The Digital Glue Podcast

“Success is no accident. It's hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing.” ~ Pele   Welcome to Episode 100: Celebrating 100 Digital Untangling Episodes We've been talking a lot over the past through years through the hub of our virtual home, The Digital Glue podcast … And today, we've reached a major milestone -- its our 100th “untangling” episode today! This is a significant achievement for any podcast, and it's a testament to the hard work and dedication of the show's not only Team VU as the host, but all of you -- our wonderful listeners – for all of the support and engagement. The Digital Glue podcast became our newest virtual home a few years ago as we wanted to place sole focus on all things digital, from the latest technology trends to the impact of digital on our daily lives. Our show has covered a wide range of topics over the past 100 episodes, including productivity and organization, creativity, working from home, team and network building, building relationships with your clients (and a better one with yourself), social media and AI, and oh so much more. One of the things that sets our podcast apart from other tech and entrepreneur podcasts is the show's emphasis on storytelling. We believe we have much to share and to toot our horns for a mere moment … a talent for taking complex concepts and breaking them down in a way that is easy to understand and engaging -- all the while keeping our virtual finger on the pulse of the latest trends and developments in the digital world. Whether it's a new social media platform, a cutting-edge application, a real-life story, or sharing some ways to help make your business life better, The Digital Glue podcast always wants to be at the forefront of the conversation. As we've now reached our 100th episode, we felt it was worth reflecting on the impact our show has had on our listeners. For many, we've been a source of inspiration and a way to stay informed about the latest advancements in the virtual land in which we work and live – and make dreams come true.  Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in! 

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” Welcome to Episode 99: Becoming A Thought Leader ... Leadership is the ability to inspire people to reach a common destination. It is the wisdom to see the challenges and obstacles that are placed in the way and know that you can get around them. You may not know how or when, but you honestly believe deep down in your heart of hearts that you know you can get there. I think being a leader means that you are going to have to do things that MOST people do not want to do. You are going to have to stand up and say things that most people are afraid to say. And you are going to have to believe things that most people do not want to believe. And for the long term you are going to have to find the courage to stick to what you believe in -- and follow it through to completion. You are going to have to put yourself in front of your friends and your foes and competitors and tell them "I believe this is what we should be doing, and this is where we should be going". They might ridicule you and put you down. They might tell you that what you want to do cannot be done. But they're wrong. Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...What does it mean to be a thought leader?Why aren't everyday entrepreneurs celebrating their wins?5 tips to assist you on your thought leadership journeyThought leadership brain inducing wordsTypical thought leadership behavioursActionable steps to move towards this goalEnd thoughts and long-lasting tips to not forget Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Tell your brands real story, not it's highlight reel.” Welcome to Episode 98: The Power Of A Compelling Brand Story ... Every business and everyone behind it has a story. When done well, business storytelling gives a compelling reason for your audience to buy from you. But an exceptionally powerful brand storytelling experience can inspire trust between you and your audience -- and that's the main end goal we're wanting you to go for. Why?Because brand trust can be the vital difference between someone choosing you or your competitors instead.After many years of working with different business right across the globe, we noticed that this is where most struggle … finding a true authentic way to connect with people. And we truly believe that storytelling is the answer that bridges that gap. Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...The 3 Ss of brand storytellingInteresting statistics on brand trustHow to build brand trust and set expectationsTop steps on creating follow through4 key traits to drive away stale content Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Marketing is telling the world that you are a Rockstar, content marketing is showing the world that you are one.” ~ Robert Rose, Author Welcome to Episode 97: Plug n' Play Content Strategies ... As we all know, we are living in the age of information. Yet despite this advantage we're all still starved for more knowledge. Your audience know what to do when they see your content (if it's done right!) but in the very same breath, they don't know what they need to know all because they're just plainly overwhelmed with all the scrolling content in their feeds. So, give your audience what they want – and deserve -- by focusing on one BIG IDEA at a time that solves their pain points. Because when you do, it won't be the idea they will be attributing their success to, it will be YOU! Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Common goals through plug n' playThe “Buy-In Conversation” checklistOur favourite “plug n' play” content strategiesCreating with the 80-10-10 rule Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“A bad website is like a grumpy salesperson.” Welcome to Episode 96: 7 Ugly Truths A Pretty Website Can't Hide Websites can have many functions and are typically designed around a particular topic or purpose. Website design is also a collaborative effort with the main goal being a finished product that will effectively communicate a specific message and create productive interactions with the intended target audience. Think of things this way … your website is the center of your digital eco-system, like a brick-and-mortar location, the experience matters once a customer enters, just as much as the perception they have of you before they walk through the door.To have a better understanding of all the parts and puzzles pieces that go along with having one -- and one that's done right here's what we will be untangling in this episode ... 6 key concepts and elements you should consider6 signs your website needs workThe first 5 things folks see when they first land on your siteBad websites = bad businessVU's ultimate website launch checklistAre you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“People are hurried. The average person worth cultivating has too much to read … They are not going to read your business talk unless you make it worth their while and let the headline show it.” ~ Claude Hopkins Welcome to Episode 95: Capturing Pain Points With A Great Headline! Let's be honest for a moment here … We all want to be seen and heard. It is gratifying, empowering, and makes us feel valued. We want others to get who we are and to hear our ideas and valid arguments, even if they don't agree with us -- though, of course, we'd like that as well. What we may not realize is that the best way to get our point across is often counter-intuitive, to be successful we must try less and listen more. By doing this, your point (or idea) will become more vivid in the recipient's mind. Short, simple and sweet. Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Creative ways to get your point acrossFollow the 3C's (clear, concise, consistent)Capturing attention with subject linesTailoring your message to your audience6 key characteristics every great headline should havePointers on capturing pain points in headlines Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in! 

