Sunday Link Love: Meditation, Mindful Eating + Instagram {July v2}

Health, Fitness + Lifestyle

Give Yourself a Break

Why and how to meditate

Food + Nutrition

Recipe Box: More Meatless Monday Meal Ideas

How Mindful Eating Can Make You Fall in Love With Food

Plant Based Probiotics for Vegans (or Yogurt Haters)

3 Ways to Eat More Turmeric (And Why You Should) I love sneaking turmeric into everything I can.

The Ultimate Healthy No Bake Snacks

Cocoa Cashew Pretzel Bites

This Is How Your Face Changes After 30 Days of Drinking Water

Blogging + Entrepreneurship

Use Gmail to Grow Your Business

The Ultimate Guide to Writing Blog Posts That Rank in Google’s Top 10

The Top Frustrating Problems with Instagramming for Business – And How to Fix Them!

How To Maximize Your Search Click-Through Rate in 9 Simple Steps

How to Write a Creative Action Plan You’ll Actually Follow

In the comments, tell us something you're grateful for this week.

Friday Inspiration: Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe

I'm a huge supporter of authenticity in business, so naturally I love this image. The more easily people can relate to you, the more they will trust you. Your clients and customers want to know you're human.

You don't need to attract everyone as a client. You will attract a more solid, loyal following when you can connect to a smaller niche.

In the Comments:

What about YOU attracts your tribe?

Image credit >> Female Entrepreneur Association

Friday Inspiration: Value Yourself + Value Your Time

"Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you won't do anything with it." - M. Scott Peck What a perfect quote for entrepreneurs, especially those who offer services. It can be so challenging to set up boundaries and know what we're worth.

However, that's the only way we can move forward, stay sane + do amazing things with the time we have.

Here are a few questions that come to mind when I read this quote:

• Are you taking time for self-care?
• Do you have clear boundaries with clients? Are they in your contract?
• Are you charging what you're worth?

Slowing Down: How being mindful can help you and your business

Today’s post is from Samantha Russell, blogger and Eating Psychology Coach in training. She approached me with the topic of how mindfulness can help your business, so of course I said YES immediately. I think you'll really enjoy the insight she has to share.

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As wellness entrepreneurs we not only want health and wellness for ourselves but for our customers, clients, and patients. One way we can do this is by being wellness role-models. By modelling - with authenticity - actions, thoughts, and beliefs that can really heal, we can do our job at a truly deeper level. One key that will help your health, business, and clients is the practice of ‘slow’.

This idea has been around for a while, and was popularized in the book ‘In Praise of Slow’ by Carl Honoré, and today I’m going to dive into this concept a little and how it can really help you improve not only your own well-being, but that of your wellness business too.

Why ‘go slow’?

There’s a quote from poet Stephen Dobyns that sums up how most of us do our days, “Each thing I do, I rush through so I can do something else.” I know I’ve found myself doing this more than I’d like to admit. I’m sure you have too.

This is no way to live! And it’s certainly no way to be a successful wellness entrepreneur. So, what’s the answer? You guessed it! Going Slow.

So, what does it mean to ‘go slow’?

Well, it doesn’t actually mean that you have to move slowly, or necessarily take more time over things - though in our busy, rushed schedules, this might be a good idea! The core of the ‘slow’ concept is that we should take enough time to be really mindful and present in our lives in all our activities and interactions. Rather than mentally rushing through to get to the next thing, we go mentally slow, focusing on one thing at a time.

Why should I do this? Won’t it just mean I get less done?

Quite the contrary. By being mindful of the present moment and taking as much time as you need to get the job (whatever it may be) done properly, you set yourself up to not only create real quality in you life and business, but to put yourself into a full-body relaxation response.

The benefits of this simply can not be overstated. Coming to life or work from a place of stress sets you up (through increased cortisol, inflammation, decreased calorie burning, and a host of other less than great body responses) to be a lot less than you could be - both in terms of your health and your business performance. When you are relaxed, which is helped a lot by being mindful, present, and slow, you counteract this and can show up in the world with vibrant authenticity.

What are some of the benefits you can expect from ‘going slow’ in life and work?

You can experience improved:

• creativity
• rapport
• thoroughness
• clarity
• depth and understanding of yourself and others
• digestion, nutrition, and calorie burning
• mood and stability

There are a ton more benefits, but just that little taster should get you interested. Basically, practicing going slow will help you create the conditions you need to be open to receiving - nutrition, relaxation, clients, inspiration. By being mentally slow and open to the moment, it helps you have your hands open to life.

Ok, let’s get practical.

How can you incorporate some ‘slow’ into your day?

Personally:

1. Mindful eating. I’ve written about this before, and eating is something we can all spend a little more time concentrating on. Our natural tendency as busy entrepreneurs is to ‘grab a bite’ at our desk, on the way home, before bed, before we pick up the kids.... And that’s ok. We can’t always take the time to have a full sit-down meal three times a day. But, we can aim for ONE. And those meals that we do have to eat on the go? Take three deep breaths before you eat (activate your relaxation response), and focus on the food while you eat it. This has the potential to relax, fuel, and nourish you in ways you didn’t know about.
2. Movement (not punishing exercise). I’ve also mentioned this in more detail, but the key here is to not only be mindful and conscious of how you exercise, but to move your body in ways that you find fun or pleasurable. This will, again, help you settle into a relaxation response, get more benefits from your physical activity, and therefore be a happier, healthier, you.
3. Take breaks. Schedule ‘mindfulness breaks’ throughout your work day. Use a computer timer, or your phone, to remind you to take a break for a minute. You can use this time to do any number of mindfulness exercises – write down something you are grateful for at that moment, go for a walk and get some fresh air, or do a quick calm.com session.

