May 6, 2025 • 47 mins
Have you ever set big, juicy goals only to watch them sit there, untouched? It’s frustrating, right? You know you’re capable of more, but the path from goal setting to goal getting can feel like a huge leap.
Bree sits down with transformational coach and former pet care industry entrepreneur, Michal McCracken, for a raw and impactul conversation on how to break up with burnout and create a soul-aligned business that actually feels good to run.
Michal built a six-figure doggy daycare from the ground up—but it wasn’t until she walked away from hustle culture and stepped into her CEO energy that things really started to click. Now, she coaches ambitious women through the same shift, helping them build sustainable businesses rooted in alignment, flow and intuition.
*** CLICK HERE TO ACCESS "THE AGE OF AQUARIUS" SECRET PODCAST SERIES! ***
We’re diving into:
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How to transition from hustle to harmony in your business
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Energetic alignment as your secret weapon for success
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What it really takes to build a freedom-based business
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Using intuition to guide your decisions (yes, even the strategic ones)
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Why celebrating your wins—even the small ones—is non-negotiable
This episode is a must-listen for any female entrepreneur who's ready to trade burnout for balance, and wants to grow a small business without sacrificing her joy.
Key Takeaways
✨ Vision to Action – Michal breaks down how to turn your big picture dreams into clear, aligned, measurable goals.
✨ Dismantling Hustle Culture – It’s time to work smarter and softer. Learn how McCall redefined productivity on her own terms.
✨ Energy Before Strategy – When your energy is aligned, your business flows. McCall shares daily tools to stay in your highest frequency.
✨ Let Intuition Lead – Learn to trust your inner compass—and why logic isn't always the answer.
✨ Celebrate Every Win – Big or small, your milestones matter. Here’s how celebration fuels momentum.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Bree) (00:00):
Before we get into the episode for today, I want you to know how passionate I am about helping you break free from the old hustle culture and create a business that lights you up. So I have something really exciting to share with you. If you're ready to dive even deeper into aligning your life and your business with your soul's blueprint, then you've got to check out my brand new secret podcast. This podcast is not listed in the RSS feed, so you won't be able to find it just by searching in your favorite platform.
(00:27):
You'll have to go through the steps that I'm giving you here to access the secret podcast series. This series is called the Age of Aquarius A New Era of Business. And this secret podcast is all about unlocking your spiritual power and tapping into the energy of the new age. Because we're not in Pisces anymore. So if you've been craving more alignment, more intuition and purpose driven success, then trust me, you are going to love it.
(00:53):
So hit pause on this episode and head over to the Age of Aquarius Secret Podcast and come with me as we explore ways to bring your soul's mission into your business.
So if you're ready to become one.
Of the leaders in doing business in the Aquarian age, then head over to brianak.com forward/ageofaquarius and sign up there. Welcome to Rebel CEO, the podcast where we ditch the rules and build businesses that don't just make money, but set your soul on fire. I'm Brianna Kaye, your business coach, freedom advocate, and personal permission slip to dream bigger. I scaled my own business to six figures while breaking every mold that people told me to fit into.
(01:29):
And now I'm here to help you do the same. I'll help you build a business and a life that's so deeply rooted in your purpose that you never feel like you missed out on the life that.
You were supposed to live.
This is your time to root down, rise up, Rebel, and manifest all of your wild goals. So grab your coffee, get cozy, and let's dive in.
I was gonna be bold.
(01:50):
Hey, Rebels.
Welcome back to the show. Today we're diving into something that I know hits home for every entrepreneur out.
There, which is how to go from.
Setting goals to actually getting the goals that you're setting. So we are talking about smoothing that gap with a solid plan, getting energetically aligned, and taking the kind of confident action that makes things happen. So my guest today is McCall McCracken and and she is a transformational coach and host of The Space and Grace podcast McCall helps ambitious women entrepreneurs tap into their CEO Queen Energy and build businesses with less resistance and more joy.
(02:25):
So let's get into it. Usually I like to get started by just asking a little bit about who you are as a human beyond being a business owner. So can you just share a little bit about who McCall is?
Michal) (02:37):
Yeah. So I am from New Zealand. I have two boys, 16 and 12, and I have a dog who is currently being padded right now. She. She likes to get involved. I don't know whether it's because I'm. I'm acting a little bit nervous or whatever. And she. I don't know whether she needs me or I need her, but anyway, she's. She's currently being padded right now. Yeah. So outside of business, I do yoga and I do lots of walking. So I have, I still have a dog walking and pet sitting company as well as my other companies.
(03:13):
And so I get to walk my dog Daisy a lot. And I use that for my business as well because I'm. I just come up with so much better. You know, I come up with better ideas if I'm out walking her and not in front of my computer.
Bree) (03:28):
Yeah. So I actually am very envious that your dog can stay out while you're recording podcasts because I have two dogs and they're both fairly young ones, a year old one's two years old. And I have to put them in their crates every time I record because they, they have this like sixth sense that I'm on a call and then all of a sudden they're wrestling and like running around and they can be sleeping and totally fine, but as soon as I start a call, they know and they're obnoxious, so I have to put them in their crates. And I, I don't love that, but I like that you can have yours out being like your emotional support dog for your podcast calls?
Michal) (04:08):
Yeah, she's. She's a senior citizen, so she doesn't really play anyway. But I get it. It's kind of have little kids and you get on the phone and they're like, oh, you're on the phone. Okay, now I need all your attention. So I get it.
Bree) (04:23):
Yeah, absolutely. Okay, so what was your journey like, stepping into your CEO energy and. Oh, wait, wait, hold on. I didn't even ask about your business. I just asked about yourself. Okay, backtrack. So can you tell me your business journey then, before we get into all the other stuff?
Michal) (04:38):
Yeah, so my first business, I started in 2006 and that was the dog walking, pet sitting and dog training. And then I built a dog daycare as well. And so that was where I really, you know, really did it differently from how I did it, how I'm doing it now. So the dog daycare was a facility. We had to be open 11 and a half hours a day. I had to have staff. So that was where, if I'd known what I know now, it would have been a very different experience.
(05:11):
But I just took everything that I'd learned in corporate and culture about hustle and, you know, working really hard and doing all the things and staying on top of everything. So the vibe there was very much. Now I know that I was in fight mode the whole time. So fight or flight. So nobody would have known that I was in fight mode. I wasn't fighting anybody, I wasn't fighting dogs, I wasn't fighting my team. But I was just like, what else needs to happen?
(05:39):
What else can I control? Just really frantic the whole time. And interestingly, to tie it back to dogs, I had to very quickly take myself out of the dog lounges because my energy was completely off. And knowing what I know now, I should have just worked on my energy and spent more time with the dogs than running around like a crazy person managing the business. So I had to hire people who were way more chill than me. You know, they would just come in and the dogs would settle.
(06:10):
I'd come in and they'd be like, woo, it's party time. And then I'd have to walk back out and my team would be like, please don't, please don't come back in. So I sold that business in 2018 because during that time I also had two babies, two human babies. And I very much took on the role of parenting my team as well. So. And that was self inflicted. I, the reason I did that was because I felt like I needed to know what was going on in their lives because if they couldn't turn up, I needed to know because otherwise, you know, I needed to have my boys go somewhere else.
(06:47):
There was this knock, knock on effect of my team not being able to turn up because the dogs were still coming. And so I just worried the whole time. And even though, even though I was only working three days a week at the facility, I was thinking about it and worrying about it 24 7. And these were all things that I'd just been, it had just been ingrained in me, right? Like just this hard work, this hustle, this blood, sweat and tears. I just thought it was Normal.
(07:17):
I had no idea that I could have gotten a coach or a mentor or anything like that. I didn't know anything about the coaching industry. So when I got to the point where I could have branched out and created more facilities, which was my initial, my, my initial plan was to have them dotted all over the country, I was like, I can't. I just can't. Like there's nothing left in me to do this. And so then I remembered that I had always intended to sell.
(07:48):
I just, when I had set the intention to sell, I'd intended to be selling multiple businesses around the country, but I only got to sell one. And I still made a lot of money. Like, don't get me wrong, like, it was a massive amount of money, which sent me on a whole like, money mindset trajectory. But I sold it because I was exhausted and it didn't feel like a win to me. So I remember the broker, the business broker who helped me sell it, he gave me a bottle of champagne and I didn't drink that for over a year because it just didn't feel like a celebration. I was just completely exhausted.
(08:28):
So then after about six months of lying on the couch just going, oh my God, what do I do now? Then I decided, well, I still love working with animals, so. Oh. And I split. The daycare was always a very, was a separate entity to the dog walking and pet sitting in dog training. So I kept that piece. So I still had plenty of dogs in my life, but I didn't have all the crazy, you know, the anxiety riddled kind of stuff that I was experiencing with the dog daycare.
(09:00):
And so then I thought, well, how can I take what I know and what I love and turn it into a different business? So I learned all about online businesses, online marketing, funnels, courses, memberships, all that stuff. And I built a puppy training program which happened to coincide with COVID So that worked incredibly well because everybody was home with all their puppies or their Covid puppies and had no way to get training.
(09:28):
So that was. I still have that business running. It's on autopilot, so the course is still there and the, you know, the email funnels and all that sort of stuff. So that's still ticking along in the background. But from that journey, I was in Amy Porterfield's world. I don't know if you know who that is, but she's like the digital course queen and she had a business mindset coach in her membership and that's where I just had my mind blown. I was like, what is this?
