Get Unstuck: How to Tackle Your Mindset for People Who Prefer to Talk Strategy
Episode 839: Show Notes
I don't know about you, but when I’m feeling stuck, my default is to jump straight into strategy. What's the tactical plan? What steps should I take? How do I break free from this rut? Is there a book, a podcast, a process, a checklist – anything that can guide me out? Just hand me the instruction manual, and let's get moving! But if you suspect that what's holding you back is more about mindset than your previous blocks have been, then this can be a tough place to be in, especially for those of us who thrive on logic and clear steps forward.
Today, I'm going to do something a little bit unconventional. I've compiled a list of questions that I truly believe can help us dig deep and uncover what's going on beneath the surface. How do we get to the root of why we are feeling so stuck? And more importantly, how do we start feeling positive about charting a new course? But I want to take it a step further. I don't think the questions by themselves are as helpful as seeing the process in action. So, we're going to tackle this together. I haven't prepped my answers to these questions. Instead, I'll open up about my own struggles, my mindset obstacles, and where I'm aiming to go next. Let's dive deep into these questions together!
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What Do You Really Want?
If we’re trying to get unstuck, then we have to get super clear on what we need, what we want, and what is truly important to us. Because if it’s not important, then it can’t truly be something you want or need. The answer that comes up for me in response to this question is twofold. Firstly, there’s a part of me that wants to rest and relax, work less, and be okay with a slower pace. But on the other hand, there’s a huge pull on my heart and my mind to help more people.
Throughout my life, I have experienced vastly different states of financial stability. I might be in a solid place now financially, but I still remember being that terrified girl who didn’t know if she was going to be able to afford to feed herself. So when it comes to answering this question there’s a huge push and pull for me. I feel like I should enjoy everything I’ve worked so hard for, and take some time for myself, but I also feel a sense of responsibility to share the knowledge I have.
What Is Making You Feel Stuck?
You might think that what’s making me feel stuck is the push and pull between taking more time for myself versus helping others. But, if I’m being honest, the thing that is actually making me feel stuck is fear. And it’s the strongest sense of fear that I have ever felt.
I discovered that this sense of fear is rooted in becoming more visible, and purposefully putting myself out there so that I can reach more people. Because when you gain thousands of new followers, you’re bound to get more criticism and interact with people who disagree with you. And unfortunately, there are way too many examples of people finding success on social media, only to leave because of all the hateful comments they receive. I don’t yet know how to move past a fear that feels so justified. But at least I’ve acknowledged that it exists – and that’s an important step.
What Are You Willing To Do About It?
When I ask myself what I’m willing to do about the fact that I am feeling stuck, the answer is, “A whole heck of a lot, actually!” I'm willing to do therapy, work on my mindset, try alternative medicine, coaching, or any number of different things. But this is about focusing on what I really want. And if I really want to impact more people, what am I willing to do?
I’ve discovered that I’m willing to put myself out there visibly and risk something that feels inevitable so that I can help make real change – because people need it. And they deserve access to the knowledge and resources that I can connect them with. But I’m also going to put boundaries in place to safeguard my feelings as well as my well-being. I don’t have all the details worked out yet, but it’s a start!
What Are You Not Willing To Do?
The question “What are you not willing to do?” Is ultimately a question of values. What are your values, morals, and ethics, and how are you going to stay true to them? And, what does this mean for your actions and reactions?
The answers may differ for you, but one thing I know I will never compromise on is the safety of others, whether it’s the members of my community or my family. If I see any form of hate creep into a community setting I will take every measure necessary to eradicate it, even if that means I need to refund someone. I don’t have a problem with that. I will protect my community and my family at all costs.
What’s Your First Step?
It would be really easy for me to say that my first step is something tactical, like committing to a marketing schedule that will put me in front of more people and boost visibility. But deep down, I'm not convinced that's the true starting point, because that would be too easy to prioritize.
Truthfully, I think my first step is much more personal. I’m not necessarily even sure what my first step looks like right now, but until I do, I’m committed to showing up. To help me in this process I'm delving into questions like “How do I unearth the root cause?” and “How can I confront the underlying issues when fear is holding me back, even when it feels justified?” And when I think about it like that, I become convinced that my first step will have way more to do with my personal health than it does to do with business.
What Are You Willing To Commit To?
Facebook recently shared a memory with me. It was a post I did way back when I started my business. In it, I committed to writing a new blog post, five days a week, for an entire year! It reminded me of the uncertainty I faced at the time, and how I embraced consistency and showing up, even though I didn’t know where I would be a year from then. I was by no means flawless (I definitely didn’t manage to write five days a week, every single week) but I did go from zero to 180 blog posts in one year, which is a whole lot more than nothing!
For me, commitment means having a clear direction, and for now, that's leaning toward social media – the place where I can get the most free and organic reach. Despite my fondness for blogging or email, I realize that's not where I'll make the most impact. To reach the widest audience, I have to leverage the platforms with the best organic reach. And with Google's SEO changes on the horizon, it seems web traffic will continue to dwindle, making social media the prime space to connect with my audience.
How Will You Stay Focused?
For me, staying focused means concentrating on the commitment, not the end goal. Because the place I’m trying to go – which is reaching a large audience and subsequently facing criticism – terrifies me. Instead, I’m focusing on what feels achievable, like consistently showing up on social media. So, ask yourself how you are going to stay focused. Will you be focusing on the commitment itself, or is there something else that will recenter you? What will rein you in if you go off course?