Business

1. Build slowly. This is a lot like the mindful eating tip above. In a rush to consume or create, we put ourselves into a stress response and can miss out on being open to a whole lot of new opportunities or ideas. By concentrating on building our business and products in a slow and mindful way, we create the space for even more inspiration and quality. So, try to let go of multi-tasking and instead focus on just one task, area, or project at a time and really get suck into it.
2. Stop the focus on “Getting clients” (or whatever it is you need to ‘get’ for your business to work). When we focus on what we need, instead of what we can give, we not only open the door to panic, but we stop living in the moment and worry about the future instead. This is a creativity killer, as well as a perfect way to stress yourself out. If you can, instead, focus on adding value to people’s live and making sure each and every person you have contact with has the best experience you can give them, you business will grow in a beautiful and organic way, without the panic or grasping. When we grasp, we close our hands, and we all know you catch more with your hands open.
3. Be comfortable. Create a ‘slow space’ for your work activities, a space that helps you feel relaxed, comfortable, and inspired, but in no hurry to get to the end of the journey. Treat each task as a special job that lets you stay in this awesome space and try to enjoy the process. This could be as simple as putting up a few pictures or quotes that remind you to ‘go slow’, or you could go as far as rearranging or redecorating your office space. Personally, I have a copy of ‘Desiderata’ on my wall, and that reminds me to slow down and see the beauty in whatever I do.

As I’m sure you know, in your personal and business life, these things both mirror each other and feed into each other. Your practice of mindfulness, wellness, and self-care will spill over into your business, and and vice-versa, setting you up for a slow and steady loop of success. I hope these ideas and practical suggestions help you start, or advance, on your journey to a happy and mindful life and business.

BIO

Samantha Russell is the blogger and Eating Psychology Coach in training behind the wellness blog Live the Whole. She writes about all aspects of holistic health and well-being and loves to help people learn about themselves and how they can live a whole life. She has a particular passion for stress-reduction and management and how it can help people achieve their health and life goals.

Website // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest

In the comments:

How have you practiced a little ‘slow’ in you personal or business life this week?

One Simple Question for Overcoming Fear

I was listening to the Smart Passive Income Podcast the other week and this episode, The Art of Rejection with Jia Jiang, really caught my attention. Jia Jiang decided to face his fear of rejection head on by putting himself in 100 situations where the outcome was almost certain to be "no." He asked people ridiculous things, like to give him $100, to play soccer in a stranger's backyard and for a "burger refill." You'd be surprised at how many people actually said yes, though.

So it made me think about my own fear.

I handle fear in a similar fashion to how I handle anxiety. I try looking at the facts of the situation. Included in that is asking myself, "what's the worst that could happen?"

I'm afraid of heights, and that's not one I can easily work through. Worst case scenario? I fall to my death. Semi-bad scenario? I break a limb.

So there aren't a lot of points I can argue there. I'm clumsy and uncoordinated. I move quickly. The odds are stacked against me, so my fear is at least somewhat founded. Whether that justification makes sense to anyone but me, I'm not sure haha.

But what about the fear of launching my business? Worst case scenario? It fails. I have to start over or go back into the corporate world. Semi-bad scenario? It's not very successful or not fulfilling.

Both of those situations suck, sure. But both fall under "It sucks, but..." It sucks, but you'll learn what doesn't work. (The only true way for finding out what does). It sucks, but you'll grow as a person. I promise. It sucks, but how impressive would that look on a resume that you had the ambition to start a business?

A specific fear a lot of us face is the fear of rejection, like mentioned in the podcast above.

When you ask the question, you'll get a yes or no answer and can move on accordingly.

If you don't ask, you're automatically choosing "no" for yourself.

So, is the discomfort of rejection really worse than not knowing and choosing no for yourself?

There's that well known quote, "If you don't ask, the answer is always no."

I also like this quote from Jeff Bazos, founder and CEO of Amazon: "I knew that if I failed I wouldn't regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying."

When I worked in the corporate world, I was lucky to learn this lesson from an understanding boss. My boyfriend at the time had been contracting 3 hours away for 6 months and had decided to take a full-time position at the company. So that left me with deciding to move where he was with no job, or take another job that was more flexible than what I currently had.

My ideal situation would have been to keep my current job, but work from Florida, where we'd be moving. I didn't think there was any chance of that happening, so I put in my notice and accepted a different position. I chose 'no' for myself without even trying.

Thankfully I had a boss who valued my work, so he pulled me into his office and asked what options we had. We were able to talk it out, and in the end, came up with a compromise that allowed us to keep working together.

Although I wasn't the one to face the fear of rejection, it taught me that I should have. I knew the outcome I wanted, so I should have at least tried. I got lucky in this situation, but how many other situations had I passed up?

And not only is there a chance for a "yes," but like in this situation, there's a big chance for a compromise.

In the Comments:

Have you been in a similar situation? Did you face your fear and ask for what you wanted, or choose no for yourself?

5 Ways to Find Space to Breathe as an Introvert in Business

Today’s post is from Kathryn Hall, who blogs over at The Business Introvert. She helps introverts escape the noise and run their business their own way, which is a topic very close to my heart. Kathryn contacted me a few months ago and we knew we had to connect. Even if you aren't an introvert, you may find her tips very useful.

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Let’s not beat about the bush. If you’re introverted then you need regular quiet time, there should be no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’ about it.

Unlike our extrovert counterparts who thrive in social situations and lively work environments, our bodies have an inbuilt need for peace and quiet in order to function effectively. (I should know - I’m not sure that even a sliver of extroversion exists in me!)

And the truth is that as someone who’s highly introverted, alone time means so much more to me than simply re-charging my batteries and finding my energy (though of course that is hugely important).

Through the wonderful power of daydreaming and reflection (don’t you just love a bit of window gazing?) it’s also how I access the creative part of my brain, process the world around me to find clarity, and get my problem solving head on to come up with solutions – all of which is pretty important when you’re running a biz!

But of course we all know that being your own boss can also be hugely time-consuming. With (deep breath!) emails to respond to, blog posts to write, meetings to attend, paperwork to file, courses to write, clients to speak to, social media to schedule, accounts to sort out and graphics to create…how do you actually run a business as an introvert without completely losing your marbles?

Well, just as with anything, I believe it’s about taking positive action to shape your business to suit your own specific needs and desires. You are the boss after all!

Below I have compiled 5 tips to help you ditch the overwhelm, clear your schedule, and find that all-important space to breathe.

If you’re anything like me, your body, mind AND business will be truly thankful.

Don’t fill your schedule with meetings

As an introvert, working to a jam-packed schedule that involves meeting people all day every day is a one-way ticket to exhaustville.

