RS364 - Business boundaries for solopreneurs: How to create a sustainable work life

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

Ever wondered how you can create a sustainable business in a world obsessed with relentless productivity? In this powerful interview, Anna Lundberg sits down with AI strategist and Apricity Lab founder Aleksandra Osipova to unpack the journey from burnout to building an enterprise anchored in alignment, resourcefulness, and genuine human connection. Tune in to discover refreshing perspectives and practical advice for building a business you truly love - one that supports your wellbeing as much as your ambitions. Key takeaways: Redefining Success: Aleksandra shares the evolution of her definition of success, from chasing deliverables and relentless productivity to prioritising personal resourcefulness, wellbeing, and authentic relationships. Building with Alignment: Discover why aligning your work with your values and natural strengths is not just more enjoyable but also commercially effective, attracting better-fit opportunities and clients. Human Connection in the Age of AI: The discussion explores how AI can increase capacity for solopreneurs, but that lasting success relies on cultivating human connection and presence, not just automating outputs. Critical Thinking & Continuous Learning: Aleksandra’s forthcoming book emphasises the importance of critical thinking and practical experimentation with AI—skills relevant for all ages, especially as the digital and business landscape evolves. Sustainable Routines: Learn how Aleksandra handles the risk of burnout, balancing early starts, creative deep work, and even ballet classes to maintain energy, inspiration, and health as a solopreneur. Want to build a business that actually works - without burning out chasing the next big thing? Inside the Business Accelerator, we help independent experts like you design simple, sustainable strategies for growth - so your work supports your life, not the other way around. 🎯 Doors are closing as we speak - apply now or register your interest for the next intake at onestepoutside.com/accelerate.

Are you resisting structure in your business because you’re craving freedom, creativity, and flexibility? In this episode, Anna Lundberg debunks the myth that structure stifles creativity and explains how the right systems actually give you more space to breathe, more focus, and more joy in your work. Tune in if you’re tired of juggling everything yourself and want your business to run more smoothly - without losing the freedom you left corporate to find. Key takeaways: Structure = Freedom Loose schedules feel freeing, but lack of structure can lead to decision fatigue, inconsistent income, marketing chaos, and, eventually, burnout. Simple systems set you free by eliminating wasted energy and providing consistency. The Cost of Chaos Not having systems actually keeps you stuck—leading to sporadic visibility, inconsistent clients, and being the bottleneck in your business. Professional, reliable processes attract high-calibre clients. Simple Systems to Set Up You don’t need complicated tech to start—simple, manual systems can transform your workflow. Anna recommends project management tools, onboarding/offboarding templates, streamlined invoicing, and content workflows. Start Small & Build as You Grow You can add structure bit by bit. Start by documenting repetitive tasks, creating templates, and introducing basic automation when you’re ready. This frees up more time for high-value work and creativity. Delegation & Boundaries Matter Use systems to delegate effectively (even recording your workflow for assistants or AI to follow!) and to reinforce boundaries—such as set working hours and strategic planning time. Ready to build a business that actually works - with simple systems that support sustainable growth? The Business Accelerator helps independent experts like you design offers, pricing, marketing, and rhythms that protect your time and increase your income - without burning out. 🔗 Applications for the next intake are closing soon: onestepoutside.com/accelerate

Are you working tirelessly in your business, only to feel underpaid and overwhelmed? In this week’s episode, Anna Lundberg breaks down the real reasons independent experts find themselves overworked yet under-earning - and what you can do differently. Discover actionable strategies to design a business that pays you what you deserve, protects your time, and keeps you energised. Key takeaways: Ditch Frankensteined Offers Stop scattering your energy on bespoke, complicated services for every client—streamlining your offers and messaging leads to more clarity, easier marketing, and better sales. Break the Cycle of Undercharging and Overdelivering Learn how pricing based on fear leads to resentment and burnout, and why knowing your “integrity rate” (what you should earn) and “resentment rate” (the bare minimum) changes the game. Prioritise Relationships Over Reach Rather than chasing cold leads on LinkedIn or obsessing over follower counts, tap into existing clients, referrals, and close networks for immediate, reliable sales. Map Out Effort vs Reward Use Anna’s quadrant framework to identify which offers bring in high reward with less effort—and ruthlessly cut tasks and services that drain your time without decent returns. Refine Your Marketing—Less Is More Only invest in the platforms and activities that actually generate clients, not just likes or noise. Every hour counts! Ready to earn more without burning out? The Business Accelerator is open now. It’s a 12-month strategic reset for independent experts ready to simplify, grow, and build a business that actually works. Apply now at onestepoutside.com/accelerate