(09:59):
What is this coaching thing? And I was like, I want to be able to do that. Like, that was amazing. You know, like, within a couple of minutes, this coach that she had had just turned everything that I thought I was upside down and made me really question my perspective and my outlook and just all of that stuff. So then I thought, okay, well, I love this coaching thing, and I love this online, you know, online business. I love Zoom. I love being able to work with anyone from anywhere at any time.
(10:29):
It was so different from having a facility where I had to be open no matter how I was feel. And so, yeah, so then I got certified as a coach, and so now I'm building space and grace, and that's the podcast that I've got, and that's kind of who I am with you here today, whilst also acknowledging that I still have a team of people who help me with the dog walking and the training and the pet sitting.
Bree) (10:53):
Okay, so it sounds like the dogs were picking up on your energy early on in your story. That's wild to think, because we always talk about how energy is this thing that people can see and they can feel, even if you're trying to hide it. Like, if you go into an interview and you're like, I don't really want to be here, people can kind of pick up on that, even if you're doing a really good job masking it. So that just goes to show that there is more to energy than what meets the eye, I guess, Especially if dogs are even picking up on it.
Michal) (11:25):
Yeah.
Bree) (11:26):
So what did it take for you to go from just setting goals to actually achieving your goals while you were building your business?
Michal) (11:34):
Yeah, so when I built the daycare, I set goals and I ran towards them. So I just set, like, really big goals. There was nothing measurable. It was just a really, really big goal, this overall goal. And I'd run towards it, and then when I'd get close to it, I'd shift the goal posts so I'd be like, oh, well, now I'm working towards this. So I never celebrated, I never acknowledged all the wins. I was just really awful to myself.
(12:04):
And so I always felt like I was behind. So now I have just a very different, different philosophy when it comes to setting goals.
Bree) (12:13):
Can you share more about that philosophy?
Michal) (12:16):
Yeah. Yeah. So first of all, I love to vision cast. I love, like, I love all the fun stuff, like, what is this going to look like in five years or 10 years or one year? Like, what does that look like? What does my life look like because we aren't just businesses, right? We are human beings and we're often mums or friends or partners or whatever. So what does I love to do the vision casting. That's obviously just the most fun part where you have no responsibility, but you just get to dream.
(12:47):
And then take that dream and break it down into goals, measurable goals, but only like one to three. Like, I used to just jam everything into one big goal, and that just leads to exhaustion and burnout and overwhelm. And then from those goals, you figure out what the actionable steps are and you make them measurable. Because how are you going to know, like, how are you going to know that you've reached it? And what are you going to do to celebrate when you reach it? And it doesn't have to be a massive goal.
(13:18):
As I mentioned earlier, I used to. Like, it took me a year to drink that champagne. I should have been drinking that on the first night, but I didn't feel like celebrating. So for a year. And so you have to have these little celebrations kind of baked in. And a celebration could be anything. It could be, I don't know, if you're into handbags, it could be buying a new handbag, or it could be getting a massage, or it could be just allowing yourself.
(13:43):
Like for me, eating a bag of jelly beans every time I do a masterclass, like, that's my reward. I love my jelly beans, but if I ate them every day, then I'd be twice the size. So having your celebration, and when you go to do the tasks, you put them onto your calendar, but you add a massive buffer because you need time for research. If you're anything like me, you go down a research rabbit hole. And I always underestimate how long that's actually going to take.
(14:14):
You need time to get into the right vibe before you take that action. Because usually those actions are really scary and they're really scary for your brain. And your brain's gonna do all sorts of things. It's gonna be really tricky to talk you out of it. And then once you've got your brain on board, you've got your body on board, you're in the right vibration and you're feeling amazing, then you do the tasks.
Bree) (14:38):
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. So first you're taking care of your internal world and then you're actually going out and executing. I think that what you said also about how you were. You were taking your goals and then moving the goal post and then feeling like you never actually reached them because you kept shifting what it was that you were moving towards. Even if you did maybe reach your initial goal, I think that that can be really relatable to a lot of us because it's like you keep growing and getting further and further, and then because you're so close to it, you like want to reach even further out and reach for the stars and don't actually acknowledge the progress that you've made so far.
(15:17):
So, yeah, something that would be important for listeners to just kind of tune into is where did you start and where are you now and how much have you actually achieved? Even if it feels like you've done so little, if you look back at the whole journey, you, you probably have came so far.
Michal) (15:36):
Yeah, and I used to have a really, you know, just an ever increasing to do list. And so I'd get to the end of the day and I'd be mean about it. I'd be like, oh, you didn't do that, didn't do that, didn't do that. Now no matter what I do, no matter how big or small, at the end of the day, I'm like, well done, you. And so it's just a completely different approach. Like, I treat myself like I would treat a friend, but I didn't used to.
Bree) (16:03):
Yeah, yeah, that makes a lot of sense. So then when we're setting goals, it's really easy to be like, okay, I'm so excited about this. This is so fun. Like you're envisioning maybe what will happen when you reach your goal, but it's not as fun to actually plan on how to reach the goal. Do you have any tips for reaching a good goal setting plan or a good method that you use?
Michal) (16:27):
Yeah, I mean, we need to get ourselves into the right frame of mind before we start tackling it. And so that's what I like about the ramp up. So maybe that's for me. It's usually taking Daisy for a walk, but it might be listening to music, dancing to your favorite song, doing an exercise class, or doing some yoga or whatever so that you're actually in a frame of mind where you're feeling courageous and capable as opposed to waking up looking at what you've written down and just going, oh, hell no, I'm not doing that.
(17:03):
So you need to take responsibility for how you're feeling. And then sometimes you just have to put your big girl pants on and do the task no matter how you feel. But I try to get into the right feeling. Like sometimes you've just got to do stuff, right? Like taxes or whatever it is that you that you're dreading. Sometimes you do just have to get it done. But could you reward yourself after it? Could you set yourself up well during it?
(17:30):
So tax time involves chocolate and jelly beans and cups of tea for me. And I also acknowledge again, that ramp up. I acknowledge that I'm going to do everything to avoid it. So that often involves playing with Daisy or going and kissing the cat or whatever. I just kind of walk around like a crazy person. I go to the fridge, I put the kettle on until eventually, like I just allow myself all that procrastination until I sit down and just get it done. And then there's always a reward afterwards.
Bree) (18:00):
Okay, so then how are you making sure that you are not just getting stuck in these tasks that don't actually move the needle and get you closer to your goal on a day to day basis? Because I feel like it's so easy to be like, okay, this is on my to do list and this is on my to do list and this is on my to do list and not to have time for the needle moving activities.
Michal) (18:21):
That busy work is a real trick of an overwhelmed brain. So I'll give you an example from my own life. Whenever I do a masterclass, which I do them at least one or two a month. But I've gotten really good at noticing what my brain does to keep me in overwhelm. And so it's about getting really, really clear about what you want and noticing what's happening. And there's usually, well, for me it's always fear, right?
(18:52):
I'm afraid that people are going to hate what I say, that I'm going to get kicked out of the tribe and I'm going to die alone. Like that's what's going on in my brain. So I know that now. But even still, every time I have to do a masterclass, I'm like, oh, this is another way that my brain is trying to keep me really, really safe, right? And usually that's busy work. Like I'm not ready for this masterclass. I need to learn a different way to do masterclasses or I need to use a different template on Canva or, you know, whatever. Like it's just all that busy work. So as a way to not move the needle, as a way to not do the really scary thing.
(19:33):
So what I like to do is I first of all get really clear. So I'll usually end up having to journal it. I'll just journal like all my Fears, like everything that's going to go wrong, including, you know, being kicked out of the tribe and dying alone. Then you get to look at them and you get to really acknowledge them, right? Don't try and dampen them down or tamper them down because they're just going to be running the show. But you're just not going to be as aware of it. You're going to. You're going to express it, like, overwhelm, but in the back of your mind, it's really just fear.
(20:06):
And so just acknowledge it. It usually takes like 60 to 90 seconds to process an emotion, but we just try not to. And we try to just pretend that they're not there and we just force our way into doing things and rely on willpower and force, and that's just a really horrible way to be for yourself. So acknowledge them. And usually, again, it's fear. And I'm like, okay, I see you, I hear what you're saying.
(20:34):
And you get to go to the back of the bus because I'm doing this anyway. And sometimes I get a bit cross. Like the last time I was doing a masterclass, I was like, can you just, you know, I won't swear on here, but I was like, can you just get out of here? Like, I'm so done with you dragging me backwards. This is the task that we've decided to do. Let's go. So I don't really know who I'm talking to, to be honest, but it helps. It helps to just acknowledge, feel, write it down.
(21:04):
Look at all the way. Look at the way your brain is trying to keep you safe. It's just doing its job. Its job is to keep you alive and safe. And you keep freaking it out by trying to do all these really scary things. And yes, sometimes I get cross, but usually I just try and be really compassionate to that part of myself that is really afraid.
Bree) (21:25):
I've never heard of fear being expressed as overwhelmed before, or the busy work is actually your brain trying to keep you safe. But it totally makes sense. And I think that that's a really good realization for people because I definitely can get stuck in cycles of busy work and I feel like I just can't. It's usually when I'm putting together a program, I just can't seem to move the needle on the program because I have all these other things that need to get done first.
