A podcast for solo business owners who want to do ALLTHETHINGS, but are running out of time in their day. Listen for thoughts and ideas about being productive in a human-friendly way – while building more balance between business and life. Hosted by Jenna Hellberg – trained psychologist, practical Finn, documentary family photographer, and now consultant for small business owners. (Formerly called Make Your Day podcast)
A little behind-the-scenes update about taking a break from podcasting. This episode is more of a personal update than a lesson, but hopefully it can serve as a bit of inspiration if there's a part of your business you want to take a break from. In the meantime, please say Hei and stay in touch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg
If you feel resistant toward doing something differently or less frequently in your business, even when you know it would be beneficial, this episode is for you. Find the reflection prompts in the show notes: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/107-on-prioritizing-experiences-over-metrics Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg PRODUCTIVITY AND BALANCE RESOURCES My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Current free and paid resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note WANNA START YOUR OWN PODCAST? Current free podcast launch resources here: https://www.jennahellberg.com/guides Find out more about how I can support you: https://www.jennahellberg.com/
Depending on your business model and where you're at in business, it can be challenging to take time off. Especially if you're a solopreneur serving clients 1:1. Even if you're going to be working for most of summer, it doesn't mean that you can't enjoy this season throughout your workdays. So if you're worried that summer is just going to fly by without having time to enjoy it (a worry I had a few days before recording!), I hope the exercise in this episode helps. P.S. If it's not summer where you are right now, but you want whatever season you're in to feel a bit more special and like time didn't just fly by, this episode/exercise probably still applies. Find the prompts in the show notes: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/106-hot-solopreneur-summer-aka-how-enjoy-it-even-during-workweeks Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg PRODUCTIVITY AND BALANCE RESOURCES My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Current free and paid resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note WANNA START YOUR OWN PODCAST? Current free podcast launch resources here: https://www.jennahellberg.com/guides Find out more about how I can support you: https://www.jennahellberg.com/
Do you ever struggle to identify with the term “multi-passionate”, even if you've got a few different things going on? In this episode, I'm offering an alternative that has positively impacted how I see and describe myself. Join the conversation in this Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CtEuQHvr75G/ Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg PRODUCTIVITY AND BALANCE RESOURCES My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Current free and paid resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note WANNA START YOUR OWN PODCAST? Current free podcast launch resources here: https://www.jennahellberg.com/guides Find out more about how I can support you: https://www.jennahellberg.com/
Ever think that being a high achiever might slow you down in business? In this training, you'll learn about ✔︎ 6 traps you can fall into having grown up in an environment that values high achievers✔︎ how these traps affect your progress in business, and✔︎ what you can do about them, so you can make sustainable progress without having to push yourself too hard Watch the Zoom recording and/or grab the slides here: https://jennahellberg.com/high-achiever-training Recorded this training in Oct 2022 with the help of a few cool business owner friends – thank you Danbee, Cassie, Brian, Victoria, and Tiffany!
Worries are products of a brain that's trying to protect you. The tricky thing is they can lead you to not take the actions that would help you make progress in your business. (Note: Your brain produces these thoughts; it's not "self-sabotage") If you have worries about productivity or taking action in your business, I hope this episode 1) gives you tools that you can use to move past those worries, or 2) helps those worries become less intense. Episode 032 on different types of pauses you can leverage as a business owner: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/032-4-types-of-pauses-to-leverage-as-a-business-owner Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If you ever feel like you have to push through your work to see progress, I've got an alternative approach for you. When it comes to achieving success or making progress in business, many business experts emphasize the importance of hard work, commitment, and sacrifice. But I don't hear them talk about the importance of willingness, which plays a significant part in your ability to keep doing the business thing long term. Or even short term! Mentioned in this episode: My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Episode 056 on why it's hard to do "important, not urgent" tasks: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/056-hard-to-focus-on-important-tasks-in-small-business Blog post version of episode 056: https://jennahellberg.com/blog/focus-important-tasks-project-small-business Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
Our high-achiever tendencies don't always have our best interests in mind. But does that mean that we have to let go of them completely? We can find a middle ground that allows for a more sustainable approach to business. In the episode, I share ✔︎ a different way to think about being a high achiever ✔︎ where our high-achiever behaviors come from ✔︎ why we don't need to unlearn all behaviors associated with being a high achiever or action taker ✔︎ three things that can help in the process of learning how to make intentional choices (instead of default ones based on high-achiever wiring) You might also like: Episode 099 with client Danbee Shin talking about how leveling up isn't motivating enough: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/099-when-leveling-up-isnt-motivating-enough-with-client-danbee-shin Episode 029 on the truth about being a high achiever: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/029-the-truth-about-being-a-high-achiever Minimum Viable Effort blog post: https://jennahellberg.com/blog/minimum-viable-effort-for-small-business My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
