You know what often gets lost between the “lifestyle freedom” dreams and the “I’m my own boss!” reality?

A tiny little thing called doing the work.

I discovered that early in my self-employment journey, when I wanted to be a writer. The only trouble was, I was a writer who did everything but write.

I watched a lot of bad television. I read a lot of advice about writing. I took some courses about writing.

But I did not write.

Call it willpower, or discipline, or even drive—whatever it was, I didn’t have it.

I’ve been fully self-employed and self-supporting since 2011. In that time, I’ve discovered that self-discipline isn’t something you’re born with (I wasn’t). It is something you can create for yourself, though.

Prefer a transcript? Here you go!

And if you’d prefer the video version, you’ll find it on my YouTube channel.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why a results-based goal is not enough to keep you going, and what to do instead
• The unfortunate downside to self-employment, and how to shift your thinking so you can actually get stuff done
• A clever trick to try if you struggle to meet milestones
• Subtle ways procrastination shows up, and how to recognize and defeat it

Resources mentioned:

• Six-Figure Systems is a private community and learning resource for action-oriented entrepreneurs. Get your all-access, 7-day trial for just $7.

I used to work with a single mom. She had three kids all under 10, and their dad wasn’t around at all. She was on her own for juggling doctor appointments, school drop-offs and pick-ups, holiday pageants, birthday parties, and all the rest—all while working a full-time job.

I told her often that I didn’t know how she managed it all. I don’t know how any parent does, to be honest.

When I left that job to launch my own business, I discovered it wasn’t just parents who have a lot to manage. Entrepreneurs—especially of the solo variety—learn pretty quickly how to juggle their many responsibilities.

They also learn a few tricks to set themselves up for success. These are mine. They’re simple things, really. And they might just change your life.

Prefer a transcript? Here you go!

And if you’d prefer the video version, you’ll find it on my YouTube channel.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The two-minute trick I use to ensure every day starts out stress and anxiety free
• How clutter occupies more than just your desk space
• The huge difference a comfortable chair and a nice set of curtains can make
• How making a commitment frees up mental bandwidth
• Why multiple streams of income aren’t always a good idea

Resources mentioned:

• Six-Figure Systems is my monthly program that simplifies business and eliminates the overwhelm. Start today with an all-access 7-trial for just $7.
• David Sparks at MacSparky.com inspired me with his commitment to only change apps once per year.

Have you ever looked at someone—Cal Newport, say, or Richard Branson—and wondered how they manage to get so much done? They have the same amount of time you do, with the same family and life obligations. One has a busy teaching schedule, publishes prolifically, and produces a weekly podcast. The other seems to always be diving into a new business adventure.

And you? Maybe you struggle to publish a single, weekly blog post, or you’ve been working on that course for months, and it feels like it will never be finished.

How do these prolific creators get it all done? I’d like to know, too.

I may not be as productive as Cal Newport or oversee as many companies as Richard Branson, but as a solopreneur, I have plenty on my plate. You do, too.

Right now, I have:

• A weekly podcast now in it’s fourth year of production
• A new YouTube channel
• A thriving membership to manage
• New courses and workshops to create
• Coaching clients to advise
• Emails to write
• Affiliates to partner with
• Marketing campaigns to plan

How do I manage all of that without dropping all the balls from time to time? I’ll tell you in this week’s episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast.

Prefer a transcript? Here you go!

And if you’d prefer the video version, you’ll find it on my YouTube channel.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The true cost of even a momentary distraction
• The one thing that takes priority over everything else in my business (and probably yours, too)
• What I advise all my coaching clients to do if they feel like they’re not achieving their goals
• The Sunday afternoon habit that changed how I approach my week
• The strategy I use to shave hours off my week
• How a tomato transformed my workday

Resources mentioned:

• University of California researcher Gloria Mark on the time cost of distracted work
• Francesco Cirillo developed the Pomodoro Technique to improve time management and reduce work-related stress
• David Cain put a new twist on the Pomodoro Technique in his book, How to Do Things
• Six-Figure Systems is my monthly program that simplifies business and eliminates the overwhelm. Start today with an all access, 7-day trial for just $7.