If you’re familiar with my journey, you know that I’ve been running my business online now full time for nearly 10 years as a solopreneur.
Before that, I spent several years dabbling with online business, content creation and social media marketing trying to get all the pieces to fit together to create income for myself online.
I saw other people doing it online, and I knew if it was possible for them, then it was also possible for me. But I had so many ideas it was difficult for me to structure them into the right foundation for me to build momentum upon.
So, I know first hand how challenging it can be to turn your business aspirations into actionable plans, especially if you are multi passionate like I am!
Actually running my business and remaining consistent was even more of a challenge as I had to hobble together different systems and tools to organize the various areas of my business to keep visibility on all the essentials.
So, I was using my planner, project management tools, spreadsheets and notes apps to capture, generate and organize the information for my business, and it was a lot.
Until Spring 2020 when I created the ultimate business planning tool for myself and other creative business owners known as the CEO Strategy Planner! This was a set of print at home planner inserts that creative entrepreneurs and digital marketers could use to organize the key elements of their business plan and take that plan and turn it into the small daily actions to take to keep the whole vision running.
It was an instant best-seller!
But of course, nearly since it’s inception, members of my community have been asking for a digital version of the planner to use on their iPad, Tablet or Smartphone device.
I’m so happy to say that the wait is officially over!
Introducing the Digital CEO Strategy Planner: Your Blueprint to Business Brilliance
Are you a creative entrepreneur with big dreams but struggle to turn them into organized, actionable plans? Do you wish for a tool that not only understands your creative vision but also helps you bring it to life? Look no further, because the Digital CEO Strategy Planner is your ultimate solution!
Why Choose the Digital CEO Strategy Planner?
✨ Comprehensive Business Mapping: Dive deep into your business strategy with over 60 elegantly designed worksheets. From your executive summary to brand vision, annual plans, marketing, and finances, every aspect of your business finds its place in this planner.
📱 Multi-Device Accessibility: Whether you’re using an iPad, tablet, or smartphone, our planner seamlessly integrates into your digital life. With apps like Goodnote or Notability, you can sync your planner across devices, ensuring your plans are always at your fingertips.
🔗 Hyperlinked Navigation: Say goodbye to endless scrolling. Our planner’s hyperlinked pages make finding information a breeze. Effortlessly jump between sections and stay focused on what matters most—your business growth.
⏳ Timeless and Undated: No need to buy a new planner every year. The Digital CEO Strategy Planner is undated, meaning you invest in it once, and it supports your business journey indefinitely.
Embrace the power of planning. Ignite your creativity. Accelerate your business success. The Digital CEO Strategy Planner is not just a planner; it’s your partner in every step of your entrepreneurial journey.
Join the league of successful entrepreneurs who turned their dreams into reality. Let the Digital CEO Strategy Planner guide your way to business brilliance. Act now and experience the transformation!
To your prosperous future,
Founder, Strange & Charmed
P.S. If you aren’t a digital planner person, I totally understand! If you would prefer the print at home version of the CEO Strategy Planner, the link above will take you to an info page where you can purchase the paper version as well!
Mother’s Day Gift Guide: For the Mom with a Business or Sidehustle!
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gift for the special mom in your life. But if that mom is also a boss lady who runs a business or is building her side hustle, finding the right gift can be a little more challenging. So, I asked my master mind sister’s for help! Many of them are mom’s who either run their own business full or part time, so they know exactly what to get mom to make her and her dreams feel loved and supported. With their suggestions in hand I’ve created a gift guide inspired by the real Boss Mom’s of the Charmed Life Master Mind, to help you find the perfect present to help mom grow her business and take her side hustle to the next level. From practical tools to inspirational needs, these gifts will not only show her how much you care but will also support her entrepreneurial spirit. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our top picks for the perfect Mother’s Day gifts for the boss mom in your life.
Gift Mom the Ultimate Planning and Productivity Tool for Her Business: The iPad
When I asked the Boss Mom’s inside the Charmed Life Master Mind what they wanted to be gifted for Mother’s Day, many of them were in agreement- they wanted digital planning tools! It’s definitely a bit of an investment, but mom absolutely deserves a tool that will support her business on multiple levels and she will put the iPad to good use. If you aren’t sure which model to purchase, I think a good overall business option would be the iPad Air with an Apple Pencil so she can get the most from the device. And don’t forget a case so she can tuck her iPad into her bag to work and plan on the go!
Gift the Mom Boss in Your Life some Peace and Quiet
Another gift idea that came up a few times from the mom’s inside the Charmed Life Master Mind were noise cancelling headphones. Especially if mom works at home, she could really use a pair of headphones to help her disconnect from the chaos around her so she can get focused on her work and creative ideas. The ladies also love the idea of a set of soft sided headphones for sleep, so mom can turn on her favorite guided meditation or sleep ambience at bed time and get a full night’s rest.
The final category of gift ideas that came from the mom’s inside the Charmed Life Master Mind were gifts related to helping mom create a comfortable and functional office to work in. So, if the mom in your life doesn’t have her own dedicated space to work, consider how you can support her passion and carve out that space for her.