Business has felt a bit heavy in the past few months – not in terms of an excessive worklaod, but on the mental and emotional side. But I've had a few realizations that have brought me relief, and solopreneuring is feeling less heavy. I hope they are helpful to you, too. The original Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsFZ2zkJiqy/ The research article on the gap between income earned through a regular job vs starting a business: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/262131 The episode with Stacie on truths about entrepreneurship: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/046-truths-about-entrepreneurship-and-reaching-success-with-stacie-mitchell Everyone's Talkin' Money podcast with Curtis May: 5 Principles of Personal Finance to Become Financially Free (Dec 16, 2022) Everyone's Talkin' Money podcast with Eric Brotman: Build Your Path To Financial Freedom & Retirement at Any Age with Eric Brotman (Mar 2, 2021) My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If you... ➤ feel like you're not making progress as quickly as you "should" ➤ worry about whether or not your business is a viable option for you, or you ➤ feel like changing your business (or moving on from it) would mean you've failed somehow ... I hope this episode helps you feel less alone with those thoughts. In this 100th episode, I share what's been going through my mind in the past little while, and what that means for the Building Balance podcast and my business(es.) This includes: - the struggles I've been feeling in the past few months - thoughts about moving on from this business to something else - what I think might free up brain space and capacity for more creative things and thought leadership - something new I've been playing around with outside of my businesses - wisdom I picked up from an exercise instructor who reminded me of a helpful way to view business/work/adulting Episodes mentioned: 030 on Failure Fatigue: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/030-reducing-the-risk-of-business-burnout-part-1-failure-fatigue 080 on worries around what others will think if you change things in your business: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/080-worried-about-the-optics-of-tweaking-your-business My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
The benefits and results of what I do with my clients can vary in different ways, so I thought it would be fun to bring Danbee on the podcast to talk about her experience. Danbee first came to me about a year ago, when business was going well on paper, but she wasn't motivated by "leveling up" anymore. She had some updates and projects in mind that she knew would help the business grow, but she couldn't get herself to do them – which was new to her as a life-long action-taker. What was different about my work with Danbee compared to some of my other clients was that the main things she walked away with weren't always super tangible action steps or quantifiable tweaks to the business. And still, she's seen big changes in her business and life. Some of the benefits weren't things she even would've thought she wanted to get out of our work together (until she had them.) In the episode, we talked about: - how Danbee wasn't feeling the fire and motivation to do the things she knew would grow her business - procrastination came as a surprise for a high achiever/action-taker/"good girl" who's always taken action - our businesses can't meet all of our needs - realizing that not taking care of basic needs makes business hard - getting a puppy caused a season of dropping to a Minimum Viable Effort - understanding the "high achiever tendencies" helped let go of rigid routines that were getting in the way of her most impactful work - letting business "be boring" for a while allowed space for creativity, novelty and challenge outside the business - the reminder that our brains make us think that our current circumstances will last forever - a fresh perspective can help you trust that what you're doing is the right way to go - Danbee's definition of balance – and how it differs from the norm - being able to work fewer hours means Danbee's life looks so different now --> she's the healthiest she's ever been Plus Danbee shares her advice for anyone thinking about working with me
We're coming up on the time of year when many of us are starting to plan for time off from our businesses – which can feel surprisingly complicated considering how "flexible" our lives are as entrepreneurs. This week I teamed up with Theresa Sullivan of Little Flame Creative to share 10 ideas about how you can take time off as a true solopreneur. So many tips around stepping away from your business revolve around how to make your business run without you or delegate to your team when you're away. But what if you don't want your business to run without you? What if you don't have the luxury of hiring a team? Show notes: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/098-how-to-take-time-off-as-a-solopreneur-with-theresa-sullivan Minimum Viable Effort blog post: https://jennahellberg.com/blog/minimum-viable-effort-for-small-business Theresa's website: https://www.littleflamecreative.com Theresa's IG post about taking time off, aka the post that inspired this episode collaboration: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNjNqLOymn/ Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg https://www.instagram.com/littleflamecreative Find my current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com
