108. Break Free from the Productivity Trap: A New Perspective on Getting It Done

At the heart of building a practice you truly love—one that supports you creatively, financially, and personally—is the ability to make thoughtful decisions.    In this episode, I share some powerful questions and beliefs to help you make decisions and pursue your goals with purpose in the coming year. Join me in reflecting on where you are undecided, where you may be straddling decisions, and what needs to happen for you to step into your next level as a designer CEO. Let's make 2025 a year of turning your wants into your reality!   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/114   For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

Goal aversion can manifest in various ways, some obvious and others more subtle. It might look like telling yourself you're not a goal person, doubting your ability to achieve the goal, or fearing disappointment if you fall short. If you avoid setting goals in your interior design business, or you only feel the resistance to truly committing once you’ve already set the goal, this episode is for you.   Learn why we set goals as business owners, how to identify where resistance is showing up for you, and what you can do to move past it. Discover how embracing discomfort and building self-trust can help you navigate the goal-setting process and unlock the next level of your interior design business.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/113   For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

I share a powerful strategy that will help you stay motivated, accountable, and on track throughout the entire journey: leveraging both progress goals and outcome goals in your interior design business. Utilizing both of these approaches gives you clarity, direction, and ways to evaluate your path forward, all of which are going to increase your likelihood of succeeding.   Learn what progress goals and outcome goals are, how they differ, and why you need both to not only make consistent progress toward your desired results, but to make the journey there so much more enjoyable. I show you how setting clear and measurable milestones helps you stay focused on what matters most, and why these approaches will help you take your goal-setting to the next level.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/112   For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

As we wrap up the current year and look ahead to the next, now is the perfect time to reflect on what worked well, what didn't, and what you want to create moving forward. Goal-setting is an essential practice for any business owner who wants to build something significant that supports them financially, creatively, and fulfills their desire for growth. I can’t wait to share my goal-setting secrets with you this week.   Join me in this episode as I walk you through each of the five key elements of effective goal-setting. Learn the most common reason goal-setting falls flat, how to stop working against yourself and create a smooth path forward instead, and my roadmap for making your big goals a reality in 2025.    Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/111   For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources    

As we come to the close of another year and begin thinking about goal setting for 2025, knowing what enough means for you is vital for creating the kind of life and business you truly want. And in this episode, I dive deep into the concept of enough and how it impacts every aspect of your interior design business.   I explore how to identify when you need to define enough, the different ways to approach it, and the transformative power of making that decision for yourself. From setting financial goals to managing your time and team, knowing what enough means for you is crucial for success, and I guide you through this process today.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/110   For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources

I sit down with brand strategist and copywriter for interior designers, Deb Mitchell, to discuss how powerful messaging can transform your interior design business from the inside out. From the importance of authentic brand positioning to crafting a compelling voice that builds trust with your ideal clients, Deb shares her expert insights on the power of investing in strategic messaging for your business.   Learn Deb’s tips for making empowered decisions about your brand messaging and positioning, and the internal growth that’s required when you want to up-level. She offers the three pillars that will help you show up as your most authentic and elevated self, and breaks down how effective messaging and positioning can help you sell more easily, increase profits, and save precious time and energy in your business.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/109   For the resources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.desicreswell.com/resources    

As interior designers, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that more is always better. Whether it’s working on client projects or moving the ball on our business goals, we believe that if we could just be more efficient, more organized, or more disciplined, we could finally get ahead. But what if this constant pursuit of productivity is actually holding us back? What if productivity isn’t the pinnacle it sells itself to be?   Join me this week to hear some hard truths about productivity that might surprise you. But don't worry, I also share some good news that will help you approach your work in a more intentional and sustainable way. Learn why more isn’t necessarily better, how the productivity trap strings you along, and most importantly, how to break free from it.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/108

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Ostrom, the founder, executive director, and creative director of Joy Collaborative: a nonprofit located here in the Twin Cities that creates uplifting spaces for children with life-limiting conditions. Mark shares the story behind Joy Collaborative and explores how designers can give back in a way that's authentic to their talents and values.   If you're looking for a more meaningful way to express gratitude to your clients this year, or are toying with the idea of turning your passion project into reality, this episode will leave you feeling inspired. Mark shares how thoughtful, functional design can be truly life-changing for these families. We also discuss creative ways interior designers can incorporate charitable giving as a memorable gifting and marketing opportunity, and how even small contributions can create a powerful ripple effect of joy.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/107

In this episode, I answer a question from a listener who struggles with staying calm and collected when project issues arise. We often absorb the stress of these hiccups to shield our clients from them. However, things are most definitely going to go wrong at some point - whether it’s at the project site, during a presentation, or even in response to a client’s reaction. So how can we learn to ride the emotional waves ourselves?   I share practical strategies for managing your mindset when the unexpected happens. Learn how to separate facts from stories and how to tune into your body to process emotions. With these skills, along with realistic expectations, you’ll be better prepared to navigate project challenges with greater ease and resilience moving forward.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/106

You probably set yourself an annual financial goal back at the beginning of 2024, and here we are, coming into the final months of the year. Are you on track to hit your goals? Maybe you’re falling behind, or perhaps you’ve already surpassed your target and are wondering if you should raise the bar even higher.   Listen in this week as I show you how to master the art of goal revision. Hear what the process of evaluating your current position entails, the factors to consider when deciding whether to adjust your targets, and how to make the most of the remaining months and position yourself for success in the year ahead.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.desicreswell.com/105