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In this episode, I share my overview of the book 'Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us' by Daniel Pink. The book is focused on motivation and especially highlights the importance of intrinsic motivation as it relates to following through and staying focused on a specific outcome. As an entrepreneur, this content will help you understand how to set meaningful goals and continue to stay motivated through tough times. I also emphasize the concept of mastery and how you can apply this in your business to see longterm success and fulfillment.  Takeaways: Intrinsic motivation is more effective than extrinsic motivation. The three components of intrinsic motivation are autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Mastery is a mindset, a pain, and an asymptote. Identifying what you want to master can help you stay focused in your business. Setting goals with intrinsic motivation and assessing actions can lead to greater progress and fulfillment. Staying motivated requires tapping into your intrinsic motivation and embracing the journey of mastery. Resources:  Drive by Daniel Pink -  https://bookshop.org/p/books/drive-the-surprising-truth-about-what-motivates-us-daniel-h-pink/587231?ean=9781594484803 Mindset by Carol Dweck - https://bookshop.org/p/books/mindset-the-new-psychology-of-success-carol-s-dweck/7841782?ean=9780345472328 Amanda's Free Resources: https://www.amandamckinney.com/free All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874 Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/ Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, Amanda McKinney and Erika Lucas discuss the topic of knowing when to shut down a business. They emphasize the importance of listening to customers and being receptive to their feedback and also checking in with yourself to ensure the business is still connected to your values. They also discuss failure, adaptability and getting support from other entrepreneurs. The combination of understanding data (revenue, product-market fit, etc.) as well as your capacity and willingness to continue are the keys to understanding if it's time to shut your business down or address burnout. Throughout this conversation they both share personal examples and highlight that all entrepreneurs have moments of doubt so you're not alone if you're feeling this way.  Takeaways: Listen to your customers and be receptive to their feedback. Failure is a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey and should not be attached to personal identity. Adaptability is crucial for success in entrepreneurship. Self-evaluation is important to determine if your business is still aligned with your values and goals. Seek support and guidance from other entrepreneurs who have experienced similar challenges. Resources Mentioned:  StitchCrew: https://www.stitchcrew.com/ VESTHer: https://www.vesther.co/  VESTHer Podcast: https://www.vesther.co/podcast  Erika's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-lucas-51207911/ Erika's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_lucas07/ Erika's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erika_lucas7?lang=en Erika's Threads: https://www.threads.net/@erika_lucas07 Amanda's Free Resources: https://www.amandamckinney.com/free All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874 Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/ Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, Erika Lucas shares her insights on the 5 mistakes that new entrepreneurs often make. As an investor who works with startups, growth phase and mature companies, she's seen it all and boils it down into 5 things to watch out for. All entrepreneurs fall into these traps but once you know what to look out for, you can prevent staying in them. Both Amanda and Erika share personal examples of each of the mistakes to ensure you don't feel like you're the only one navigating the tough times in entrepreneurship.  *This conversation led to a part 2 that will be released in the next episode on this podcast.  Takeaways Avoid falling into the trap of focusing on vanity metrics instead of metrics that really matter Spending money before making money is not a good option, you need organic growth first Remember that there will always be challenges in entrepreneurship, no matter your level of success  Detach your personal identity from professional roles and find your core values and purpose. Be aware of the fear of missing out and prioritize activities that align with your goals and values. Resources Mentioned:  StitchCrew: https://www.stitchcrew.com/ VESTHer: https://www.vesther.co/  VESTHer Podcast: https://www.vesther.co/podcast  Erika's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-lucas-51207911/ Erika's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_lucas07/ Erika's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erika_lucas7?lang=en Erika's Threads: https://www.threads.net/@erika_lucas07 Amanda's Free Resources: https://www.amandamckinney.com/free All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874 Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/ Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, I share what to do when it feels like nothing is working in your business because these times are tough when you're an entrepreneur and feel alone and like you're the only one dealing with the hard times. I share my approach that helps me and my clients navigate the tough times and come out stronger on the other side. I share my step-y-step process (which includes 7 questions to ask yourself) for assessing the stressful situation and creating a focused and intentional plan to move forward. All along the way we also check in with your mental health to ensure that you're taking care of yourself as well as your business.  Takeaways You are not alone in experiencing challenges in your business. Entrepreneurship is inherently hard and will always have ups and downs. Do not take setbacks personally; focus on your business rather than yourself. Assess the situation by pausing, checking in with your mental health, and identifying points of stress. Focus on what you can control and take intentional action. Find accountability and support to stay focused and navigate tough seasons. Remember the lessons learned from tough seasons for future growth. Resources Mentioned:  Free Follow Thru Workshop: https://www.amandamckinney.com/workshop Blog Post: Questions To Check In With Your Mental Health: https://www.anandacounselingandwellness.com/blog/7-daily-questions-to-support-mental-health  All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874 Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/ Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