For me, there are a couple of layers to this. Firstly, if we're talking about commitment on social, I think what's gonna rein me in – if I go off course – is paying attention to when I work best, which for me is at night. Secondly, I know that getting off course has a lot to do with my mood and how I feel in my body. I’m a very anxious person and I also have some health issues that can, at times, make me feel like absolute garbage. And if I don't feel good in my body, it's gonna be really hard to do anything. So, I am trying to be mindful of what is going to help me there.
How Do You Need to Feel to be Most Effective At Showing Up?
When I ask myself how I need to feel to be the most effective at showing up, the following things come up for me. I know that I need to lower my anxiety so that I can feel relaxed and grounded. I don’t necessarily need to feel super inspired, but it’s essential that I don’t feel unworthy, or less than. Not necessarily like imposter syndrome, but I need to feel capable in the moment.
There are a lot of things that can help with this, like taking deep breaths, going for a walk, or sitting in the sunshine. Every one of those things helps my mood and my anxiety. So if these things are going to help me feel the most effective, then I need to prioritize them. Even if going for a walk during "working hours" seems like a distraction, if it means I'll be more productive throughout the day, why resist it?
How Can You Create More of That Feeling?
Once you are aware of what state of being will make you the most effective at showing up, how can you put systems in place to create more of that feeling? For me, none of the answers are related to my business. It’s all centered on my emotions and how my body feels.
I’m not sure about you, but for me, my emotional and physical health are deeply intertwined. If I have a headache, or I’m tired, then you can bet I’ll be cranky and that I won’t want to do anything else. Because if my body doesn’t feel good then it is absolutely going to affect my mood. Which is why I need to prioritize taking care of my emotional and physical health.
Is There Anything You Need To Address In Your Body in Order to Make This Happen?
I firmly believe in the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. It's important to address these aspects separately, even though they influence each other. Pushing through physical discomfort with sheer mental determination isn't effective. For example, positive thinking won't resolve gut issues, it requires direct attention.
I've been procrastinating on scheduling a doctor's appointment, but I'm finally going in. I don't expect immediate answers, but I am hopeful. Experience has taught me that healing takes time and persistence. Prioritizing my physical health is crucial for my emotional well-being and business success. Looking back, I've seen how focusing on self-care led to higher profit margins, even if monetary gains were slightly lower. Conversely, pushing through illness led to more revenue but not necessarily greater profit — plus, I ended up working a lot more!
Now It’s Your Turn!
Grab a favorite beverage, open your journal or an electronic doc and work through these questions now that you’ve seen them in action:
What do you really want?
What’s making you feel stuck?
What are you willing to do about it?
What are you NOT willing to do?
What’s your first step?
What are you willing to commit to?
How will you stay focused?
What will rein you in if you get off course?
How do you need to feel to be the most effective at showing up?
How can you create MORE of that feeling?
Is there anything you need to address in your body or prioritize first in order to make this happen?
More Support for Your Mindset
Can you imagine what your day-to-day life could feel like if you had a stronger mindset? We’ve built a toolkit full of simplified, easy-to-implement, game-changing mindset strategies designed to uplevel you. If you’ve been trying to reach a new level in your small business, but find yourself holding yourself back by waiting for the perfect time, editing and reworking your offer, sales page, or messaging, or looking for the next thing to start and try, then you’re letting unhealthy perfectionism rule you. Take action today to banish unhealthy perfectionism and procrastination– check out our Bust The Perfectionism Toolkit!
Quote This
There is no finish line, I just have to keep moving forward. And if I need time, I'm going to respect that I need time.
Highlights
What Do You Really Want? [0:12:56]
What Is Making You Feel Stuck? [0:18:16]
What Are You Willing To Do About It? [0:22:04]
What Are You Not Willing To Do? [0:23:40]
What’s Your First Step? [0:27:09]
What Are You Willing To Commit To? [0:28:26]
How Will You Stay Focused? [0:29:47]
How Do You Need to Feel To Be The Most Effective At Showing Up? [0:32:54]
How Can You Create More of That Feeling? [0:34:46]
Is There Anything You Need To Address In Your Body In Order To Make This Happen? [0:35:48]
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Abagail Pumphrey
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Abagail Pumphrey, the Co-Founder & CEO of Boss Project, has been a driving force in the creative entrepreneur industry since 2015. With a passion for empowering service-based business owners around the globe, she became internet-famous after the launch of the transformative training, "Trello for Business." This innovative system revitalized the operations of over 10,000 business owners, making a significant impact on the online business landscape.
Under Abagail's leadership, Boss Project has been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Marie Claire, INC, and HuffPost. Her twice-weekly podcast, The Strategy Hour, is a staple in the business community, continuously topping Business and Management Charts on Apple with millions of listeners from around the world.
Abagail's superpower lies in her ability to break down complex concepts into easy-to-implement, duplicatable systems. As an expert in online sales and a data-driven strategist, she has turned a layoff into a 7-figure work-from-home business. Abagail's mission to help more female founders become financially free, without letting their businesses take over their lives, continues to inspire and guide entrepreneurs on their path to success.
Key Topics:
Strategy, Fear, Success, Mindset, Self-Care, Health
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