The Goal Digger Podcast | Episode 878: "Want More Time Back In Your Day? This Is How I Did It"
Host: Jenna Kutcher
Release Date: May 14, 2025
Episode Overview
In Episode 878 of The Goal Digger Podcast, Jenna Kutcher delves deep into the realm of systems and workflows, exploring how these tools can dramatically enhance productivity, reduce overwhelm, and reclaim precious time for entrepreneurs and creatives. Joined by Brooklyn, the episode offers a blend of personal anecdotes, expert insights, and actionable strategies aimed at helping listeners streamline their daily operations and focus on what truly matters.
Small Business Spotlight: Carrie Schmidt [04:10 - 05:14]
The episode kicks off with a heartfelt Small Business Spotlight featuring Carrie Schmidt, a Denver-based occupational therapist and author. Carrie shares her journey and highlights how Jenna’s mentorship has been pivotal in her business growth.
Notable Quote:
“Through your mentorship, I have slowly and deliberately built an audience and a robust email list. Second, you have taught me to multiply the effect of my content.”
— Carrie Schmidt [04:10]
Carrie emphasizes the importance of list building and content repurposing—transforming a single piece of content into multiple platforms to maximize reach and engagement.
Discussion on Systems and Workflows [05:30 - 08:36]
Jenna and Brooklyn transition into the core topic: systems and workflows. They discuss the necessity of having organized processes to manage various aspects of a business efficiently.
Key Points:
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Early Systems Development: Jenna recounts her initial foray into systems while balancing a job at Target and launching her wedding photography business. Creating email templates and pricing guides were foundational steps.
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Growth and Scalability: As Jenna’s business expanded, so did her reliance on robust systems like HoneyBook and Monday.com to manage client relationships, project tasks, and team coordination.
Notable Quote:
“Having some sort of project management and a place for your to-do list to live... can absolutely transform the way that you work.”
— Jenna Kutcher [36:33]
Flow States and Flexibility in Schedules [19:38 - 23:08]
The conversation shifts to the concept of flow states—times when individuals are most engaged and productive.
Key Points:
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Personal Flow States: Jenna describes her struggle with maintaining focus and how identifying her peak creative times (often early mornings) has improved her productivity.
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Team Dynamics: Brooklyn notes that flow states can vary based on factors like season or personal cycles, emphasizing the need for flexibility in scheduling tasks.
Notable Quote:
“A flow state is like when you are so into the work that you're doing that you don't even realize time is passing.”
— Jenna Kutcher [19:38]
Structuring Days for Better Productivity [24:53 - 28:28]
Jenna shares her evolved daily routine, highlighting a shift from constant work to a more balanced and intentional schedule.
Key Points:
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Morning Rituals: Starting the day slowly with family time and personal activities like reading.
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Work Blocks: Allocating specific hours for focused work, interspersed with breaks for movement and meals.
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Evening Wind-Down: Shutting down work by 5:30 PM to spend quality time with family and relax.
Notable Quote:
“Earlier in the business, I worked all the time... Now, I feel so much more alive.”
— Jenna Kutcher [25:18]
Essential Systems for Solopreneurs [29:08 - 31:41]
Jenna reflects on the essential systems that sustained her in the early days of Goal Digger, specifically when she was a solopreneur.
Key Points:
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HoneyBook: Served as a comprehensive client relationship management (CRM) tool, handling contracts, payments, and scheduling.
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Monday.com: Adopted for project management, allowing the breakdown of large projects into manageable tasks and tracking progress.
Notable Quote:
“Even looking at systems from a non-robust, non-big team state... can really change your mindset around work and keep you on task.”
— Jenna Kutcher [31:41]
Accommodating Different Working Styles and Neurodiversity [39:08 - 43:14]
Brooklyn introduces a discussion on neurodiversity, particularly focusing on ADHD, and how traditional systems might not cater to everyone’s unique working styles.
Key Points:
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Understanding ADHD in Entrepreneurship: People with ADHD are often idea generators but may struggle with conventional organizational systems.
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Customized Approaches: Recommendations to explore alternative workflows, such as Tracy Otsuka’s podcast ADHD for Smart Ass Women, which offers tailored strategies for neurodivergent individuals.
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Empathy and Flexibility: Jenna acknowledges the importance of understanding and adapting to different working styles within a team to foster a supportive environment.
Notable Quote:
“No matter where you're at, whether you're solopreneur or you have a massive team, there are different ways that you can celebrate each other's working styles while setting the standard of what you expect.”
— Jenna Kutcher [41:18]
Brain Dumping: Clearing Mental Clutter [36:46 - 39:08]
Jenna introduces the practice of brain dumping as a method to manage overwhelming thoughts and tasks.
Key Points:
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What is Brain Dumping? Transferring all the to-dos and random thoughts from your mind to a physical or digital list to alleviate mental stress.
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Implementation: Regularly writing down tasks in a Google Doc or similar tool ensures nothing is forgotten and helps prioritize actions.
Notable Quote:
“Just taking all of the thoughts that live in your head, no matter how random or sporadic, letting them live somewhere where you know you can release them and that they're safe.”
— Jenna Kutcher [36:46]
Key Takeaways and Actionable Insights
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Implement Robust Systems: Utilize tools like HoneyBook and Monday.com to manage clients and projects efficiently.
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Identify Your Flow State: Determine when you are most productive and schedule your most important tasks during these periods.
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Maintain Flexibility: While planning ahead is crucial, remain adaptable to accommodate unexpected changes and personal cycles.
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Practice Brain Dumping: Regularly offload tasks and thoughts to a centralized list to reduce mental clutter and enhance focus.
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Celebrate Diverse Working Styles: Recognize and adapt to different team members’ workflows, especially those who are neurodivergent, to foster a supportive and productive environment.
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Prioritize Evergreen Content: Create content that remains relevant over time, ensuring its longevity and continued value for your audience.
Final Notable Quote:
“If you're struggling with systems or workflows, I would just open up a new Google Doc and write down all of the random things that are living in my head. It almost feels like you're able to release them.”
— Jenna Kutcher [36:46]
Conclusion
Episode 878 of The Goal Digger Podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of how effective systems and workflows can transform the way entrepreneurs and creatives manage their time and businesses. Through personal stories, expert insights, and practical strategies, Jenna Kutcher provides listeners with the tools and inspiration needed to work smarter, not harder, and ultimately reclaim more time for what truly matters.
For more insights and resources mentioned in this episode, visit goaldiggerpodcast.com.
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