Category: Productivity

Whenever I didn’t follow through or succeed at something, I always thought it was because I didn’t apply myself enough, or mainly because I lacked discipline.

I’ve beat myself about it, ‘tried’ to change it, and would constantly set up all these new ‘systems’ to overcome this failure. Some of the things I tried ranged from having a set schedule everyday to completing time management programs.

Nothing worked.

Maybe I was forever destined to be the ‘start and never finish’ kinda gal.

My heart + soul was craving completion though so there was massive inner turmoil. The joy of watching something grow from a little seed of hope into a flourishing bold entity of it’s own, just kept eluding me.

There was that dreaded word discipline that just kept popping up everywhere. Everywhere I turned I heard it from people who have lost weight to successful business owners earning multiple six figures.

WTF did that mean anyway?

Does it mean forcing yourself to work 10 hour days because you’re so passionate about your project?

Or perhaps continue doing the thing that you’re supposed to do, even  if you’re feeling flat and de-motivated because THAT is what gets you through?

This had me baffled for years until one sweet day the bright and shiny penny dropped.

It suddenly occurred to me that I didn’t need discipline when I had DEVOTION.

Yep just one word shift, has turned my whole business (and life) around.

You see the word discipline itself invokes a feeling of pushing, forcing, coercion and just general pressure to perform.

As a Zen Hustler, I firmly believe in making shit happen and not waiting for something to miraculously fall out of the sky while you’re sitting back ‘manifesting’ it.

However, I do believe that in order to make that epic stuff happen – your mindset needs to be in the right space.

This one distinction has dramatically changed the flow of my work from one of resistance to joyous productivity.

You naturally devote yourself to things you love, right?

And it’s so instinctive, that it doesn’t feel like work.

I want you to approach this with an open heart + mind. What if you applied the same principles to your business/work?

This simple word shift takes you from, just wanting to make money – which I’m all up for (it’s why we’re in business) to SERVING your tribe.

Imagine making money AND serving your peeps effortlessly, while having fun.

I can honestly say this has taken away the dread of ‘go hard’ when I can’t even kickstart let alone ‘go’.

And the best part is, you can start RIGHT NOW.

The point of power is always in the present moment – Louise L Hay.

Some questions to think about.

Why do you love what you do?

If money wasn’t an issue and you had a choice to do ANYTHING in the world, would you still do what you’re doing now?

You may need do delve a little deeper if the answers don’t come to you easily.

I have added devotion to my vision board and constantly repeat it to myself as I write my to-do list, complete tasks or work when I don’t really feel like working.

If you’re stuck and can’t make the switch over, I’m here to help.

I’d love to hear the words that shifted things for you, so be sure to share below.

P.S End Of Year Hustle starts tomorrow, and was created as a sacred space of devotion + action to your passion. It’s 8 days of taking action to bring your vision to life. . 

One of the main reasons I created my business is because I’m passionate about what I do and LOVE to run my own show.

Yet every year around this time, I start to sub-consciously wind down, which clearly stems from years of working in the corporate world. Back then I couldn’t wait for the year to end so that I could go into holiday mode.

I’ve been doing my thang in one way or another for the last 12 years, so I clearly love what I do, and yet I find myself stuck in Employee mindset.

This year is different though.

I’ve finally learned the art of turning work into fun, so that I don’t need to switch off. Now don’t get me wrong I’m going to have some down time, where I won’t be as active as normal BUT I’ll STILL be here doing what I love.

This switch off mentality, reminds me of another bad habit that I managed to break.

For years I was BRILLIANT at the start-up creation process and pretty crap at finishing, and over the years I’ve managed to see things through to completion.

I found my own way of pushing through when I needed to, and pulling back when my intuition told me otherwise.

Here are a few things that have help me finish what I started (when I don’t really want to).

Map It All Out

It’s so easy to chunk up your vision into one big ball of an idea, which means it’s going to be an overwhelming mess that’s impenetrable.

It’s important to have a clear understanding of the next steps you need to take.

This is a really simple process that’s so powerful.  Just grab your notebook – personally I sometimes like to use a blank paper i.e. no lines and a bunch of different coloured markers.

