Hey everyone, Sandra here from The Long Game Podcast! Today we're tackling a big one: burnout.As entrepreneurs, especially those of us in the course and membership site world, we live in launch cycles. Constant selling, content creation, the pressure to keep up... it's enough to make anyone exhausted. But here's the thing: burnout isn't just fatigue. It's a real, WHO-defined syndrome with physical and emotional consequences.Burnout sneaks up on you: it builds gradually. You might find yourself unmotivated, dreading launches, or even questioning your entire business model. This is your burnout signal: a nudge to change things up.Here's the good news: you have the power to make those changes. As an entrepreneur, you're the boss. Forget "better self-care" - listen to your needs and reimagine your business. Ditch the one-size-fits-all approach and create a system that works for you.My client story: They launched a successful $2,000 course, but hated the launch cycle. We scrapped it and built a hybrid approach, selling their existing content in a new way. Now, they're excited and fulfilled!Remember: Don't just push through: acknowledge your burnout and let it motivate change. Think creatively: tweak your systems, present your offers uniquely, and embrace innovation. Breaks are important: rest, exercise, eat well, and sleep to fuel your creative thinking. Burnout is a cycle: break it by making lasting changes. Feeling stuck? You're not alone. Tune in for more on creative thinking to keep your business (and you) energized!Key takeaways: Burnout is a real syndrome, not just fatigue. Listen to your burnout signal and make changes. Create your own business system, not a copycat. Embrace creative thinking and innovation. Break the burnout cycle with lasting changes. Don't let burnout win! Turn it into flow and build a business that works for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of The Long Game is a continuation of episode 184 where I shared the story about getting an invite to attend a panel discussion on writing about trauma, and how my schedule conflicted with the panel, and I wouldn’t be able to attend.Well, as a happy end to the story, I was able to attend the panel after all, and it was so fulfilling to be in a space that invited me to think and reflect. It inspired and encouraged me. Here are 5 key takeaways from this panel discussion: Term of survival, concept of hope, and healing Explicitness  Relationship between trauma and empathy Being clear with your personal boundaries Using form and structure to move through trauma “Keep at your story and keep digging deeper into telling it.” -Sandra ScaianoIt’s amazing that we’ve developed a culture where we can openly share our experiences without the stigma around trauma. These stories are everywhere; in social media, books, and pop culture, but this doesn’t take away from your own story. Each story is different and equally important. When we share our stories and hear other’s, it lets us know that we’re not alone. Dr. Roxane Gay Leslie Jamison Tochi Onyebuchi Jacqueline Woodson If Everything Is Trauma Is Anything?The Trauma Plot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As business owners, joining business or industry events is part of the game. We get to build connections, engage in the community, and participate in groups to stay on top of the latest trends, developments, and news. Sometimes, as much as we’d like to join these events, we just can’t. And the reason why may be because of the season of life we’re in, which is what we’re exploring today; the idea of having different seasons of life, and how important it is to live in each one. “I can’t have it all right now. I’m choosing my priorities.” -Sandra ScaianoToday I share a recent story about receiving an invitation to an event I want to go to and balancing that with my other roles. Also discussed: Designing our own seasons The importance of each season Maximizing opportunities at any time I'm not trapped in the world I created and the season I’m in. I’m here because I want to be here.” -Sandra ScaianoEach season is important and a part of our journey. Take some time to think about all the seasons you lived through and how they brought you to where you are now. And remember, every season brings its own experiences and challenges, and they all contribute to the person you’re becoming. It’s all part of the long game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot of business owners rely heavily on email marketing to connect and engage with their customers. But did you know that on February 1st, there will be a new rule book on emails, and it’ll be harder to get into people’s inboxes?  This could be bad news if you’ve spent a lot of time and resources building your email list, but it doesn’t have to be!Joining us today to guide us through the changes Google, Yahoo (and soon others as well) are making is Cheryl Rerick. She’s an email marketing strategist, automation engineer, and creator of the Automate and Chill™ method.Cheryl will lay out the changes that will happen and explain in easy terms the authentication process we can do to make sure our email gets into those inboxes.We also discuss: Email Automation Welcome sequences Trends vs Data “You can't have blanket strategies, because the truth is everything works, and nothing works.” - Cheryl RerickCheryl also shares some email strategies we can apply, but her biggest advice is about your email list. Know what your customers want, and from there, you can build your strategies. There’s no one right way to write an email.Listen in to hear all of Cheryl’s tips, and if you want a more in-depth explanation of the new rules, you can attend Cheryl’s on-demand webinar.Connect with Cheryl Rerick:WebsiteFacebookInstagramEmail Deliverability Webinar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the first episode of the new year! And what better way to start than talking all about goals. Did you know that 93% of people fail within 30 days of setting their goals? Today, we break down goal setting to make sure that we're not part of the majority who end up quitting.“We work with people to change their thoughts so that they can achieve their goals.” - Abbie SchillerJoining us today is Abbie Schiller. Abbie is a professional goal coach, founder & CEO of The Mother Company, and a manifester. As a coach, she’s deeply invested in improving the lives of others. She’s also the creator of Visioning, a revolutionary course that helps people take an honest look at the results in their lives and decide what and how they want to change.Abbie introduces us to the concept of "kind goals." Unlike the rigid, strict goals we’re used to, kind goals allow us to be flexible and adjust. They have a have Plan B. Kind goals are fun and connected to who you are and serve who you want to be and bring you closer to the life you want to achieve.Also discussed in this episode: The relationship between success, failure, and lessons Anticipating obstacles and building resilience The necessary skill of embracing discomfort The importance of support and community Abbie also addresses some of the reasons why people give up their goals—lack of clarity, unexpected challenges, undefined steps, or lack of support system. She gives easy, applicable tips on how to deal with them.