Tea with the Queen

Over 2024 I received a lot of comments and questions about the fitness journey I was undertaking.

Having fallen sick the year prior, I was committed to regaining my health and energy, and while I’m not 100% where I want to be, the improvement over these twelve months has been bigger than I could have hoped.

Which is why I want to share my journey with you today!

My First Steps: My journey began with a simple yet powerful commitment: 20,000 steps a day. I know it sounds daunting, but I used habit-stacking to incorporate it into my regular routine. I set out my activewear each night and then would start my day at 5AM. I woke up by going on a walk with a husband and then took my dog on one too! By 6.40AM, before most people are even awake, I’d already achieved 13,000 steps of my goal.

A New Diet: While walking did wonders for me, it’s not enough on its own. 80% of weight loss success comes from nutrition, which is why I joined Weight Loss Coaching Works, a program focusing on real food, accountability, and community support. With their help, I was able to lose double my original goal (17 kilos over 26 weeks) without resorting to drastic measures or drinking my meals.

Throughout this whole journey, my discipline has been my strongest weapon. I've continuously learnt that if you set your mind to it, even the hardest challenges can be overcome. 

Now it’s your turn! 

What are you willing to commit to for yourself? What possibilities could your fitness journey unlock? And how far will you go to build the life you deserve?

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Post-holiday blues are a thing.

At this time of year, many business owners dream of closing up shop, quitting their business and moving on to something else.

If you've found yourself on job boards or LinkedIn, searching for an easier path, you're not alone. Business is tough, it can be relentless, and sometimes it feels like we're just not cut out for it.

But before you throw in the towel, there are three questions I want you to ask yourself:

#1:  What are the main reasons driving my desire to quit?

What's driving your desire to quit? Are these feelings arising from something temporary, like post-holiday blues, or is there a deeper issue within your business? It could be staff or system challenges, external pressures, or even internal expectations. Sometimes quitting seems more simple than facing the problem head on. 

#2: Have I exhausted all options to resolve the current challenge?  

Have you sought support, looked for resources, or experimented with changes that could improve the situation? Sometimes, the answer lies in unexplored options or collaborations with new people. 

#3: What are the long term implications of quitting for me personally and professionally?

Quitting might bring relief but it could also close doors to valuable lessons and growth opportunities. Picture your life post-business – does it make you feel elated? Or does it sadden you?   You need to consider how quitting may impact your career trajectory, financial stability, and, importantly, your emotional well-being.

Bringing Back the Joy

I think that bringing joy back in  as a self care option may make a significant difference to your outlook, to your mindset, and to your business. Life is too short to be working in a job or business that you don’t love. But before you move onto the next thing, I really encourage you to take some time pondering these questions. Figure out what lights you up and what doesn’t, regardless of your decision. 

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

We’re not having enough joy in life or business. Let's be honest: running a business can feel heavy. Between juggling family, aging parents and business, it's easy to lose sight of joy. 

But despite this, I come bearing good news: business actually can be joyful. I know what you might be wondering what joy has to do with business success. Well, everything, actually. How you show up is how you attract people. Your vibe attracts your tribe. 

You can be a serious business woman and still bring joy. You can be a successful business owner and still enjoy having a laugh.

So, it’s time to do a joy audit on your business and bring some of that sunshine back into your life! I’m taking you through four essential questions to ask yourself so you can bring back the joy, as well as practical ideas you can incorporate into your routine. 

Tell me, what brings you joy in your business? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Many of us start feeling the pressure of wrapping up the year with a bang. But what if instead of grinding through the final stretch, we opted to glide with ease and joy? 

My dear friend and coaching client, Tracey Mylecharane, comes from a corporate background like I do – and we know all too well about the end-of-year grind. Last year, we were determined to throw the hustle mindset away - and even recorded a podcast episode on it. 

Today, we’re revisiting the topic and checking back in to see how we’ve gone! We’re also giving you tips, tricks and some vulnerability of our own that will give you insight into what to expect when gliding, rather than grinding, to the end of the year.

I hope this conversation gets you thinking about how you’ll balance your glide with the inevitable demands business and life bring. 

Let's continue the conversation, support each other in our journey and collectively choose to embrace joy and ease.

LINKS

Connect with Tracey:

Website: https://tmsolicitor.com.au/ 

Instagram: @tmsolicitor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-mylecharane/ 

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

YouTube Channel

Have you ever felt like you're trying to juggle too many balls at once, both in your business and at home? I have been there, and done that a million times over. The key is to work smarter, not harder which I’m sure you’ve heard every business coach say so many times that you’re sick to death of hearing it. 

But it is true.

I’ve found the key to working smarter is outsourcing. It's about figuring out where you need more support in your business and at home, so you can keep to your zone of genius and move forward.

So where do you begin?

In this episode, I’ll share with you an exercise that I do to establish where I need more support, and how to find the people I need.

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

What is my planning process for a new year?

