The Zen Desk Podcast

May 18

118 Merry’s business used to only make money when she was on Zoom with clients… now it's set up to pay her while she’s in Europe with her 3 kids for the summer ⛱️

In this episode, I’m talking to my client from The SOP Bootcamp Merry Chiu about her experience inside the program. She’s a successful and talented college admissions mentor. Fully booked with 1:1 clients from all over the world. Flexible around her life with 3 kiddos. But… She had no space to take her business beyond the Zoom room and free up her time to serve more people at different price points. Before The SOP Bootcamp, her days looked like this: 👉 get 3 kids out the door 👉 client calls while kids were at school 👉 intention to “scale business” (whatever that means) but always pushing tasks like writing newsletters, creating content or developing digital offers to tomorrow because there was no time for that… 👉 pick up kids and do after school activities👉 repeat And she told me: “I’ve tried SOPs before… but I just never had the time to get it properly up and running to support me inside my business” Inside The SOP Bootcamp, we changed that. Now? We’ve revamped her business to run from one simple CEO dashboard that holds her daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly tasks together next to managing a FULL Google Calendar with life and family activities. Her calendar has expanded with time slots for her business that show her exactly what to do every day to scale her digital products next to her busy client schedule. (without writing a to do list from scratch). She’s created space. She’s EXPANDED time.Which is why during her time in The SOP Bootcamp… 👉 She launched a new digital course 👉 Reduced her 1:1 workload 👉 And is planning a time-rich summer traveling with her kids in Europe while launching her next course. She told me that the biggest shift from the program was actually emotional. Her words: “I don’t worry anymore about all the little things I did or didn’t get done” Because there’s a system in place holding the business together for her now. So even if they call from school and say one of the kids are sick, she can go get him and move her tasks to the next day without rewriting to do lists over and over and moving deadlines around. That’s the shift we are talking about in this episode 🔥 You can join The SOP Bootcamp today with instant access from just €150. Next Steps: Download your FREE 4 Hour Work Day Starter Pack Inside you’ll find the exact tools to stack consistent sales while working fewer hours a day and creating more white space in your calendar. Here's what's included: 💕3 meditations & 1 EFT tapping for a calm body and a clear mind 💕 Time Rich | The Masterclass where I show you how I transitioned from working 10-12 hour days in my corporate job to building a thriving online business working only 4 hours a day 💕The secret tools that protect your digital assets & secure your online business against hackers (most online business owners don't know this) 💕High-converting face to camera video script so you can go from not knowing what to say on camera to showing up confidently when you hit record and bring in sales with every video BONUS FREE ACCESS TO 🎙️ THE TIME RICH RADIO 🎙️(aka. my Telegram Broadcast Channel) with a behind the scenes look into the exact strategies I’m using daily to build a business that generates consistent sales while only working 4 hours a day. Join us inside The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation and learn how to save HOURS every week with a system that creates 4 hour work days, eliminates stress and helps you sign 3x more clients without sacrificing your daily workouts, 8 hours of sleep or time with family and friends. Save EUR 300 when you enroll today. Join us inside The SOP Bootcamp and learn how to create simple, repeatable systems that free up hours every week so you can work 4-hour days while your content goes out, clients get onboarded, and sales come in automatically! Or get both programs included for free when you join us inside 4 Hour Work Day Freedom and become the TIME RICH CEO of your soon-to-be empire where you work less and earn more and your success doesn't come at the cost of your energy, well-being or the life you left your 9-5 to create. The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation and The SOP Bootcamp are automatically included when you join. Let's connect: Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@itslauralange Follow on LinkedIn: Laura Lange Get in contact with me at ⁠laura@itslauralange.com Visit my website: https://www.itslauralange.com/ Follow Merry Chiu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellomerryu/

58 min

Apr 20

117 Building your business while working full-time and feeling constantly behind with too much on your plate? THIS will simplify everything

