July 15, 2025 • 11 mins
In this episode, I tackle the common trap of chasing the perfect tool or app to organize your finances and business.... Only to still feel overwhelmed and behind. I share why tool-hopping is often a form of avoidance, not progress, and how real clarity comes from addressing what you’re truly avoiding. You’ll learn how to distinguish busy work from meaningful action, why emotional and mindset work matters just as much as systems, and how my Cash Flow Calculator can help you spot the real gaps in your money management strategy. Ready to break free from overwhelm? Let’s get started!
Cashflow Calculator: https://aimeecerka.com/cashflow
For the full transcript and all links mentioned, see the blog post: https://aimeecerka.com/217
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
You've downloaded the planner, youbuilt out the automation, and you
(00:04):
tried out QuickBooks YA Monarch, thebudget tool that's inside your bank
app, and then on the business side,you've tried Trello, Clickup, Airtable,
notion Pack, maybe all of 'em, right?
And yet you're still overwhelmed.
You still feel behind, and youstill are wondering why things
never really feel under control.
(00:25):
Here's the truth that mostentrepreneurs don't wanna admit.
It's not about the tool, it'sabout what you're avoiding.
In today's episode, we're gonna unpackwhy chasing that perfect tool is
just often another form of avoidance.
And what to do instead if you actually arelooking for clarity, peace, and momentum.
(00:46):
So let's get to it.
This is the Your Money Your LifePodcast, the show where I help
female entrepreneurs go fromstress and struggle to unstoppable.
Here we blend step-by-step strategy,mindset, work, and emotional regulations
so you can create unstoppable finances,build an unstoppable business, and
(01:09):
truly enjoy your unstoppable life.
It's time to take my wisdom, myexpertise, to help you simplify
money and go beyond the numbers.
I'm
your host, Aimee Cerka.
Welcome.
I'm so glad you're here.
How many times have you thoughtto yourself, if I could just
(01:29):
find that right tool, the rightautomation, the right system, then
everything would finally work.
It feels like a responsible decision.
You know, you're optimizing, you'reupleveling, you're preparing to be
able to outsource and have a team.
You're taking action, right?
But here's the hard truth.
If the right app, the right systemwas the answer, why do you keep
(01:50):
switching tools and still feel behind?
And the other part of that is whyare these people creating success
with all of these different tools?
Because the truth iswe're not chasing clarity.
You're avoiding the confrontationof the part that we don't wanna see.
Because if it's not about whatsoftware you use, but what if
(02:11):
it was about the stories we havearound why it's not working?
This is what I see happen.
Time and time again.
You spend hours learning a new tool.
And for the purpose of this, we'regonna talk specifically budgeting,
because I see this all the time,but it's not just budgeting.
Like I said, you know, Trello, clickupall of the productivity systems as well.
(02:33):
And there are alignedtimes to make switches.
I'm not saying switching everything isalways a bad idea 'cause that's not true.
But we spend hours learning a new tool.
Why nab?
Um, every dollar budget usingthe budgeting app and your
banking software, right?
Like you spend time, wemigrate all of our tasks over.
(02:54):
You build that like sexy dashboard.
You buy the the template tobuy the dashboard, right?
You automate as much as you can.
You're creating rules and QuickBooks andthings are automatically, I approving
all the things and for a moment.
You feel in control.
You feel like powerful, right?
But it fades because that high.
Now I've got it together with who.
(03:15):
It didn't come from clarity.
It came from busy work disguisedas growth and busy work is a
powerful distraction from facingwhat actually needs your attention.
Maybe it is the email thatyou've been avoiding sending.
It's the debt that you still aren'tgonna look at the offer that doesn't
(03:36):
feel aligned or the resentment thatyou're carrying around your schedule,
your pricing and delivering on thethings that you've already sold.
If we're constantly reorganizing, orreally this could be jumping from program
to program, it's because your nervoussystem is seeking control, not efficiency.
(03:56):
I. It's like rearrangingdeck chairs on the Titanic.
Oh, it looks plain air.
It looks better, but you're stillsinking, like the ship's still sinking.
We haven't fixed anything.
It just looks prettierwhile we do it, right?
That underlying chaos still lives thereand that chaos is not operational.
It's not in the day to day.
You can show me all of the perfectlittle spreadsheets, the organized
(04:19):
Google Drive, all the things right?
It's emotional and mental, so.
What the heck do we do then, right?
I'm not telling you to delete off allyour tools and swear off automations or
change browsers or whatever else, right?
Systems and tools and processes,all of those things are amazing.
(04:39):
I highly recommend them, but whenthey're rooted in clarity, not fear.
