5 - My Business Mindset Principles

I'm peeling back the curtain on the personal business mindset principles that keep me from spiralling into a stress-fueled mess. Let's be real—most of you are out here looking for a prescriptive "right way" to do business, but business isn't a formula. It's an art. If you're tired of feeling dysregulated and overwhelmed by the noise, it's time to stop looking for a template and start becoming an expert on yourself. Listen in as I share how I act as my own "bodyguard" to protect my creative essence and relaxation. I'm breaking down why "context switching" is the silent killer of your productivity and how you can make more money by doing way less. We're ditching the idea that business has to be serious or hard, and instead, we're pimping out the journey to be the most epic, comfy, and interesting experience possible. Here's a glance at what you'll learn from me in this episode: The Expertise of You: Why the most valuable time you spend in business is becoming an expert on your own sabotages, joys, and preferences. The Future-Self Hack: How to project yourself into your "future badass" state to realize that today's problems are just child's play. The Context Switching Trap: Why working eight hours can actually be less effective than two hours of true, deep focus. The "Me-Sized" Business: How to stop following templates that don't suit you and start innovating based on how you want your life to feel. Emotional Stability 101: Why your business is not responsible for your happiness and how to stay "chilling" even when the numbers are wild. Allocating Fucks Wisely: How to protect your energy from the "atrocious" news of the world so you actually have the power to create change in your own community. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Why these mindset principles are specifically for the easily stressed 01:54 The "One Question" beneath every business inquiry 04:49 Rule #1: Why today's stress is just "child's play" to your future self 06:50 "I don't stress about things for free": Acting as your own bodyguard 08:06 Rule #2: The natural power of working on one thing at a time 11:35 Organizing your life into creative, managerial, and deep work modes 13:54 Rule #3: Rejecting the idea that business must be "serious or hard" 15:52 The secret of innovators: Every "necessary" method was just an experiment 17:34 Rule #4: Why your business isn't responsible for your emotional stability Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbell/ Work of Art Website: https://workofartpodcast.com/

Let's be real for a second: if you're spending the majority of your waking hours in a negative state of mind because you loathe your "job," you're doing it wrong. Whether you're trying to build a community, a brand, or a fat bank account, your relationship with work determines if you're actually living or just suffering through the grind. I've had the "abusive" relationships with work where I ran myself into the ground, and I've had the ones that left me energized and satisfied. Today, I'm showing you exactly how to brainwash yourself into the latter. Listen in as I share the three principles that keep me from procrastinating and keep the energy flowing without the "slimy, stinky forceful tricks" we're taught to use for productivity. We're diving deep into why your zone of genius is usually the thing you're currently discounting because it feels too "easy". It's time to stop half-assing your commitment to your dreams and start choosing the discomfort that's actually worth it. Here's a glance at what you'll learn from me in this episode: The Discomfort Reality Check: Why you're already uncomfortable doing things you hate, so you might as well be uncomfortable for what you love. Enjoyment > Results: How prioritizing fun and ease actually creates a more sustainable, "timeless" work-life balance and a raving fan base. The "Perfectionist" Trap: Why pressure and worry are actually obstructing your superpowers and how to use deadlines without the cortisol spike. Creative Immunity: The secret to keeping your passion alive even when the money starts rolling in. People Mindset: Why money isn't a living thing and why your relationship to people is the only mindset that matters for your bank account. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 00:34 – Redefining the relationship you can have with work. 03:22 – What I actually live for. 04:35 – Principle #1. 08:51 – The "Starving Artist" narrative vs. inevitable success. 09:50 – Principle #2. 12:12 – My sabbatical and closing a multi-seven-figure business. 15:43 – Why what's "easy" for you is actually your most valuable gift. 18:20 – Coming out of the closet as a creativity teacher. 20:27 – Principle #3. 23:07 – Ditching your "Money Mindset" for a "People Mindset". 25:01 – Why a personal brand is a lifelong project, not a 30-day sprint. Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbell/ Work of Art Website: https://workofartpodcast.com/

