Ep 8: Simplifying writing a book & doing BIG things!

<p>Episode 8: Simplifying writing a book & doing BIG things! <p>

<p>Today we are talking with Viola Hug! Viola Hug is an intuitive coach, mentor, author, podcaster, and the creator of the Abundant Babes brand. She coaches women on business, wealth, spirituality, and mindset, and how those things utilized together allow you to have it all in life.

Viola and her husband traveled the world for almost 2 years as digital nomads, meaning while they traveled the world she built and grew her multiple-six-figure business online. She runs live online programs, high-level masterminds, and for those who want it all, she also takes on one-on-one clients. She hosts a successful podcast called Abundant Babes, and is the author of the Amazon Best Seller “You are an Abundant Babe.”

Viola is fun, unique, and passionate, making her a captivating speaker, and her energy and words are often the catalyst for her followers and clients to take complete ownership of their life, believe in themselves, and create a reality that blows the mind of even their wildest dreams!

<p>You can find Viola ALL over the interwebs! She has her Facebook group called the Abundant Babes Community  https://www.facebook.com/groups/AbundantBabesCommunity/

<p>Instagram https://www.instagram.com/violahug/ <p>

<p>Website: https://violahug.com/ <p>

<p>And you can get her book at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1799002128/ <p>

<p>We are so excited you are here! We would LOVE to connect with you in other places too! You can ALWAYS message me!! PLUS….<p>

<p>You can join our Facebook community <a href=”http://bit.ly/SimplifiedSuccessCommunity”>Simplified Success Community!</a><p>

Follow the podcast on <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/thesimplifiedsuccesspodcast/”>Instagram!</a> and our host Lindsay Reynolds on <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/simplifiedsuccess/”>Instagram!</a>

You can always join the INSIDER email list also <a href=”http://bit.ly/SSCEmailList”>here!</a> 

Transcript

spk_0:   0:00
Welcome to the simplified Success podcast, where we take the complicated, overwhelming and unorganized parts of your business and life and break them down to simple steps so you could integrate them to reach your goals. This is a place where we believe anything is possible with the right mindset, tools and strategies. I'm your host, Lindsay Reynolds. Each week I'm gonna bring you practical tips and tricks to build your skills, mindset and strategy from industry leaders who, frankly, are just crushing it and making things happen. If you're ready to make the shift from good to great, but keep it simple and you're in the right place. Hello and welcome back. So today's podcast is an interview with Viola Hug. She's an online business coach, and quite honestly, this will rock your socks off. We talked about everything from how to do big things, how to break down big goals and how to make it happen. So Biola has written a book. She has been an Amazon bestseller, and to do one better, she's even coach multiple clients to do the same. She also has an award winning podcast being on the new and noteworthy list multiple times on again, has coached her clients to do the same. This talk is one that was an absolute blast. We talked about how she went from having five years of what she considered failure in her business to seemingly switching her direction, switching her focus and using everything she had learned to turn her business into what it is now in less than two years into a five figure among. So this talk was super fun. I'm I hope that you enjoy it if you're ready for it. Here it comes. Hello, everybody. Welcome back. The simplified says. That's the podcast. So today you are in for a treat because I have an amazing guest on with us. I know I said that about my guests, but this particular human is very unique. Um well, not unique in the standpoint of being and complete. Badass was highly successful because the strangers up by amazing people and this is what happens, right? But Biola hug, who was our guest today, has done some stuff that a lot of us, I think, aspire to do. But, uh, she's made it happen. So I cannot wait to talk to you guys about all the things that have you here and get all of the insights and amazing this from Violet. But I will start by just letting her. I'm introduced herself. So Viola, who are you? Welcome to the podcast.

spk_1:   2:25
Thank you so much. I'm excited to be here. Thank you so much for having me. I feel like we're gonna have a really fun conversation today. And to everyone who's listening if we've never met before, My name's Villa and I am an intuitive coach for spiritual entrepreneurs. And I really work with people who are extremely ambitious and have that kind of like having all attitude like I remember when I was growing up, You know, when people do those like, would you rather this or this happen? You know, that whole would your other thing I like Never, ever did those. I just Absolutely I was like their not my thing. I will never choose. I will never choose. I will never choose. And now that I'm older, I like kind of get it because I am so nothing either or kind of person like I either don't like I don't get what I don't want and I get what I want is my attitude and for so long that was kind of just like a vision and a dream of mine toe be able to live a life where I really do, you know, have it all. And I get the relationship and I get the wells and I get the purpose and all the things. And then, over the past two years, I've really seen that vision come to life in my real life, where I started my coaching business a few years ago and, um, in a place where it was like, I've been already quote unquote struggling as an entrepreneur for five years, like kind of trying things, never really getting anywhere, despite working incredibly hard, Um, and pushing myself like nobody's business and being in so much financial debt. And then, you know, I started this coaching business and suddenly I am doing it and I'm making money and I'm having fun and I'm my husband. Ice go to travel the world, and now we're living in Canada were living in New Zealand at the time, and, um, I believe like now, more than ever, it's like that belief has become a reality in my life. And I see it happens my clients all the time as well. So yeah,

spk_0:   4:23
So when you say like, oh, I was struggling for five years and then suddenly I became successful. Let's talk a little bit about the suddenly I think a lot of people like and this is part of I think what happens is we see people who can, you know, overnight success, right? I think all people see is the suddenly they don't see the five years of you struggling and trying to learn and trying to grow. So you talk about what kind of made that shift from the struggle to the suddenly?

