How to improve your productivity and mindset

Productivity and Mindset play a key role in achieving our goals, especially if we are wanting to start our own business. A 2018 Forbes report stated that 40% of new entrepreneurs are women and many of these women are Over 50! Isn’t that great?

However, overcoming self-doubt and limiting beliefs plus balancing work and life can result in stress, anxiety and the possibility of giving up before you have started.

In Episode 7 of Conversations with Women Living Well After 50, my guest is, Shelley Seigler Merchant from the New Entrepreneurial Woman. In this episode we discuss strategies for women working in their own business from home to develop a working structure that works for them. She provides ways to improving our productivity and mindset which can easily be transferred to normal life outside of business.

Improving Productivity and Mindset

I’ve written the main points from the conversation and also added the link to the Youtube video for you to enjoy whilst having a cuppa. Shelley puts the focus on productivity and mindset. She helps women uncovers skills, talents and innate gifts that they don’t always recognize within themselves.

Fear of change can be a big blocker yet Shelley suggests it can be exciting

Most of us have been taught to view change as something that is scary and we have given that a negative feeling. She suggests reframing those emotions from a negative to a positive. By replacing the fear with anticipation it develops a sense of excitement.

Mindset and Self-Doubt

The biggest issue is having to overcome cultural and gender stereotypical attitudes that we have grown up with. Lack of role models in real lifeso it is important to find a ‘biz buddy’, Mastermind or accountability groups. We need to surround ourselves that are experiencing the same issues because they understand. to help you stay accountable and to provide a different perspective.

Time pockets to balance your time

Shelley doesn’t believe in balance but rather juggling. She suggests we look at the entirety of life and then we can plan a schedule that will be achievable and less stressful. Drawing distinct boundaries – your time pockets. Identify different time pockets for all areas of life. Think about your ideal day and how you are going to structure it. Breaking your time up between work and fun activities.

Tips for Women wanting to start a business

• Start by exploring and examine what your goals are. It isn’t easy or an overnight thing to start something new.
• Rediscover your Inner 9 year old because at that age we still have our creativity and enthusiasm for life.
• Go in with eyes open and don’t expect it to happen fast.
• Constantly refer to you ‘Why’ – the reason you are doing it, ‘What’ do you want?
• Listen to your inner voice
• Go lay some bricks – build your foundation

What does a Woman Living Well After 50 mean to you?

Finally being excited and thrilled because it is ‘my turn’. A sense of looking back on what I’ve done and the things I set aside which I can now focus on. It is the best time because it is ‘full speed ahead and the world is our oyster’.

Meet Shelley

Shelley describes herself as a card carrying member of the ‘Sandwich generation’. She is a dynamic 50+ woman running three businesses with her husband including her most recent launch of her coaching business the New Entrepreneurial Woman – Productivity and Mindset for the Midlife Entrepreneur.

A happy workaholic Shelley loves nothing more than curling up with a good planner and her laptop but when she isn’t working you can find her glued to a corny disaster movie or a trashy novel (for which she makes no apologies).

Connect with Shelley

Website: https://shelleyseiglermerchant.com/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/NewEntrepreneurialWomen