I hope you found this Mother’s Day gift guide helpful in finding the perfect present for the boss mom in your life. Whether she’s running her own business or building her side hustle, these gifts will surely help her stay productive and inspired. From the versatile iPad to the ergonomic office chair, these items are not only practical but also stylish, making her workspace a place where she can feel comfortable and confident. So go ahead, surprise her with one of these thoughtful gifts, and show her how much you appreciate all the hard work she puts into her endeavors. Happy Mother’s Day to all the boss moms out there!
Your Ultimate Productivity Companion: How to Use Your iPad for Task Management, Work, Wellness, and Mindset
In today’s digital age, the iPad has become a versatile tool that can help you in almost every aspect of your life. From task management to personal development, this device can be a game-changer when it comes to productivity and growth. In this post, we’ll explore some of the ways you can use your iPad for productivity and personal development. We’ll cover topics such as task management, work, wellness, and mindset, and how you can leverage some of the best apps to make the most of your iPad. Whether you’re looking to stay organized, improve your focus, or enhance your overall well-being, there’s something for everyone in this guide. So, grab your iPad and let’s dive in!
Purchasing a new iPad Pro
A few weeks ago I purchased a new iPad and when I shared it on Instagram with my community many people wanted to know which iPad I bought, which iPad they should buy, and how I was planning to use it, so I am going to answer all those questions in this post.
So, first off, I purchased an 11” iPad Pro, the 128GB model and the 2nd generation Apple Pencil. To be honest, it was hard for me to choose which iPad to buy because for some reason Apple has a large number of iPads to choose from right now, and although I can’t tell you exactly which iPad to get, I do have a piece of advice for you to use that is the guide that I use when I am purchasing new tech, especially Apple products. My advice to myself and to you is to purchase the best model you can afford. I say that because for myself, I am very gentle with my tech gadgets and they last a long time, my last iPad is almost 10 years old so it was time for an upgrade- and I find with Apple products, they are so ahead of the times with the tech that when you buy the best model you can, it ends up lasting even longer. So, if you aren’t sure which iPad to buy, that is my recommendation. When it came to making my purchase, the iPad Pro was the best model available and I bought the size and storage capacity that I thought was right for me. Now, if you know which iPad you want already, I think that is the iPad for you, and if you can’t afford it right now, I do think it’s worth it to be patient and save for the one you want because if you settle I don’t think you will be as pleased with your purchase. So, if you are interested in an iPad that is how I recommend you go about purchasing one, now and in the future.
Now, do you actually need an iPad? That is totally for you to decide. For me, I know the iPad is a luxury, I don’t think it’s something any of us need to be productive or organized, but if you have the desire and means, it can definitely be a useful device. And because I am a rebel personality type, novelty can be a big motivator for change and improvement. I’m more likely to take action when there is an element of novelty involved and the iPad is absolutely a novelty device for me.
So, I bought the iPad with the intention that I was going to improve my productivity and hit some next level goals for myself this year! And to reflect that intention, I ended up ordering my iPad and pencil from Apple online so I could get them both engraved for free with a personalized inspirational message. If you weren’t aware, apple offers free engraving on some of their devices, so if you want to make advantage of that, you will want to order online instead of going in store.
So, now that we know which model I bought, and which model I’d recommend to you, let’s talk about how I am using this device to help me hit that intention to improve my productivity and personal development!
The first way I am using the iPad is for Task and Idea Management.
Right now, I am doing some parts of my planning process on the iPad since I have the pencil and I want to put it to good use. I have been playing around with digital planning, and I get why people like digital planning. In fact, I recently created some prototypes for a Digital Master Planner that I shared with the Charmed Life Master Mind members. The feedback I’ve been getting from them has been very positive, and of course I am also testing the digital planner out myself, but for the time being I’m not quite converted yet to digital personally. But I will fully admit that I love using the iPad to braindump, brainstorm and plan content. So, for this I’ve been using the digital master planner, and I optimized some of my inserts into PDFs for my iPad that I use in GoodNotes to get my ideas out of my head and onto digital paper. All that has been going well!
The second way I am using the iPad is for work.
Specifically, I use it to write posts in the Apple Notes app. Once I outline things in GoodNotes, I will use the split screen option and write out posts while looking at my notes and outlines. I also have used the iPad to send and manage emails; both my personal and business inboxes as well as my email marketing client. I have actually written and scheduled marketing emails from my iPad and the experience is doable on the iPad although I prefer the functionality that comes with sending marketing emails on my laptop.
I also use the iPad for research. I do a lot of reading and research for my work and so I use the iPad to read ebooks, articles, online publications, the news- I bought a NYTimes subscription so I could get full access to their articles and read them on the iPad which is a nice experience.
I also have the Slack App on my iPad so I can stay connected with my Master Mind, and answer their questions, share content and do coaching with them through the app.
So those are all the specific work tasks I do on the iPad. Some things I am not using it for work wise are design for inserts and graphics, editing audio and video for my YouTube and Podcast, and doing web development. I know some people do use their iPads for graphics and editing and it’s totally usable for those tasks, but because I have a MacBook Pro I find it easier to use my computer to do those tasks than my iPad. I watched a lot of videos on the topic and yes, plenty of people use their iPad for design and editing but most agree its a better experience on a computer, and for those who did use their iPad, it tended to be more useful for those who didn’t have a laptop and who traveled or worked away from their desktop computer. So, for me, I have a laptop, so I don’t need my iPad to be another mini laptop as well. I also tried to do back end work on my websites with the iPad and the functionality is hit or miss on the iPad OS, so that’s firmly something I will stick to doing on my MacBook pro.
