The Simplifiers Podcast

We are back again, talking all about money. If you feel like you don't have a good grasp of it, or at times you need to take back control of your money, this one is especially for you.

My guest hosts HerMoney Podcast, and she breaks this topic down into five key areas, to help you make a start.

Jean Chatzky simplifies how to take back control of your money

• Why you should start this exercise by asking the simple question: what do I want from my money?

• What does money mean to you?
• • Is it safety, freedom, energy, a burden, a tool?
  • How to untangle yourself from your money story
• The 5 things you can do to take back control of your money

• Earn a decent living

• Spend less than you make (and track your spending)

• Invest what you're not spending
• • Automate savings, IRAs, real estate, and put your money to work behind the scenes.

• Protect the financial world you're building

• Give back to others generously
• If you're caring for aging parents:

• How to have important money conversations with them
• Ensure their end-of-life financial wishes are protected and honored

As Jean puts it: "It's all about getting paid what you're worth, building secure relationships, and making your money last."

This builds on our money conversations we've had recently with Hilary Hendershott and Lisa Linfield. Tune into those episodes for more help and clarity with wealth management. It may be a daunting topic at first, so let's simplify it!

#DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/jean-chatzky-take-back-control-of-your-money

Before you sit down to brainstorm, the first step is to create headspace, and a bit of breathing room in your mind.

Building on my conversation with Carrie Anton recently—where we talked all about brainstorming solo—I got to thinking… It's tricky to come up with solutions if your brain is swimming (nay, drowning) in challenges and swirling thoughts.

Here's how I take a step back and create headspace:

• Breathe
• Drink
• Walk… and let's GO!

Listen in to learn how I break that down.

Creating headspace is all about returning home, getting back into alignment within your body, slowing your mind, and reconnecting with your spirit.

Bottomline, when I'm calm, I make better choices.

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/create-headspace

Imagine this… you've got a super big challenge on your plate that you know you need to brainstorm out. When you're a solopreneur, this is what happens instead of brainstorming:

• You put on a giant pot of coffee
• Pull out the post-it notes
• Clear off your desk
• Dust it down
• Put a load of laundry on (for good measure)

In short, you fall down the rabbit hole of 80 billion other tasks you could do instead. Your inner critic shouts, "ACK! How in the world am I going to brainstorm this out all by myself!!?!"

Our guest today has co-written a brilliant book called Me, Myself & Ideas: The Ultimate Guide to Brainstorming Solo. It helps dispel the myth that you need a big team--or a whole slew of office supplies--to make magic happen. Instead, you can brainstorm solo.

#DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/carrie-anton-brainstorming-solo

What is a social media sabbatical? Here's the quick answer - it's you taking a break from social media. And why would you do that? So you can take back control of your time and your business, in a more powerful way than before.

Here are a few signs that you might need a bit of a break from the mindless death scroll of social media:

You're feeling some, or all of these things:

• A bit crispy around the edges
• Overwhelmed
• Burned out
• Or like you don't have any time left to do the important stuff in life

Oh my goodness, this is one of my absolute favorite topics to chat about!! On the same topic, you might remember Bonus episode 054 where I teach you how to take a 48 hour digital detox.

That's like the training wheels version of what I'm gearing up for with my social media sabbatical. If you did the mini digital detox, you can totally take a sabbatical for a full month. Listen in to learn how.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/social-media-sabbatical

Do you run a business and have a chronic illness? Friends, if you run your own business, you know this line of work is NOT for the faint of heart. The Instagram highlights reel that makes it look easy... is a lie. It's a lot of work, a whole lot of tough decisions, and let's face it, sometimes, it ain't pretty!

But what if you're also grappling with a chronic illness… can you juggle that and run a successful business at the same time? My guest today says YES!

… and not kill yourself along the way.

• How to define 'chronic illness/chronic pain' to help determine if this topic affects you

• Should you tell your clients about your chronic illness?

• Nikita's 3-step process to helping you thrive through chronic illness as a business owner

1. Accept it and own it
2. Create systems that work for you
3. Take care of yourself, daily

• Why it's important to accept and acknowledge your chronic illness, instead of compartmentalizing it
• What part your mindset plays, when it comes to healing from what ails you

If you're not sure how much you should open up about your chronic illness—to your clients, your co-workers, your VA and/or your vendors—I hope you find valuable insight in today's episode.

You are not alone, no matter if it's an unexpected cancer diagnosis, or endometriosis, or chronic fatigue. The key is to build a support team, both at home and in the workplace, to help you make the conscious decision to keep going.

#DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/nikita-williams-chronic-illness

This is no joke you guys, you really can solve anything in 7 minutes. No really. I'm a firm believer that just about anything you're struggling with in your work, at the moment… you have what it takes to begin to resolve it in 7 minutes. Here's how.

You need 3 things to make it happen: a timer, your journal, and some space.

Let's simplify this. Listen in to find out how.

Facing our challenges and fears head-on takes discipline. Trust me, I can think of a thousand things I could procrastinate about. And I can think of another billion things to do instead of facing the elephants in my room.

When you give yourself this gift of 7 minutes and do this journaling exercise, you'll gain clarity on what you should do next. And fairly quickly too.

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/solve-anything-in-7-minutes

You've had enough of work, and you want to ditch your 9-5 job. We've all been there. A dead end job with a horrible boss and someone threatening to take away your red Swingline stapler.

There comes a time where you decide, 'enough is enough'. For a split second you might consider torching the place down like Milton (please don't)… or you've thought 'Heck, I could do this waaaaay better.'

If you've got a dream of starting your own business, this one is for you. And before you storm into your boss' office with your middle finger a-blazing today, you might want to listen to this episode all the way through.

• How to determine the best time to take the leap

• How to discover what you really, truly want from your work & career

• The first 5 steps when starting your own business:

• Identify your unique skill set

• Understand your ideal client

• Determine the services you can offer

• Publish intentional content to attract these people to you

• Take daily action in asking for referrals and generating leads

• Why the 'make 7-figures in 30 days' myth is simply NOT true, and what to expect when you start a new small business

• What the difference is between doing contract work as a freelancer vs. being an entrepreneur

• How to get into 'reactive flow mode' as a healthier place to work from rather than the constant 'hustle & grind'

If you've been thinking about jumping off the corporate train and building a business that better suits your life, Amanda's story will inspire you. More and more women are doing it these days and she shows you how to do it your way.

#DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/amanda-boleyn-ditch-your-9-5-job

How do you continue strong with your annual goals? I don't mean to alarm you, but we are now halfway through 2019 already! It's time to check-in on your annual business goals, and reset and recalibrate those goals to continue strong.

How's it going?

Are you on track with where you want to be?

In order to continue strong and achieve the goals you've set out for yourself, you'll need to do 3 simple things:

• Reflect
• Reset
• …and GO!

Earlier this week, I spoke with The Productivity Specialist, Amber De La Garza. She and I agreed… there's no point in doing more if you don't have focus on where you actually want to head.

If you follow the 3 simple steps above, and check in quarterly on your progress, it will set you up to continue strong.

You're likely to accomplish more in less time. And that is the true measure of simplifying!

#Dothething.

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/continue-strong

How do you stop being busy? You know the feeling - there's an insurmountable to-do list of 80 billion things, and you're feeling totally, utterly flustered. You've fallen down the 'busy trap' and your productivity levels are out of the window. So, what do you do??

My special guest today is the Productivity Specialist, and she's simplifying how to stop being busy and start being productive once again. Spoiler alert: it's not about doing more or working longer hours either. It's something somuch simpler.

• Why we fall into the trap of wearing BUSY as a badge of honor, and how to stop that vicious cycle

• How to redefine what 'productivity' means for you. How to look at it in a healthy way

• To determine what your 'high value activities' are, so you know where to focus your time and energy first

• What the '4 Productivity Buckets' are, and how this will help grow your business:

• Marketing & visibility

• Sales

• Servicing your clients

• Building your team's leadership skills

Amber also shares a couple of time maximizers that you can test out, with the aim to improve your productivity.

It's not about doing more. It's about honing in on your 'high value activities' first and remembering to give yourself a bit of grace along the way.

Amber will challenge you to "be purposeful with your time and always align your actions with your goals. This is the very best way to maximize your profit, reduce stress, and make time for what matters most."

Stop being busy - the simple way.

#DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/amber-de-la-garza-stop-being-busy

Let's talk about our bodies. More specifically, what kind of body is a bikini body? Answer: ANY body that is wearing a bikini, DUH!

If you heard my talk with Sadie Lincoln, the CEO of barre3, earlier this week, you'll know I have mixed feelings on this subject. And well, it's downright scary to open up and discuss it, if I'm honest.

But here goes…

If you struggle with loving and accepting your body, this is likely bleeding over into your work life. How do I know this is true? Because I see it in my own life.

Listen to today's episode where I share

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/what-is-a-bikini-body