In the dynamic realm of business, the pursuit of increasing gains—be it in clientele, projects, or revenue—can often lead us into a whirlwind of activities that, while fruitful, may usher in an unforeseen companion: burnout. This narrative unfolds over seven weeks, where the challenges of assimilating new clients and projects, incorporating a Virtual Assistant into the workflow, and engaging in continuous personal and professional development peaked with significant revenue growth but at a cost. The experience underscored the vital role robust systems, firm boundaries, and a supportive network play in sustaining both personal well-being and business success.
Reflection turned these intense weeks into a valuable learning period, revealing a balanced approach between ambition and self-care is essential. Delegating tasks, seeking supportive environments, and prioritizing relaxation were among the practices that lent strength during this time. Moreover, embracing authenticity and honesty with oneself emerged as crucial elements in navigating the pressures and expectations inherent in business life.
The story shared serves as a reminder of the importance of periodically pausing to reassess our paths and strategies in both life and business. It highlights the significance of learning from our experiences, understanding our capacities, and making adjustments to foster long-term success and well-being. This journey of discovery is not just about the growth of the business but also about personal development and building a supportive community, encouraging readers to reflect on their journey and the value of shared experiences in forging genuine support systems.
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How I became a planner mixed with spontaneous, which makes no sense, I know! How I created my life to line up with my capacity. How boundaries saved me, physically, mentally, and emotionally (eventually.)
PAST SELF: An extreme planner, like everything was planned out, maxed to capacity (and beyond,) stressed everyday, and simply surviving (if you can call it that.) I was working a full time job (outside the home,) homeschooling my kids, and attempting to live up to everyone's expectations.
See I was also a people pleaser and perfectionist (that was failing miserably.) With so many things going on, I was drowning. Something had to give and it had to happen NOW before I lost my shit...again!
PRESENT SELF: A flexible planner, not maxed to capacity (most times, I'm not perfect,) with room for self-care, and intentional family time. See I'm not only surviving, I'm thriving - AND I'm not done upleveling it! (psssst - I'm here to support you with this desire)
I make every decision with these 2 questions in mind now:
1. Does this serve myself and/or my family?
2. Do I have the capacity for this? (energy, time, mentally, etc)
I've worked on my mindset in all areas, opened my mind to all the possibilities, and really felt into what the hell I truly desired from life. I started working through my trauma (OMG, that's some hard shit.)
What did I truly desire? Well I didn't have the answer for a very long time, because I didn't know who the hell I was. As I started feeling the feelings, as I started giving myself grace, as I started prioritizing myself - I freaked out. My nervous system didn't know what to do, it was panicking.
Throw in an ADHD diagnosis and things got even more interesting. Things started making sense however. Why things were harder for me, why I felt like I had to have everything planned out, why my energy and focus felt ALL over the place. What I realized is that I had been masking all my life to survive. This was one of the pivotal moments in my adult life.
To wrap this up, my past self, unknowingly, was desiring freedom, answers, fun, and it dug itself out with a lot of hard work, one bite sized step at a time.
- Transforming my mindset
- Working through the trauma
- Creating systems that work with my brain
- Giving myself grace
- Slowing down - not always being busy
- Learning to say "no" when things didn't align
- Implementing boundaries with myself and others
- Creating a flexible schedule that feels good
- Having an open mind
- Surrounding myself with like minded humans
This is a recap of years, just a few snippets of my thoughts and feelings. There are so many ways to get to your desires (which in itself is overwhelming,) and you get to pick which path you'd like to go down based on so many different factors in your life and business.
I'm here to support you as you go on this journey. From feeling in alignment with your desires, to creating a schedule and space that feels good, and creating a plan and systems that work with your brain so you can move forward with the least amount of resistance!
You have to start and starting with one bite sized action step is how you do it, then the next one and so on. Get the accountability you need to take the action you desire and chase after your dreams!
There are a few options on how to work with me, however, here are the 3 most popular.
1. Capacity Club (this is a redesigned program showcasing the most asked for support) - CLICK HERE
2. VIP Week (done with you system implementation and so much more) - CLICK HERE
3. VA Services (video/podcast editing, ClickUp install as central hub, basic social media management, and anything systems/planning related) - CLICK HERE
Choose your adventure OR send me an email so we can chat about what makes the most sense - karalee@theproductivityimpact.com
Working from home has become the new norm for many entrepreneurs. With the flexibility it offers, it can be a great option for those with neurodivergent traits who may struggle with the traditional office environment. However, working from home also presents its own challenges.
To help neurodivergent entrepreneurs navigate this new way of working, we've put together some valuable tips:
1. Create flexible routines: Neurodivergent humans often thrive on routine and structure. Establishing a consistent daily schedule may be difficult, and it can help you stay organized and focused. Plan out your tasks, set aside time to work, and ensure you take regular breaks.
2. Designate a dedicated workspace: Set up a designated workspace in your home that is specifically meant for work. Ideally, find a quiet area where you can minimize distractions. Customize your workspace to suit your sensory needs, whether it's using noise-cancelling headphones, dim lighting, or adding fidget toys.