The third way I am using the IPad is for wellness!
As I mentioned my intention for this device was for it to help me manifest some goals in my life and some of those goals are wellness related. Specifically, I have been for the last few months working on my fitness and I have a workout routine where I do strength training at home. I use the iPad, specifically the Freeform app, which is this wonderful digital white board app, to organize and plan out my workouts. I do a bunch of video workouts from YouTube and I’m able to pin the videos to Freeform and create my workout schedule that way and it’s actually been helping me stick to this routine because it’s keeping this goal organized for me.
Also in terms of wellness, I have been using the iPad for my meal planning and prep. Again using that Freeform app, I essentially map out my meals and pin recipe videos and articles to my meal planning board in the app. It’s a wonderful way to visually organize your meal planning- I love it!
The fourth and final way I am using the iPad is for Mindset!
The iPad has become my default journal. I’ve created some journals in Goodnotes out of my favorite insert designs and I’ve been journaling so much more with the iPad. I use some of the PDF workbooks I design for my mastermind like my mindset workbook and my astrological insights workbook in Goodnotes as well to journal and complete those activities which is really great.
I also keep a mood/vision board on the iPad in the Freeform app as well. I realize I could also make one on GoodNotes, but I like how that Freeform app allows me to pin videos and articles to the vision board as well as photos- it gives me a multimedia vision board experience.
One final thing I’ve been using my iPad for that I am filing under mindset is that I also downloaded a few chill games to play when I want to unwind. I’ve been playing more games on my Nintendo switch this year as a way to zone out and de-stress my mind and I found a few iPad games that were chill and vibey and relaxing that I downloaded as well. I’ve been playing Zen Sand, Osmos HD, Beatstar, Journey and Monument Valley.
So, that is how I’ve been using the IPad.
My Favorite iPad Accessories to Increase Productivity and Workflow
To help me get the most functionality out of the iPad, I purchased a few accessories for the iPad that I highly recommend. Check out the video below to see these productive iPad accessories in action!
Overall, the iPad can be a valuable tool for boosting your productivity and personal development. With its versatile features and wide range of apps, you can customize your iPad to suit your individual needs and goals. Whether you’re looking to streamline your workflow, organize your schedule, or learn a new skill, the iPad can help you achieve your objectives with ease and efficiency.
By using the iPad as a productivity and personal development tool, you can maximize your time, increase your focus, and stay motivated to pursue your goals. So if you’re ready to take your productivity and personal growth to the next level, consider incorporating the iPad into your daily routine. With a little bit of effort and creativity, you can transform your iPad into a powerful tool for self-improvement and success.
Ambition is a key ingredient to success, and for women, being ambitious is crucial in breaking through gender barriers and achieving their dreams. Highly ambitious women are those who are driven, focused, and committed to reaching their goals, no matter what challenges they may face along the way. Ambitious women know that success is built on good habits and they are always on the lookout for ways to improve. Let’s explore 10 habits of highly ambitious women that can help you develop a mindset of success and step into the highest and best version of your own ambitious self!
They Set Clear Goals:Highly ambitious women set clear and specific goals for themselves. They know what they want to achieve and they create a plan of action to get there. Setting clear goals helps them stay focused and motivated, and provides a roadmap for success.
They Take Action:Ambitious women take action towards their goals every day. They understand that success is not just about dreaming, but also about doing. They are proactive in seeking out opportunities and taking calculated risks to move closer to their goals.
They Are Lifelong Learners:Highly ambitious women are always learning and growing. They seek out new knowledge, skills, and experiences that will help them succeed. They are open to feedback and use it to improve themselves and their work.
They Manage Their Time Wisely:Ambitious women are experts at time management. They prioritize their tasks and focus on the most important ones first. They also know how to delegate and outsource tasks to free up their time for more important projects.
They Surround Themselves with Positive Influences:Ambitious women surround themselves with people who inspire and motivate them. They seek out mentors, coaches, and peers who can support them and offer guidance when needed.
They Embrace Failure:Highly ambitious women understand that failure is a natural part of the success journey. They don’t let setbacks hold them back, but instead use them as opportunities to learn and grow.
They Practice Self-Care:Ambitious women know that taking care of themselves is crucial to their success. They prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, and getting enough rest to ensure that they have the energy and focus needed to achieve their goals.
They Build Strong Relationships:Highly ambitious women build strong and meaningful relationships with others. They are effective communicators and know how to build trust and rapport with their colleagues, clients, and partners.
They Are Resilient:Ambitious women are resilient and persistent. They don’t give up easily and are willing to persevere through challenges and obstacles in order to achieve their goals.
They Give Back:Highly ambitious women believe in giving back to their communities and making a positive impact in the world. They are passionate about helping others and use their success to inspire and empower others to reach their own goals.
If you are an ambitious woman with her sights set on creating her own online business for time, location and financial freedom, I have a new resource I’d love to share with you!
E M P I R E is a new FREE business master course intended to help ambitious women learn what it takes to start a lasting business online that gives them the time, location and financial freedom to live their best lives.