Feeling like you’re hustling harder than ever, yet results just aren’t matching your effort? In this empowering episode, Anna Lundberg unpacks why working harder isn’t the answer in today’s tougher market for independent experts, solopreneurs, coaches, and consultants. Discover how to move beyond “busy work” to intentional business design - so your business works for you, not the other way around. Key takeaways: The Busy Work Trap More posts, more offers, more hustle often leads to burnout—not results. Anna explains why ceaseless activity keeps you reactive, scattered, and exhausted, rather than strategic and effective. The Time-for-Money Ceiling Trading hours for fees caps your income and makes true flexibility impossible. Anna discusses how to break free from hourly rates and build offerings that reflect value, not just time spent. Complexity Kills Clarity Adding more services or constantly reacting to every market shift creates confusion—for you and your clients. Simplicity and clear, repeatable offers are essential for expert positioning and sustainable growth. Intentional Business Design Anna outlines four elements for a more sustainable, fulfilling business: Fewer, clearer offers; value-based pricing; simple systems and processes; and seasonal, proactive planning. Practical Steps to Simplify and Scale Consider what your business could look like if you designed it on a blank sheet. Identify one offer or system you could simplify today to make everything else easier. Ready to stop spinning your wheels and build a business that actually works? The Business Accelerator is our 12-month programme for experienced experts who want strategic growth - without burnout, and without compromise. Applications are open now for the next cohort. → Apply now at onestepoutside.com/accelerate

Are you highly skilled, experienced, and passionate about your work, but still struggling to get fully booked with the right clients? In this refreshingly honest episode, Anna Lundberg unpacks why even top experts find it tough to thrive in today’s challenging market. Discover why this isn’t the time to wait for things to improve, but to sharpen your positioning, messaging, and visibility to stand out - even now. Tune in to reframe your strategy and uncover the real keys to business growth in uncertain times. Key takeaways: The Market Has Shifted—But Opportunity Remains The economic landscape is more demanding, with budget cuts and changing priorities making it harder to attract attention. However, clients are still investing—just more selectively, and with a focus on immediate, tangible results. Three Reasons You’re Not Booked Out Unclear or Uncompelling Offers: Vague, long-term, or “fluffy” messaging doesn’t resonate in a risk-averse market. Offers need to address urgent, concrete business needs. Positioning That Undersells You: Many experts, especially women, downplay their expertise instead of confidently owning their experience and value. Visibility That Lacks Consistency and Focus: Sporadic or unfocused marketing often leads to getting lost in the noise. Clear, intentional pathways to your ideal clients are essential. Mission vs. Messaging: What Sells Now Lead with what your client needs—typically profit, productivity or specific outcomes—then weave in your bigger mission once you’ve opened the door. Future-Proofing Your Business Stop accepting ‘just any client’ out of necessity. Position yourself for the work (and clients) you truly want, and start building that reputation now for real, lasting growth. Ready to build a business that actually works - even in a tough market? The Business Accelerator is for experienced coaches, consultants, and independent experts who want to grow sustainably, protect their time, and consistently attract the right clients - without hustle or compromise. 🗓 Applications open this month. 📩 Apply now at onestepoutside.com/accelerate to join the current intake.

What if success wasn’t about more, but about enough? In this refreshingly honest conversation, Emma Steenson - former management consultant turned entrepreneur and executive coach - shares how selling a business and reaching financial security forced her to rethink success. If you’ve been running on autopilot - chasing “more” without stopping to ask what you really want - this episode will make you pause and rethink. Key Takeaways Success is Personal and Evolves Over Time: Emma’s journey highlights how definitions of success shift—from financial milestones to personal satisfaction and fulfilment. The episode explores letting go of traditional markers in favour of what genuinely matters to you. Understanding “Enough”: The conversation dives into what “enough” means financially and emotionally, the importance of identifying your own baseline, and resisting the endless chase for more. Practical Realities of Working for Yourself: Emma and Anna candidly discuss the gritty side of entrepreneurship—marketing yourself, facing uncertainty, and the often-unseen hard work behind “freedom.” Navigating the Noise: As Emma shares, finding your unique path and not getting distracted by fleeting trends or other people’s blueprints is vital, especially in a rapidly changing business landscape. Resilience Through the Tough Times: The episode closes with advice for those in a low point: keep going, trust the process, and remember that the tough patches make the successes all the sweeter. If Emma’s story has you questioning what enough really looks like for you - and how to design a business that delivers on that - let’s map it out together. It's time to build a business that funds the life you actually want. Book your call at onestepoutside.com/call

Feeling like the year’s flying by without the progress you hoped for? In this episode, Anna Lundberg shares how to use the summer slowdown as a powerful pause to reset your business focus and ensure you end the year feeling proud and accomplished. If you crave more intention, meaningful progress, and strategic action before December, this episode will give you practical prompts and inspiration to make it happen. Key takeaways: Summer as a Strategic Pause: Anna highlights the value of using the quieter summer months to reflect, recalibrate, and gain a fresh perspective, rather than hustling non-stop or feeling guilty for stepping back. Reflection Prompts for a Meaningful Year-End: Anna offers four key questions to help you identify what would truly make you proud come December. These prompts guide you to clarify your priorities, assess what’s missing, determine where to focus, and consider what support could ease your journey. Intentional Goal Setting Over Busywork: Instead of ticking off endless to-do lists, Anna encourages listeners to be intentional about their goals. Focusing on “needle-moving” actions leads to more fulfilment than staying busy for the sake of it. Support and Accountability Matter: Success isn’t a solo journey. Anna discusses how seeking support – whether through coaching, community, or structured programmes – can help you bridge the gap between intention and achievement. Ready to reset - and actually build the business you want? Doors to the next Business Accelerator intake open in September. If you’re an experienced expert ready to create a simpler, more sustainable business that actually works, register your interest here.