In Your Back Pocket

How to authentically support Black Lives Matter publicly

So many white people don’t know how to show their public support for the recent uprising and support for Black Lives Matter. It can feel performative to post about how you are being an effective ally, so how do you make it feel authentic and thoughtful? I share the story of how my client and I created a process to determine what she would post. Not only did she want to share resources and educate her friends, colleagues and neighbor- she wanted to be held publicly accountable for her long te...

Exhaustion and decision making during pandemic don’t mix

The COVID19 pandemic coupled with the uprising against systemic racism has increased levels of fear and anxiety to new levels we have not previously seen. All of us have to be cognizant of how our fatigue and exhaustion affects our conversations and decisions in our businesses and in our households. I give you 5 steps to making sound decisions during this time of increased stress and uncertainty. Take care of yourself and each other.

Communicate better with your camera on

During this unprecedented time of uncertainty around money, COVID, diversity and school openings we are having tough conversations. Emotions are high and some folks are triggered unexpectedly during team meetings and family discussions. Please turn your cameras on during your meetings and conversations so you can see all the subtle body language and facial expressions that are part of empathetic and understanding discussions. Take care of each other.  

Our Brain is like a Junk Drawer - How to separate work and home

Summer of 2020 is even more tumultuous and uncertain than we anticipated. People are struggling to make sense of everything happening while also trying to juggle work and home responsibilities.    I share 2 simple and practical strategies for reducing your anxiety around making decisions and getting work done while you deal with new COVID business guidelines that affect your household. 

How to reduce work and home anxiety during uncertain times

We are in unprecedented times right now. Summer 2020 will go down in history as a time of international unrest due to a pandemic and protests. Emotions were already heightened in May 2020 due to changing guidelines for masks, social distancing and business openings- then the protests started. When we face uncertainty at work or at home we can get anxious because of the unknown. By sharing my 2 simple strategies for communicating during times of uncertainty, I hope you can create a more pea...

How to manage your daily chaos in time of COVID

We never have a surplus of time and energy and money all at once, right? Now that we are Sheltering in Place and working from home, we have to manage our time and energy in a different way.   I share strategies my clients and I have come up with that work right now for them as they balance household responsibilities with work responsibilities.    I also share 6 strategies that help you create a sense of order and control over how you spend your time and energy so you feel less chaoti...

Managing Workplace anxiety during Shelter In Place

People have different ways of handling anxiety and fear. This pandemic and Shelter in Place brings different levels of financial insecurity to every household and in turn, to our colleagues. This week I share stories of people dealing with heightened emotions, unrealistic exceptions and mental health challenges at work and how we worked together to find healthy strategies to mitigate the stress. I also give you 6 strategies that will help you deal with this new level of uncertainty you are e...

3 things to move your business forward now

It can be paralyzing to have to make so many decisions about our business right now with all of the uncertainty. We could all use help with figuring out how to prioritize how we spend our time and energy and money. I share my 3 best tips for moving forward in your business right now. These strategies will help you in your household decisions too because really, it's all blurred into one reality now that we all Shelter In Place. Please take care of yourself right now. You are not alone.

How to talk about invoices and bills during pandemic

It can be awkward to talk about money with your clients and customers in the best of times. Now that our financial situations are uncertain for an uncertain amount of time, we need new skills to talk about money.    I share my simplest strategy for making it less stressful to talk about bills that need to be paid TO you and BY you.

5 people every business owner must have on speed dial

What to focus on and how to focus during quarantine.

It’s tough to figure out what to focus on right now during this uncertain time of isolation and unstructured time at home. I share 4 practical and simple ways to focus and work productively at home right now with all of the distractions and interruptions. These 4 strategies work really well in times of stress so if you can create a habit and do them now- they will serve you well when things get back to “normal”. Take care.

What to do when something bad happens. 6 steps that work

When the shit hits the fan we tend to freak out or freeze, right? Kathy shares what she had to learn to do to make it through really stressful times when bad stuff happened. These 6 straightforward steps allow you to feel a bit more in control in a time of crisis AND allow you the time to freak out!  Please listen if you don’t know what to do when life throws you a curveball. 

How to feel less alone and sad: 4 steps that really work

5 People Every Business Owner Should Have on Speed Dial

How to be less busy: this really works!