Feeling the stress of doing it all in your business? It can be overwhelming and while it seems like doing it all yourself is the best option, it might be time to let go a little. In this episode, my right-hand-lady, Jess Gulley-Ward, and I talk about how we approached working together so I could successfully hand things off to her and gain some of my time back as the CEO of my business. This honest, casual conversation includes:  What led Amanda to (finally) outsource in my business  Finding the right fit for outsourcing in your business  Difference between Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager  How to start/test working with someone to ensure it's a good fit Setting boundaries and celebrating progress  Resources Mentioned:  FREE Clarity Call with Jess: https://www.jugglinglogistics.com/amanda  Jess's Website: https://www.jugglinglogistics.com/  Jess's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_juggles_logistics  Free Follow-Thru Workshop: https://amandamckinney.com/workshop  All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874 Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/ Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, I discuss how to get what you want this year. After conducting research from my audience I realized there are 3 main things everyone seems to want: Clarity, Calm and Profit. After analyzing the data, I realized that you're closer to these things than you think but you have to do one thing first...stop lying to yourself. I've identified 3 lies we tend to tell ourselves as entrepreneurs in the thick of things but if we stop lying about these, we will have the Clarity, Calm and Profit we desire.  Clarity, calm, and profit are the key desires for success in 2024. We often lie to ourselves about what we truly want, what we can realistically accomplish, and what's working in our business. Slowing down, being honest with ourselves, and seeking support can help us overcome these lies and achieve our goals. Focusing on one revenue source and one marketing channel can lead to increased profit and success. Resources Mentioned: Free Follow-Thru Workshop: https://amandamckinney.com/workshop  All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874 Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/ Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

Want to ditch your corporate job and go all-in on entrepreneurship? It's a fantastic dream but it can be scary to take steps to make that dream become a reality. In this podcast interview, Holly Haynes shares how she navigated the self-doubt and created a 7-figure business over the course of a few years. While it didn't happen overnight, it only took 18 months for her to leave her corporate job and retire her husband from his job too! She's proof that you don't need all day to create your dream business, you just need commitment, a very strong sense of why you want to be an entrepreneur and a clear financial understanding of needs.   Balancing Work and Personal Life Taking the Next Step to Leave a Job Creating a Plan to Leave a Job Replacing Income and Adjusting Schedule  Resources Mentioned:  Free Follow-Thru Workshop: https://amandamckinney.com/workshop  All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874 Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/ Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book Holly's Website: https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/ Holly's Podcast (Crush The Rush): https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/podcast Holly's Free 5 Day CEO Challenge: https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/ceoweek Holly's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehollymariehaynes/ 

In this episode, I discuss how to create a sustainable business that integrates into your life instead of taking it over. There are four steps to achieve this: identifying your definition of success, determining financial sustainability, designing your ideal schedule, and overcoming the comparison game. By understanding what success means to you, setting financial goals, creating a schedule that aligns with your desired lifestyle, and avoiding comparison, you can build a business that supports the life you want to live. Define your own definition of success as an entrepreneur to guide your business and set achievable goals. Determine what financial success means to you by tracking your expenses, knowing your salary, and saving for taxes. Design your ideal schedule as an entrepreneur to avoid overworking and prioritize your well-being. Stop comparing yourself to others and focus on your own journey to create a sustainable business. Resources Mentioned:  Free Workshop: https://amandamckinney.com/workshop  All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874 Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/ Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book Episode #194 (Goal Setting): https://www.amandamckinney.com/post/step-by-step-process-of-defining-success-on-your-terms-as-an-entrepreneur Profitable Business Blog Post (with Free Financial Tracker): https://www.amandamckinney.com/post/how-to-create-a-profitable-small-business