Whether you are a career woman who knows she is too creative for a 9 to 5 job, a working mom who wants to create passive income streams so she can work from home and spend more quality time with her family, or simply an ambitious goal getter who knows she could be earning more with less time and effort if she worked for herself, YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO FINALLY MAKE YOUR DREAM BUSINESS YOUR REALITY!
CALLING ALL AMBITIOUS, SELF-STARTING WOMEN OF THE INTERNET LOOKING FOR THEIR DREAM JOB AND A LIFE OF TIME, LOCATION AND FINANCIAL FREEDOM:
For a while now, you have been fantasizing about a job that aligns with your purpose, skillset and passions.
A job where you wake up excited to get to work each morning.
A job where you absolutely love the work you do.
A job where you have control over what you work on.
A job that is future-proof.
A job where you can invest time and energy to create greater and greater stability and financial freedom in your life!
Ladies, let me be clear!
Your Dream Job Does NOT Exist. You Must Create It!
And in your heart you already knew this.
You already knew that the only way to do what you love and have total control over your work, how much you work, where you work, and how much you earn is to start your own business online.
That’s why you follow so many social media accounts filled with Female Entrepreneur Inspo.
That’s why you spend your down time scrolling through Pinterest decorating your future home office.
That’s why you watch videos on YouTube about how to use social media platforms for business or how to create a business plan.
That’s why you were drawn to me and my community where I often share about my own journey through Entrepreneurship, as I’ve been navigating a business for nearly a decade in the ever changing digital space.
I’ve created my upcoming business master course with precisely you in mind, because I have been where you are now, so I know what you need to get started on your journey!
E M P I R E is a new FREE business master course intended to help ambitious women learn what it takes to start a lasting business online that gives them the time, location and financial freedom to live their best lives.
Whether you are a career woman who knows she is too creative for a 9 to 5 job, a working mom who wants to create passive income streams so she can work from home and spend more quality time with her family, or simply an ambitious goal getter who knows she could be earning more with less time and effort if she worked for herself, YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO FINALLY MAKE YOUR DREAM BUSINESS YOUR REALITY!
Having a successful year is not about waiting for motivation and inspiration to strike. It’s about creating systems and environments that cultivate momentum and accountability. – Alexis C Giostra @MissTrenchcoat
Hello my Charmed Ones and welcome back to my channel for the first video of 2023! My 2023 Annual Reset Routine.
If you are watching this video around the time it goes live, we are at the start of a new year and nothing says fresh start inspiration and motivation like resetting your planning system. Your planner can be an amazing tool for your success and quality of life this year if you treat it like a system that helps you manage your focus and effort.
So, there is a brief routine I recommend you follow to get your planner reset for the new year that follows along with the Yearly Functional Planning Routine that you can find inside my bookThe Functional Planning Handbook.
Here is a recap of the routine for your reference:
◼ CHOOSE AND SETUP YOUR FUNCTIONAL PLANNER
◼ SET ANNUAL GOALS
◼ BREAK LONGER TERM GOALS INTO QUARTERLYMILESTONES
◼ DEFINE OBJECTIVES TO REACH EACH GOAL
◼ POPULATE YOUR PLANNER WITH KNOWN TASKS,EVENTS AND DUE DATES
Q1 PLANNING ITEMS
◼ POPULATE PROJECT PLANS FOR OBJECTIVES
◼ ALLOCATE TASKS FROM PROJECT PLANS TO MONTHLY MASTER TASK LISTS
Grab a coffee and your planner, and let’s get started with the 2023 Reset.
It’s that time of year again!! The holiday season is approaching and it’s time to shop for gifts for the special people in your life. I love giving gifts- it’s one of my love languages and so I love creating gift guides with new and creative ideas to help you find something unique and functional for the people on your list.
I have created a new gift guide specifically geared towards planning and productivity presents that you can give to a planner lover, co-worker, or female entrepreneur you are buying for this year. Or of course, you could forward this gift guide on to the people who are buying for you this year if you see some things you like and resonate with.
These gifts are priced across the board- some are more of a splurge and some are stocking stuffer price. Most of them are $50 or less so they are pretty reasonable gifts.
I love a good facial roller tool and this five in one option is a great way to make the most of multiple tools to help de-puff, sculpt and sooth your face. Use this massager to relax your muscles, apply serums and tone your face through lymphatic drainage massage. This is a great tool to use morning or night, or anytime you want to relax and pamper yourself.
Stop drinking your daily coffee or tea from clunky old mugs and elevate your daily experience with this set of 6 cups with saucers and stirrers. It’s a beautiful set with classic and luxurious lines that will bring some extra elegance and refinement to your workday. Just add your favorite biscotti or croissant!
This chic leather cover can be used to protect your choice of planner or notebook in a compact and secure housing. I love the way a zip cover keeps it’s contents protected, especially on the go and I am particularly enamored with this dark green teal color. This is a gift that makes a major impact on your style, planning and productivity.
An acrylic dry erase board is a perfect accessory for your kitchen, home organization station or office. Use it for notes, announcements, meal planning or reminders.
