Donna 0:02
So let me guess you've got big goals, stacks of ambition, and you're taking bold action on growing your business. But from time to time, things don't always go to plan. Firstly, let me tell you, this is completely normal. You are not alone. And it happens for me too. It also happens for every business owner that I know. But it's also really hard to shake off the disappointment and not spiral into that pit of self doubt, isn't it? So today on the podcast, I have a guest for you, who brings some incredible insights and suggestions to support you with strengthening your resilience and overcoming adversity to help you reach your highest potential. This is the shiz in business podcast, where every week I'll explore topics and have real conversations around what it's like to run a regional business, the advantages and the unique challenges. I'm Donna Han, a seasoned regional business owner, and certified high performance business coach. I'm here to make training and professional development easily accessible for regional business women everywhere. So join me and guest experts as we share tools and insights to elevate your business, boost your mindset, and ensure that you never feel alone on this journey. No matter where you live. I'm fired up and I'm here to educate you on what it truly takes to grow your business and your mindset beyond what you thought possible. Ever Walkinshaw is a transformational coach dedicated to empowering women to unlock their full potential and achieve their dreams. With a signature program called the clarity catalysts, she helps women gain clarity around their lives, overcome obstacles and take bold actions towards their heart's desires. As a one on one coach, she works closely with clients to develop personalized strategies for success. And her morning magic membership promotes and creates a supportive and uplifting community for women seeking to cultivate inner strength and resilience. So whether you're stuck in your career, struggling with self doubt or simply seeking greater clarity and direction in your life, Emma is committed to helping you overcome obstacles, unlock your inner strength and unleash your full potential. And she is here on the podcast. And I'm so excited to have her here. So welcome Mr. To the she's in business podcast.
Speaker 2 2:21
Thank you, Donna. Delighted to be here. I've been excited all weekend really connect with you and chat all things business and mindset. So thanks for having me. You're so
Donna 2:31
welcome. So let's kick things off. Will you tell us a little bit more about you? And your business journey?
Speaker 2 2:38
Yes, gosh, I started in business when I was 23. So if my first business was a hairdressing salon, and I was in that business for five years, and as much as I really enjoyed the salon, I then became a mum. And of course, things shift and working six days a week didn't quite fit the mum mold anymore. So I sold that business. And then later on, I went into business with my husband. So during that time of being a mum, I was a contractor. So I trained long term unemployed people. So a lot of contract work. So that was really working for myself as well, because you chose your kind of hours. And you said yes to run courses or not. So I enjoyed that. And then my husband and I went into business, and he's a town planner. And we've still got that business today, it takes up still a bit of my time. But I mostly now focus on my coaching. So when I trained long term unemployed people, I realized that mindset was everything. So I could bring a long term unemployed person through a retail, you know, search and retail or a cert three in business. But it really wasn't about that. It was really the mindset stuff. So I started to study as a life coach, while I, I trained long term unemployed people, and then started to use a lot of the tools that coaches use to help them I guess, unlock those little things that were really holding them back, which wasn't, you know, wasn't really about the job. It was it was all the other stuff. So that's how I got into coaching. And it was just a great skill to have. But to be honest, I really learned the art of coaching when I was a hairdresser. So I feel like that's a really where I learned lead the art. And then it was just you know, I continue on from there. So as I do I work with my husband, Brendan, in the town planning business, a small point in that part of the time, but I had a bit of a pivotal moment back in 2016. So I'd been we're in business I'd been doing a bit of coaching, but Ken was going but what really is my angle on coaching. So I took a beautiful trip to India with Jennifer grace, who then became quite pivotal in what kind of coach I wanted to be so the clarity catalyst is my signature grams. So just like you said at the beginning, it really is about getting unstuck and finding clarity. And I know that seems pretty broad. But mostly for women, I feel we know what we need to do, but we just need to shift some of those blocks or belief systems. So the clarity catalyst is a beautiful aid work program. And I didn't write this program donor, this is actually from the Stanford University in America. So it is tried and tested and just a great program. So I deliver that. I also do one on one coaching, and I run retreats, you've probably seen India next year.