spk_1:   4:50
Yeah, I think it's like one of the those things. Like I say, like over those five years, like nothing was really working in the sense of like, um, it didn't feel the way I thought it would feel like being an entrepreneur. It didn't. I wasn't having the financial success that I thought I would have from working so hard, you know, like people tell you all the time like you worked hard for five years and then you get the result. But it's like what happens if you work hard for five years, and you still don't have any results, in fact, have negative results. You know, I bottle the

spk_0:   5:21
program that spent all the money and still not hitting that five figure most everybody talks about. What? Yeah, and I

spk_1:   5:30
mean, there's all that kind of stuff that happened. But what was really transformative for me in that time is the internal work, because I think something happens when things aren't happening externally. But you keep going like it strengthens you in a way that I don't think anything else in the world could ever strengthen. You like because being able to get back up when literally everything is like you're in debt, you make no money. Everything you try doesn't work. Maybe you should just get a job. Maybe you should just, you know, try something else. And I'm like, No, I I'm doing it again. And my mom's like, Do I really have to lend you money again? Because you max out all of your credit and I'm, like, just this once more. Just those ones more. Um and so there's like, this internal strength that I built during that time that I think is a huge, huge part of the reason why I, um one I kept going in one night and two, I had my breakthrough, you know, because I do believe that the success and everything is inevitable for all of us. And when I think of the biggest differences, though, is up till that point for those five years, I was mainly in network marketing, which was like, I I feel like what I learned from that experience was so invaluable. And I think for you know, some people to incredible opportunity for me. I just don't think it was the exact right opportunity. Um, just because I am such a person of, like, passionate heart that not being able to do things exactly how I wanted and being more put into a system wasn't the right thing for me. But, you know, I don't know that at the time. And but I also dabbled with other things I dabbled with, like, creating events, and I did this. I did that. But the whole time I was doing things based on like what I thought people would want from me, right? So that was the biggest thing. So it was like when I was deciding, you know, that I wanted to create an event. It be like, Well, what do people really want? If I ever thought about things like branding, I'd be like, Well, what color would most people find appealing? You know, like, what? Um what? What is going to be the best look for this thing. And it wasn't from a place of, like, what do I really want to do without the fear of it being rejected without the fear of people judging me without the fear of being two oddball that it's too unique Oven idea that nobody will want it. And it won't ever become successful kind of vibe. And suddenly like after those five years, I had this moment and I was like deafness, you know, I was like, This sucks, and I was still positive. But part of me was just like I've literally tried following the quote unquote rulebook like I've done the five AM wake up club. I've done the, you know, work seven days a week, every single day. I've done the blah, blah, blah like What do I actually want? And then, at that claim, it was kind of like a number of things all lined up, and I think a big part of it because my energy just suddenly changed so much. I just had the spire that didn't have before of like, I don't actually even care what anyone else thinks anymore. And, um, I, you know, I asked for a sign than this person that I really admired, but I didn't really know a lot about. And I didn't really even know a lot about the online coaching world at all at this point. Posted a program where she was helping people, um, build their business based on their purpose, which just sounded really appealing to me. And it was starting on my birthday, and I had just asked for a sign, you know? Yeah. And I was like, Okay, so I called my mom, and I'm like, Hey, you know how it's my birthday coming up program. She's, like, really again. I might know this time is gonna be different. I promise. Just like oh, yeah, Okay. And I don't know, like, bless her so much like now is she is just, like, so grateful. She supported me during that time. Yeah, because I'm able to return the favor, but it's like, um, it's just so funny Looking back on dso I did this program and through that it was kind of like this discovery process. She's like, You know, it's like, Who are you? What do you want? What do you Actually, what would you like to do? And I'm like, This is a new game And so I actually started doing things based on what I wanted to do. And I think that, like when I look back, that was It was like I stopped caring about what I thought I needed to do, and I started focusing on what I really wanted to do, which brought a completely different energy to what I did right. Like I would show up differently simply because I'm like, I'm so excited by this and yes, so I mean, it's hard to describe because I do think it's one of those things were so many small things that add up over time that suddenly it feels like it was a suddenly but it wasn't it was the small things. That was the fact that I got back up every single time. It was the fact that I worked on my fear of being a man outcast from, you know, my peers. It was the fact that I was willing to continue to try new things and expend myself and, you know, and continue to put myself out there. Yeah,

spk_0:   10:43
no, that's And I think that's so accurate. I think a lot of times we get into these phases and I don't have to do with confidence to, like, you were saying where we we we want to serve. And we want to find the right, you know, equation where we're giving people what they need cause we hear from a lot of coaches, a lot of people, you know, serve your community, listen to your community, be obsessed with your community on. And I think that's so important, but not at the expense of what feels good to us. I think forget that part.

spk_1:   11:12
Yeah, exactly. I was just gonna say, like, I think that the differences with that is what I used to think it was. Show up for what the people want, but what I realized it is, it's show up and let the people who want what you have come to you and then nurture and love those people, you know? I mean, like, we don't need to compromise ourselves.

