On Your Terms®

We all know that moment. It’s Sunday. Your phone buzzes. And suddenly you’re staring down your weekly screen time report wondering… how did THAT happen?For me, those little reports started to feel like a mirror I didn’t really want to look into. The number on the screen didn’t line up with the life I said I wanted to be living—more present, less irritable, doing deeper work, and actually enjoying my days instead of scrolling through them.So I decided to stop ignoring it and actually take my screen time seriously. In this episode, I’m sharing what happened when I did just that—for 30 days.This isn’t about deleting every app or pretending your phone isn’t a major part of your business (because let’s be real… it is). It’s about creating a healthier relationship with your phone so it can be a tool instead of an appendage—and building a business that doesn’t require you to be glued to it 24/7.If you want to be more present in your life and more profitable in your business, this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why your screen time report can reveal way more about your life than you thinkHow I reduced my screen time without shame, guilt, or extreme rulesThe difference between “productive” screen time and the kind that quietly drains youThe app that consistently sends me into a doom-scrolling spiral (and what I do about it)How to find your personal tipping point with screen time—without comparing yourself to anyone elseClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond Business Get Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

Struggling to choose between platforms like Substack and traditional newsletters? Discover how to streamline your content creation and make intentional choices. Learn about the discovery-nurture-conversion framework for effective audience engagement. Explore the evolving roles of platforms and the importance of focusing on fewer to avoid burnout. Sam shares her unique approach to using Substack for longform writing and community building while discussing the shifting landscape of social media alternatives. Get ready to clarify your content strategy!

Explore how AI subtly undermined creativity and originality in the creative process. Discover the shift from trusting instincts to relying on AI for content, leading to self-doubt and a creativity block. Hear about the decision to stop using AI for brainstorming and the push to return to real-world inspiration and personal creative practices. The conversation delves into the ethical implications of AI in content creation and the importance of nurturing creativity as a skill, not just a shortcut.

Feeling overwhelmed by year-end chaos? Discover four tiny habits to embrace a calm, restorative close to 2025. Dive into deep cleaning your workspace, both physical and digital, to clear the clutter. Learn about the importance of a social media detox to refresh your mind. Sam shares her vision for 2026 as a 'mental gap year,' focused on creativity rather than hustle. Plus, enjoy cozy winter habits to keep you grounded. Say goodbye to chaos and hello to a peaceful start in January!

It’s that time of year again — when everyone online suddenly becomes a color-coded-notion-board-wielding planning expert. But before you map out your entire 2026 vision board, we need to do something way more important: figure out what you actually want.In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the exact reflection + annual planning exercise I do every single year — the one that helps me make decisions based on how I want to feel, not what the latest marketing trend says I “should” be doing. This episode pairs with last week’s 2025 reflection episode, so if you haven’t listened to that one yet, go queue it up next.PLUS — I’m trying something new today. I pulled a random question from the “More, Tell Me More” connection cards I won at a mastermind retreat (yes, I was voted Best Strategy at my table and the whole room — no biggie). I answered it… and I want you to answer it too. If you love this segment, email me or DM me and tell me to keep it!And before you dive in, don’t forget: I created a free 2026 Annual Planning Guide that includes every question I ask in this episode and space for you to jot down your reflections and goals. Grab it in the show notes!In this episode, you’ll hear…The connection-card question I pulled — and the unforgettable story about the stranger who changed how I think about human connectionWhy planning for 2026 means starting with how you want to feel (not arbitrary goals like “50K followers”)How to imagine your ideal day next year so you can reverse-engineer what needs to changeWhy so many entrepreneurs felt unstable in 2025 — and how to honor what actually happened before planning aheadThe questions I use every year to figure out what I truly need in my business and personal lifeA guided reflection to set aligned, realistic, energizing goals for 2026Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Listen to the How to Grow Your Email List Series PlaylistSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessDownload Sam's Annual Planning GuideClick here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMER

This conversation highlights the importance of reflection before diving into new year planning. It introduces six life categories for self-assessment, covering health, finances, work satisfaction, connections, joy, and curiosity. Listeners learn how to measure success by progress, not distance, and are prompted to evaluate their accomplishments and what they’ve let go. Engaging exercises help identify personal accelerators and constrictors to guide energy for the upcoming year. It’s all about intentional growth and finding balance.

If you’ve ever stared at a blinking cursor while trying to write your weekly newsletter and thought, “What in the whole enchilada am I supposed to say?” — today’s episode is your permission slip to stop overthinking and start structuring your emails in a way that works for you and your audience.I’m breaking down the two classic newsletter formats (and why I don’t follow either), the hybrid structure I swear by, and the eight must-have elements your weekly emails need if you want them to be opened, read, clicked, and shared.Whether you're brand new to email marketing or finally ready to clean up the spaghetti-at-the-wall approach we all start with — this episode gives you practical steps to build a bingeable, forwardable, valuable email your people will look forward to every week.In this episode, you’ll hear…The two traditional newsletter formats — and why a hybrid approach winsWhy story-driven writing builds connection (and how to use it well)How to structure “predictable sections” and weekly “boxes” your audience can rely onThe three core goals every email should have (and how to choose yours each week)How many links to include — and the right balance between your content vs. other people'sEight essentials you must include in your weekly newsletterHow to write subject lines + preview text that actually get openedMy #1 habit that instantly elevates the quality of your emails (and makes them sound human)Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarListen to Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 of the "How To Grow Your Email List" SeriesDownload the free “How to Grow Your Email List” WorkbookGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Listen to Epi 262. The 6 Weekly Anchors Behind My $8M BusinessWatch my email walkthrough trainingClick here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMER

Struggling to grow your email list with freebies? Discover why most freebies fail and how to create ones that truly engage. Learn to reverse engineer your freebies from your core products and tailor them to resonate with your audience’s needs. Explore innovative formats like opt-in series and gamified content. Find out essential elements for high-converting opt-in pages and the metrics to track for success. Focus on promoting fewer, high-quality freebies to maximize engagement and sales.

Discover a fresh approach to email list growth that skips the typical freebies. Learn how to position your newsletter as the primary value, attracting future customers rather than freebie hunters. Dive into designing engaging content, choosing formats, and creating predictable, consistent newsletters. Explore promotional strategies using social media storytelling and effective opt-in pages. This method has proven successful, adding thousands of subscribers annually without the hassle of traditional funnels.

Struggling with stagnant email list growth? Discover why a mindset shift is crucial for success. Learn to define the purpose of your newsletters and how to audit your current strategy for leaks. Sam reveals strategies for promoting your freebies in the right places and stresses the importance of consistency in messaging. Gain insights on reversing content to engage sign-ups and integrating email growth into partnerships. Each actionable tip is designed to boost your list while giving you back valuable time.