In this episode, I’m answering a question from inside my community on what to focus on and prioritise in your business when your business isn’t your full-time focus or income stream (yet). We dive into: How to structure your time when you’re in a transition phase What to focus on (and what to stop doing)The daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly rhythms I would use to build a business alongside a full-time job If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed trying to juggle it all, this episode will help you create clarity, structure, and momentum without burning out before your business has taken off. Next Steps: Download your FREE 4 Hour Work Day Starter Pack Inside you’ll find the exact tools to stack consistent sales while working fewer hours a day and creating more white space in your calendar. Here's what's included: 💕3 meditations & 1 EFT tapping for a calm body and a clear mind 💕 Time Rich | The Masterclass where I show you how I transitioned from working 10-12 hour days in my corporate job to building a thriving online business working only 4 hours a day 💕The secret tools that protect your digital assets & secure your online business against hackers (most online business owners don't know this) 💕High-converting face to camera video script so you can go from not knowing what to say on camera to showing up confidently when you hit record and bring in sales with every video BONUS FREE ACCESS TO 🎙️ THE TIME RICH RADIO 🎙️(aka. my Telegram Broadcast Channel) with a behind the scenes look into the exact strategies I’m using daily to build a business that generates consistent sales while only working 4 hours a day. Join us inside The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation and learn how to save HOURS every week with a system that creates 4 hour work days, eliminates stress and helps you sign 3x more clients without sacrificing your daily workouts, 8 hours of sleep or time with family and friends. Save EUR 300 when you enroll today. Join us inside The SOP Bootcamp and learn how to create simple, repeatable systems that free up hours every week so you can work 4-hour days while your content goes out, clients get onboarded, and sales come in automatically! Or get both programs included for free when you join us inside 4 Hour Work Day Freedom and become the TIME RICH CEO of your soon-to-be empire where you work less and earn more and your success doesn't come at the cost of your energy, well-being or the life you left your 9-5 to create. The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation and The SOP Bootcamp are automatically included when you join. Let's connect: Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@itslauralange Follow on LinkedIn: Laura Lange Get in contact with me at ⁠laura@itslauralange.com Visit my website: https://www.itslauralange.com/ Please rate the show, leave a review, subscribe and share it with a friend.

39 min

Mar 23

116 Why working 4-hour days feels harder than working 10 & how to reprogram your subconscious guilt behind it | Interview with Alja Podgornik

Nobody warns you that the hardest part about working 4 hour days isn’t managing your time or getting your work done faster. It’s actually allowing yourself to let 4 hours of work be enough without feeling guilty like you could have “done more”. That low-level guilt you feel when you leave your office or laptop early? That voice in the back of your mind that whispers (or screams) ‘I haven’t deserved to rest yet’? That has zero to do with you becoming more productive. What's actually going on here is how your subconscious has been conditioned to perceive success, productivity and rest. And today we’re breaking down exactly what’s going on and how to reprogram it. Next Steps: Download your FREE 4 Hour Work Day Starter Pack Inside you’ll find the exact tools to stack consistent sales while working fewer hours a day and creating more white space in your calendar. Here's what's included: 💕3 meditations & 1 EFT tapping for a calm body and a clear mind 💕 Time Rich | The Masterclass where I show you how I transitioned from working 10-12 hour days in my corporate job to building a thriving online business working only 4 hours a day 💕The secret tools that protect your digital assets & secure your online business against hackers (most online business owners don't know this) 💕High-converting face to camera video script so you can go from not knowing what to say on camera to showing up confidently when you hit record and bring in sales with every video BONUS FREE ACCESS TO 🎙️ THE TIME RICH RADIO 🎙️(aka. my Telegram Broadcast Channel) with a behind the scenes look into the exact strategies I’m using daily to build a business that generates consistent sales while only working 4 hours a day. Join us inside The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation and learn how to save HOURS every week with a system that creates 4 hour work days, eliminates stress and helps you sign 3x more clients without sacrificing your daily workouts, 8 hours of sleep or time with family and friends. Save EUR 300 when you enroll today. Join us inside The SOP Bootcamp and learn how to create simple, repeatable systems that free up hours every week so you can work 4-hour days while your content goes out, clients get onboarded, and sales come in automatically! Or get both programs included for free when you join us inside 4 Hour Work Day Freedom and become the TIME RICH CEO of your soon-to-be empire where you work less and earn more and your success doesn't come at the cost of your energy, well-being or the life you left your 9-5 to create. The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation and The SOP Bootcamp are automatically included when you join. Let's connect: Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@itslauralange Follow on LinkedIn: Laura Lange Get in contact with me at ⁠laura@itslauralange.com Visit my website: https://www.itslauralange.com/ Connect with Alja Podgornik: Follow Alja on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alja.podgornik/ Check out Alja’s offers (free & paid): https://linktr.ee/dr.alja.podgornik Please rate the show, leave a review, subscribe and share it with a friend.