If you tend to make plans or put routines or systems in place, only to start ignoring them later, this episode is for you. And don't worry – the purpose of this episode is def *not* to make you feel bad about it! Past episodes you might like: Episode 094: Is it mindset... or just an unsupportive schedule? [Consult call] https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/094-is-it-mindset-or-just-an-unsupportive-schedule-consult-call Episode 086: The real reason sticking to a consistent schedule is hard https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/086-the-real-reason-sticking-to-a-consistent-schedule-is-hard Episode 076: "How do I shop up for business when burned out?" https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/076-how-do-i-show-up-for-business-when-burned-out Episode 075: Why “proven” strategies often don't work (with Cassie Widders) https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/075-why-proven-strategies-dont-work-cassie-widders Episode 074: Feel guilt when life distracts you from business? [Consult call] https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/074-coaching-call-feel-guilt-when-life-distracts-you-from-business Episode 056: Why it's hard to do "important, not urgent" tasks and projects https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/056-hard-to-focus-on-important-tasks-in-small-business My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If you feel like you have to force yourself to get things done, and you'd rather have internal motivation to do the things, I hope this episode gives you some things to think about. Last week I talked about two things that bother me about how mindset is often talked about in online business. In this episode, I talk about how I approach “mindset work” with my clients and my work in general. Spoiler alert: I'd rather help you find ways to increase internal motivation, instead of just trying to get you to think differently. (That being said, I 100% acknowledge that sometimes you may benefit from working on your actual mindset. The deeper the need, the more careful I would be about who you work with – a therapist may be a good option.) My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Episode 066 on increasing your resilience: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/066-a-skill-that-sets-you-up-for-resilience-in-business Episode 030 on Failure Fatigue: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/030-reducing-the-risk-of-business-burnout-part-1-failure-fatigue Episode 031 on Fatigue Failure: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/031-reducing-the-risk-of-business-burnout-part-2-fatigue-failure Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If there's something in your business you want to do or accomplish, but somehow you can't bring yourself to do the things – and you've thought (or you've been made to feel like) your mindset is the issue, I hope this episode helps you see that your mindset may not be the problem at all. In this episode, I share two common "mindset myths" that I see in the online business space, and how they may be in the way of us making progress. My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If your work day stretches out not because you have too much to do, but because you get distracted or procrastinate, I hope you'll like listening in on this consult call with Theresa. What came up during the consult call - Theresa feels that her workdays are longer than necessary and that she could spend her time more effectively - she doesn't think that there's too much on her to-do list, but sometimes she'll get to the end of the workday and wonder where all the time went - she always hits client work deadlines, but her own projects and business updates that would match her "big vision" get put on the back burner - the advice of "just push through" hasn't worked for Theresa - interruptions and transitions between tasks interfere with her momentum, she has trouble getting back into her deep creative work - she compares herself to others who seem to be more productive, which causes some self-judgment - is there a way to have a structured schedule that would also feel flexible? Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Theresa, the copywriter at Little Flame Creative: https://www.littleflamecreative.com Theresa's IG: https://www.instagram.com/littleflamecreative Mentioned in episode: Eisenhower Matrix episode 056/blog post: https://jennahellberg.com/blog/focus-important-tasks-project-small-business "Do the necessary before it becomes urgent" tip by The Lazy Genius aka Kendra Adachi
If you want some help applying some of the things I talk about on this podcast, and you'd like to know more about what it looks like to team up with me, this episode is for you. I've had some experiences where I've paid good amounts of money and spent a lot of time or effort on a course, a service or coaching program, and afterwards felt like maybe it wasn't the best investment. Hopefully this episode helps you make a more informed decision on whether or not I'm someone you'd like to work with to make the most out of the time you have available for your business. In this episode, I share - a few things that inform how I work - what the consult call process looks like - the kinds of results you could expect from our work together - some real client examples - a mistake I made with a client, and why it's important to me that our work together is collaborative Mentioned: Find out more and grab a consult call: https://jennahellberg.com/services My framework, the Productivity Ecosystem: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Productivity Ecosystem podcast episode: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/057-increase-productivity-as-small-business-owner Minimum Viable Effort blog post: https://jennahellberg.com/blog/minimum-viable-effort-for-small-business Consult call and client experience episodes: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/category/coaching
If your brain tends to get distracted while doing deep work, and you often interrupt that work because of these ideas and to-dos that pop up, you might benefit from the tool I share in this episode: the Distractions List. In the episode I talk about - why it's so hard to focus and stay on task (Thanks, brain!) - how the Distractions List helps your brain - the three simple steps to a great Distractions List practice Read blog post version of this episode: https://jennahellberg.com/blog/tool-that-helps-you-stay-focused-on-deep-work My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