This adorable cube desk timer is the perfect productivity tool to help keep you on track and working in short bursts or blocks of time. Set the timer before you start a task to track how long it takes for planning purposes, and use the timer to set aside time to get started on a project or task you’ve been putting off.
These Beats Fit Pro Wireless Bluetooth EarPods have been my go to for both work and play. The noise cancelation technology helps me to stay productive while I work and listen to my favorite lo-fi jams. They are wonderful for working out and physical activities, and I love to wear them while I listen to a meditation or relax in the bathtub. Plus the color palette on the Beats x Kim Kardashian collection are gorgeous!
I think my number one most used planning and note taking accessory, aside from a pen, has to be dual tip highlighters. I use them to highlight dates and information, to create check boxes for tasks and to block off time in my daily schedule. I love this set of neural and pastel highlighters because they create a relaxing tone inside your planner as opposed to traditional neon highlighters that look like strobe lighting and often give me a headache looking at it for too long.
If you are looking for an affordable and chic notebook or bullet journal, the CEO Journal has everything you need to organize and plan in one simple bound book. The undated pages allow you to select the date and organize information with the help of a square grid. The pages are numbered for you to keep an index if you’d like to track important spreads or information. And yes, it does fit nicely into the Pebbled Leather Zip cover linked above!
If you are an iced coffee or tea fan and have not heard about the HyperChiller yet, I am about to blow your mind. Fill the dual chambers of this unit with water, let it freeze in your freezer and then whatever hot or boiling liquid you pour into the chiller will cool down in one to two minutes. No more watering down hot beverages to get them cool. This is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets, no wires, no batteries or electricity needed. Just water, your freezer and a hot beverage to chill down.
I love this marble desk pad- I don’t think I could work at a desk without one of these desk pads anymore because they act as decoration, a mousepad and a soft place to rest your hands. I have a few of these desk pads with different patterns on them and I switch them out for the seasons to give my home office and desk a new vibe.
As someone who works from home, I have a lot of productivity tools that I tote around the house with me whenever I decide to work from outside my office. I love these little jelly baskets because the large size fits my laptop, planner, notebook, phone, headphones, pens, highlighters and more so I can take my home office into any room of my house. I call it my mobile office basket and if you work from home, either full time or even part time, you will love having a simple tote like this to use to corral your things securely instead of trying to carry everything by hand yourself.
If you are looking to get the most from your planner system, you absolutely need to learn the Functional Planning Methodology and this book is the official handbook that covers everything you need to know to set up, organize and use your planner to manage your life, plus tips on how to stay motivated and productive through the day.
I love filling my home with candles, but as a pet owner, it isn’t always the safest to have candles burning throughout my home. So, using a candle warmer is a must and these warmer lamps are the perfect blend of style and function to give you some extra home decor, and a safe way to use your candles without lighting them.
If you want to be a more productive and successful person, you absolutely need to start a journaling practice. I think getting your thoughts out of your head and into paper is so important, and especially keeping track of your thoughts and self-talk are a major factor in what you manifest and bring to fruition in your life. This journal will help you manifest more money and abundance into your life through a daily journaling practice where you get clear on what you want, your own value and your plan for making things happen in your life.
These remote controlled flameless LED candles are the perfect addition to your bedroom, home office or bathroom. They are a safe way to create mood lighting and help you get cozy at home, helping you to relax and destress from a busy day.
If you are a planner and productivity lover I know you have a thing for pretty pens. This set of neutral matte gel pens is very aesthetic and certain to help you create a planning or journaling routine that fits your energy and vibe. Why use ugly pens when you can use a chic option like these?
I don’t personally use a desktop computer with a separate monitor, but I have seen so many videos and examples of people using these monitor memo boards and I think they make an awesome accessory for your home or office. You can attach this set of memo boards to the side of your monitor to organize sticky notes or to use as a dry erase. And I bet you could use these on other surfaces besides your monitor. You could affix these to the sides of a mirror in your bathroom, your refrigerator or cabinets in your kitchen- anywhere you need to organize notes and some information- these adhesive memo boards would work!
I know these self-adhesive business card pockets seem so random for a gift guide, but they are actually one of my new favorite planner supplies. My planner cover doesn’t have a ton of business card holders built in, and so I have been sticking these pockets onto dashboards on my planner to organize business cards. I don’t use mine for business cards, instead I use them for planning/journaling cards to decorate my planner and to add a little more inspiration.
As someone who is more into using my planner for function than decoration, I don’t use very many accessories in my planner. However, another one of my planner must haves are this set of neural transparent tabs. I use these to mark pages in my planner for reference and also to write out a note or reminder for my planner before it is set in stone. I love the colors in this set and that it includes pointed and squared edge options. I also use these tabs when reading in physical books or to notate documents I am reviewing or editing.
I know it might seem odd to see an acrylic makeup and skincare organizer on this gift guide, but there are a few reasons I wanted to include this. First of all, getting ready in the morning or getting un-ready at the end of the day is an essential part of your daily routine and having your necessities organized and visible like this helps you to remember to do this important self care each day. Also- I think this organizer would also be awesome to use in your office to store stationery and planner supplies. Think of this as a beautiful display case for your office with all your favorite stationery organized inside.
I hope you have enjoyed this gift guide and that it gave you some great inspiration for this holiday season!