Donna 5:39
I was like, How do I get my I've, India's on my bucket list. And it's not on Troy's bucket list. He's got like a weird, different blog, I'm Mother, you know, always up for personal development, as well as professional development, like always reading books about different topics on that kind of thing. And, you know, spirituality is something that, you know, I think we should have, whatever that means to you. To me, it's just like connection with people is my spiritual kind of thing. And so, India is just one of those places that the, I don't know, just the colors and the culture. And I don't know, I it's just been on my bucket list. And when you showed up that you were going to be like, Oh, Could I but just time isn't going to align for me. But if you do another one, I'm gonna be like, how do I make this work?
Speaker 2 6:34
Yeah, next time next day. And you're exactly right. Because for my husband to India wasn't on his bucket list. So great, because we get to you know, go with the ladies and have like you say, it's quite a spiritual journey in the sense that we're going to go to Rishikesh, which is the beautiful yoga capital of India, and we do the Golden Triangle. So yeah, that's the other thing. I run retreats for women. That's the other thing. And then of course, my morning magic program, which is a beautiful little morning practice. That's very, very simple. But I think for a lot of women in business, and a lot of women full stop, we don't tend to start our day. Peaceful we are usually boom, right into the to do list organizing kids. And yes, we've got to get things done. But if you can start your morning, and I call it 21 minutes a morning magic, it's it's literally seven minutes of yoga, seven minutes of meditation, seven minutes of journaling, and then that sets your day up, ready, set your compass ready for the day. So I say I'm a spiritual jogging partner. And of course, I'm a yoga instructor as well. So you know, I had the studio for I forgot that bit about business. I had a studio for three that I sold that much. It's not funny how I've totally just yet gone. Oh, that business. Yeah, I also had that business, too.
Donna 7:52
Yeah. So yeah, that's an example of as business owners, we go, yep. Done next, and you just keep moving.
Speaker 2 7:59
Yeah. Yes. That's fine. I had a yoga studio. So yeah, so that's pretty much that's I hope that's succinct enough to let you know what I do on it and how I work with people in the world. Yes, yes.
Donna 8:13
And I've got some really juicy questions for you today. Really juicy questions, which I know our listeners are going to enjoy. But before I jump into those questions, what I would love to do is just add a little bit of context as to why you're here. Why I invited you to be on the show. And that is because you are a guest expert inside soaring to success, which is my membership for regional business women. And I want to speak a little bit about why I created soaring to success, the membership, why it's so important, and then why it was important to have you in there. And then that'll give context to the rest of our conversations and the questions that I'm going to ask. And really important to point out that this membership that I've created for regional business women was designed completely intentionally. So it didn't happen by accident. It was 12 months in the making in my head before, you know, it became something that I released to my existing clients. It was all in my head, it was on a planner on the wall. And I kept adding to this pool of ideas over time, you know, listening to what my clients were asking me for and what they needed. And then we did an internal launch. So my existing clients that I've been working with, I offered it to them first back in January. And it's been going really, really well. And so now I feel like it is time to release it to the rest of the world and to share the incredible resources that are available within there with everybody and to continue to build on that which is what the memberships all about. So I built it to make sure that regional business women can master their business skills and their mindset really rise above the competition and supercharge their business growth. And, you know, what I've found myself as a regional business owner is that isn't always those things that your fingertips when you're in a regional area and to travel to the city to get those things is expensive to get there. And it's time away from your business whilst you're traveling. And whilst you're there, and it's time away from your family. And it can be like, pretty crazy, right? So I'm like, How do I build that for regional business women and have it accessible anywhere, anytime. And that's where I came up with the membership. So for main things, I wanted it to be a hub for regional business women to connect with other like minded women in business, because as you know, we've talked about this, it can be really lonely in business. And, you know, it's important to feel understood and heard and seen. And I think also to gain perspective from other people in business to know that your the, maybe the things that you're tripping up on inside of your business are actually quite normal. Because it can sometimes feel like, it must just be me. And therefore, maybe I'm not cut out for being in business, maybe I should give it all up like and so when you're in that trench of your own business, and you don't have the opportunity to see the trenches of other people's businesses, to kind of bring that perspective, I feel like that's really important, you know, does, it prevents you from getting really stuck up in your head. So community was really important. The second key piece that I wanted to make sure was there was 90 Day planning to have that strategy to make sure you're moving your business forward, and you're not just spinning your wheels all the time. The next piece was