The Smartest Entrepreneurs Know When to Pivot—Here’s How to Spot and Fix a Strategy That’s Holding You Back

What if the reason your business growth has stalled isn’t due to a lack of strategy—but rather the wrong strategy? You might be unknowingly following an anti-strategy, a sneaky business misalignment that costs time, money, and momentum.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own anti-strategies—the costly decisions I thought were game-changers but turned out to be massive missteps. From a coaching program that almost derailed my core business to a CRM migration nightmare that drained time and resources, I’m sharing the hard-earned lessons that will help you avoid making the same mistakes.

If you’ve ever felt stuck despite implementing all the "right" strategies, this episode is for you. I’ll walk you through exactly how to identify and course-correct an anti-strategy before it costs you big time.

HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ An Anti-Strategy Is a Strategy That Works Against You – Sometimes, a plan seems smart on paper but lacks alignment with your core business goals. If a new project pulls you away from your primary revenue drivers, it could be an anti-strategy in disguise.

2️⃣ Misalignment Costs More Than You Think – Whether it’s wasted time, lost revenue, or team frustration, making decisions in a silo (without the right input) leads to costly detours. The key is bringing the right people into the conversation early.

3️⃣ The Fix? Strategic Check-Ins & Gut Instincts – Regularly review your business goals and ask, “Is this truly moving us forward?” If your gut tells you something is off, trust it. Pausing and pivoting sooner rather than later can save you from a painful misstep.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Check out Growth Tools: growthtools.com 

Take Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius Assessment: workinggenius.com 

Listen to my episode on the “all-or-nothing” mindset:  How To Stop Being An All-or-Nothing Thinker 

MORE FROM ME

Follow me on Instagram @amyporterfield

Watch The Amy Porterfield Show on YouTube: youtube.com/AmyPorterfield 

Subscribed is back—and this bootcamp is better than ever. For just $37, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to start building an email list you can monetize from day one.

This live bootcamp kicks off Monday, and it’s especially for you if you’ve been putting off list-building because it felt too overwhelming (been there 🙋‍♀️).

Let’s make it simple, doable, and actually fun and profitable. Step by step, together. 👉 Click here to join the Subscribed Bootcamp — I can’t wait to see you there!

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If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more entrepreneurs who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Amy Porterfield Show! See you next week!

My friend, if you're ready to refresh your marketing approach, this episode is going to be a total game-changer for you! We’re diving deep into identity-driven marketing strategies with the incredible Veronica Romney, who has pioneered a revolutionary approach that shifts your messaging from "buy this" to "be this." 

Veronica explains that true identity marketing connects your brand so deeply with somebody's self-identity—not just who they are now, but who they wish to become—that they develop a loyalty that's transformational for your business. We explore the critical difference between identity marketing and brand identity, why relationship-oriented marketing truly outperforms those old-school transactional approaches, and how businesses of any size can leverage the psychology of identity to create movements around their brands. 

Veronica breaks down her four-part Identity Code framework, shares real-world success stories that will inspire you, and explains why revisiting your ideal customer avatar might be the missing piece to your current marketing strategy. Trust me, this conversation is packed with so many actionable insights that will help you bring identity marketing to life in your business!

HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ Connect With Identity, Not Just Features – People don't buy products; they buy a version of themselves they want to become. Move beyond "buy this" marketing to create a sense of belonging that transforms casual buyers into devoted brand champions who see you as part of their identity.

2️⃣ Follow The Four-Step Identity Code – Find your audience's true identity by listening to how they talk about themselves, test your ideas like a comedian workshops jokes, give deep meaning to what belonging looks like, and create tangible ways for people to express this identity in their everyday lives.

3️⃣ Start Identity Marketing Inside Your Organization – Before marketing identity to customers, establish it within your business. When your team strongly identifies with their roles, they'll naturally create more authentic and powerful identity-based messaging for your audience.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Download Veronica’s FREE ChatGPT prompts: thisisidentitymarketing.com/chatgpt 

Order your copy of Identity Marketing: identitymarketingbook.com 

Subscribe to The Rainmaker Podcast: Apple Podcasts and Spotify 

Follow Veronica on Instagram: @vromney 

Listen to Veronica’s interview with Seth Godin: The 2 Questions That Will Take Down a Hustle Marketer Every Single Time  

Check out TalkBox.mom: talkbox.mom

Check out Copy Posse: copyposse.com 

MORE FROM ME

Follow me on Instagram @amyporterfield

Subscribed is back—and better than ever. For just $37, I’ll teach you the essential steps to build an audience you can monetize from day one. This live Bootcamp starts April 21st, and it’s perfect if you’ve been putting off list-building because it felt too overwhelming. Join me and let’s get your audience growing—step by step, together. 👉 Click here to join Subscribed!