Do you feel super busy all the time and unable to find the time to do what matters most to you? You aren’t alone in trying to figure this out.    Kathy shares her best tip for helping clients become less busy and feel less busy. Learn this simple strategy that has Kathy’s clients call “life changing”! 

Should I trade or barter for my services?

Find out how to determine if you should barter or trade for your goods or services in this week’s 12 minute podcast. Kathy gives you simple straightforward advice about deciding if it’s a good decision for you and your business. 

How to Negotiate Confidently Every Time You Want Something!

Do you want a raise in 2020? Do you wish you were more confident negotiating your compensation package? Kathy shares her step by step strategy for gaining confidence in yourself before, during and after you ask for what you want. Learn how to shift your perspective from being scared to feeling strong about asking for what you want! Kathy walks you through 5 simple steps so you can leverage your skills and experience in every negotiation you have throughout your career!  

Give the best gifts to your team as a boss or entrepreneur!

Want to give the people on your team and everyone who supports you and your business throughout the year the BEST gift this holiday? Kathy shares her secret to giving the most valuable and thoughtful gifts to everyone who helps you succeed. Learn how to show your appreciation for your collaborators, clients and customers in this year end episode of #inyourbackpocket 

What to do if your boss gives you too much work.

Get step by step advice on how to talk to your boss about your work load. Kathy shares her straightforward and simple strategy for communicating with your boss about too much work. 

How to put your phone down, do better work and not lose clients or friends!

Get some fun tough love from Kathy about being on your phone when you are in meetings and with friends. Learn how to be a better friend and employee by putting down your phone. 

Addicted to checking your phone 24/7? How to put your phone down and not lose clients or friends.

Get some fun tough love from Kathy about being on your phone when you are in meetings and with friends. Learn how to be a better friend and employee by putting down your phone. 

Feel less overwhelmed and more in control of everything.

Do you feel like a rat on a wheel at work? Are constantly putting out fires at work and not working on your To Do list? Kathy shares her step by step advice as well as her most helpful perspective on being (and feeling!) more productive at work. Learn how to be in control of how you spend your time, energy and money at work and at home. 

How to confidently and calmly talk to a toxic boss.

Kathy walks you through step by step conversation strategy so you can have a low stress and productive discussion with your toxic boss. You will learn how to feel confident and empowered to talk to your toxic boss about what you need in this week’s podcast. 

Simplest way to charge clients for overtime or rush fees.

Kathy walks you through step by step contract wording and client conversations so you can comfortably (and stress free!) charge for overtime and rush fees as a freelance designer, art director or project manager. 

Learn how to not answer the phone and not lose clients!

Are you a freelancer or entrepreneur who thinks you have to be available to your clients and potential customers 24/7 or you will lose paying clients? Kathy shares her powerful perspective shifting strategy for not answering the phone all day long while growing your business! 

How to take control of your time, energy and money!

If you feel like you never have enough time in your day, money in your budget or energy to do the things you want to do at work or at home, this podcast is for you! Kathy gives you easy strategy for spending your time, energy and money on what matters most to you! 

What to do if you have no energy at work? At home?

Feeling overwhelmed at work? Wish you had more time to do everything you want to get done? Kathy shares her best strategies for decreasing your stress and increasing your energy at work and at home every day. 

Feeling alone in your struggles at work? You aren’t the only one.

Hear 5 stories of people just like you who told Kathy they thought they were the only ones who couldn’t figure out how to manage their time, energy and money wisely and how Kathy helped them. 

How to stay productive and avoid distractions in open office?

Hear how Kathy’s client learned 5 simple ways to reduce their distractions and increased their productivity while working at a coworking space. 

Why Should I Listen to Kathy Hanson?

Are you stressed at work? Overwhelmed? Are you dealing with a tough boss or trying to be a better boss? The good news is there are ways to improve all these things. In Your Back Pocket with Kathy Hanson is a series of short episodes designed to help entrepreneurs, contractors, and anybody looking to improve their productivity and happiness during the workday.

Why Should I Listen to Kathy Hanson's Podcast?

Learn why clients and colleagues say Kathy Hanson, Business Expert gives "Tough Love, No Bullshi*, emphasis on the Love” business advice! In her new podcast series Kathy shares how entrepreneurs and corporate professionals alike can better manage how they spend their limited time, energy and money on what matters most to them.