Give value. Give value. Give value. Then ask for business.” ~ Gary Vaynerchuk Welcome to Episode 94: The Psychology of Pricing ... I don't know about you, but I truly feel that there's something magical about January ... It's not only the start of a new year, but it also feels like a great time to turn to the next chapter in business. We personally aren't ones to make resolutions, but we do strongly believe in keeping on top of our goals. So, this month, we encourage you to revisit YOUR goals, adjust if necessary, and put your plans in motion! Psssst … it's also a great time to splurge a bit on yourself and buy a new planner and some fun stickers that inspire you to keep on track. Digital planners or calendars are great, too, but there's just something about writing things in a visually appealing planner. And speaking of planning and revisiting goals, we wanted to start with a different kind of topic in the realms of your price point and the psychology behind it all as there's truly no better time than now to re-evaluate you worth.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...The psychology behind the numbersLeaving imposter syndrome behind youLeading with decision-based principlesEvaluating your current prices and putting things into playOur “untangling” checklist for upping your prices Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“We see our clients as invited guests to the party, and we are the hosts. It's our job every day to make every important aspect of their experience a little bit better.” ~ Jeff Bezos Welcome to Episode 93: The Ultimate Customer Experience ... We're baaaack …. with ONE MORE “untangling” episode for the year. And while we had much to ponder on this year in the realm of topics, we wanted to end 2022 off with something WE ALL deal with every. single. day.Our CLIENTS!Whether in your day job or working in your own business, have you ever run into a slump of working with the “wrong” people? Clients who don't understand your personality? Value your traits or expertise? Take you for granted? Expect you to be available on all devices at every hour of the day? And just plain ‘ol drain you emotionally? These pain points can be a real downer. And sometimes make one wonder … why even bother? (*le sigh!) I could sit here all day and share all Virtually Untangled's client “horror stories” with you from over the years -- and many more from my time in the land of 9-5 -- but then this would turn into an award-winning novel. (HaHa!). So instead, I am going to take the hard-earned lessons from those stories and share some details alongside a list of the greatest tips you will ever need to know in order to help you create the ultimate customer experience for your clients – which will in then turn make your life much easier too. Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...How to treat your clients like partnersHow to empower your team to deliver ideallySetting clear roles and responsibilitiesSetting clear boundaries (with examples)Why mindset matters – to everyoneHow to exceed THEIR expectations, not your ownConsidering their complaints as gifts Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“That's' been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex; you have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.” ~ Steve Jobs Welcome to Episode 92: The Science Of Simplicity ... Have you ever wondered why Steve Jobs always wore the same black turtleneck or why the founder of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher, eats the same cheese and crackers every single morning? The reason these successful entrepreneurs simplify could be due to the same reason a cloud of smoke swirls and dissipates in the air or why the universe is expanding …   Running a business comes with many stressors; from finding clients, to generating leads and making sales, or even managing a team (virtual or in-house). And it can sometimes feel like that list just goes on … and on … and on!But there are always ways to make your business less stressful. And you're in luck because today I have some pointers for you! Yes! You heard right … pointers on the science of simplicity! Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...The day in the life of an entrepreneurExploring and re-exploring your “WHY”The power of creating simple automationsVU's TOP LIST of simplicity tricks Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Social media is not just an activity; it is an investment of valuable time and resources/ Surround yourself with people who not just support you and stay with you, but inform your thinking about ways to WOW your online presence.” ~ Sean GardnerWelcome to Episode 91: 10 Social Media Etiquette Rules You Need To Stop Breaking Social media is long past for just socializing anymore. It has become an extremely important and powerful business tool. And with all tool usage, there comes some rules. As an entrepreneur, it's incredibly important to make sure you follow proper etiquette while online. This can easily save you from unfortunate social backlashes that could damage your online reputation --> for life. With pre-teens up to senior citizens being online, it is hard to shield yourself from a careless Tweet or Facebook post gone wrong. And we want to help you achieve social greatness and not get nipped in the butt with a rotten post. Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Key benefits to using social media for businessKey benefits for your brand on social mediaThe “bones” à 10 etiquette rules to stop breaking Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Most people use excuses to cover up mistakes, but it takes less time to do our best to do something right the first time.” ~ Robert Cheeke Welcome to Episode 90: 10 Deadly Startup Mistakes to Avoid ... We all know that being an entrepreneur is exciting yet sometimes scary and a heck of a lot of hard work! In my experience, it's a bit like a washing machine -- rinse n' repeat -- the longer you've been in business. Now, don't go thinking that by me saying “rinse n' repeat” that what I do is entirely boring me to death as that's not at all what I mean … It's about finding what works for you, creating a solid yet actionable plan, staying organized, and all fitting nicely into some sort of a solid routine.Now, I've been “rinsing n' repeating” for quite some time. That got me to thinking that I would take today's Digital Glue “untangling” episode to boil down some of the biggest lessons and deadliest of mistakes, I have learned about building and growing a business, no matter what your niche is.Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Top 10 deadly start-up mistakes to avoid (and how)How to create some work-life balance (it's real!)Image and manners; business etiquetteAre you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Burnout is what happens when you try to avoid being human for too long.” ~ Michael Gungor Welcome to Episode 89: 10 Tips For Dealing With Creative Burnout ... The creative industry is a highly competitive one. And as an artistic soul, you put so much time and energy, and heart into your creations. (Whatever they may be.) And these even more pressure to get it done, and done right, when your livelihood depends on it – and clients too!No creative individual wants this to happen to them, and yet, burnout happens to almost everyone at one point or another in their life. So, what does it mean when you wake up one day and realize you don't have the gumption to do this anymore? How does it make you feel knowing the projects you used to deem as fun and challenging, now feel utterly pointless and drab? How do you stop feeling mentally exhausted? Overwhelmed? Underwhelmed? Languished?  That being said, here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Symptoms to watch out forUnderstanding the “why” behind your feelingsLearning to release the shame behind the roadblockHacking perfectionismAvoiding languish by re-evaluating your routine … and oh so much more!Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“The advice I'd give to somebody that's silently struggling is, you don't have to live that way. You don't have to struggle in silence. You can be un-silent. You can live well with a mental health condition, as long as you open up to somebody about it, because it's really important you share your experience with people so that you can get the help that you need.”  ~ Demi Lovato  Welcome to Episode 88: How Creatives Manage Mental Health ...  Sadly, the nature of the artistic industry -- with its economic precarity, critiques, and “winner takes all” reward structure -- can contribute to a heck of a lot of anxiety, depression, isolation, and stress. But thanks to the dismantling of discomfort around discussing mental health issues, it's becoming less taboo to talk about these troubles we as creatives have been experiencing. (Alongside everyone else.) I feel that the link between mental health and creativity is ever so poorly understood. So, today I wanted to keep things short and light with 12 tips to inspire you in your own pursuit of creativity, calm, and clarity.Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“You don't have to be positive all the time. It's perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared and anxious. Having feelings doesn't make you a negative person. It makes you human.” ~ Lori DescheneWelcome to Episode 87: It's A New Era For Mental Health! Mental health is important. In reality, it has always been important but with the state of the world today, it's even more important now more than ever!The world has been in shambles for a couple years (and counting) now. There is endless amount of heightened pain and suffering and it sadly doesn't look as though that's' going to change any time soon.... the never-ending pandemic ... new strains of scary virus' popping up ... bad governments, politics, and conspiracies ... the war between Ukraine and Russia ... truth and reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples ... the floods across the USA and Afghanistan ... droughts across multiple areas of the world ... riots and rallies and endless bouts of racism … rising grocery and gas prices due to a recession.  All this pain and suffering is not something empaths like myself are able to take lightly. Even though it's not all personally happening to us, we feel #AllTheFeels as though it is. We're highly attuned to everything around us at quite a deep emotional level. And that makes it very hard to function at a "normal" level. So, we need to take action on an entirely different level in order to not let the world take us down.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...What to do to protect your mental healthWhat's been going on over here on our endMental health facts and statistics (recent)How to keep your entrepreneurial spirit aliveTo Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Failure isn't fatal, but failure to change might be.” ~ John Wooden Welcome to Episode 86: Failure Is Not An Option ...!Failure is an inescapable part of life and business and a critically important part of any successful life. It's about accepting said “failures” and making room for improvement.Failure is not an option.Defeats and failures happen often in the land of entrepreneurship. More often than I care to admit. However, we should do our best to not let them get us down but regard them as milestones instead. We can choose to wallow and let said moment define us -- perhaps even forever. Or we can choose to look at it as room for improvement and a temporary setback as we continue our journey. In short, we gotta refuse to lose. Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...A poem about failure not being an optionWhen did we subscribe to failure as a bad thing?Three (3) means to overcome failureRe-cap: deconstructing failureHow to manage failure (aka. room for improvement) Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” ~ Benjamin Franklin Welcome to Episode 85: How To Go From Zero To Hero In No Time ... Life sure comes a long way in the blink of an eye. Especially in business.Before we know it, that to-do list has gotten away from us and all of those “fun” projects we set out to do are now collecting virtual dust … either in a project management platform somewhere or within the spider webs of our minds. For me, it's trying to keep up with #AllTheThings because I dream big, and those big dreams usually come in bundles -- my creativity gets the better of me sometimes. LOL! If you're anything like me, you sometimes feel like you are letting yourself down when you can't accomplish everything you want. You have taken on more than you can handle because you're ambition if life is SO HUGE that you just can't contain it. So, whether you're a creative individual, an entrepreneur, a DIY'er, or a go-getter, let me tell you … all you set out to do in life is possible. No matter what you are feeling right now.My main goal for todays near year-end “untangling” episode is to reach out to folks -- just like you! -- who dream of change. For folks who want to go from “zero” to HERO in their business life. And also, to those who are more often than not, too terrified to step out of their comfort zone.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...The difference between ‘want to' and ‘have to'The power triplets: planning, productivity, and time managementThe soul sisters: goal digging and determinationThe key ingredients: passion and forever being curiousThe conquer twins: breaks and grace Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Pain plus reflection equals progress.” Welcome to Episode 84: Dealing With Self-Doubt As An Entrepreneur People say that entrepreneurs are crazy. And well, maybe they're a tad right! However, we are the ones who change the world AND get to live our dream doing it ... purpose, change, freedom, and maybe even a little fame. And due to those factors, it seems that more and more people want to become an entrepreneur. And with all that lifestyle greatness that comes along with the title, why not?However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows! I'm not going to sugar coat things … Being an entrepreneur is hard! Practically. Emotionally. Psychologically. Physically. And it's not for everyone -- and that's okay. But you must keep your entrepreneurial flame alive and do whatever it takes to keep that flame from burning out. Entrepreneurship isn't as “sexy” as it sounds. And we need to learn to accept the fact that there are loads of things we can't control -- no matter how badly we want to. And one of the not-so-sexy things about entrepreneurship is when self-doubt comes a knockin' on our virtual doorstep …! Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Why self-doubt is a natural human emotionHow you can conquer this inner demonThe hard truth on rising levelsMy open-hearted letter to you (resiliency) Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“I believe anything is possible. I see opportunity when others see impossibility. I take risks. I am focused. I hustle. I know that nothing is unrealistic. I feel overwhelmingly loved. I embrace my childlike wonder and curiosity. I take flying leaps into the unknown. I contribute something bigger than myself. I create. I learn. I grow. I do. I believe it's never too late to start living a dream. I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR.”Welcome to Episode 83: 7 Productivity Strategies Backed By Science ...I know I've been dropping loads of content the past few weeks on hustling and productivity, but it's with good reason. During the last business quarter of the year, it's not uncommon for productivity to take a nosedive. The holiday season is creeping in quickly, you just got off summer vacation and are already thinking about all the year end holidays, with a fresh new year is right around the corner. You may even be dwelling on all the goals you set out for yourself this year that have yet to be accomplished and you're starting to feel stressed, panicky, overwhelmed, maybe even a big of languish, and your productivity keeps nosediving as you're not quite sure where to place yourself and when in order to do #AllTheThings so your left feeling accomplished going into another new year …That being said, I'm here today to help save you from yourself with 7 (yes 7!) productivity strategies – backed by science – so you can end this year off right – and save your sanity while doing it. Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Project managementThe art of list makingThe siren calls of emailTime and technology (re: inbox detox)How to learn the art of “untangling”Renewing your faith … in yourself Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“If you do the same thing every day at the same time for the same length of time, you'll save yourself from many a sink. Routine is a condition of survival.” ~ Flannery O'Connor Welcome to Episode 82: Freakishly Effective Ways To Be More Productive!Last week we talked about how we fear we're forever stuck living in a world filled with major stressors and never-ending to-do lists -- which can be maddening some days and truly difficult to find time to just do, well, #AllTheThings while also trying to keep our sanity to also fine mindfulness time to do absolutely nothing. I also dropped a quick mention on how getting things done also tends to feel a like a drug. We live in a fast-paced world that's filled with beeps and boops, reminding us that we need to keep doing and being, thus the “addiction” to the joyful feeling of striking those to-do's right off our list. Alongside a huge sigh of relief to have one less thing to worry about.Today I want to stick to this topic, and next week too with “Productivity Strategies Back Up By Science” before we switch gears into the last couple months of the year. However, today I want to take a crazy FUN twist with freakishly effective ways to boost and be more productive. Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...10 “freakish” tips to be more productivity“Tough love” traits to live byThe journey of entrepreneurship Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“When one has much to put into them, a day has a hundred pockets.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche Welcome to Episode 81:Doing Nothing Is Not The Secret To Productivity In a world filled with major stressors and never-ending to-do lists, it can be truly difficult to find time to just do, well, absolutely nothing. While it's all fine and dandy to take a “time out” once in awhile to do nothing -- as it's one of the best things you can do for yourself. The flipside of this in the business world can be treacherous to your goals and end game. Sometimes we need to push past the ache and urge of nothingness to make real headway.To some, myself included, getting things done is a like a drug. We're addicted to the feeling of striking those to-do's right off our list. Being productive gives me a rush of exhilaration. It energizes me, inspires me, motivates me, keeps #AllTheThings in perspective -- and in order -- and helps me reach my goals -- and those of my tangled clients. So, while living in the realm of nothingness once and awhile is good, it's not a good habit to create, nor is it the secret to success. Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...The low-down on time managementHow to boost productivity to enjoy guilt-free relax timeHow to stop feeling “the need” to keep growing your to-do listHow to FOCUS on priorities and growth (and why)Chris Bailey's “A Life of Productivity” (introduction) Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most people over-estimate what they can accomplish in a day, a week, or even a year -- and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade!” ~ Tony Robbins Welcome to Episode 80: The Nitty-Gritty On The Word “Hustle” … In a world filled brim-to-brim with busy-ness, beeps and boops from all our devices, endless distractions, and addiction to hustling, there is merit in taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. That's why I'm here with you today, to dig deep and share our experiences and findings of the nitty-gritty on the word “hustle”.  I used to think this was a normal routine exclusively meant for folks stuck in their 9 to 5 jobs -- which is a good chunk of the reason I ran from mine. But since brining Virtually Untangled full circle from part-time to full-time, I realized that wasn't the case. And that exhausting routine remained intact. And everywhere I looked, alongside everyone I talk to living this entrepreneur lifestyle are all suffering from the very same culture … the “hustle pandemic”. We feel the need to always be productive on something … working harder, stronger, faster, and endlessly as if our dream list of to-dos is really going to end one day. And when it does, we'll look at that blank piece of paper and think, “Gosh darn, I did it!” But in reality, to grind this hard and exert ourselves to maximum capacity and beyond each and every single gosh darn day in order to accomplish our life-long dreams beyond lightening speed, matches that of the digital world we've built around ourselves. Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...What does a “hustle pandemic” look like?To hustle, or not to hustle?!How to break the hustle cycleA time blocking method that actually works7 tips to plan better productivity daysAre you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Clutter (in all its forms) is nothing more than postponed decisions.” ~ Barbara Hemphill Welcome to Episode 79:What Virtually Untangled Can't Live Without …  Who doesn't love a good solid freebie or downright awesome resource that's been tried, tested, and true by someone else with virtual street cred! We all love something that helps with our day-to-day that has no frills or little to no cost … a good solid resource to make our business better! And really now, who doesn't love when a business owner shares all their secrets? As you all know I'm a giant nerd and a huge keener when it comes to productivity, organization, and creativity. Some may feel it's a control thing. And I guess in a way it is. But it is so much more than that. These important business elements in our type of entrepreneurial lifestyle can only be beneficial when they help us increase our bottom line … profitability, lower our operational costs … teamwork and automation, improves customer service … social media and our website, reduces burnout and enhances our well-being, and also assists us in optimizing our day-to-day (and sanity) through platforms and resources so we can seize the opportunity for growth and keep #AllTheThings in order. Thus, creating balance.We all have our own secret stash of favourite productivity tools, programs, and platforms, alongside a trusty list of tips n' tricks that help us organize our to-do lists, manage deliverables, keep our clients happy, our team happy, and make our day more wonderful and productive than the last. But today, there are more tools, apps and programs geared toward business owners than ever. Which sometimes make it impossible to choose without wasting hours researching the “best of the best”.So, today I thought would be the perfect opportunity to share a mini Digital Glue episode with you of what makes our world, well, go round and our job of "untangling" our clients and ourselves oh so much easier -- with a list of our favourite "can't live without tools"!Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow …'” – May Ann Radmacher, Author Welcome to Episode 78:The Fearless Pursuit To Setting Your Soul On Fire Entrepreneurship isn't always the sexy, glamorous career path it has been made out to be. But it's also not about giving up and the last man or woman standing when everyone else has fallen by the wayside. But with ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable. We must use #AllTheTools in our toolbox … willpower, commitment, perseverance, courage, determination, creativity, and leadership -- all the while having terribly thick skin and a drive to become fearless in our pursuit so we can set our souls on fire!  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Why creatives see the world so differentlyWhy pursuit of your “in-the-zone” creative life is importantHow to become a thought leader in today's worldBrain inducing words to share you message with impactHow a mental “checklist” can help your journey (and what should be on that list) Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“You're supposed to be working ON your business, not IN your business.” ~ Lyndsey Dueck, CEO of Avustaa + Honorary VU “Untangler” Welcome to Episode 77:Deluxe Dream Life - Work Balance Reality CheckWe're baaaack – after a mid-year hiatus for Summer and a bit of virtual detoxing!Welcome back to The Digital Glue podcast as we run out the year with some pretty exceptional topics to help your business grow -- on all fronts!So, as some of you read today's episode title you're probably thinking “Nah … no friggin' way. Nuh-uh, not fricken possible!” And I know this as there's been lots of Facebook lives, Insta videos, other bloggers and vloggers chatting, and marketing campaigns from other entrepreneurs saying the exact opposite. Well, I'm not here today to tell you they are wrong. I'm just here to explain how this work-life balance CAN be possible. It really truly can. But to get started, the power must first be within you, and you must want it -- in order to get it. Work-life balance is a concept that describes the ideal of splitting one's time and energy between the office and other important aspects of one's life.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...10 simple tips to finding work-life balanceAn orderly list of every day resources to help your business grow Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“There are no guarantees in the arena. We will struggle. We will even fail. There will be darkness. But if we are clear about the values that guide us in our efforts to show up and be seen, we will always be able to find the light. We will know what it means to be brave.” ~ Brene Brown, author of Daring Greatly Welcome to Episode 77:Fear, Failure And The Mystery of The Creative Life Human happiness is a perplexing topic to delve into. It would seem obvious, but it's not at all. And that's why today's special “untangling” episode is an important on as we're going to deconstruct fear, failure, and the mystery of the creative life. Then we're going to put our digital glue selves on hold for the summer months (this is not good-bye forever, just for now) as we take a break so we can gear up some new “untangling” goodies for you for the last quarter of 2022.But don't worry … We'll be back on Tuesday, September 6th with even more amazingly inspirational “untangling” topics, just like this one.  