space to really think before you speak by employing the 5-second rule

The way you tell your own story becomes your truth. In this episode, I discuss how to take control over who you desire to be by aligning your narrative with a positive lens and writing your own story. I talk about overcoming the stories you’ve told yourself, the impact of having a positive outlook, and how to become more comfortable with the titles you claim. I also share stories about my own self-discovery and how I continue to bring light to the darkness I faced. What's In This Episode: Shutting down narratives that do not serve you How to align your narrative with a positive lens How to step out of our comfort zone

Have you ever had one of those days where you've woken up in a bad mood, or where you were having a good day until life presented you with a curveball that completely threw your good mood off course? Today I am sharing how to start to embrace the changes that life throws at you and how to use them for growth. You'll learn how to rise above negative mood shifts and how to acknowledge the choices you make, especially when it pertains to your mood. And together, we'll tap into some strategies you can use to overcome internal emotional battles.   What’s In This Episode: Rethinking your mindset and how you deal with setbacks Taking control over your moods and learning to manage them more effectively Developing your emotional intelligence and mood management muscles Pinpointing shifts in your mood to get to the root cause of what you’re feeling

Superpowers are often confused as reserved for our favorite characters in comic books or on the big screen. But what if I told you that you could harness your own superpowers? In this episode, I share how to figure out what superpowers you have by looking at your strengths, passions, and focus. I also dive into why you should hone in on your strengths and skills to help you blaze a unique path toward success.   What’s In This Episode: How to tap into your own power Blazing your own trail on the path to success Why comparing yourself to others does not serve you

Are you ready to embrace a life filled with more positivity? Then you’ll love today’s conversation with guest Meaghan B. Murphy who believes that you should search for the Yay! every day. Meaghan is a multi-platform media junkie with a 20-plus year magazine career at Teen People, Cosmopolitan, and Self. She is also the current executive editor for Good Housekeeping and is working on her debut novel, The Fully Charged Life, which will make its debut in 2021. We talked about how learning to be grateful, and practice gratitude has changed her life for the better after tragically losing her father to cancer. She shares her practice for being more present and how learning to say “no” has helped her tremendously in her life and career.    What’s In This Episode: How to look for the good every day How to get comfortable with saying no to what does not serve you Learning to trust your gut The 3 F’s Meaghan uses before making any decisions Strategies to be more present

Becoming the person you dream of takes a lot of self-reflection and diving into the past to figure out who you wish to be in the future. Your history holds many pearls of wisdom that can help you map out where you want to go and what direction to take. Today I am talking about using your past as a springboard and motivator to help you move forward. I'll be sharing the importance of sitting in discomfort, reflecting on who you've been, and permitting yourself to let go of the past.   What’s In This Episode: Using your past as a springboard to move forward Accepting and reframing the way that you look at your past Reflecting on who you used to be and how you feel about who you want to become Deciding where you want to be and mapping out the direction you’ll take to get there

With a new year upon us, it’s only natural to be thinking about your goals and what you hope to accomplish. There are so many ways to approach goals, but sometimes looking at them from a new lens can make them feel less daunting and more attainable. As we begin a new season of this podcast, I really want to focus on creating You 2.0 and making small tweaks to get ourselves on track to who we ultimately want to be. That’s why today’s episode is all about goal setting and finding joy in the experience of the journey toward your goals.   What’s In This Episode: Setting goals to make sure you’re on the path to your ideal life Paying attention to lessons learned and resources gathered  Focusing less on what you want to do and more on how you want to feel Using the SMART goal method as a framework to help you achieve what you want Finding joy in the experience and journey toward the goal

What if I told you that you don't need as much time as you think you do? That you actually have all the time you truly need, right now. Today I am going to be talking about prioritizing you and saying no to others so you can say yes to yourself. We're diving into the 5 ways you can intentionally make time for your goals by rethinking the pockets of time you have, cutting out time-wasters, and letting go of distractions that hinder your success. If you've ever felt like you were in a crunch for time, you'll want to hear today's episode.   What’s In This Episode: Rethinking what it means to be "busy" Living by your own rules and not worrying about what other people think Feeling okay with where you choose to spend your time Letting go of projects that are potential distractions to your success 5 ways to intentionally make time for your goals

Knowing where to focus can be a huge barrier that, if faced successfully, can have a profound impact on our lives. Today I was joined by Taska, an entrepreneur facing a curveball in her personal life that has her feeling off track and unsure about where to focus so she can continue to grow her business. We talk about prioritizing tasks that will get you closer to your goals and honing in on the vital few rather than the trivial many. I share how to use themed days to focus on specific tasks and how the 80/20 rule can help you make a more significant impact. What’s In This Episode: Supporting your work life when your personal life has thrown you a curveball Prioritizing what you need to do to get closer to your goals Designating themes to specific days to help drive yourself forward and focus Using the 80/20 rule to help design your life

Too often, we let our days pass by in a blur, with each one scrambled together with countless tasks and events. Today I want you to take the time to slow down and savor moments throughout your day. It’s up to us to create more joy in our everyday lives. By carving just a few minutes into your day to do what you enjoy, you could be setting the foundation down to create a memorable, joy-filled day that you’ll cherish and think back on for years to come.    What’s In This Episode: Taking the time to slow down and savor the moment Creating memories for every day of your life Stopping and making time for yourself so you can do your best work Finding the joy in missing out

