The Simplifiers Podcast

If you're a small business owner, I'm sure you've overheard someone saying how important it is to have an email list these days, in order to grow your business.

Why is that?

Well, let's not forget… social media has only been around for a decade now but it's fundamentally changed how we as entrepreneurs market and sell ourselves to our prospective clients.

Back in the day, you simply ran a print ad or attended a boatload of networking events but now, it seems like you need to be everywhere, all the time. And well frankly, that's EXHAUSTING!

My special guest today, Jenny Shih, challenges you to think differently about your marketing efforts and focus on building your email list instead.

What if social media disappeared tomorrow? How do you keep in close contact with your followers and future clients or does that get washed away in the flood as well?

So we broke it all down in simple, simple terms so you can get started building your email list today.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• She shared the practical and simple first steps to getting your first 1000 subscribers

• How to create an irresistible freebie for your target audience

• How to overcome the tech overwhelm that stops us all dead in our tracks from even starting. (Oh girl, we've all been there, I feel ya.)

• And a couple of the simple things that everyone always goofs up with, when they are first getting started in list-building

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/013-jenny-shih/

"It's crazy how many amazing beautiful women are a part of this group. I mean you all have become my role models. I just want to follow in your shadows! How do you all become such influences on social media, life, work?? You all really glow. What is everyone's routines? I have to ask…are y'all 5am risers? Workout by 6am? Dominating the world by 10am? Like what's in the water you all are drinking?"

…that last bit totally made me chuckle!

Green smoothies, an influencer does NOT make, dear friend.

I could drink the heck out of green smoothies, but still have a life that is a HOT MESS.

So, here's how I responded back… Here are my secrets to success:

• Choose only one big quarterly goal to focus on in your business... clarity and progress comes when you laser focus.
• Drink hot lemon water first thing in the morning to flush your digestive system
• Wake at 6:45a, go to sleep by 10:30p whenever humanly possible
• Stash raw almonds, raw sugar snap peas and gala apples in your desk and car so you're snacking on healthy stuff that feeds your brain too
• Take imperfect action daily...discipline is a muscle you train. And perfectionism and comparison are the traps most fall into.

You do you. Cheer others on. And take the very next step.

—

Well, that response bubbled up out of me from deep inside. I was feverishly tapping that out on my phone, as fast as my intuition was spilling out the wisdom, attempting to catch every last bit.

It got 24 likes and loves…but that doesn't matter.

What matters is this:

By responding, by showing up, by sharing what I've learned in the last 40 years of living, by giving first, reflecting back love 2nd, I made real life connections with other women who inspire me.

We are in this together.

And the solutions already sit inside us.

It just requires us the courage to perk our ears up and listen.

It's so simple, friends.

Heed my advice, go back and listen and listen again whenever you need a reminder.

And then, take a step towards what you want in life.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bonus-009-how-to-succeed/

Are you self-sabotaging and wondering WHY you're not getting the results you want in life? Have no fear, Lilli Badcock is here to help us break through our "Upper Limits" that stop us from succeeding.

Lilli's mission is to help her clients build unshakable confidence and to THRIVE in spite of anxiety. Learn how to squash self-sabotage in simple ways. And, to top it all off, this girl is FUNNY!

In this episode, you will learn: • Figure out if you have an "Upper Limit" problem - step one is Awareness, Acknowledge and then Honor your feelings. Step two is your Perception of what all of this means. • That when we dig down and get to the root of it, our anxiety, fear, stress and overwhelm stems from our belief that we're not OK and/or we won't be ok if X,Y and Z happens • Lilli's moment of truth when she decided it was time to take action on her dreams and how that led to her successful podcast of 40,000 downloads • Why Lilli is most grateful for the anxiety she has suffered in her life • How Lilly said "thanks but no thanks" to staying on medication for anxiety just to make her feel "normal" • That self-sabotage is just fear. It's the fear of going thru the tricky stuff AND the fear of actually getting what you want

Learn the Signs of Self-Sabotage: • You feel like you aren't getting the results you want in life • You fall for the trap of "Bright Shiny Objects" - external solutions that'll "fix" or "help" us because deep down you believe that, on your own, you're not enough • You struggle to follow-through on projects, new diet plans, goals, reading books

Why do we do this?! • You don't feel worthy of the results you will get from finishing the book or the course because we all have our own "upper limit" of what we feel we are capable of, worthy or deserving of) • You feel like you won't know who you are if you're NOT struggling or worrying about that thing. • You're afraid that if you finish it, it might not work • Or you're afraid that you might just succeed and how scary is that?

Sabotage comes from trying to beat ourselves down a path that maybe isn't our path. However, if you ask from your heart and your soul, your path will unfold. Trust that it's the right path for you.

Here's how you can cultivate a healthier, more thriving mindset and deeper confidence in your abilities.