If meeting people either face-to-face or via Skype forms a core part of how you run your business then I highly recommend you schedule meeting-free days to recharge your batteries, focus on other tasks and reflect on your business.

Similarly, setting yourself limits on how many people you see in a day/week can be really helpful and will help stop you feeling overwhelmed with everything that needs doing.

Change your business model

If you’re really struggling to cut down the amount of meetings that you have, then consider how you could change your business model to better suit your introverted needs.

For example raising your prices but working with less people would allow you to focus on providing a quality service for your customers while reducing the amount of meetings, sales chats and itty-bitty admin that needs to be done with each new client.

Alternatively you could also try cutting down your clients but supplementing your income with passive products such as online courses or e-books. Although these type of products still take a lot of marketing work, they do offer an amazing option for introverts who would rather spend time alone at home than getting ‘out there’.

Keep your notifications closed

One of the greatest things I ever did for my sanity was to take control of how I receive information from the big wide web.

Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the internet. My entire business is built upon it and I’m pretty sure I would not be my own boss had I been born 20 years earlier.

However (and this is really important), just because I’ve created a career that’s reliant on the web, doesn’t mean I need to be connected to it every single second of every single day.

If you spend your whole day with email and social media notifications popping up here, there and everywhere then you are essentially allowing other people’s agendas to take control of your own (which I’m sure you’ll agree is hardly the best way to create space in your schedule).

My advice to you is this. Keep your emails and social media notifications switched off until you actually have time to deal with whatever awaits you.

It’s such a simple change but it seriously can do wonders for how you spend your time.

Use the power of automation

Ah, automation, how I love thee.

A glorious bonus of the internet is that there are a whole wealth of tools out there to help you do all manner of things thus streamlining your business, saving you time and creating space for you to breathe.

What you can use is very much dependent on the type of business that you run, however a few popular tools include:

• Freshbooks (for invoicing)
• Calendly (for scheduling appointments)
• Ejunkie (for delivering digital products)
• Email filters (for automatically filing emails)
• Mailchimp (for sending newsletters)

If you feel like you spend a lot of time on a particular part of your admin or marketing, then consider if there is a tool to help you (there’s nothing Aunty Google can’t help you with, remember!). And ultimately, the more efficient you can get your business processes, the easier things will be for you in the long run.

Get some help

And finally, remember that business doesn’t always have to be a one-man-band affair.

Hiring a virtual assistant or other professional even for an hour here or there can help massively in clearing your schedule and giving you some space to breathe.

From managing your accounts to marketing your business to answering your phone calls. Whatever you need a hand with, there will always be someone out there who can help.

So don’t try and do it all alone, get someone to share the load!

About Kathryn

Kathryn Hall is founder of The Business of Introverts, an avid writer and mentor to quiet types across the globe who want to live happy, healthy and empowered lives. She’s big on helping people to embrace their introversion in all its glory, while creating a business they love.

Website // Twitter

Friday Inspiration: Feelings Will Change When You Take Action

"Don't wait for your feelings to change to take action. Take the action and your feelings will change." -Barbara Baron Growth requires change. If something doesn't feel right, it's time to test some options.

Don't be paralyzed by the fear of regret. You always have a choice. If the first action doesn't work out, try another one. It's really that simple.

5 Easy Food Photography Tips Using Your Smart Phone

Hi there Danielle fans! My name is Lindsay Cotter and I blog over at Cotter Crunch. So happy Danielle is letting me share her space today! Anyway, about me. I'm married to a former pro triathlete (now full time endurance coach). I’m also a Nutrition Specialist for Endurance Athletes and Gluten-Free eating. My blog is a gluten free guide (for all). Basically I like to FUEL others with EASY and DELICIOUS gluten free recipes. I also do my best to share proper nutrition tips and tricks as you work to keep your body and life in balance. Just consider me your gluten free house wife with food as fuel to support.

Now, about that food. We gotta make it look pretty right? I mean, that’s half the fun (in my opinion). So today I wanted to share my tidbits on food photography. Only this time it’s not with any fancy camera, nope, it’s with a SMART PHONE!

Easy Food Photography Tips Using Your Smart Phone. These tips have helped me become a better photographer in general. But regardless, having a great smart phone camera is KEY!

Oh instagram, how we love thee! It’s definitely the most popular social media platform these days. And I would agree, it’s my favorite, probably because you don’t have to think much. You don’t need 140 characters or less, you don’t have to state your “status.” You don’t even have to say a thing. All you need is a picture. And for many, that picture is their creative outlet. It’s a glimpse of their passion. It’s a way to express their style. It’s a way to see the world’s most amazing places without even leaving your house.

Well, that’s my reasoning for liking instagram, or any other form of photography. I love to edit pictures or create a story. And I love to use my camera and/or smart phone to capture moments that are worth “savoring.”

I know I know, corny. But it’s the truth.

And you know what? Using a smartphone for food photography has made me a better photographer in general. It’s almost like you get to practice before the real deal, ya know?

So with that being said, let’s talk ways to improve your food photography with a smart phone. I may not be an expert, but practicing these tips sure have helped me find new creative ways to photograph food -->  simple and engaging.

FIRST --> Find good light!

Natural light. Try getting next to your kitchen window, or the window of a restaurant. Soft light (diffused light) works best. That means early to mid morning or just before sun set. These “golden hours” create a look that’s inviting, warm, and soft. Not harsh or grainy. Oh and be sure to turn off the flash! If you are shooting indoors, look for softer light or candle light and edit with a cool filter instead.

SECOND - Have fun with props!

I’m sure you have some spare kitchen towels, herbs, fruit, or something that brings color to your picture. Play with different styles. Have fun mixing and matching with your food. Ya, I so love doing that. Really!

THIRD -- Don’t be afraid of the stand up shot (in public).

Yep, stand up over your food. This works best for natural light settings. I love capturing white plates from above because it really makes the color of your food ‘POP.' And yes, I did stand on chair, on a restaurant patio, in front of people, to get that picture. Totally worth it. Makes me happy every time I see that lovely set up! Haha.

FOUR -- Use the rule of threes.