“Water boils at 212 degrees. What degree are you giving up at?” - Abbie SchillerIt’s possible to not quit the gym when February comes, or give in to your cravings a week into your new diet. Goals can be achievable and kind at the same time. You can hit your milestones while enjoying the journey. The key is in starting right and playing the long game. Connect with Abbie Schiller:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInThe Visioning Course Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you noticed a big gap in resources in your industry? Have you ever had an idea that would make things easier or more efficient? You’re going to love my guest this week. In this episode Jane Goodrich, an accomplished photographer who has expanded her business by creating customized software called Picsello joins me to talk about her long game experience taking her idea from concept to development to product launch.Jane talks about her journey from marketing to photography, her experience mentoring other photographers, and the motivation behind creating Picsello. The software serves as an all-in-one back-end solution for photographers, helping them with pricing, selling, and streamlining their business processes. This is a great example of seeing a need and figuring out a way to help others succeed. Jane has a passion for photography and she’s equally passionate about helping other photographers make a living doing work they love. Jane discusses the challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, her initial idea of teaching a course about photography pricing, and how she pivoted to develop Picsello. The conversation covers the development process, including the initial idea, seeking advice from tech experts, choosing an American development company, and the importance of a strong team.She’s also upfront about how long it took and why her background in marketing gave her a leg up when working with the development team. The interview emphasizes the educational aspect of Picsello aiming to help photographers understand the business side of their profession. Jane explains the software's features, including automated emails, client questionnaires, and a business mastermind community. She highlights the importance of customer feedback in shaping the software's roadmap and mentions the joy she finds in helping photographers succeed.Jane also shares insights into managing her time between photography, software development, and personal health challenges. She emphasizes the value of staying connected to the client services realm to understand market needs and enhance the software's offerings.In true Long Game style, this conversation provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to extend their brand through software development and emphasizes the significance of community building and continuous learning in the process.Picsello Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am so excited because we have a return guest. It’s interesting to see the transformation and growth since my last conversation with her. Today I’m talking with Tracy Otsuka, who is a certified ADHD coach and the host of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, the podcast, which has had an amazing 5 million downloads. She also moderates a Facebook group by the same name with nearly 100,000 members! Tracy is releasing her book ADHD for Smart Ass Women on December 26. I am beyond thrilled to have her to talk to us about everything that’s going on.  Tracy explains that whenever she has conversations about ADHD, lives are changed. There’s a brilliant woman with ADHD out there who is thinking, this isn’t me. By the end of this podcast, she’s going to say, that IS me! Hear how Tracy decided to go with the name ADHD for Smart Ass Women. I wanted to know if there’s any push back or problems with that or has it been a plus for her. She explains that being an outsider is part of who she is as a person, and it’s part of her brand as well. Are some people put off by the name? Maybe, but overall, it’s been a positive. Tracy also talks about being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how common that is, especially for women. There are a few reasons for that, and she also explains how the lifestyle changes we all experienced during COVID had an impact as well. One myth Tracy has busted is that having ADHD means you’re not intelligent or can’t learn. That’s completely the opposite of her experience. Drivenness is a form of hyperactivity. If you are an entrepreneur or a woman always on the go coming up with new ideas and having success with lots of different things and possibly struggle with mundane easy-to-do tasks, then you may want to see if you have ADHD. ADHD brains are focused on interest, not importance. It’s a big distinction that shows up in lots of ways, both positive and negative. Tracy outlines 3 things to look for if you think you may have ADHD and how it manifests in women and girls differently than in men and boys. This is eye-opening! Be sure to check out the discussion about being diagnosed. Who makes those calls? Should you find out or does it matter? What steps can you take and how will it impact your health? Tracy provides loads of insight here that will help simplify any next steps you might want to take. This entire conversation is so helpful, and fun. Big thanks to Tracy for coming back. I hope you’ll all get a copy of her book and let me know what resonates for you.Episode 20 with Tracy OtsukaGet the Book ADHD for Smart Ass Women Facebook Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re winding down 2023 so I’m doing a look back and a look ahead. Listen in as I review the trends that defined 2023 and look forward to the exciting developments to expect in 2024 for entrepreneurs. From the rise of super niche online summits to the growing demand for authenticity, we uncover the strategies that will shape the future of business. But as we navigate these trends, I can’t help but wonder what will this mean for the long game of business and life?Here are a few of the topics that made an impact for me and my clients. I’m sharing how things worked, and what made a difference on a number of topics. 