A listener asked how I balance my focus between the two businesses I run, and how I decide what to work on when – and I'll be answering these questions in today's episode. If you're a high achiever, or just in general someone who ponders how to focus your time and energy between many different things, I hope this episode inspires you. In this episode, I share - the context for why my solutions work for me - 6 solutions that help me focus my time and energy between businesses while having a life, too While these 6 things enable me to balance #AllTheThings, your solutions might be different and I'd love to support you in finding what works for you. Show notes: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/091-how-i-make-time-for-two-businesses-and-life My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If you're not sure that how you operate in a part of your business is how you actually *want* to operate, this episode is for you. .... Or if you're just curious about what's happened behind the scenes of my pricing lately, you might enjoy this episode, too! I haven't really talked about pricing here on the podcast much (or maybe ever?), but in the past little while I've reflected a lot on my pricing and services, so we're going with it! Pricing and offers fall under the design piece of your productivity ecosystem, because how you design your offers and pricing has a big impact on your business. Shownotes: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/090-got-swept-up-in-a-pricing-should My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If you've got a lot going on and prioritizing is tricky, while at the same time you also often find yourself avoiding the tasks you've planned to do, I hope you'll enjoy this consult call with Brian G. Murphy. Because I know Brian from before, we don't spend much time talking about background stuff during this call, which differs a little bit from my usual consult calls – but I hope this give a good sense of what it's like to hop on a call with me. During a consult, we dive into what's happening so that you can understand what's actually behind the challenges you're facing, because only then can we start coming up with solutions and action steps that address that challenge. We covered: - what procrastination and avoiding tasks could be a symptom of - how not being clear on what to work on, or seeing too much on your to-do list, can cause you to "do nothing" all day (even when you'd have plenty to catch up on) - two possible ways Brian could plan his tasks for the day/week - how having less on the to-do list often ends up resulting in more tasks done (than staring at a long to-do list) - worries about picking too much onto the daily to-do list (but also worrying about things falling through the cracks if the list is too short) - concerns with themed days, especially what to do if the schedule gets thrown off track - honoring a task you've intended to do, but don't have time for - how a weekly structure doesn't have to remain the same forever; it can evolve as you and your business evolve Brian on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thisisbgm/ A previous consult call episode 074 with Kinsey Streib: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/074-coaching-call-feel-guilt-when-life-distracts-you-from-business My productivity ecosystem summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If you have a tendency to not take a break until you *neeeeeed* one, this episode is for you. Because taking a break only when you need it is just a band-aid, right? You'll hear - a BTS look into what happened when I didn't take proper time off this winter - what I did when I realized I was in need of a break - what I decided to do going forward based on what I learned from this experience My productivity ecosystem summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
We've come to a point in the year when the motivation to stick to a resolution can start to fade. Whether you have trouble sticking to a new year's resolution, or any other change you want to make to your habits or routines, these tips can help. This episode was inspired by thoughts that popped up after I listened to an episode about New Year's resolutions on The Social Self podcast by Cassie Widders (episode #43) In the episode, you'll hear - four reasons why it's hard to follow through on New Year's resolutions (or changes to habits and routines) - five ways you can make it easier on your brain to follow through on resolutions and changes The Digital Wellness podcast, episode 43: https://cassiewidders.co.uk/setting-goals-that-work-and-feel-good/ My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
During the past 3 years, I've had a harder time sticking to a regular schedule consistently. And I know I'm not alone – I've had clients and business owner friends who have said the same thing. Often when we struggle with sticking to a schedule, it's common to think a) "I just haven't found the right schedule" (planner, system, task app, time management tool etc), or b) "Something's wrong with me" The latter is especially prevalent for high achievers who used to stick to a consistent schedule, or were consistent with getting things done, but who for some reason now struggle. In the episode, I'll share - why the problem is *not* you - while finding a schedule that fits you helps, it's hard to stick to it if you don't have the capacity - where in your productivity ecosystem you can pinpoint the actual problem - what my schedule follow-through has looked like in the past few years - what I'm experimenting with schedule-wise in 2023 My productivity ecosystem framework summary: https://jennahellberg.com/ecosystem Grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
I've been craving time to work on the backend of my business the past week, because I want to prepare for the year before I dive into all the outward-facing marketing activities I want to do this year. At the same time, I'm feeling the pressure to tackle the outward-facing things RIGHT AWAY. I want to plan the spring's podcast episodes, get on other people's podcasts, do more collaborations – maybe even publish a few youtube videos since I deleted all my videos last fall. (The list goes on.) Since I'm feeling this pull between these two energetic extremes, I figured you might also be feeling something similar. In this episode, you'll hear me - go all in on a nature metaphor