How to Create an Inbox System for Busy Professionals
I talk a lot about how to create a solid plan for your workday so you have a clear focus and intention for how you’ll be spending your time, but the real challenge for most busy professionals is handling the additional new action items and tasks that accumulate throughout your workday.
It’s great to start the day with your top three tasks identified, your schedule for calls and meetings, and of course time blocks outlined to do deep work, but what should you do if you get even more new tasks and items that need to be integrated into your existing daily plan?
How do you capture, prioritize and integrate new tasks that come from the multiple different inputs in your workday like meetings, emails, messages, and calls from team members, superiors, clients, and other co-workers?
The solution is to have a well organized inbox system.
Your inbox system may actually be made up of multiple different task and information capture solutions, especially if you are someone who not only receives new tasks throughout the day, but also receives information that may pertain to specific projects, or perhaps needs to capture your own ideas or reminders for future meetings or work that isn’t currently your focus at the moment.
A Place for Everything and Everything in it’s Place
My first suggestion for creating your organized inbox system is to decide the specific places you are going to put specific types of information and the general process you intend to follow for each.
New tasks must be captured and processed in a different way than information you may need for future reference, so having a unique process for each different information type will be important.
It would be optimal to capture new tasks in one centralized location, like an inbox page of your planner, a brain dump spread, or a specific file in a notes application, so you can then determine the priority of the tasks.
I determine the priority of my new tasks using an Eisenhower Matrix that evaluates tasks for urgency and importance. Any new tasks that are urgent and important will be integrated into my plan for the day, while other tasks of less urgency or less importance may be scheduled for another day or kept on a pending list for future reference.
For example: Urgent and Important Tasks | Do Now Not Urgent and Important Tasks | Schedule Urgent and Not Important Tasks | Delegate Not Urgent and Not Important Tasks | Delete
For any information you receive during the course of your workday, I think it’s important to have a separate system for organizing notes and reminders so you can quickly locate and use the information when you need it.
I recommend using a digital notes tool to organize this type of information especially if you are receiving it in digital form most of the time through messages and emails. It’s quite easy to simply copy and paste information, where as rewriting it onto a paper notes system may take a bit more time. Of course, if you prefer to be fully analog and use a paper notes system for this part of your overall system, do what works for you.
I use Apple Notes to organize raw information and ideas, because the app syncs across my laptop, iPhone and even my iPad so that I always have access to it, and because it is digital I can use the search function to quickly find information as well.
I keep my notes app organized by folders for different categories of information, like Personal Notes, Business, Marketing, Content, etc, and then I keep individual note files inside the folders to organize specific topics for quick reference.
If using a notes app doesn’t work for you, you could also use a Google Sheets file or spreadsheet application on your computer to organize information by category and topic as well.
If you’d prefer to use a paper based system, you could divide a notebook into sections for your categories, or include pages in your planner dedicated to specific categories or projects you need to retain information on to act on later.
Turning the System into a Routine
With your Inbox System set up, the next part of the process would be to define and establish a regular routine for transferring and reviewing information.
It’s not enough to have the system set up with the defined place for each type of task or information to go, but you also need to decide how often you are going to review your various other inboxes to transfer information into their appropriate place in your system, and how often you need to review those individual places to make sure you are utilizing the information you captured.
I generally check my inboxes (email, message systems etc) about twice a day, once in the morning at the start of my work and once in the afternoon before I stop working for the day, and that is the point where I will funnel tasks and information to their appropriate spots in my organization system.
Tasks get listed and organized with the Eisenhower Matrix, and information, reminders or ideas get organized to their appropriate folder or note in my Apple Notes.
I keep active notes for each of the classes, products and pieces of content I create so I can quickly transfer or capture information that pertain to each of these individual projects quickly, as soon as it comes to my attention.
When you initially start this routine, it will be a good idea to set alerts to ensure you use the system regularly, and then after a while, it will become a natural process you do as part of your day.
I hope this information helps you create your own organized inbox system to stay on top of your tasks and do your best work, no matter what you do! Let me know how it works out and if you have any questions and I’d be glad to help!
I wanted to take a moment right now to remind you of some very important truths about your business idea!
Are you ready?
Because this information may cause a significant shift in the way you think, feel and act around your business.
Here we go:
1: Your Business is Too Legit to Quit!
Your business is a real, legitimate entity.
Your work is of value and service to a specific community of people who need what you offer very much and are willing to pay for it, if you allow them to.
Right now, the reasons you aren’t making sales is because you haven’t shown your offer to the right people, you haven’t shown it to them enough, or you haven’t been helping them connect the dots between their problem and your solution!
2: If you aren’t making sales, you have a hobby not a business.
I know this is hard for some people to digest, but if you have started a business but it’s not making sales, you are not running a business, you have a very time consuming hobby!
And I say that with all the love in the world, because I have been there before!
For years my business was a hobby making little to no money.
Until one day I decided my desire for success was greater than my fear of failure or rejection and I started creating offers to sell and telling my community about them!
3: People LOVE to buy things that help them
It doesn’t matter what the economic climate really is, the fact of the matter is that people always buy things that help them.
In fact, buying the solution to a problem is always the preferred method for people to get through life.
So, if you think people don’t want to buy what you are selling, you are so wrong.
