Ever wondered how the pearls of wisdom from our elders shape our life? Join me on a journey today as I reminisce about my father, a 30-year Marine veteran, and his invaluable life lessons that have become the bedrock of my teachings. In his honor, I discuss three key lessons from him - not judging a book by its cover, thinking and dreaming big, and the essence of kindness in our lives. As we sail through these life lessons, you'll discover how they are intertwined in my work and the advice ...
Oct 31, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wondered why seemingly simple tasks like making your bed or planning meals can feel like chores? Join me as business coach Sarah Walton guides us on a journey to find joy in these everyday activities and introduces the concept of high-functioning codependence. But that's just the beginning. In this episode, we'll also explore the fascinating differences in multitasking abilities between men and women. Understanding these distinctions can be a game-changer for improving your time m...
Oct 24, 2023•24 min•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wondered how starting your week with meetings can affect your entire week? Well, I've got some fantastic ideas for you. In this episode, we're going to explore what happens when you decide to keep your Monday mornings free from meetings. It's a simple change, but it can make a big difference in how productive and organized your week becomes. Join me as I share my personal journey of how I improved my Work+Life Harmony by reserving Mondays for planning and preparation...
Oct 17, 2023•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Can a wall calendar revolutionize the way you connect with your family or plan your meals? Tasha Agruso of Kaleidoscope Living graced us with her presence in this episode, sharing the genesis of her innovative, bright wall calendar. Each month has its own page, and Tasha's creative vision shines as she shares how this functional art piece can turn any space into a vibrant hub of productivity. Together we dive into the multitude of ways to use Tasha's colorful calendar - from tracking h...
Oct 10, 2023•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the final part of the 4 levels of planning...weekly planning! This episode unlocks the mystery of weekly planning and unveils the differences between weekly and monthly planning. I smash the myth that continuous list-making equates to effective weekly planning and equip you with practical strategies to boost your productivity. Weekly planning takes those vague monthly intentions and transforms them into actionable tasks with set dates and times. We're not striving for a jam-packe...
Oct 03, 2023•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to part three of the 4 levels of planning. In this episode, I am unraveling the subtle power of monthly planning. This episode presents you with clear strategies on how to efficiently map out your month and get a grip on how much of your time is already accounted for. I'll guide you through a process of evaluating your quarterly activities, tweaking them if necessary, and capturing your monthly planning details, irrespective of whether you're a digital calendar user or a paper ...
Sep 26, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to part two of the 4 levels of planning. By the end of this episode, you will have the tools you need to create an effective quarterly plan that aligns with your annual goals. In today's episode, I cover the basics of quarterly planning, discussing how to incorporate your personal, work, and business activities seamlessly. Beyond this, you’ll gain insight into how to prioritize and protect time for business activities without sacrificing your personal life events. GRAB THE 4 LEVELS ...
Sep 19, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Want to know the secret to harmonizing all aspects of your life? I'm here to share with you the 4 levels of planning to do just that! This week, I'm kicking off a four-part series that is set to revolutionize the way you plan. With my guidance, you'll gain insights into integrating personal, work, and business plans for a more balanced life. In today's episode, we're kicking things off with a deep dive into the highest and most abstract level of planning: Annual Planning...
Sep 12, 2023•17 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wondered how to stay on top of the digital declutter? In this week's episode, I'm going to guide you through five effective strategies that have transformed my digital life, from managing emails and digital photos to social media and data backups. Digital decluttering refers to the process of organizing and streamlining the digital aspects of our lives, including emails, files, photos, and tasks. It's a vital practice in our increasingly tech-driven world where the digital cl...
Sep 05, 2023•13 min•Ep 206•Transcript available on Metacast Are you stuck in a cycle of constant overwhelming feelings and procrastination? We've all been there! Today, I'm breaking down the barriers to your productivity and reclaiming your time. We'll discuss the whys and hows of procrastination and, based on my personal journey, I'll be sharing three practical, life-changing tools to get you past these hurdles. But we're not stopping there! I'm delving deeper into the psychology of our brains - how they seek pleasure and a...
