The Modern CEO Podcast

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

This podcast episode introduces a practical, flexible framework to prioritize tasks and achieve your goals more effectively. Using a four-box grid, you can evaluate various approaches based on ease and impact to identify the best starting points for your specific goals. Whether you're chasing the "fastest path to cash," deciding where to focus your marketing efforts, or mapping out your priorities for the next 90 days, this method simplifies decision-making. You can tailor your plans to your unique strengths and objectives by focusing on ease and impact. The episode also offers a free downloadable guide to help listeners put the framework into action.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Prioritize Everything Model

The podcast dives into the importance of setting clear goals to kickstart the new year with intention and success. Only 8% of people achieve their New Year's resolutions, but you can boost your odds by writing down your goals and sharing them with someone. The episode emphasizes using a goal card—a tangible tool to keep your goals visible and actionable throughout the year. Key steps include defining your goal, setting a deadline, identifying what you'll contribute to achieve it, and measuring success. Listeners are encouraged to prioritize focus, say no to distractions, and align daily actions with their big-picture goals.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Dominican University Study by Dr. Gale Matthews (2015)

• Goals Done Worksheets

I can't believe the sentence I'm about to write. Okay. Ready?

WELCOME to the last Right on Time podcast of 2023.

What? It's been a year of incredible interviews, eye-opening conversations, and getting to hang out with you here every single week. I've loved every second. At the end, I have some big podcast news so be sure to stay tuned.

As I was preparing for this episode, I had several ideas and topics that came to mind. However, I've decided that I really want to talk with you all about what is happening here, what we are doing, and what I've been thinking through and reflecting on.

Many of my colleagues and fellow small business owners are reevaluating what exactly they want to do in this next season.

We also have a lot of rethinking and redesigning going on here. My team and I are working very closely together to bring back live experiences around How to Clone Yourself. Which is something we haven't done in a long time, but we are so very excited about.

With this redesign we are doing, I've been reflecting on what we are doing and how we are doing it.

We are digging into that here in this episode. Be sure to grab a pen cause I have some amazing quotes headed your way.

Once you listen, be sure to let me know your thoughts, your 2024 plans, and how you're going to put into action what we talk about here.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Finding YOUR focus

• Getting in alignment with yourself and your motivations

• Scenario planning to escape the what-ifs

• Keeping it simple to get what you want to be

Thank you so much for listening and being on this podcast journey with us. We will be back soon. However, we will be taking a short pause to reflect and revamp the Right on Time Podcast.

Be sure to send us any topic or guest suggestions you have in the meantime. We would love to hear from you.

I AM SO THRILLED TO HAVE YOU JOIN US FOR THIS EPISODE WHERE AMBER TAKES YOU ON A PERSONAL JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY, UNPACKING THE INTERSECTION OF MOVEMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND WELLNESS.

From navigating the intricate dance between entrepreneurship and migraines to redefining her approach to fitness, Amber's narrative is anything but conventional. In this episode, she peels back the layers of her experiences, sharing how a slow-running revolution became a pivotal force in her wellness transformation.

Amber's wellness story took an unexpected turn during a cross-country road trip, where movement and migraines collided in a symphony of self-discovery. As the miles unfolded, so did the profound realizations about the connection between physical activity, mindfulness, and the demands of entrepreneurial life.

The "slow running revolution", a concept that might seem counterintuitive to the hustle-centric world of entrepreneurship, became Amber's gateway to a more mindful approach to fitness. She unpacks how embracing slowness and intentional movement has not only reshaped her physical well-being but has also been a catalyst for a broader transformation in her entrepreneurial mindset.

In this episode, Amber's journey unfolds like a map, detailing the twists, turns, and unexpected detours that led her to a profound revelation: the power of slow in shaping a healthier entrepreneurial life. From resisting the conventional norms of fitness to embracing resilience, Amber shares the raw, unfiltered account of her wellness revelation.

Amber McCue's story is an inspiring testament to the idea that sometimes life throws you a curveball to guide you toward a new direction. Her breakdown became a game-changing breakthrough, and now she stands as a beacon of resilience and authenticity for others on their wellness journeys.

Join us in this episode as Amber shares her story. If you're seeking inspiration and practical advice on navigating the intersections of wellness, entrepreneurship, and personal growth, this episode is a must-listen.

In This Episode:

• Importance of starting slow

• Mindset shift from "exercise" to "movement"

• Wellness + entrepreneurship

• Consistency is always key

Mentioned in this Episode:

Amber McCue's Instagram

Walk/Run Training Mix

Nutritionist: I only have Elena's phone number, DM me on insta if you want her info.

Welcome to another episode of the Right on Time Podcast! Today, we have the incredible NJ Shelsby - she helps women gain control, eliminate distractions, and focus on what really matters so they can achieve a new level of success and work fewer hours along the way.

Let's dive into the dual challenges of external and internal struggles that often act as productivity roadblocks. NJ sheds light on the critical importance of tackling both fronts. External struggles, from constant distractions to decision fatigue, meet their match in NJ's strategies from this episode. Meanwhile, internal struggles are met with mindset-challenging solutions.

NJ guides us through the art of identifying internal struggles, encouraging us to recognize resistance to behavior change as the compass pointing to these obstacles. We can't wait to hear what you think!

In This Episode:

• Address both external and internal struggles that hinder productivity.

• Challenge the belief that overwhelm is inevitable.

• Create a vision for a different work life and start taking steps to make it a reality.

• Overcoming overwhelm leads to clearer thinking and increased productivity.

• Highlights the importance of eliminating chaos-producing habits, such as keeping to-dos in your head.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• njshelsby.com/get-out-of-overwhelm/

• text.com

I am so excited to introduce you to Elizabeth Caran, the visionary owner of Outlander Travel, a full-service travel agency that specializes in crafting extraordinary leisure experiences, as we dive into the remarkable growth of her business and the profound significance of being immersed in diverse cultures and ways of life through travel.

Elizabeth is a client - I am a client of hers - and she is someone I deeply respect for who she is and how she runs her business. If you resonate with Elizabeth's journey, and her results, book a call with us at ambermccue.com/bookmycall

In this episode, we explore the world of travel with Elizabeth but are going well beyond destinations. We dive into the heart of travel as a gateway to experiencing global cultures. Elizabeth shares her own awe-inspiring experiences, including the unforgettable safari she embarked on with her children. The memories they created were nothing short of magic, evoking laughter and deep reflection on the moments when their vacations seemed endless.

The path to success is often punctuated with challenges, and Elizabeth's journey is no exception. As the world grappled with the uncertainties brought on by the pandemic, Elizabeth confronted a series of obstacles. She is a travel agent suddenly in a world where travel was banned. She used this time as an opportunity for introspection, focusing on strategic planning and investing in her business.

Don't miss this conversation with Elizabeth. As we are in the midst of yet another uncertain time with inflation still on the rise, it's time to get strategic with your planning just like Elizabeth did.

Ready to be captivated by her story of growth, resilience, and chasing her dreams? Give this episode a listen then let me know your thoughts. I can't wait to hear from you.

In This Episode:

• On a personal mission that drives results: Cultural immersion through travel

• The key ingredient: Why you need to be strategic in planning for your business

• It's inevitable: Navigating highs and lows in business

• I so get it: Balancing business and family

Mentioned in this Episode:

Focus Forward - a 2-Day Strategic Planning Retreat for Your Business

Outlander Travel