Running a business should mean freedom, but what happens when you finally step away from it? I took a 7-day trip deep into Kenya's Savannah to find out. No laptop. No client calls. Just me, my team, and a test of everything we've built. Did I pass the Vacation Test this time? Let's unpack what happened, the unexpected and the surprisingly smooth moments, plus how you can prepare your business to run without you.

Watch now to find out if I survived… and if my business did too!

Could your business survive without you for a week? Could YOU survive without checking in?

In this episode, I take The Vacation Test—a three-part challenge designed to reveal if your business is truly set up for freedom. The rules? No work calls. No "just checking in" texts. No scrambling to catch up when you get back.

I thought I had this in the bag… but what happened on my trip to Marrakesh might surprise you.

Did I pass or fail? And, more importantly, would YOU pass?

Come find out.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Stanford research on productivity

• Harvard Business Review study on workplace well-being

• Microsoft's four-day workweek findings

• Moroccan Food Adventures

• Flightographer travel photography services

Can your business pass The Vacation Test? If stepping away for a week (or more!) feels impossible without chaos erupting, this episode is a must-watch. I'm breaking down why vacations actually grow your business (yes, really!), the three-question test that reveals if your business is truly set up for freedom, and the exact steps to make sure you can unplug without the stress.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more strategies to run your business like a true Modern CEO!

Mentioned In This Episode:

• ScribeHow: Automate SOP documentation
• Loom: Easily record and share screen walkthroughs

Google is out here doing the most—and you're probably not even using half of what it can do. These five AI tools inside Google Suite will blow your mind and save you hours.

• Inbox zero in five minutes (yes, really)

• Scheduling meetings with one click (no back-and-forth nonsense)

• AI workflow productive hacks that keep you on track

• Best AI apps built right into Google (no extra downloads)

• The sneaky new Google Docs trick that makes SOPs actually usable

Hit play now if you're ready to ditch the busy work and start working smarter.

PS: What's your favorite productivity AI hack? Drop it in the comments!

Mentioned In The Episode:

• Inbox Zero in Five Minutes – Blog Post

• Google's Built-in Meeting Scheduler

• Time Insights Feature in Google Calendar

• How to Use Google Shared Drive

• Google Docs' New Tabs Feature

Ever feel like you're running on fumes and, instead of a superwoman cape, you're wearing a frayed "I'm fine" sign? Feeling burnt out but still trying to power through like a WiFi signal that only works when you stand on one leg in the corner of your kitchen? In this episode, we dive deep into burnout recovery, how to prevent burnout before it knocks you flat, and the sneaky signs of emotional burnout you might be ignoring. If your morning coffee looks at you like, " I can't help you," we need to talk. Tune in as we break down real strategies to stay productive without running yourself into the ground.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• 2021 Study by the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology – Discusses predictors of burnout, including prolonged stress and lack of recovery time.

• American Psychological Association Research – Highlights that individuals who take regular breaks and prioritize self-care have higher productivity and greater satisfaction.

• Prioritize Everything Framework – A framework mentioned for prioritizing activities, available here.

Ready to take control of your day, eliminate chaos, and actually get the important stuff done? Tune into today's episode, where I spill the secrets to getting more done without losing your sanity. From entrepreneur productivity tips to time management skills that work, we're covering it all.

Say goodbye to distractions, spinning your wheels, and guilt about protecting your time.

In this episode, I'm diving deep into a topic that's been a total game-changer for my productivity: time blocking. But not just any old time blocking—I'm talking about a flexible, realistic, let's-make-this-work-for-real-life kind of approach.

We're covering:

• Why deep work is 5x more productive than multitasking (science says so!)

• How Parkinson's Law explains why you're taking too long to finish things (hint: work expands to the time you give it)

• The magic of micro time blocks—because even 15 minutes can move the needle

• My exact scheduling shift that turned my scattered workday into an efficiency powerhouse

And, of course, I'm sharing my best time management tips to help you take action now—so future you is high-fiving past you in just a few weeks.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Amber's Instagram: @ambermccue
• Google Calendar

In this podcast episode, Amber McCue takes us behind the scenes of her goal-setting process for 2025, blending her entrepreneurial insights with the realities of solo parenting. She emphasizes a practical, flexible approach to planning that allows for both personal and professional growth, even amidst the chaos of life as a solo parent.

Amber doesn't lock herself into rigid, year-long plans. Instead, she prefers to set shorter 90-day goals that allow her to pivot when necessary. She breaks down her 12-month roadmap into manageable chunks, focusing on the essential activities, launches, and marketing campaigns for the year ahead.

One of her key tips is aligning your personal life with your business goals. She talks about her year of solo parenting and the importance of clear communication with her team to ensure everything flows smoothly, both at home and at work.

She also advises against over-complicating the process. Instead of meticulously planning every detail for an entire year, Amber suggests taking a more flexible approach with short-term plans that can be revised and updated as things evolve. Whether you're launching a product, planning a vacation, or simply trying to get your work-life balance right, Amber's strategy is all about managing your time, energy, and resources for maximum impact.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Year End Checklist

• Business Brilliant by Lewis Schiff

• Company Values

• Fresh Start Workbook

• 90-Day Plan Template

• Planning 101

This podcast episode dives into practical strategies for goal setting and planning to maximize success. It acknowledges that life gets chaotic (hello, orthodontist appointments and surprise projects) and offers three steps to stay on track:

1. Don't max out your calendar: Fill only 60–80% of your available time to allow for unexpected detours and magic moments.

2. Schedule CEO time: Dedicate 20 minutes every Monday and Friday to review, plan, and adjust your week in alignment with your goals.

3. Create a rainy-day plan: Have a go-to list of mood-boosting and focus-restoring activities for when motivation tanks or life throws curveballs.

The ultimate message? Embrace simplicity, flexibility, and self-compassion to stay aligned with your goals while navigating life's twists and turns.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Templates for Achieving Goals

• The Modern CEO

Amber McCue shares her tried-and-true strategy for turning your big, audacious yearly goals into manageable, bite-sized action steps. She introduces her 90-day and 6-week planning methods, detailing how these approaches help avoid overwhelm, maintain focus, and create momentum throughout the year. By breaking down goals into smaller, actionable steps and prioritizing milestones, listeners can achieve consistent progress while staying flexible for life's curveballs. Amber emphasizes the importance of simplicity, pacing, and aligning personal and business commitments.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• 90-Day Planning Template

• The Planathon

• Plan, Pivot, Profit

• Instagram

• Website