There is a market for your work out there, I know it, so what you are selling isn’t the problem, your price isn’t the problem, your branding isn’t the problem.
The problem is that you are not selling the offers to the right people- but don’t worry, I know how to find you the right people!
4: Selling is just sharing!
I have shared this with you before but it’s important enough to reiterate that selling isn’t some complicated, tricky process- it’s just sharing your work, your offers, with the people that your work was meant to serve.
That’s it!
I know you think it has to be more complicated than that, but it isn’t.
Think about when you have a favorite new outfit, or piece of makeup or a new show you absolutely love and you are telling your friends and family about it and then they go out and get it or watch it on your recommendation.
That is selling!
You just aren’t making money in that situation (unless you also sent them an affiliate link!)
That is how simple selling can be online.
And when you take that process and pair it with an effective marketing strategy like creating sales funnels, then you have created a system for generating instant income into your business!
THAT IS THE WORK WE ARE GOING TO DO TOGETHER!
Join me inside #INSTAINCOME today before enrollment closes to master this strategy for yourself.
Again, if you have any specific questions about the course before you enroll, send me an email or leave me a comment below and I’d be glad to help you decide if this is right for you!
→ Are you struggling to find paying customers for your products or services?
Do you have a hard time selling and promoting your work because the idea of sales makes you feel uncomfortable and you wish you could focus on simply doing your work and not having to actively sell your work?
→ Are you struggling to create content and grow a following of potential customers through your platforms?
Do you believe it’s too late to gain a following online, like platforms are oversaturated and you struggle to attract your ideal customer so you don’t even bother posting or engaging much on your accounts?
→ Have you been questioning the best way to promote your products or services?
Do you believe digital marketing and online business just isn’t profitable for you and wish you had a simple, turn key strategy you could use to market your business on auto-pilot without having to spend thousands of dollars a month on ads or paid promotion?
7 Reasons Your Business Is Not Making Sales
From my 8 years of experience working full time on my business, I know there are 7 very common reasons your business isn’t making money. Let’s discuss them to identify what issues may be causing trouble for your business revenue generation.
#1: You don’t have much of an audience yet
When we are first getting started, even if you are doing everything right, there is going to be a period of time where you just don’t have enough of an audience yet to expect to see sales, or to even really learn what you are doing wrong so that you can correct it. If you are still in those beginning stages with less than a thousand followers, you may be in this grey area. It doesn’t mean you should give up, it just means that you need to let enough people see your offer before you will make sales. Think about it this way- even if you have 1,000 followers, and are creating great content marketing to sell your offer, you can’t guarantee that all 1,000 of those people have seen it, and taken the time to learn about it. I believe that is actually takes someone 3 interactions with any offer before they really truly consider it. The first time they see it, it may not register in their mind much. The second time, they may recognize they have seen it before. The third time, they may actually stop and consider the offer and make a purchase. So, if you have a smaller audience, you need to simply keep at it and let your audience grow while you continue to make the same offer over and over over time.
#2: Your audience isn’t the ideal customer for your offer
Now, let’s say you do have an audience online built up, and then you begin making offers for things they can purchase. If that audience isn’t the ideal customer for the offer, it doesn’t matter how many people are following you or seeing the offer, the wrong person is just never going to buy. I see this situation happen often with influencer type businesses who have been creating content for fun and building an audience on their specific interests, and then suddenly decide they want to start a business since they have a following. You need to be very careful of what you decide to offer because you can’t just sell your audience anything. If your platform was filled with food inspiration and shopping trips to Target, and then you turn around and start a business reselling designer handbags, there might not be much interest from your audience. There could be some overlap for sure, but it’s more likely that the audience you have built follows you because they want to see what you’re cooking and what you bought. So, you might have better luck with selling them a recipe eBook or becoming a member of an affiliate network that works with Target so you can earn a commission from the things you buy and show off to your customers.
#3: You haven’t proven yourself to your audience yet
It’s been well established through business research that customers prefer to buy from businesses they know, like and trust, so if your business hasn’t done enough of the legwork to spread the word about who you are, what you are doing and why, it’s very likely few people will want to take you up on any offer you make. This is especially true if your presence online has been inconsistent. If you are someone who doesn’t post high value content or posts infrequently, you are sending the message to your audience that you aren’t reliable or knowledgeable. No one wants to buy from a business they aren’t sure knows what it is doing or can follow through with any claims their offer makes.
#4: You aren’t selling consistently
Sales is without a doubt one of the biggest issues women face in their businesses because we have so many weird, untrue and negative stories whirling around in our minds about what it means to be salesy and self-promoting. But none of those stories are true. You are not a scammy or pushy person for sharing about your offer and your business online, and if you keep choosing to believe that and continue to feel bad about selling, it is going to stop you from talking about your offers and making sales. I know selling and marketing seems hard and time consuming, and it absolutely can be if you aren’t following a strategy. For example, did you know that using the marketing strategy of a sales funnel can bring you three to four figures of sales for your offers in a single month. And they can be put on auto-pilot so you don’t have to spend as much time actively selling. However you choose to do it, you need to sell consistently in order to make sales.