3. Establish clear boundaries: It can be easy for work to spill into personal life when working from home. Set boundaries by clearly defining your working hours and communicate them to your colleagues, clients, and family members. Having clear boundaries helps maintain a healthy work-life balance.
4. Utilize technology and productivity tools: Take advantage of technology to enhance your productivity. Utilize project management tools, time-tracking apps, and productivity apps to stay organized and focused on your tasks. These tools can help you break down complex projects into smaller, manageable tasks.
5. Take regular breaks: Neurodivergent humans may need more frequent breaks to recharge their energy and maintain focus. Schedule short breaks throughout the day to engage in activities that help you relax and recharge, such as going for a walk, practicing mindfulness exercises, or engaging in a sensory-friendly hobby.
6. Communicate your needs: Don't hesitate to communicate your needs to your team or clients. If you require specific accommodations or adaptations to improve your work environment, share them openly. This can include requesting written communication over phone calls or providing transparent explanations of your preferred ways of working.
7. Seek support and connect with others: Building a network of like-minded humans can be invaluable. Connect with other neurodivergent entrepreneurs through online communities or professional networks. They can offer insights, support, and understanding that will help you navigate the challenges and celebrate your successes.
8. Practice self-care: Prioritize self-care to maintain your overall well-being. Engage in activities that help you relax and destress, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies you enjoy. Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential for long-term success.
By implementing these tips, neurodivergent entrepreneurs can thrive in a remote work environment. Embrace your unique strengths, adapt your work style to suit your needs, and remember that success comes in many different forms. Working from home can provide the freedom and flexibility to excel in your business while honoring your neurodivergent strengths.
If you'd like to join us for coworking sessions, Level 02 or 03 of the Hyperfocus Treehouse is perfect for you because there's coworking and so much more to support you in this entrepreneurial journey.
Have you ever had a chaotic week that you thought would never end!? The tasks and commitments just kept piling up overwhelming you!? 😟 More realistically, does that sound like your life?
I've had so many of those weeks and at one point, that was my life! I have ADHD which means I struggle with time management and I'm the queen of overloading my schedule because for some reason, my energy today said I'd have energy on that day in the future to do the things I've said yes to.
Relatable?
Inevitably, these turn into chaotic weeks and months!
Here are my 5 tips to getting through that chaotic week(s)
🧡 lots of rest whenever possible
🧡 ensure you have food, snacks, and WATER! (I'm hollering this one at me!)
🧡 make sure you have a 100%, or as close to that as possible, day to rest following that chaotic week(s)
🧡 see if you can minimize your workload/commitments moving forward
🧡 it's ok to say no to the things that will stress you out, overstimulate you, or you simply don't want to do AND you don't have to have a reason.
Many of us LIVE in this chaos consistently and that quickly leads to burnout, exhaustion, sickness, and mental health issues. The holiday season just adds to this...
If you are someone that wants to create a life and business without those things consistently knocking at your door, keep reading...
Step one is evaluating your workload, commitments, and schedule.
What can you remove, what can you minimize, and how do these things make you feel?
If you really want to dig deep into these things, you have options. As a productivity strategist for your business, household, and life that works specifically with ADHD & neurodivergent entrepreneurs, I get it, things are hard - from RSD, time blindness, executive dysfunction, etc.
Hop on my VIP list and get an amazing VIP experience by getting all the deets FIRST, my best productivity tips, and what's happening at The Productivity Impact before anyone else!
Have an amazing day💖 your fav productivity human
In a society where hustle and busy is normal, it's hard to go against the grain. It's quite literally painful. Our minds are conditioned to be busy, be stressed, and essentially be exhausted and burnt out. So how do you become more productive to not feel like you're constantly behind?
It's a process, when you've made it to adulthood, you've already been conditioned to say and do things how you were taught as a child. That means it takes a lot longer to change it when it's become a part of you.
During my transition of slowing down the hustle and busy, I felt incredibly strange. I felt like I was missing things, my mind kept going in circles because it had so much time to think, I was stressed about not being as stressed! It feels so foreign to not be busy all the time!
Here are the steps I took to start slowing down:
1. I evaluated my schedule and removed things I hated about it where possible.
2. I started to say no A LOT.
3. I started to think about the reasons I always had to be stressed out to feel successful.
4. I started to rest more often and take better care of myself.
5. I stopped striving for perfection and instead I started striving for my best.
There are so many thing we can do to become more productive, but if we are already maxed out and burnt out, not taking care of ourselves, there's nothing I can do until you're willing to let go of the stress and hustle.
I can support you in doing that in your business, household, and life. You do the work, I just give you the guidelines, accountability, and support to do it and do it in your timing.
When you're a business owner or entrepreneur that is also neurodivergent, there's even more obstacles in the way -- executive dysfunction, analysis paralysis, RSD and many more.
At The Productivity Impact, we strive to support you in being yourself, becoming more productive on your terms, and thriving in a life you actually like the feel of your skin in. We love no judgement, no shame, authentically you, bring all the things to the table, a safe place to be you, and no masking!!
We would love to support you in your business, household, and life to reduce the hustle and stress and increase the rest and productivity. Karalee would love to get to know you and give you custom support options. Just fill out this quick form and she will be in contact soon!
