Tea with the Queen Emma McQueen

Let's face it, running a small business is tough. There are days when the endless to-do list feels overwhelming, and there is a distinct lack of motivation.
I've spoken to many small business owners recently feeling this exact way. Words like "lacking motivation" and "no mojo" are all too common.
But here's the good news: you're not alone! Even the most successful entrepreneurs experience dips in motivation. The key is understanding why you're feeling this way and having some strategies to get your spark back.
Self-reflection is Key
The first step is to identify the root cause of your lack of motivation. Grab a cup of tea and ask yourself some key questions:
What energises you? When are you in flow?Are you bored or burnt out? 
What Drains Your Mojo?
For me, I’ve discovered that mojo depletion often comes from three main culprits:
Working too many hoursFamily time neglectNo "me" time
Five Ways to Reignite Your Mojo
Physical Activity & Self-CareEmbrace CreativityConnect with Biz FriendsMindfulness & MeditationChange Your Scenery
Remember, resurfacing from a lack of motivation is an ongoing process. Experiment with these tips and find what works best for you.
LINKS:
Website
For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

I’ve had many conversations with exhausted entrepreneurs feeling totally stuck in business.
They’ve hit a wall. 
They’re sick of making decisions and they’re just in a giant rut.
If you’ve been there too (or you’re currently navigating this) you're not alone. Every entrepreneur hits this rut at some point, myself included.
The good news is, there’s a way out of the mess. In this article, I'm going to share some practical tips that helped me break free from feeling stuck in business and get back on track.
Ask Yourself These Questions:
Where am I? Be honest about your current business situation.Where do I want to go? What are your long-term goals?What's the gap? Identify the areas keeping you from achieving those goals.Am I aligned? Are your current actions supporting your goals and values?
Taking Action to Break Free:
Update Your Strategy: Review what's working and what's not. Be willing to ditch what isn't bringing results.Focus on Clarity: Analyse your client journey. What experience are you creating? Are there areas for improvement?Collaboration is Key: Network with others in your industry. Share your expertise and build relationships.Seek Support: Don't be afraid to ask for help. Mentors, coaches, and industry experts can provide valuable insights and keep you accountable.
Remember, feeling stuck is only temporary, but it takes action on your part to break free. By taking these steps, and most importantly, by believing in yourself, you can get your business unstuck and feel better about where you’re headed.
LINKS:
Website
For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

If you’re drowning in a busy schedule, it's time to hit pause and start setting boundaries with the mighty to-don't list.
The to-don’t list identifies activities that waste your time, create distractions, or don't align with your priorities so you can consciously avoid them. This frees up time and brain power so you can focus on what really matters to you. 
In today’s episode, I’m going to share tips about how you can create your own to-don't list:
1.  Identifying Timewasters: Take a look at your daily schedule and identify activities that are wasting time. This could be excessive social media browsing, unnecessary meetings, or ineffective multitasking. 
2.  Setting Boundaries: For your to-don’t list to be effective, you need to establish clear parameters for yourself
3.  Communicating Your Boundaries: It’s essential to communicate your boundaries with others to ensure they understand and respect your choices. 
4.   Hacking Yourself: Reinforce your to-don't list by establishing consequences or rewards for yourself. This will help you stay motivated and committed.
5.   Review and Adjust: Your to-don't list should not be static. Regularly review and adjust it to ensure it remains relevant to your goals
If this episode has inspired you to make your own to-don’t list remember to be kind to yourself, celebrate your victories, and stay committed to the habits that serve you best. 