1) The need to stay up to date. Things change and evolve and as small business owners we have to do the same. 2) Online summits. They make an impact when they are done well, and they are evolving too. 3) Masterminds aren’t new but it seems they are more popular than ever. I’m not surprised. The ability to connect with others and get some support and perspective from business peers is something I’ve always found helpful.4) Digital marketing can’t exist, it seems without the manipulative tactics and guru-driven promises that everyone, everywhere can have million-dollar results in a few easy steps. It impacts all of us who are marketing with integrity. Additionally, I review the prominence of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life and its implications for entrepreneurs. Ignoring the impact and inevitability isn’t a strategy. It’s only going to become more prevalent. We’ll continue to see improvements and additional capabilities. What are you doing to learn how it impacts your world? I think we’ve got to adapt and grow and using AI where it makes sense and I want to make sure I know how it can be helpful to me and my clients. I also know there also are lots of discussions about ethics and the legal impacts too. Lots more coming in 2024 on all of this. I’m also breaking down my thoughts on the impact of the new Google Analytics that was rolled out. Tracking and measuring is important so as business owners we have to adapt to the changes and leverage the opportunities the GA4 brings to SEO strategies. As we ring in the new year with new possibilities, keep playing the long game in your business and life as well. You know, it's that journey that matters the most. I am thrilled to have you all along for the ride with me. Thank you for listening. I'll see you next week.Episode 158 SummitsEpisode 124 Artificial IntelligenceEpisode 125 Artificial IntelligenceEpisode 152 Google Analytics 4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unleash your creative potential and defy societal expectations as guest Cara Steinmann challenges the norms, embraces messiness, and empowers business owners to think boldly and authentically, igniting a battle between conformity and innovation.Cara is a highly accomplished business development strategist, community builder, and certified meditation and mindfulness coach. She has dedicated her career to creating online spaces that empower women entrepreneurs to build successful businesses while prioritizing their mental health. Through her renowned community, the Literation Lab, Cara provides a platform for women to cultivate their creative confidence and express themselves through writing. With her extensive expertise in creativity and confidence-building, Cara has become a trusted resource for business owners seeking to break free from conventional thinking and implement innovative ideas. What is Creative Confidence? The definition that Cara shares is believing in your ability to change the world around you. If you think about it, that's your future. That's the business you're building, the offers you're creating. You have to have the creativity and the confidence to put them out there.Business as flow.Creative confidence gets squeezed out of us. Cara shares the NASA study of 1600 kids who were considered creative geniuses at age 5. You’ll be blown away when you hear what happened to their creativity at age 20.  When we allow our creativity to flow, we unlock new ideas and new ways to look at our work, and our entire world.4 Fears that impact our creative confidence: Fear of the messy unknown.Fear of being judged.Fear of the first step.Fear of losing control. Cara explains how we’ve forgotten how to find our own answers. Finding answers via google or following the formula that someone else created is a shortcut but we might be missing an even better solution if we noodled on it and really gave some thought to how we might create our own answer. Creativity and confidence are both muscles. The more you use them, especially without getting criticized, the more they grow. It’s one of the reasons why community can help. Being with people who are interested in supporting one another makes it easier to take a chance on yourself. The creative spark. I asked Cara how the Literation Lab helps grow creativity. She shares daily prompts for her audience and herself and they write them for the group to read if they feel comfortable, it’s not required. The prompts are in 7 research-backed pillars to help unlock and grow your confidence while you are being creative. Mistakes and messiness and letting perfection go. Life is messy and what if we just allowed the mess and kept moving? What if we learn what we need from having tried instead of worrying about what was wrong. There’s a freedom that comes from being confident, knowing it’s not about perfection, it’s about trying new things and seeing what happens. Being creative is a practice, like writing or designing. Confidence comes when we give ourselves permission to jump into action and tap into the genius we have inside. Connect with Cara Literation Lab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s world, it’s never been easier to implement a new idea, start a new venture, or build up a new business. But it’s also never been more intimidating. There are countless resources telling you how something should be done, and the market can seem incredibly saturated with so many competitors, ads, experts, and millions of content creators. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. If intimidation and fear are getting to you, this episode is going to be your boost of encouragement.Our guest is Ben Albert. Ben was a sales executive when the pandemic hit, and, like millions of other professionals, he was let go. Today, he shares how this moment was his rock bottom and from this point of zero, he became his own hero. It took a lot of work, creativity, and networking, but in just one year, he was able to launch and grow his marketing company, Balbert Marketing LLC. He also became the curator of the Real Business Connections Network, where he hosts five podcasts.“Rock bottom was such a blessing in disguise.” - Ben AlbertInsights from Ben’s journey:How his long-game knowledge helped him when he decided to start his business.What collaborative partnerships look like and how they help your business.The necessity of trying something different, new, and creative.Ben says there’s no such thing as a key to success. Instead, it's a combination lock, and we each have our own unique combination. Each of us has our own idea or definition of success, and we each have our own path to get there.“What is your creative spark? And how can you bring someone in with you?” - Ben AlbertTune in to this episode for a dose of inspiration and practical insights as we explore Ben’s remarkable journey from zero to hero.Connect with Ben:WebsiteFacebookLinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices