I know entrepreneurs who get up three hours early every day to get shit done before the world interferes.
Some schedule things down to the minute.
Some can only do work while in certain environments.
Some are convinced early morning is the ONLY time they have to work on the business. Some swear they get nothing done before 2 pm.
So. Many. Rules.
I am often asked by the same people, “Why is my day so disrupted? I feel like I can never get anything done. I’m doing what all the experts say.”
Here’s my question:
Who are these experts you speak of? And why do you give a shit how they spend their time?
YOU don’t need to follow someone else’s routine or rules in order to be an entrepreneur.
YOU don’t need to arrange your office the way Gary Vee does in order to have a 6-figure business.
YOU don’t need to use trendy new software to keep track of your clients.
YOU only need to show up – in the way only YOU can – when you want to.
Understandably, some people need structure or discipline so they can get in the habit of showing up regularly. What we don’t need is someone else’s structure.
How Tony Robbins parts his curtains in the morning is irrelevant. It’s a stall tactic. Another way to say, ‘Oh, my desk, office, environment, [insert excuse] isn’t ready yet. I can’t do this today.’
You’re just screwing around.
The truth is, the most successful and impactful people in the world get shit done no matter the circumstances. And THAT’S WHY WE LOVE THEM. We adore an underdog. We root for the guy who’s up against it all and determined to overcome. You know why? Because you are him, goofball. You know you can do the same.
Environment is irrelevant. Noise, people, distractions, shitty voice in your head, kids demanding attention, etc., etc. – none of it means permanent derailment. Tend to whatever and get right back to it.
Otherwise, all you’re telling yourself and the world is that it’s just not that important. (And you can complain about how you have no time.)
But don’t take my word for it. Below are thoughts from four infamous men on their own daily routines:
Kurt Vonnegut‘s famous routine included Scotch and swimming: “In an unmoored life like mine, sleep and hunger and work arrange themselves to suit themselves, without consulting me.”
Tim Ferris lives much more freely, as his idea of a schedule is having none. “I don’t have to do anything in this schedule. I choose to do them because I like them. None of them are financially-driven or unpleasant obligations. If the chance to do something more fun comes up last-minute, I can cancel all of them.”
Jack Kerouac answered a question about his daily routine this way: “I’m beginning to suspect the full moon. Also I’m hung up on the number nine though I’m told a Piscean like myself should stick to number seven; but I try to do nine touchdowns a day, that is, I stand on my head in the bathroom, on a slipper, and touch the floor nine times with my toe tips, while balanced. This is incidentally more than yoga, it’s an athletic feat, I mean imagine calling me ‘unbalanced’ after that.”
Perhaps the late, great E.B. White said it best: “A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.” (Really. Truly. Honestly. Read that about five times, then write it out on 100 Post-It notes and plaster them all over your house.)
When someone asks about my routine, I quote Ferris Bueller. “You realize if we played by the rules, right now we’d be in gym?”
My advice for nearly all things may have become an aggressively mediocre cliché by now. But I hope you’ll still use it regularly: Fuck the rules. Just show up.
It’s so much easier to enjoy your work and your life when you begin to trust yourself and let go of your made-up expectations. No one cares how you do things, or even if you do them. You need to decide if you care, and how much.
• • •
Don’t know where to start? Stuck, stalled, uninspired? Hit me up. Be sure to subscribe here. That way, I can send the sexiest, most liberating and inspiring tidbits of business advice straight to your inbox.
An entrepreneur’s routine means sweet f*ck-all
I know entrepreneurs who get up three hours early every day to get shit done before the world interferes.
Some schedule things down to the minute.
Some can only do work while in certain environments.
Some are convinced early morning is the ONLY time they have to work on the business. Some swear they get nothing done before 2 pm.
So. Many. Rules.
I am often asked by the same people, “Why is my day so disrupted? I feel like I can never get anything done. I’m doing what all the experts say.”
Here’s my question:
Who are these experts you speak of? And why do you give a shit how they spend their time?
YOU don’t need to follow someone else’s routine or rules in order to be an entrepreneur.
YOU don’t need to arrange your office the way Gary Vee does in order to have a 6-figure business.
YOU don’t need to use trendy new software to keep track of your clients.
YOU only need to show up – in the way only YOU can – when you want to.
Understandably, some people need structure or discipline so they can get in the habit of showing up regularly. What we don’t need is someone else’s structure.
How Tony Robbins parts his curtains in the morning is irrelevant. It’s a stall tactic. Another way to say, ‘Oh, my desk, office, environment, [insert excuse] isn’t ready yet. I can’t do this today.’
You’re just screwing around.
The truth is, the most successful and impactful people in the world get shit done no matter the circumstances. And THAT’S WHY WE LOVE THEM. We adore an underdog. We root for the guy who’s up against it all and determined to overcome. You know why? Because you are him, goofball. You know you can do the same.
Environment is irrelevant. Noise, people, distractions, shitty voice in your head, kids demanding attention, etc., etc. – none of it means permanent derailment. Tend to whatever and get right back to it.
Otherwise, all you’re telling yourself and the world is that it’s just not that important. (And you can complain about how you have no time.)