It’s a question I get asked so often in the weeks leading up to New Years, and today I want to share my personal method with you. 

The first step is to dive deep into the data and then ask myself: has this service or offering given me joy, or has it stolen my joy? 

Any service that robs me of joy is is one I should probably get rid of. After all, if I don’t adore what I’m doing, how can I provide the best experience for my clients?

The next step is to dive into my finances with a critical eye, so I can work out if I need to tweak my marketing or leverage our mailing list more effectively.

The third stage involves a series of questions linked to joy, energy, and time. It's about deciding what to continue, discard, or initiate. 

So, grab a moment to review your progress over the year. Shed what doesn’t serve you and embrace collaborations, new ideas, and growth. 

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

School holidays are the bane of a business owner’s existence.

It took me a number of years to find a rhythm that works for me so if you’re in the early years of running your business, you’re probably wondering how on earth this all works!

How do you run a business while the kids are at home bouncing off the walls and manage it all without going crazy?

Like I said, it took me a few years to find the right balance but after some experimenting, my family has landed in a rhythm that works for us. 

When I first started my business, my initial vision was to enjoy every school holiday with the family. So every school holidays, I cleared my calendar completely. Although this sounds great in theory, the reality was quite different. 

While it worked wonders for my family, it left me feeling exhausted having to work twice as hard after the holidays. Avoiding work entirely during the holidays just wasn't feasible for me so we had to find a different solution. 

Now, I clear the first week of every school holiday for quality family time. During this week, I don’t do any work and we lap up the fun.

During the second week, I keep my schedule light, still making time for my daughter but also spending a few hours each day on business tasks. The beauty of running your own business is that it’s possible to take your laptop down to the beach and enjoy the best of both worlds.

Juggling business and family is undeniably challenging, but with thoughtful planning and a flexible mindset, it can be exceptionally rewarding. 

What’s your plan for the Christmas holidays? 

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

As a business coach, I'm finding more of my clients grappling with feelings of isolation of social anxiety these days.  Which is strange because the internet has made us more connected than ever.

Did you know, for instance, that the average person spends around 42 hours a month on TikTok? And then there's YouTube, with 21 hours, and Facebook, with another 20 hours.

It's mind-boggling how much time we spend being 'social' but the truth is, many of us feel lonelier than ever.

Beyond Blue defines social anxiety as feeling intensely anxious about social interactions or performing in front of others. For many of my clients it manifests physically with excessive sweating, trembling, or nausea. It’s real, and it’s scary but you aren’t alone. Approximately 11% of Australians experience social anxiety during their lifetime, with 7% affected in any given 12-month period.

Now, as business owners, networking and interacting with clients is crucial. It’s part of building success, right? So, in this episode I’m sharing some practical tips on how to navigate social interactions without feeling overwhelmed.

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

What is first class in your business? 

When we’re talking airlines, people often wonder what the real difference is between first class and business class. And why exactly would you pay so much more for business class over economy? 

I think it’s important to offer a premium service in business, and I relish in providing exclusive, one-on-one coaching to my clients. However, not everyone wants that all the time. Some people want to spend less time with you, and some people want you to just get the job done for them. 

So, I encourage you to think about what you have on offer in your business, and how you can create different service tiers depending on your clients’ needs - just like an airline. 

What does your first class, business class and economy class look like? Let’s explore what these tiers could look like so you can ensure you’re covering all bases and providing maximum value to your clients.

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

How do you feel about sales? 

If your gut reaction is one of hesitation or even dread, you’re not alone. 

But let me ask you this: Do you love building relationships and connections? 

Do you enjoy chatting with people about their passions and ambitions? 

I’m guessing the answer is YES and you might be surprised to discover you already possess the fundamentals of sales. We just need to reframe what sales can mean.

For seven years, I dedicated an hour each day to business development and it has consistently paid off.

This turned into the Thriving Woman Gang's brilliant initiative: an hour of power each day for a month. This simple act of consistent effort sparked amazing results, inspiring me to extend the opportunity to a broader audience through our Business Development Sprint challenge! 

Our goal was simple: Assemble a community of women to support each other in business development, smashing the myth that sales is scary.

By the end of our initiative, we welcomed 57 women into our free challenge. The results? Astonishing! Let’s dive into the numbers so you can see for yourself how one hour a day of business development pays off. 

• 101 hours connecting on LinkedIn resulted in 1502 new LinkedIn connections made! 
• 322 phone calls with 97 meetings booked and 26 proposals sent
• 51 hours spent connecting and engaging on Instagram with 402 new followers
• And the creme de la creme…103 pieces of new business secured!

If you feel a pull towards shaking up your business development strategy, keep an eye out for our next challenge in February 2025. In the meantime, start reaching out, engage with others on LinkedIn and Instagram and remember: sales doesn’t have to be scary! It can be as simple as a conversation. 

LINKS:

Website

For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/