✨ 3 lessons I've picked up in 2022 that I want to carry over into next year and beyond ✨ This time of year, there tends to be a lot of pressure to reflect on alllllll the things we wanna change. While I'm all for a fresh start, it's important we give ourselves credit for what we've already learned – because we tend to forget. For each of the categories of my ecosystem, I challenged myself to hone in on *just one* lesson I've learned in the past year, and planned for how I'll implement that lesson going forward. I hope this also inspires you to identify the important lessons you've already learned, and how implementing what you learned could bring you the biggest relief, joy, or impact. Thank you so much for spending your valuable time with me this past year! I appreciate you so much for listening and I hope you have a beautiful year ahead of you ✨ Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
There's a nuance that's missing in the conversation around the trendy revenue numbers we're supposed to hit – so I thought it might be a good thing to talk about it this time of year. Something that drives me a bit bananas is that the messaging out in the online business world is really focused on trendy revenue numbers. Your business finances are about more than just revenue, and there's a lot to consider to know if the number you set as a goal is sustainable; that number shouldn't just be an arbitrary one. To help your revenue goals be more sustainable, in this episode I'm sharing things to consider in three different areas of your business: - time constraints - monetary needs - the *other stuff* you started the business for Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If you're feeling really excited about all the changes and plans you have in mind for next year, this episode will hopefully help you follow through on them in a sustainable way. On the other hand, if you feel overwhelmed at even the thought of making big sweeping changes for the business just because a new year is coming up, I think this episode will help you feel better about wanting to take small steps toward improving your business. In this episode, I share 6 reminders that I hope help you navigate end-of-year/new year's changes and updates in a way that feels good to you and your brain. Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
What if we didn't view balance as something we need to achieve? The concept of work-life balance is often talked about in a way that's unhelpful and makes it feel unattainable – especially for business owners. Viewing balance in a different way might make it easier to experience. In the episode, you'll hear about 1. Two unhelpful "facts" about work-life balance that make it seem impossible 2. A different way to view balance that makes it more accessible and easier to create 3. Five things you could consider as ways to increase balance in your life as a business owner Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If you've ever felt like making tweaks and pivots in your business makes others see you as flaky, inconsistent, incompetent, or like an imposter, this episode is for you. In the episode, I share - the story of how I got that judgmental voice in my head - all kinds of things I've tweaked in my business(es) despite that voice - two benefits of regularly tweaking and experimenting in your business (and life) Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
Does the thought of making space for a holiday break from your business make you sweat a little? Don't worry, you can totally step away from your business without having to sacrifice all the hard work you've done so far; it just takes some planning and prep ahead of time. The 5 tips I share in this episode help you - reduce your workload in the week(s) leading up to your holiday break - reduce worry and guilt about the business when you're enjoying time with family and friends - stay away from your laptop, just like you've planned Minimum Viable Effort blog post: https://jennahellberg.com/blog/minimum-viable-effort-for-small-business Blog post version of this episode: https://jennahellberg.com/blog/5-ideas-to-prep-your-small-business-for-a-holiday-break Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
It can be surprisingly hard to let go of things that you've put a lot of time and effort into, even when they aren't currently serving you. So I wanna talk about something that I did earlier this fall - I removed ALL but two of my Youtube videos. We're talking over 100 videos that I created over the course of about 1.5 years, starting in fall of 2019. I thought that sharing why I did this might help you with some decisions you're making in your business when it comes to letting go of the stuff that's been around for a while but isn't serving you anymore – whether that's long-form content, an offer you've held onto forever, or something else that took a lot of time and effort. Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
What do you do when you want to show yourself that working less doesn't have to mean a decrease in revenue, but your monthly numbers don't always help you out with that – and you're tempted to work a bit more to hopefully avoid a dip in your numbers, instead of stepping away from your laptop? Let's talk about a few ways that you can look at your numbers differently. I recorded this episode as a response to a question I got during the High Achiever Experience training. In the episode, you'll hear - Danbee ask what to do, when you want to trust that working less doesn't equal a dip in revenue, but your numbers don't always support that theory which can make it hard to work less - 3 reasons why monthly sales numbers don't tell the full story - 5 things that can help you look at your revenue metrics through a different lens Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
