RS372 - How to design your business operating system for 2026

If you're craving a more intentional, streamlined and sustainable way to run your business next year, this episode is for you. Anna introduces a new way of thinking about how your business works behind the scenes - and what it takes to design your business operating system for 2026. Key Takeaways Your early business setup wasn't designed to support where you are now—your operating system must evolve. Someone else's blueprint can't account for your life, energy, responsibilities or goals. A solid business operating system has three parts: an intentional business model, authentic marketing and resonant sales, and simple systems. Reducing complexity and decision fatigue is essential for consistency and calm in 2026. Small strategic tweaks create more clarity and space than big dramatic overhauls. Join the free January workshop to design your Solopreneur Operating System at intentionalexpert.com.

If your content has stopped landing, leads feel slower, or business just feels heavier than it used to, you're not alone. In this episode, Anna unpacks the major solopreneur trends of 2025 - and what they mean for how you work, sell, and show up as you prepare for 2026. Key Takeaways Visibility is changing: Even strong, thoughtful content underperformed on LinkedIn this year—and it's not about your quality, but the context. AI raised the bar: With content creation easier than ever, your differentiation now comes from clarity of message and point of view. Sales cycles slowed: Corporate budgets shrank, hesitations increased, and "maybe next quarter" became the norm. Trust takes more time: Warm leads, referrals, and real relationships outperform cold funnels and algorithm-chasing. Solopreneurs want sustainability: Many don't need bigger businesses—just clearer, simpler, more spacious ones. Call to Action Join the waitlist for the Solopreneur Operating System at intentionalexpert.com to build a clearer, calmer way of working in 2026.

What if the biggest barrier to thriving at work isn't performance - but the way we lead? In this episode, Anna speaks with Nigel Kilpatrick, co-founder of The Compassion Exchange, about his dramatic journey from toxic leadership habits to human-centred, compassionate leadership. It's an honest, hard-hitting look at why old models of authority are failing - and what truly creates change. Key Takeaways: The cost of old leadership models: Nigel shares how fear-driven, authoritarian cultures harm both companies and people - and why compassion is now essential for performance. From toxic habits to wise compassion: Hear how Nigel went from being "too empathetic," to adopting unhealthy behaviours, to finally finding grounded, human leadership. Why leaders resist change: A candid look at the identity crisis behind "I'm an SVP, don't you know?" attitudes - and what can shift them. Human at home, human at work: Learn how blending personal and professional wellbeing became the foundation of The Compassion Exchange. If you're on a mission to create a business - and a life - rooted in compassion rather than pressure, subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs it.

Are you ready to grow your business without sacrificing what matters most? In this episode, Anna Lundberg unpacks a radically different approach to success - one powered not just by financial gain, but by freedom, flexibility, and fulfilment. Whether you're curious about four-hour days, want an ambitious yet sustainable path, or simply crave more time for family and personal priorities, Anna shares real-world strategies and thought-provoking questions to help you build a business that works for your life, not just your bank account. Key takeaways: Redefining Success: Success isn't just about income or scaling numbers — it's about crafting a business that supports your values, priorities, and preferred lifestyle. Sustainable Growth: You can keep growing without overworking; think term-time schedules, four-day weeks, or even the innovative concept of the four-hour day. Intentional Reviewing: Anna encourages taking time to pause, assess what's working (and what's not), and make thoughtful plans for the future instead of chasing endless busyness. Groundwork Sprint Opportunity: There's a final chance to join the 10-day Groundwork Sprint to recalibrate your business with expert guidance, practical prompts, and a supportive community. Clarity on Your Vision: Having a clear picture of what success looks like for you is vital for setting effective strategies and making meaningful progress. Ready to reset before the year ends? Join Groundwork - a 10-day guided sprint to step back, get clear on what's working, and make intentional decisions for 2026. Short daily videos, focused prompts, and the option to join a WhatsApp group and live coaching call. We start Monday 17th November. onestepoutside.com/groundwork