Usually an odd number of items work best in photography. 3 muffins, 3 plates, etc. Here I used the new LG4 phone and took a picture of 3 muffins at a side angle. Then played with it snapping 6. Which do you like better? Well, I kind of think both are equal but that’s because that camera is that amazing. But in general, odd numbers of items always photograph better, especially in a square instagram space.

And FIVE -- Lock your focus or make sure your hands don’t shake.

This will allow for spectacular close ups! You can lock your focus and adjust the shutter speed on most iPhones and Androids. Just going into your camera settings and check it out there. Here’s a tutorial link.

This will help with blur and allow more or less light in, similar to that of a DSLR. Pretty impressive, right? Another way to reduce shake trick is to place your hands on a water glass when taking a picture of your food, this will help reduce the shake when you snap the photo. Oh and be sure not to hit the camera button full force. You must be gentle.

All this said and done truly comes down to the type of camera phone you have and camera editing apps you use. Having a phone with great clarity and function can be key to improving your smart phone food photography.

Favorite Camera Apps – VSCOCAM, SNAPSEED, CAMERA AWESOME, and VIBRANTLY are some of my favorites for editing food photos on your smart phone/iphone. I've used all these apps on almost all my pictures in my instagram feed.

So tell me, what’s your favorite app for smart phone trick for photography? I’d love to hear more!

Cheers to technology that makes us hungry!

Contact Lindsay

Website // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // Pinterest

Friday Inspiration: Your Life is an Empty Page

"I saw that my life was a vast glowing empty page and I could do anything I wanted." -Jack Keruoac I love Jack Keruoac. He was so full of wonder, possibility and inspiration.

Take a moment to view your life in this way, as a blank page.

What would you create? Are those visions your visions, or what you feel you should want?

What's stopping you from doing so? Are those valid reasons for stopping you, or can you find a creative solution around them?

How to Successfully Juggle Your Life, Blog & Business

Today’s post is from Holly Sutton, who blogs about digital marketing at A Branch of Holly. I know a lot of entrepreneurs start out juggling their business on the side while still working a day job (which is what I recommend) so I knew this would be a great topic to share.

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Have you heard of Superwoman Syndrome? Even if you haven’t, I bet you’ll recognize the description instantly:

“These women are constantly striving to accomplish everything possible in a perfect manner and have not learned how to put themselves as a top priority.”

In other words, Superwoman Syndrome describes all women who are trying to do as much as they possibly can. Can you put yourself under that category? I sure can. For the past couple of months I’ve limited my free time massively. I work full-time, and spend almost every evening and weekend creating content for my blog or business idea. I know it’s what I want to do more than anything. But boy, it’s exhausting.

It got to point where I didn’t think I was going to be able to manage everything. I wanted to continue creating content for my blog, but I wasn’t getting the time to work on products for my business. And if I dedicated more time to my side gig, I was worried about the lack of posts on my blog. It’s a vicious circle, isn’t it? One can’t work without the other. It’s about finding – what’s that word people hate? Balance.

I may not have found balance. But I have found some pretty good strategies for keeping on top of everything, whilst still feeling like you’re making progress. It’s easy for people to say, “I know what you mean.” But for those of you reading this, whether you’re starting out as an entrepreneur or you’ve been doing it for years – I know it can get too much. The thoughts and ideas going round in your mind are never ending. Where do I start? How do I do everything? Can I do it all? You can – if you’re smart about it.

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Plan Your Time

We’ve all been taught that you can’t do anything without a plan. I don’t know about you, but that’s one of the best things I’ve learned. Now this isn’t a to-do list – it’s not something where you feel bad for not completing a task. Planning is about breaking your day down into manageable chunks of time, where you feel as if you’ve worked on everything you wanted to. This is where an online calendar or, if you’re a paper girl like me, a diary or planner comes in handy. You don’t need to write down specific tasks. You just need to identify when you’re going to work on certain things. I’ll give you a brief example of my general weekday schedule.

AM: Work Lunch: Blog Afternoon: Work Evening: (after ‘me time’ – exercising, eating etc.) – Side Project

Blocking out your time shows you exactly what you’re working on and when. Then it’s up to you what smaller tasks you work on within those different sections.

Set Boundaries & Dedicate Time

When I found that nothing was getting done for my side gig, I realized it was because I wasn’t dedicating any time to it. I wasn’t specifically saying “For this one hour, I will do X.” That is crucial in your plan. So when you’re planning time to work on your side hustle, note down exactly what it is you’ll be working on. Writing your ‘About’ page for your website? Planning an eBook? It’s all about being purposeful with the time you have. As for boundaries, let people know what you’re doing. If you’ve dedicated an hour to planning your eBook, that’s what you’re doing. Don’t let your pet interrupt you wanting a cuddle or your spouse/roommate interrupt you for a tea break. You’ve scheduled this time in for a reason. Sometimes you have to be ruthless.

Find a Work Buddy

Otherwise known as an “accountability partner”. It’s great if you’re going into business on your own, seriously. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have someone to share the journey with along the way. Even if their purpose is to make sure you’re spending your time as you planned and you’re accomplishing what you want. It can make you want to achieve your goals even more when someone else knows about them too.

Prioritize

Yet another life lesson we’re all still trying to figure out. One of the main problems I’m having with my business idea is knowing where to start. The one piece of advice everyone has given me? Write everything down. Everything. Every little thing you need to do put down onto a list. It’s basically a huge mental dumping ground. That way you can put into context what you need to get done and when. Hopefully it should start to form an order as you start seeing your ideas on paper.

But it’s not just about what you need to do – it’s also about what you’re doing right now. I was made to think that you had to post on your blog every day and content was the most important thing. That’s just part of it. There’s also your social media platforms, your mailing list and guest posting. What do you need to do to get your business out there? Usually, it doesn’t just come from posting content on your own blog – exactly why I’m here for Danielle today!

Get Serious

If you really want it, you’ve got to be productive. Like Kathleen and Emily say in their Being Boss podcast all the time – you’ve got to do the work. That’s the difference between businesses that make it and businesses that don’t. The ones that do have a person working their absolute hardest behind the scenes and creating something from real passion and determination. They don’t check their phone during a time when they’re working and they don’t start another task in the middle of one they’re already working on. If you find it difficult like I do, try out a technique. I’m trying out the Pomodoro technique and it seems to be working.