So, how do you keep showing up for your business when you're burned out? It depends. If you're a regular listener of Building Balance, you know that I don't like to share super prescriptive advice here since I feel like I need to know you and your situation better before I can start to tease out solutions with you. But what I can do here is share what are the kinds of things I'd keep in mind, or take into consideration when finding potential solutions – and I hope that these 5 questions can help you get started with managing that burned-out feeling. Shownotes: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/076-how-do-i-show-up-for-business-when-burned-out Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If you've ever felt frustrated about a “proven” strategy or framework not working for you, this episode can help you understand why they haven't worked – and in which cases it might be better to work with someone who customizes their approach or the strategy to you. In this episode, Cassie Widders of The Social Self podcast and I break down: - why "proven" cookie-cutter strategies, frameworks, and tactics aren't a good fit for most people - why it's so easy to get sucked into them (over and over again) - why they might not be worth it, even if you get the result you were promised - how to identify if [the thing you want to do/create/update] requires a more personalized approach that takes *you* into account, or if a cookie-cutter approach might be all you need Cassie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassie_widders Cassie's website: https://cassiewidders.co.uk Listen to my guest episode on The Digital Wellness podcast, episode 28: https://cassiewidders.co.uk/escaping-hustle-culture/ Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
What if it's just normal not to be able to give your business 100% of your attention all the time? We all go through periods of time when *big life stuff* takes priority, while the business might not get as much love as it usually does. It doesn't mean that you're not doing a good job, that you're not amazing at what you do, or that you don't care about your clients. If you go through seasons in your business when you feel guilty because you're either a) not giving it quite as much attention as you'd like to, or b) you're not as productive as you'd like to be, I hope this coaching chat with Kinsey Stribe of Feel Good Social helps you give yourself a break. Within a short span of time, she's sold her home, moved, *and* planned a wedding – which has affected how “productive” she's been on the business front. We chatted about a healthy, non-toxic way to shift your thoughts from worry and guilt – plus a concrete way you can clarify which tasks to keep up with in your business when life is busy. This topic is pretty common for my coaching calls. Sometimes we spend a good chunk of time understanding why my client is feeling the way they're feeling, or behaving the way they're behaving. Often understanding what's going on unlocks either creativity and energy in them, or it's what they need to talk through in order to feel good about giving themselves a break instead of being “on” 24/7. Catch Kinsey's podcast Feel Good Social here: https://feelgoodsocial.com/podcast Say Hey to Kinsey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feelgoodsocial/ Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If you feel like you're being pulled in a million different directions right now, and you're busy all day but don't see the progress or success you'd like to, it might be time to reduce your workload. In this episode, I share the many, many benefits of a reduced workload – and you might be able to enjoy them without sacrificing revenue or the quality of your services. Go here for a transcript: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/073-you-but-with-a-reduced-workload Episode mentioned 059: Jenny's client experience interview: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/059-reduce-busy-work-as-small-business-owner Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
Does hitting a revenue goal matter, if the way you made it happen isn't sustainable? $10k months (or 6-figure businesses) are talked about *a lot* in the online business space. In this episode, I share the cautionary tale of the first $10k month in my photography business. I'll talk about two things that made it unsustainable in terms of replicating it over and over, as well as whether or not I needed to bring in $10k/month in the first place. Go here for shownotes: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/072-my-first-10k-month-wasnt-sustainable Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find current free resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
What do you do, when there's a marketing activity you love doing in your business, but it takes up more time than you'd like it to? If you've been around for a while, you know that I like to declutter tasks and activities in my business that aren't making an impact. So today I thought that I'd share the three questions that are helping me make a decluttering decision I'm making in my business, which I hope will be helpful as you're making hard decluttering decisions in your business. Episode 057 about the ecosystem: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/057-increase-productivity-as-small-business-owner Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find mentioned/current resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
Popping into your feed with a bit of an announcement: Instant Insight, the audio course I've been working on over the summer is finally ready! Course details: https://jennahellberg.com/course In the lessons I cover why nothing's actually wrong with you when you can't follow through on the things you want to do why being a high achiever may be part of what got you into trouble with your productivity how being human affects us all in terms of getting things done and following through a holistic approach to identifying what's causing your struggles (we dive into my ecosystem) insight into why some solutions you've tried haven't worked (even if they fit a part of the ecosystem) what your next steps are, when you understand what's going on If you're struggling with getting things done, with staying focused, or with just trying to manage all the things you need to do, this course can help you uncover and understand what's going on. Understanding what's going on is the first step to figuring out solutions that will actually work for you long term.