So,  here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Deconstructing FEARDeconstructing FAILUREDeconstructing the mystery of the CREATIVE LIFEMy personal TOP TIPS for surviving those not-so glamorous daysCreative living words of wisdom – from yours truly Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“By making the decision to be a boss over a bitch, that decision is half the battle.” Welcome to Episode 75:How To Be A Boss Without Being A Bitch!As women, we haven't always had the best role models in the business world. More so now of course, but not always. In the big bad world of business, we've either worked for men, been stomped on by them, or we've had women bosses who are, well … giant ass bitches. As women, we still don't have much of a roadmap when it comes to taking charge -- we need to learn to own our role of queen bee, and in such a way that we can mentor more than manage. To become someone who is inspiring, offers value, leads, supports, and motivates … all at the same time. If you think about it, it's quite the badge of honor.Women entrepreneurs often have a harder time than male entrepreneurs because we're naturally inclined to be more nurturing. This means we tend to put other people's needs before our own, which then tends to lead to burnout and a lack of time for ourselves, our passions, and our own never-ending to-do lists. Soooo …  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...How to set expectations, be real, listen and be fairHow to keep your emotions in checkHow to not be a slave to your businessHow to stop selling yourself short (re: comparison)Why it's important to stop apologizing all the timeWhy it's important to put your superwoman complex asideHow to truly reconcile the stereotype of being a bitchy boss Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“A professional troublemaker is someone who is committed to being authentically themselves while speaking the truth and doing some scary shit.” – Luvvie Ajayi Jones, The Millennial Grind Welcome to Episode 74:Becoming a Fear Fighting Professional Troublemaker As an entrepreneur, one must be ready to take all kinds of risks. Fearless ones, that go against the flow by thinking differently than other people -- you know, the keep calm out of the box kind! I honestly believe that everyone one desires is on the other side of fear. Think about it … What would your business life be like if fear never held you back from doing #AllTheThings you wanted?When we think of our businesses, these ventures we have put our hearts, souls, and money into … We set high expectations. We dream big. And sometimes that means we strive to be perfect! We want to do it all. We want to be it all. We want to know it all. And sometimes that can create a storm of needless strain and bury our goals and dreams under piles of directionless tasks and to-do lists longer than the eye can see. We get ourselves all … Well, tangled! And that's not badass!  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Entrepreneurial #Hacks to fight your fearsWhy you don't need permission to follow your dreamsHow a little confidence can go a long wayHow to #Hack the “haters” and bad behaviourHow to note let “rules” define your success Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” – Dalai Lama Welcome to Episode 73:How To Manage Clients Who Become g-g-g-GhostsGHOSTING! Sadly, it's a real thing in the business world. That's right folks, just like the culture of “swiping right” on Tinder and all those other dating apps, ghosting isn't just for the dating world anymore … It has spilled over into the professional aspect of our lives, with negative consequences. And it hurts!We're virtually stuck in a “no face-to-face communication -- no responsibility” aka “out of sight -- out of mind” generation. It's like an internet virus of the people …! And in our virtual opinion, we feel this should never happen in the business world.It's also not all that hard to search for subtext when you get no response, and your inbox is hearing crickets. And if you're anything like me, your brain takes you in a million different directions, none of them happy ones … “Why don't they care about their actionables and business as much as I do, when it's not even my business?” … You're not quite sure when they will come back to say, “Hi, I'm back -- and I need these projects done by end of day today … tomorrow …” Or if they're even coming back at all.Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...How and why it's best to just let it goWhy they became the ghosts you once knewWhat you can do when they magically returnHow we ease the pain of being professionally ghostedPatterns of a virtual cancellation society Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Dealing with team members can be difficult. But NOT dealing with them can be worse.” Welcome to Episode 72:How To Fire People And Reclaim Your Joy! It's the age of virtual living; you could very easily (and all too often) feel defeated and depressed just watching what everyone else is accomplishing, while you're feeling stuck in a joyless rut on the rinse n' repeat cycle. Some days, our self-worth plummets and as well as know too well, it doesn't take much to go down the rabbit hole in a spiraling combination of self-doubt, self-loathing, and low self-esteem. As it turns out, enough of these days over here has helped us figure out a solution (with just business joy itself, or when it comes to letting someone go from your team); we must safeguard our levels of happiness, motivation, and joy! So, in order to pony up and reclaim your joy, here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...How to become aware of emotional triggers (and what they may be)How to be more mindful of your reactions3 simple less stressful ways to fire people (and reclaim your joy!)How to be clear when hiring and firing Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma -- which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” ~ Steve JobsWelcome to Episode 71: How Many Hours A Day Do You Waste?Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won't. So that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can't. What has helped me succeed is creating a story around my business. Something people can relate to. It's not all about fancy cars, lots of money, and endless trips to the spa. Even though all those things are pretty darn nice! It's the human-side of things … making your passion come to life! And beyond a good story (which helps make content creation oh so much easier!), is automation, automation, automation. And an endless list of helpful “untangling” tools and resources!Ready for some tips and resources to keep your sanity with a virtual pep talk?Then let's get started! Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Important things Team VU learned on our “untangling” adventuresHow to bring brand storytelling to the forefront of engagementAutomation, automation, automationWhat automation could look like in your businessA peak inside Team VU's virtual toolbox Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“You either master money on some level, or money masters you.” ~ Tony Robbins Welcome to Episode 70:Budgeting 101 - The Power of Broke I have a long background in the arts (both digital and with paint) and have also worked with my fair share of non-profits, so I feel like I know a thing or two about being broke. And it's not fun! But sometimes struggling can give you a different perspective on things and can help heighten your creativity. Bringing that feeling of really being alive.I truly feel that there are many ways for one to be creative -- thinking outside the box, making things work with limited resources, using old things in brand new ways and so on. In fact, creativity is born out of necessity. If we don't have it, we figure out how to make it. Not all the right ingredients in our pantry? We improvise and (hopefully) come up with something that tastes even better. And since most of us entrepreneurs have been here at one time or another, we felt this daunting topic of money, would be a great idea to side-step into. Just think of today's episode as a little story about breaking up with debt so-to-speak.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Simple ways a lack of mullah can benefit your MuseTricky spending habits and budgeting 101The planning process for budgeting on a budgetHow to easily overcome client price objectionsA **BANG!** for our buck on resources Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Without strategy, content is just stuff, and the world has enough stuff.” ~ Arjun Basu Welcome to Episode 69:Send in The Robots - How AI Makes Content Creation EasierWhen it comes to making content creation, AI “robots” can make your life a heck of a whole lot easier. And save you a ton of time too!Did you know that by 2027, the AI market is expected to reach over $267 Billion?WOWZERS!!!!Data is power and when it comes to content creation, it can help you be more effective in the long run with all your efforts.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...8 benefits to AI-powered content marketingAI tools to help you bypass dreaded writer's blockOur top 5 content creation tools and resourcesHow Team VU can help with your content creations Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Social media requires that business leaders start thinking like small-town shop owners. This means taking the long view and avoiding short-term benchmarks to gauge progress. It means allowing the personality, heart and soul of the people who run all levels of the business to show.” ~ Gary Vaynerchuk Welcome to Episode 68:Is Your Content Calendar Running on Empty?I'm assuming if you're listening to today's “untangling” podcast episode because you're branding is looking ready for the runway, your voice is utter perfection, and you're feeling like an entrepreneur superstar who is ready to take your next steps in marketing-land with social media.Quite honestly, I've been hitting the pavement hard for many years finding all the right strategies and using my brand as the tried, tested and truth to #AllThings marketing. I've been working hard at figuring out the tools and strategies that help businesses, of all shapes and sizes, succeed with their brand, and am here today to share all that glorious hard-earned information with you.So, even if you've already hit launch and already took many careful steps into the land of social, don't worry nothing is permanent. That's the great thing about technology nowadays! Whether you're new to social or a social veteran, you'll find everything you need to know about getting your business social media ready right here.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...What questions to ask yourself about the lay of the landCreating a solid, organized social content calendar4 “untangling” content calendar tipsHow to get the most from your content collaborationsPlug n' play content strategies Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“There are three responses to a piece of design … yes, no, and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for.” ~ Milton Glaser Welcome to Episode 67: 7 Important Questions to Ask Your Designer … With an abundance of easy to use, drag and drop design and web tools available at your virtual fingertips, you might be wondering, “Why should I hire a graphic design professional when I can just try to learn to do it all myself?”.As a business owner, you are always being pulled in many directions. One of which being, how to spend your marketing budget. Truthfully (and we both know it), you don't have time to take on the world by trying to learn new programs and tools on how to professionally design everything your business needs. Especially if you're a start-up … you already have enough to worry about. Plus, it is not only about the design itself but also how your market it to the world. So, when it comes to building your brand, hiring a graphic designer needs to be a big part of the discussion.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Why it's important to have a designer in your back pocket7 important questions to ask your designer before hiring themOnce hired, how to get the best from your designerWhy paying people peanuts, will get you monkeys Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Workaholics aren't heroes. They don't save the day, they use it up The real hero is already home … Because they figured out a faster way to get things done.”  ~ Jason Friend & David Heinemeier Hansson Welcome to Episode 66:Get Your Creativity Working Smarter, Not Harder! Creativity is innovation's spark. It starts with a problem needing a solution, or an idea that may solve a problem we didn't even was had. Creativity is the process of putting your imagination to work. And unfortunately, even if your imagination is working hard, it might not be working as smart as it could be. You're not trying to be more creative; you're trying to unlock your natural potential, establishing a creative frame of mind, nourishing your ability to ask questions, and using simple techniques to help train your mind to use both sides of your brain to think outside traditional parameters, and be smarter about your working habits. And today, I'd like to help with that … So, here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Knowing the true purpose of the processCreative inspiration for those dreaded “block” daysSolid project management that facilitates creativityThe importance of visual and linguistic exercises Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Good design is about making something intelligible and memorable. Great design is about making something memorable and meaningful.” ~ Ditter Rams Welcome to Episode 65: How to Design In Canva Like a Guru! As the saying goes … “good designers don't use Canva”. But that's not necessarily true and a bit of a stigma in today's design world. In my personal and professional opinion, fully trained designers should know BOTH! I truly do believe that graphic designers and Canva can (and should) coexist! Think of things this way … Canva is like the McDonald's drive-thru of design. It's cheap, efficient, easy to use, and utterly satisfying when in a crunch for time. So, whether you're a designer who needs a quick fix, or a newbie to the land of design and marketing for your business, today I'm going to share with you some helpful design “untangling” tips to give your designs the *POW!* they really need -- and in such a way that it's not recognizable that you're even using Canva at all.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...8 types of can photo searchable terms you need to know4 major Canva integrations to make your life easier5 steps to creating transparent text effectsHow to create text masks for imagesHow to design a powerful presentation (for PowerPoint)A lovely bundle of need-to-know design tipsAre you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Marketing is no longer about the stuff you make, but about the stories you tell.” - Seth Godin Welcome to Episode 64:Why Good Design Needs To Tell A Story ...There's always room for a story.Graphic design is a subjective process and there is no set-in-stone "right-way" to go about it. It is a process of understanding, having realistic expectations, patience, and excellent communication (aka. “the story”) that will go a long way towards a successful outcome. Every small business needs to work with a graphic designer from time to time to create marketing materials, and if it's not managed well, it can be very time consuming. From personally working extensively on both sides of the fence, the story is just as important as the images shared along with it.So, why does good design need to tell a story? And why is storytelling so dang important? To find out just that -- and more -- here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Why storytelling in design mattersWhy colour psychology in design mattersHow to design to leave an impression on social mediaWhat your website should not do (or have) on itHow to create a perfect customer journey on your websiteHow to leave an overall lasting impression with your marketing Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“It's the ‘emotional aftertaste' that comes after an experience (even a second-hand one).”  - Ze Frank Welcome to Episode 63:Brand Mistakes You're Making Without RealizingYour business' brand identity is the torch that lights the way. It provides messaging, a voice and direction, becoming sort of an umbrella under which, all elements are shaped. If your brand identity was created using a flawed process, it could be damaging your business' chance of success. And you surely don't want that!A brand is not just your logo, a website, or your business cards … it's an experience. So, to help alleviate these issues either before they happen, if you're just starting out, or before you get to ahead in the “game”, here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...How to define your brands' personalityPersonality, voice, and tone … what you need to knowHow to be consistent in your communications5 ways to humanize your brandAre you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” Welcome to Episode 62: Imagine a World Without Spell Check …?!Yes, some of us still remember the life before automated spell check, where if I wanted to check my spelling, it required a dictionary by my side. And a thesaurus too! But nowadays, even verbivores can't imagine a life without it. It's handy and free and prevents us from making a lot of embarrassing mistakes.If you think about it, with the amazingly wonderful ever-growing waves of technology, this was one of the earliest conveniences that technology had to offer as it's something we always have at the tip of our fingers with ease. I personally feel it makes writing so much more pleasurable … And without our automated friend, we would have to take extra time to double check our work which would decrease our level productivity. Can you imagine the amount of time that would take? With the variety and number of written pieces we send out into the world on a daily basis, I couldn't even possibly imagine that time suck!Soooo …. Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...20 common errors humans are making on the dailyFree proofreading tools to help your workflowQuestions to keep in mind while editing your creations11 proofreading tips to mix n' match to your likingWhat spell check doesn't catch Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“The stress itself will kill you faster than the stressor will – unless you do something to complete the stress response cycle. While you're managing the days' stressors, your body is managing the day's stress. It's absolutely essential to your well-being that you give your body the resources it needs to complete the stress response cycles that have been activated.”  ~ Emily and Amelia Nagoski, Authors of ‘Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking The Stress Cycle' Welcome to Episode 61: How To Escape Your Inbox …Are you feeling overwhelmed by your inbox? Are old emails just sitting there making you feel bad? Are you tired of wasting time searching for what you need? Are important emails slipping through the virtual cracks? Are you feeling frustrated and lost, wanting control over your inbox again? Truth bomb … This was me for a while.Backtracking to 5 years ago when I pushed VU from part-time to full-time, I felt as though I was constantly rejigging my inbox strategy looking for better ways to manage my email accounts (yes, unfortunately like most, I have multiple). I found all kinds of well-intentioned email advice and courses. However, all the advice I received just added up to a cohesive system that just didn't make sense. But I'm excited to share, that frustration is long gone, and our nerdy organizational ways have yet once again saved the day!So, today I am going to share with you just that … our tried, tested, and true tips that helped my team and I (and our amazing clients who we've helped with inbox stress as well) from being buried in virtual info and getting to "inbox zero".  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...How (and why) to only touch each email onceHow to use properly use “search operators”How to stop repeating the same emailsWhy you should designate a “throwaway” inbox for spam Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“If the most unique ideas were obvious to everyone, there wouldn't be entrepreneurs. The one thing that every entrepreneurial journey has in common is that there are many, many steps on the road to success.” ~ Tory Burch, CCO of Tory Burch LLCWelcome to Episode 60: Let Me Out Conquer Fear And Build Resilience Real change is difficult at the beginning, but gorgeous at the end. Change begins the moment you get the courage and step outside your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.Some people say that entrepreneurs are crazy. And maybe they're right! Crazy motivated, crazy smart, crazy passionate. We are the ones who change the world AND get to live our dream doing it … freedom, purpose, and change. And due to those factors, it seems that more and more people want to become an entrepreneur. And with all the lifestyle greatness that comes along with the title, why not?However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows!You're going to make mistakes, and you're going to be told by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people that what you're trying to accomplish simply can't be done BUT it's our “crazy” strategies and tactics that are going to change the world.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...What resiliency is and how to build it like muscleThe power of my story … creating Virtually UntangledTips on being courageous and conquering your fears Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret to success is found in your daily routine.” ~ John Maxwell Welcome to Episode 59:Behind the Scenes - A Life of Organization Embarking on the journey towards entrepreneurship is exciting when envisioned in your mind but can be very daunting and demanding when materializing your ideas. Let me clearly state that being an entrepreneur is not for the faint hearted or those who are mentally weak. This type of career path will highlight your strengths and your areas in which have room for improvement (as we truly dislike the word “weakness”) and will force you to focus intently on bettering yourself to find success.So, let me ask you …Are you tough enough mentally and emotionally? Are you prepared to work unbelievably hard and constantly keep a competitive mindset on how to better enhance yourself for success?This is what entrepreneurship demands of you on a continual basis. Make sure you are completely prepared and mindful of what awaits you as a hopeful entrepreneur.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...6 “tough love” tips to assists you on your journeyThe importance of creating a to-do listWhy it's not just about getting organized, but staying organizedHow to create a simple stress-free environmentHow getting organized can save your life (health benefits) Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Regardless of rank, people need the freedom and permission to raise their hands during a meeting to say ‘I disagree,' or ‘I think differently.' And they must know their opinion will be heard -- in fact, regardless of position, everyone on your team deserves to be heard. Everyone in a meeting should be considered equals.” ~ Cameron Herold, Author of ‘Meetings Suck' Welcome to Episode 58: It's Time To “Mind” Your Meetings …!  You are probably much like me in thinking “oh gosh, not another meeting!” or a secondary meeting to talk about the details of the first meeting. Maybe even a third. Especially thinking back to how the past handful of years have been with Zoom being necessary and all the rage with the “work from home movement” due to the pandemic. We do not want to feel like we just lost a handful of minutes (or maybe even hours) of our day when we could've been doing something else to make the business world in which we live run smoother. And we most certainly do not feel as though our to-do list just got pushed to the wayside yet again due to another meeting that didn't present anything relevant. We want these meetings to be productive …  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ... It's all about the P's, R's and S'sMinding your manners in the virtual video world9 Simple virtual meeting do's and don'tsVideo fatigue, teams, and systems Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“If you don't make the time to work on creating the life you want, you're eventually going to be forced to spend a lot of time dealing with a life you don't want.” Welcome to Episode 57:Laser Focused Time Blocking Tips! I do my best to guard my time fiercely. Which may sound a bit extreme, but it's honestly one of the simplest and most effective tactics for anyone to live by (especially entrepreneurs). Why? Because the demands on our time are greater now than ever before. Especially for those of us who own a business. With information coming at us in each direction at a rate faster than we can digest it, responsibilities handed to us faster than the speed of light and trying to find as many ways as possible to get each daunting task into our day!But there is a way to get more done of what you need and want with less distraction. And that's what we want to share with you today.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...6 “rule of thumb” time block tips5 steps to staying productive and laser focusedThe low-down on time management woesMaking your dream a reality (review, new goals, and a plan)Creating annual themes and time for self-care Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Replace excuses with effort, replace laziness with determination, and everything else will fall into place.” Welcome to Episode 56:Want To Kick Start Your Productivity? This week's “untangling” episode is a compliment to last week's where I broke down how to become a #GoalDigger into simple steps such as: the art of making affective and achievable lists, creating and implementing an action plan in order to use your time wisely for maximum impact, and how to gauge your success realistically and effectively. Keep those things in mind to now kick start your productivity!I'm going to make this short n' sweet today since productivity goes hand-in-hand with everything I shared with you last week, and due to the fact that the handful of episodes coming out over the next few weeks compliment the next one, and the next one, and the next one …  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...How to get your priorities straight and not get “lost in the weeds”How I personally plan and schedule my days (with passion)How to kill your virtual distractions and get things doneHow to become the master of your own time Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