Be Okay With Making Sacrifices

Your social life will take a bit of hit if you’re working on all these things at once. You might have to skip evenings out and your lunch break will be spent at your desk for a while. But just think – one hour a week at lunch is five extra hours a week. That’s an extra twenty hours a month. I’d say that’s worth the sacrifice for a couple of years. Then you can actually spend your lunch break doing whatever you want!

Remember it’s Your Life

The whole point of this post is to help you manage all of these great things you’re doing without burning yourself out. It’s possible. Which is why the big secret is this: you don’t have to work on it 24/7. That’s how you will burn yourself out. Usually, taking a break means you come back feeling fresher, more focused and definitely more productive. Last month, I came down with a horrid cold that made me realize I needed to take a step back and spend some time on myself. It’s not selfish – it’s your life. You need that time to grow and figure out the next steps. Don’t worry about taking a week off if you need to. And definitely don’t apologize for it.

Be Intentional

This is something myself and many people I know have been living by this year. Living intentionally. Doing things with intention and spending our time purposefully. Not doing things “just because.” Say tomorrow, you’re dedicating an hour of your evening to work on creating a really great newsletter landing page on your site. Being intentional about it is the difference between sitting down at your computer and going through your social media channels; or actually sitting down for an hour and getting this task done.

It’s hard work. But you wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t know that already. I know you want it. You’ve just got to keep believing that you can do it.

And you can do it.

BIO

Holly is founder and editor of A Branch of Holly. She thrives from teaching and helping people build an online presence through understanding social media and other digital tricks. She currently works as a Digital Marketing Executive but is in the process of creating her own business, where she will teach people about using social media and online strategies to enhance their presence. Most days you can find her cuddling her kitty with a good cup of tea nearby.

Website // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram

Sunday Link Love: Passion, Protein + Networking {June v1}

Health, Fitness + Lifestyle

The 10 Scary Things That Happen When You Don't Get Enough Sleep

I Wish I Had The Courage To…..

What Finding Your Passion Truly Means

Top 5 Food Tips That’ll Help You Sleep

Food + Nutrition

Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Apples {Vegetarian + Gluten-Free}

4 Ways to Pump Up Your Protein With These Vegetarian Options

Blogging + Entrepreneurship

10 Tips for Getting Long-Term Traffic to Your Content

Kale, Podcasts & Yoga Pants: The Secret Formula Behind Ideas That Take Off

5 Smart Ways to Increase Your Facebook Page's Organic Reach [Infographic]

How I’ve built a big audience + how you can too

8 of My Biggest Business Struggles (and how I've overcome them)

Why You Need to Start Creating Visual Content

My Life Lately ....

+ In Philly this weekend! Follow along on Instagram. In the comments, tell us something you're grateful for this week.

Self Care: The Ultimate Return on Investment

Today's post is from Sophie Crooks, a Tasmanian based blogger and coach. She has important insight to share on the importance of self-care for entrepreneurs. The topic is very timely as I'm starting to re-prioritize self-care in my own life. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As an entrepreneur you are most likely familiar already with the concept of Return of Investment or ROI. For those that aren’t you are probably already applying it but just by a different name. Do you look at your to do list each day and pick your priorities depending on which ones will reap the most profit or rewards in return for your dedicated time? If so then you are running your business by the Return of Investment principle.

It is a great practice for women running an online business. We are so surrounded by distractions and things that seem important, maybe because other entrepreneurs are doing them, but aren’t really that important to our own unique business and brand. Keeping your primary focus on what will have the biggest ROI for your business is a major key to entrepreneurial success.

But while the ROI actions you take in your business are undeniably important, there is one mistake I see women make again and again and that is to think of Return of Investment as purely short-term profits. What will make you money in the next week, month or year. Maybe you even have a five or ten year plan of the things you will do to keep that financial freedom rolling in.

That is awesome! Do not stop doing that.

Instead I’m encouraging you to make a tweak to the ROI principle, just a simple mindset shift that can take it from being a great money success tool to a great life success tool.

Limiting your ROI plans to purely money making activities will hold you back in the long run. You need to begin to think of self-care as something that will have an equal return of investment to any actual work you do on your business.

As a woman seeking success in her business you want to do it all. Accept every opportunity, win every potential client over, give everyone the help they want.

So you start doing as much as you can. You get up extra early, work late, skip the gym, and fuel yourself on sugary snacks. You ignore the book you’ve been dying to read on your bedside table, you rush through your showers, throw on whatever clothes are quickest and easiest. You let the clutter build around you, your yoga mat collect dust and ignore those new meditation tracks on your phone.

Your focusing on the tasks that will bring in the profits and make your business a success money wise, but is the picture of your life pretty?

Return of Investment can cover many things. By thinking of it as purely about money you can quickly find yourself stressed, experiencing low energy and bad nights sleep. The face in the mirror may seem suddenly haggard, or a task that used to be no problem is now making you out of breathe.

This situation will quickly lead to you resenting your business. I’m guessing you got into this work to create a lifestyle that made you come alive. Instead without prioritizing self care you can quickly feel like you’ve been dragged back into the rat race. If you keep pushing along this path you’re risking complete burn out or worse, a major health crisis.

Entrepreneurs that don’t see self-care as something that will yield a return of investment eventually learn the hard way when a mental breakdown or health issue leaves them unable to work for months at a time. Having to disappear from your business for months will have a far worse effect on your ROI than just taking a couple of extra hours a day for self care.

Imagine if you prioritized self care as much as your most important business tasks. What would it be like if each morning when you planned your day you listed time for getting some fresh air and exercise, time to make that healthy lunch, time to finally have that long overdue hairdressers appointment, time to relax with that book. How excited would you be about your day if these tasks were side by side with emailing that sponsor, writing that guest post and working on your upcoming webinar.

When you practice regular self care as a ROI activity your energy will improve, your mental state will be more calm and focused, you will feel confident and sexy when you look in the mirror or take that time to dress in nice clothes. You won’t feel instantly stressed as you sit down at your desk because you take the time to declutter and organize. When you look at how healthy and relaxed your fellow entrepreneurs seem you will no longer resent them and wonder how they do it because you’ll be healthy and relaxed too.