around accountability to have a business coach at your fingertips. And you know, I know that you do this with yours as well, and making sure that you've got that person, that key person, you can ask the questions, to get the answers to get that guidance. Really important there. And then the fourth element, which is where you come in, was the live monthly master classes. So you know, I guess it's kind of like an extension of these podcasts in going really deep on a topic that, you know, is carefully chosen to help you within your business. So you can walk away with actionable steps and put into your business straightaway. And so, you know, I make sure there's a monthly masterclass either on business or on mindset. And the other important reason for doing this every month is because and let me know what your thoughts on this are Mr. as well. The world of business is constantly changing and evolving. I agree. And so we need to keep on top of what's new on what's happening and keep in that growth, learning phase when it comes to business. And so that's the other reason why I've got this element in here. So you were brought in because I wanted to make sure there was business topics really important. But the other element, which I found, is sometimes not always included in other business programs is the mindset piece. Yeah. And so our July focus was on strengthening resilience and overcoming adversity. And you were the guest expert that I invited in to talk about this topic, and you're absolutely fabulous. So thank you so much. And I love that we've got it recorded in the library so people can access it, you know, if they join in the future, you're there. So the work that you do in the mindset space in being a transformational mindset Coach, what do you think is so important for business owners when it comes to mindset growth?
Speaker 2 14:04
Straight up, I think of our voice of judgment that can step in and and when we're in that voice of judgment, which could show up in many different ways, as we know, so voice a judgment could show up as the perfectionist, it could show up as the, you know, I'm wasting time and I'm not sure what I'm meant to be doing. So that that judgment that says you're just wasting your time here. Voice and judgment can also show up as fear. Like I'm just scared to put myself out there. So if we can recognize in business when it's our voice of judgment speaking, that's the hurdle we have to get over. So I always say that the best antidote for for our voice of judgment is curiosity. And going, Okay, I'm gonna get really curious you know why I keep thinking that I'm wasting my time I'm gonna get curious about that or I'm, I'm gonna get curious about what this perfectionism thing that stops me for stepping forward or putting that, you know, offer out there. So I think that's probably the biggest piece. And that's why I love like you saying the program soaring to success a 90 day plan. Because often an entrepreneur will wake up in the morning and go, I've got a to do list as long as my arm but what do I do first? And where do I start? Yes, great strategy. You can say, well, actually, I do know because I've done my 90 day plan with Donna. I actually know what I need to do. Voice a judgment comes up perfectionism. Hang on a moment. You know, Dan is better than not done. We're going for it, then you've got that community that you can check in with and go, Hey, guys, I'm putting this offer out there. And everyone goes, go for it. Yeah. Yeah. But But I think it's definitely honing voice a judgment and getting curious around it. And having a process that can help move you through it.
Donna 15:52
Yes. Yeah. Yep. Yeah. The other thing that I'm going to selfishly take some information from you here. And I've done work on this on myself. But there's always more to do. And that's the thing with mindset, isn't it?
Unknown Speaker 16:09
Mm hmm. Yes.
Donna 16:13
I love that little giggle. You're like, yes, yes, yes. There's always more to do. I'm a goal driven person, are you a goals driven person, too?
Unknown Speaker 16:22
Without a doubt, yeah.
Donna 16:25
So as a goals driven person, I like to have that strategic plan in place. So I know that I'm driving my business forward, I'm not just throwing spaghetti at the wall spinning around in circles, which is where that frustration element comes in. Right? I want to be making progress. And so all the business activities that I do, are pushing my business to get results. And the results that I want my goals, you know, and you know, that might be growing the podcast, for example, or it might be, you know, increasing profitability in our business, which we all should be doing. And the tricky part, the thing that I really struggle with, and I'm raising this question, because this podcast is about being raw and real, and asking the questions that other people are probably thinking, is, when I've got, when I've got these strong goals, and I'm pushing towards those things, the thing I struggle with, is to let go of the outcome. And I want to unpack this with you, because it can be so convoluted. For a long time, I struggled to like I was people would say to me, you've got to let go of the outcome, like do all the work, you know, do all the actions. But then when you put it out there into the world, you've got to let go of the outcome. Because if you don't, it's not going to be what you think it's gonna like you. You just have to let go. And it never made sense to me. Because I'm like, but that is my goal. How do I let go of my of the outcome, because that is the goal. And I'm goals driven. And my 90 day plan is all about goals. And what I hear from everybody in the world of business is you've got to have clear strategy and clear goals, but then I've got to let go of the outcome. Well, how do I do that? How do I make sense of that? So can you help me to explain this concept to everyone who's listening?