Hiding your struggles is keeping you broke and disconnected from your audience. I realized this when I made my first million at 23—people didn't see the discipline or the betrayals; they just saw a "blonde Instagram chick" and spat venom because they lacked context. We're diving deep into the psychology of Narrative Transportation, that state where your audience stops judging you and starts living the story with you. I'm breaking down how I alchemized eating canned tuna and failing 20 sales calls into a brand that people actually trust. If you're ready to transcend "basic bitch branding" and become a memorable leader, you need to master the art of the hero's journey. Here's a glance at what you'll hear from me in this episode:   • The "Venom" of Success: Why sharing results without the "trials and tribulations" creates resentment instead of connection. • Ancient Technology: Why the human brain retains stories better than facts, data, or statistics. • Social Bonding & Safety: How storytelling creates biological safety and social intimacy with your potential clients. • The "Trance" State: Understanding neural coupling and how to light up your listener's imagination. • The Redemption Arc: How sharing your transformation allows your audience to reframe their own pain and challenges. • The "Best Story" Wins: Why being emotionally compelling is more important than being the "most" logical or skilled. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:13 – How my first million-dollar press feature actually backfired. 03:48 – Taking control of the narrative 05:56 – Why a lack of story creates an inherent disconnection in your humanity. 07:52 – Narrative Transportation: The phenomenon of being immersed in a story 09:44 – How hearing someone else's hardship reframes our own meaning-making. 13:16 – Example breakdown: The difference between a transactional pitch and a soulful story. 18:52 – Why celebrities like Taylor Swift are compelling through universal themes 20:47 – Why sharing failures makes you more trustworthy and competent. 25:55 – Introduction to the Hero's Journey framework for your brand. Links: Origin Story Template: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG-bXPns94/URY-Dv9S35Vh4n--8P303Q/view?utm_content=DAG-bXPns94&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbell/ Work of Art Website: https://workofartpodcast.com/

I'm showing you how to build a magnetic brand and a bank account using your creative genius—no more building your brand backwards by chasing viral hooks while losing your soul to the AI noise of 2026. In this episode, I'm giving it to you clean with a bottom-up approach that focuses on your roots so your creative fruits can actually sustain themselves. Buckle in, because we're moving past the surface-level shizz to dive into the six foundational pieces—like personal mythology, brand archetypes, and real-ass magnetism—that turn your brand into a compounding investment and ensure you get paid the most for what comes easiest to you. I break down why the traditional "top-down" approach of focusing on tactics and aesthetics alone leads to a seething sense of incongruence and vanity metrics that don't equate to revenue. I share how to address the root of your brand by moving from performing for the masses to niching down and communicating your true essence.  Listen in as I share the six-part framework I use inside Creator Catalyst to help you stop chasing trends and start building a brand that is a compounding investment for your entire life. Here's a glance at what you'll learn from me in this episode: •    The Bottom-Up Philosophy: Why addressing the somatic roots of your brand is non-negotiable before you ever touch a posting schedule. •    Personal Mythology: How to use storytelling—the most ancient human technology—to build a world where your audience finds belonging. •    Philosophy and Principles: Why being polarizing and standing for your anti-values is exactly what creates deep trust and magnetism. •    Magnetism and Paradox: How to combine universal archetypes with your personality "plot twists" to become completely unforgettable. •    The Genius Trifecta: Identifying your medicine, skills, and mastery so you can get paid the most for what comes easiest to you. •    The Triple Threat Content Method: A system of Authority, Artistry, and Audience posts to keep you energized instead of exhausted. Timestamps: •    00:00 – Introduction •    01:17 – Why most people build brands backwards and end up with zero community. •    05:16 – Front stage vs. back stage self: The high cost of brand incongruence. •    07:54 – Element 1: Personal Mythology and the ancient technology of storytelling. •    16:23 – Element 2: Using philosophies and principles to transform from a vendor to a thought leader. •    19:39 – Why standing for your anti-values is required for deep trust. •    21:50 – Element 3: Magnetism—Universal Archetypes meets the multi-dimensional paradox. •    25:19 – The Alex Hormozzi Case Study: Why the "Gym Bro" paradox is magnetic. •    28:14 – Element 4: Identifying your Zone of Genius (Medicine, Skills, and Mastery). •    34:14 – Element 5: Signature Style and the visual identity blueprint. •    36:44 – Element 6: The Triple Threat Content Flow: Authority, Artistry, and Audience. •    40:17 – Building a brand that doesn't require a rebrand every six months. Links: ·       Creator Catalyst: https://joincreatorcatalyst.com/ ·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbell/ ·       Work of Art Website: https://workofartpodcast.com/