So for example if I’m stuck on what to offer as a product, I’ll just start writing the things I can help my peeps with, it might be clearing mindset blocks around building a business or teaching them my Hustle + Flow Method.

I’ll start to notice a theme which helps me tie into a program or offering.

You’ll find the more brain dumping you do, the clearer your mind becomes.

Once you’ve done the ‘clearing’ stage, then you can start to piece it all together and create a plan of action.

Break that down even further by creating your ka-chingers (tasks) so you have a step by step plan of things you can do daily to get to the end goal.

Follow Your Gut

I think you know me well enough by now to know that I go beyond the logical technical stuff.

When you’re REALLY resisting something you need to stop and ask yourself, “is this what I want to do or something I feel I MUST do?”

Is it in alignment with where you’re at?

There are plenty of times when I’ve done something because my Mentor told me or someone I know had great success with or even worse I was so desperate that I’d try anything.

I’ve also just been plain lazy many times.

Only YOU know the answer, and it’s important to be honest with yourself.

Ask The Cosmos

The last couple of years have had their fair share of unpredictable ups and downs – or so I thought until I connected with the Cosmos.

Even if you don’t believe in Unicorns and Fairies, being able to understand what’s happening on a universal level can change the way you operate and in turn increase your productivity levels.

Working with the Lunar Cycle, has allowed me to take charge of my emotional highs and lows which affect my ability to produce and finish what I started.

I highly recommend you look into it further, and if you want to know more let’s chat.

Accountability Buddy

Find a buddy to keep you accountable or a like minded group of action takers.

Stop Thinking About It

Moaning, whining, stressing and procrastinating aren’t going to get you anywhere. Nothing replaces just doing it. Nuff said.

The Last Trick Up My Sleeve

I’m not a coffee drinker, but when I just can’t get in that zone I make myself an Iced coffee (Coconut Mylk + Stevia thanks) put on some good music, turn off all distractions and Just. Freaking. Do. IT.

Running a business can be tough in general, and especially when you gotta do stuff at the times you’d rather be chilling out with a glass of wine/tea/coffee.

In fact as I write this, I kinda feel like kicking back and watching some reality TV (one of my favourite ways to zone out) but right now I’m in the middle launching  End Of Year Hustle so it’s ….well…hustle time 🙂

Being the Zen Hustler, you would think that I’ve mastered the art of hustling right? Well that’s partly true, because I don’t ALWAYS feel like hustling – EVEN though I LOVE it.

Here are 3 things I tell myself when I need to action and just don’t feel like it.

 WHY Did I Start My Business?

My Daughter is my world AND driving force.

Everything I do is to give her a better life, AND spend as much time with her as I can. The thought of working for somebody else who is going to tell me when I can see my child, quite frankly makes my stomach turn.

I absolutely LOVE school pick up /drop off, as well as the flexibility to keep her home if she’s sick or grabbing her from school when I get a phone call saying she’s unwell.

Just writing this has charged me up again.

Think about the reason you started your business.

Do you have a big-picture vision? Tap into that feel it, see it, taste it.

Go back to basics, and if you haven’t already write out what your ideal day would look like using the Perfect Day Exercise. Include everything from the time you wake up, to the time you sleep and what a fun and fulfilling day looks like for you.

Connect with that again.

It’s so easy to slide into your headspace of go-go-go when focusing on what you need to do, and while the DOING is great, it’s the BEING that builds what you create on solid ground.

There Are People Who Need me And I’m Here To Serve

Business has to be about more than just making money.

Don’t get me wrong it’s super important, but without a deeper meaning it ends up becoming a chore.

To be honest, sometimes I can get caught up in the money making side of it, and I don’t really enjoy building my business as much.

But when money + passion are combined – now that’s when the magic happens, and I feel in flow again.

Is It Procrastination Or Do I Need Time Out?

Understanding the difference between putting something off and genuinely needing time out, is important.

When I’m in this space, I stop and go within using my intuition + logic. I journal to see what comes up for me when my head is overloaded and look at what has led to me to this point.

If I can hand-on-heart say that I’ve honestly given my all and it’s time to regroup, then I pull back, and stop.

I’ll watch some reality TV, read, journal, spend time with loved ones, hug a tree or just step outside.

I’d love to hear your self-talk when you don’t feel like doing something – share below.