But don’t take my word for it. Below are thoughts from four infamous men on their own daily routines:
Kurt Vonnegut‘s famous routine included Scotch and swimming: “In an unmoored life like mine, sleep and hunger and work arrange themselves to suit themselves, without consulting me.”
Tim Ferris lives much more freely, as his idea of a schedule is having none. “I don’t have to do anything in this schedule. I choose to do them because I like them. None of them are financially-driven or unpleasant obligations. If the chance to do something more fun comes up last-minute, I can cancel all of them.”
Jack Kerouac answered a question about his daily routine this way: “I’m beginning to suspect the full moon. Also I’m hung up on the number nine though I’m told a Piscean like myself should stick to number seven; but I try to do nine touchdowns a day, that is, I stand on my head in the bathroom, on a slipper, and touch the floor nine times with my toe tips, while balanced. This is incidentally more than yoga, it’s an athletic feat, I mean imagine calling me ‘unbalanced’ after that.”
Perhaps the late, great E.B. White said it best: “A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.” (Really. Truly. Honestly. Read that about five times, then write it out on 100 Post-It notes and plaster them all over your house.)
When someone asks about my routine, I quote Ferris Bueller. “You realize if we played by the rules, right now we’d be in gym?”
My advice for nearly all things may have become an aggressively mediocre cliché by now. But I hope you’ll still use it regularly: Fuck the rules. Just show up.
It’s so much easier to enjoy your work and your life when you begin to trust yourself and let go of your made-up expectations. No one cares how you do things, or even if you do them. You need to decide if you care, and how much.
• • •
Don’t know where to start? Stuck, stalled, uninspired? Hit me up. Be sure to subscribe here. That way, I can send the sexiest, most liberating and inspiring tidbits of business advice straight to your inbox.
7 Benefits of an Online Retreat
Online retreats offer a deep connection and profound experience, sometimes more-so than in person.
Physical proximity is not a pre-requisite for powerful and moving group conversation, understanding or inner-standing (shifting perspective of self for the better). Some badass benefits await inside online retreats that you simply cannot get in person.
1 – A sacred, private space at your home
In order to experience the retreat, we make space in our home – practicing self-care and communicating boundaries – in order to have the quiet time to attend. Preparing your space can become a ritual. Asking others to respect your space is important for your ongoing mental health, especially if you struggle with boundaries.
Bonus: You no longer have to be in a huge venue, full of thousands of people, to achieve self-growth. Online access to small events like ours allows you invest in yourself and get ALL the benefits in your pajamas. Get inspired by others and feed off the group energy and receive 1:1 support.
2 – Easier transition
When I attend an in-person retreat, the transition home is sometimes a bit tricky. The deeper I go in my experience, the more challenging I find getting back into my house. The thought of what’s waiting for me – the busy schedule, spouse, kids, whatever – has made me wish I was back in the woods with my women, experiencing bliss. But during an online retreat, you are still in your home. At each break, we integrate and settle whatever has been stirred and deepened. At the end of an online retreat, I experience more ease in returning to my life. I am more grounded, yet I still experienced deep connections and shifts.
3 – The comforts of home
I really can’t stress this enough. A home space for retreat breaks is ideal for introverts. (We are less inclined to socialize). We can rest, eat food we like and relax at home. We can see our children and spouses, instead of missing them or having them miss us.
4 – No travel
Do I even have to mention that we don’t need to pack, fly and drive? Guess what this means? Not only less hassle and time, but FAR LESS expense. Gain valuable knowledge from thought leaders while never leaving the comfort of your home. View the conference presentations directly on your PC, phone or tablet. Online events allow you to attend from anywhere, paving the way for a larger, more diverse attendance. And that means broader ways for you to connect to others.
5 – Saves (a lot of) money
Online retreats are far cheaper (usually by more than HALF) since we don’t have to pay for accommodations, food, travel, nor do we rent space. You’re only responsible for the registration fee. This not only saves you money but also time since you do not have to worry about scheduling anything aside from time for the summit itself.
6 – Connection with others
Working remotely can make you feel that you are handling any issues that arise alone. But through the experiences shared during virtual events, you can see how other people are handling current situations and discover solutions to push your business forward.
Our virtual retreats leave lots of space for sharing commonalities, bonding, hot seat group coaching and socializing. Many women over the years have made lifelong friends and partners for future ventures.
7 – Discover new ways to normalize fears, resistance, blocks, limits and even trauma
What most women discover in our online retreats is they are experiencing almost exactly what everyone else is. And when we normalize emotions, we stop judging them so harshly. Hint: That’s the goal. When we step out of judgment, we make better decisions about what we want and how we will approach those things.
It’s pretty inspiring to see what can be done online. Video communication allows us all the benefits of deep connection and self-care, while never leaving the house. In my online retreats, I’ve been known to take the camera outside to the herd of horses so they can share their medicine too. There are no limits to designing your online retreat.
All retreats, online and in-person, offer so much goodness. It’s where the magic really happens. If you want to expand your vision, get support with a block or fear, or connect with others on the same journey, then attending retreats needs to become a part of your practice.
The growth, connection, insights, learning and the power of group are foundational experiences. They undeniably benefit you and your business.
I believe people learn far better when having an experience than a conversation. A retreat allows you to do just that.
Our next virtual retreat takes place Feb. 24-25. Check it out here.