Aug 29, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tired of the chaos in your digital world? Fear not, we've got you covered with some remarkable takeaways you'd get from my chat with Lydia Martin, the brain behind Banish Business Clutter. Lydia, known for her profound understanding of the human brain and its operations, shares her wisdom on organizing your digital space. Together, we explore the benefits of digital decluttering and the remarkable transformation one can achieve by establishing a confident system. Brace yourself as Lydi...
Aug 22, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are you grappling with the conundrum of how to synchronize your digital and paper planning systems without duplicating information? The answer lies within this episode where I demystify the necessity of digital calendaring for effective time blocking and shed light on why a paper planner provides a superior bird’s-eye view of my schedule. This episode is a treasure trove of strategies that harmonize these two systems for efficient time management and planning. Join me and dive into the nuances o...
Aug 15, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast How can you as a mom retain your individuality while taking care of your family? Meet Dr. Morgan Cutlip, a psychologist who's dedicated her career to relationship education and is a mother herself. We'll get a glimpse into her journey from the academic world of psychological theories to the practical world of day-to-day motherhood. Just like machines, we too need regular refueling to function efficiently. The crux of our conversation with Dr. Cutlip revolves around the concept of self-...
Aug 08, 2023•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever feel overwhelmed by the plethora of apps and tools available, each one claiming to skyrocket your productivity? Let's pull back the veil together and learn how to critically evaluate these digital offerings, ensuring they're worthy of your time and energy. We'll tackle questions like "What's the true purpose of this tool?" and "Is it really solving a problem for me?". We take this evaluation a step further by assessing if the tool is indeed worth the ...
Aug 01, 2023•16 min•Ep 201•Transcript available on Metacast Can you imagine the transformation your work + life would undergo if you learned to DITCH work-life balance and aim for work + life harmony instead? That's precisely the journey we've embarked on together over the last 200 episodes of the Work + Life Harmony podcast! As we ring in this milestone episode, I take a reflective pause to distill some vital lessons learned along the way. Tune in, as I reminisce on the critical necessity of preparation, the magic of a well-structured script, ...
Jul 25, 2023•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tired of the daily scramble to answer the 'what's for dinner' question? Longing for a way to streamline your meal planning and preparation routine that doesn't involve spending hours in your kitchen every weekend? Nakita, a meal prep expert, joins me to share her unique approach and practical tips on transforming meal prep and planning from a chore into a game-changer! Together, we unpack the key differences between meal planning and meal prepping, and how integrating these p...
Jul 18, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Celebrating my 50th birthday today, I take you on a roller-coaster ride that was the journey of creating the TOP Planner 3.0. Ever wondered how a revolutionary planner springs to life? Unfold the saga of its creation, the challenges we wrestled with, and how our strategic planning came to the rescue. More importantly, understand the significance of four levels of planning that were critical in this journey and learn how they can be your secret weapon in managing your projects and goals. Get read...
Jul 11, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast What if you could live a life filled with harmony and well-being by simply embracing a slower pace? Join me as I chat with Stephanie O'Dea, the "Crock-Pot Lady," who went viral years ago after cooking dinner in her crock pot every night for an entire year and blogging about her journey. Stephanie shares her story, from her humble beginnings to hitting the New York Times best-sellers list, and the most rewarding part of her journey - connecting with other moms who have been touched...
Jul 04, 2023•25 min•Ep 197•Transcript available on Metacast Are you torn between going digital or sticking to the good old-fashioned paper planner? In today's episode, I tackle the importance of monthly planning and how it can help you make that crucial decision. In this episode: Discover the differences between monthly and weekly planning The type of information monthly and weekly planning requires The significance of choosing the right paper planner for your weekly planning sessions I also discuss why I still have a soft spot for paper planners an...
Jun 27, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Relying on willpower to achieve your goals? Discover how leaning into alignment can revolutionize your approach to productivity and time management. In this episode, I share my personal experience of how embracing alignment over willpower has significantly impacted my life and made tasks like starting a new exercise routine or blogging feel more natural and effortless. In this episode, I dive deep into: The concept of alignment and how it applies to activities you want to initiate, such as begin...
Jun 20, 2023•14 min•Ep 195•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever found yourself in a situation where life throws a massive curveball your way, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of your next steps? I've been there, and I want to share my experience and the biggest mistake you could make when facing a massive pivot in your life. Join me in this episode as I discuss the importance of adapting to changes and maintaining productivity during uncertain times. We'll dive into: The process of replanning and prioritizing your life in th...
