Could Your Beliefs Be Limiting Your Business Growth?

Could Your Beliefs Be Limiting Your Business Growth?

by | Nov 8, 2024 | Busy Trap, Juggle Street, Peak Performance, Smart Growth, Time Freedom

You might not realise it, but the beliefs you hold (consciously or subconsciously) are playing a huge role in shaping your business outcomes.

Whether it’s your mindset around money, your views on success, or how you approach sales, these beliefs are influencing every decision you make.

Let’s explore three key areas where your beliefs might be holding you back, and how changing them can create real business transformation.

  1. The Invisible Money Beliefs

How you view money can dramatically affect your business. Many of us unknowingly carry limiting beliefs like “money is scarce” or “you have to work hard to make money.” These mindsets can lead to decisions based on fear, like underpricing your services or avoiding investments that could help your business grow.

Shifting this belief to “money is a tool to create value” can open the door to greater financial abundance.

  1. The Stories We Tell Ourselves About Hard Work

Do you believe that success only comes from working harder? Many business owners are stuck in the hustle mentality, convinced that long hours and constant effort are the only way to achieve their goals. This belief often leads to burnout and inefficiency.

The truth is, working smarter—not harder—produces better results. It’s about finding ways to leverage your time, streamline operations, and focus on high-value activities, so you can grow your business without sacrificing your well-being.

  1. Challenging Long-Held Beliefs from Childhood

The beliefs we adopt in childhood—whether about hard work, success, or leadership—often go unchallenged throughout adulthood. These beliefs shape how we approach our careers and businesses, but they may no longer serve us.

By actively questioning and replacing outdated beliefs with more empowering ones, you can create a mindset that fosters growth rather than limits it.

Changing your beliefs isn’t easy, but it’s essential if you want to grow your business in a meaningful way.

Start by reflecting on what’s driving your decisions—are those beliefs helping you move forward or keeping you stuck?

Ness is a Business and Leadership Coach and co-author of Healthy Hustle – The New Blueprint to Thrive in Business and Life. Her approach is grounded in practicality and empathy because she believes in the power of careful, thoughtful decision-making that respects your needs. Having run successful coaching businesses since 2015, Ness is obsessed with helping business owners and leaders thrive. She helps her clients install smart business growth strategies and leverage leadership for peak performance.

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Time Management is Dead: The Real Secret to Business Success is Energy

Time Management is Dead: The Real Secret to Business Success is Energy

by | Oct 25, 2024 | Business Chaos, Busy Trap, Juggle Street, Peak Performance, Profitability and business growth, Smart Growth, Time Freedom

Let’s be honest, time management is overrated. If you’ve spent years trying to fit your life into neatly scheduled 9-to-5 blocks, you know the struggle. 

For most of us, it’s exhausting, unproductive, and frankly, outdated. 

The real secret to success? Managing your energy.

Here’s the deal: we don’t all work the same way, and that’s okay. 

I used to push myself to stick to rigid schedules, thinking that’s what “success” demanded. But after too many repeated patterns of pushing too hard, I realised something game-changing: I wasn’t failing at time management, I was ignoring how my body and brain actually work. 

Some days, I can power through tasks like I’ve got the energy of ten people; other days, I’m practically running on empty by midday. Can you relate?

This isn’t just personal, it’s universal. Every single person on your team has their own natural rhythm, and as a leader, forcing everyone into a cookie-cutter workday is a fast track to exhausting them. 

 

People aren’t robots. One-size-fits-all productivity just doesn’t work.

And yet, so many business owners and managers still cling to the idea that productivity equals hours worked. It’s time to stop pretending that everyone should be “on” at the same time, at the same pace. The real question is: are your people working when they’re at their best?

Creating a flexible work environment that respects individual energy patterns isn’t a luxury. 

When we stop managing time and start managing energy, everything changes. 

You create a team that’s engaged, thriving, and, most importantly, sustainable. Business success isn’t about working more, it’s about working smarter.

So, why cling to outdated schedules when the future of success is rooted in how well you manage energy.

What’s your favourite way to manage your energy to keep the hustle healthy?

Nicky

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The Dangerous Reality of Hustle Culture

The Dangerous Reality of Hustle Culture

by | Sep 23, 2024 | Business Chaos, Busy Trap, Juggle Street, Profitability and business growth, Smart Growth, Time Freedom

We live in a world that glorifies the hardcore hustle – the idea that working harder, longer, and faster is the only path to success.

But behind the scenes, this version of hustle culture that so many of us subscribe to is a leading cause of burnout, strained relationships, and declining mental health. 

This doesn’t just affect leaders; it impacts entire teams.

Have you ever felt that taking a break is a sign of weakness? 

Or that your worth is measured solely by your productivity?

The truth is, this relentless grind is unsustainable. 

It leads to exhaustion, not excellence. Worse, it often results in focusing on tasks instead of meaningful outcomes.

It’s time for a mindset shift.

We’ve all heard “hustle hard,” but what if that mindset is actually holding you back?

Success shouldn’t come at the cost of well-being.

How to Escape the Daily Whirlwind and Focus on Growth

The whirlwind of daily tasks can trap us in a cycle of busy, making us think the solution is to ‘work harder’. But real growth requires a smarter approach.

