Diary of a Doer

Power in the Pause

Empowered Business Resolutions for any Niche

Interview with Christie Garcia

Your Q1 Priorities for Business Growth

Interview with Justin Breen

Why so blue? Rediscovering joy in business when you're in a slump

The Great Reset

What Are We Celebrating?

As we wrap up the end of 2022, we look back and see we have many things to celebrate. At PriorityVA, we’ve accomplished so much - not without our fair share of obstacles. In today’s episode, we discuss:  some questions I’ve asked my team about their year with PriorityVA. These questions truly give me a deeper insight on what went well this year and where we can grow in 2023. So much happened this year and it’s important to make note of all of our wins, both big and small. Here are othe...

Getting Ahead to Stay Creative

A diamond is created under pressure, right?  And I bet you’ve said “I do my best work up against a deadline” more than once? Yep I see you nodding along, and I’m sorry but I am here to burst your bubble In today’s episode, we discuss:  What the problem is with making that way of working the norm in your business and what will really give you that creative magic (hint, it’s not an approaching deadline) Here are other resources and links I mention, or feel you might enjoy:  It Pays...

5 Beacons to Move Your Progress Next Year

Everyone wants to be successful at business right? But how can we be sure that we are focused on the right activities? If you are anything like me, you’ve felt yourself pulled in a thousand directions all at once while just trying to reply to a DM. Trust me, we’ve all been there and I’ve served countless Leaders who feel the same way. In today’s episode I dive into the 5 essential beacons that will help you keep things on track over the next 2 weeks, two quarters and even two years ahead...

Redefining Your Role as CEO for the New Year

Getting Your Needs Met with Guardrails

Making the Most of Idea Capture

Breakdown to Rebuild

94% of entrepreneurs and 88% of job seekers say that a healthy culture at work is vital for success. Ninety freakin four percent.  Not just nice to have Not just helps get people in the door Not just looks good  but VITAL Vital for the success of your business.

What You Need to Know about EAs vs. VAs

Have you guys ever wondered: what is the difference between an Executive Assistant and a Virtual Assistant? When you are in the weeds of your business — you don’t really care what a person calls themselves — EA or VA — you are just eager for help. Trust me, I’ve been there, and I’ve served countless Leaders who feel the same way. But, there are some key differences between an Executive Assistant and a Virtual Assistant that you should be aware of before making an official hiring decisi...

Strengthen Your Rusty Delegation Muscles

It's hard to let go and delegate tasks, even if you know it's the right thing to do for your business.    You're probably feeling a lot of pressure to do everything yourself. You might be worried that delegation doesn’t feel natural and that you’re not good at it as a Leader.    Just because delegation doesn’t come naturally to you…does not mean you cannot better.    In today’s episode, we discuss:    Why it’s OK that delegation doesn’t come “naturally” to you We become what...

There Are Blindspots In Your Business

As leaders, we can’t physically see everything that goes on in our business.  I consider this a blindspot. Sometimes, you don’t know what you don’t know.  In today’s episode, we discuss:  How blindspots happen — and if they’re normal The solution to blindspots, from mirrors to lookouts The importance of empowering your team to speak out when they see something How to trust that your team has your back — and you have theirs  Here are other resources I mention:  Kolbe A™ to A™ rep...

How to Solve Real Issues Forever

Do you feel like problems in your business pop-up like whack-a-mole? You rush to put out one fire, only to have to pivot to put out the next. It’s exhausting and when it comes right down to it, it keeps you from doing the work that really matters in your business.  In today’s episode of Diary of a Doer, I’m going to teach you how to solve real issues forever.  In today’s episode, we discuss:  The difference between solving a root issue and a symptom of something bigger Why you need t...

What I Learned From The Top-Ranked Restaurant (and Chef) In Town

A recent night out with my husband at a local Savannah restaurant, The Grey, blew my mind. Between the teamwork of the staff, the precision of the execution, and the unified vision of the chef — I was speechless.  I left the Grey thinking — THIS. This is how I want my team to operate. This is how I want my clients and customers to feel.  My experience was so good, I had to tell you guys about it.  In today’s episode, we discuss:  The history and significance of The Grey restaurant in ...