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more entrepreneurs who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Amy Porterfield Show! See you next week!

Breaking Free From the All-or-Nothing Mindset That's Slowing Your Business Growth

If you're anything like me, you've probably fallen into the trap of seeing your business in black and white – either it's thriving or failing, and there’s nothing in between! In this episode, I share my personal wake-up call (spoiler: it involves a disastrous 5K run) that revealed how my all-or-nothing mindset was holding me back in business and life.

Your brain naturally craves certainty (science confirms this!), but this extreme thinking creates unnecessary pressure and keeps you stuck in perfectionism, waiting for conditions that might never come. The truth is, growth happens in the messy middle where you're taking imperfect action, collecting data, and making strategic pivots. 

In this episode, you'll learn practical frameworks to shift out of extreme thinking patterns that are stalling your growth. I'll show you how to reframe missed goals as data collection opportunities, take decisive action, and embrace "phase one" thinking that gets you moving forward. Plus, I share how my own mindset shifts led to launching my Made to Scale Mastermind and Milly Club – opportunities I would have missed if I'd stayed stuck in my all-or-nothing thinking.

HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ Mental Flexibility Is Your Superpower – Obstacles don't mean stop, they mean pivot. When launches don't hit goals or team members struggle, resist seeing it as failure and instead look for the adjustments and data that will fuel your next success.

2️⃣ Take Imperfect Action Now – Perfectionism is just procrastination in disguise. Instead of waiting for perfect systems or perfect timing, launch the simplified version, hire before you feel "ready," and treat everything as a data collection opportunity.

3️⃣ Ask Better Questions When You Feel Stuck – When the urge to quit feels overwhelming (which is normal!), ask yourself: "If quitting wasn't an option, what would I do next?" Then take that step, no matter how small, to maintain momentum.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

The Gap And The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Ben Hardy 

#525: How To Become A Master Decision Maker (& Troubleshooter) 

#748: Married To An Entrepreneur: A Sit Down With Hobie’s and My Relationship Coach 

MORE FROM ME

Follow me on Instagram @amyporterfield

Ready to generate daily, high-quality leads that convert into paying customers? My step-by-step email marketing program, List Builders Society, gives you the proven blueprint to build a profitable, engaged list that drives consistent revenue—without the guesswork. Join my FREE Masterclass today!

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more entrepreneurs who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Amy Porterfield Show! See you next week!

What if I told you that dedicating just one day a month to deep work could completely change your business trajectory? In this episode, I'm sharing why deep work – focused, distraction-free time for high-impact activities – is the key to making those strategic decisions that will truly grow your business!

Too many entrepreneurs (myself included!) spend time reacting rather than intentionally designing their business growth. I remember spending almost a year in reaction mode – something happened, I fixed it, something else happened, I troubleshooted...and I promise you, it was not my best revenue year!

In this episode, I walk you through my clear framework for making deep work a habit and share real examples of how it's revolutionized my business – from creating an amazing leadership team to making tough decisions about downsizing. These weren't always comfortable choices, but they've absolutely set my business up to thrive.

HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ Deep Work Creates Clarity – When you remove distractions, you can make those important decisions with confidence! It's all about working ON your business, not IN it – that's how you know you're doing it right.

2️⃣ One Day a Month is a Game Changer – Imagine 12 strategic work days in a year. They add up, especially since most of us never make time for this! You don't have time for deep work – you MAKE time for it.

3️⃣ Your Environment Matters – If you feel distracted at home (or tempted to take a nap – no judgement!), change your location. Set boundaries with your team, turn off notifications, and avoid "fake productivity" that keeps you in the weeds.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Download the Freedom app: freedom.to 

MORE FROM ME

Follow me on Instagram @amyporterfield

Ready to generate daily, high-quality leads that convert into paying customers? My step-by-step email marketing program, List Builders Society, gives you the proven blueprint to build a profitable, engaged list that drives consistent revenue—without the guesswork. Join my FREE Masterclass today!

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more entrepreneurs who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Amy Porterfield Show! See you next week!

If you've ever felt like quitting your business, you're not alone! In this episode, I sit down with author and host of the What Works podcast, Tara McMullin, to explore how to create a business that truly supports the life you want.

Tara has been challenging conventional business wisdom for over 16 years and brings a refreshing approach to success, productivity, and growth. She explains why focusing solely on revenue goals can lead to burnout, how to honor your actual capacity, and the importance of defining success on your own terms.