Creating and sticking to new habits is always a challenge within itself, but it's definitely doable. If you're looking to start some new healthy habits, then you'll want to hear this episode with today's guest, Brenda. If you're a member of our Facebook group, then you likely know Brenda because she's always quick to lend support and encouragement on different posts. Plus, she's hilarious. Right now, Brenda's in a transitional period in life. She's decided to step away from her day job to pursue her passion for ministry. We discuss how she can use her current habits as a springboard for creating new ones and using cues as triggers for developing them. We also touch on determining the bigger "why" behind the habits you wish to create.  What’s In This Episode: The 4 Steps to Creating a Habit How to use existing habits as springboards for new habits How to get rid of excuses you make for yourself Creating ways to record your successes and giving yourself grace when you stumble off track

Oftentimes, we’re way too hard on ourselves when it comes to our habits and discipline. We spend so much time feeling down about veering off track that we forget that nobody is perfect. It’s okay to have off days. Today I talked with Stacy, a busy career woman who has a two-hour commute to work and, on top of that, manages income rental properties out of state. We dive into how she can use the 4 A’s to overcome the hurdles she faces and the tiny steps she can take to get back on track. I touch on discipline, how to acknowledge that you’re doing a lot better than you give yourself credit for, and why you should find an accountability partner to support you on your journey toward your goals.  What’s In This Episode: Veering back on track when you realize you aren’t quite where you want to be Realizing that what you see in other people’s lives isn’t always accurate Acknowledging that you’re doing better than you give yourself credit for The 4 A’s to overcoming an obstacle Finding an accountability partner to sup

Have you ever wondered how to focus on your passions and priorities when you feel stuck doing mundane tasks like laundry, buying groceries, and paying bills? I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been there, but I’ll let you in on a secret - systems. Today I had a conversation with Laura, a wife and mother of two sons, ages 10 and 12. She has a Ph.D. and works at a university with faculty, students, and staff to support the use of technology in the curriculum. We dive into how she can make systems work for her so she can live a life that’s more centered around her priorities. We discuss embracing yourself and the imperfections we all have, zoning in on areas that need a system in place, and making others responsible for their own productivity systems.    What’s In This Episode: Zoning in on specific areas that need a system in place Giving people responsibility for their own productivity systems Getting systems up and running to put your tasks on autopilot Using a springboard to help you overcome obstacles Embra

Whether we know it or not, we're all managing a team. It could be a work team or our family; the concept is still the same. We have to continually work to build our team mentality and to have everyone contributing to the greater good of the group. Today I was joined by Kristi, a busy career woman with three teenagers and a husband who is feeling like she needs to take some things off of her plate. She shares how her family's hectic schedule poses a problem for outsourcing tasks. Together we create a plan for empowering her family members to take ownership of their assigned responsibilities. I discuss how outsourcing gives others the gift of being able to uplift us and the role communication plays in building a team mentality.   What’s In This Episode: Understanding that you really can’t “do it all” Empowering our team to feel like they have ownership over their choices and days Tackling outsourcing one chore at a time Allowing others to lift us up from time to time Using communication to help team members lea

Some people tend to think of delegating tasks as a way to free up some of their time. While it certainly does achieve this, it also empowers those around you to take ownership of their responsibilities while strengthening the camaraderie of the team. In today’s episode, I talk with Susan, an overwhelmed mom of four, teacher, and caregiver of her mother. We chat about the steps she’s already taken to start delegating and how she can continue to delegate even further without feeling like she’s nagging. I emphasized the importance of creating a shared vision, setting expectations, and mapping out exactly what those expectations look like to those around us.    What’s In This Episode: Getting comfortable with the idea of delegating tasks to others Carving out space for yourself, no matter how busy you feel Setting expectations and mapping them out to others Letting people take ownership over their assigned tasks and creating a shared vision How to successfully delegate tasks to others

When we have a big dream, it can be a challenge to have to wait before having the chance to pursue it actively. But sometimes, it’s necessary. Maybe the timing isn’t right; maybe you aren’t financially ready. Whatever the reason, there’s a silver lining to waiting. That’s what I discussed with today’s guest, Tyanna. Tyanna is a wife to a retired army infantry soldier who is currently going back to school, and she is working to support him in his big dream while raising their two-year-old daughter. She also has a dream of her own that she has put on hold for the time being. Tyanna wants to take the leap into entrepreneurship. We discuss how to choose a timeframe for when you’ll be ready to leap and how to find hidden pockets in your day to work on tasks that will help you reach your bigger goal. I also dive into the concept of reframing it from waiting time into preparation time and using that time to start building the foundation for success.   What’s In This Episode: Recognizing that you play several roles w

Optimism permits you to dream big. Today I am joined by Jess Ekstrom, founder and CEO of Headbands of Hope, an expert in optimism and the author of Chasing the Bright Side. Jess came on to share her realization that bad things can happen to anyone, and why, despite knowing this, she chooses to look at the bright side of life. She shares how you can choose to live in the fear of the unknown or live in the excitement of the possibilities of what could happen. She also dives into why she’d rather try and fail than to regret never trying, and why you should give yourself permission to take small steps toward your dreams.  What’s In This Episode: Why Jess came to the realization that anything can happen Deciding between the fear of the unknown or living in the excitement of possibility Jess’s thoughts on why she’d rather fail than never try Giving yourself permission to make the small steps toward your goals Staying optimistic and Jess’s belief of what could happen if everything worked out