For example, I have my preferences.
So like Inside Money Master Academyand the Unstoppable Experience, you're
going to see all of my recommendations,all of my preferred apps, the things
that I've used, and even like differentsystems as I've evolved over time.
(05:03):
Now I've stuck with YA.
You need a budget for yourpersonal budgeting software and um,
QuickBooks online for your business.
Accounting software, but we'vemade shifts along the way.
I used to use Trello for a lotof my business organization.
Now I use clickup.
Like we talk about the preferences,we talk about the pros and cons,
(05:25):
but we focus on the principles.
So, so many of my clientsdon't use those systems.
I think they all useQuickBooks online, not all.
Okay.
I've got like five, uh, I don't know.
Top clients, if I could justduplicate them, they would be
like amazing clients, right?
If I think about them, I thinkthey all use QuickBooks online.
(05:49):
But they use different softwares andtools for their personal budgeting system.
Now, when we have those coachingcalls, like inside the Unstoppable
Experience, I'll highlight problems orbenefits I've seen from specific user
experience with different platforms.
Trying to remember what thatone app is called right now.
It's the other really popular one.
(06:12):
Let's see.
Pause it real quick.
Mint.
There we go.
So for example, mint.
Mint is works.
You can definitely make it work.
One of the major problems that Isee with Mint though, is the lack
of customization that you have.
So you have to fit your life intotheir categories, and there's
things that you can't hide.
(06:33):
Do clients have it?
And it absolutely works.
Yes.
Perfect.
I prefer the customization that I havewith you need a budget, that's all.
But if you're using Mint and you'reaware that this could be a thing here,
we can still apply the principlesthat we want to have to mint.
(06:53):
Another example, we using yourbudgeting app within your bank.
My major red flag with that is it'sone bank, it's one account, and
you're missing any other spendingthat you do from other accounts.
Now you might say like,I don't really do that.
I don't use my credit card.
I really hit the one account.
I'm sure there are times that you use it.
So do you have a system inplace to mitigate that obstacle,
(07:16):
for lack of a better word?
If you do, fantastic.
The principles still work,
and I highlight those things that we'veseen from user experience in that because
there are certain platforms, for example,that budgeting with your business bank
account, I've seen time and time again.
(07:39):
It enables you that you're able toavoid the problem still, but you get
the dopamine hit feeling like, Hey,I've done it, but you really haven't.
So we have to truly face thosefears and move forward and doing
this from a place of clarity.
So what are you trying to avoid?
(08:01):
It's a powerful question to sit with.
This is exactly why I createdthe cash flow calculator.
It's a quick 90, 90 seconds assessmentstyle calculator that helps you
figure out which part you're actuallyavoiding that would turn on that pro
proverbial cashflow faucet faucet.
(08:23):
So go to aimeecerka.com/cashflow.
Take the cashflow calculator.
This is the first step that we doinside My Money Mastery Academy and
Unstoppable Experience Programs like.
This is the first step.
This is where we start, and I'msharing it with you absolutely free.
It's gonna help you spot whereexactly your system is breaking
(08:47):
down, whether that's on.
Income and income creation.
The offensive side here of the makingmoney, or maybe it's the defense you don't
have, there's not a money system thatwe needed to have in place, a profitable
money system that we need to have inplace, and then we have the mindset and
emotional regulation in there as well.
Okay, and when you're ready to stopovercomplicating to stop avoiding over
(09:11):
the guise of optimizing, then it's time tojoin me inside the Unstoppable experience.
That's where we untangle all ofthis and help you reca reclaim your
time, your power, and your peaceyou can see all the details for
that at aimeecerka.com/unstoppable.
You'll also be able to book a claritycall with me to make sure we can.
(09:32):
Work through if the unstoppableexperience is the right step for you.
So that's what I've got for now.
Remember, you're not behind.
You're not just disorganized and youdefinitely don't need another app.
You need the support that helps youfeel safe, focused, and in control.
And I'm here for you when you are ready.
(09:52):
That's what we got for now.
I'll see you next time.
Are you tired of not seeingconsistent cash flow?
What if you could stop wastingcountless hours working on the
wrong things, only to leave yourselfmore frustrated than you started?
All without jumping from strategyto strategy, just trying to find one
(10:13):
that works and without requiring.
A week of reflection or a time on itbecause you don't have the time to
do the things you need to as it is.
That's you.
My cashflow calculatormight be perfect for you.
This assessment style calculatorreveals your blind spots.
And what you're missing so thatyou can finally see consistent
cashflow month after month.
(10:34):
So grab my cashflow calculator and unlockthe right work that you're probably
already doing in order to finally seeconsistent cashflow month after month.