Feeling overwhelmed by planning next year when your business still feels a bit messy beneath the surface? In this episode, Anna Lundberg shares why rushing headlong into goal-setting without strong business foundations is a recipe for frustration, and lays out a practical, simple approach to set yourself up for success in 2026. If you're craving more clarity, smarter strategy, and a business that actually suits your life, this episode is tailor-made for you. Key takeaways: Brilliant Planning Starts with the Right Foundations: Setting new goals and colour-coded calendars is pointless if your underlying business model is misaligned or not delivering what you need. First, get clear on what's working, what feels heavy, and what simply isn't serving you. The Stop, Start, Continue Method: Anna advocates for the "stop, start, continue" framework—identify what to stop doing (low-ROI activities or things that drain you), what you must continue (your proven efforts), and a mindful approach to what new things you start (beware shiny-object syndrome!). Prioritise Simplicity Over Overwhelm: Avoid the trap of planning a million changes. Anna's approach focuses on a light reset—refining your core priorities and picking only one or two key shifts for the first quarter, keeping things achievable and aligned. Check Your Business Model and Message: Review where your income comes from, what's profitable, and whether your delivery modes (coaching, mentoring, speaking, etc.) align with your capacity and energy. Sharpen your messaging so it stands out in a busy marketplace. Groundwork Business Recalibration: Anna introduces her 10-day "Groundwork" programme—an experiential reset to evaluate, recalibrate, and set an intentional path for the year ahead, focusing on clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth. Ready to reset before the year ends? Join Groundwork - a 10-day guided sprint to step back, get clear on what's working, and make intentional decisions for 2026. Short daily videos, focused prompts, and the option to join a WhatsApp group and live coaching call. We start Monday 17th November. onestepoutside.com/groundwork

Ready to finish the year with clarity and set the stage for a smoother, more sustainable business in 2026? In this episode, Anna Lundberg guides you through the crucial process of reflecting on your work, recalibrating your offers, and designing a focused plan for next year – all without burning everything down. Tune in for practical advice and hear about a powerful new resource to help solopreneurs break free from overwhelm and move forward with confidence. Key takeaways: The Shift from Doing to Leading Anna shares her journey from relentless execution in both corporate and early business life, highlighting the necessity of moving from "doing it all" to taking a strategic leadership approach as your business grows. Signs It's Time to Recalibrate Discover the subtle signals that indicate your business model or way of working needs an update—even if things look like they're "working" on the surface. It's OK to Pause for Reflection Learn why taking a strategic pause to reflect on what's working and what's not is essential for sustainable success, and how it can empower you to make wiser decisions. Groundwork: The 10-Day Business Reset Anna introduces her new 10-day Groundwork programme, designed to help you step back, assess your current model, and make intentional changes for the year ahead – with flexible options for community and coaching support. Practical Tools for Review & Planning Get Anna's recommendations on scorecards, diagnostic tools, and her evolving workbook frameworks to guide your annual review. Ready to reset before the year ends? Join Groundwork - a 10-day guided sprint to step back, get clear on what's working, and make intentional decisions for 2026. Short daily videos, focused prompts, and the option to join a WhatsApp group and live coaching call. We start Monday 17th November. onestepoutside.com/groundwork

How do you achieve entrepreneurial success without sacrificing health, family, or hobbies? In this episode, Anna Lundberg sits down with James Healy, communications expert and co-founder of The Shift, to explore how he built a profitable business - all while never having a boss. Tune in for a candid conversation about redefining success, making intentional business choices, and ensuring work fits your life (not the other way around). Key takeaways: Success Is Personal and Intentional: James shares his early vision of work shaped by family history and how he deliberately built a business that values time, balance, and self-determination. Navigating Business Evolution: Learn how James strategically moved from a thriving solo consultancy to a partnership, embracing risk and new skills (especially tech and AI) for a sustainable future. Co-founder Dynamics and Clear Vision: The episode dives into the benefits and challenges of co-founder relationships, explaining why equitable ownership and aligned values are crucial for lasting success. Mindful Growth and Saying No: Discover how James manages business development, client selection, and personal boundaries, ensuring growth never comes at the cost of well-being. Blending Work, Family, and Joy: The conversation offers practical insights on maintaining interests, spending time with family, and designing a flexible, fulfilling lifestyle. If this conversation got you thinking about your own business model… let's talk. You don't have to wait for burnout to make a change. Book a call to explore what proactive business design could look like for you — so your business supports the life you actually want. onestepoutside.com/call