spk_0:   11:33
Oh, my gosh, That was what you just said. So

spk_1:   11:37
yes. Yeah, we don't need to compromise who we are for what the quote unquote like is the most research things. So we need to create a program around that, you know, like you're the most Googled thing. Like, that's not what we need to create a program around. We need to create a program around what really, really likes us up. And, um, make that energy clear. The right people will come. And then those are the people that we could nurture. 11 obsess over.

spk_0:   12:03
I love that. So Okay, we're gonna make a little Segway from that particular amazing nugget that if you didn't catch that like, go ahead and rewind the 15 seconds. Right? Um okay, So you have done something that someday I aspired to dio and then I think a lot of our listeners would absolutely love Teoh to conquer, but is a huge mountain for most of us. You have written a highly successful book and was on best seller like well in mind. I actually would copy of it. I'm pretty sure I have a signed copy. Yes, but I was like, I'm pretty sure it's kind of sitting on my bookshelf. Um, that being said, that is a huge thing to Dio. Like, I think I write down every day that I want to write a book, but are that I've that I've written a book, but the concept of starting out and actually doing that what is that process and how do you make that? Something that not only you can do but like you taught, right? So your client has been highly successful. Also, Amazon bestsellers. So you find out about us at this. So tell us, tell us the things like how? How does how does one do that? How, like all the things

spk_1:   13:05
I get there. So I think the first thing to understand is like, if you have the desire to write a book, then there's there's a book in all of us, like I really do believe that, and I see that now a lot more than I ever did. But, um, if you're anything like me, you probably put that goal up away on a pedestal like that is just something When you've achieved all the things, then you'll be granted the right to write a book. You know, like then you will be sought after by publishers who will give you a book deal. And then you'll think about writing your book, which is great. And I think you know, that does happen for some people. Well, but we live in a very different world now than we used to live. And I didn't actually realize one how accessible it is to be ableto write a book because I self published with Amazon, which I need to know was an option. I never even heard of self publishing until a friend of mine did it. And I'm like, Wait, what just happened? Wait waas And then Secondly, um, we have so much more value within us than we often think. And I think the biggest reason why we don't ever give ourselves the permission to just start writing a book is because, like what I was saying before, we think we have to look past some universal test before we are given the right to do that. Um, when the only reason we don't see value in our own stories because it's our own story, you know, We're so used to our own story that we don't actually necessarily see the magic in it. And as entrepreneurs, I think that it's a really smart decision to write a book early, and I think it's also a really empowering thing. So for me, when I started, like this whole idea, maybe I'm gonna actually write my book now, which was at the end of 2018. I had the idea in December and I started writing my book at the start of 2019. And then I literally published three months later, Um,

spk_0:   15:01
you buy and three months I did. Holy cow. All right,

spk_1:   15:07
I think I wrote it in like, two months, and then I, like, edited and published it in the next month

spk_0:   15:14
since saying they think this isn't like a little book like this isn't like when I say she, like, wrote a book and I have a copy of it like it's not 22 pages of a book like this is a really book like with paper and every e I

spk_1:   15:27
know, and I like I always carry a copy with me. Like most places I go because I'm so obsessed with it still is the

spk_0:   15:34
fact that I know someone and I have a signed copy of a book, and I'm talking to her right now on my podcast. That's obsessive.

spk_1:   15:39
Yes. Um, yes. So I basically, like, had this idea. Okay, maybe I am going to write a book. And at the beginning, it was like, actually, this is a really smart idea because I started seeing the reason. So for those of you who are entrepreneurs, let me tell you why it's a smart idea to write a book. Um, one of the biggest things that create success in the online world. This connection Would you agree? 1000% connection is, you know, like and this is why we hear about vulnerability. This is why they say, get on camera on your, you know, get on instagram stories and do light videos. Because when we're connected with people, there is just a bond that's created that makes people you know, the right people who are your people like you, and understand you and want to buy from you and see value in your offers of if you know, the types of things you offer what they're looking for. Um, but the connection piece, it's so incredibly important. And this is what I think is so beautiful about the new age of business. Like it's not like before, where its sales tech a tactics per se that sell people. It's not because you're like in competition with other people. It's because you congenitally show up and be yourselves and connect with people. And when people feel kind of did to, they are going to love you would want to buy from you. And we do that in all sorts of ways, right? Like I was just saying, Instagram stories, live videos, sharing our story, sharing what we're achieving, Um, all sorts of ways on the online world. And when people work with you, it's great because they get kind of like a little bit of a deeper sense. But a book is possibly one of the most intimate ways that somebody can get to know you and in a book, especially like as a first book for an entrepreneur, my recommendation would be that it is based on your story like it's still giving a value. Add like my books called Your an abundant babe. And it's all about essentially like uncovering your own access to internal abundance so than it ultimately turns into external abundance in your life. Eso there's like there's still a value add, but every single part of it is how my story taught me that and why I'm an authority to teach on that. Essentially right,

spk_0:   17:54
So it helps you to validate your own self and what you're going through. I love that,

spk_1:   17:58
Yeah, and so when we're new were ableto or like when people are new to us, I should say we are able to offer something that is possibly one of the lowest priced things we'd offer right, like books. Even if you're selling a book for 30 $50 it's still like an incredible deal. Other books, you know, people sell their books for 10 15 $20 And, um, someone's able to buy your book for just a few tens of dollars, and they're able to spend this intimate time with you reading your story, getting to know you getting to hear your prospective learning from you. And they're building such an incredibly deep relationship with you during that time that I think in terms of like the dollar per connection is like the best you can get out of any offer.

