As entrepreneurs we sometimes forget that we have ownership and choice about who we work with. In this episode we are diving into why it is wildly important to protect your energy, your health and your wealth by letting go of clients, customers and partnerships that are not values aligned. The cost of a client that is not aligned is WAY more than you are getting paid. The hours you spend thinking about the client that isn't the right fit is costing you so much in mental energy and takes a physical toll AND it means you are giving your ideal clients (that you LOVE) a subpar version of you. It's time to take an audit of what feels like a drain and close that leak before you drown ok? Your health and your wealth is riding on you deeply prioritizing clients who share your values and feel like a great fit for you. There are hundreds and thousands of people that need what you offer AND are delightfully aligned humans! Let's go get them. 

This topic absolutely lights me up! Possibilities! Playing around with what is possible for you. We have an awareness of what is possible for other people but we do not give ourselves the same runway. There is a huge gap between it is possible and it is possible FOR ME. We keep so much at arm's length because we buy into why we can't have what we want and we tell ourselves endless stories about why that is. I think one of the most impactful things we can do is push the limits of what is possible for ourselves and the first step is recognizing how big that gap is and working to close it. Awareness is key and then curiosity must follow. We have to get curious about why, when, and how it could be possible for us to achieve what we want. Dive in my friend to all the possibilities and follow the small steps to get there 

In today's episode we dive into the reality that self-improvement, self-growth and betterment is voluntary. There is no one (or at least very rarely) that is making you do the work to better yourself. That is both freeing and frustrating when you realize that. You are free to choose and also free to avoid. I think it comes down to what 'hard' we want to choose in our life. No one is immune to pain and difficulties in life but how we choose to grow from them and face them is another thing completely. Doing the work of self-growth is hard, it can be messy, painful and uncomfortable. So is not doing the work and meeting the external circumstances that befall you without the inner resilience, or peace or strength to deal with those things. While hard, yes, I choose the voluntary work every time. I am here for it and here for you on this journey. 

Still at the public pool loving life. Still talking to you. And finally I am sharing about my triathlon. But its not about my triathlon its about you and your goals. I want you to think of something that is important for you to do, no matter how big or small. And remember that you don't need to wait for the perfect conditions, resources or tools to do what you want to do. That is a self sabotaging stalling tactic and I am calling you out. I did the triathlon with some training (but not anywhere near my full plan), my husbands regular bicycle and with my water bottle twist tied to the bike because I didn't have a holder. Objectively, I wasn't prepared or as organized as I could have been but also I still went and did it anyways. I trusted that I could do it, set simply the goal to complete it (with no time attachment) and MacGyver'd my way along to the finish line. It doesn't have to be pretty or new or shiny or all together to just do the thing. Decide. Commit. Make it work. Its important to you for a reason so make it happen. 

Yes, you heard it here first. I made my kids dreams come true by taking them to the local public pool. They have been begging for years and with access to many a family member's pool I haven't been motivated to go. But today was the day. And it was a delight. Sit public poolside with me as I share about why Summer will always be my favourite season, heat and all. The sun, the lack of clothing and shoes for my kids, the most delicious in season Ontario fruit. Just living the luxurious Summer life and am soaking in every moment and every bite and hope you are too! 

The pursuit of professionalism is coming at the cost of connection and I am not here for it. Arrange flowers with me as I remind you that you get to show up as your whole, wonderful, unique self and it doesn't have to always have a business-y slant. Tell the people what you like, what you don't like, what you're up to. We are nosey. We want to know you. We want to buy from you. We want to support you but you aren't letting us in to WHO you are ARE. We are way too wrapped up with not having a 'common thread' with our content and that its not professional enough. I am calling BS. The common thread is YOU. Hello?! You are the person that connects all these pieces of you and of those pieces some will land and truly connect with different members of your audience. We are human. We need connection so stop denying it to the people. Share what is up with you - it doesn't have to be open intimate details - but what about how you take your coffee, sports you like, books you're reading, thoughts you're having. Let us IN. And watch your engagement and business grow! 

The podcast took a vacation last week. Did I tell you, no. Did I tell anyone!? Also no. And guess what? The world kept turning. Listen, I wanted to tell you I was going AWOL for a week, I had intended to but then I used my time for other things and thus ran out of available time. I always strive to be a person of integrity and who's word means something AND sometimes life happens and things shift and well tasks go undone. This podcast is all about reminding you that as an entrepreneur you have more power and autonomy that you give yourself credit for. You built a business, you are the boss. I am not saying that consistency and credibility don't matter - they do. What I am saying is if you aren't using your power and wielding the autonomy of being your own boss to make your life more joyful and happy then what are you doing!? Give yourself a break. Give yourself grace. You make the rules and you can break them. Go on holiday and don't tell anyone, I dare you*

*if you are your own boss only, don't bail on your workplace.

Listen, I talked about this on Instagram this week and boy did it resonate with you all. I felt it needed a permanent spot and a deeper dive here on the podcast. YOU are your most valuable asset to your business in many ways but most importantly because you are you. Unique, brilliant, wonderful you. You might be thinking that you aren't really that unique or special - incorrect. There is no one on the face of this very vast earth that has had the cumulative life, work, lived experiences you have. There just isn't. So please share your thoughts, life and opinions with us! What makes people want to work with you isn't your strategy or your pricing, its if they feel CONNECTED to you. If they feel like you see them, are a real human being and are putting yourself out there. Building connection, getting your audience to know, like and trust you is a MUST before they will be buying from you. The fastest way to do that is to share authentically and honestly who you are. It may not always feel comfortable but its work stepping into if you want to grow your business and your impact. 

The episode is a little about yard work and a lot about thank YOU for listening to to my ramblings for 2 months now! We are almost 30 episodes and 600 downloads in and I am just unbelievably grateful for you for tuning in. This style of podcast just isn't done, short, completely unedited voice notes and I am so thrilled that it is resonating with you. I love getting messages, DMs and voice notes back about what has landed or what you've loved. It really is a one way conversation so I am extra excited when I get that 2 way connection and conversation back!  This weekend we removed the fence in our backyard that has been held up by some vines, a hope and a prayer for years. It was beyond time and I couldn't be more thrilled to be rid of it (and a lot of broken tree branches). Success all around this weekend! 

This episode is as much for me as it is for you. Pack for camping with me as I overpack and over prepare and try and talk myself off the ledge of how many pairs of hard pants I need (the correct answer is zero). I am a chronic over-packer. I know it. The airlines know it. I won't usually go anywhere without being over prepared. And I know I am not alone. This not only applies to my suitcase but how I also I have approached business in the past. I have waited until I have gathered EVERYTHING before setting off on my journey in business and well if you do that you will not even get started. You have to get out the door and you can pick up what you need on route. That is true for business AND camping. You aren't going to the moon. There are resources available along the way. Just begin. Ok?! 

Now the unpaid actor in this podcast episode is my Extra Big and Loud Kitchen Timer (yes that is actually the name). You can find the link to my favourite timer among all my favourite kitchen things in my online shop!

Warning, the audio was not working properly and dips a little too quiet at certain parts when I am walking around packing. Is it ideal? No. But the message is essential so we are going to roll with it. After all this is a one take, come along with me kind of podcast.