We dive into why saying "no" might be your most powerful business strategy, how to escape the validation spiral that keeps you overcommitted, and the transformative difference between being "busy" and being "squeezed."

HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ Your Business Should Support Your Life – Start with your personal variables and non-negotiables first. Your business is a needs-meeting machine, and your needs as the business owner must come first.

2️⃣ Honor Your Capacity – We all have different capacities based on our available resources—time, money, emotional bandwidth, support networks, and skills. Before taking on new projects, ask: "Do I have what I need to do this well?"

3️⃣ Escape the Validation Spiral – Be cautious about constantly adding new commitments to feel valuable. This leads to depleted resources, underdelivering, and a spiral of taking on even more to compensate.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Subscribe to What Works: Apple Podcasts and Spotify 

Learn more about Yellow House Media: yellowhouse.media 

Connect with Tara: whatworks.fyi 

Read the Wall Street Journal article Tara shared: The Delusion of 'Profits' By Peter F. Drucker

MORE FROM ME

Follow me on Instagram @amyporterfield

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more entrepreneurs who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Amy Porterfield Show! See you next week!

If you’ve ever found yourself over-explaining, struggling to get your point across, or avoiding tough conversations, this episode is for you. Communication expert and trial lawyer Jefferson Fisher joins me to break down the essentials of effective communication—so you can be heard, respected, and understood in every conversation.

Jefferson has skyrocketed to fame as one of the most sought-after voices in communication strategy, helping millions sharpen their skills. Whether you’re leading a team, handling difficult conversations, or just wanting to show up more confidently in everyday life, Jefferson’s insights will change the way you speak and listen.

We dive into why saying less actually makes your words more powerful, how to navigate emotionally charged conversations, and the small communication shifts that lead to big results in your business and personal life.

1️⃣ The More You Say, The Less You Mean – Over-explaining weakens your message. Keeping your words clear and concise ensures your point lands with power and authority.

2️⃣ The Power of the Pause – Silence is a game-changer. Mastering the pause before responding instantly elevates your confidence and allows you to control the conversation.

3️⃣ Confidence Comes From Assertiveness – Confidence isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you practice. Eliminating weak language, unnecessary apologies, and filler words makes you a stronger, more compelling communicator.

• Follow me on Instagram: @amyporterfield

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more entrepreneurs who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Amy Porterfield Show! See you next week!

Reaching the million-dollar milestone in business is often seen as the ultimate achievement, but what happens when you get there? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing the raw, unfiltered truths about what it really takes to reach $1M—and why it won’t magically change how you feel about yourself or your business.

I’ll walk you through the money fears that held me back, the lessons I learned the hard way, and the mindset shifts that finally set me free. Whether you’re on your way to your first six figures or scaling beyond seven, this episode will help you redefine success on your terms.

1️⃣ There Is Nothing Wrong with Wanting to Make a Bunch of Money

Owning your ambition unapologetically makes you a more confident leader, marketer, and decision-maker. When you shrink your money goals, you shrink your business.

2️⃣ My Biggest Fear Was Losing Money—But I Wish I Had Taken Bigger Risks

Fear of loss holds so many of us back from making bold moves, investing in our businesses, or taking big leaps. But playing it safe keeps entrepreneurs stuck year after year.

3️⃣ Find Your ‘Enough’—And Build Your Business Around That

Instead of constantly chasing bigger numbers, define what financial success looks like for YOU. Your ‘enough’ is the number that gives you the freedom and lifestyle you want—without feeling like you always have to push for more.

Let Them by Mel Robbins

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more entrepreneurs who need these insights.

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to The Amy Porterfield Show! See you next week!

After more than a decade, over 750 episodes, and countless conversations with you, it's time to say goodbye to Online Marketing Made Easy. Listen in to hear what I'm up to next!

In this episode, we discuss: 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Boomerang for Gmail

Schedulicity

Later

Buffer

Hootsuite

Gain

ConvertKit

Follow Amy

Online Marketing Made Easy podcast

instagram.com/amyporterfield

amyporterfield.com

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts 

"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

In this episode, I share: 

Listen in and get ready to sell your product instantly with these impactful copywriting tips. Soon enough, you'll be a pro at writing content that your audience can't resist!

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

#370 | Behind-The-Scenes: How I Collect Money-Making Testimonials

#236 | How to Clarify Your Message

#556 | How To Take Your Small Business To Multi-million Dollar Success

Digital Course Academy

List Builder’s Society

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller 

Read This or Die by Ray Edwards

My Facebook Post with Scout 

Follow Amy

Online Marketing Made Easy podcast

instagram.com/amyporterfield

amyporterfield.com

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts 

"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!