3 Leadership Lessons I've Learned Since Growing My Team

As an entrepreneur, it can be tough to know how to lead a team effectively.  Leading a team is hard work. It's full of challenges, bumps in the road, and moments where you feel like you're not cut out for the job. If you're feeling burnt out on leadership, or wondering if you have anything left to give, I have some encouraging words for you. In today’s episode, we discuss:  How to get the commitment you expect from your team — based on your example My “put a ring on it” moment from ...

My Thoughts On Quiet Quitting

If you’ve read the news lately, you have likely heard about quiet quitting. Unlike what the name suggests, quiet quitting isn’t about terminating your employment. It means to fly under the radar and do exactly what’s required of you as an employee — no more, no less.  In a word, it’s coasting.  This phenomenon is an organized response to burnout culture. It’s a way to “opt-out” of the hustling lifestyle.  As you can imagine…I have thoughts.  In today’s episode, we discuss:  What i...

Mistakes Are a Part of the Game

When you have a team… mistakes are a part of the game.  No matter how catchy that sounds, or how easily I say that to you… it doesn’t change how mistakes make you feel. If you’re like me, you hate the CONSEQUENCES of mistakes. You know they will happen — because your team is human! But when you lose money, lose clients or lose trust…it’s hard to roll with the punches. In this episode, you will learn how to navigate mistakes with your team.  In today’s episode, we discuss:  Why CEOs ...

Reflecting on Vulnerability in Leadership

I think vulnerability brings people together in beautiful ways, but when you lead a team, it’s scary to show that side of yourself. You may wonder if your team will still respect your authority and see you as a confident, decisive person.  In today’s episode, we discuss:  Why historically being “the strong one” prevents your vulnerability in leadership How vulnerability with others shines a light on your own insecurities – and why it might be hard to face those How to handle the fear ...

How to Create Capacity To Do More of What You Want To Do

Are you tired of being in the weeds of your business? Do you spend all day separating the forest from the trees… when you want to be in the clouds casting vision? Let’s stop with the bullshit cliches for a second, so I can ask you what you’re really wondering: “do I need to be the one doing this shit?”  In today’s episode, we discuss:  Why you’re too much of the wrong thing in your business How to recognize when you’re being pulled into work that isn’t the best use of your time or ta...

Am I Worthy of Hiring an Executive Assistant?

In today’s episode, I want to debunk the myth that you have to be worthy of an Executive Assistant. I hear this excuse all the time from leaders of all levels — they think they are UNWORTHY — and it makes me nuts! We should NOT be making business decisions based on our perceived “worthiness.” In today’s episode, we discuss:  Why so many Leaders think they are “unworthy” of an Executive Assistant The impact of emotion, social bias, and social influence on our purchasing decisions The...

My Advice to Young Entrepreneurs

Nobody tells you how hard it is to start a business. Yes, it’s exciting and is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do for yourself, but we all need help to grow.  Are you ready to find out what I wish someone told me years ago? In today’s episode, we discuss:  Why leadership requires you to face yourself  The importance of leaning into your vulnerability  Why it’s important to embrace the challenge of pain and growth  Stay connected to Diary of a Doer:  Have you subscr...

Should You Hire An All Star Candidate Without A Role? Season 3, Episode 33

Should You Hire An All Star Candidate Without A Role?

Have you ever met an incredible person while interviewing candidates for a job and thought to yourself… you’re not right for THIS position…but if I had a different role for you… I’d hire you on the spot!  Today, I’m asking the question: can, or should, we ever hire a stellar candidate even if we don’t have a position for them to fill? In today’s episode, we discuss:  What to do when you meet a qualified candidate that you don’t have a role for The perks of hiring quality talent year-r...

How To Get Back On Track With Your Goals: An Interview With My Assistant

Why is it so hard to set and stick to your goals? In this episode of Diary of a Doer, my talented assistant, Emma, joins me to talk about how we can recalibrate when our goals get off track. This episode is the follow-up to our conversation from earlier this year, which you can listen to here.  In today’s episode, we discuss:  The goal-setting framework that we used to guide our year Why it’s normal for goals to get off-track How to recalibrate when you’re struggling to move somethin...

Why Business is Personal (And That's OK)

I'm not going to sugarcoat it for you, business is personal. In my opinion… that's a good thing. In this week’s podcast, I'm going to explain why and how embracing the personal side of the business will help you succeed and develop stronger relationships with your team and your clients.  In today’s episode, we discuss:  The origin stories that makes your business a deeply personal endeavor Why sharing your story gives your team and clients something to connect with How believing busin...