(21:52):
And really, if I think about it, I do know that it is just me not making the space to do that. Like, yes, I might have a lot to do, but if I wanted to, I could figure out how to get more of it done. So that, I mean, that all tracks. That definitely seems like it's what's going on behind the scenes because you're scared to, like you said, put yourself out there or take that next step. So if somebody is energetically misaligned from their goals so just like not in alignment with the goal that they're trying to reach, how might that show up?
Michal) (22:28):
It's usually forcing, pushing, really, really struggling and controlling. So if you're trying to control the outcome, which is super easy to do, and I fall into this a lot as well, everything just feels really hard as opposed to. It's a really different vibe. If you are curious and you're like, okay, I'm going to try this new masterclass, or I'm going to put together this program, or I'm going to write this email and I'm just really curious to see what happens from here.
(23:04):
And it's a completely different vibe from, I'm going to write this email and 20 people are going to buy my program. Can you see kind of how that, how that's a very different vibe? So I like to get into what I call my CEO Queen energy when all of this stuff is going on. And I just like to acknowledge all the fear, like, get really, really get the fear on board and then just step into the version of me who's got it all figured out.
(23:34):
And she figured it out because she was curious and she allowed there to. She allowed difficult moments and she allowed herself to get through whatever. Whatever obstacles were there by being poised and dignified and gracious instead of forcing and controlling and just mean, like a mean girl.
Bree) (24:01):
Yeah. So do you think that if somebody is putting out an offer, like your example, and they're writing an email, do you think if they send the email and they're like, I'm going to send it, but nobody actually wants to read it and I'm going to end up in spam and this is so awkward that they're going to have a different result than if they send it with that CEO Queen energy.
Michal) (24:23):
I do believe that. And I never used to. I was like, I'm more. I used to be like, just get it done. Get it out of the way so I can keep moving, so I can keep pushing and hustling. And now if I'm writing an email and I can feel myself just wanting to get it done so I can move on, that's when I take a moment, right. And I Remember, I don't want to give off that bad bo. I don't want to give off that stinky vibe. I'm like, what am I doing this for? I'm not doing it for me.
(24:56):
Somebody in my audience needs to hear this today. So put all your own drama aside and send it with that in mind.
Bree) (25:06):
Yeah. Something that I've been trying lately too, which actually ties in really well to what you just said, is I've been literally asking my spirit guides to tell me what my audience needs to hear today. And every time I've done that, I just started it recently, every time I've done it to like, post a story or make a post, because there have been times where I've forgotten to do it too. But every time that I've asked and then just typed whatever seemed to flow through me, I've gotten somebody messaging me saying, can you tell me more about that?
(25:38):
So I'm like, that's so fun to see how it actually is giving you results. And it sounds like it's way out there and whatnot, but if you try it and you start seeing results, then it's like, well, maybe it's not that far fetched after all.
Michal) (25:54):
Yeah, I love that so much because I'm also relatively new to the whole woo woo intuition world. Like, I've. I've been doing shamanic journeying since, my goodness, for a long time. Like over 20 years. Well over 20 years. So I've always. Not always, but since I started doing that, I've had my spirit team with me as well. But I've only just recently been really learning how to tap into the intuition. Because what I was doing was I was trying to figure out how and I was overcomplicating it. This is what my brain does. I overcomplicate it. I get a bunch of different teachers, I read a whole bunch of books, I listen to all the podcasts and all the audios, and it's super simple. And what it's come down to is every day for at least 10 minutes, I just get to clear my brain and that's how I can hear what's going on. Like, I just spend that 10 minutes.
(26:49):
Like, for me, I imagine there's either a glass of water sitting right here on my third eye, or there's an empty room between my ears so nobody can get in. I mean, thoughts do come in, but I'm like, no, no, no, no, no. Everybody just get out. And then just for 10 minutes, I just clear my brain and I just don't Take in anything. And I don't get intuitive hits during that 10 minutes. It's not about that. It's just about clearing the space. And then after that, I'll be sitting down, and something will just come out of me. Something will just want to be like, I'll either leave a voice note, or if I've got my computer open, I can type it out. And I'm like, that is cool. There's no way I would have been able to force that. Right.
(27:33):
So I just really encourage my clients. Now that I'm tapped into this whole thing, I'm like, regardless of what's going on, you've got 10 minutes where you can just be still.
Bree) (27:45):
Yeah. I think that our intuition, and like you said, our spirit team is leading us down the path that we're meant to walk, but it's up to us to follow that path and not fight it and not resist it. So I think that that's one of the reasons that it's so important to actually slow down and take the time to listen. And like you said, clearing out your. Your other thoughts that are going on in your head so that you do have that space to actually hear what's trying to drop in.
(28:14):
And I think that that's not something that gets talked about in business a whole lot at all. I just heard it for the first time a week or two ago, and like I said, I just started. Just started using it. And it's. It's been working amazingly so far. But I do think that we're being divinely guided, so it makes sense that the universe would want us to kind of follow our highest path and be pushing us the right direction, but it's up to us to listen.
Michal) (28:40):
Yeah. And it doesn't always feel easy, because sometimes the stuff that comes through, you're like, oh, really? Like, I've just created a money mindset program, and that was not me who did that, but I'm like, okay, let's go for it. And I've got a couple of people in there already. I just did a beta launch, and it's so fun, and I love it, but I was never planning on being, like, any sort of money mindset coach because I've got so much drama around money, you know? Like, I have a lot of money, but I'm so afraid that I'm going to lose it. And so I would say, or not lose it, but I'll just sabotage it in some way. And so I was kind of like, well, who am I to be teaching about money when I'm really weird with money.
(29:29):
Like, yes, I make money, but I also, I'm not good at the circulation of money. I don't feel like I'm qualified to be standing on a pedestal and saying, hey, here's what you do with money. However, I also had to acknowledge when this came through, I was like, yes, but I do know a lot about money. I know a lot about making money, I know a lot about money mindset. And I don't need to help people who are further ahead than me. But, but clearly there are people who don't know all this stuff that do need some help.
(30:00):
And I can do that. And I'm not doing it from my pedestal. Right. I'm not talking down as the expert. I'm like, hey, I'm going like with this program, this beta launch that I did, I'm going through it too. And we're chatting about that because I'm like, I'm so far from perfect when it comes to money. And maybe that's the whole point of this coaching gig, right? Like, maybe we don't need to be the absolute expert. We just need to be a little bit further ahead from the person who really needs what, what we're teaching.
Bree) (30:30):
Yeah, I've actually heard multiple people say that it's helpful when the person that they're learning from in like the coaching sphere isn't way further ahead than they are because they can remember what it was like to be in their shoes at the state that they're in and they can help them to get further ahead than they are, but they're not ready to be at that. I mean, if you're just starting your business, you're probably not ready to be at a million dollar business mark. You might want to go with a coach who's going to help you go full time in your business if you're not there yet or hit six figures or whatever it may be that your current goal is because the, the coach who's helping you scale to, to a million dollars is probably not going to even fully remember what it was like to first start.
(31:16):
And they're going to be just like, not necessarily aligned in what they're expecting from you and what you have to offer, there's just too big of a gap there. So I do think that as long as you have the knowledge to bring somebody closer to where you are now, like, you're still ahead of them and they still want to be in the space that you are. So I don't think that you have to be light Years ahead. But you just have to be in a position to teach them.
Michal) (31:44):
Yeah. And you wouldn't have everything set up anyway. If you were working with somebody with a coach who was that far ahead, you would. There'd be all sorts of systems and structures in place in order to get you to the level that they can take you. But if you're just starting. Yeah, you've got to find the right coach for you. And I think coaching is just so important. Like, once I learned about it, I was like, oh, my goodness, everybody needs a coach.
(32:09):
I think everybody needs Pilates and a coach. I'm like, we'd all be so strong mentally and physically. And because I'm in the coaching world, it makes so much sense to me. But nobody in my friendship group has a coach, so there's still a lot of catching up to do. But I just give a little plug for the coaching industry. If you are building your business, you need somebody who can help you see what you're missing.
(32:40):
Right. The phrases that you use, the thoughts that are going through your head on loop and just feel like they're normal, that could actually be challenged. So, yeah, work with a mentor.
Bree) (32:53):
Yep, absolutely. So while we're talking about mindset, what are some of the biggest mindset shifts that you've had or that you've worked with people to challenge? The way that they think about going after their big goals?
Michal) (33:09):
It's all around that hustle. It's. It's not necessary. And I have been learning a lot and teaching a lot on that whole feminine way of doing business now. So you need the masculine structure. In fact, you had an episode about this, too. I heard it the other day. But you need that masculine structure. Right. So your goals, your strategies, all of that sort of stuff. But I really encourage my clients to allow space for joy.
(33:38):
And joy doesn't have to be like, if you can't find joy in sending out an email or you can't find joy in doing your taxes, find joy around it and buoy yourself up so that you're ready to tackle those tasks and you're in a better frame of mind. So, joy, creativity, allow yourself to be creative. And that means not sitting at your computer and making yourself get stuff done. That means getting out, walking your dog, playing with your kids, not looking at your computer, deliberately not thinking about your work, and just allowing that space to come in.
