Hello Hollis Podcast

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. 

*As long as you aren't hurting yourself, or anyone else in the process. 

This is an important disclaimer above. I don't need you to become a menace to society or to yourself in the pursuit of your goals but I DO need you to stop worrying if what you are doing (that IS working) is something you should be doing. Let's drop the guilt and shame about what tools and tricks we are using to achieve momentum in life and business. If it works, it works! My goal was to move more and be consistent with working out so I signed up for a triathlon knowing that it would kick my butt into gear. Then I spiralled and felt bad that that is what it takes and that I 'should' not need a race to move. But that thought serves no one AND I am actually already achieving my goal of movement so I mean how could this be a bad thing. Go after what you want my friend in whatever way you can, with any and all tools that help you achieve your goals! 

Nothing brings out the best of Motherhood like bedtime, amiright?! Oh for the love of all that is good in this world all I can say is whyyyyyyyyyyy. Bedtime is one of the times Motherhood Marketing really really kicks into high gear. What is Motherhood Marketing you ask? Well its the realization that being a parent is one endless marketing project where you are constantly selling yourself, selling an event (like bedtime and why is SO necessary), finding the angles and opinions your (very opinionated) children need in order to get the task at hand done. This is revenge bedtime procrastination at its best, recording a podcast, arranging flowers, starting the dishwasher, all while a thunderstorm rages outside. And let's be honest inside too with the pain that bedtime can bring with children! Alas, hope you feel a little more seen if you are parenting out in the world today. 

Today's episode is all about YOU. Yes you. And why I KNOW you are absolutely crushing it out there in life and business. You might say 'But, Hollis, I'm not actually...' or 'But you don't even know...'. That's where I am going to stop you and tell you that with 100% certainty I do know that you are doing an amazing job because you are always underselling/undervaluing your efforts and I am here to remind you of those moments just this week that you have been a success, where you have been brave, did something uncomfortable. I know they've happened and you haven't even given them another thought. Until now. I want you to stop and celebrate your progress, I want you to stay true to what you want and the plan and momentum you are creating about building this life of your dreams. Keep your word and your promises to yourself. You are doing great things and I am so proud of you. 

We are officially in Summer season and if you know me and my children, ice cream is a CRUCIAL part of all of our summer plans. This is a reminder that you do not want to catch yourself out and about without your wallet and are forced to leave the ice cream store empty-handed. Did this happen to me recently? It did. Save yourselves and keep $20 in your glove box ok? I beg you.

As a former Indecision Queen (me, its me) I have collectively spent YEARS in painful indecision about everything ranging from what phone case to buy, to what post secondary I should attend, what to wear, eat or watch.... the list is endless. Being able to build the skill of making quick, effective decisions is everything. It is the foundation of trust that you build in yourself and bank as you make small and inconsequential decisions (like which ice cream you want) so that when bigger decisions present themselves you have built trust in YOU! I dive into a few tips I have around how to make effective decisions, why it matters. Decisions are the start of taking action and MOVING in your life and business, so let's get to it. I also share my latest decision around my next big athletic event... listen in to see what I am doing this summer! 

I have the tastebuds of octogenarians ok, I LOVE rhubarb. And I am not afraid to admit it. My sister use to call rhubarb, 'weird sour celery' and honestly she's not wrong. But I digress, this episode isn't about rhubarb, though its the supporting actor here (unpaid). What I am talking about today is the difference between capacity and ability. Just because you are ABLE to do something does not mean you have the CAPACITY to do it. And even if you have the capacity/time/space to do something doesn't mean you are able to/have the skills. Just because you can do something doesn't always mean you want to or should and often guilt can creep in because you "can do it". All this to say, that if you have a skill, if you are capable of different things in your life, focus on doing them WHEN YOU CAN and then celebrating your self for it. OK!? Life is about building knowledge and skills, its not about being a slave to that skill and having to do it all the time. Do it when it works.