"If we want to cultivate hopefulness, we have to be willing to be flexible and demonstrate perseverance. Not every goal will look and feel the same. Tolerance for disappointment, determination, and a belief in self are the heart of hope.” – Brene BrownWelcome to Episode 55:It's Time To Become A #GoalDigger ...! Fact. Did you know that almost 90% of people don't regularly finish their daily to-do lists?  We know by now, you've probably read a million blog posts, listened to a million podcasts, and skimmed the surface of a trillion of so articles about this very point talking -- the power of goal setting and how to let yourself dream all the while set big milestones for yourself. You're probably exhausted with the thought of it all by now, especially since we've just entered another new year … But today's “untangling” episode is going to be a different twist on this thing we call goals …!Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...The art of making effective / achievable listsHow to use the Eisenhower method with your action planStarting simple with your back-up action planWays to use your time wisely for maximum impactHow to gauge your success realistically and effectively Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

"Never let your emotions overpower your intelligence. Real bosses don't let their emotions get in the way of business.”Welcome to Episode 54: How To Separate Emotions From BusinessManaging one's emotions can mean the difference between flourishing and floundering. So, if you want to be a successful entrepreneur (because being on truly evokes all the emotions) it's very important to learn to control your emotions, so your emotions don't take control over you. With that in mind, have you actually ever wondered how many emotions a human can actually experience? Well, amazingly … it's about 34,000!!!No wonder we sometimes experience issues recognizing and articulating them, especially when under all the pain point pressure owning a business creates! Let's be honest … we live in an era where the hard earned “entrepreneur” title is paraded around like a badge of honor. And truthfully, it should be as this lifestyle (even though freeing) is tough as shit! So, as entrepreneurs we need to accept that there is a lot of things we can't control. And that being me to the topic of today's “untangling” episode!  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Why entrepreneurship isn't sexyTop 7 emotions we as entrepreneurs feel intenselyA deep dive into each of the 7 (intense) emotionsHow to recognize and act professionally with your emotionsHow the pandemic is affecting entrepreneurs globally Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“A comfort zone is nothing but a belief, a mere reflection of your thoughts. You desire something, better yet you fear change. Self-doubt will bind you there, belief is all you need.”Welcome to Episode 53:The Skinny On Personal Development  The importance of personal development can't be overstated. It is truly the secret sauce that separates you from the rest of the pack. It is the bridge that carries you forward and towards your inspiring goals. No matter what your niche, as an entrepreneur you're singularly focused on productivity and problem solving. You're a hustler who works as hard as possible and as fast as possible for as long as you can -- hopefully without crashing and burning -- because the outside world perceives you as a Rockstar. We live in a culture of “I don't need help; I can do it on my own” but in the end you're only risking your emotional and physical well-being.  What I'm trying to get at here is that every single entrepreneur struggle with personal development. While juggling the day-to-day balancing act … [ where the f*ck is the sun? Am I right?!] … There's just not enough time. So, my plea to you is to step outside your comfort zone and start engaging yourself in meaningful self-growth practices and expanding your mind through every learning opportunity you can get your hands on -- big or small.Because life begins at the end of your comfort zone …!  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Why professional development is an important mindset7 things you can make part of your everyday lifestyle5 courses you can take to get you to where you want to go Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Creativity allows us to stretch our minds, do new and exciting things, and engage ourselves in a way that takes us one step closer to reaching our full potential.” Welcome to Episode 52:Unlocking Your Hidden Creativity ...I honestly do not know one creative person who isn't doing multiple things or aspiring to do yet another. This is the true path to being a creative individual. Our minds never stop, even when we're sleeping (or trying to fall asleep). As a creative individual I find I have a great deal of energy, both mental and physical. I can spend hours working on a single project, whether it be designing, painting, or DIYing. Doing these things holds my attention at a very deep level that nothing else truly does, while remaining enthusiastic about the next step, next brush stroke, and of course … next big idea! So, I guess you can call it what it is … I am a realistic daydreamer!I like to daydream and imagine all the possibilities and wonders of the world around me. I tend to immerse myself in imagination and fantasy, yet due to my design background, remain grounded in that which is real. And that's how I found my style! And those around me tend to agree. I tend to be BOLD or ITALIC but never regular (haha, bit of graphic design humor). Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Understanding me, your host, as a creativeWhy you don't have to choose one path over anotherWhy -- as a creative -- you need a business planHow to write a business plan for a creative service businessWhat steps you'll need to go from plan to action Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Being an entrepreneur isn't just a job title, and it isn't just about starting a business. It's a state of mind. It's about seeing connections to things that others simply cannot, seizing opportunities others won't, and forging new directions that others haven't even pondered on.”Welcome to Episode 51:30 Things Being An Entrepreneur Taught Us!Starting a business is not always as easy as it sounds. Some may even say it's the hardest things they've ever done. There's a lot of long days filled with as much caffeine as your body can handle, endless meetings, piles of paperwork, strategy pow-wow's, difficult clients, wonky platforms, sleepless nights and tired mornings all to rinse n' repeat again the next day. Possibly even a few weekends too! However, through all that, every breathing moment is quite exhilarating -- even while tackling the pain points to grow your empire. We may not feel those awesome “save the day” superhero moments every single day, and that's okay. It's all a part of learning and growing.  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...30 things being an entrepreneur taught usHow to wake up and feel inspired every dayMy open-heart letter to YOUAre you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!

“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won't, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can't.” Welcome to Episode 50: If We Only Knew … Expectations vs. Reality Hindsight is great; we all know that. What can you do with it? Well … there's no use beating yourself up over things you could have done differently, if only you had known … [you fill in the blank]. Being an entrepreneur is f'in HARD!!! No, I am not whining. It is just a cold, hard fact that being an entrepreneur can be difficult. To some, it may be the hardest thing they've ever done. But I still wouldn't change it for the world, especially now that I know #AllTheThings I now know …!  Here's what we will be untangling in this episode ...Expectations versus realityThings we wished (and learnt) we knew when we startedManaging difficult client and time (yours and theirs)Things to be mindful of moving into business years 2.0+Building strength, survival, and resiliency Are you ready?Pop in your awesome earbuds and let's dive in!