Speaker 2 18:25
When you're talking through that, you know, and look, this could be a play on words, right? But that's kind of how mindset works. It is a little bit of a play on words. And it is a little bit of an unhooking a belief system. So yeah, I agree. You know, we we goals are fabulous, because, you know, if you're throwing your target on the wall, and you have no target, well, how do you know you're gonna hit it, you've you've got to define your goals. But I also believe that there is a little play on words here, and, and it's a feeling as opposed to words. So I like to think that that whole notion of letting go of the outcome, doing all the work and letting go of the outcome, expectations, and intentions, feel and sound a little bit different. So if I've got a goal, I expect, let's say, you know, the example of my focus is to grow the podcast, you have an expectation, I expect this many downloads per week per month. Expectation though, can sometimes lead to disappointment, because we're expecting an outcome. Whereas if we have an intention, I intend to reach all of these beautiful lesson listeners and give my knowledge and give my care and support and bring on beautiful guests 910 that they are blessed with words that help them move forward in their business just like me, as opposed to I expect there to be x y Zed downloads and if Not I haven't reached my goal. So I like to say intention has a little bit more of a, a letting go feeling as opposed to an expectation. And if you think about yourself, when you expect yourself to perform a certain way, that's really quite harsh language. If you intend for yourself to do your best and show up, it feels a little softer to me. What do you think? Do you see that shift?
Donna 20:28
Yeah, I do. I do. I think that the choice of Lang and it is choice of language is so important in the way that we speak to ourselves and set ourselves up for success. Right. So important. Yeah. I really liked the way that you've reframed that, and something that I'm gonna definitely adopt in there as well. Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 2 20:51
Do you feel like it softens that, like if you have a goal, an expectation as opposed to an intention? You if you think about your language, like even the example of the podcast, you know, having a goal, what is your expectation of that? Or what is your intention of that? Yeah, even even those two questions like What do you expect? What do you intend?
Donna 21:12
Yeah, it definitely does. It definitely softens it. I think the other thing that came up for me when you were speaking there as well, is that we can do all of the work and you know, have the strategy and be making sure that we're like you said that 90 Day planning helps you to not just have this list and think, Oh, what am I going to do today gives you the clarity, which is important. But when you're when you've done all the things that you know that you need to do, that you've carefully thought out, then there's also the part that is the circle of control, right? So you can do what you can do. But beyond that, it's actually beyond your control as to whether you get, for example, someone to listen to your podcast, or someone to, you know, I'm just trying to choose a slightly different example, for people who are listening, not everyone has a podcast, but you know, maybe someone goes onto your website to purchase your service or purchase your product, whatever it is that you do, you can only it's like leading the horse to water, right? You can't make them drink, they have to be ready to do the rest. So there's a part of that as well, from a mindset shift in going, I can do all of the things but I can't do everything. And therefore, I have to let go of the outcome. A bit to elect Well, you have to see I still have that a bit. I do I grapple with this, this is something that I really struggle with.
Speaker 2 22:39
I think the other thing to donor is acknowledging that, you know, we all almost have an edge that we go to so even an example of let's say, you know, we want someone to visit our website, and we want them to, essentially, let's say click add to cart, let's say in that example, acknowledging to that, I have done my very best to this level of your I haven't put up this, you know, sales page, or I haven't put out this podcast, my intention is that someone will actually want to buy from me or listen to me, that's also ever evolving. We know that this podcast and this sales page in six months time or 12 months time is going to be a new evolution of that. So in that point in time, your intention was to have the most wonderful interaction with you know, a listener or a person that comes and visits your site. But, you know, we're also you know, I love that saying we can't compare ourselves or a sales page or a podcast at someone who is at chapter 20. And you're at chapter five. Yes. So at chapter five, or, you know, the fifth year of business, I like to say chapter five, if you're five years in business, yeah, what are the 20 years in business? But you're probably right on track. You're in that chapter five moment, you know, and that's where we get hard on ourselves and go, I should have more I should have better. Yes, well, in chapter six, I would expect that you have perhaps tweaked your sales page or your the evolution of your business has expanded. But in that moment, knowing well, I set the goal. And maybe I got close to it. My intention is that and I hold my intention. But knowing that I'm also an ever evolving person, as is my business. And like you even said about that education piece business is moving very quickly. AI is moving very quickly. Life is moving quickly. So being open to expand. Yeah. And if you know that you have done that. You're right on track.