Is your business thriving on paper, but secretly leaving you tired and resentful? In this episode, Anna Lundberg reveals the critical role boundaries play in building a business that truly works for your life - not just your bank balance. Tune in for practical advice and eye-opening truths about why productivity might not be your problem, and how setting the right standards can bring you the freedom, fulfilment, and sustainability you're longing for. Key takeaways: Boundaries Trump Productivity: If your business success is wearing you down, the issue likely lies with your boundaries, not your ability to "do more." Four Essential Boundaries: Anna outlines four key areas—pricing, time, communication, and scope—to help you construct a business that's profitable, enjoyable, and sustainable. Resentment Rate vs Integrity Rate: Discover how to set a minimum price that keeps you motivated and prevents hidden resentment—plus how to identify your ideal "integrity rate." Intentional Hours & Communication: Learn why defining your availability is a game-changer, and how clear policies around client access and expectations can create sanity and satisfaction for everyone. Enforcing Boundaries: The hardest part isn't setting boundaries—it's sticking to them! Anna shares tips for overcoming people-pleasing, scarcity thinking, and the fear of lost opportunities. Curious what this could look like in your own business? Book a free strategy call to explore how to set the right boundaries - around your time, your pricing, and your offers - so your business supports you. onestepoutside.com/call

What's really standing between you and a business that lets you work less - without sacrificing impact or income? In this solo episode, Anna Lundberg dives into the all-too-common traps that keep solopreneurs working beyond their limits and outlines a path to greater freedom, profitability, and alignment. If you feel stuck in the cycle of overwork, feast-or-famine income, and business models that don't quite fit, tune in to reimagine what success could look like for you. Key takeaways: The Four Traps of Expert Businesses: Anna explores how Frankenstein businesses, over-delivery spirals, feast-or-famine cycles, and the time-for-money trap keep solopreneurs tethered to unsustainable work habits. The Importance of an Intentional Business Model: Instead of a reactive approach, Anna stresses designing your business model with purpose, so it supports your lifestyle and ambitions—not just your bank balance. Redefining Success on Your Terms: Get clear on what success actually means to you, from minimum income goals and ideal working hours to non-negotiables—so you know when you've "made it." Offers and Clients That Work for You: Learn why your offers should be energy-conscious, strategically priced, and tailored to deliver value without burning you out. Plus, discover how to attract and select dream clients who respect boundaries and value your expertise. Three Pillars for Sustainable Business Growth: Anna shares the simplified framework behind her approach: Intentional Business Model, Authentic Marketing & Sales, and Simple Systems & Processes. Curious what a four-hour day could look like in your business? Book a free strategy call to explore how your business model, offers, and boundaries could support more space - without compromising on financial rewards. onestepoutside.com/call

What if the secret to sustainable success wasn't hustling harder, but actually embracing less? In this thought-provoking episode, Anna Lundberg invites you to imagine a work-life where four focused hours a day could be enough to thrive as a solopreneur or independent expert. Tune in to discover practical strategies, inspiring research, and a fresh perspective on productivity that could finally lead to the freedom and fulfilment you set out to create. Key takeaways: Redefining Productivity: Challenge the ingrained belief that longer hours mean greater results. Anna explores how quality deep work—over mindless busyness—can move the needle in your business. The Four-Hour Workday Concept: Drawing from research and real-world experiments, Anna proposes that four hours of focused, high-quality work is not only viable, but optimal for creative and knowledge-based professionals. Letting Go of Guilt & Burnout: Anna unpacks the guilt associated with not "being busy" all the time and highlights the dangerous work cultures that glorify overwork, urging listeners to prioritise wellbeing and sustainability. Designing for Your Lifestyle: You can build a business that supports your personal life and constraints—be it school hours, wellbeing, or simply a desire to avoid burnout. Anna shares how small strategic tweaks can help make this possible. Ambition Without Sacrifice: Adopting a four-hour workday isn't about scaling back your dreams—it's about being braver and more intentional in your business design, structuring offers and routines that work for you. Curious to explore how a four-hour workday could actually work for you? If you're starting to feel like something needs to shift — whether it's your hours, your offers, or your whole way of working — let's talk. Book a free strategy call to explore what might be possible, and what your next step could be. onestepoutside.com/call