The Anxious Creative

I’ve got a great episode for you today, and you might want to grab a cup of tea and a journal, because we get INTO it.

In this episode, I’m talking with Lindsay Mayuga, a coach, podcaster, and hairstylist making waves in the beauty industry and the podcasting world.

Lindsay and I have similar stories in that we both found ourselves in lives that looked good on paper even though we were miserable, and we both freed ourselves from that hamster wheel and created lives we truly love!

Lindsay is amazing and she has so much incredible wisdom to offer about success, happiness, and living life how you want to live it!

Here’s what you’ll hear in my conversation with Lindsay:

The mindset that burned us both out and led to our AHA moments that prompted us to change.

Failure is the only guarantee...but that’s not a bad thing.

What we’d tell our younger, brand-new hairstylist selves.

Why the foundational work is super important, maybe THE most important work you’ll do in your life and business.

Your experience is valuable, and your story will help you succeed and serve others at the same time!

Why working with a coach (or several) can be one of the best things you do for your business and your personal life. (Plus what to look for in a good coach.)

The traits and tools you need to really succeed at whatever you want to do.

How to stop playing small and take your whole industry higher.

Why you don’t have to wait for fear to go away in order to succeed.

This is a BIG conversation, and we cover basically everything you need to know to create a life you love and that you deserve.

It takes a lot of courage, a lot of letting go, and a lot of alchemizing struggle into strength. But the good news is that you have all the tools you need. You don’t have to wait for life to be perfect or for people to understand you perfectly before you can start building the life you want.

It’s all in YOUR hands.

I loved this conversation with Lindsay so much and I know you will too!

For more Linsday, check out her podcast, She Makes Waves, download her awesome workbook at Linmaystudio.com, and follow her on Instagram!

LINKS MENTIONED

http://linmaystudio.com/she-makes-waves
http://linmaystudio.com/course
http://linmaystudio.com/
https://www.instagram.com/linmaystudio/
https://www.instagram.com/shemakeswavespodcast/

Business and life have their ebbs and flows, especially when you’re an anxious creative!

Today, I’m talking with one of my mentees, Shaleen Hauck, about how to deal when shit hits the fan.

Shaleen has been a hair stylist and esthetician for 20 years. She started as a shampoo girl when she was 12! She now owns a salon and privately coaches other beauty professionals. She’s also a wine connoisseur, and we’re totally going to party together in Vegas when COVID is over!

Shaleen and I have been working together for just over a year, and it’s been so amazing to see her make some major shifts in her business despite a massive tax bill, COVID, and getting laid up with a broken foot!

You’re going to feel so inspired by listening to Shaleen’s story and wisdom, and you’ll leave this episode ready to kick ass in your own business!

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

How Shaleen got into beauty and transitioned from esthetics to hair and moved from rural Alberta to Vacouver to Kelowna. (There’s a reason she used to be called the Hair Gypsy!)

Why hating the industry and hating the environment are NOT the same thing.

How to stop focusing on how people perceive you and instead focus on how you feel.

How Shaleen knew it was time to open her own salon. (And how fate pushed her into it before she was ready to pull the trigger.)

Why business ownership often isn’t as glamorous and dreamlike as you think, and how to shift the balance.

Why breaking her foot was actually the best thing for her business and sanity.

Our thoughts on the stigma about our industry and why you aren’t “just a hairdresser.”

Her biggest AHA moments from when we first started working 1:1

If you get one thing out of this episode, I hope it’s this: Success is not linear. Mine sure wasn’t, and Shaleen’s wasn’t. You’re going to experience those ups and downs, those ebbs and flows.

And sometimes, it’s going to take a major setback like a broken foot or a freaking pandemic to give you that kick in the butt you need to make necessary changes in your business.

As I love to say, a setback paves way for the biggest comeback. And Shaleen lives this!

I loved this conversation so much and I know you’ll learn a ton from this episode! For more Shaleen, give her an Insta follow, and check out her salon and private coaching!

LINKS MENTIONED:
https://www.instagram.com/shaleenhauckhair/
https://www.dawnbradley.com/ryb

We’ve all been there. We see someone who’s growing their business, making tons of money, getting opportunities, and we think “I could have done that better. I’m way more talented than they are. Why are they succeeding while I’m not?”