'Touching Two Worlds': Navigating Grief & Leadership with Sherry Walling

Everyone has been affected by grief at some point in life. You may have experienced a devastating loss of a friend or family member or felt America’s collective grief during the pandemic, a contentious election, and news of war. In grief, we are saddled between two worlds. One in which we feel devastating loss. In the other, we show up for work, go on vacation, watch funny movies and give ourselves permission to feel joy and laughter. Here to help us navigate these two worlds is my frien...

The Untapped Power of Supporting Your EA's Professional Growth

Do you want to be a successful business leader? Then you need to listen up. This podcast is for anyone with an Executive Assistant – and that’s pretty much everyone who wants to be successful.  EAs are the unsung heroes of any company – they touch every facet of it. And if they’re intentional about their growth — with your help — there’s no reason they can’t lead.  In this podcast, Trivinia Barber – a former EA turned CEO – is going to teach you why acknowledging your EA’s professional g...

3 Practical Ways To Deal With Stress As A Leader

As entrepreneurs, we are constantly under pressure to succeed. This can lead to a lot of stress which has negative consequences on our lives.  Most people try to deal with stress by complaining about it or trying to ignore it. This is not a long-term solution. In this podcast episode, Trivinia Barber shares three practical ways that you can deal with stress as a leader. These tips will help you get a handle on your stress and improve your life and business. In today’s episode you’ll le...

It's Time to Confront Your Trust Issues

When it comes to business, trust is everything. Leaders and entrepreneurs need to be able to trust their team members in order to work efficiently and productively.  However, for some leaders, trusting others can be difficult. If you have a history of being let down by others, it’s natural to be hesitant about trusting again. Before you can build successful relationships with your team, you need to learn how to face your trust issues head-on. In today’s episode you’ll learn: How to de...

Extreme Ownership Builds Strong Teams

As a CEO, you know that it's important to take ownership of your company and everything that goes on within it. But what if you could take that ownership one step further? What if you could apply extreme ownership to every area of your business - from team development to strategy execution? According to Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, the authors of Extreme Ownership, this is the key to building a strong team and achieving success. In their book, the two former Navy SEALs share their insigh...

Why Having A Trusted Team Is Key To Delivering Client Expectations

As a business owner, my goal is for every customer to become a referral. Wouldn’t you agree? To make that happen, we have to deliver on what we promise.  No one who pays for a service should have to lower their expectations to avoid disappointment. So, what is the key to a consistent customer experience? Having a trusted team. In today’s episode, we discuss:  Why you should build a team with people who care about your mission and values How to deal with the anxiety of “passing the ba...

How to Create a Nighttime Routine That WORKS For You

Do you have a nighttime routine? If not, it's time to start one. Nighttime routines are often overlooked, but they can have a huge impact on your productivity in the morning.  I want you to know that it's possible to create an evening ritual without feeling like you're sacrificing any sleep or spending more time than necessary at home - because there is no one-size fits all approach when creating new habits!  In today’s episode, we discuss:  How to set better boundaries to not work at ...

Let's Overcome 'Languishing' Together

We all know that feeling. You're working hard on your business, but you feel stuck in a rut, and you don't know how to get out. It's frustrating, and it feels like you're not making any progress at all. But guess what? You're not alone.  Many entrepreneurs feel this way. When we're feeling down, our teams feel it too. But together, we can overcome any sense of languishing and create momentum forward.  In today’s episode, we discuss:  What the heck is languishing and why it’s different ...

Throwback Series - Reflecting On Imperfect Leadership

News flash: the “perfect” leader doesn’t exist. Every leader has imperfections. There is no one-size-fits-all.  If you ever feel self-conscious about your leadership style…listen to this episode. I get raw and real about why you should embrace exactly who you are when you lead a team. This episode is a part of a special Throwback Series. I am re-release episodes from my archive that are near and dear to my heart!  In today’s episode, we discuss:  - Why you cling to control to feel s...

Throwback Series - Imposter Syndrome: The Accidental Entrepreneur

Imposter syndrome plagues even the most successful leaders. Can you relate? The more successful you are, the less you feel like you deserve it. I used to call myself the “accidental entrepreneur” because I didn’t feel like I really was worthy of the business I had built.  This episode is a part of a special Throwback Series. I am re-release episodes from my archive that are near and dear to my heart!  In today’s episode, we discuss:  – The lies that Imposter Syndrome whispers to even t...