(34:13):
So those have been huge shifts for me because I still. When I'm overwhelmed, I still fall into that kind of hustle mentality. And I'm Constantly just trying to bring myself back. So the mindset shifts would be. Allow yourself to enjoy your journey. Notice the thoughts in the background that are actually running the show. And that's usually very outdated programming. It's like an old computer. You've got to get those thoughts out onto paper and you've got to challenge them.
Bree) (34:45):
And then what are some mindset shifts or reframes that you can share that will help somebody go from okay, this is my goal. I hope that I reach it to I know that I'm going to make this goal happen no matter what.
Michal) (35:01):
Well, I'll give you an example from my own life because something I recently uncovered was I don't believe I can build another six figure business without exhausting myself. So that's really curious. I didn't even know that was there. And my reframe is what I'm trying to really lock into my brain is the more money I make, the more energy I have and the less I work. So this is a new reframe for me. And it's just incredible to me that I uncovered that because yeah, honestly, I just didn't know it was there because I went from having no time to having lots of time.
(35:49):
And now I'm building this coaching business and I'm like, I don't want to give up all my time. I really want to coach. I love coaching my clients. But there is that fear in me that I'm going to somehow, even though I've been doing all this work, that I'm going to somehow end up just as exhausted as I was. Which doesn't even make logical sense. It's a completely different business model. I'm a completely different person.
(36:14):
But that's the program running in the back of my brain that needs to be reframed. So again, the mindset shifts. You just need to get really, really clear on what is actually happening on the stories that you're telling yourself. Not just the stories you're telling yourself about your time or your energy or your abilities, but also your money. Since we were touching on money earlier. Like what do you believe about money? Can it come to you easily?
(36:39):
Or does it come in and then just go straight back out? We need to understand what these programs are that are running in the back of our mind and we need to reframe them.
Bree) (36:49):
Yeah. So do you want to hear one of my subconscious beliefs that I just. Okay, cool. So I realized that I very, very much to my core believed that it has to take me time because I'm mid business pivot so I'm pivoting out of the photography videography industry and into coaching and the podcast world. And I fully, with like every fiber of my being was like, I need to give it time. It's going to take however many years before I can be at this place that I want to be in my business.
(37:27):
And then the other day I was like, it doesn't take everybody years. I can give myself grace for it taking some time, but I also don't need to keep that belief that it has to take time because that's just going to make it take time.
Michal) (37:44):
I love that. So what's, what's your reframe? What's your sexy little sentence that you're running over and over in your brain to wire that in?
Bree) (37:52):
Okay, so I don't have like a sexy little sentence yet, so I'm gonna have to think of one right now. But hold on, I'm probably gonna have to like reverse engineer this a little bit. Because in general, my reframe is that other people have built six figure businesses in a year. Some people have done less. So, like, why would it have. I've already built one six figure business. Why would it have to take me years to build another? Because I know so much more now.
(38:18):
So that was a long winded, not sexy way of saying it. So how can we make that sexy?
Michal) (38:26):
Yeah, I mean, well, first of all, I love that you have identified that other people can do it. I think that's so important. And not to compare yourself, but to just give yourself, your brain, that evidence that it's possible. Right? Because that's what we need. We need that evidence. We need those people that we can look up to, even if we've never met them and we probably never will, the fact that they exist and that they did it and you know, usually the people who are.
(38:53):
I'll just use Oprah as an example. Right? Like crappy backstory and an amazing woman. And so I just love, like I, I'm constantly looking at these people, these big players in the industry or any industry who have overcome everything that we are currently trying to overcome and they've done it. So therefore it's possible. So for you. So it's a time thing, right? Like it's, you're in a pivot and you're not giving yourself or you're not really allowing the time to be in that pivot. Is that like, what, what do you really want?
Bree) (39:34):
I have believed up until this point and now I'm working through that belief that it is going to take years to have a successful business. So I've, I've been doing Rebel CEO for a little over a year now. So I'm trying to replace my photography income, but I'm just not fully there yet. And in my mind it's like, well, it's fine because it took me three or four years to hit six figures doing photography. So it's fine. I'm just starting.
(40:04):
But I also don't believe that that's the way that it has to be. And like I said, I know so much more now and theoretically should be able to get further ahead than when I was first in the business world. Not knowing anything about business and just like I'm going to do photography because I love it.
Michal) (40:22):
Yeah. So how about I can build a six figure business with ease, speed and grace or something like that. Like, whatever. The words would naturally fall out of your mouth, but why not? Why not?
Bree) (40:38):
I can build a six figure business with alignment, freedom. And we'll think of the last one later to be decided.
Michal) (40:50):
Something about speed, right? Like, or something that takes the time.
Bree) (40:55):
Oh, yeah, yeah. Okay.
Michal) (40:56):
The elongated timepiece out of it.
Bree) (41:00):
Yeah. Tbd. I'll, I'll come back to that.
Michal) (41:05):
Yeah.
Bree) (41:06):
I actually don't do very well on this spot, so. Awesome.
Michal) (41:11):
Yeah. But that's all it is. That's all it is. Right? You just need to come up with your sentence and you just need to like, do it over and over again. And you could put it into, you could put some version of it into a password, into your computer whenever you log in. You could have your money goals on your phone, on your keypad, password thing on your phone, any of the programs you use, like, just really reinforce whatever the goal is, whether it's time, money, ease, whatever, bake that into your passwords that you log into every day. And that's just a really good way of reminding you.
(41:45):
You can set reminders in your calendar. You can set little tasks that just kind of pop in that you don't have to do anything with, but it's just a reminder of what you're playing for and what you're going for.
Bree) (41:57):
Okay, I have a sentence. Okay. Are you ready?
Michal) (42:02):
Yeah, it's.
Bree) (42:04):
I am capable and ready now.
Michal) (42:06):
Ooh, I like that.
Bree) (42:09):
I feel like that just says that I, I know that I can deliver on everything now. So, like, why do I have to wait a couple of years? I'm capable and I'm ready for it.
Michal) (42:19):
Beautiful. I love it. And I love. Your cat has come to join the party as well. Daisy's still here. Daisy's still under my hand.
Bree) (42:26):
Yeah. This is Willow. She's my baby. She's 13, so she's. She's older than the dogs, but she gets to stay out because she's not so wild and rambunctious.
Michal) (42:39):
I love that. Hi, Willow.
Bree) (42:43):
So then you wanted to share something with listeners.
Michal) (42:46):
Yeah. So this is just a guide that I created that pretty much goes along with what we've been talking about, right? Like how to take your vision and actually lock it in and get it done. And it's all around pretty much what I've laid out. You get to do the vision casting. You get to be clear on what you're playing for, what you want, what your life looks like when you have your vision, the who's supporting you, like what sort of people are backing you, whether it's an OBM or a VA or a social media company or whatever, doing all the stuff that you don't want to do, but that keeps the machine running in the background. So you just get to show up and thrive and do the things that you love to do.
(43:28):
So getting really clear on what you want and then taking the first one to three goals that are going to move you closer, and then you figure out the actionable steps under the goals, and then you work on the vibration piece, right. The alignment piece, the getting yourself into that queen energy, all the stuff that you're going to need, you expressed it really well before. All the internal stuff that you're going to need to work on and embrace so that the external stuff becomes easy.
(44:02):
And, yeah, that's pretty much the whole thing. It just gives you a really good chance to get into it. I feel like there's a lot of people who are really good at the vision casting, but not so good at the doing. And then you've got people like me who are really, really good at the doing, but not necessarily in the right vibe. Right. Like I said before, it's like, I can do, I can do, do, do, do, do. But it used to come from a feeling of fear, scarcity, lack, must keep going kind of thing.
(44:34):
And so the Vision to Victory guidebook is around. Like, how can you work on that middle piece, who you are being as you are doing so that you get the results that you want? Because I built a really successful business, I made a lot of money, and it didn't feel like a success because I was exhausted. So then I just went into this whole period of confusion, like, who am I? Like, what? What the hell just happened? I just, I did everything that I thought I should do and I ended up in a place where that was really.
(45:07):
I was really unsatisfied. So don't do that. Don't be that guy. Right? Let's build the business that we actually want by being who we want to be and by baking in that joy and that fun and that creativity during the journey.
Bree) (45:24):
That's funny that you say that because that actually really ties into the program that I have in pre launch right now. It's all about getting rooted in your, your identity and then building the business from there that's in alignment with you.
Michal) (45:36):
So that sounds beautiful. I love that. Thank you for putting that out into the world.
Bree) (45:41):
Thank you. I appreciate that. And then I will make sure to link your freebie in the show notes for listeners also. So go ahead and check out the show notes and you can grab that there. And then if anyone's listening and they want to follow along with you online or chat with you a little bit, where can they connect with you?
Michal) (45:59):
Yeah, the best place is just go to www.spaceandgrace.me resources and then you can get all my free resources or you can book a call and from there you're on my website so you can follow me on Insta. I started saying that because I can never remember my Insta handle. It was stupid. It was a rookie mistake. It's got a whole bunch of underscores and I can never remember what it was. So spaceandgrace Me resources.
Bree) (46:26):
Okay, awesome. Thank you so much for being on the call and for sharing your journey with listeners. And yeah, I really appreciate everything that you said so. And the reframe was fun too, so I liked that.