spk_0:   18:47
I love that. Such I hadn't even thought about that. Yeah, makes that makes all the sense in the world. I mean, in my head, it was like, Oh, I can't write a book until I know all about you Like according to it. But reality, especially on our first ones, it's like That's a totally different perspective, which makes it far less overwhelming.

spk_1:   19:05
Exactly. And I think that's the thing is like we think we need to be somewhere before we can write this story. But the truth is, is that sometimes when we write the story, we get to realize that this is our first book. This is our story. Up till now, this is who we desire to be. Up till now, there's so many authors who write multiple books. There's so many authors who write a book about this topic, and then that topic and with the topics that they write about, evolve as they grow. You know, like there's authors that have been authors for, like, 30 40 50 years, you think they only write about the same thing. No, no

spk_0:   19:34
and no Permission. And plus, then, you know, like, I think there's something to be said for doing something that you didn't think you could dio. Oh, person. It unlocks this. This belief in yourself and this belief it like I could do scary.

spk_1:   19:49
Yeah, and that's exactly the second part of the story is like, first. That's why I thought Okay, well, maybe I do have permission to write a book now, you know, like, I have a story because I'm alive. And, um and I'm like, OK, what is that story though, right? And that was the next part. And I to this day, I think it was the most transformative process that I went through. Is writing the book in terms of my own self discovery. And I know that kind of sounds cheesy, and I know and I really do believe, like, until you've written a book like you can't understand that because it just like it kind of just like Oh, yeah. Why? Because you like, reflect on your story. Yes, that's why, but actually reflecting on your story and giving yourself permission to look at yourself like this is this is value. This is amazing. This is People will want to hear that and being able to, like, look at your story from that perspective. And also, what does my story tell you know, because most of us, we go through life and we're always looking forward. Like, what do I want to achieve? Lets the next step. When if we gave ourselves permission to look back at ourselves and say What if I actually learned? Like if I look at the clues my life has given me, who am I and what have I learned? And what have I bean through? And, well, you know, this is huge. And I think that helps so much with the embodiment pieces. Well, of really embodying who we are so that we can actually achieve next levels quicker. Andi, I know for myself like, it wasn't just because I'd written a book, but it was because of who had became in the process. I had so much growth after I wrote my book that it was like, mind blowing

spk_0:   21:31
well, and I remember when, like you and I met in the online world right around the time had launched your boat I don't think it had been right around next. I remember when you were promoting it and just talking about like I wrote a book like How it exists. So talk about that. That's that last step because I think once you write it, then there's got Maybe I'm just assuming is how I feel like I would be. But as you have that that many feeling of, like, what if everyone hates it? What if I What if I put my life out in the world? Andi, I get 47 1 star reviews like What? Like, how do you walk through that last? Because I think I think you can write it and intel in being vulnerable and sharing. You know, like you're talking about what is my story? Tell, what have I learned, who am I like, What have I been through? But then you it's all there like your whole life's on this pieces of paper like, How did you make that last leap?

spk_1:   22:27
So I was mentally preparing myself for that the whole time, and I think that's a big difference. I think there's a big difference between, like, I'm going to write a book and I'm writing a book to publish this book, right? Like I'm writing this book so that in a few months time, or however long, I'm going to be holding a book in my hand that other people are gonna have access to, Um and I think that's a big thing cause, you know, you say, like, Oh, you can write the book. It's I tell you what, if you don't have, like, an end goal in mind like you were talking about before, I think you and I were talking before we hit record. It's like you're you're why, in your reason for doing something is so incredibly important, because it's kind of like the thing that keeps you moving. If you're just writing the book for writing the book, you can write a book in five years and then decide you want to publish it because it's not relevant anymore. You know, like you can just you can kind of like hide behind this energy of like, Oh, yeah, I'm doing it. But I'm not really ever going to do anything. But when you actually start the process with knowing what the end goal is, which for me was to publish my book, and I don't know why. I necessarily thought like I originally thought when I first started writing, because the first, like chapter flowed out of me so quickly. Like once I decided what my book was gonna be about that I was like, Oh, my God, I'm gonna be able to finish writing my book probably in, like, a few weeks take a little longer than that. Great. But then I started, you know, And the first half of the book was incredibly hard for me to write because finding your flow, figuring out like, what makes sense like it's all new and it feels like a little bit overwhelming. So I literally had to sit down at my desk and just, like, be like, this is book writing time. And even though I would like literally right nothing, I would just read what I've written. And then I'd be like, OK, it's been two hours like that. Had to be part of the process, though, because in the second half of the book, literally, and I think about two weeks, I wrote the second half of my book, and, um, so then it all flowed out of me. And and then I also knew, like, for me, I had a special upcoming date. It was gonna be my dad's birthday. My dad passed away, Um, quite a while ago, and it was gonna be his birthday march 11th. And so I thought wouldn't it be cool to publish on his birthday? You know, So I kind of had, like, a goal in mind. So I think you know, if you're going to write it already, start with kind of an idea in mind. You can always give yourself more time if the writing process is taking longer than you expect. But, um, I think that having a date in mind, it does two things. One, it gives you kind of like an internal accountability and to your already prepping yourself for that potential, like working through those potential fears. And I think it is so important to remember like when I was talking about before connection of vulnerability are actually the most powerful things were going to feel. We are We're going to feel scared that people are going to judge us for our stories. We're going to feel fear that people aren't gonna understand we're going to feel fear. We're gonna end up with one star reviews someone one start my book. Like on Amazon. I have a one star review, and I think I think I actually have to like lower reviews and I but I really built myself up to that point. It's like Pete, not everyone's going to get it, but I'm writing my book for the people that get it right. Like to people left me a shitty review. I've had so many inbox messages of people who have been touched by my people have read my book multiple times, people who have read my book and decided to work with me based on, um, writing my book like, I think I off the top of my head. I can think about 4 to 5 people that because they read my book, bought the next program that I put out. Um, you know, like the amount of benefit that came from It is way more, and that's what I keep reminding myself for here. For our people. The people that don't get it aren't our people, and that's okay, like occasionally running come across them. But that's not who were writing this story for, right?