It pays to take care of yourself. Even if it seems okay to let the self care slide because money is coming in, that flow requires your consistent love and attention and you can’t show your business consistent love and attention if you don’t show yourself also. The more you practice self care the more returns of investment you’ll find as you grow in energy, confidence, health and mental calm to be able to handle anything that comes your way. 

BIO

Sophie Crooks is a Tasmanian based blogger and coach. She specializes in inspiring women to overcome fear and anxiety to achieve their goals and make meaningful, positive change in their lives.

Website // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram

Sunday Link Love: Take More Breaks {May v5}

Health, Fitness + Lifestyle

Stress and the Gut-Immune-Brain Connection

Mindful Monday: Why You Should Take More Breaks

Live every day like it’s your last…wtf?!

Food + Nutrition

A Week of 5 Ingredient Meals

Balance Your Hormones With This Trail Mix

Sriracha Chicken Quinoa Bowl

Blogging + Entrepreneurship

16 Reasons Why People Leave Your Website

Want to be a Social Media Manager? 7 Ways to Get Noticed – and Hired

40 Actionable SEO Tips and Tricks From the Best in the Business

The Best Typography, Colors, and Templates Used in the Highest-Converting Social Media Images

What to do when you aren’t 100% sure if your audience will like your new idea

4 Instagram Trends to Successfully Grow Your Brand

My Life Lately ....

+ I tried my first real aerial yoga class at Balance Yoga Studio. It was so refreshing and fun!

Had an off, uninspired day, so I decided to head over to my favorite little yoga studio. Feeling much better after my first aerial class! Whats your go-to way to get out of a funk?

A photo posted by Danielle (@danielleadairz) on May 28, 2015 at 6:47pm PDT

+ Meanwhile, it appears a story from my tiny high school has gone viral. This letter with the term "sausage rolls" seems to be offending people. While I get how it's inappropriate, I can tell you that no harm was meant. I love the faculty at Biglerville.

In the comments, tell me what your go-to activity is for getting out of a funk.

Stitch Fix Review 5: Good Customer Service, Disappointing Fix

In case you’re new to Stitch Fix*, here’s a quick run-down on how it works: Not all of my fixes have been great, but I continue to get them because the pieces I DO keep I find myself wearing the most. It helped me realize that I tend to wear the same few items over and over– the ones I invested a little more money in. I have a bad tendency to buy quantity over quality when it comes to clothing, so I have tons of cute cheap clothes that fall apart in less than a year.

With Stitch Fix, it’s like having a personal stylist and shopper. You get to choose the price range for each item, how often you want your fix and add specific notes for the fix. For example, for several fixes I’ve requested dresses for specific occasions.

Your fix also comes with photo ideas for how to wear the items (with clothes you may already own.)

The details:

• $20 styling fee upfront, but you get to deduct this from the items you decide to keep
• set a schedule for your fixes (like monthly) or schedule as the mood strikes
• set up a detailed style profile + include twitter and Pinterest links (gives your stylist a better idea of your personality)
• choose the price range you’re willing to spend for each category
• 25% discount if you buy all 5 items
• 3 days to decide which items to keep
• the shipping is free to return any unwanted items
• $25 for each person you refer

Stitch Fix noticed a re-promotion of my second review on Twitter and kindly reached out to see how they could make my next (fifth) Fix better. They were so kind and attentive. However, I was disappointed in this Fix to the point where I'm wondering where I'm going wrong with my notes, reviews, pins and descriptions. I requested "tanks for summer, a top in light blue, and maybe a summer dress." I didn't really get any of those things.

I took a look at my Stitch Fix profile and changed my shirt fitting from "mostly loose" to "mostly fitted." This is a hard one because I do prefer loose shirts, but I still want them to have shape. So we'll see what happens with my next Fix.

Also, my DSLR camera battery is dead and I'm waiting for a new charger, so please excuse the quality of the photos! When you receive a Stitch Fix, you only have three days to decide and return any unwanted items. My best friend already made fun of my facial expression in these pictures, so do I post them online? Absolutely. Enjoy!

Here's what I got in my latest fix:

1. Fun2Fun Torrance Lace Detailed Sleeveless Blouse in Black  - Keeper

This shirt is silky and nice for going out or could be covered with a sweater for the office (when I'm actually in an office, which is rare).  It's loose, but still maintains a little bit of a shape so that I don't look like a giant rectangle.

Torrance Lace Detailed Sleeveless Blouse

Torrance Lace Detailed Sleeveless Blouse

2. 41Hawthorn McAdams Beaded Neckline Blouse in Off-White - Return

I liked the bead work on this and the colors, but the tank was way too loose and was not flattering at all.

3. Sweet Rain Amsterdam Short Sleeve Cardigan in Light Pink - Return

I'm just not sure what the point of this sweater is. The shape was weird, unflattering, and I have no idea what I'd wear it with.

4. Papermoon Taluca Printed Pencil Skirt in Blue - Return

I loved the colors and the material, but wasn't sold on the shape. Plus, I don't go into an office very often.

5. Octavia Henry Birds on Branch Infinity Scarf in Black- Keeper

I've complimented a friend on this exact scarf and I pinned it on Pinterest, so this was definitely a keeper!

Interested in having your very own personal stylist send clothes to your doorstep? Try Stitch Fix here.* It's been a lot of fun so far, even if I haven't loved every piece.

In the Comments:

What do you do to make sure you get a good fix from Stitch Fix? Have you had any major fails?

Friday Inspiration: Live Simply. Love Generously. Learn Constantly.

Simple words to live by. Don't over-complicate your life. The simplest answer is usually the best (+listen to your gut). Tell your friends and family you love them + don't hold grudges. It's never worth it. And my favorite of all, never stop expanding your mind. Being open to new experiences and learning new things is a core component of happiness.

The Value of Transparency + Easing Up (+ a call for guest bloggers)

Over the past three weeks I've been in a major transition period. I uprooted my life and moved back to Pennsylvania...alone. So without getting into too much detail, I'll just say it's been a whirlwind change. With a little guidance from my mentor Dr. Danielle Dowling + listening to my gut, I forged ahead and know this was the right decision. A few realizations came to mind in the midst of these changes. First, I was open and honest with clients about what I was going through. Not for sympathy, but for transparency and understanding. I couldn't juggle the work + the huge (somewhat sudden) move, so I had to take some time off. They were all receptive and many responded with "been there, done that, let me know how I can help."