When we struggle with following through on what we want to do, we tend to ask ourselves "What's wrong with me?" In this episode, I walk you through why focusing on that question often isn't helpful, and what you could ask yourself instead to find better answers – and solutions. Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find mentioned/current resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
Are you setting goals – or making wishes? That's what I'll dive into in today's podcast episode. You'll learn 3 reasons why traditional goal setting can set us up for disappointment, and a different way to set goals that you have more control over. Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find mentioned/current resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
What if instead of feeling bad about not being productive on your first days back from vacation, you'd take the opportunity to improve how you operate? In this episode I talk about a couple of things that can make it hard to settle back into work, even if you're generally someone who's ambitious and gets things done. Then I'll share 8 ideas for how you could ease back into work while preparing for the coming months – before you're back in a routine. Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find mentioned/current resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
This week I've got something special for you – I've asked a few fellow business owners to come on the podcast to share a tip that helps them spend their work time more productively, so that you can pick up what sounds good to you and save yourself some time. You'll hear from... KINSEY STRIBE, social media marketing expert and host of the Feel Good Social podcast**** Website: Whttps://feelgoodsocial.com/ Freebies: https://feelgoodsocial.com/freebies STACIE MITCHELL, coach and host of the Something Even Better podcast Website: https://www.staciemitchell.com/ SEO cheatsheet: https://www.staciemitchell.com/seo DEVIN LEE, Online Business Manager Website: https://www.devinlee.com/ Elevated client journey workbook: https://cheerful-knitter-5221.ck.page/cab42e3100 CASSIE PATON of Mettle&Tonic, copywriter Website and free home page assessment: https://mettleandtonic.com/ SOLVEIG PETCHY aka Petchy, brand strategist and host of the Brand it! with Petchy podcast Website: https://petchy.co/ Branding checklist: https://petchy.co/checklist/ And then there's me – JENNA HELLBERG, coach and host of Building Balance Website: https://jennahellberg.com/ Free weekly task planning template: https://jennahellberg.com/weekly
What if there was a simple way you could shift your thinking, so that you would feel more capable as you grow your business? Psychologist Jenna is by the mic today! I'm going to share a mindset tool that you can use to set yourself up for resilience in your business – and well, in your life. And in case you're worried that this will be one of those icky toxic mindset things… Well, this is not that. Please stick with me. The article I referred to in the episode: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/04/psychologist-shares-the-top-skill-that-sets-mentally-strong-kids-from-those-who-give-up-easily.html Ecosystem episode: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/057-increase-productivity-as-small-business-owner Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find mentioned/current resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
I'm going to share a few things that I wish I had known about being a solopreneur. I probably still would've started my photography business even if I knew these things up front – but I would've approached business differently. At least knowing these things now helps me think about business and the things I do differently – and I hope they'll be helpful to you too. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 045: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/045-productivity-for-entrepreneurs-and-creatives Episode 049: https://jennahellberg.com/episodes/049-frustrations-of-a-business-owner-results-dont-match-efforts Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find mentioned/current resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
This episode is part 1 of a conversation I had with Stacie Mitchell (Something Even Better podcast). In part 1, we discuss how social media marketing is costing small business owners in a few other ways than just time. Read shownotes here: https://jennahellberg.com/blog/social-media-marketing-and-the-true-costs-for-small-business-with-stacie-mitchell In part 2 we talk about how you can figure out where your marketing time is best spent, whether that's on social media or elsewhere. We also dive into what we've found works best for us and why –– super helpful to listen to especially if you've been feeling a bit crappy about or disappointed in social media lately. Find part 2 on the Something Even Better podcast or Stacie's blog: https://www.staciemitchell.com/blog/how-to-market-yourself-without-social-media-with-jenna-hellberg Stacie's SEO cheatsheet and training: https://www.staciemitchell.com/seo Stacie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/staciemitchell/ Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find mentioned/current resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
If you often find that things don't go to plan, or that you're not getting to the work you'd actually *like* to do, there are a few little things you can shift in the way you plan that could make a big difference. I didn't want to bring you just another episode with planning or productivity tips that you've heard a bazillion times before or that you can easily find on Google. I wanted to instead talk about a few things that I haven't, or that have been very rarely mentioned in productivity or time management resources I've seen. A side note: even though the title of the episode is “common planning mistakes”, I'm not here to say that you're doing something “wrong”. The three things I'm about to share with you are things that are the result of how planning and time management are often talked about, especially in in hustle culture, which is what many of us have been subjected to and thus it's the way we think we should be doing things. So I'm hoping that you don't feel like I'm pointing fingers at mistakes, but rather shining a light on just a few key things you could shift to make planning, and sticking to plans, work better for you. Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find mentioned/current resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