Michal) (46:41):
Yeah, thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it.
Bree) (46:44):
Thanks for tuning in to Rebel CEO. If today's episode lit a fire under you, I would love if you would hit subscribe, leave a rating and drop a review. That little action helps more purpose driven women like you. Find this show and make sure that you're not keeping all of this magic to yourself. Share this episode with a friend who's ready to ditch the rules and build a life that actually feels good. If you're looking for a little one on one connection, slide into my DMs on Instagram @rebel CEO podcast and I would love to hear what you're thinking and what you're building so that I can cheer you on every step of the way.
(47:16):
And one more thing, if you're ready for even more support, join my free Facebook community It is packed with like minded women who are rebelling, setting wild goals, dreaming big and making moves. The link's waiting for you in the show notes and I will see you inside. Until next time. Keep breaking the rules, chasing your purpose and creating the life that you were meant for. I'll see you in the next episode.
Before we get into the episode for today, I want you to know how passionate I am about helping you break free from the old hustle culture and create a business that lights you up. So I have something really exciting to share with you. If you're ready to dive even deeper into aligning your life and your business with your soul's blueprint, then you've got to check out my brand new secret podcast. This podcast is not listed in the RSS feed, so you won't be able to find it just by searching in your favorite platform.
(00:27):
You'll have to go through the steps that I'm giving you here to access the secret podcast series. This series is called the Age of Aquarius A New Era of Business. And this secret podcast is all about unlocking your spiritual power and tapping into the energy of the new age. Because we're not in Pisces anymore. So if you've been craving more alignment, more intuition and purpose driven success, then trust me, you are going to love it.
(00:53):
So hit pause on this episode and head over to the Age of Aquarius Secret Podcast and come with me as we explore ways to bring your soul's mission into your business.
So if you're ready to become one.
Of the leaders in doing business in the Aquarian age, then head over to brianak.com forward/ageofaquarius and sign up there. Welcome to Rebel CEO, the podcast where we ditch the rules and build businesses that don't just make money, but set your soul on fire. I'm Brianna Kaye, your business coach, freedom advocate, and personal permission slip to dream bigger. I scaled my own business to six figures while breaking every mold that people told me to fit into.
(01:29):
And now I'm here to help you do the same. I'll help you build a business and a life that's so deeply rooted in your purpose that you never feel like you missed out on the life that.
You were supposed to live.
This is your time to root down, rise up, Rebel, and manifest all of your wild goals. So grab your coffee, get cozy, and let's dive in.
I was gonna be bold.
(01:50):
Hey, Rebels.
Welcome back to the show. Today we're diving into something that I know hits home for every entrepreneur out.
There, which is how to go from.
Setting goals to actually getting the goals that you're setting. So we are talking about smoothing that gap with a solid plan, getting energetically aligned, and taking the kind of confident action that makes things happen. So my guest today is McCall McCracken and and she is a transformational coach and host of The Space and Grace podcast McCall helps ambitious women entrepreneurs tap into their CEO Queen Energy and build businesses with less resistance and more joy.
(02:25):
So let's get into it. Usually I like to get started by just asking a little bit about who you are as a human beyond being a business owner. So can you just share a little bit about who McCall is?
Michal) (02:37):
Yeah. So I am from New Zealand. I have two boys, 16 and 12, and I have a dog who is currently being padded right now. She. She likes to get involved. I don't know whether it's because I'm. I'm acting a little bit nervous or whatever. And she. I don't know whether she needs me or I need her, but anyway, she's. She's currently being padded right now. Yeah. So outside of business, I do yoga and I do lots of walking. So I have, I still have a dog walking and pet sitting company as well as my other companies.
(03:13):
And so I get to walk my dog Daisy a lot. And I use that for my business as well because I'm. I just come up with so much better. You know, I come up with better ideas if I'm out walking her and not in front of my computer.
Bree) (03:28):
Yeah. So I actually am very envious that your dog can stay out while you're recording podcasts because I have two dogs and they're both fairly young ones, a year old one's two years old. And I have to put them in their crates every time I record because they, they have this like sixth sense that I'm on a call and then all of a sudden they're wrestling and like running around and they can be sleeping and totally fine, but as soon as I start a call, they know and they're obnoxious, so I have to put them in their crates. And I, I don't love that, but I like that you can have yours out being like your emotional support dog for your podcast calls?
Michal) (04:08):
Yeah, she's. She's a senior citizen, so she doesn't really play anyway. But I get it. It's kind of have little kids and you get on the phone and they're like, oh, you're on the phone. Okay, now I need all your attention. So I get it.
Bree) (04:23):
Yeah, absolutely. Okay, so what was your journey like, stepping into your CEO energy and. Oh, wait, wait, hold on. I didn't even ask about your business. I just asked about yourself. Okay, backtrack. So can you tell me your business journey then, before we get into all the other stuff?
Michal) (04:38):
Yeah, so my first business, I started in 2006 and that was the dog walking, pet sitting and dog training. And then I built a dog daycare as well. And so that was where I really, you know, really did it differently from how I did it, how I'm doing it now. So the dog daycare was a facility. We had to be open 11 and a half hours a day. I had to have staff. So that was where, if I'd known what I know now, it would have been a very different experience.
(05:11):
But I just took everything that I'd learned in corporate and culture about hustle and, you know, working really hard and doing all the things and staying on top of everything. So the vibe there was very much. Now I know that I was in fight mode the whole time. So fight or flight. So nobody would have known that I was in fight mode. I wasn't fighting anybody, I wasn't fighting dogs, I wasn't fighting my team. But I was just like, what else needs to happen?
(05:39):
What else can I control? Just really frantic the whole time. And interestingly, to tie it back to dogs, I had to very quickly take myself out of the dog lounges because my energy was completely off. And knowing what I know now, I should have just worked on my energy and spent more time with the dogs than running around like a crazy person managing the business. So I had to hire people who were way more chill than me. You know, they would just come in and the dogs would settle.
(06:10):
I'd come in and they'd be like, woo, it's party time. And then I'd have to walk back out and my team would be like, please don't, please don't come back in. So I sold that business in 2018 because during that time I also had two babies, two human babies. And I very much took on the role of parenting my team as well. So. And that was self inflicted. I, the reason I did that was because I felt like I needed to know what was going on in their lives because if they couldn't turn up, I needed to know because otherwise, you know, I needed to have my boys go somewhere else.
(06:47):
There was this knock, knock on effect of my team not being able to turn up because the dogs were still coming. And so I just worried the whole time. And even though, even though I was only working three days a week at the facility, I was thinking about it and worrying about it 24 7. And these were all things that I'd just been, it had just been ingrained in me, right? Like just this hard work, this hustle, this blood, sweat and tears. I just thought it was Normal.
(07:17):
I had no idea that I could have gotten a coach or a mentor or anything like that. I didn't know anything about the coaching industry. So when I got to the point where I could have branched out and created more facilities, which was my initial, my, my initial plan was to have them dotted all over the country, I was like, I can't. I just can't. Like there's nothing left in me to do this. And so then I remembered that I had always intended to sell.
(07:48):
I just, when I had set the intention to sell, I'd intended to be selling multiple businesses around the country, but I only got to sell one. And I still made a lot of money. Like, don't get me wrong, like, it was a massive amount of money, which sent me on a whole like, money mindset trajectory. But I sold it because I was exhausted and it didn't feel like a win to me. So I remember the broker, the business broker who helped me sell it, he gave me a bottle of champagne and I didn't drink that for over a year because it just didn't feel like a celebration. I was just completely exhausted.
(08:28):
So then after about six months of lying on the couch just going, oh my God, what do I do now? Then I decided, well, I still love working with animals, so. Oh. And I split. The daycare was always a very, was a separate entity to the dog walking and pet sitting in dog training. So I kept that piece. So I still had plenty of dogs in my life, but I didn't have all the crazy, you know, the anxiety riddled kind of stuff that I was experiencing with the dog daycare.
(09:00):
And so then I thought, well, how can I take what I know and what I love and turn it into a different business? So I learned all about online businesses, online marketing, funnels, courses, memberships, all that stuff. And I built a puppy training program which happened to coincide with COVID So that worked incredibly well because everybody was home with all their puppies or their Covid puppies and had no way to get training.
(09:28):
So that was. I still have that business running. It's on autopilot, so the course is still there and the, you know, the email funnels and all that sort of stuff. So that's still ticking along in the background. But from that journey, I was in Amy Porterfield's world. I don't know if you know who that is, but she's like the digital course queen and she had a business mindset coach in her membership and that's where I just had my mind blown. I was like, what is this?
(09:59):
What is this coaching thing? And I was like, I want to be able to do that. Like, that was amazing. You know, like, within a couple of minutes, this coach that she had had just turned everything that I thought I was upside down and made me really question my perspective and my outlook and just all of that stuff. So then I thought, okay, well, I love this coaching thing, and I love this online, you know, online business. I love Zoom. I love being able to work with anyone from anywhere at any time.
(10:29):
It was so different from having a facility where I had to be open no matter how I was feel. And so, yeah, so then I got certified as a coach, and so now I'm building space and grace, and that's the podcast that I've got, and that's kind of who I am with you here today, whilst also acknowledging that I still have a team of people who help me with the dog walking and the training and the pet sitting.