Here’s how you can break free:

  • Delegate tasks: Focus on what only you can do, and empower others to take ownership of the rest.
  • Set clear priorities: Align your daily actions (set weekly top 5’s) with your larger goals (quarterly milestones), both in business and in life. This clarity will make decision-making easier.
  • Carve out time for what matters: Block out regular time for deep work, strategic planning, and essential but often neglected tasks, like coaching your team or reviewing finances.

It’s time to step out of the whirlwind and into a space where you can focus on what really makes a difference.

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Are you addicted to your business?

Are you addicted to your business?

by | Aug 9, 2024 | Business Chaos, Busy Trap, Juggle Street, Peak Performance, Smart Growth, Time Freedom

You dream of having a smoothly running business, a high-performing team, and the freedom to step back without the constant need for you to be in the business. 

After all, it’s why you went into business in the first place.

But what about when you achieve this ideal scenario? 

Have you stopped to consider the often-overlooked downside?

When your business no longer hinges on your every move, you may find yourself grappling with a surprising challenge: the lack of significance and validation that comes from being the go-to problem solver.

Because you’ve built your business from the ground up, it’s really hard to let go. 

The need to swoop in and save the day, to validate your importance through solving daily issues, can become addictive. 

Even when your team is performing well, it’s tempting to fall into the thought pattern of “I would’ve done it this way,” despite the fact your team is achieving the same results. 

This urge can make it difficult for you to step back and fully trust your team.

But the idea of having nothing to do can be simply daunting. 

Your fantasy of endless beach days can quickly turn into boredom. 

Because you’re wired for growth, always seeking the next challenge. 

This drive is part of your DNA as a successful business owner, but it can also be a double-edged sword, leading to what some experts call “entrepreneurial addiction”.

Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and mental health author, describes addiction as compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. 

This definition is particularly relevant for business owners who find themselves compulsively working longer hours, neglecting personal relationships, and sacrificing health and well-being for the sake of their business.

Amy identifies 6 warning signs of entrepreneurial addiction:

1. Obsessive thoughts (constantly thinking about your business – getting new clients, introducing new products, the next onboarding round…)

2. Withdrawal (once that big pitch or project is done withdrawal symptoms can occur, boredom, depression, anxiety, a feeling of ‘coming down’)

3. Self-Worth problems (never acknowledging how far you’ve come or celebrating your successes before searching for the next big thing will impact your self-worth, it’s never enough)

4. Increased Tolerance to your substance of choice, in this case unhealthy ways of working (the long hours, no lunch breaks or lack of sleep become the normal way to function)

5. Neglect (other areas of life come second and are neglected – your health, family, time for you, hobbies, sleep)

6. Negative Outcomes (continuing your way of working despite the negative effects on your health, relationships, and life)

Do you see any of these warning signs in you?

If yes, then you need to break the cycle.

You can start this by setting clear boundaries – allocate specific times for work and personal activities, and stick to them. 

Celebrate your achievements and acknowledge your progress to maintain a healthy sense of self-worth. 

Most importantly, remember why you started your business in the first place. 

Reconnect with your initial goals and ensure they’re being met without compromising your well-being.

Taking these steps can help you regain control and create a sustainable work-life balance. 

If you find yourself struggling, consider booking a clarity call with me to discuss strategies to get yourself out of this mess. 

It’s time to move from being indispensable to leading a thriving, self-sufficient business so that you can enjoy the freedom and fulfilment you deserve.

Ness is a Business and Leadership Coach. Her approach is grounded in practicality and empathy because she believes in the power of careful, thoughtful decision-making that respects your needs. Having run successful coaching businesses since 2015, Ness is obsessed with helping business owners and leaders thrive. She helps her clients install smart business growth strategies and leverage leadership for peak performance.

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Grow Smart, Not Hard: Secrets to Building a Thriving Business 

Grow Smart, Not Hard: Secrets to Building a Thriving Business 

by | May 16, 2024 | Business Chaos, Busy Trap, Juggle Street, Peak Performance, Time Freedom

Smart growth in business isn’t about relentless hustle or sacrificing your well-being for the sake of performance. 

Instead, smart growth focuses on combining strong leadership and effective people strategies to ensure that you, your team, and your business thrive.

If you want to reclaim time and step away from being everything to everyone, so that you can work smarter, not harder then it’s time to lean into smart growth.

Let’s look at how you do this.

Strong People Leadership

By fostering a culture where your team can make decisions independently, you free yourself from daily operations.

This takes a commitment to empowering your team, coaching and supporting their skill development.

It also means you drop any micro-management behaviours that could have snuck in.

The payoff? 

Enhanced productivity and increased job satisfaction for you and your team. 

Redefining Business Success

What does success mean to you?

Is it just about turnover targets getting achieved at all costs?

Or does it include caring about your team’s mental health?

Is it about reacting to economic uncertainties at all costs? 

Or do you embrace challenges without compromising your health and that of your business? 

True success combines profitability with well-being, steering clear of burnout and building resilience against whatever challenges get thrown your way.

