The Simplifiers Podcast

Let's face it… Christmas and the holiday season is here and there's no stopping it now. For some, just the thought of all the to-do's and hanging with the in-laws gives you the hives. For others, the frenzy is exhilarating but by December 27th, you always seem to come down with flu-like symptoms that (totally) flatten you for days. Raise your hand if any of this resonates. But what if this year was simpler? What if this year could be different? And to that, I say YES!

My special guest today is author Kathi Lipp and she's simplifying how to have a clutter-free Christmas. With a bit of humor and a little sass, she's written the book on almost every aspect of the holiday season, helping us decide what to keep, what to scrap, and how to not totally lose your mind along the way.

• How she defines what a "clutter-free" Christmas could look like, not only talking about the physical stuff but your schedule and your mental wellness
• Why we tend to get caught up in the holiday frenzy in the first place
• What a "Holiday Mission Statement" is and how to create one with your household
• How to apply 3 of the 21 projects from her book, 'The Christmas Project Planner' in to your life over the coming weeks in simple, practical ways, including:
• • How to create your Christmas prep space with a "Magic Christmas Box"
  • How to schedule your time for the holidays
  • How to refresh yourself and carve out some YOU time

As with most all topics we simplify on the podcast, one core principle certainly rings true here:

#DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/kathi-lipp-clutter-free-christmas

When you're stressed or anxious, how do you ground yourself? And no, I'm not talking about the sort of grounding you get as a punishment ("Mary, you're grounded!"), but rather the kind you do to calm yourself down. If you're feeling the panic coming on or just in a high stress situation or feeling the anxiety rising, grounding yourself helps bring you back to the here-and-now present moment… and away from the Hot Mess Express train.

Earlier this week, I spoke with author Carly Pollack all about how to make self-care 'non-negotiable' through meditation and silence as part of our 5-part series together. And one thing that really struck me from our conversation was when she talked about the difference between self-care and restorative care. Yes, yes… pedicures and spa days are nice but restorative care is the deeper gift you give yourself that truly restores you and helps you feel more grounded.

But let's face it… when you're in a high stress situation and (especially) navigating ALL the things during the holiday season, it's likely you're getting triggered left, right, and center. So, how do we overcome the overwhelm?

It's as simple as 5-4-3-2-1 to get plugged back into your body, back into your environment, and get yourself back to calm.

Let's simplify that…

Remember, you cannot control life. But you can learn to gain better control over your emotions and what triggers you. It takes practice, repetition, and a little bit of grace. And the good news is, these are all things you already possess.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/ground-yourself

We are continuing on with our 5-part series, simplifying how to make self-care a "non-negotiable" in our lives. And today's topic might be a bit surprising… sure, you need good sleep and eating well is a given, but have you considered how important getting still might be for your overall wellness?

My special guest today is author and nutritionist, Carly Pollack and she's simplifying how to make self-care 'non-negotiable' through meditation and silence. In a crazy-busy life full of noise and distractions, it's no wonder we are a society riddled with anxiety and high stress. Carly shares her very best remedies (for the busiest amongst us) to slow things down and carve out some breathing room for inner reflection and peace. Even if it's just 5 minutes. Here's how.

• What the difference is between meditating and sitting in silence
• What the biggest limiting beliefs are that keep people from carving out more meditation time or moments of silence in their lives… and how to squash that
• Carly's simple, favorite ways to incorporate more pockets of breathing room and silence into her work day
• What the difference is between "resources vs. resourcefulness" and how to be more resourceful when time is limited
• Why it's better to adopt a "consistency over perfection" mentality when it comes to this aspect of self-care

#DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/carly-pollack-self-care-through-meditation-silence

What will it take to finish the year strong? Not just with your business goals but also your mindset, your health and well-being. The idea is that on December 31st, you will feel calm, cool, collected and totally satisfied with how far you've come this year.

Earlier this week, I spoke to Scott Miller from FranklinCovey, all about how to lead your team through big change and I loved when he talked about the "See-Do-Get" cycle. Specifically, that when we clarify what results we want (that's the "Get" part)… what drives those results are our behaviors, as in, what we "Do" and how we act. But first, we've got to make sure our mindsets are open to "See" the possibility of achieving this goal.

So, how do we do that? I think it boils down to three things:

• rethink your belief on time
• jump off the hamster wheel (with intention)
• get out of your head

You can do this, I believe in you.

It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/finish-the-year-strong

Are you faced with big change at work right now and not sure how to lead your team through it? I'm pretty sure all of us have had a horrible boss (or two!) in our careers… and we're also pretty certain that we don't want to be THAT guy/gal through this! So, how do you do it? Step one: realize that "everyone deserves a great manager."

My special guest today is author Scott Miller of FranklinCovey and he's simplifying how to lead your team through big change. When things are in flux or you feel like a big shift needs to happen for your business (and FAST), this one is for you. Maybe it's time to get your entire team on board and headed in the right direction.

• Why change is so hard for small businesses and their teams to come to terms with… what's really happening under the surface
• What the "6 Critical Practices" are for leading a team, that will help them thrive through big change coming down the pipeline
• Why it is so important for you to develop a leader's mindset first and how to do it, using the "See-Do-Get" cycle
• Why and how to hold super effective 1-on-1 meetings with each person on your team… he will flip how you think about these meetings, 100%!
• How to set your team up for success so they deliver results every quarter
• What the 4 zones are in the FranklinCovey Change Model and how to assess where you are at now and where you're headed next in the change and pivot process

No matter if you're a solopreneur with a handful of VAs or a middle manager with a large team, you're going to get a lot of simple, practical tips today that you can take action on quickly. This book is jam-packed full of great resources, I highly recommend it if you're looking for solid direction on how to lead your team moving forwards.

#DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/scott-miller-lead-your-team-through-big-change

Not feeling the joy in your work these days? Lord knows, it's time to bring it back. If it feels like you've been slogged through a mountain of to-do's and your weekly tasks are starting to lose their initial lackluster and shine, I hope today's episode sparks something new for you.

Earlier this week, I spoke with India Jackson all about how to tell your brand story. And one point she raised was that "people can't see you if you're not ready to be seen," meaning you could do all the work in the world to craft the perfect marketing message but if you're not ready mentally to truly put yourself out there and be visible… it's all for nothing.

And I think part of that mindset shift is all about shaking things up. Focus on three things to bring the joy back into your work and then, you'll be ready:

• plan your week ahead
• reflect and celebrate
• bring back that fizzy, electric feeling

You can do this, I believe in you.

It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bring-the-joy-back

How visible are you in your brand? In all the things you currently do to spread the word about your business, how do you stay top of mind with your Ultimate Ideal Clients and your prospects that are checking you out?

My special guest today is India Jackson of Flaunt Your Fire and she's simplifying how to tell your brand story. If you want to learn new ways to spread the word on what you're building in your business, but do it in a way that feels 100% authentic and true to you, this one is for you.

• What a "brand story" is and why she believes all business owners are a "leader, an influencer and an ambassador, simultaneously"
• How to cultivate your brand story to truly look and feel aligned with the real you
• Why she believes that "people can't see you if you're not ready to be seen…" and the first few steps to overcome this
• What to do when you're dealing with big change or a struggle in your personal life. How much do you share with your audience and clients through social media and beyond?
• What to do when you don't want to show up on camera
• India's very best tips to make the most of your next personal branding photoshoot, including clothes, hair, makeup, mindset and pre-work

India believes that your brand story is "not what you put out in your marketing but what people (deep down) know about you: your core values, your likes and interests." This is what truly counts. And how you can help them solve their greatest problems. Think about The Simplifiers… what do you instinctively know about my team and I?

Spoiler alert: it's not about faking it, but rather taking control of your brand and stepping into the greatest, most true version of yourself. You got this, I believe in you!

#DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/india-jackson-tell-your-brand-story

How do you like to take a nap? It's simple, right? Lay down, close your eyes… BOOM, job done. Well, not exactly, especially if you're feeling super groggy afterwards, are jet lagged, or are having constant insomnia issues that you're dealing with.

Earlier this week, I spoke with Gitte Winter Graugaard all about how to help your child get better sleep. And the really big AHA in our conversation was to shift the focus on the parent, not the kid… FIRST.

When the parent's basic needs are taken care of on a physical and an emotional level, they show up more fully to take better care of their children. So, if you're feeling a bit sleep deprived or just need a little way to relax, maybe it's time to re-learn how to take a nap! As per the Mayo Clinic, napping when done right results in "relaxation, reduced fatigue, increased alertness, improved mood, quicker reaction and better memory."

And who doesn't want all of that!

Ok, so here's a few things to consider when you're about to take a nap:

• limit the length of time
• give it a caffeine boost
• regulate your space
• get outside afterwards

Listen in to today's episode for all the details.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/how-to-take-a-nap

Raise your hand if you've got a child at home that refuses to sleep? There is a reason terrorists use sleep deprivation as one of their tactics… it messes with your mind, it wears down your body, and you start to unravel slowly.

My special guest today is author Gitte Winter Graugaard and she's simplifying how to help your child get better sleep. If you're exhausted from the nightly bedtime struggle or simply just want to make the experience a wee less stressful, Gitte shares her tips that'll help soothe your child to sleep and create a strong bond between the two of you. Gitte Winter Graugaard simplifies how to help your child get better sleep.

• Why sleep is so important and what the consequences are of not getting enough quality sleep
• How the connection we have with our kids affects how we run our businesses, as well
• If your child isn't sleeping well at night, where to begin that will help them (and yourself)
• How the 4 elements (fire, water, earth, air) apply to how we react and respond when we are triggered and this relates to our sleep quality
• How to create sacred space in our bedtime routines at night that will help our children feel safe, calm and loved
• What the "love mountain" visualization is and how it can help your child sleep better at night

If you're at your wits' end when it comes to helping your child get better sleep, girl, I feel ya. My youngest didn't sleep all the way through the night until he was a year and a half old! That's well over 500 days of getting 3 hours of sleep wherever I could!! (Gosh, I sure could've used Gitte insight way back when.) I hope today's episode brings you a new perspective on sleep and helps you both to connect and calm down together tonight at bedtime.

#DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/gitte-winter-graugaard-get-better-sleep

Do you need to negotiate something really big in your life right now? Whether it's your pricing with a prospective client or navigating a difficult conversation with a co-worker, let's talk about the three key things you'll need in the negotiation process. And how to do it with grace.

Earlier this week, I spoke to Celeste Headlee all about how to have better conversations and one big AHA that stood out was the power of cultivating your listening skills. To be a great conversationalist, it's actually all about being a great listener first.

So, what are the three things to consider while negotiating? They are:

• Prepare
• Listen & gather
• Aim high

You can do this, I believe in you.

It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/negotiate-with-grace