It can be a tricky situation as a business owner when you're trying to remain professional, but still want to be honest with your clients. However, you can still own up to your situation without crossing any boundaries. One of my main business values is honesty, so that's what I stick with.

Another interesting thing has happened. I took some time off + have been reconnecting with friends and family since I've been up here. Instead of filling my weekends and evenings with work, I've been going to wineries, trying new yoga classes and attending birthday parties.

However, I quickly noticed an influx of new client consultations. As tempting as it was to take it all on at once, I spaced the consultations out over the next month. I can't help but feel like there is a connection there. I stopped resisting certain aspects of my life, and other opportunities arose.

When you're open and receptive, you'll notice more opportunities coming your way.

So I will be easing up for the time being. Danielle Dowling has posted a series over the past few weeks on how to "have it all," and it's opened my eyes to the necessity of changing my focus. I will be focusing on recharging + refilling my 'creative bucket.' In order to speed up, we need to slow down.

In order to best serve clients, my own creative tank and health need to be full.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

With that all being said, I will be accepting guest posts over the next few months. I am interested in topics ranging from holistic health to entrepreneurship (best if you can combine them!). Please shoot me an email at danielle [at] daniellezeigler.com if you want to be introduced to my 6000+ monthly readers.

Chasing Dreams Interview with Samantha Costello, Owner of The Little Green Studio

This interview is part of the Chasing Dreams interview series. I’ve interviewed a variety of entrepreneurs and small business owners who have chosen a different path in life in order to go after his or her dream career. Have an entrepreneur in mind you’d like to learn more about? Let me know! Today’s interview is with Samantha Costello, a fellow member of the Female Entrepreneur Association. Samantha runs The Little Green Studio, a boutique design + stationery studio specializing in wedding stationary. I am in love with her work and you will be too.

At what point did you know you wanted to follow this career path? How did you know this was the right direction?

My background is originally in marketing, which I loved and still love now but after 4 years in this field, I decided that I needed a new challenge. I started a design & lifestyle blog in 2011 as a creative outlet (as well as a distraction to my then long distance relationship) and completely self-taught myself Photoshop. However, YouTube videos can only get you so far and in 2012, I signed myself up for complete graphic design course at night school and I have never looked back. This was honestly one of the best decisions I have ever made and I knew/know that this is the right direction because it feels so right. I read a quote recently that says, "You know you are on the road to success, if you would do your job and not get paid for it". I believe it was Oprah Winfrey who said that and I think she is absolutely right. I wake up every day and I am excited to get to work; whether that is designing wedding stationery for a client or screenprinting in my studio, if feels like a hobby that I also get paid for!

What are the biggest struggles you've faced while trying to achieve your dreams?

As a completely novice business owner, I have faced every struggle there is; from pricing to time management. There are so many really high highs but an equal amount of lows, especially at the beginning. However, the biggest struggle that I just wasn't prepared for was the amount of time it takes to really get the ball rolling. Clients don't just arrive because you've decided to start a business, you have to really put yourself out there and that takes a lot of time and effort. In our world of social media and always being connected, it is so easy to look at other business owners in your field and think that it looks so effortless for them but you are potentially comparing your beginning to their middle and they had to start somewhere too. Consistency is key, no matter what you do. Make a plan and stick to it.

Owning your own business can be tough on the body and mind, between long days, instability and really putting yourself out there to reach your goals. How do you stay healthy? Do you have any rituals that help you stay centered?

Owning a business definitely requires very long hours but it also means that I have the flexibility to decide when I put those hours in. I'm very good at getting up and getting started early in the morning and I also try really hard to do a gym class every day during the week. Evenings are time for me and my husband and I try to be really strict about this. We will both get home from work at about 7pm and then I will cook dinner for us whilst we catch up. This is probably my favourite part of the day. I love to cook and find that it is such a great way to relax and unwind. After dinner we will sometimes take a walk or catch up on a TV series we're watching. I try really hard to leave work at work.

Speaking of putting yourself out there, overcoming rejection is a big part of chasing dreams. How do you bounce back?

Rejection hurts and I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve, so I can definitely take things personally, especially when I have spent hours working on something. However, I come from a very positive family and I am a very positive person. I believe that everything happens for good reason and, even if this isn't apparent immediately, it will work itself out for the best in the long run. Bouncing back is tough, especially when confidence has been knocked but I like to take tiny steps in the direction of my dreams to build my confidence back up. Whether this is sending an email to reach out to someone, watching an inspiring video or doing something as simple and easy as getting all of my accounting up-to-date, tiny little steps enable you to move in the right direction, whilst also re-building your confidence.

What do you do when you're having an off day- maybe feeling down, struggling with self-doubt, or just unmotivated?

Being a woman in my 30s, I guess that I have (finally) become used to being on an emotional roller coaster and when I find myself in a dip, I try to remind myself that it will pass and to stay focused on all the things that I have, rather than thinking about all the things that I don't yet have/want. I believe that happiness is created in the mind, so positive thinking can go a very long way to improving a bad mood. Other than that, I will have a chat with my sister, go to a gym class or crack open a bottle of wine!

What is one misconception people have about you and/or your profession?

Gosh, I really don't know but I would love to find out!! :)

What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned along the way?

I'm definitely still learning something new every single day but the biggest thing I've learnt so far is how important it is to get out and meet people. This has had such a positive knock-on affect on my business and it is great to meet link-minded individuals, who are in the same industry. Whether it is a catch up over tea and cake or developing a collaboration; networking and developing friendships in your industry is important to your sanity and happiness (especially when working alone) and is equally important to developing a successful and thriving business.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a path similar to what you have?

