In this episode, I reflect on a powerful conversation from Modern Wisdom (Episode 888) with David Sutcliffe, exploring why you can't solve a problem of the mind with the mind—it requires action. I dive into how faith is built through consistent doing, not thinking, and challenge you to take action to overcome fear and doubt.

This episode is all about moving from overthinking to action and creating a life of extraordinary alignment.

Finally, a heartfelt shoutout to the incredible group in my 90-day beta program, InBusiness.co. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and ready to take meaningful action with the support of a like-minded community, I’d love for you to join us. It’s a one-time offer, and this group is already shaping up to be amazing!

Let me know what action you’re taking today—I’d love to hear from you. DM or email me to share your progress. Let’s move forward together!

In this episode, I unpack the concept of Parkinson’s Law: the idea that work expands to fill the time you give it. If you’ve ever felt like a simple project stretched on forever, this episode is for you.

I’ll walk you through:

What Parkinson’s Law is and how it shows up in creative work.

Why overthinking can amplify the problem and lead to perfectionism.

Five practical strategies to take back control of your time, including a surprising tip: scheduling joy into your day.

How embracing constraints can spark creativity instead of stifling it.

A mini challenge to help you finish what you’ve been overthinking—and enjoy more of your day.

Time doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Tune in to learn how to make it work for you.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

Share your one-hour challenge or joy-filled moment with me on Instagram [@yourhandle].

Takeaways:

Setting boundaries around your time can unlock freedom and focus.

Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is the thing that brings you joy.

In today’s episode, I share my commitment to filling as many journals as possible in 2025 and using my beautiful Pilot vanishing points every day—and how I believe this practice will create a ripple effect in my life. Most importantly, I explore Gay Hendricks’ —Zone of Genius, introduced in The Big Leap.

You’ll learn about the four zones we operate in, why many of us get stuck in the Zone of Excellence, and how to identify and commit to living in your unique Zone of Genius. I’ll also touch on the the hidden barriers that hold us back, AKA Upper Limit Problem, and strategies to align your life with the work that brings you the most joy and fulfillment.

If you’re feeling stuck or curious about how to live more fully, this episode will spark inspiration and guide you toward a more fulfilling path.

What You’ll Learn:

The four zones we function in and how they impact your life.

How to recognize and step into your Zone of Genius.

The Genius Commitment and why it’s essential for living authentically.

An invitation to bring your Zone of Genius into your daily routine.

njoyed this episode? Share your thoughts about your Zone of Genius with me on insta - @kimklassen and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your kind words helps me reach and inspire more listeners like you!

Stay tuned for more on the in-business cohort coming soon.
Thank you Christine for the inspiration for today's podcast.

as mentioned in this episode.

Warren Buffett's 5/25 rule is a straightforward method to help prioritize goals and focus efforts on what truly matters. Here’s how it works:

1 List Your Goals: Write down 25 career or life goals you want to achieve. These can be short-term or long-term.

2 Select the Top Five: Review your list and choose the five most important goals. These are the goals you want to prioritize above all others.

3 Focus Only on the Top Five: Concentrate all your efforts on achieving these five goals. Redirect resources and time away from other distractions and less important activities.

4 Avoid the Remaining Twenty: The remaining 20 goals become your "avoid-at-all-cost" list. Despite their potential importance, you should avoid any effort towards these goals until your top five have been accomplished. This helps prevent the spread of focus and resources, ensuring that your primary objectives receive the most attention.

Warren Buffett's 5/25 rule often involves a conversation he had with his pilot, Mike Flint. Flint was discussing career priorities, and Buffett asked him to list his top 25 career goals. After Flint made the list, Buffett then asked him to circle the top five goals that were most important to him.

Once Flint had identified these top five goals, Buffett asked him what he planned to do about the other 20 goals he had listed but not circled. Flint replied that he would work on them intermittently as they were still important. Buffett's key advice was for Flint to avoid the other 20 goals at all costs until he had achieved his top five, stressing the importance of focusing exclusively on his highest priorities. This story encapsulates the essence of the 5/25 rule, highlighting the importance of focus and avoiding distraction by less critical tasks.

In this episode, I share:

How I realized my life is extraordinary and what that means to me.

The deep love I have for my work as a creator, teacher, and coach.

Why my quiet, introverted studio life brings me so much peace.

The moments with my family that remind me how miraculous life can be, from my sons’ unique journeys to my husband’s recovery from cancer.

The overwhelming love I feel for my granddaughter and the bond we share.

My gratitude for simple routines like walking and how they remind me of life’s beauty.

An invitation for you to reflect on what makes your life extraordinary, while also continuing to dream and grow.

In this episode, I dive into the concept of the commonplace notebook—a simple, flexible tool for capturing thoughts, ideas, quotes, lists, and more. I share my recent discovery of this timeless idea and my commitment to carrying a pocket-sized notebook to jot down anything that sparks inspiration.

You’ll hear about:

What a commonplace notebook is and how it can be used.

Why I’m choosing a physical notebook over my phone for most notes.

The specific notebooks I’m starting with, including a beautiful gift from a friend and a Rhodia softcover.

How this practice might help calm thought loops and bring clarity.

An invitation for you to try it out and see how this simple practice could transform your creative flow.

Have you tried a commonplace notebook, or does this idea resonate? Reach out to share your thoughts—I’d love to hear!

Connect with me:

Instagram: @kimklassen

Email: [email protected]

Let’s see where this journey takes us. Until next time.

Journal Prompts

How would your life feel if it were perfectly aligned with your values?

If fear wasn’t a factor, what would you pursue right now?

What’s a small joy or routine you’d love to add to your daily life?

Imagine your dream collaboration—who’s involved, and what are you creating?

What does a day of perfect alignment and joy look like to you?​​​.

What you make matters. It’s not just about the final product but the intention, story, and connection behind your work. In this short voice note, I invite you to embrace the beauty and impact of what you bring to the world.

Episode Show Notes

https://www.kimklassen.com/blog/customgpt-create-inspiring-conversations

Episode Show Notes

In this episode, I’m sharing my journey with self-gatekeeping—those moments when I’ve told myself something isn’t for me, when really, I’ve just been afraid of being judged.

Recently, I faced one of my biggest fears: putting my face on TikTok and talking to the camera. For some, this might not seem like a big deal, but for me, it was huge. I’ve realized I’ve been self-gatekeeping since I was a kid, saying ‘I’m not into that’ to avoid the risk of failure or criticism.

Talking to the camera on social media has always felt like stepping into an uncontrollable, scary space, but I’m done letting fear take the lead. I hit record, uploaded my first TikTok, and—CRINGE— I forgot to check the cover and my mouth is wide open on the cover photo—but I decided to leave it just as it is. And then, I recorded a second one right away and posted that too. You’ll hear me working through the nerves on the podcast as I tell the story in real time.

What about you? Is there something you’ve wanted to do, but fear has been holding you back?

Send me a message or come see the video that marked the start of my journey to stop self-gatekeeping.

Let’s lift the gate together.