Bree) (10:53):
Okay, so it sounds like the dogs were picking up on your energy early on in your story. That's wild to think, because we always talk about how energy is this thing that people can see and they can feel, even if you're trying to hide it. Like, if you go into an interview and you're like, I don't really want to be here, people can kind of pick up on that, even if you're doing a really good job masking it. So that just goes to show that there is more to energy than what meets the eye, I guess, Especially if dogs are even picking up on it.
Michal) (11:25):
Yeah.
Bree) (11:26):
So what did it take for you to go from just setting goals to actually achieving your goals while you were building your business?
Michal) (11:34):
Yeah, so when I built the daycare, I set goals and I ran towards them. So I just set, like, really big goals. There was nothing measurable. It was just a really, really big goal, this overall goal. And I'd run towards it, and then when I'd get close to it, I'd shift the goal posts so I'd be like, oh, well, now I'm working towards this. So I never celebrated, I never acknowledged all the wins. I was just really awful to myself.
(12:04):
And so I always felt like I was behind. So now I have just a very different, different philosophy when it comes to setting goals.
Bree) (12:13):
Can you share more about that philosophy?
Michal) (12:16):
Yeah. Yeah. So first of all, I love to vision cast. I love, like, I love all the fun stuff, like, what is this going to look like in five years or 10 years or one year? Like, what does that look like? What does my life look like because we aren't just businesses, right? We are human beings and we're often mums or friends or partners or whatever. So what does I love to do the vision casting. That's obviously just the most fun part where you have no responsibility, but you just get to dream.
(12:47):
And then take that dream and break it down into goals, measurable goals, but only like one to three. Like, I used to just jam everything into one big goal, and that just leads to exhaustion and burnout and overwhelm. And then from those goals, you figure out what the actionable steps are and you make them measurable. Because how are you going to know, like, how are you going to know that you've reached it? And what are you going to do to celebrate when you reach it? And it doesn't have to be a massive goal.
(13:18):
As I mentioned earlier, I used to. Like, it took me a year to drink that champagne. I should have been drinking that on the first night, but I didn't feel like celebrating. So for a year. And so you have to have these little celebrations kind of baked in. And a celebration could be anything. It could be, I don't know, if you're into handbags, it could be buying a new handbag, or it could be getting a massage, or it could be just allowing yourself.
(13:43):
Like for me, eating a bag of jelly beans every time I do a masterclass, like, that's my reward. I love my jelly beans, but if I ate them every day, then I'd be twice the size. So having your celebration, and when you go to do the tasks, you put them onto your calendar, but you add a massive buffer because you need time for research. If you're anything like me, you go down a research rabbit hole. And I always underestimate how long that's actually going to take.
(14:14):
You need time to get into the right vibe before you take that action. Because usually those actions are really scary and they're really scary for your brain. And your brain's gonna do all sorts of things. It's gonna be really tricky to talk you out of it. And then once you've got your brain on board, you've got your body on board, you're in the right vibration and you're feeling amazing, then you do the tasks.
Bree) (14:38):
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. So first you're taking care of your internal world and then you're actually going out and executing. I think that what you said also about how you were. You were taking your goals and then moving the goal post and then feeling like you never actually reached them because you kept shifting what it was that you were moving towards. Even if you did maybe reach your initial goal, I think that that can be really relatable to a lot of us because it's like you keep growing and getting further and further, and then because you're so close to it, you like want to reach even further out and reach for the stars and don't actually acknowledge the progress that you've made so far.
(15:17):
So, yeah, something that would be important for listeners to just kind of tune into is where did you start and where are you now and how much have you actually achieved? Even if it feels like you've done so little, if you look back at the whole journey, you, you probably have came so far.
Michal) (15:36):
Yeah, and I used to have a really, you know, just an ever increasing to do list. And so I'd get to the end of the day and I'd be mean about it. I'd be like, oh, you didn't do that, didn't do that, didn't do that. Now no matter what I do, no matter how big or small, at the end of the day, I'm like, well done, you. And so it's just a completely different approach. Like, I treat myself like I would treat a friend, but I didn't used to.
Bree) (16:03):
Yeah, yeah, that makes a lot of sense. So then when we're setting goals, it's really easy to be like, okay, I'm so excited about this. This is so fun. Like you're envisioning maybe what will happen when you reach your goal, but it's not as fun to actually plan on how to reach the goal. Do you have any tips for reaching a good goal setting plan or a good method that you use?
Michal) (16:27):
Yeah, I mean, we need to get ourselves into the right frame of mind before we start tackling it. And so that's what I like about the ramp up. So maybe that's for me. It's usually taking Daisy for a walk, but it might be listening to music, dancing to your favorite song, doing an exercise class, or doing some yoga or whatever so that you're actually in a frame of mind where you're feeling courageous and capable as opposed to waking up looking at what you've written down and just going, oh, hell no, I'm not doing that.
(17:03):
So you need to take responsibility for how you're feeling. And then sometimes you just have to put your big girl pants on and do the task no matter how you feel. But I try to get into the right feeling. Like sometimes you've just got to do stuff, right? Like taxes or whatever it is that you that you're dreading. Sometimes you do just have to get it done. But could you reward yourself after it? Could you set yourself up well during it?
(17:30):
So tax time involves chocolate and jelly beans and cups of tea for me. And I also acknowledge again, that ramp up. I acknowledge that I'm going to do everything to avoid it. So that often involves playing with Daisy or going and kissing the cat or whatever. I just kind of walk around like a crazy person. I go to the fridge, I put the kettle on until eventually, like I just allow myself all that procrastination until I sit down and just get it done. And then there's always a reward afterwards.
Bree) (18:00):
Okay, so then how are you making sure that you are not just getting stuck in these tasks that don't actually move the needle and get you closer to your goal on a day to day basis? Because I feel like it's so easy to be like, okay, this is on my to do list and this is on my to do list and this is on my to do list and not to have time for the needle moving activities.
Michal) (18:21):
That busy work is a real trick of an overwhelmed brain. So I'll give you an example from my own life. Whenever I do a masterclass, which I do them at least one or two a month. But I've gotten really good at noticing what my brain does to keep me in overwhelm. And so it's about getting really, really clear about what you want and noticing what's happening. And there's usually, well, for me it's always fear, right?
(18:52):
I'm afraid that people are going to hate what I say, that I'm going to get kicked out of the tribe and I'm going to die alone. Like that's what's going on in my brain. So I know that now. But even still, every time I have to do a masterclass, I'm like, oh, this is another way that my brain is trying to keep me really, really safe, right? And usually that's busy work. Like I'm not ready for this masterclass. I need to learn a different way to do masterclasses or I need to use a different template on Canva or, you know, whatever. Like it's just all that busy work. So as a way to not move the needle, as a way to not do the really scary thing.
(19:33):
So what I like to do is I first of all get really clear. So I'll usually end up having to journal it. I'll just journal like all my Fears, like everything that's going to go wrong, including, you know, being kicked out of the tribe and dying alone. Then you get to look at them and you get to really acknowledge them, right? Don't try and dampen them down or tamper them down because they're just going to be running the show. But you're just not going to be as aware of it. You're going to. You're going to express it, like, overwhelm, but in the back of your mind, it's really just fear.
(20:06):
And so just acknowledge it. It usually takes like 60 to 90 seconds to process an emotion, but we just try not to. And we try to just pretend that they're not there and we just force our way into doing things and rely on willpower and force, and that's just a really horrible way to be for yourself. So acknowledge them. And usually, again, it's fear. And I'm like, okay, I see you, I hear what you're saying.
(20:34):
And you get to go to the back of the bus because I'm doing this anyway. And sometimes I get a bit cross. Like the last time I was doing a masterclass, I was like, can you just, you know, I won't swear on here, but I was like, can you just get out of here? Like, I'm so done with you dragging me backwards. This is the task that we've decided to do. Let's go. So I don't really know who I'm talking to, to be honest, but it helps. It helps to just acknowledge, feel, write it down.
(21:04):
Look at all the way. Look at the way your brain is trying to keep you safe. It's just doing its job. Its job is to keep you alive and safe. And you keep freaking it out by trying to do all these really scary things. And yes, sometimes I get cross, but usually I just try and be really compassionate to that part of myself that is really afraid.
Bree) (21:25):
I've never heard of fear being expressed as overwhelmed before, or the busy work is actually your brain trying to keep you safe. But it totally makes sense. And I think that that's a really good realization for people because I definitely can get stuck in cycles of busy work and I feel like I just can't. It's usually when I'm putting together a program, I just can't seem to move the needle on the program because I have all these other things that need to get done first.
(21:52):
And really, if I think about it, I do know that it is just me not making the space to do that. Like, yes, I might have a lot to do, but if I wanted to, I could figure out how to get more of it done. So that, I mean, that all tracks. That definitely seems like it's what's going on behind the scenes because you're scared to, like you said, put yourself out there or take that next step. So if somebody is energetically misaligned from their goals so just like not in alignment with the goal that they're trying to reach, how might that show up?
Michal) (22:28):
It's usually forcing, pushing, really, really struggling and controlling. So if you're trying to control the outcome, which is super easy to do, and I fall into this a lot as well, everything just feels really hard as opposed to. It's a really different vibe. If you are curious and you're like, okay, I'm going to try this new masterclass, or I'm going to put together this program, or I'm going to write this email and I'm just really curious to see what happens from here.
