Howdy, stranger 🥲
I’m back with a simple lesson.
A mini lesson is often all you need… or all I can give.
It’s been a few weeks since my last post.
and I’m so glad I added that disclaimer 👇
SPOILER: it happened again, but it helped us learn WHY. Some lessons are built from failure.
I was recalculating 🔄
POV the inside of my brain the past few weeks
If you’re confused, DO NOT PASS GO.
DO NOT COLLECT $200.
DO return to lesson 25, and then come right back here 🙂
What did I find when all calculations were said and done?
In the spirit of this lesson’s title “mini lessons” —
I will keep this as brief (well, as brief as I am capable of)
my time ⏰
was getting lost, even with safeguards in place
is worth the world, and yours is too!
needed to be planned differently in this new season of my life
RECALCULATION RESULT:
updated schedule of “business hours”
firmer boundaries
increase in focused time blocks during this busy season
saying “no” and meaning it when the opportunity doesn’t make sense
a schedule that reflects my priorities and how they weigh against one another
my work 💼
is awesome 😎
should be amplified
often ends up better with feedback from others
needed a different management approach to sustain brilliance at scale
RECALCULATION RESULT:
new “End of Day Index” in my project management system
(more on this soon)
better, faster way to add items to my portfolio
(successful) research into better ways to manage communication with clients, partners, and other associates
deep inner work to change HOW I approach tasks
➡ so awesome effort can always make it OUT of my brain
and INTO the right conversation, deliverable, or digital location
my mind 🧠
is strong overall
wanders, which makes me creative, but means I need check ins!
needed a reminder about expectations
gets loud when I don’t get the ideas out of it!
can create magic under even the most intense circumstances
was clouded by voices that didn’t matter 🤭
RECALCULATION RESULT:
more consistent routines that center self-care and rest
new strategies to keep my mind clear and my energy stable throughout the day
messier, quicker jabs at problems (rather than waiting for the full solution to materialize before taking action on something)
a deep appreciation for my incredible progress
more time spent with the awesome people I call friends and family 🫂
my newsletter 💌
(yes, this one!)
has a dedicated, strong group of readers
held some subscribers who might not align with my mind at this time
(and that’s ok!)
possesses potential (ooooo c’mon alliteration!) to inspire, entertain, and guide people I may never cross physical paths with—and that’s beautiful
has lengthy, dense content which is amazing, and at times difficult to keep up on a consistent, weekly basis 🫣
RECALCULATION RESULT:
renewed appreciation for those on this journey with me 🫶
removal of ~ 30 subscribers who never once opened these emails 😆
in another edition of “nobody was surprised” these subscribers have yet to open this email as well, so that choice? Probably an aligned one ✨
a full review of my newsletter since conception and assessment of its future on all levels, in all forums, and considering all goals
the creation of MINI LESSONS
business Mom… this is not MINI at all 🧐
POV y’all every time I say something and go in the opposite direction
😂 I KNOW. Let me explain.
Every time I write one of these newsletters, I pour deep thoughts and a lot of reflection into the content.
It’s why so many of you eat it up every time 😉
However, as someone who is:
running a business
growing a new agency
publishing a podcast
accidentally (now on purpose?) becoming a “b2b creator”
raising two kids
actually getting sleep most nights!
and appearing as a featured guest in multiple forums —
I had to be honest with myself.
Writing a detailed essay on a strict schedule creates friction to the creative flow that makes this newsletter so awesome.
SO, TLDR (too long, didn’t read) is:
The newsletter is BACK, baby!
It will drop online + into your inbox each week on Monday.
MOST weeks, it will be a lot like, well…this. Lengthy, fun, and full of (many more) GIFs and memes for your entertainment.
Sometimes, however? I will share a mini lesson, quick insight, or abbreviated tip.
I want to be consistent.
I am your business Mom after all, and what you need most from me is to know I will be there.
That requires the ability to show up every time, even if sometimes you can fit the whole lesson onto one screen because I’m tired (now THAT will be a shock if you know this publication 😂).
I don’t have to do this.
I want to.
Ironically? Having the ability to offer mini lessons will likely mean I will do them less often.
That is to say,
If there’s no pressure on me to build a certain type of lesson (length or otherwise), then I’ll likely put out content just like this.
This originally WAS a mini lesson
I’m serious 😂
It was going to be a 1-2 paragraph update and I was going to send you on your way.
But here we are. And doesn’t it feel nice?
^ the aforementioned memes
MINI LESSON
Sometimes all you need to create a harvest is the permission to start with one seed.
See what I did there?
💥 BAM Alert! 🧠✨
I tell people all the time that “I’m only reflecting the brilliance around me” and I really mean that. When I feel so called, I’ll be sharing content or moments from my personal life that made me pause and either think, feel, or grow. I’ll also use this series to highlight people with great insight to share, because quite frankly:
this is my newsletter
and I can do whatever I want 💁🏻♀️
ANYWAY, I was saying that I’m surrounded by brilliant people, much like
Kalli Combs, M.A. 😎
Kalli is always sharing raw, personal insights in her content. She has a sharp mind and thinks about problems or trending topics with a unique approach. When I read her work, it doesn’t feel like copy > paste > AI summary of 5 other things I read this week. It feels exciting, new, and like I should be paying attention.
You can interact with Kalli on LinkedIn here.
The moment of brilliance 👇
Until next week ✌
be patient enough to listen to your elders
be humble enough to listen to your successors,
& be bold enough to listen to yourself 😤
🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸
If you’re reading this, you’ve reached the pot of gold at the end of our proverbial newsletter rainbow 🌈
I always use this section of my newsletter to share:
resources you might find helpful
free stuff I have created
upcoming events, webinars, and trainings
podcast happenings
so many other goodies that might not fit into the theme of the lesson
Now that we are back to weekly newsletters, this pot of gold will continue to deliver, so kudos to you for sticking around to the end 😀
Where in the world is Anna?
And how do I follow along?
She’s right here, silly! All over the internet 🌐
Hard lessons on surviving in business, with the warmth—and brutal honesty—that only a mother could give 💜
Growth giving you a digital headache? Systems curious and want to learn how to manage your work? We got you.
Need to organize you work, improve your tech setup, or to solve your problems creatively? This is your place.
🤳 Content, support, fun graphics, and (admittedly) a lot of emojis
Anna’s biggest virtual stage at the time of writing this email. A place with easy ways to collaborate and build community with your business Mom + her colleagues and friends.
Now that recalculation is complete, your business Mom has SEVERAL episodes to drop, so subscribe and learn from our illustrious, interesting guests as they share their best lessons.
Anna’s creator hub on Stan is a central place to grab all current social media links, access free resources, cash in on special service offers, and even give feedback about her content/work.