Jun 13, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Imagine the freedom and time you'd gain if your kids could confidently whip up healthy meals in the kitchen! Join us for an insightful conversation with Katie Kimball, an expert in teaching parents how to stay healthy without going crazy. Throughout our chat, Katie shares her wisdom on getting kids involved in the kitchen, which not only frees up time for parents but also gives kids a boost of confidence and creates stronger family connections. We delve into the importance of teaching kids ...
Jun 06, 2023•28 min•Ep 193•Transcript available on Metacast Just when you thought SMART goals were the secret to success, Mindi Huebner reveals an unexpected twist that will change the way you approach goal-setting forever. Her concept of 24-karat outcomes taps into the power of the subconscious mind, allowing individuals to shift their beliefs and truly embody their desired change. Are you ready to unlock your true potential? Mindi Huebner joins the show this week and is an intuitive mindset mastery coach. She brings her expertise in helping six, seven,...
May 30, 2023•36 min•Ep 192•Transcript available on Metacast When puzzle pieces are scattered across various places, solving the puzzle becomes more time-consuming, frustrating, and overwhelming. Analogously, keeping essential information dispersed across different platforms or devices can hinder one's ability to manage their time and make well-informed, quick decisions efficiently. In this episode, I'm using this jigsaw puzzle analogy to drive home the importance of centralizing information for time management and planning. Listen in as I empha...
May 23, 2023•14 min•Ep 191•Transcript available on Metacast If you're feeling overwhelmed and frustrated by constantly juggling work and family responsibilities, trying to squeeze in more hours daily, and sacrificing self-care time, then you are not alone! Today I am joined by Steph Hochstetler a busy mom and professional. Living in the suburbs of Chicago, Steph is a proud member of her local improv theater and youth program, while also dedicating her time to two nonprofits and a local political campaign. Steph has been in the TOP Program for 2.5 ye...
May 16, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast There is a difference between spending time and investing time. Spending time refers to activities that bring immediate results without any future time-saving benefit. On the other hand, investing time implies engaging in tasks that might not have an instantaneous effect but lay the foundation for future time savings. Striking the right balance between spending and investing time is the key to achieving productivity and preventing exhaustion. In this episode, I emphasize the importance of identi...
May 09, 2023•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast In fostering a balanced and orderly work-life environment, it is important to understand the correlation between physical clutter and mental well-being. Cluttered spaces tend to have a detrimental effect on productivity and focus, causing individuals to feel stressed and overwhelmed. An organized home allows for clearer thinking, reduced stress levels, and improved mood, enabling people to concentrate on more important aspects of life like their careers, hobbies, and personal relationships. Duri...
May 02, 2023•36 min•Ep 188•Transcript available on Metacast Taking time to spring clean your calendar is the number one way to really start to free up more of your time. Last week we talked about some simple things to spring clean your house. Today, I'm sharing how to spring clean the stuff you CAN'T see! Tune in to revamp your calendar for a fresh, focused mindset and heightened productivity, and uncover how to optimize daily habits by monitoring time usage. In this episode, you will: 1. Learn key strategies for eliminating clutter through the...
Apr 25, 2023•18 min•Ep 187•Transcript available on Metacast After years of dedicating myself to mastering the art of spring cleaning, I was surprised to discover how it could positively impact my emotional well-being and ultimately lead me to more Work + Life Harmony. Little did I know that this ritual of renewal would shape my life in ways I could never have imagined. Tune in as I walk you through my "how-to spring clean" process. Today's episode is part one where I cover spring cleaning your physical things. Part two will cover spring cl...
Apr 18, 2023•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast As a people pleaser, I previously found myself putting everyone else's needs before my own, leading to resentment and decreased productivity. Realizing the need for change, I decided to establish boundaries and communicate them with my family. The two boundaries I set were not working on weekends and dedicating three hours per week solely to my CEO duties. By having an open conversation with my family, I was able to explain my needs and how it would impact our lives. This led to improved pr...
Apr 11, 2023•14 min•Ep 185•Transcript available on Metacast 