Throwback Series - Self Sabotage and Trusting The Process with Doug Brackmann

Do you identify as a driven person? What happens when you push yourself to do better at all costs, but the pursuit actually destroys your happiness?  My guest today, Doug Brackmann, shares insight into our constant state of self-sabotage. Doug is one of the leading psychologists to some of the most successful and driven entrepreneurs, pro athletes, executives, and other top performers. Find out the most sabotaging thing you can do as a driven person and how you can primarily transform ...

Throwback Series - If I Could Start Over I Would

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? Nobody wants to suffer twice in life. If you can prevent future mistakes, why wouldn’t you? This episode is a part of a special Throwback Series. I am re-release episodes from my archive that are near and dear to my heart!  In today’s episode, we discuss:  - The lessons of leadership I had to learn the hard way — so you don’t have to! - The importance of setting boundaries early and often. - Why “hustle” isn’t the o...

Dear Inner Control Freak

If you're a leader, entrepreneur, or business owner, you're probably used to feeling like you need to be in control.  But the truth is, that's not always possible - and trying to hold onto control can actually do more harm than good.  In this podcast, I explore why it's so hard to let go and offer some tips for doing so effectively. Ready to take your business to the next level?  In today’s episode, we discuss:  - Why you cling to control to feel safe - The unexpected reason desiri...

How to Have More Fun At Work

As business owners, it's important that we take time for ourselves and enjoy the things we love. After all, if we're not happy and enjoying life, how can we expect our businesses to thrive?  However, it's easy to get wrapped up in work and lose sight of the fun. In this podcast, we discuss a few ways you can give yourself permission to have more fun as a business owner and how to integrate it into your team culture as well.  In today’s episode, we discuss:  - Why fun opens the doors to...

Grieving When a Team Member Quits

It's easy to feel upset and disappointed when a team member decides to leave your company. But it's important to remember that this is a natural part of the business cycle - people come and go, and it doesn't necessarily reflect badly on you as a leader.  Instead of dwelling on the negative, use this opportunity to evaluate your team dynamic and see if there are any areas that you can improve. Here are some tips for grieving the loss of a team member in a productive way. In today’s episo...

How to Lead When You’re in a Hard Season of Life

In any leadership role, there will be seasons of life that are harder than others. It's during these times when it's most important to lead well and rely on your team. Here are some tips for how to do just that. In today’s episode, we will discuss:  - The benefits of being honest about personal growth in your leadership - The truth of leading when you are in a hard seasons of life - Why you shouldn’t feel guilty and martyr yourself - How to be brutally honest about your expectation...

3 Ways to Change Your Money Mindset & Become A Better Leader

Whether you love it or hate it, you have to talk about money as a leader.  Your feelings and beliefs about money affect your leadership and may also be the reason you make unwise or fear-based financial decisions.  Can you relate?  You don’t have to feel like a victim to your money story or money mindset. Ready for a change?  In today’s episode, you will hear:  - What the heck is the difference between a money story, money mindset and money block — and why you should care. - Reas...

Are You Open to Feedback As a Leader?

Have you ever gotten feedback about your leadership and been like, “PSH - I’ll listen to you when you’ve walked a mile in my shoes!” Leadership is a hard job…and feeling like your leadership or your business operations are fair-game for criticism makes it even harder.  Today, I want to share my take on feedback in leadership. I’ll also share what I’ve learned about when to internalize what people say, or let their opinion roll off my back. In today’s episode you’ll learn:  - The thre...

The Story of Rebuilding My Entire Team

No matter how great of a team you build, sometimes, people have to move on. When that happens, you can’t wave a magic wand and replace people overnight. You have to start again. Today’s episode is my story of rebuilding my entire team. The process is hard, but there is a lot of learning and hope that comes from it, as well.  In this episode you’ll learn:  - The truth about how it feels when you lose quality teammates to new opportunities or life challenges. - My process for dealing w...

Build a Business On Your Own Terms

As an entrepreneur, there is no shortage of advice about how to build or run a business. You can’t open Facebook or Instagram without seeing a fear-based caption from a Guru that makes you feel like anything other than their way is the wrong way.  I’m all for learning from trusted advisors, but never at the expense of your own authenticity. Today’s episode serves one purpose: to challenge you to build a business on your own terms.  In today’s episode you’ll learn:  - How to lead in ali...