1h 7m

Feb 23

115 What I do to prepare my business for maternity leave (as a lawyer & online business owner)

In today’s episode we are talking maternity leave prep: What I’m doing, what I’ve built, and how I’m setting things up so I can rest and enjoy time off with my baby and little family while knowing the business still works in the background. By the end of this episode, you’ll know: How I’m structuring my maternity leave behind the scenes, what I’ve done before pregnancy to set this up and what’s staying, what’s pausing, and how I’m preparing financially and operationally. Whether you’re already a parent, planning to be, or just craving a business that gives you the opportunity to take 3 months off, this episode is for you. Next Steps: Download your FREE 4 Hour Work Day Starter Pack Inside you’ll find the exact tools to stack consistent sales while working fewer hours a day and creating more white space in your calendar. Here's what's included: 💕3 meditations & 1 EFT tapping for a calm body and a clear mind 💕 Time Rich | The Masterclass where I show you how I transitioned from working 10-12 hour days in my corporate job to building a thriving online business working only 4 hours a day 💕The secret tools that protect your digital assets & secure your online business against hackers (most online business owners don't know this) 💕High-converting face to camera video script so you can go from not knowing what to say on camera to showing up confidently when you hit record and bring in sales with every video BONUS FREE ACCESS TO 🎙️ THE TIME RICH RADIO 🎙️(aka. my Telegram Broadcast Channel) with a behind the scenes look into the exact strategies I’m using daily to build a business that generates consistent sales while only working 4 hours a day. Join us inside The SOP Bootcamp and learn how to create simple, repeatable systems that free up hours every week so you can work 4-hour days while your content goes out, clients get onboarded, and sales come in automatically! We kick off on February 16 2026. Only a few spots left! Or get The SOP Bootcamp included for free when you join us inside 4 Hour Work Day Freedom and become the TIME RICH CEO of your soon-to-be empire where you work less and earn more and your success doesn't come at the cost of your energy, well-being or the life you left your 9-5 to create. The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation and The SOP Bootcamp are automatically included when you join. Let's connect: Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@itslauralange Follow on LinkedIn: Laura Lange Get in contact with me at ⁠laura@itslauralange.com Visit my website: https://www.itslauralange.com/ Please rate the show, leave a review, subscribe and share it with a friend.