If the title feels aggressive, good—I'm actually back, bitches, and I missed the living sh*t out of this. It's 2026, and we are officially done with the era where work equals suffering; the only sane option left is to turn your business into a masterpiece. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my radical healing journey, why I killed "Payday with Rayray" to launch Work of Art, and how you can survive the current "trust recession" by treating your brand like world-building. Buckle in, because I'm about to show you how to resurrect your inner artist and get paid for your creative genius before I peace out for motherhood (yep, there's a baby bump involved). Here's a glance at what you'll learn from me in this episode: The Rebrand: Why I shifted from "Payday" to "Work of Art" and why treating your business like an art project is the secret to longevity. The "Trust Recession": Why buyers are skeptical, why connection is the only currency that matters in 2026, and how to build it through a screen. World Building: How to view your personal brand like a fantasy novel (think Harry Potter) to create a community that people never want to leave. The Root System: Why most people fail at branding by focusing on the fruit (money/content) instead of the roots (who you intrinsically are). The Big Announcement: The details on my pregnancy, my upcoming RETIREMENT, and why this is your last chance to work with me. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:53 - Aggressively returning to the podcast and the table flip of 2023. 03:42 - Why work can be your heaven or your hell, and choosing to make it art. 09:00 - Resurrecting your inner artist 14:50 - The irony of my financial success 18:24 - The Trust Recession: Why shortcuts are destroying influence and how connection saves it. 21:25 - Personal Branding as World Building: Creating a universe for your community. 23:50 - Creator Catalyst: The mastermind for the face of the business. 27:55 - The Plot Twist: I'm pregnant, expecting in May, and retiring (again). Links: Creator Catalyst: https://joincreatorcatalyst.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbell/ Work of Art Website: https://workofartpodcast.com/  

I'M BACK! It's been a long time since the last one of these Payday's with Rayray, but today I'm joined by my best friend Jessica Benstock to share with you all why I haven't been uploading and who better to talk about it with than Jessica, who's been right by my side. In this episode Jessica helps me unpack all that's happened since my last episode. I've received a ton of questions from all of you over the last year about my life transitions and how I've been handling them (and not handling them). I hope this conversation gives you a deeper understanding of why I've made some major shifts in my life and where I'm headed in the future. GAIN ACCESS to the full show notes for this episode and access to more business tips from Rayray here: https://paydaywithrayray.com/episodes/74 Here's a glance at what you'll hear from me in this episode:   Why I let go of every single client What happened to OCA and what caused me to give it all up How I plan to find and follow my north star

In this episode, I break down the 10 most surprising lessons that I learned in 2021 and how they've given me insight into how I'll approach 2022. From learning how to properly set boundaries, to reorientating my role, the lessons I've learned should help you in your plan of action for approaching this upcoming year. GAIN ACCESS to the full show notes for this episode and access to more business tips from Rayray here: https://paydaywithrayray.com/episodes/73 Here's a glance at what you'll hear from me in this episode:  How to create your focus for the new year The most important lessons to take into 2022 How to make the best choices for yourself Strategies to deal with ego death Plans for a new mastermind and community

In the first part of my conversation with Paige, you'll learn who Paige is and how we both met. Then we dive into how Paige helps women build unapologetic, honest, human-design based businesses and how I transitioned my business and relationships to achieve what OCA is today. GAIN ACCESS to the full show notes for this episode and access to more business tips from Rayray here: https://paydaywithrayray.com/episodes/72 You'll be able to find part 2 of our conversation on Undefined with Paige Michelle here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brutal-hilarious-truths-part-2-relationships-unhealthy/id1524466107?i=1000540159424 Here's a glance at what you'll hear from Paige and I in this episode:  How I made a personal transition to skyrocket my business Why you can (and should) make radical changes to improve yourself Why I don't follow ANYONE on Instagram How to undefine and empower yourself instead of disempowering yourself Being okay with people not liking your work or lifestyle How to avoid self-sabotage

If you've joined OCA, you may have bumped into Nik on one of your calls, but you may not know the journey he took from being a student of OCA to being an Enrolment Specialist with us. This episode is a deep dive into his journey and how he's not only transformed his own life, but the lives of many OCA students. If you've ever thought about joining OCA, this is the perfect episode to hear the pathway OCA can put you on. GAIN ACCESS to the full show notes for this episode and access to more business tips from Rayray here: https://paydaywithrayray.com/episodes/71 Here's a glance at what you'll hear from Nik and I in this episode:  Why Nik chose to join OCA and how it transformed his life Learning how to say yes to yourself and avoid distractions The most common fears of new OCA students and how to overcome them Why certifications don't equal success The value of having a support system How to put yourself in a community where your dreams are normal

Get ready to slide into those DM's people! In this episode, I'm going to share with you the 5 most important DM scripts that I personally use to convert my Instagram audience (and even cold prospects) into paying clients. GAIN ACCESS to the full show notes for this episode and access to more business tips from Rayray here: https://paydaywithrayray.com/episodes/70 Here's a glance at what you'll learn in this episode:  The scripts I use to connect and convert my prospective clients Why rejection in the DM's will make you stronger long-term How to identify the right person to send a DM to Why you should leverage the power of direct outreach How to overcome rejection and regret Why embracing awkwardness can lead you to more clients