New year, new business goals. But what happens when your mind plays tricks on you and says "but you didn't follow through last year, why try this year?". It's time to kick those thoughts to the curb and re-write your story for 2024 because just because you didn't follow through before, doesn't mean you can't this time around. In this episode I'm sharing:  My Follow-Thru Framework that ensures progress on your goal.  Set clear and meaningful goals that you truly want to achieve. Visualize what success looks and feels like to stay motivated. Develop willpower and exercise it like a muscle. Track your progress and celebrate small wins along the way. Find accountability through tools, connection, or payment to ensure follow-through. 2024 is your year! You've got this and I can't wait to see what you achieve after taking these steps.  Resources Mentioned:  Free Workshop: https://amandamckinney.com/workshop  All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874 Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/ Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book University of Bristol Research (8% stat): https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/heres-why-only-8-people-achieve-new-years-resolutions-wallwork#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20a%20study%20by,set%20unrealistic%20goals%20for%20themselves. Mel Robbins Podcast Episode: https://www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-126 Florida State University Research (willpower): https://raywilliams.ca/why-new-years-resolutions-fail-and-what-to-do-about-it/ Oxford Research Encyclopedias Psychology Article (visualization): https://oxfordre.com/psychology/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.001.0001/acrefore-9780190236557-e-228  Michael Phelps (visualization article): https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/the-power-of-the-mind-through-visualization/   Michael Phelps (visualization video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-mm90LFPqU Science Direct Research (decision making): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0166432819313889?via%3Dihub#  10-Year Old National Champions: https://www.chronicleonline.com/weeklies/riverland_news/local_news/tiger-youths-win-pop-warner-national-championship/article_d27c80f6-e207-5707-a41e-6dc9024df516.html#:~:text=The%2010U%20Pop%20Warner%20Dunnellon,York%2021%2D6%20on%20Dec. Harvard Business Review (Progress Principle): https://hbr.org/2011/05/the-power-of-small-wins American Society of Training & Development Research: https://stellapop.com/youll-be-95-more-successful-with-this-one-simple-leadership-trick/#:~:text=Accountability%20is%20a%20well%2Dknown,accountability%20to%20a%20third%20party. 

Do you feel lonely, like you're on an island and the only person who's dealing with these entrepreneurship struggles? While the feeling is real, the good news is that you're not the only one. Every accidental entrepreneur has felt this way at some point. Plus there's one thing you can do to help this process overall and it's to find your support system. In this episode I'll share: Why a support system is critical for accidental entrepreneurs The 5 buckets of support you need When you need each of the 5 How to find each type of support Resources: All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874 Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/ Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

It's that time of year when we look back and reflect on what we've achieved (or haven't) and set our sights on the new year. While it's tempting to skip right to the fun planning part for next year, please don't skip the reflection process. As a business owner, taking time to reflect will help you make better business decisions and set achievable goals for the coming year. In this episode I share:  3 step process for end of year business reflection  Next year goal setting  Writing a letter to your future self  How to keep your overall vision in mind all year long Additional Resources:  Ep. 219: Setting realistic 90 day goals :  https://www.amandamckinney.com/post/how-to-set-a-realistic-90-day-business-goal-in-your-small-business All podcast episodes: https://www.amandamckinney.com/podcast 90 Minute Profit & Productivity Intensive: https://www.amandamckinney.com/customized-coaching  Accountability Coaching:  https://www.amandamckinney.com/accountability-coaching

As a business owner who's almost a one-woman-show, it was nerve-wracking to know I needed to take a month off due to a health issue. But I learned a lot and now get to apply it to my business and you can too! I'm sharing all the lessons I learned as a prepped for and took 1 month off from my business.  Prepping for taking a month off  Getting back to work after a month off Mentally, how it impacted me Did I actually complete disconnect from business What was the biggest challenge / biggest joy Lessons learned that I'll apply going forward  Amanda's Resources:  Free Clarity Plan: https://www.amandamckinney.com/clarity  Profit Intensive: https://www.amandamckinney.com/profit  Accountability Coaching: https://www.amandamckinney.com/accountability-coaching  Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book  All Podcast Episodes: https://www.amandamckinney.com/podcast