Positively Living®: Shame-Free Productivity Conversations

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

In this episode of the Positi...

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

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

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Are you a high achiever or multi-passionate caregiver feeling completely drained? Maybe you used to juggle work, family, and passions with ease, but now your once-achievable "do it all" goal is leaving you exhausted, resentful, and scattered. If you're constantly searching for a way to manage your overwhelming to-do list, you’re not alone, and I am here to help. This week, episode 286...

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 Outdated ideas about masculinity create significant barriers, often leading men to dismiss their own emotional needs as a weakness.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

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If you’re anything like me, you know the holiday season is coming, and yet, it somehow always feels like it sneaks up on you, trading your joy for what feels like an impossible to-do list. What follows is a feeling of overwhelm, exhaustion, and stress, even when good things are happening. The gap between the “picture-perfect” ideal and our chaotic reality leaves us depleted and in recovery mode as t...

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The secret to success isn’t avoiding failure; it’s learning to trust your gut when everyone else says “no.” All too often, we feel isolated, struggle with overthinking, and let the fear of failure hold us back.

In this replay episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, Gwen Austin joins to reveal her journey of launching an online community of thousands overnight by following her inner knowing and sha...

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this episode of the Posi...

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

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

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcas...

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

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

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Do you feel like you constantly need to push forward and that non-stop work equals peak productivity? The truth is, relentless doing often leads straight to burnout, not true effectiveness. Many of us struggle to give ourselves permission to take a break, fearing it will derail our progress.

In this re-released episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I revisit the powerful, science-backed benefits...

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Do you find yourself constantly putting off tasks, searching for distractions instead of focusing on what needs to be done? We all experience procrastination, and it's not a personal flaw. It often comes from a lack of motivation, clarity, or energy, not a lack of desire or work ethic.

This week, in episode 271 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I explore why we avoid tasks and, more importantly...