spk_0:   26:20
Yeah, that's so so amazing. How crazy. And like, honest. I want to ask to so fryer. So you wrote your book and you were how, maney years into your coaching business at that point? Um, one year. Okay, so you don't have to wait till your five years. And like the perfect best coach in the whole wide world threat bucks just

spk_1:   26:39
know also so to clients of mine have also written a book and become best sellers on Amazon. And the 1st 1 had started her business not even a year before she started writing her book, But then she was only maybe two months into her new business. But she actually started off as a food blawg and only like and then, like, six months into that decided that she actually was wanting to They could completely different route and do coaching and do like completely different work. So she was only a couple of months into that, and she wrote her book and became a best seller. And another client of mine had bean on her kind of personal growth journey for a few years. But Onley really just launched the version of her business a couple months before that as well. And she wrote and published her book within two months, a swell and became a bestseller like It's Insane. You don't need tohave years and years and years of experience because you've been alive for a lot of years, and that's all that matters.

spk_0:   27:42
And I think that's the thing, and not just like with a book, but in general, I think we get caught up in this, Um, I think you and I kind of talked about this when we were on your podcast, by the way, if you guys are not following Viola and all the places we'll talk about in a second. But Viola has an incredible podcast. She's a very successful podcaster. She has programs around it. She helped people become on the hot on top chart. She is very, very good at what she does. Um, that being said, I think there's this. There's this thing in our heads where you know we have to be at a certain level in the thing that we're in and we have. We have our own goals and our own. Our own things were aspiring, Teoh But what I think happens is that because we're not where we think we want to be, we discount where we are. Yes, and I I I think that you've made a great point about this. Like you are alive like you have a story. And like before we hit record, we were talking about, you know, like time and how interesting time is. And, you know, you only get so many decades on the planet, right? Like so, Like, every decade that you've lived. And if you're on listening this podcast, my guess is you've lived at least two of them. You've done incredible things like you think about what you've created. Like it wasn't even three decades ago that, like I wasn't even alive, right? Like nearly a year old. So, like when you put things in perspective like you have a story, you have things to share. You have gifts to put out in the world. Um, it's just a matter of pushing yourself and then picking a vehicle. Um So when did you want your podcast?

spk_1:   29:12
So I lunch my podcasts when I was about three months into my business in March 2018.

spk_0:   29:18
Ok, March or April 2018. Yah, So walk us through. So I mean, obviously I have a podcast because we're talking on it. But when you went through that process for you and when you're coaching your clients through that process, something else that's very big and daunting and crazy, Um, how how do you begin to even walk through something that's this big like, Do you break down the gold? Do you pick a day and just push yourself like, What's your process? How do you work your clients through that?