So I’m going to drop a major truth bomb here: Sometimes talent and skill aren’t enough.

You can be the most gifted person in the world, but you aren’t going to get far without a few key (and learnable) skills. And you DEFINITELY won’t get far if you’re stuck in perfectionism.

In today’s episode, I’m talking all about how to get over perfectionism and put yourself out there so you can get the success you truly deserve!

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

How to get past jealousy and envy so you can finally go after what you want.

The skills you truly need to succeed (spoiler: this is how those “less talented” people are kicking so much butt!).

My definition of perfectionism and why learning to suck at something is such an important skill for success.

Tons of the paranoid, anxious thoughts I’ve had that held me back, and how I turned them around.

How the Great Hair Debacle of 2008 was a turning point for my perfectionistic tendencies, and how it totally revolutionized how I do business.

What we’re REALLY afraid of when we aren’t putting ourselves out there.

How to get the opportunities you want in your career and life.

Truth: It’s not all about your skill and talent. That might sting, but it’s really not.

I know that you’re talented and amazing at what you do, but if you stay stuck in perfectionism and don’t develop the skills to succeed, those other people are going to pass you up every time.

But you CAN learn those skills! I did, and it changed my life and business forever. I know you have what it takes, and all you need to do is tweak your mindset and get a teeny bit uncomfortable sometimes.

But I promise it will be so worth it!

LINKS MENTIONED:

https://www.instagram.com/dawnbradleyhair/
https://www.dawnbradley.com/ryc

So this one’s a doozy for me, and it’s a doozy for most anxious creatives!

Social media. You can’t really avoid it in today’s world. We use social media to make friends, communicate, market our businesses, and keep up with friends and family. It's important for running a business and being a human in today’s world!

So how do you handle social media when it makes you anxious. Do you quit? Set boundaries? Take breaks? What do you do?

Listen in to find out how I strike a healthy balance with social media as an anxious creative!

Here’s what you’ll get in this episode:

How I started using social media to build my business, and how it became a major stressor that contributed to the panic attack that landed me in the hospital.

The many reasons why social media stresses us out.

How to curate your social media to create less anxiety for you. (And why it’s okay to mute people you admire.)

Curated feeds vs real life: Why your success is NOT in your aesthetic.

How I do my biannual unplugged breaks that are KEY to maintaining my mental health with social media.

Don’t be a slave to the algorithm. It’s not worth the anxiety.

Creativity and service vs consumption (this changes everything!)

Social media isn’t the key to your success. You don’t HAVE to do social media to be successful. And it definitely doesn’t have to be a major source of stress in your life.

It’s totally possible to make the most of social media and use it to grow your business without it taking over your life or driving you to panic attacks like it did for me. It takes some intention, awareness, and restraint, but it’s absolutely doable!

These tips were all game changers for me, and I hope you love them as much as I do!

LINKS MENTIONED:

https://www.instagram.com/dawnbradleyhair/

https://dawnbradley.com/playbook

Today I’m talking with Kelsey the Happiness Trainer! (How’s that for a job title?!) Kelsey helps her clients find ways to be happier in life and business. She teaches time management, self-care, mindset, nutrition, and basically anything that helps you feel amazing. This conversation totally blew my mind and I know it will blow yours too! I can’t wait for you to hear it and pick up some amazing happiness tips you can implement TODAY. Bonus: Kelsey and I have the exact same taste in junk food, so we’re friends forever now. Here’s what you’ll get in this conversation: Kelsey’s story and how the heck she ended up as a happiness trainer. What it really means to be happy. Spoiler alert: It’s not about feeling joyful and excited 100% of the time, but finding balance in the human experience. The line that totally broke my brain and changed my life forever. (You can actually see my exact “aha” moment on my face!) Full disclosure on our party history...and our panic attack history. How to maintain healthy eating in a balanced and SUSTAINABLE way. (I needed to hear this one!) Taking inspired action to manifest what you want. The cocktail analogy that explains why you shouldn’t try to please everyone. (I’m the analogy queen!) How to find a meditation practice for you. (And she has some awesome free meditations you can try, even if you just have two minutes!) A super easy breathing exercise to calm anxiety. I LOVED this conversation with Kelsey and I learned so much in just a half hour. She has incredible insights into health and happiness, and I know you’ll get just as much out of this as I did! She also has a ton of amazing free resources and meditations on her site, so make sure to visit her website and give her a follow at @yourcoachkelsey! Now go forth and be happy!