Ask yourself these "What If" questions to retrain your brain and pull you out of the muck: • What if your challenges are not blocks? But Instead, building blocks and things we can climb up onto to get to the next level. • What if we're all here on a journey and part of that journey is to grow. learn, expand and elevate? • What if we're always OK? • What if you could create change in an instant?

Shift your mindset: Although there is always something negative to focus on, there also ALWAYS something positive as well.

One of Lilli's favorite mantras: "I'm safe, I'm loved and all is well"

Get clear on where you're going and every decision becomes very easy because it either takes you towards it or away from it.

Giving yourself the space you need so that you can hear the nudges we get from the Universe.

And finally, • Know that awareness without judgment allows you to simply make a new choice • Always honor how you feel and • Realize the power of perception and how you CAN change in an instant.

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

Got a big decision to make? Let's talk about analysis paralysis. You know, that thing you do when you're trying to make a decision on something but find yourself stopping DEAD in your tracks. Why do we do that?? Well, it's incredibly common and it all boils down to this. We are over-thinking all the little details in this decision, no matter if it's a big one or a small one, we are totally sweating the small stuff. And getting nothing done, in return. So, here's a few warning signs if you're suffering from analysis paralysis: • You can't seem to stop digging in for more and more details before deciding to buy, sell, stop, start or do the thing. • You're overwhelmed by too many choices to pick from - having a hard time narrowing it all down • You're waiting for the stars to align and the absolute perfect moment for things to be "right" before proceeding forward • You're afraid of making the "wrong" decision or flubbing it up • ...or maybe the pain isn't great enough now to finally do something and decide…so you put it off another week Does any of that sound familiar? Let's help you move past this road block and help you DO THE THING today. Full show notes AND my top 3 tips to break through analysis paralysis: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bonus-008-analysis-paralysis/

Do you find contracts, insurance and the legal side of your small business a bit daunting? Well, this episode is JUST for you. My special guest, Rachel Brenke takes the fear out of legally protecting yourself and your business, breaking it all down in simple, practical terms.

Rachel's genius is in helping creative entrepreneurs with understanding their legal needs and shares her wisdom on The Simplifiers Podcast.

Because as Rachel says, "ignorance of the law is not a defense of the action."

Here's how to (simply) protect yourself and your small business. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• Common legal mistakes entrepreneurs make such as using others intellectual property and causing "copyright infringement" • Why "re-gramming" someone else's photo (on Instagram) that they found on Google is illegal and the NUMBER 1 thing Rachel has been dealing with in her law business • Mary shares a horrifying tale of a woman in Egypt who stole The Simplifiers logo and name from a Google search and starting her own company...and how she stopped it • Why you need to have a line item in your budget for legal stuff (hint: it's a non-negotiable!) • What is the "Legal Trifecta" that ALL businesses should have in place to protect your business. Think of these three things as hurdles between you and your clients so that, if a problem arises, they have to go over them before they can get to you personally.

• Business Formation - forming a separate legal entity so if you are implicated and liable, you personally, your family or your home assets will not be in jeopardy. • Sole Proprietorship (NOT recommended) • LLC (the majority of businesses) • Corporation • Liability Insurance (homeowners will not protect you!) • Legal documents (website terms and conditions and privacy policy are both non-negotiable in Rachel's opinion) • Tips for drafting your website's Privacy Policy and contracts for services (terms and language to include when it comes to attorney's fees) • How legal documents are your "front line," enabling clients to see you as being professional and building confidence in you and your business • Why it's best to acquire BOTH a lawyer AND a CPA • The latest tips on GDPR regulations in Europe and how you can and cannot use the emails that you capture.

PRO TIPS OF THE DAY: • Call your insurer once a year! • Invest upfront in legal help before you find yourself in a much more expensive predicament.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/011-rachel-brenke/

Today's SUPER thought of the day is this… It's time to UNLOCK your Inner Undercover Superhero! I believe that to be a Simplifier in life, you've got to unlock your inner Undercover Superhero vibes.

In today's mini-episode, you will learn...

What an Undercover Superhero is: • They work behind-the-scenes…that's the "undercover" bit…inspiring others, making a positive impact on the world by: • sharing their genius, • their art, • their products/services, • their brilliance, • their inspiration with their clients, their kids, their spouses, their church or tribe and their friends. In little, teeny tiny, thoughtful ways or in big, massive swoops. They do the thing.

• But also someone who EQUALLY takes care of them self, as well as others around them. In my mind, they are leaders, beacons of hope and lights for others in the darkness.

And what they are not: • Undercover Superheroes aren't martyrs, they aren't victims. • They don't allow themselves to get worn down, burnt out or frazzled. • That's no bueno.

Hey girl…capes are making a big COMEBACK this year! It's the year of the UNDERCOVER SUPERHERO! Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bonus-007-undercover-superhero/

Sheena Yap Chan's sole purpose, drive and passion is to help women build their self-confidence from the ground up.