(23:04):
And it's a completely different vibe from, I'm going to write this email and 20 people are going to buy my program. Can you see kind of how that, how that's a very different vibe? So I like to get into what I call my CEO Queen energy when all of this stuff is going on. And I just like to acknowledge all the fear, like, get really, really get the fear on board and then just step into the version of me who's got it all figured out.
(23:34):
And she figured it out because she was curious and she allowed there to. She allowed difficult moments and she allowed herself to get through whatever. Whatever obstacles were there by being poised and dignified and gracious instead of forcing and controlling and just mean, like a mean girl.
Bree) (24:01):
Yeah. So do you think that if somebody is putting out an offer, like your example, and they're writing an email, do you think if they send the email and they're like, I'm going to send it, but nobody actually wants to read it and I'm going to end up in spam and this is so awkward that they're going to have a different result than if they send it with that CEO Queen energy.
Michal) (24:23):
I do believe that. And I never used to. I was like, I'm more. I used to be like, just get it done. Get it out of the way so I can keep moving, so I can keep pushing and hustling. And now if I'm writing an email and I can feel myself just wanting to get it done so I can move on, that's when I take a moment, right. And I Remember, I don't want to give off that bad bo. I don't want to give off that stinky vibe. I'm like, what am I doing this for? I'm not doing it for me.
(24:56):
Somebody in my audience needs to hear this today. So put all your own drama aside and send it with that in mind.
Bree) (25:06):
Yeah. Something that I've been trying lately too, which actually ties in really well to what you just said, is I've been literally asking my spirit guides to tell me what my audience needs to hear today. And every time I've done that, I just started it recently, every time I've done it to like, post a story or make a post, because there have been times where I've forgotten to do it too. But every time that I've asked and then just typed whatever seemed to flow through me, I've gotten somebody messaging me saying, can you tell me more about that?
(25:38):
So I'm like, that's so fun to see how it actually is giving you results. And it sounds like it's way out there and whatnot, but if you try it and you start seeing results, then it's like, well, maybe it's not that far fetched after all.
Michal) (25:54):
Yeah, I love that so much because I'm also relatively new to the whole woo woo intuition world. Like, I've. I've been doing shamanic journeying since, my goodness, for a long time. Like over 20 years. Well over 20 years. So I've always. Not always, but since I started doing that, I've had my spirit team with me as well. But I've only just recently been really learning how to tap into the intuition. Because what I was doing was I was trying to figure out how and I was overcomplicating it. This is what my brain does. I overcomplicate it. I get a bunch of different teachers, I read a whole bunch of books, I listen to all the podcasts and all the audios, and it's super simple. And what it's come down to is every day for at least 10 minutes, I just get to clear my brain and that's how I can hear what's going on. Like, I just spend that 10 minutes.
(26:49):
Like, for me, I imagine there's either a glass of water sitting right here on my third eye, or there's an empty room between my ears so nobody can get in. I mean, thoughts do come in, but I'm like, no, no, no, no, no. Everybody just get out. And then just for 10 minutes, I just clear my brain and I just don't Take in anything. And I don't get intuitive hits during that 10 minutes. It's not about that. It's just about clearing the space. And then after that, I'll be sitting down, and something will just come out of me. Something will just want to be like, I'll either leave a voice note, or if I've got my computer open, I can type it out. And I'm like, that is cool. There's no way I would have been able to force that. Right.
(27:33):
So I just really encourage my clients. Now that I'm tapped into this whole thing, I'm like, regardless of what's going on, you've got 10 minutes where you can just be still.
Bree) (27:45):
Yeah. I think that our intuition, and like you said, our spirit team is leading us down the path that we're meant to walk, but it's up to us to follow that path and not fight it and not resist it. So I think that that's one of the reasons that it's so important to actually slow down and take the time to listen. And like you said, clearing out your. Your other thoughts that are going on in your head so that you do have that space to actually hear what's trying to drop in.
(28:14):
And I think that that's not something that gets talked about in business a whole lot at all. I just heard it for the first time a week or two ago, and like I said, I just started. Just started using it. And it's. It's been working amazingly so far. But I do think that we're being divinely guided, so it makes sense that the universe would want us to kind of follow our highest path and be pushing us the right direction, but it's up to us to listen.
Michal) (28:40):
Yeah. And it doesn't always feel easy, because sometimes the stuff that comes through, you're like, oh, really? Like, I've just created a money mindset program, and that was not me who did that, but I'm like, okay, let's go for it. And I've got a couple of people in there already. I just did a beta launch, and it's so fun, and I love it, but I was never planning on being, like, any sort of money mindset coach because I've got so much drama around money, you know? Like, I have a lot of money, but I'm so afraid that I'm going to lose it. And so I would say, or not lose it, but I'll just sabotage it in some way. And so I was kind of like, well, who am I to be teaching about money when I'm really weird with money.
(29:29):
Like, yes, I make money, but I also, I'm not good at the circulation of money. I don't feel like I'm qualified to be standing on a pedestal and saying, hey, here's what you do with money. However, I also had to acknowledge when this came through, I was like, yes, but I do know a lot about money. I know a lot about making money, I know a lot about money mindset. And I don't need to help people who are further ahead than me. But, but clearly there are people who don't know all this stuff that do need some help.
(30:00):
And I can do that. And I'm not doing it from my pedestal. Right. I'm not talking down as the expert. I'm like, hey, I'm going like with this program, this beta launch that I did, I'm going through it too. And we're chatting about that because I'm like, I'm so far from perfect when it comes to money. And maybe that's the whole point of this coaching gig, right? Like, maybe we don't need to be the absolute expert. We just need to be a little bit further ahead from the person who really needs what, what we're teaching.
Bree) (30:30):
Yeah, I've actually heard multiple people say that it's helpful when the person that they're learning from in like the coaching sphere isn't way further ahead than they are because they can remember what it was like to be in their shoes at the state that they're in and they can help them to get further ahead than they are, but they're not ready to be at that. I mean, if you're just starting your business, you're probably not ready to be at a million dollar business mark. You might want to go with a coach who's going to help you go full time in your business if you're not there yet or hit six figures or whatever it may be that your current goal is because the, the coach who's helping you scale to, to a million dollars is probably not going to even fully remember what it was like to first start.
(31:16):
And they're going to be just like, not necessarily aligned in what they're expecting from you and what you have to offer, there's just too big of a gap there. So I do think that as long as you have the knowledge to bring somebody closer to where you are now, like, you're still ahead of them and they still want to be in the space that you are. So I don't think that you have to be light Years ahead. But you just have to be in a position to teach them.
Michal) (31:44):
Yeah. And you wouldn't have everything set up anyway. If you were working with somebody with a coach who was that far ahead, you would. There'd be all sorts of systems and structures in place in order to get you to the level that they can take you. But if you're just starting. Yeah, you've got to find the right coach for you. And I think coaching is just so important. Like, once I learned about it, I was like, oh, my goodness, everybody needs a coach.
(32:09):
I think everybody needs Pilates and a coach. I'm like, we'd all be so strong mentally and physically. And because I'm in the coaching world, it makes so much sense to me. But nobody in my friendship group has a coach, so there's still a lot of catching up to do. But I just give a little plug for the coaching industry. If you are building your business, you need somebody who can help you see what you're missing.
(32:40):
Right. The phrases that you use, the thoughts that are going through your head on loop and just feel like they're normal, that could actually be challenged. So, yeah, work with a mentor.
Bree) (32:53):
Yep, absolutely. So while we're talking about mindset, what are some of the biggest mindset shifts that you've had or that you've worked with people to challenge? The way that they think about going after their big goals?
Michal) (33:09):
It's all around that hustle. It's. It's not necessary. And I have been learning a lot and teaching a lot on that whole feminine way of doing business now. So you need the masculine structure. In fact, you had an episode about this, too. I heard it the other day. But you need that masculine structure. Right. So your goals, your strategies, all of that sort of stuff. But I really encourage my clients to allow space for joy.
(33:38):
And joy doesn't have to be like, if you can't find joy in sending out an email or you can't find joy in doing your taxes, find joy around it and buoy yourself up so that you're ready to tackle those tasks and you're in a better frame of mind. So, joy, creativity, allow yourself to be creative. And that means not sitting at your computer and making yourself get stuff done. That means getting out, walking your dog, playing with your kids, not looking at your computer, deliberately not thinking about your work, and just allowing that space to come in.
(34:13):
So those have been huge shifts for me because I still. When I'm overwhelmed, I still fall into that kind of hustle mentality. And I'm Constantly just trying to bring myself back. So the mindset shifts would be. Allow yourself to enjoy your journey. Notice the thoughts in the background that are actually running the show. And that's usually very outdated programming. It's like an old computer. You've got to get those thoughts out onto paper and you've got to challenge them.
Bree) (34:45):
And then what are some mindset shifts or reframes that you can share that will help somebody go from okay, this is my goal. I hope that I reach it to I know that I'm going to make this goal happen no matter what.
Michal) (35:01):
Well, I'll give you an example from my own life because something I recently uncovered was I don't believe I can build another six figure business without exhausting myself. So that's really curious. I didn't even know that was there. And my reframe is what I'm trying to really lock into my brain is the more money I make, the more energy I have and the less I work. So this is a new reframe for me. And it's just incredible to me that I uncovered that because yeah, honestly, I just didn't know it was there because I went from having no time to having lots of time.