spk_1:   29:47
Well, I was gonna say this, like, kind of ties in to the book and also Segways over nicely to the podcast. But with the book, it's like when I said Having and Data mined my also my also, my recommendation is actually to let your audience and on what you're doing, that you're writing a book, and I think it's like, really scary, because it's like, Oh my God! But what if I don't? But what if this but one of that. But I tell you what incredible accountability and I will not like. I can't even stress how powerful it is for an audience. Someone in your audience to hear you say I'm going to write a book and then them actually see you hold your book like that was one of the biggest comments that I got, like people being like, Oh, I heard you were writing a book and then all of a sudden you had a book and I was like, What the heck? And, you know, I kind of let people in on it, and I kind of you know, what leak little things of the names of the chapters or things like that. And it was just it made people by the time that I launched my book, so feel already connected to the book that they really were excited to buy it. And so, in terms of, like, lunching and everything, I think that's a really good strategy. But as well, it's incredible for accountability M and again like, I don't think anybody is gonna hold you to, like, you know, like I never I don't think I ever set a date until I knew a date. But I said, You know, it's coming along really well. I'm writing my book. I can't wait. You know, my goal is to have it out this year like I'd left it very broad. But, um, then when I knew a date that obviously I started leaking that info, I Yeah, And so when it comes to a podcast, I think the difference of the podcast and a book is that a book is like You publish it and then it's like You basically don't do anything anymore, like you can do promotion things like run like virtual or real life book tours, and you could do all those kinds of things. But in terms of upkeep, nothing, right? Like it's dying. It's great podcast. You gotta show up. You gotta show up regularly, right? Like I've had my podcast for two years now, and that's a lot of episodes that's every single week showing up for your podcast. And that was so terrifying for me at the beginning because I'm one of the like. I would describe myself as one of the least people that agrees with structure, like I'm one of the people that disagree. Like I resist structure. Yeah, so when it comes to a podcast, if you have like or any big project, I think the biggest thing Teoh ask yourself is like what actually feels the most daunting about it because you can learn how to run a podcast. So between when I first launched my podcasts and now it is so much easier now to start a podcast like that's alone saying is like There's so many more companies that, like, offer like, um, a platform for you to just launch your podcast on There's You know, there's so many different tools and things like that to support you with the tech side of it, and that's something you can quite easily learn. Um, so it's like not that can be overwhelming. But usually it's not the main thing that actually overwhelms as it's, um, it's something else. It's that people aren't gonna like our voice, that we don't like our voice, that we're not gonna We're gonna run out of topics that we're not gonna be able to be consistent with it or whatever. And then it's about really reframing that because, um, a year before I launched my coaching business and my podcast, I'd actually launched a podcast with my husband because we just had this idea that it be really fun, and we literally got like 10 episodes and and then just flaked out. We just, like, stop doing it. We'd like forget that we're supposed to be publishing an episode. And then I tried to record win last minute to be really shitty. And then, you know, we just couldn't keep up with it. So I had that feared the back of my mind. And for me, it was really reframing that I wasn't doing this so that I had to do something weekly. But I flipped it around to that. I get to connect with my audience in this way.

spk_0:   33:40
No, I like that. Yep. And

spk_1:   33:42
it was It was suddenly this different feeling. It was like, I show up on Instagram, Almost stately, like I mean, it's not that I post daily, but my stories I show up nearly daily. Um, I check my social media at least daily. You know, I check my emails daily, and so I was like, What's the harm and me connecting with my audience in this way weekly? And then Secondly, because I was just at the start of my business, I thought it would be such a cool opportunity to be able to talk to people that I could also learn from, Like, I genuinely thought that at the beginning I was like, I'm going to be able to, like, learn so much from so many people. And I did, you know, like the guests that I got on, I was every single one of them. I had something I wanted to learn from. Yeah, and I still do now, because I I believe we can learn from everyone. But you know that at the beginning, I was like, OK, so I'm going to be able to connect with my audience check. I want that as a business owner, and I'm gonna be able to learn from incredible people, you know?

spk_0:   34:44
And that's so true because podcast have away, especially when you have your own of allowing you to have interactions with people that you probably wouldn't otherwise have their dedicated time. I want that for myself. Like even when I launch my podcast, You know, some of the people that I was able Teoh interview and talk Teoh, Um, I admired I would I would love to have the opportunity you included to spend an hour chatting and talking, um, that otherwise like you there wouldn't be a way to do that. That's

spk_1:   35:14
exactly and I found a swell like part of like when I really started to notice my podcast like expand and stuff. It's like I interviewed someone who had such a good time talking with me that they're like, Oh, can I connect you with anyone? And they had a massive audience and I was like, um yes, on And they yeah, they linked me toe in credible people that I would have never been ableto have on my podcast. I don't think otherwise, like without the personal introduction. And then I had these amazing people in my podcasts, and I still get people being like, Oh, I found you through blah, blah, blah because she shared the episode that she was on on your podcast. And I'm like, Oh, my gosh, that you know, it's so cool. And so, yeah, it's it's really awesome. The network in connection you can make. I do think like when you talk to someone for half an hour, 45 minutes an hour or whatever it's like you really do have, like, a connection, you know what I mean? It's just it's so nice like every every person that I've done an interview with and when I've been in tribute as well. Like, I always feel like there's always, like something a little bit special. You know, you always have that, like when you see them online. No,

spk_0:   36:25
I totally agree. And I think that's one thing. Podcasts are A to me, a very fast vehicle at a very low cost in a really fun way. I think people think that man casting is gonna be really expensive. Um, on like, you mean it can be if you want to, but like, right now, you know, we're just to be completely transparent. You know, I don't have it even on official microphone. At this point in my podcasting career, I have my zoo Macau. I have a really good set of apple headphones. You don't have those. They come free with your phone, you know? So I think I think people think that it's gonna be this really daunting. And it is from a commitment standpoint, but only when you don't frame it properly. Like you had just said. I think when you when you frame it correctly, it is a time consumption that will. That's an accurate thing. But cost wise, like the hosting service that I use is like $12 a month. Like it's not like this is some crazy and they took care of everything. I don't know what what? Ah, what what tool do you recommend for host? So, yes,

spk_1:   37:25
I do recommend, like good podcasting hosting services like Lipson and you know, different ones. I don't I don't. All the names off the top my head right now. But like I personally have mind through my WORDPRESS website, which you can host it through your own website as long as your website has RSS capabilities. Um and that is no extra cost on my website. So

spk_0:   37:49
that's really smart that,

spk_1:   37:51
like it's essentially free to run my podcasts, you know, um which is amazing like, I mean, I might look into a different server at some point, but it's been working fine.