Feeling the pressure to get things done can actually make us less productive, not more. So what can we do to reduce the pressure? In the episode, you'll learn an uncommon approach to batching, tips for making your to-dos feel manageable, and a trick that helps you feel less pressure even if you don't change anything in your plans as a result. Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find mentioned/current resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com Want to leave me a note? You can do that here: https://jennahellberg.com/note
So far in the summer refire, I've talked about how you can create a schedule that works for you, and I've hopefully helped you shift our thoughts from feeling like schedules and plans are boring to seeing just how helpful they are in making it possible for you to spend time on the things you actually want to spend time on. I wanted to bring in this episode, as I 100% believe that it's important for your productivity that you feel enjoyment in your workweeks – not just on the weekends or not just when you get to go on your once-a-year vacation. The topic of enjoyment falls under the WHOLENESS part of the productivity ecosystem, because research shows that when we feel well, when we're happy, we do so much better with everything we put our energy into. And if you have no idea what I'm talking about when I mention the productivity ecosystem, you can go back a few episodes (to episode 31) to get the basics, or read the blog post: https://jennahellberg.com/blog/increase-productivity-solo-business-owner **Giveaway** You can win a one-hour pick-my-brain session with me. You can ask me aaaanything when it comes to your productivity, schedule, work-life balance – anything within the realm of things I usually talk about here on the podcast – and get personalized advice. There are two ways you can enter the giveaway: 1. Share about the podcast with a friend or on your social media, and either send a screenshot of the share to my email jenna@jennahellberg.com or DMs, or share about in IG story and tag me @thejennahellberg so that I can see. (If your account is private I may not see the story; in this case, send a screenshot of it to my DMs) 2. Write a review about Building Balance on Apple podcasts, and send me a screenshot of the review. If you don't have access to Apple podcasts, you could leave me/the podcast a note here: https://jennahellberg.com/note If you do both, you get two draft spots in the giveaway. Out of everyone who shares and/or reviews within the month of June 2022, I'll pick a winner on July 1st and get in touch with them (hopefully you!) by July 5th to schedule the pick-my-brain session. Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find mentioned/current resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com
In the last summer refire, I walked you through how you can create a schedule that works for you, your life, and your business. For some, creating a schedule might actually feel pretty fun and exciting, BUT following through on it might be hard, or it might feel boring to have your weeks planned out. In this episode, I'll walk you through 8 ways that planning and routines and schedules and structure can make your life more flexible and enjoyable. I'll also talk about *why* many of us can feel like schedules and structure just don't work for us. I thought that this topic falls well under the SISU part of the productivity ecosystem, meaning that motivation is a key ingredient in being productive especially when we don't feel like sticking to plans. And if you have no idea what I'm talking about when I mention the productivity ecosystem, you can go back a few episodes (to episode 31) to get the basics, or read the blog post: https://jennahellberg.com/blog/increase-productivity-solo-business-owner Having structure and routines in place is suuuper helpful in training your brain to learn when to be productive, and when it's ok to just relax and breathe. If we don't have clarity on how we want to divide up our time, there's a risk that we kinda try to work, or think about work stuff all the time, but maybe don't always spend that time productively – and then we feel like we just have to keep putting off winding down for the day. So, let's dive into the summer refire. Podcast episode mentioned in this episode: https://jennahellberg.com/podcast/005-three-reasons-why-sticking-to-plans-is-hard **Giveaway** You can win a one-hour pick-my-brain session with me. You can ask me aaaanything when it comes to your productivity, schedule, work-life balance – anything within the realm of things I usually talk about here on the podcast – and get personalized advice. There are two ways you can enter the giveaway: 1. Share about the podcast with a friend or on your social media, and either send a screenshot of the share to my email jenna@jennahellberg.com or DMs, or share about in IG story and tag me @thejennahellberg so that I can see. (If your account is private I may not see the story; in this case, send a screenshot of it to my DMs) 2. Write a review about Building Balance on Apple podcasts, and send me a screenshot of the review. If you don't have access to Apple podcasts, you could leave me/the podcast a note here: https://jennahellberg.com/note If you do both, you get two draft spots in the giveaway. Out of everyone who shares and/or reviews within the month of June 2022, I'll pick a winner on July 1st and get in touch with them (hopefully you!) by July 5th to schedule the pick-my-brain session. Don't forget to grab a screenshot of the episode and share/say Hei on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thejennahellberg Find mentioned/current resources here: https://jennahellberg.com/resources Check out my services: https://jennahellberg.com
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