Donna 24:37
Yeah, exactly. And that is the part that's important to develop your learning around business skills is to go okay, so if i My intention is to grow my revenue by X percent, what do I need to do to it to invite as much success to that as possible and if I've done all of those things that I've just learned then that's where you can go, Okay, I'm releasing myself from this point on because I've done everything that I can to the best of my ability.
Speaker 2 25:08
Yeah. And am I willing to try new things? Because that's that, you know, Voice of judgment or fear or perfectionism? Are you willing to try new things? You know, that's the other thing that we have to really hone and harness, and that's back to that curiosity get curious. And am I willing to be curious and try something new? As we know, in business, it's not, you know, set and forget. I'm sure there are businesses that there are I haven't come across one yet though.
Donna 25:36
Sure, there is Yeah, the whole like passive income, do nothing and it will cut like, credit and they will come
Unknown Speaker 25:45
build it and then market the shin is allowed of it.
Donna 25:51
Alright, so when we come back from this quick break, I'd love for you to tell the fable that you that you shared in the guest expert masterclass that you presented for soaring to success about the farmers about the farmers because it was a really great fable that I know was helpful to me. And I've shared it with some of my clients in private sessions. And also the members who tuned in to your masterclass have said how powerful that was for them. So when we come back from the break, can you share that for us
Unknown Speaker 26:27
love to.
Donna 26:30
If your interest in the soaring to success membership has been sparked, why not add yourself to the waitlist by joining the waitlist, there is no commitment to buy, it just means that you'll get exclusive earlybird opportunity to buy before everybody else. Plus, I'll add some extra special free bonuses should you choose to join every month is something different to support you in fast tracking your success. And the best part, the investment is less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day. And not only will you get all of the upcoming future content that I have planned for you, you'll also be able to watch all of the previously recorded content that's already uploaded in the members library. And you can access it anywhere, anytime. So if you want to get in on it, here's what you need to do. Go to your browser and type www dot.ahead.com forward slash success. That's done a hand.com forward slash success. And you'll also be able to access this in the show notes. Looking forward to seeing your name pop up on the way this. Alright, so tell us the fable.
Speaker 2 27:44
So now I don't have to put a bit of context about it. Yes, I will apply it to business. And it's and it's almost back to Don't you even asking that question if I have a goal, and I want to achieve it, and I do all the things, but we know that sometimes doing all the things it's not that cut and dry, and we have to be, we have to be open if we set our intention. And we lose expectations, we have to be open for things to go the way they go. And I you know, I talk about having your voice of judgment in the driver's seat, which which won't help you at all, because it's fearful. It's perfectionist, the opposite to that is voice of wisdom. And I like to say voice of wisdom is is your intuition and when it just feels right, and you know what you know, but sometimes when we're invoice a judgment, it's a really big jump to get to voice of wisdom, you can't all of a sudden be feeling fearful and stuck in your business, then go Oh, that's it, I'm just gonna follow my voice of wisdom. My intuition will just you know, I'll know the next step. It's not that easy. So it's almost like when someone says to you, you know, you tell them problem, they go, oh, we'll just do this. And you're like, Yeah, well, I'm not quite there yet, I can't just do that thing. Like I've got a bit of a jump to make. So there's a little in between step we can take which is to get into your neutral mind. So if your invoice a judgment, you can't quite get to your voice of wisdom that feels quite free and open and you know, you you know that everything's gonna fall into place. There is the neutral mind and there's a little story that kind of depicts the neutral mind, which helps you like like we just chatted about with having a goal helps you not get so hell bent on that goal and have those expectations on yourself. So there is two farmers that live next door to each other. And one family we could say is quite judgmental and has an opinion on everything. And we potentially all have got one of these farmers in our life that has an opinion about everything you do. And sometimes in business and can be really tricky to probably stay quite neutral and stay your path when you're hearing all of this different information what you should do or what you shouldn't do or people having an opinion, you know, staying staying on your path. So far. Arma has there is one farmer that lives on the property and he has a group of horses. And one of his horses