Positively Living®: Shame-Free Productivity Conversations

Text your thoughts and questions! Many of us struggle with the guilt of taking time for ourselves, often viewing self-care as a luxury we can only afford once everything else is done. But here’s the truth: when we neglect ourselves, we welcome exhaustion, resentment, and burnout. This week, on episode 297 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I am continuing my special series guiding you through my P...

Text your thoughts and questions! So many of us struggle with “productivity shame”-- the feeling that we’re failing because we can’t stay consistent. Maybe our systems and schedules look good on paper, but leave us feeling exhausted, guilty, or burnt out. The truth? Our daily actions are in a constant tug-of-war with our souls. This week, on episode 296 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I am kick...

Text your thoughts and questions! Are you already feeling the “New Year, New You” burnout before January is even over? The pressure to set massive resolutions, hit the ground running, and overhaul your entire life on January 1st is a recipe for overwhelm. If you’re feeling more like you need a nap than a marathon, you’re not alone, and you’re not failing. This week on episode 295 of the Positively...

Text your thoughts and questions! While every year asks so much of us, it seems 2025 has asked us to stretch and adapt more than usual. We’ve had to keep showing up even when things felt uncertain and just downright exhausting. That’s why throughout the year, I’ve encouraged you to rethink what productivity looks like. Because when life is happening in real time, adding more pressure to be product...

Text your thoughts and questions! One of the most common things I hear from clients and listeners isn’t “I don’t know what to do,” it’s “I can’t decide what to do.” We know what’s on our overwhelming task list, but prioritizing, selecting, and making sure we’re doing the right thing at the right time is exhausting. Decision fatigue is real and can lead to burnout faster than you realize. This week...

Text your thoughts and questions! The end of the year brings a very unique kind of pressure. We’re closing out projects, preparing for new ones, finalizing finances, coordinating schedules, attending events, and trying to wrap up the year in ways that feel meaningful and productive. And all of that’s on top of our already busy schedules and the added layer of the holidays. As if that isn’t already...

Text your thoughts and questions! Are you constantly working faster, yet still feeling behind and burned out? Many of us get trapped in this unsustainable hustle culture cycle because we assume that productivity means doing more , faster . But what if the secret to achieving sustainable results and regaining clarity isn't to hit the gas, but to tap the brakes? This week, episode 291 of the Po...

Text your thoughts and questions! Many of us multi-passionates find ourselves in a constant battle of overwhelm and the draining feeling of having too much to do with too little time to do it. This is exactly how Naomi Lerman felt when she came to me seeking support with her decision fatigue and chaotic context switching while building her purpose-led business and raising her family. This week&apo...

Text your thoughts and questions! Are you constantly battling a massive to-do list that leaves you feeling guilty and behind before you even start? What's meant to be a helpful tool for productivity often becomes a major source of stress and overwhelm. The reason? You’re working from the wrong list. This week, episode 289 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about where your to-do list trips...

Text your thoughts and questions! Practicing genuine gratitude is often overlooked because it’s such a familiar term that it's become a bit of a throwaway idea, popping up on every self-care list and journal prompt. It’s also become the unofficial theme for November, with quotes, signs, and all manner of reminders to “be grateful” without understanding the context. But beneath all of the hype...

Text your thoughts and questions! It's far too easy to get caught up in a relentless cycle of stress and negative thinking in the world we live in. You want to feel calm, resilient, and finally break free from that stuck loop of worry, but where do you start? On this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I am joined by happiness coach Julie Leonard to discuss a path that leads to less ov...

Text your thoughts and questions! Are you a high achiever or multi-passionate caregiver feeling completely drained? Maybe you used to juggle work, family, and passions with ease, but now your once-achievable "do it all" goal is leaving you exhausted, resentful, and scattered. If you're constantly searching for a way to manage your overwhelming to-do list, you’re not alone, and I am...