(35:49):
And now I'm building this coaching business and I'm like, I don't want to give up all my time. I really want to coach. I love coaching my clients. But there is that fear in me that I'm going to somehow, even though I've been doing all this work, that I'm going to somehow end up just as exhausted as I was. Which doesn't even make logical sense. It's a completely different business model. I'm a completely different person.
(36:14):
But that's the program running in the back of my brain that needs to be reframed. So again, the mindset shifts. You just need to get really, really clear on what is actually happening on the stories that you're telling yourself. Not just the stories you're telling yourself about your time or your energy or your abilities, but also your money. Since we were touching on money earlier. Like what do you believe about money? Can it come to you easily?
(36:39):
Or does it come in and then just go straight back out? We need to understand what these programs are that are running in the back of our mind and we need to reframe them.
Bree) (36:49):
Yeah. So do you want to hear one of my subconscious beliefs that I just. Okay, cool. So I realized that I very, very much to my core believed that it has to take me time because I'm mid business pivot so I'm pivoting out of the photography videography industry and into coaching and the podcast world. And I fully, with like every fiber of my being was like, I need to give it time. It's going to take however many years before I can be at this place that I want to be in my business.
(37:27):
And then the other day I was like, it doesn't take everybody years. I can give myself grace for it taking some time, but I also don't need to keep that belief that it has to take time because that's just going to make it take time.
Michal) (37:44):
I love that. So what's, what's your reframe? What's your sexy little sentence that you're running over and over in your brain to wire that in?
Bree) (37:52):
Okay, so I don't have like a sexy little sentence yet, so I'm gonna have to think of one right now. But hold on, I'm probably gonna have to like reverse engineer this a little bit. Because in general, my reframe is that other people have built six figure businesses in a year. Some people have done less. So, like, why would it have. I've already built one six figure business. Why would it have to take me years to build another? Because I know so much more now.
(38:18):
So that was a long winded, not sexy way of saying it. So how can we make that sexy?
Michal) (38:26):
Yeah, I mean, well, first of all, I love that you have identified that other people can do it. I think that's so important. And not to compare yourself, but to just give yourself, your brain, that evidence that it's possible. Right? Because that's what we need. We need that evidence. We need those people that we can look up to, even if we've never met them and we probably never will, the fact that they exist and that they did it and you know, usually the people who are.
(38:53):
I'll just use Oprah as an example. Right? Like crappy backstory and an amazing woman. And so I just love, like I, I'm constantly looking at these people, these big players in the industry or any industry who have overcome everything that we are currently trying to overcome and they've done it. So therefore it's possible. So for you. So it's a time thing, right? Like it's, you're in a pivot and you're not giving yourself or you're not really allowing the time to be in that pivot. Is that like, what, what do you really want?
Bree) (39:34):
I have believed up until this point and now I'm working through that belief that it is going to take years to have a successful business. So I've, I've been doing Rebel CEO for a little over a year now. So I'm trying to replace my photography income, but I'm just not fully there yet. And in my mind it's like, well, it's fine because it took me three or four years to hit six figures doing photography. So it's fine. I'm just starting.
(40:04):
But I also don't believe that that's the way that it has to be. And like I said, I know so much more now and theoretically should be able to get further ahead than when I was first in the business world. Not knowing anything about business and just like I'm going to do photography because I love it.
Michal) (40:22):
Yeah. So how about I can build a six figure business with ease, speed and grace or something like that. Like, whatever. The words would naturally fall out of your mouth, but why not? Why not?
Bree) (40:38):
I can build a six figure business with alignment, freedom. And we'll think of the last one later to be decided.
Michal) (40:50):
Something about speed, right? Like, or something that takes the time.
Bree) (40:55):
Oh, yeah, yeah. Okay.
Michal) (40:56):
The elongated timepiece out of it.
Bree) (41:00):
Yeah. Tbd. I'll, I'll come back to that.
Michal) (41:05):
Yeah.
Bree) (41:06):
I actually don't do very well on this spot, so. Awesome.
Michal) (41:11):
Yeah. But that's all it is. That's all it is. Right? You just need to come up with your sentence and you just need to like, do it over and over again. And you could put it into, you could put some version of it into a password, into your computer whenever you log in. You could have your money goals on your phone, on your keypad, password thing on your phone, any of the programs you use, like, just really reinforce whatever the goal is, whether it's time, money, ease, whatever, bake that into your passwords that you log into every day. And that's just a really good way of reminding you.
(41:45):
You can set reminders in your calendar. You can set little tasks that just kind of pop in that you don't have to do anything with, but it's just a reminder of what you're playing for and what you're going for.
Bree) (41:57):
Okay, I have a sentence. Okay. Are you ready?
Michal) (42:02):
Yeah, it's.
Bree) (42:04):
I am capable and ready now.
Michal) (42:06):
Ooh, I like that.
Bree) (42:09):
I feel like that just says that I, I know that I can deliver on everything now. So, like, why do I have to wait a couple of years? I'm capable and I'm ready for it.
Michal) (42:19):
Beautiful. I love it. And I love. Your cat has come to join the party as well. Daisy's still here. Daisy's still under my hand.
Bree) (42:26):
Yeah. This is Willow. She's my baby. She's 13, so she's. She's older than the dogs, but she gets to stay out because she's not so wild and rambunctious.
Michal) (42:39):
I love that. Hi, Willow.
Bree) (42:43):
So then you wanted to share something with listeners.
Michal) (42:46):
Yeah. So this is just a guide that I created that pretty much goes along with what we've been talking about, right? Like how to take your vision and actually lock it in and get it done. And it's all around pretty much what I've laid out. You get to do the vision casting. You get to be clear on what you're playing for, what you want, what your life looks like when you have your vision, the who's supporting you, like what sort of people are backing you, whether it's an OBM or a VA or a social media company or whatever, doing all the stuff that you don't want to do, but that keeps the machine running in the background. So you just get to show up and thrive and do the things that you love to do.
(43:28):
So getting really clear on what you want and then taking the first one to three goals that are going to move you closer, and then you figure out the actionable steps under the goals, and then you work on the vibration piece, right. The alignment piece, the getting yourself into that queen energy, all the stuff that you're going to need, you expressed it really well before. All the internal stuff that you're going to need to work on and embrace so that the external stuff becomes easy.
(44:02):
And, yeah, that's pretty much the whole thing. It just gives you a really good chance to get into it. I feel like there's a lot of people who are really good at the vision casting, but not so good at the doing. And then you've got people like me who are really, really good at the doing, but not necessarily in the right vibe. Right. Like I said before, it's like, I can do, I can do, do, do, do, do. But it used to come from a feeling of fear, scarcity, lack, must keep going kind of thing.
(44:34):
And so the Vision to Victory guidebook is around. Like, how can you work on that middle piece, who you are being as you are doing so that you get the results that you want? Because I built a really successful business, I made a lot of money, and it didn't feel like a success because I was exhausted. So then I just went into this whole period of confusion, like, who am I? Like, what? What the hell just happened? I just, I did everything that I thought I should do and I ended up in a place where that was really.
(45:07):
I was really unsatisfied. So don't do that. Don't be that guy. Right? Let's build the business that we actually want by being who we want to be and by baking in that joy and that fun and that creativity during the journey.
Bree) (45:24):
That's funny that you say that because that actually really ties into the program that I have in pre launch right now. It's all about getting rooted in your, your identity and then building the business from there that's in alignment with you.
Michal) (45:36):
So that sounds beautiful. I love that. Thank you for putting that out into the world.
Bree) (45:41):
Thank you. I appreciate that. And then I will make sure to link your freebie in the show notes for listeners also. So go ahead and check out the show notes and you can grab that there. And then if anyone's listening and they want to follow along with you online or chat with you a little bit, where can they connect with you?
Michal) (45:59):
Yeah, the best place is just go to www.spaceandgrace.me resources and then you can get all my free resources or you can book a call and from there you're on my website so you can follow me on Insta. I started saying that because I can never remember my Insta handle. It was stupid. It was a rookie mistake. It's got a whole bunch of underscores and I can never remember what it was. So spaceandgrace Me resources.
Bree) (46:26):
Okay, awesome. Thank you so much for being on the call and for sharing your journey with listeners. And yeah, I really appreciate everything that you said so. And the reframe was fun too, so I liked that.
Michal) (46:41):
Yeah, thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it.
Bree) (46:44):
Thanks for tuning in to Rebel CEO. If today's episode lit a fire under you, I would love if you would hit subscribe, leave a rating and drop a review. That little action helps more purpose driven women like you. Find this show and make sure that you're not keeping all of this magic to yourself. Share this episode with a friend who's ready to ditch the rules and build a life that actually feels good. If you're looking for a little one on one connection, slide into my DMs on Instagram @rebel CEO podcast and I would love to hear what you're thinking and what you're building so that I can cheer you on every step of the way.
(47:16):
And one more thing, if you're ready for even more support, join my free Facebook community It is packed with like minded women who are rebelling, setting wild goals, dreaming big and making moves. The link's waiting for you in the show notes and I will see you inside. Until next time. Keep breaking the rules, chasing your purpose and creating the life that you were meant for. I'll see you in the next episode.
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Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
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If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.