LINKS MENTIONED:
www.meditatewithkelsey.com www.instagram.com/yourcoachkelsey www.dawnbradley.com/ryb

Today, I’m talking about anxiety.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

“Wait Dawn, don’t you talk about anxiety every week? Isn’t it in the name of your podcast?”

You’re totally right, but today I’m talking specifically about anxiety, panic attacks, and my favorite tools to stop the anxiety snowball before it turns into an anxiety avalanche.

I’ve had anxiety most of my life, and I didn’t even know what it was for the longest time. I just thought I was weird and awkward! I didn’t know what panic attacks were or why my heart would pound in certain situations that seemed like they shouldn’t have been a big deal.

Then I realized what it was and learned some awesome techniques for calming myself down when I’m about to spin out!

Here’s what you’ll get in this Dawn-only episode:

That time I thought I wanted a surprise party for my birthday and learned that I actually hate surprises! (Hello, panic attack!)

Signs of anxiety that I didn’t even realize were anxiety for YEARS. (You might identify with this!)

Mindblower: Anxiety doesn't always come from negative experiences.

Simple grounding exercises I use to reel myself back in when I’m super excited or anxious (because they can affect our bodies the same way).

How anxiety can actually be comfortable and why calm can be uncomfortable.

How being present keeps anxiety at bay.

The 3-3-3 Rule to stop anxiety before it starts. (You won’t believe how well this works!)

Some of us are just wired to experience more anxiety than others, and that’s okay. You don’t have to let anxiety run your life! There are tools and techniques you can use to bring yourself back, calm yourself down, and move through your life in a calmer, more grounded way.

Anxiety isn’t the boss of you. These tools can make such a difference!

LINKS MENTIONED:

www.dawnbradley.com
www.instagram.com/dawnbradleyhair

This episode is a good one, trust me!

Today I’m talking to Katelyn Collins, conversion copywriter extraordinaire and awesome human being. In this conversation, we’re talking all about taking the leap into being your own boss and how to write incredible stuff for your business.

Before we jump into this week’s episode, here’s a quick vocab lesson:

What’s a conversion copywriter?

A copywriter writes all the things for business. Emails, stuff on your website, blog posts, etc.

A CONVERSION copywriter focuses on writing copy that makes you money! This is the stuff that turns casual readers into customers.

And Katelyn is incredible at this! She has so many awesome and simple tips, and I can’t wait for you to hear them!

Here’s what you’ll get in this episode:

How business is a lot like skydiving. Stay with me here.

How to deal with the spider web of scary thoughts when you’re about to take the big leap. (This spider web analogy is going to catch on, mark my words!)

Why grammar and spelling doesn’t make or break your writing communication. Seriously, who has time to proofread?

How to recycle your business writing so you can get MORE results while writing LESS.

Katelyn’s awesome trick for getting over writer’s block when it comes to email and captions.

Why you DON’T have to tie every email and Instagram caption to your business. (Did you just sign with relief?)

More good news: You don’t have to be “funny” for your audience to fall in love with you!

Fun tangents like straw-shaming, spider webs, and TikTok over 30.

Copywriting is a scary topic for a lot of hairstylists and business owners in general, but Katelyn makes this so fun and approachable.

At the end of the day, copywriting is all about building a relationship with your audience and making their decision to work with you a no-brainer!

For more Katelyn, follow her on Instagram and grab a copy of her free copywriting guide!

Has anyone ever called you lazy? Have you ever called YOURSELF lazy? I sure have!

For years I thought I was just lazy because I couldn’t keep commitments to myself, couldn’t follow through, and couldn’t move forward with my goals.

Does that sound familiar? If it does, you’re not alone! And guess what? It’s not your fault!

Yup. You read that right. Guess why? That “laziness” you struggle with is all thanks to a little thing called decision fatigue. We are faced with a bazillion choices every day, and each one drains our energy just a little bit. And boy, does it add up.

So that’s what we’re talking about today!