LINKS:
YouTube
Website
For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Did you know that the average adult makes 35000 decisions every day?
It’s an overwhelming number and it blew my mind when I first heard it. 
From the moment we wake up to the time we go to sleep, our brain makes decisions that shape our actions and define our paths in life. If we aren’t making good decisions how will that impact us, and if we could improve our decision-making what effect would that have on our lives and our businesses?
Today I want to share the four questions I ask myself when making big decisions. They help me look past conflicting desires and responsibilities to see what choice is best for me.
Question One: Do I want to do it? This might seem simple, but I think it’s a crucial step as you can often fool yourself into thinking you want something you actually don’t. I find journalling is incredibly helpful for working through this.
Question Two: Is it good for me? Decisions can have consequences that aren’t immediately apparent. Take time to think through a course of action and what positive/negative effects it will have.
Question Three: Is it good for my family? Even if a decision is great for you, it can affect the people around you negatively. I need to consider how things will affect my three children and my husband. Is it a good choice for us? Is it even feasible for us?
Question Four: What does my gut say? Too often in business, I’ve made choices based on logic that go against how my gut feels. These seem like great decisions at the time but sometimes they cause a lot of trouble I could have avoided if I’d listened to my gut.
I’ll also share a difficult choice I was faced with at the end of last year and walk you through how each of the questions helped me prioritise my health, energy, and family despite the incredibly tempting opportunity.  
In the end, decision-making is not just about making choices; it's about understanding yourself, aligning with your values, and nurturing your well-being. So, the next time you're faced with a tough decision, make sure you take the time to understand how you feel, and don’t forget to listen to your gut.
LINKS:
Website
For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Are you currently feeling scattered in your business?
When you sit down at your desk to start your work day, is the list of tasks insurmountable?
You’re feeling so overwhelmed by all the things you need to do, you have a million tasks on your plate and no clear direction on how to tackle them.
If you’re currently feeling scattered in your business, here are a few practical tips that I often share with my clients:
1. Step Away and Refresh: Sometimes, the best way to gain clarity is to step away from the keyboard! Take a break, go for a walk, or simply have a cup of tea to clear your mind. Even a few minutes away from your desk can give you the mental headspace that you need.
2. Prioritise Tasks: Instead of tackling your entire to-do list at once, identify the tasks that will truly move the needle in your business and prioritise them. I like to plan my week on a Sunday afternoon, and then pull from that list just three tasks to focus on per day.

3. Eliminate Distractions: Distractions can worsen the scattered feeling. Turn off notifications, leave your phone in another room if you have to and set specific work periods using techniques like the Pomodoro method. 

4. Focus on One Thing: Identify the one key task that will propel you forward and dedicate your efforts to it. Stick to it until you see results. If you have too many things to focus on at once (especially if they’re all decent-sized projects), your ability to finish any of them will be diminished.

5. Script Feedback: When giving feedback or addressing issues, use a structured approach like the SBI model (Situation, Behaviour, Impact) to keep emotions at bay and ensure clarity in communication.

Navigating through moments where you feel scattered in your business is a common challenge. But with the right strategies, you can regain your clarity and focus. Remember, it's often about stripping away the noise, identifying the core tasks that matter, and committing to them with intention and purpose.

LINKS:
Website
For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Sometimes it can be difficult to separate your feelings from those of your clients. 
They’re going through something hard in their business, their energy is depleted and they are coming to you for guidance.
How do you ensure you can hold space for their feelings and work through their issues, without taking on their energy?
Today, I want to share with you a personal experience with a client that taught me valuable lessons in managing not just my energy, but also that of my clients.
I have three go-to strategies that I hope will help you to maintain your energy levels.
1. Preparing for Challenging Conversations
Anticipating the emotional intensity of client discussions and mentally preparing myself helps me approach each interaction with clarity and empathy. Setting boundaries and being in the right mindset before a session is crucial.

2. The Role of Physical Activity to Move Energy
Taking a solitary walk or engaging in a calming activity like journaling or meditation allows me to decompress and process the emotions that arise during intense client conversations. Physical movement and quiet reflection work wonders in restoring balance.

3. Listening to Your Gut
Recognising the signals your body sends in response to stress or discomfort is essential. Trusting your instincts and acting on them can prevent emotional overload and help you work through challenging situations. 

As you come across clients burdened with heavy emotions or challenging situations, remember to prioritise self-care, set clear boundaries, and trust your intuition. By managing your energy effectively, you not only safeguard your well-being but also enhance your capacity to support and empower those you work with.

LINKS:
Gallup Strengths Assessment
Marco Polo App
Website
For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/