Be prepared for an adventure and be prepared to never stop learning. Running a business takes so much time, energy, commitment, creativity, organisation and thought. You never switch off, whether you're at your desk or away on holiday, you're always thinking of your next business move and inspiration is everywhere. It should be a lifestyle choice. Find something you love doing and then find a way to make money from doing it. In my specific industry, I would recommend networking at local wedding fayres and exhibiting at local events. Attend national stationery events as well, it is so important to get yourself and your brand out there. Speaking of brands, I would highly recommend developing a solid brand and a beautiful, easy-to-use website. Photography is absolutely key, so be sure to employ the skills of the best photographer you can afford and then use these photographs consistently to build your social media following.

When do you feel the most inspired, alive and the most like YOU?

I honestly feel most inspired when I'm starting a brand new project for a brand new client. After our initial consultation, I will then go away and spend hours researching, developing colour schemes, creating design concepts and moodboards. I will look for the best paper/card stock and give some thought about the best printing method for the job. When it is just me, my Apple Mac, my music, my ideas and of course a cup of tea, I feel happy, inspired and most like me.

What people, books, music, etc. inspire you?

My dad and my sister are such inspirational, self-made business people and I'm so lucky to have them close-at-hand for tips, advice and general business chat. My dad has been building businesses since the 1980s, so he has an old-school attitude to business, which is really refreshing in this age of online businesses and social media. My sister, on the other hand, has built multiple online businesses, so knows a thing or two about the modern business. Both of these very different influences make for interesting family dinners!

With regards to books, I loved The Secret, The Moses Code and The Alchamist, along with The E-Myth, The 4-Hour Work Week and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Next on my list is It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be.

Describe your favorite moment or accomplishment in your career so far.

The day I got my first real, completely unrelated client. That was the turning point for me and I knew I was on the right tracks from that moment forward. I also feel lucky to be able to wake up everyday and do something that I absolutely love. I never mind when Monday rolls round and I'm never wishing for the weekend. Life is good and this makes me feel accomplished.

What’s the most exciting thing going on in your life right now?

Right now, there are lots of very exciting things going on. Wedding season is fast approaching, so that is keeping us busy and we are currently in line for our busiest wedding season ever, which I'm really pleased about.

I am also in the process of finishing up our first line of greetings cards, wrapping paper, gift tags and prints. All of which are going to be screenprinted by hand, photographed and then added to our online shop by the end of the Summer. Along with all of this, our Costello Collection of luxury wedding stationery is also in development and this will consist of 5 unique designs, incorporating beautiful, hand finished elements, such as gold foiling and duplexing. I cannot wait to reveal this new collection at the end of Autumn.

On a personal level, my sister just got engaged, which I am so so happy about and my husband and I have lots of traveling planned for this year, so I'm pretty excited about that too :)

BIO

Samantha is the enthusiast behind Little Green, a boutique design & stationery studio specializing in developing & styling beautiful wedding stationery. As a newly-wed herself, she completely understands the what it is like to plan a wedding and finds it easy to connect and work with like-minded individuals. She is constantly grateful for the opportunity and community that her business and blog brings and loves the fact that, whilst not easy, she’s turning her dreams into a reality one day and step at a time.

Samantha launched her blog in 2011 as a way to channel her creativity, love for fashion and design and, if she’s honest, a way to keep her mind occupied and focused on something other than her long-distance relationship! Fast forward 4 years and she is now happily married and focusing her attention on designing beautiful wedding stationery, developing content for her blog and being creative in the kitchen to keep her American other-half satisfied.

Keeping it sweet and simple is Samantha’s philosophy in life and this is also true for her design work; which can be seen throughout this website and also in her shop.

Samantha’s love of design often takes her away from her computer and up into her studio, where she can be found screenprinting for hours on end; developing her line of inspirational quotes, greetings cards and wrapping paper, all of which will be available to purchase very soon!

Website // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest

14 Tips to Stay Sane, Organized + Inspired as a Blogger

When it comes to blogging, it can feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions. Write more posts, create beautiful imagery, comment on blogs, respond to readers, answer affiliate emails, don’t forget to promote on social media! Learn about SEO, stay on top of current trends. You get the idea. Remember when you thought starting a blog would be easy and fun? Despite being overwhelming at times, it can definitely still be fun. I’ve put together 14 tips that will keep you organized and less stressed when it comes to managing your blog.

4 Health Tips to Keep Your Sanity 

1. Schedule in down time. Disconnecting is the most important (but often hardest) part.

2. Get your blood flowing every day. Set an alarm to break at least every hour. Stretch. Take a walk outside. Go to the gym. Whatever works best for you.

3. Stay hydrated and limit sugar and foods that make you drowsy.

4. Take your lunch break. Get a change of scenery. Turn your phone off. This is important whether you have a day job and blog part time or are focused 100% on your blog or online business.

Remember, when you feel your best, you’ll do your best.

10 Business Tips to Stay Organized + Inspired

1. Keep a notepad (or use an app) with all your ideas so you never run out of things to write about. Inspiration tends to strike at the most inopportune times, like while you’re driving or in the shower. For those times, I rely on Evernote and voice-to-text.

2. Listen to your readers and directly ask them what they want.

3. Remove social media alerts from your phone, or remove the apps completely. Set a reminder to check social media twice a day.

4. Limit multi-tasking. Make a to-do list and focus on doing a few items a day really well, instead of marking off as many as possible without 100% attention.

5. Set hours for your workday. If you have clients, set boundaries for contacting you.

6. Set up a content schedule so you can quickly mark off what you need to do for each post, such as:

   1. Outline post

   2. write post

   3. add photos

   4. add alt text to photos

   5. optimize post for search engines

   6. add internal links to related posts

   7. add a click to tweet

   8. schedule post

   9. create and schedule post for Facebook, three tweets,

   10. add to Pinterest

   11. set up and schedule email newsletter

   12. submit to stumbleupon

   13. respond to comments

7. Overwhelmed just looking at that list? Get help when you can. Offer an internship, ask for guest posts, hire a VA or have a family member help.

8. Keep a list of guest posts you’ve done and guest posts you’d like to do.

9. Keep a list of affiliates/brands you work with and how much you’re making. Every few months reconsider which ones are worth your time and effort.

10. Evaluate your blog every few months in general. What’s working? What’s not working? What’s cluttering up your design and distracting from your content?

What keeps you healthy, organized and inspired when it comes to blogging? Share your tips in the comments!

*This post originally appeared as a guest post here on Cotter Crunch.