It's only gonna take you 90 seconds,and you won't need to know any of
your numbers to actually do this.
Then, as a bonus, there's aspecial way you can get me to
give you feedback on your results.
Simply go to amy circa.com/cashflow.
(10:58):
To access, and of course that link ishanging out in the show notes for you.
You've downloaded the planner, youbuilt out the automation, and you
(00:04):
tried out QuickBooks YA Monarch, thebudget tool that's inside your bank
app, and then on the business side,you've tried Trello, Clickup, Airtable,
notion Pack, maybe all of 'em, right?
And yet you're still overwhelmed.
You still feel behind, and youstill are wondering why things
never really feel under control.
(00:25):
Here's the truth that mostentrepreneurs don't wanna admit.
It's not about the tool, it'sabout what you're avoiding.
In today's episode, we're gonna unpackwhy chasing that perfect tool is
just often another form of avoidance.
And what to do instead if you actually arelooking for clarity, peace, and momentum.
(00:46):
So let's get to it.
This is the Your Money Your LifePodcast, the show where I help
female entrepreneurs go fromstress and struggle to unstoppable.
Here we blend step-by-step strategy,mindset, work, and emotional regulations
so you can create unstoppable finances,build an unstoppable business, and
(01:09):
truly enjoy your unstoppable life.
It's time to take my wisdom, myexpertise, to help you simplify
money and go beyond the numbers.
I'm
your host, Aimee Cerka.
Welcome.
I'm so glad you're here.
How many times have you thoughtto yourself, if I could just
(01:29):
find that right tool, the rightautomation, the right system, then
everything would finally work.
It feels like a responsible decision.
You know, you're optimizing, you'reupleveling, you're preparing to be
able to outsource and have a team.
You're taking action, right?
But here's the hard truth.
If the right app, the right systemwas the answer, why do you keep
(01:50):
switching tools and still feel behind?
And the other part of that is whyare these people creating success
with all of these different tools?
Because the truth iswe're not chasing clarity.
You're avoiding the confrontationof the part that we don't wanna see.
Because if it's not about whatsoftware you use, but what if
(02:11):
it was about the stories we havearound why it's not working?
This is what I see happen.
Time and time again.
You spend hours learning a new tool.
And for the purpose of this, we'regonna talk specifically budgeting,
because I see this all the time,but it's not just budgeting.
Like I said, you know, Trello, clickupall of the productivity systems as well.
(02:33):
And there are alignedtimes to make switches.
I'm not saying switching everything isalways a bad idea 'cause that's not true.
But we spend hours learning a new tool.
Why nab?
Um, every dollar budget usingthe budgeting app and your
banking software, right?
Like you spend time, wemigrate all of our tasks over.
(02:54):
You build that like sexy dashboard.
You buy the the template tobuy the dashboard, right?
You automate as much as you can.
You're creating rules and QuickBooks andthings are automatically, I approving
all the things and for a moment.
You feel in control.
You feel like powerful, right?
But it fades because that high.
Now I've got it together with who.
(03:15):
It didn't come from clarity.
It came from busy work disguisedas growth and busy work is a
powerful distraction from facingwhat actually needs your attention.
Maybe it is the email thatyou've been avoiding sending.
It's the debt that you still aren'tgonna look at the offer that doesn't
(03:36):
feel aligned or the resentment thatyou're carrying around your schedule,
your pricing and delivering on thethings that you've already sold.
If we're constantly reorganizing, orreally this could be jumping from program
to program, it's because your nervoussystem is seeking control, not efficiency.
(03:56):
I. It's like rearrangingdeck chairs on the Titanic.
Oh, it looks plain air.
It looks better, but you're stillsinking, like the ship's still sinking.
We haven't fixed anything.
It just looks prettierwhile we do it, right?
That underlying chaos still lives thereand that chaos is not operational.
It's not in the day to day.
You can show me all of the perfectlittle spreadsheets, the organized
(04:19):
Google Drive, all the things right?
It's emotional and mental, so.
What the heck do we do then, right?
I'm not telling you to delete off allyour tools and swear off automations or
change browsers or whatever else, right?
Systems and tools and processes,all of those things are amazing.
(04:39):
I highly recommend them, but whenthey're rooted in clarity, not fear.
For example, I have my preferences.
So like Inside Money Master Academyand the Unstoppable Experience, you're
going to see all of my recommendations,all of my preferred apps, the things
that I've used, and even like differentsystems as I've evolved over time.
(05:03):
Now I've stuck with YA.
You need a budget for yourpersonal budgeting software and um,
QuickBooks online for your business.