Having a purpose bigger than yourself is key to pushing through the obstacles and head towards your goals.

On today's episode, I chatted with Sheena as she shared how her own struggle with self-confidence led to her to a life-changing experience of building her podcast "The Tao of Self-Confidence". 500 episodes later, producing 5 shows a week, she interviews women from all over the world about their own inner journey and shares what she's learned along the way about boosting your own self-confidence. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• WHY self-confidence is still a women's issue, culturally around the world. • Sheena shares what it was like growing up in an Asian family where the rules of the game are: get good grades, get married, get a job, never rock the boat. • There is a shift in modern culture where women are saying "stop, enough, no more" around the world. We are finally realizing that we're stronger and braver than we believe we are and that if we genuinely trust each and band together as a tribe or community that says "enough" together, it will shift our culture globally and help to stop the pattern of how parents raise their little girls.

• What does confidence look and feel like? • Confidence is living life on your terms and doing what scares you. • Confidence is learning to be true to yourself and who you really are. • Learning to love and accept yourself, flaws and all. • Be your own best friend, instead of your own worst critic.

• How can we cultivate it? • Having a purpose bigger than yourself • Practice the power to change things in an instant. • How? Flip a negative thought into a positive. • Example: when you find yourself asking "what's wrong with me?" -- realize we can switch that up to "what is right about me?" • MINDSET: There's going to be bad days and failures. Look at them as moments of temporary defeat that teach us to be persistent, resilient and stronger. • Stop seeking validation from people. Learning to let go of what other people think of you is huge. • DIVINE TIMING: Life happens. Things happen that we can't control and just because you put it away for awhile doesn't mean your dream is over. When the time is right…

• What can you do when you hit a slump or lose your mojo? • Focus on your purpose, your purpose will keep you going. • Have faith that, if you haven't got it all figured out, you have the ability to figure it out along the way. • Know that you are NEVER alone. • Believe that something good can and will come out of this situation. • Use post-it notes that say "hey, this is WHY you're doing what you're doing." to remind your "goldfish brain" (Mary-ism) why you're working so hard or what you're working towards. • You have the power to choose what you listen to: remember that the things you tell yourself and the things that other people tell you about your worth and your value are just stories. • Feel your feelings: There's going to be days where we're just want to hide behind the covers, watch netflix all day and eat ice cream. Your full range of emotions should be felt, acknowledged and journaled out.

• Sheena's simple tip when you totally lack confidence: • Say just three things in your head or out loud in front of the mirror: "I am loved, I am enough and I am worthy" because as women, we sometimes feel like we're never enough.

...and much more!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/010-sheena-yap-chan/

This BONUS mini-episode is for anyone who's going through an EPIC fail right now in life. (umm, I think that's ALL of us, at some point, eh?)

Running short on time? These mini Thought of the Day episodes are where I tackle big thoughts in simple, short spurts to spin you in the right direction. (try saying that 5 times fast)

——— Today's SUPER Thought of the Day is this… How do you bounce back when you have an EPIC fail in life?

It's NOT about what happens to you in life. It's ALL ABOUT how to react to it.

Are you going to give it the power to control you? To dictate your next 5 or 10 steps in this tango we call life?

When you zoom out and look at the big picture of what's going on, the TANGO is DEAD SEXY on you!

Just keep taking the next step and the next one after that. Over and over again. Don't give up.

If you're still suffering with the butt-hurt of epically and gloriously failing in your business or in your life, here are 3 simple things I do to help myself bounce back:

• Give it 48 hours. - Give yourself the permission to mourn the loss or feel angry or embarrassed. Feel it fully. Binge on Netflix and La Croix… stay in your PJs and be present in your heavy, heavy feelings. Acknowledge these feelings, journal them out, but most importantly, get it out…but only for 48 hours. • Phone a friend - Once you realize you're getting into a funk, immediately text your very best girlfriend and tell her what's going on. And the pact is that she will ping you here and there in the first 48 hours… but more importantly, she promises to connect with you once the 48 hours has finished to pull you out of the muck and whip you back into shape. Because sometimes, you just need that friend who's going to pull you up by your bootstraps when you don't have the strength to do it yourself. • Choose wisely. - So now that your 48 hours has passed, it's time for you to take a hot shower and like Rachel Hollis says, "GIRL, wash your face." It's time to start anew. You now have a choice… Are you going to let this thing have power over you…or NOT? Choose wisely because it's all up to you. While it may still hurt your heart, your mind, your body, your soul right now… hear my words, friends:

You can do this, I totally believe in you.

This moment does not define you. This thing has no power over you.

LOOK HERE: You have a 100% survival rate of EVERYTHING that's happened to you so far in life. You will survive this too.

It just requires you to believe it, as well. Just take the next step that's been divinely lit for you. And the next one after that.

I see you. Even here, even now… you're doing the thing.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bonus-006-epic-fail/