gets out and runs away. And the farmer next door, the judgmental farmer puts his head over and says to him, or how terrible is that your horse got out. And the farmer said, good or bad, hard to say. The next day, his horse comes back with another horse. So the wild horses come back, Farmer puts his head over the fence and says to his neighbor, oh, How good's that your horse come back and you got a bonus horse. And the neighbor said good or bad. And hard to say. That day the farmers boy said to him, Hey, Dad, you know that horse that we got all jump on it? And I will break it in. And the dad goes, yep, sure the son gets on the horse. He gets bucked off the horse and breaks his leg neighbor puts his head over the fence and goes, Oh, I see that horse your son got on broke his leg. How bad is that? And the farmer said good or bad had to say that day the the army was coming in collecting all the young men in the area. And they came to the home and said, Your boys got to come to war. And the farmer said, Oh, he's got a broken leg can't take him. Neighbor puts his head over the fence and says again, wow, how lucky are you your boy didn't get taken because he's got a broken leg. farmer says good or bad, hard to say. So the point of the story is we're moving linear. And when things happen that seemed to be good or bad, it's good or bad, hard to say if you can try and stay neutral and try and stay on your path. And not necessarily let things rock you know, it's and I always say it's, you know, I've had examples where, you know, not so long ago, my husband, I went to buy this commercial property and it got it got to the day of it, you know, to be unconditional and the deal fell over and I cried in my soup, it was horrible. And you know, my dad goes me in but your favorite story, good or bad had to say I said it's bad. It's all bad. And you know, in actual fact, it wasn't. We've now bought another commercial property, it's far better than the other one. But at the time, we tend to want to say it's bad. So like, you know, the example of business, you know, we have this goal, let's say we have a goal that we were launching a new product, or we have a goal that we expect our growth to be X or Y, you know, sometimes it's good or bad, hard to say we're not sure why it happens. But you can't beat yourself up, you've got to know that you just stay the path. And things do happen you on one moment, you can have you know, a terrible week in business are terrible month, next month, you can win a contract, or you can have, you know, an opportunity come up that you couldn't even conceive. Yeah. So hopefully that is helpful for our listeners to say when things that seem to be going haywire, good or bad, hard to say, keep going,
Donna 32:42
keep going 100%. The other way as well that that story has helped me is the flip side when something goes really great. And also when things go really great. Even then the self doubt can creep in because you're like, I know I wouldn't this i knew i put it out there. And I went for it. And I landed it. And now I've got to deliver Holy crap. Can I do that? Yeah. Yeah, it's not just when things feel like maybe they're not going to plan. But when things really do go to plan, or there's been an unexpected opportunity that lands in your lap, that is an incredible opportunity and really stretches you as a business owner. It can also invite that, oh, you know, can I do this kind of sense, right? And the worry in the booth, it can be intense. And this fable also helps with that as well.
Speaker 2 33:41
Yeah, knowing that you just you just keep moving, it's you know, it's good, bad, good, bad, like you just keep moving and another opportunity will come or another situation, you know, it's almost like you know, the saying this too shall pass is that feeling but if we are in our voice of judgment, at least if you can get to neutral mind, which is good or bad, hard to say and then hopefully get to voice a wisdom that is that positive frame that says now I've got this I'm gonna stay curious. I know I'm right on track. You know, voice of wisdom is a great place to be, but it's not always easy. Not easy,
Donna 34:12
not easy at all. I love that story. Thank you for sharing it. And if you're listening to the podcast, and that's really landed for you, will you please either send myself or Emma a DM? And let us know because it's the tricky thing with podcasting is you kind of don't get that feedback. Like it's not like a convert. It's sort of it's like a two way conversation but but it's not do not I mean, it's so, so strange. So let us know if you think that that's really landed for you as well. And the other thing that I know that we're sort of I'm usually I try and keep my episodes for about 20 minutes. This one is not going to be 20 minutes just saying so you might have to listen to it in two parts of your commute is like a 20 half an hour. But before we jumped on the podcast you I asked how are you you what's going on in your world. And we got onto the topic of talking about investing in yourself, because you've got a really big trip coming up. And that kind of, we had an cool little chat around that. And we said, let's talk about that in the podcast.