Strategic Focus for Daily Challenges

Managing a business or a team requires constant attention to operations, client delivery, and lead generation. 

It’s easy to get sucked into the vortex of the whirlpool and feel like you’re drowning.

The challenge is to remain proactive rather than reactive.

For you to remain forward-thinking and robust you need to step on the balcony and focus on the bigger picture.

Without the ability to take time to work on your business instead of in it, you are leaving yourself open to feeling like business is chaotic.

Empowerment Through Decision-Making

What would you rather – a team of decision-makers or a team of doers? 

Decision-makers need structures to follow to set them up for success.

They need to be able to make mistakes and learn from them, be supported to grow and learn.

This shift not only empowers your team but also ensures that the business can continue to operate effectively, even in your absence. 

When you have a team that operates autonomously, you get the time freedom to focus on whatever is next for you.

Where do you sit right now?

We’ve created a 60-second quiz for you to identify which phase of business growth you’re in.

Your results will identify which one of these four categories you fall into – Crisis, Build, Growth or Momentum mode.

And we’ll give you the blueprint to move to Momentum from whichever phase you’re in.

The blueprint includes our favourite tools (you’ll get access to them straight away) that are working for our clients at the moment with sales productivity, profit planning and team engagement.

Click here to do the survey now – https://businesstogether.typeform.com/smartgrowth?typeform

Ness is a Business and Leadership Coach. Her approach is grounded in practicality and empathy because she believes in the power of careful, thoughtful decision-making that respects your needs. Having run successful coaching businesses since 2015, Ness is obsessed with helping business owners and leaders thrive. She helps her clients install smart business growth strategies and leverage leadership for peak performance.

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Unlocking Your Business Potential with Extended DISC Profiling

Unlocking Your Business Potential with Extended DISC Profiling

by | Nov 2, 2023 | Business coaching for women, Busy Trap, Time Freedom

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying ‘going into business is the biggest personal development journey you can go on’.

Cheesy? Yep!

Also true though? Absolutely! 

Looking back at my 8 years in business, I just can’t help but wholeheartedly agree with that statement. 

No matter who you are, when you start a business, the only certainty is that it will stretch you beyond what you think you’re capable of. 

And those who don’t lean into the growth fall into the 60% that shut down their business within the first 3 years (figures from the ABS). 

There’s no other way through it: overcoming fears and reshaping belief systems becomes essential for success.

 As a coach, I often find myself helping clients explore the depths of their behaviour and motivations. 

Self-awareness is key, and one powerful tool we use is the Extended DISC profiling tool. 

DISC helps us understand what drives our behaviour, why we procrastinate on certain things, and why we’re naturally drawn to some activities but avoid others.

You see, it’s not just about knowing how to run a business; it’s about understanding human behaviour and how it impacts everything in business – from what you focus on to how you communicate. 

We all have things we avoid like the plague… perhaps it’s handling conflicts, scheduling appointments, or making important phone calls. 

Then there are tasks that come naturally to us, making us effortlessly productive and feeling like we have the energy to keep going for hours.

Extended DISC profiling is the best tool I have come across that helps us understand this and more importantly, helps us understand what we need to do differently.

The DISC model distributes behaviours into four primary styles: 

🔴  (D) Dominant

🟡  (I) Influencer

🟢  (S) Stabiliser 

🔵  (C) Conscientious

Each style has its unique characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses.

The Dominant (D) style is future-focused, outcome-driven, and direct. 

They thrive on taking quick actions and are often seen as assertive and results-oriented, yet can come across as direct and blunt

The Influencer (I) style is charismatic, extroverted, and sees endless possibilities. 

They excel in communication and connecting with people but can be easily distracted by shiny new opportunities.

The Stabiliser (S) style is the nurturer, reliable, and great at building relationships. 

They excel in creating a sense of community and are always willing to help others integrate into a team, but tend to not share their opinion easily

The Conscientious (C) style is analytical, detail-oriented, and introverted. 

They love diving deep into data and are often seen as experts in their field and can appear as cold and withdrawn

What’s fascinating is that most people have a blend of these styles, so can’t be pigeonholed as only one particular style, which makes understanding your unique mix incredibly empowering.

For example, in my partnership with Nicky, she leans towards the Influencer (I) and Dominant (D) styles, while I leans towards the Conscientious (C) and Stabiliser (S) styles. 

This becomes especially evident in our business roles, and one of the reasons why our clients love working with us because we cover all four styles.

Nicky gravitates towards the creative aspects of our work, such as website design, sales pages, and content creation, all the fun stuff. 

On the other hand, I tend to excel in the behind-the-scenes work—finances, detailed processes, and content organisation.

This harmony in our behavioral styles allows us to handle diverse tasks effectively. 

Understanding our differences and knowing how to make the best of them has been a game-changer in our business. 

The beauty of DISC profiling lies in its ability to simplify complex behaviour patterns. 

As a predictor of human behaviour, it’s not about boxing people into categories; it’s about gaining insights into your specific behaviour and using that knowledge to your advantage.

If you’re curious to find out about your own DISC style or how we could help you and your teams to communicate more effectively by understanding each other, reach out for a chat.

Meet Nicky & Ness

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