“I’ll rise up and I’ll do it a thousand times again.” 🐦‍🔥~Andra Day

baby steps to big wins (#386)

You’ve probably heard the advice about getting “2 hours of deep work” done first thing in the morning. While that might be ideal for some, it’s not always feasible for everyone, especially those of us juggling multiple responsibilities. (I kinda want to just call us jugglers! 😉)

As a caregiver, I can tell you that some mornings, the amount of drama I deal with before 9 am is UNREAL.

But here’s the funny thing about being busy, it forces you to get creative and focused with your time. Here are a few principles that have helped me:

• Baby steps matter. Progress is progress, no matter how small. Those tiny actions you take? They’re moving you in the right direction - not to mention giving you a momentum boost to keep going.
  

• 15 minutes of work > 0 minutes. Can’t find two hours? Or even an hour? No big. Short bursts of focused work can be incredibly effective.
  
  💡Speaking of short bursts, you’ll see a list of tasks you can do in one minute in the #read section below.
  

• Consistency is key. Small, consistent steps add up over time. As I learned with my hair, this works.

I know it can be frustrating when you can’t follow some of the “standard” productivity advice you see out there. (I get triggered by these sometimes!) Not to mention some of these morning routines. But remember, your journey is unique. What works for others might not work for you, and that’s okay.

The key is to find what DOES work for your schedule and lifestyle. It could be waking up 15 minutes earlier, using your lunch break to knock out a couple of tasks, or spending some time after everyone is in bed. Whatever it is, make it work for your life.

And to tell you a little secret: what works today may not work next week. And that’s also okay! 👍. A lot of it depends on what you have going on at that time and figuring out what is doable for you right now.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed or like you’re not doing enough, remember that small steps can lead to big results. Be kind to yourself and keep moving forward.

Do you have any favorite productivity tips or strategies that have helped you juggle #allthethings?

On to the picks!

P.S. If you have been thinking about starting a side hustle, get your free ticket for the Ignite Your Side Hustle Summit. It kicks off on the 17th!

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Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost. I only recommend products that I use and love.  

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#love 😍

• 📺. Watching: Found. Whoa, that plot twist at the end of episode one! 🤯 Giving me major Scandal vibes. Quick rundown:

  • Centers on Gabi and her agency all about finding missing and forgotten people

  • She was kidnapped s a child herself (talk about personal stakes!)

  • Focuses on cases the police overlook

  • Gabi’s personal history adds such a compelling layer to the story, which makes it more than just another crime drama.

  • Anyone else watching?

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#read

Take ONE minute to do ONE of these things before you start work tomorrow

1. Email one of your most engaged email subscribers, thank them for their interest, and ask if you can help them with something.

2. Unsubscribe from a newsletter you don’t read.

3. Email a customer, thank them, ask how your product helped them, and turn what they say into a testimonial on your sales page.

4. Buy that book or product you’ve been meaning to buy.

5. Share your most popular blog post, video, or podcast on LinkedIn and reference it’s your most popular post.

6. Google your name or brand name and see what comes up.

7. Email one person who has an audience you’d like to reach and offer to do a cross promotion with them.

8. Message one person whose tweets you find valuable and tell them you appreciate what they share.

9. Tell one person you know who would likely find my newsletter helpful to check it out. 😉

10. Set a timer for 60 seconds, shut everything off, and just sit and think for a minute.

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#icymi

• 😍. Last issue’s top pick: Start your day on a strawberry: 15 microhabits for calmer, healthier mornings

“Give your friends and mentors the gift of showing up for you.” 💝 ~Leslie Odom Jr.

• 🎤. ASK: My goal is to book ONE MORE paid speaking gig this year. If you know of one, I’d love an intro. I talk about side hustles, newsletters, and finding self-care in a busy life. Learn more about my speaking offerings here.

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#lifevibes

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#supporters ☕️

Thank you, Kelly, Melinda, Tawanna, Gia, Lori, Ayana, Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Hmza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keryn, Terry, Vanessa, Meredith, Lauren, Meg, Maria J., Chivon, Kim, Luciano, Colie, Chasity, Laurie, Latienda, Collette, Anne, Kristen, Liz, Katherine, Monale, Betsy, Melissa, Lindsay, Jennifer, Kayla, Madison, Rae, Stephanie, Christine R., Christine M., Frances, Hannah, Chris, Brandy, Mea, Kristian, Maria K., Avery, Adam, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L’Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️

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