Speaker 2 35:16
Yes, I have got a beautiful trip coming up. But like I said, you don't like I've quite grappled with that. And, you know, this is gonna sound like such a first world problem. But, you know, it's not necessarily about what I'm about to say. But it's the feelings that on different levels that this happens to people. And yeah, we've all heard about finding our edge. And so my husband and I are off on a beautiful trip to Europe for one month. And this has been in the pipeline for years, you know, this trip, we're going to see the Rugby World Cup, the Wallabies and having a trip around Italy and France and then to Scotland. But it's been really fascinating for me, and as I mentioned to you, Donna is spending this money on this trip. And you know, I have been, you know, I thought that I was totally free and flowing around money. And you know, as we say, I've worked on my money mindset and I'm totally okay and however, coming up you to this trip and the amount of money I've spent and thinking about where my level of of spend an investment in myself and that's the reframe I've had to have have to have around this is saying that this is a reframe, saying that this is actually an investment in myself, my creativity, my inspiration, my marriage, and ultimately my business. Whereas in the past, I have absolute I don't even bat an eyelid. To spend you I mean, two different coaching programs. One is over 5000 A year and the other one from my husband night is 15,000 a year. And I don't even bat an eyelid we have educate their children privately, did not bat an eyelid at, you know, $22,000 a year spend on one child and here $12,000 spent on mother. But when it's come to actually a span some fun joy and play this trip overseas, I have really found it challenging. And you know, back to that goal, like you said, don't like having that goal focus mind. I know that every single time that Brenda and I have spent money on coaching our business does, you know, we talked about that, you know, absolutely exponentially moves forward. And I remember, you know, even back nine years ago when we got our first business coach, and my husband was like, oh, gosh, I don't know if we can spend this money. You know, it was I think that that coaching program, that coaching program was $25,000 for the year. It was and we're with them two years, we spent 50,000. And I remember when Brian and I were sitting there and Brennan said, I don't know if we could we should spend this and he's a man with four university degrees. And he says I'll just do an MBA and I said you have got to be kidding me. I said how much is an MBA gonna cost? And that's what he said or 50,000 I said, No, this business coaching is like doing an apprenticeship, it's on the ground. And we will you will learn far more than this than you will in in your MBA. Anyway, we went ahead and we did that and we spent 50,000 With that coach for two years and you know, we certainly wouldn't have the businesses we have now without that knowledge. Yeah, and I have then continued to have a business coach and we've had a business coach pretty much so we had a little bit of a break during the pandemic because you know, the world went a bit bananas and things were a bit sort of out of our kilter and business was actually was going bananas for us so that now we're going back on that coaching but I think that investment is is priceless it's actually priceless it no like I didn't even bat an eyelid with my children's education. That's how I feel about business coaching and you know I we my husband I've always put our money where our mouth is and I've done it but I wouldn't be sitting in this beautiful place right now about to go to Europe unless I'd invested in the business but now it comes to this trip to Europe and I'm almost like can I do this but I also said you too I know right now I am I am a little bit trying to drink from an empty well and I know that this trip I believe is going to be that you know injection of creativity and inspiration that I need but I don't know yet that's my intention
Donna 39:30
I'm like full circle yeah conversation but it is really powerful and I you know I hear this often like when I'm talking with either potential clients who are considering coaching or joining like you know something like a membership we go all but that's a lot of money to invest and just saying like the membership is actually less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day. But so it's afford But in saying that, you know, it can sometimes feel like, oh, but who am I to invest in myself in this way? Because it is, I think business development and professional development. It is also a personal investment in yourself, because you learn so much and you grow and, like, I'm with you the growth, and I don't know, just the expansiveness, even just a me backing myself has grown since I started on, you know, working with coaches, which was a long time ago. And I still continue to invest in myself and my business, like you do with business programs. But sometimes, you know, I do hear people say to me, I really want to do this, but I've just got to think about, like, can I invest in it? And I just feel like what you have in regards to what you're saying, it's you taking that step of courage with curiosity to go right, I'm going to do this for me and see where this leads me. You know, every time it's like, why didn't I do this before? I wish I'd done this two years ago, you know. But it is really interesting, when those things come up those thoughts come up, is not to ignore them and push them down, but actually to unpick them and figure out why that's coming forward for you.
