Episode 63 · Tuesday, 12 November 2024

Episode 63: Sometimes it’s ok not to be productive

When global events shatter your focus, the most productive move is often the one that prioritizes your mental health over your bottom line.

US Election Mental Health Courtney Carver Sustainable Productivity Unfrazzle Solo Entrepreneurs

By Unfrazzle | 4m listen | 4 chapters

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Episode 63: Sometimes it’s ok not to be productive cover — Unfrazzle · No. 63

About this episode

Louise Miller addresses the immediate emotional fallout of the 2024 US election, urging solo business owners to abandon rigid productivity metrics during times of national distress. This emergency session of the Unfrazzle podcast frames the current political climate as a collective mental health crisis comparable to the initial 2020 Covid lockdown. Miller argues that forcing output during periods of high cortisol and anxiety leads to burnout rather than progress.

Courtney Carver of Be More With Less provides a framework for emotional processing, suggesting that feelings require space and tenderness rather than a strict deadline for resolution. The narrative connects personal recovery to broader business purpose, asserting that compassionate entrepreneurs must eventually return to their work to provide a necessary counterweight to global instability. Miller highlights specific strategies for managing time when focus is fractured, emphasizing that guilt-free rest is a prerequisite for long-term sustainability in the small business sector.

Louise Miller shares personal reflections on the difficulty of maintaining a recording schedule while processing the news cycle. The episode features a call for community support through the Unfrazzle mailing list and encourages listeners to share these resources with other struggling creators. Courtney Carver offers a final reminder that your worth is not tied to your to-do list during a week of historic upheaval.

CHAPTER 01 / 4 Discussion

Unfrazzle Podcast Introduction and Sustainable Productivity

Louise Miller introduces the Unfrazzle podcast, a series designed for solo business owners seeking a sustainable approach to productivity. This specific episode is recorded on a short timeline to address the emotional impact of the recent US election.

unfrazzle· louise miller· solo business owners· productivity· sustainable business

00:49 Welcome to Unfrazzle, a podcast for solo business owners with the big vision who are ready for a kinder more sustainable approach to productivity. I'm Louise Miller and each week i share bite-sized insights to help you step away from the hustle stop faffing and stay focused so you can make your brilliant ideas happen and make a bigger impact in the world So grab yourself a cuppa and let's get started So today is a slightly unusual episode of Unfrazzle. I'm actually recording it the day before it's being published which is very unusual but it felt important for me to share this in the light of the US election last week so this is a very short and sweet episode and I hope that it helps

CHAPTER 02 / 4 Discussion

Mental Health and Productivity During Global Events

Business owners struggling to focus following the US election results are encouraged to prioritize mental health over productivity. Drawing parallels to the start of the Covid lockdown, the discussion emphasizes that it is acceptable to be unproductive and that individuals should avoid adding guilt to their emotional burden.

us election· covid lockdown· mental health· nervous system· productivity guilt

01:36 If you've been finding it hard to get anything done since Wednesday, you're not alone. So as I tried and failed to focus after the results of the US election, i was reminded of a blog that I wrote at the start of the first Covid lockdown. That blog was called It's Okay Not To Be Productive. That's a sentiment I stand by now too so if like me You've found yourself over the last week or so staring at your screen, unable to get anything done. There is no need to add an extra layer of guilt about all the things you should be doing Please be gentle with yourself It's really important that we take care of our mental health Take care of our nervous systems during times like this Right? And over the weekend I received an email from Courtney Carver from Be More With Less

CHAPTER 03 / 4 Discussion

Courtney Carver on Emotional Processing and Business Purpose

Courtney Carver of Be More With Less advocates for giving feelings space and tenderness without a strict deadline. While acknowledging the need for rest, the narrative shifts toward the importance of compassionate business owners continuing their work to create positive ripples and impact in the world.

courtney carver· be more with less· emotional health· compassion· business impact

02:26 I highly recommend checking her out if you don't already know Courtney, she's actually an old client of mine. But her email said your feelings don't need a deadline they need tenderness space and maybe some homemade cupcakes And it is important that we feel our feelings and that we give them space to be, but its also important that we don't get stuck there. Because the world needs those of us who stand for kindness fairness compassion and respect to be out there doing our thing making positive ripples with our work so whilst its tempting to get under a blanket and stay there which I did last week I'm choosing instead to remind myself of my big why and i'm more determined than ever to help business owners who want to make the world a better place, make a bigger impact. So how about you? How are you feeling right now if you've been feeling the heaviness too how will you be kind to yourself this week and if you're ready how will you motivate yourself to keep taking those small steps forward so i hope that this helps and i look forward to seeing you again soon

CHAPTER 04 / 4 Discussion

Unfrazzle Podcast Outro and Listener Support

The episode concludes with a request for listeners to share the podcast and leave ratings to help others discover the show. Information is provided regarding the mailing list and show notes for those seeking further resources on time management and focus.

unfrazzle· podcast reviews· mailing list· productivity tips· community support

03:29 Thank you for listening to Unfrazzle. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend who needs a dose of calm productivity in their life and I'd love it if you could leave me a rating and review as that will help more people discover this podcast. If you would like to hear more from me to help stop faffing and take back control of your time, you'll find the link to join my mailing list in the show notes and I would really love for you to join us! So thanks so much for your support and I look forward to seeing you next time

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