54 min

Jan 12

114 The 5 SOPs I Wouldn’t Run My Online Business Without (And Why You Shouldn’t Either)

DOORS TO THE SOP BOOTCAMP ARE OPEN! JOIN NOW AT SPECIAL EARLY BIRD PRICE OF EUR 397 (SAVE EUR 200 WHEN YOU ENROLL BEFORE 1 FEBRUARY 2026) In this episode, I’m walking you through the 5 core SOPs (standard operating procedures) I believe every online business owner needs to have in place. Especially if you want a business with 4 hour work days that give you more time, more spaciousness, and less hot mess energy behind the scenes. We’re talking about: → Automating your client onboarding → Streamlining your content creation → Running launches without reinventing yourself every time → Getting your finances in order (even if you don’t want to look at your bank account) → And creating SOPs for your personal life so cooking, cleaning and getting the groceries feel lighter and get done every week. Let’s talk about creating simple, repeatable workflows that free up hours each week and let you operate like a true time rich CEO (not a burned out freelancer). And yes… I’m giving you the details on The SOP Bootcamp too. Next Steps: Download your FREE 4 Hour Work Day Starter Pack Inside you’ll find the exact tools to stack consistent sales while working fewer hours a day and creating more white space in your calendar. Here's what's included: 💕3 meditations & 1 EFT tapping for a calm body and a clear mind 💕 Time Rich | The Masterclass where I show you how I transitioned from working 10-12 hour days in my corporate job to building a thriving online business working only 4 hours a day 💕The secret tools that protect your digital assets & secure your online business against hackers (most online business owners don't know this) 💕High-converting face to camera video script so you can go from not knowing what to say on camera to showing up confidently when you hit record and bring in sales with every video BONUS FREE ACCESS TO 🎙️ THE TIME RICH RADIO 🎙️(aka. my Telegram Broadcast Channel) with a behind the scenes look into the exact strategies I’m using daily to build a business that generates consistent sales while only working 4 hours a day. Join us inside The SOP Bootcamp and learn how to create simple, repeatable systems that free up hours every week so you can work 4-hour days while your content goes out, clients get onboarded, and sales come in automatically! We kick off on February 16 2026. Save EUR 200 when you enroll before February 1 2026. Or get The SOP Bootcamp included for free when you join us inside 4 Hour Work Day Freedom and become the TIME RICH CEO of your soon-to-be empire where you work less and earn more and your success doesn't come at the cost of your energy, well-being or the life you left your 9-5 to create. The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation and The SOP Bootcamp are automatically included when you join. Let's connect: Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@itslauralange Follow on LinkedIn: Laura Lange Get in contact with me at ⁠laura@itslauralange.com Visit my website: https://www.itslauralange.com/ Please rate the show, leave a review, subscribe and share it with a friend.

47 min

12/08/2025

113 How I navigated a chemical pregnancy + first trimester sickness while running my online business 🤢❤️‍🩹

❤️‍🩹 TRIGGER WARNING ❤️‍🩹 In this episode, I talk about pregnancy loss and early pregnancy. Please take care of yourself while listening wherever you are on this journey or however you relate to it. In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story I wasn’t sure I’d tell. During the second half of 2025, I navigated a chemical pregnancy, followed shortly after by the early months of a new pregnancy all while trying to keep my business running, support my clients, and run a few new creative projects. Spoiler: I had to let go of most of it. And that’s okay. This is an honest reflection on what it looked like to show up (and sometimes not show up) during one of the most vulnerable and physically intense seasons I’ve ever been through. I talk about: 👉What a chemical pregnancy is, how it hit me, and why it’s so often minimized 👉What it felt like to hold space for others while grieving behind the scenes 👉The whiplash of going from pregnancy loss into first trimester symptoms: fatigue, nausea, brain fog, and big emotions 👉How I redefined my relationship with content, productivity, and online business norms 👉What actually helped me feel better (and what didn’t) I also share how my 4-hour workday system became the ultimate safety net… Why I let my visibility take a backseat for two months… And how I’m slowly reshaping what business looks like for me from here. This episode is for you if you're: 👉Going through something heavy while holding or building a business 👉Navigating loss, fatigue, or emotional overwhelm behind the scenes 👉Wondering if it's okay to “disappear” for a while (short answer: yes) 👉Craving a business model that holds you, not just the other way around Next Steps: Download your FREE 4 Hour Work Day Starter Pack Inside you’ll find the exact tools to stack consistent sales while working fewer hours a day and creating more white space in your calendar. Here's what's included: 💕3 meditations & 1 EFT tapping for a calm body and a clear mind 💕 Time Rich | The Masterclass where I show you how I transitioned from working 10-12 hour days in my corporate job to building a thriving online business working only 4 hours a day 💕The secret tools that protect your digital assets & secure your online business against hackers (most online business owners don't know this) 💕High-converting face to camera video script so you can go from not knowing what to say on camera to showing up confidently when you hit record and bring in sales with every video BONUS FREE ACCESS TO 🎙️ THE TIME RICH RADIO 🎙️(aka. my Telegram Broadcast Channel) with a behind the scenes look into the exact strategies I’m using daily to build a business that generates consistent sales while only working 4 hours a day. Join us inside The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation and learn how to save HOURS every week with a system that creates 4 hour work days, eliminates stress and helps you sign 3x more clients without sacrificing your daily workouts, 8 hours of sleep or time with family and friends. Save EUR 300 when you enroll today. Or get the full experience and join us inside 4 Hour Work Day Freedom and become the TIME RICH CEO of your soon-to-be empire where you work less and earn more and your success doesn't come at the cost of your energy, well-being or the life you left your 9-5 to create. The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation is automatically included when you join. Let's connect: Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@itslauralange Follow on LinkedIn: Laura Lange Get in contact with me at ⁠laura@itslauralange.com Visit my website: https://www.itslauralange.com/ Please rate the show, leave a review, subscribe and share it with a friend.