Speaker 2 41:24
Yeah, yeah, without a doubt, like what's stopping you. And you know, I love the saying, you've heard me say, before, you know, you have to work harder on yourself than you do your business, because you are your business. Like if you've got these mindset, or you've got these blocks, so as your business, like, if you're not one of you one of the same in your business, your business will go as far as you can take yourself. And I clearly, you know, from my own experience, right now, I'm experiencing another edge, in my personal life around the ability to spend money on fun and playing a trip to Europe, I'm finding another personal edge, whereas I'm more than happy to spend that business because I feel like well, I know that there'll be a return on investment in that because I've got a coach, and they I'm in really good hands. Whereas this time, I'm going, Okay, this is purely for the fun and play of life. And what's it all about, and it's a funny thing, you know, I love to say, but you've got to have fun, you got to have joy. Here, I this Europe trip, I've had little little edge and I'm more than happy to spend, you know, five grand on a trip to Bali, India, more than happy to spend five grand on a trip to India, to Thailand, we've been we've had quite a few trips over the years, but it's never been to this magnitude like this is I'm finding another edge. And I think it's almost like that business, right? You can do like a day Little Women webinar here or little seminar here. But then when it comes time to actually commit to, let's say, a membership or commit to a program, it can, it can be scary, because you're almost hit your level, you hit your kind of your edge and you go okay, it's time to grow again. Yes, you know, that's the constant in business. And in life, we've got to be willing to, to expand and grow and where have we kind of put that I don't know that ceiling or that lid on ourselves that says Oh, but but this is kind of where we're at. And, and, you know, sometimes it's just the people that we're connected with, as well, that's as far as we go. Our people, it's almost like,
Donna 43:20
so it's always important to have that community that just allows you to stretch or inspires you to stretch because they're those few steps ahead. But also hold space for you to work through that like and you know, to kind of zigzag a little bit in there and ask the questions and not feel stupid in like, you know, anytime someone says, I've got a stupid question, there is no stupid questions. This is a safe space for you to ask whatever you want, and to bounce ideas, and to learn and grow like this is a space of growth, and a space of confidentiality for you to be able to do that. Because I think the other thing that can be really challenging, is as a business owner, you know, you have to have this front that is like I've got everything together. And there's because there is a level of professionalism that you need to withhold as a business owner. But you also need to have a space where people get you, they see you, they will support you, you can ask all the questions. And you can, you know, not for wanting to use the word failure, but you can meet your failures and go, Hey, this didn't work. How can I do this differently? Has anyone done this before, you know, maybe it might be in a different example. But it can be applied to you and your business. And therefore there's the opportunity to come back from that challenge with resilience and keep moving forwards and you share so much of that kind of stuff inside the master class that you presented in the membership and I'm so so grateful for you so grateful. Like just Yeah. When we first met When we were on the plane to all the rooms, and I started chatting to you in real life because we hadn't like this woman, she is amazing. And I need to have her more in my world. And here you are. So thank you so much. Thank you so much for being on the podcast today, sharing your wisdom and also be inside the membership. Yeah, just so, so much gratitude to you. Thank you, Emma.
Speaker 2 45:25
Thank you, Joanna. Thanks so much. It's great to be in the same circle. As you friend. It's, it's Yeah, brilliant. Thank you.
Donna 45:35
Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of The shiz in business podcast. Make sure you hit follow so that you are the first to know as soon as a new episode drops. And if you really want to deliver me smiles, send me a DM find me on Instagram at Donna Han underscore coach, and tell me what you loved most about this episode. Also, feel free to let me know what topics you need to learn more about if you are a regional businesswoman, ready to rise and soar towards success. I'll see you back here next week for another episode.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