Accounting software, but we'vemade shifts along the way.
I used to use Trello for a lotof my business organization.
Now I use clickup.
Like we talk about the preferences,we talk about the pros and cons,
(05:25):
but we focus on the principles.
So, so many of my clientsdon't use those systems.
I think they all useQuickBooks online, not all.
Okay.
I've got like five, uh, I don't know.
Top clients, if I could justduplicate them, they would be
like amazing clients, right?
If I think about them, I thinkthey all use QuickBooks online.
(05:49):
But they use different softwares andtools for their personal budgeting system.
Now, when we have those coachingcalls, like inside the Unstoppable
Experience, I'll highlight problems orbenefits I've seen from specific user
experience with different platforms.
Trying to remember what thatone app is called right now.
It's the other really popular one.
(06:12):
Let's see.
Pause it real quick.
Mint.
There we go.
So for example, mint.
Mint is works.
You can definitely make it work.
One of the major problems that Isee with Mint though, is the lack
of customization that you have.
So you have to fit your life intotheir categories, and there's
things that you can't hide.
(06:33):
Do clients have it?
And it absolutely works.
Yes.
Perfect.
I prefer the customization that I havewith you need a budget, that's all.
But if you're using Mint and you'reaware that this could be a thing here,
we can still apply the principlesthat we want to have to mint.
(06:53):
Another example, we using yourbudgeting app within your bank.
My major red flag with that is it'sone bank, it's one account, and
you're missing any other spendingthat you do from other accounts.
Now you might say like,I don't really do that.
I don't use my credit card.
I really hit the one account.
I'm sure there are times that you use it.
So do you have a system inplace to mitigate that obstacle,
(07:16):
for lack of a better word?
If you do, fantastic.
The principles still work,
and I highlight those things that we'veseen from user experience in that because
there are certain platforms, for example,that budgeting with your business bank
account, I've seen time and time again.
(07:39):
It enables you that you're able toavoid the problem still, but you get
the dopamine hit feeling like, Hey,I've done it, but you really haven't.
So we have to truly face thosefears and move forward and doing
this from a place of clarity.
So what are you trying to avoid?
(08:01):
It's a powerful question to sit with.
This is exactly why I createdthe cash flow calculator.
It's a quick 90, 90 seconds assessmentstyle calculator that helps you
figure out which part you're actuallyavoiding that would turn on that pro
proverbial cashflow faucet faucet.
(08:23):
So go to aimeecerka.com/cashflow.
Take the cashflow calculator.
This is the first step that we doinside My Money Mastery Academy and
Unstoppable Experience Programs like.
This is the first step.
This is where we start, and I'msharing it with you absolutely free.
It's gonna help you spot whereexactly your system is breaking
(08:47):
down, whether that's on.
Income and income creation.
The offensive side here of the makingmoney, or maybe it's the defense you don't
have, there's not a money system thatwe needed to have in place, a profitable
money system that we need to have inplace, and then we have the mindset and
emotional regulation in there as well.
Okay, and when you're ready to stopovercomplicating to stop avoiding over
(09:11):
the guise of optimizing, then it's time tojoin me inside the Unstoppable experience.
That's where we untangle all ofthis and help you reca reclaim your
time, your power, and your peaceyou can see all the details for
that at aimeecerka.com/unstoppable.
You'll also be able to book a claritycall with me to make sure we can.
(09:32):
Work through if the unstoppableexperience is the right step for you.
So that's what I've got for now.
Remember, you're not behind.
You're not just disorganized and youdefinitely don't need another app.
You need the support that helps youfeel safe, focused, and in control.
And I'm here for you when you are ready.
(09:52):
That's what we got for now.
I'll see you next time.
Are you tired of not seeingconsistent cash flow?
What if you could stop wastingcountless hours working on the
wrong things, only to leave yourselfmore frustrated than you started?
All without jumping from strategyto strategy, just trying to find one
(10:13):
that works and without requiring.
A week of reflection or a time on itbecause you don't have the time to
do the things you need to as it is.
That's you.
My cashflow calculatormight be perfect for you.
This assessment style calculatorreveals your blind spots.
And what you're missing so thatyou can finally see consistent
cashflow month after month.
(10:34):
So grab my cashflow calculator and unlockthe right work that you're probably
already doing in order to finally seeconsistent cashflow month after month.
It's only gonna take you 90 seconds,and you won't need to know any of
your numbers to actually do this.
Then, as a bonus, there's aspecial way you can get me to
give you feedback on your results.
Simply go to amy circa.com/cashflow.
(10:58):
To access, and of course that link ishanging out in the show notes for you.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
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.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.