Here’s what you’ll get in this episode:

How our daily decisions wear us right the hell out. We might not even realize we’re making so many decisions each day, but we are!

Why eliminating those little decisions can help you save energy for the BIG decisions (You know, the ones that actually change your life.)

How I set up my day to sidestep decision fatigue and be more creative.

Some amazing passages from one of my all-time favorite books. Seriously, this book changed my life! (That’s where I first learned about decision fatigue, btw.)

How to become a decision minimalist and some ideas for little decisions you can take off your plate.

How to decide which decisions deserve your energy.

My approach to business minimalism and how to lazy-proof your business.

If you feel tired and lazy all the time and like you can’t stick to your goals, don’t beat yourself up. You’re not lazy, you’re just exhausted!

I struggled with this for years until I figured out that my creative brain was just tuckered out from making so many decisions. That’s when I scaled back, took some stuff off my plate, and started to make some real headway on my goals.

I also teach this concept in my program, Rock Your Business, because I don’t think business has to be stressful to be successful.

Decision minimalism is like a miracle cure for laziness!

Okay, I know you’re sick of hearing about the pandemic (I am too!), but I polled you guys and you have pandemic questions. You want to know how to keep your clients during this crazy time (and always!).

I hear you! This is super scary. You’re probably home from work and you might be struggling, and you want to know you’ll still have clients when you get back to the salon!

So I’ve got 5 awesome tips for you today for building client loyalty during a pandemic, and always. This is stuff you should keep doing long after this is over. (Won’t THAT be a happy day, right?!)

Here’s what you’ll hear in this special solo Dawn episode:

Reality check: You’ll lose clients throughout your career no matter what, and that’s okay! Don’t freak out. This is a mindset thing.

Creative ways to stay in touch and show your clients you care, even when you’re not in the salon.

How to use the five love lLanguages in your business (I’m obsessed with these!)

How to stand out and SHOW your clients that you’re different. It can be as simple as a candy dish or letting your dog hang out in the salon.

The simple 20-minute-a-month task that got me tons of rebookings and loyalty.

Rejection isn’t the worst thing in the world, and it’s not personal. What do you have to lose?

Providing added value that keeps your clients coming back for more!

It comes down to this: loyalty is all about trust and making your clients feel special.

We all want to feel appreciated. We all feel loyal to those we trust. You can be that for your clients!

I know these are scary times, but these are things you can use in your business ALL. THE. TIME. Make these tips a part of how you do business, and your client list will fill up and stay full!

We’re in the middle of a global pandemic that’s just oodles of fun (*couch, sarcasm).

So today, I’m showing up in all my quarantine chic, bed-headed glory today to chat with Sarai, The Platinum Giraffe!

Sarai has been a stylist for about 15 years, but the first 10 or 11 were practice (according to Sarai). 4 years ago, Sarai got sober, turned her life around, stopped just talking about things, and started “being” about things. She invested in all the education she could get her hands on and went from a hairstylist with aspirations to actually living her aspirations.

In this episode, we talk about growing through sh*tty times, burnout and boundaries, and “sitting in our yuck,” aka really tough feelings we’re all dealing with right now.

Here’s what you’ll get in this episode:

- How getting sober prepared Sarai (accidentally) for this global pandemic.

- Why we shouldn’t push ourselves to be productive right now. (PSA: This is not a productivity challenge. It’s okay to feel heavy and down right now.)

- The futility of using substances or unhealthy mechanisms to escape...because those feelings come right back.

- The power of “sitting in our yuck” so we can grow and gain clarity.

- Sarai’s tips for keeping her mental health in a good place from day to day.

- Some really cool astrological insights about this time. (Any other astrology dorks out there?)

- Thoughts on how the world and our industry will change.

- Things we plan to change when we go back and what we’re learning from this reflective time.

- Accountability and how to use it to do LESS, not more.

- I loved this conversation so much because Sarai shares so many nuggets of wisdom that we can all use right now.

We’re all living through an incredibly (and incredibly sucky) time, and no one really knows how to handle it. The best we can do is take it a day at a time and learn to sit in our yuck, because that sh*t is going to help us grow.

For more Sarai, you can find her at home (quarantine joke, haha) or at platinumgiraffe.com!