Text your thoughts and questions! Are you struggling to support the men in your life—your husband, sons, partner, or father—who feel the pressure to be strong, stoic, and silent? Do you watch them struggle, knowing the cultural expectation to suck it up keeps them from seeking the help they need? Outdated ideas about masculinity create significant barriers, often leading men to dismiss their own e...

Text your thoughts and questions! If you’re anything like me, you know the holiday season is coming, and yet, it somehow always feels like it sneaks up on you, trading your joy for what feels like an impossible to-do list. What follows is a feeling of overwhelm, exhaustion, and stress, even when good things are happening. The gap between the “picture-perfect” ideal and our chaotic reality leaves u...

Text your thoughts and questions! The secret to success isn’t avoiding failure; it’s learning to trust your gut when everyone else says “no.” All too often, we feel isolated, struggle with overthinking, and let the fear of failure hold us back. In this replay episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, Gwen Austin joins to reveal her journey of launching an online community of thousands overnight b...

Text your thoughts and questions! The relentless pursuit of productivity has a dark side: the pervasive and false belief that our worth is directly tied to our output. Too many of us are trapped in this cycle, feeling intense guilt whenever we rest or worry that slowing down makes us "lazy." This toxic belief system, relentlessly reinforced by hustle culture and outdated capitalist condi...

Text your thoughts and questions! So many of us find ourselves in an all too familiar cycle: we create the perfect self-care plan, only to have it completely derailed by the unpredictability of life. Whether it’s an urgent deadline, a sick family member, or a sudden change in plans, our carefully crafted intentions fall apart, once again putting self-care on the back burner. The problem? We put to...

Text your thoughts and questions! Have you ever had a day where you checked everything off of your to-do list but still felt unfulfilled? It’s a common conundrum (and a major source of frustration and burnout) to feel busy but not truly productive. This week on the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I’m diving head first into this issue. I reveal two types of productivity that, when they are both honored...

Text your thoughts and questions! If you’re feeling constantly on edge or overwhelmed by life’s demands, you’re not alone, and your nervous system might be the reason why! Think of the nervous system as your body’s communication highway, with messages on what to think, feel, and do traveling at hyper speed. On one side, you have your body’s "fight or flight" response, known as the sympat...

Text your thoughts and questions! Prioritizing tasks is a common challenge for so many of us, especially those of us who are neurodiverse and often struggle with competing demands, fluctuating energy, and the constant pull of urgency. Maybe you’re staring at a mountain of tasks where everything feels important and you have no idea where to begin. But what if, by exploring your unique tendencies, y...

Text your thoughts and questions! Mindfulness sounds great in theory, but sometimes it can feel like just another "should" on your to-do list—something that is too difficult or time-consuming to actually do. (And you might feel guilty for not even trying). This resistance, known as productive "friction”, keeps us from building habits that can significantly boost our happiness and we...

Text your thoughts and questions! Have you ever dismissed a small step because it feels like it won't make a difference, or felt discouraged when you don't see immediate results? We live in a culture that glorifies big leaps and instant success, but the truth is, lasting change is built through the small, consistent choices we make every day. The biggest mistake is undervaluing these sma...

Text your thoughts and questions! Does the thought of change—whether planned or unexpected—fill you with fear and a sense of paralysis? We all naturally resist change and the uncertainty it brings, often feeling like it is easier to not move at all than to make a mistake. But what if change and uncertainty were actually opportunities for growth, resilience, and personal transformation? In this epi...

Text your thoughts and questions! Do you jump from one task to the next feeling scattered, tense, or overwhelmed? We spend so much time planning our work that we often forget about the essential space in between . Ignoring this transition time can lead to frustration and exhaustion (which leads to burnout) and can negatively impact your life in so many ways. It's often a missing piece in your...

Text your thoughts and questions! Have you ever tried traditional time blocking only to find it too rigid, frustrating, or just plain boring? The one-size-fits-all approach to productivity often ignores the realities of our busy, unpredictable lives, leading to guilt and a feeling of failure when things don't go according to plan. What if you could design a time management system that is not...