59 min

11/10/2025

112 How Sara made €50K in sales in just 4 months 💸 after sorting out her contracts ✍️

In today’s episode I’m joined by my client Sara Vezenšek who came to me a few month ago sharing about the incredible momentum she had already created in her business. She even proclaimed to the internet how she was planning to make 50,000 euros in just 4 months in her business. I watched from the sidelines as Sara ticked off one big goal after the other but eventually she realized that there was one missing piece of the puzzle to make those dreams of 50k in 4 months feel really good…. *drum roll* You guessed it… solid and clear contracts. What happened after she put those in place? Let’s just say the energy shifted even more, the boundaries were in place and she’s called in some serious opportunities and clients that she shares more in the episode. We’re breaking down her journey from operating without contracts (or with contract templates that didn’t fit her business) to confidently signing aligned, high-paying clients with structures that support her, protect her, and match the business she’s building. Next Steps: Book your Contract Power Hour today at EUR 111 and get my eyes on your business and offers today to determine what contracts you need to protect your business. This is high-level custom contract consulting for the woman who doesn't know where to start when it comes to implementing contracts into her business but knows that it's time to protect what she's built so she can continue to scale with ease. Download your FREE 4 Hour Work Day Starter Pack Inside you’ll find the exact tools to stack consistent income while working fewer hours a day and creating more white space in your calendar.Here's what's included:💕3 meditations & 1 EFT tapping for a calm body and a clear mind.💕 1 hour masterclass to become a time rich CEO.💕 My cyber security checklist to protect your online business from hackers.💕 My high-converting face to camera video script to sell without being salesy.BONUS FREE ACCESS TO 🎙️ THE TIME RICH RADIO 🎙️ (aka. my Telegram Broadcast Channel) with weekly thoughts, riffs, and behind-the-scenes considerations from me. Join us inside The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation and learn how to save HOURS every week with a system that creates 4 hour work days, eliminates stress and helps you sign 3x more clients without sacrificing your daily workouts, 8 hours of sleep or time with family and friends. Save EUR 300 when you enroll today. Or get the full experience and join us inside 4 Hour Work Day Freedom and become the TIME RICH CEO of your soon-to-be empire where you work less and earn more and your success doesn't come at the cost of your energy, well-being or the life you left your 9-5 to create. The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation is automatically included when you join. Let's connect: Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@itslauralange Follow on LinkedIn: Laura Lange Get in contact with me at ⁠laura@itslauralange.com Visit my website: https://www.itslauralange.com/ Connect with Sara: https://www.saravezcoach.com/ Listen to Sara’s and my podcast episode on her podcast She Thrives: Stop with the overwhelm | The 4 Hour Work Day Technique Please rate the show, leave a review, subscribe and share it with a friend.