spk_0:   38:01
If it works and like, that's one thing you don't don't break something that works. If you don't need Teoh sadly like that's and like for me, I don't have I don't have an official website. That's something I'm actually working on building right now. You don't have a website. That's not an excuse. But exactly you go ahead and and use the resources. Yeah,

spk_1:   38:19
like like wordpress dot org's squarespace Could job be? I believe all of those have RSS capabilities like things like Wicks doesn't, um And there's also like there's also some podcasting platforms that make it extremely easy to host your podcast because it's kind of like an all in one service like things like Anchor and which is great, like, my only thing is like that, I'd like to ask people is, you know, because this is actually perfect for you, Lindsay, because I know you're all about this. It's like if you're gonna if if you know that it's gonna be a long term thing like you. But it's better off starting off with the best option rather than like having toe later change, if you know what I mean.

spk_0:   39:04
I completely agree. I think you definitely do research now. You don't use that as an excuse to continue to keep research and you pick and move. Yeah, I totally agree. I think that you're way better off spending a little time putting the right system in place, then trying to build a system. Yeah, something that already exists.

spk_1:   39:20
And And I think, yeah, I think that's the thing. Is that when um like a lot of people when they look at podcast like, Oh, it's easy to host through this, But then if you actually think about it long term and the same with websites like, I started off actually with a week's website. But I changed a WordPress and even though where press was such a hard learning curve for me, because I did my website myself because I literally I didn't need a website when I first started. But I know that. So I built a website when I first started. But, um, I I realized, like if my business is really long term, I wanna have it as a company one day. I want people running my website one day. I wanna have, like, things like that that I'm able to do like on some Platt website platforms that are more like plug and play. They they actually own your content. You don't own the content that to the point where you can just download your entire website, you can coda you can whatever you know terminology. I don't understand, but it is important job, and the same thing is with podcasting. So there's, like good podcast hosting services where you kind of, like still have the ownership rights. But then there's others that are a little bit easier to use. But they kind of have control over. For example, adds, You can have or even like having their logo on your promo or different things like that, like, um, where you don't necessarily have control of that. So if one day you wanted to expand into something bigger, you probably have to switch, um, servers?

spk_0:   40:50
Yes, exactly. Yeah. Um, no, I totally agree. That's it's amazing. So what are any kind of parting thoughts or thought processes that you have around keeping things simple but building a business from scratch? Because those of you that don't know by A was about to walk into one of the biggest challenges I think we ever dio assay human being by always about to have her first child were so excited. And I'm just like counting. I'm counting every time I talk to him. Like so, how many weeks left? Um, So what are some parting parting information or parting tips and tricks into walking into these big, crazy things and how you prepare for these because you I mean, just in a matter of what, two years you've written a book, you have a podcast. You built a successful business and while is very modest. But her business went from you know where she was borrowing money from her mom, too, you know, five. And I figure moments. Oh, she's being very, very kind of modest. But realistically, she what an incredible business. Andi helped so many people with both all of her free content, the value she gives and her amazing courses, which I've never actually taken, taken one. But I've seen all of her amazing free stuff. And if her free stuff is that good, I can't even imagine what it's like being in one of her actual courses. But how? What kind of advice or tips do you have for people who are trying t really finally like, make that jump, make that leap finally go from like the five years like you were talking about of Poland and Teoh? Okay, I do big things. I do scary things and I walk through them faster than everybody else.

spk_1:   42:29
Exactly what you just said I think, is the attitude, because I think the problem that I see with a lot of people in the problem that I saw myself before I really had this shift that I did is that there was always an element of like, I'll try this and then hopefully I'm good enough or I'll try this and then I'll be confident enough, and then you do it and you don't feel any different. And you're like, uh, I guess I just need to make a little bit more money or I need to do this a little bit different You know, in order to have that validation to feel like you belong in the space when the truth is, is that the people who belong in the space of the people who decide to show up in space and that's it, like the minute that you decide you are here and you are ready for it is the minute that you are worthy, deserving and belong to be somewhere you're always worthy and deserving. But it's like that's the minute that it can become a reality for you. Um, so whether that be writing a book. If you decide you're going to write a book, just decide. Like I am an author now. And that means that how do I organize myself now if I'm going to write a book? Well, I'm gonna put time aside in my calendar to write a book or I'm a podcaster. Now, you know, it's like, OK, I need to put time aside to research. Like what? What pot from, um, I'm gonna do What name do I want? What topics do I wanna have? How I wanna wanna run my podcast weekly. You know, do I want to do a fresh episode every week, or do I want a batch? My content and do, like, you know, 4 to 6 weeks of recording in one week, and then those control it over the next six weeks, like, decide, and then just start acting towards that. Um and that was such a big change. Like when I started my business. I don't to be honest, I don't even know where this came from. Maybe it's because of the internal work I've been doing for so long, but I literally just, like, launched my coaching business and I had this, like, decision. I'm a coach now, Like when my mom would be like, Oh, like, can you help with this? I'm like, Oh, sorry. I'm just in my coaching block of time. You know, I was living with my mom. Yeah, so I was like, Sorry, I'm just like doing my coaching work. And then it's like, literally, what am I doing? I'm literally just like planning on my calendar when I'm gonna take clients When they finally book with me. I was just, like, so serious about it, and I was showing up on stories and I was excited to share, and I was, you know, I was still figuring it out, but I I think it was honestly, because of my energy, people booked with me and then because of my energy, people listen to my podcast and they shared my podcast on their instagram stories, and I was like, What is happening? This is so cool, you know? And, um yeah, it was all just a decision to just show up and be that person. And we have that opportunity at any moment. And then that's the catch 22 about it is that. Well, look, I don't know if that's the right phrase, but that's the funny thing is that as soon as you do that and you decide that you're worthy, then or no worthy is not the right word, but the you decide that you're ready. Yeah. Then you are ready, and then you do have it, and then you feel that it's not like you do, do, do, do do. And the one day you feel ready, that's a total miss belief.

spk_0:   45:37
And I and I think back to the one that miss belief right there is what keeps you stuck. Yeah, it keeps you buying programs and not finishing them. It keeps you saying you're going to do things and then not showing up consistently just keeps you in a cycle. And I would almost argue that as you grow, you have to notice, um, where you're like, where your habits are when you get uncomfortable, because you run back to the same those things that you're feeling now. I think there was, like, this fallacy in my head that well, once I have a podcast and I overcome those limiting beliefs, they just disappear. They don't happen anywhere I and I think no. Huh? They're still there on every time you move to a new level and you do something you didn't think could dio those beliefs come back on. And I think that, like, floors people and they're like, Well, no, I already dealt with this, and it's like you did, So you know how to deal with it again. But new level. That's kind of how it goes. So know that once you conquer it, you make the move and you start podcast or you conquer and you write the book. Can you make it happen? The next big thing, The next scary thing that you choose to be the thing. You may still have to walk through the stuff again. So don't think myth. You doing anything wrong? You're not doing it wrong. That's just that's how it is. So I think a lot of times, um, people think that Oh, well, once I deal with it, it's over and they don't. They don't see that people at that level, like a level where you are where you're making five figures in your business and you have a successful book and this is Cecil podcast that you still have those moments there still moments where it's like I don't know, right. I feel that that and being honest and vulnerable about that, it helps you to work through it and

spk_1:   47:20
exactly and exactly what you said before. It's like you walk through it before so you could walk through it again, and that was That was definitely a big thing for me as well. The moment that I stopped saying you again, you know, to all of those like fears or beliefs or whatever that were coming up is the minute that it kind of could speed up because I just be like, Oh, you again, Cool. I remember how the deal of Oh yeah, you know, it doesn't I mean and and not saying that it's that easy. It's still like it's still sometimes it's that easy. Sometimes it's just like a small thing. That's just like, Oh, I'm scared that if I share this story of my podcast, then people will take me less serious and I'm like, Oh, no, that's not true. It's connection. It's helping you connect with people. It's fine. I share the story, You know, other times it's like this again. This was so painful last time and it feels even more painful now. But I know on the other side is what I'm looking for, you know, And and so it's like sometimes you just move through them like a breeze. And sometimes you still need tohave a cry or, you know, lean on a coach or whatever toe get through it. But the thing is, you recognize it easier, and that's basically like You can just take that as an advantage. Like the same beliefs are going to come up. But that's a good thing because you can recognize them a lot quicker.

spk_0:   48:31
Yes, I love that. So it's been such an amazing time talking to you. I'm so glad to have you on here. Will you tell me? I know you're in all the places because you are. But will you tell everyone kind of where you spend most your time? If they're wanting to connect with you will reach out to you. Where is where is the best place to find You

spk_1:   48:48
sure. So my favorite hangouts are Instagram and my Facebook group which Instagram is at Viall a hug. You can also find me on pretty much any platform at Viall. A hug via lahood dot com with information about my one on one coaching and my programs and stuff like that that I offer. And then abundant babes is my brand. So I have my podcast, Abundant Babes and my Facebook group, which is my other favorite. Hang out, which is abundant babes home for the visionary. And my book is on Amazon. You are in abundant babe.

spk_0:   49:20
Yes, and everything that she decide will be in the show notes. So if you're looking to connect with Viola, you'd be crazy not to. So go find her as her group B in all the places. And she is honestly, like one thing you haven't heard on this on this particular podcast you've heard a very professional, eloquent viola eso hilarious and her husband and her going all these fun adventures and they share everything on there. Yeah, embark on their best adventure. So I cannot even imagine how hilarious is going to be with you and your husband sharing all of the fun. This that is happening with you guys becoming Paris.

spk_1:   49:55
I e. That's why I say I love hanging out on Instagram because I feel like you see, like the very like, very like deep thoughts and, you know, business tips and all those things on my posts. And then you just see, like, the complete like goofball that I am on my story. Yes,

spk_0:   50:12
there was one day I remember, and you were like, You're having a tough time concentrating and you're, like, still not working, looking like I don't even know how many story slide She was like pretending to be working violence very with the life in her in and all of her content. And I think that comes through. So go find in all the places. Thank you so much for being on today. It's been an honor to be able to spend this time with you. I

spk_1:   50:39
thank you so much. Too

spk_0:   50:40
high. Yes. So have a great day, everybody. And we'll see you soon. Thank you so much for listening to the podcast today. As always, we would love for you to subscribe so that you don't miss any of the notifications of any of the new episodes that we ever drop. And always if you're Levin, it's screenshot and share in all the places. Make sure you tag either simplified success, the podcast or me, your host, Lindsay Reynolds so that I can give you a shout out. Thank you so much for listening and can't wait to see you next time.