#5: Your offer is unclear, confusing or incomplete
Your business could sell a variety of different offers. Those offers could be for specific products, either digital or physical. They could be for services you perform for others. They could even be affiliate offers where you receive a commission from products you refer customers to. In order for people to really understand your offer, however, and determine if they need what it is that you are selling, the offer needs to be clear. If it’s not clear, or if people are confused about what it is, how to use it, what problem it solves and why they need it, they will not buy. Talking to your followers and ensuring they understand the offer is a great way to troubleshoot this situation. This is why you want to be consistently selling and creating content that shares your message with your audience so you have ample opportunity for feedback.
#6: Your sales page sucks
There is nothing worse than going to make a purchase from a sales page that sucks. Your sales page is the page on your e-commerce platform that shows and explains the offer. Sales pages require clear images of your products, explainations of what people can expect to receive and answer frequently asked questions. You’d be surprised at how often I visit the websites for small businesses and they have little to no information about their offer on a sales page. So, ultimately I and I’m sure others who visit that page, walk away without making a purchase. If the sales page is lacking or looks terrible, why would anyone buy that offer? It’s just an omen of the quality they can expect from the product itself and a major turn off to buyers.
#7: Your expectations are too high
The digital market place is a wonderful place to build a business, but too many new business owners approach the task from a “If you build it, they will come” mentality. Unfortunately, that isn’t exactly how it works. You can set up a business online with a beautiful website showcasing your products and/or services, but that is not enough to convert sales. You need the following and the business assets working together to convert, and you need to set reasonable expectations for conversions. So many business owners get confused because they may have a few hundred followers online but not a few hundred sales. But, it’s not logical or realistic to expect that everyone who follows you is going to make a purchase. Even if you knew each of those followers have seen your offer, not everyone is ready to buy. In fact, this might come as a shock to you, but a good conversion rate online is 3%. Meaning if you make your offer to a group of 100 people, if that offer is made well and you are talking to a group of ideal customers, you can still only expect 3 people to purchase and that would be good. This is why we need to make offers continually, to share high value content consistently and ensure we are always focused on our ideal customer.
I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO PUT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT INTO YOUR MARKETING, AND IT NOT PAY OFF WITH THE SALES YOU WERE EXPECTING!
I’ve been in that situation before and it does not feel good to invest your time and energy into work that isn’t paying off.
It really sucks and is majorly discouraging.
But it doesn’t mean that you should close your business or that your offer isn’t right, in fact, most of the time, the problem is that you either aren’t marketing enough or you are marketing your offer in the wrong way.
I know for female entrepreneurs, selling is something of a sore spot. We don’t want to feel like we are being too pushy or annoying when we do our marketing, and so many of us start adopting inconsistent, low-impact sales strategies that fail to properly market our work.
You’re probably thinking that sales and marketing looks so easy and effortless for everyone else, but why doesn’t it work that way for your business?
Well, it can!
You can develop an easy, streamlined marketing funnel that attracts your perfect ideal customer right to your sales pages and puts instant income into your pocket!
You can do it without a ton of expensive, complicated technology, software, or even ads. And you can do it on any platform you prefer to use.
Consumers today are so much more savvy and they choose to buy through authentic, value-rich content and social media funnels as opposed to blatantly salesy ads, endless click funnels and hard line marketing pitches. Value rich content is the key to selling without guilt or shame. Your followers and customers will love you for it and keep coming back for more!
Let me help you build your first profitable social sales funnel that will put your marketing and income on auto-pilot!
I’m not talking about old school digital marketing click funnels, the ones that require you to use a ton of technology and spend tons of money on ads.
I am talking about sales funnels 2.0!
Funnels that rely on great high value content, not gimmicks and false promises.
Funnels that authentically grow your community and build you a following of loyal fans who can’t wait to buy your offers and keep coming back for more.
I know I do sales and my funnels a little differently than others do- it’s something that many people have commented on.
People tell me all the time that they love my sales style that is very relaxed, honest, and never pushy, and I truly appreciate that feedback because it has taken me a lot of mindset work to get myself to a place where my vibe around sales is relaxed and confident and never pushy.
And, so, I think it’s time I share my secrets with the rest of the awesome female entrepreneurs in my community.
Because this strategy and mindset that I use around sales is so aligned with the needs of the modern small business owner.
I know you need a strategy that is simple and turn-key, that you can use over and over again with success.
I know you need a strategy that integrates seamlessly with the content and platforms you are already using (or want to be using) to spread your message with the world.
I know you need a strategy that supports an elevated mindset around sales. One where we don’t need to feel ashamed about promoting our businesses because we feel good about the work we are doing and the integrity of the business we are creating.
It’s about magnetizing the right customers to us, rather than pushing, convincing or guilting our followers into buying.
I think you know what I mean!
If this is something you’d like to learn, I welcome you to join me for a new business course and group coaching experience I have recently opened for enrollment.
Join me for #INSTAINCOME Sales Funnels
It’s called #INSTAINCOME and it’s the path to easy income building online.
Build a profitable online sales funnel, start to finish, using content marketing, social media and email in just six weeks. Zero ad spend required!
INSTAINCOME is a 6-Week Live Course including six video modules, six live co-working sessions, and six weeks of group coaching support to build your first content marketing sales funnel starting June 1st!
If you are curious, or perhaps you know you really need a sales strategy that works for your business…