50 min

10/13/2025

111 THIS 👀 could kill your email list overnight & how you avoid it

Email marketing is one of the most powerful sales tools for online business owners. And if you’ve been around the block of online business for a minute, you will have heard either me or one of your favourite sales coaches talk about how you cannot build your business only on social media. You need to know how to get your people off the socials and on to your email list. While social media can be a great place to catch attention and get connections to new potential customers, your email list and your email marketing is often one of the best and most powerful places to actually convert those potential customers into paying customers. But what many don’t realize is that there are strict requirements in place in the legislation that you as a business owner have to comply with to keep your email list legal and safe in the long term. This includes following the requirements set out by your chosen email service provider and it also includes making sure that you are collecting proper marketing consents on your free and paid opt-in pages before you start emailing your new subscribers. If your marketing consents aren’t compliant, you could literally risk losing your entire list overnight. Yikes. To help us break this down, I’ve brought in two experts, Brian Dixon from the US, and Kolja Strübing from Germany in the EU. Because even though I’m a lawyer myself operating my own online business, this is a very niche area that I am not at all qualified to speak about alone and because the rules are not the same everywhere. Next Steps: Download your FREE 4 Hour Work Day Starter Pack Inside you’ll find the exact tools to stack consistent income while working fewer hours a day and creating more white space in your calendar.Here's what's included:💕3 meditations & 1 EFT tapping for a calm body and a clear mind.💕 1 hour masterclass to become a time rich CEO.💕 My cyber security checklist to protect your online business from hackers.💕 My high-converting face to camera video script to sell without being salesy.BONUS FREE ACCESS TO 🎙️ THE TIME RICH RADIO 🎙️ (aka. my Telegram Broadcast Channel) with weekly thoughts, riffs, and behind-the-scenes considerations from me. Join us inside The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation and learn how to save HOURS every week with a system that creates 4 hour work days, eliminates stress and helps you sign 3x more clients without sacrificing your daily workouts, 8 hours of sleep or time with family and friends. Save EUR 300 when you enroll today. Or get the full experience and join us inside 4 Hour Work Day Freedom and become the TIME RICH CEO of your soon-to-be empire where you work less and earn more and your success doesn't come at the cost of your energy, well-being or the life you left your 9-5 to create. The 4 Hour Work Day Foundation is automatically included when you join. Let's connect:Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@itslauralange Follow on LinkedIn: Laura Lange Get in contact with me at ⁠laura@itslauralange.com Visit my website: https://www.itslauralange.com/ Please rate the show, leave a review, subscribe and share it with a friend. Connect with Kolja and Brian: Connect with Brian Dixon on LinkedIn Connect with Kolja Strübing on LinkedIn

1h 5m

The Zen Desk Podcast

118 Merry’s business used to only make money when she was on Zoom with clients… now it's set up to pay her while she’s in Europe with her 3 kids for the summer ⛱️

117 Building your business while working full-time and feeling constantly behind with too much on your plate? THIS will simplify everything

116 Why working 4-hour days feels harder than working 10 & how to reprogram your subconscious guilt behind it | Interview with Alja Podgornik

115 What I do to prepare my business for maternity leave (as a lawyer & online business owner)

114 The 5 SOPs I Wouldn’t Run My Online Business Without (And Why You Shouldn’t Either)

113 How I navigated a chemical pregnancy + first trimester sickness while running my online business 🤢❤️‍🩹

112 How Sara made €50K in sales in just 4 months 💸 after sorting out her contracts ✍️

111 THIS 👀 could kill your email list overnight & how you avoid it

About

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The Zen Desk Podcast

Episodes

118 Merry’s business used to only make money when she was on Zoom with clients… now it's set up to pay her while she’s in Europe with her 3 kids for the summer ⛱️

117 Building your business while working full-time and feeling constantly behind with too much on your plate? THIS will simplify everything

116 Why working 4-hour days feels harder than working 10 & how to reprogram your subconscious guilt behind it | Interview with Alja Podgornik

115 What I do to prepare my business for maternity leave (as a lawyer & online business owner)

114 The 5 SOPs I Wouldn’t Run My Online Business Without (And Why You Shouldn’t Either)

113 How I navigated a chemical pregnancy + first trimester sickness while running my online business 🤢❤️‍🩹

112 How Sara made €50K in sales in just 4 months 💸 after sorting out her contracts ✍️

111 THIS 👀 could kill your email list overnight & how you avoid it

About

Information