Podcast Summary: The Kristen Boss Podcast - Episode 224: Behind the Scenes: Coaching Conversation

Introduction

In Episode 224 of The Kristen Boss Podcast, released on August 19, 2024, host Kristen Boss delves into a candid coaching conversation with her elite six and seven-figure earning students. This episode provides an in-depth exploration of the underlying challenges entrepreneurs face in maintaining consistency within their businesses, especially outside of crisis moments. Kristen leverages her expertise as a top business coach to unpack crucial topics related to business sustainability, mindset, and the compounding effects of daily habits.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Crisis-Driven Work Ethic

   Kristen opens the conversation by addressing a prevalent issue among entrepreneurs: the tendency to operate primarily during times of crisis. She observes that many business owners only ramp up their efforts when financial pressures mount, likening them to "crisis social sellers" who respond primarily to emergencies rather than maintaining consistent activity.

   “[...] people in this business don't know how to work when they are not in a crisis, a financial crisis. They only know how to work in a crisis,” — Kristen Boss [02:12]

2. Inaction During Stability Leads to Decline

   The discussion highlights how entrepreneurs often become complacent during stable periods, leading to a gradual decline in their business performance. Kristen emphasizes the importance of recognizing that inactivity leads to compounded negative effects over time, much like skipping workouts can undermine fitness goals.

   “Every day you don't make a post, you don't show up in your business compounds into a declining paycheck.” — Kristen Boss [04:15]

3. Understanding Success and Stress Habits

   A significant portion of the conversation revolves around distinguishing between "success habits" and "stress habits." Kristen explains that maintaining success habits even during non-crisis times is essential for sustainable growth, while stress habits often emerge as counterproductive behaviors during challenging times.

   “Your top line behaviors are what you do in your success moments, and your bottom line behaviors are your stress habits.” — Kristen Boss [19:50]

4. The Law of Compounding Effect in Business

   Kristen draws parallels between business activities and personal habits, illustrating how consistent positive actions lead to growth, while neglect leads to decline. She underscores that the delayed nature of business results requires patience and sustained effort beyond immediate gratification.

   “The law of compounding effect goes both ways. Every day you show up, it compounds. Every day you don't, it compounds.” — Kristen Boss [05:30]

Personal Anecdotes and Insights

Kristen shares personal experiences to illustrate her points, including her journey with weight loss and how it mirrors business sustainability. She recounts her initial success during an ideal period of focus and the subsequent challenges when returning to a less controlled environment.

“When I was in my idealistic environment, I was averaging a pound and a half to two pounds a week weight loss. When I went into reality, it went down to half a pound to one pound a week.” — Kristen Boss [12:45]

This analogy serves to highlight the necessity of adapting strategies to varying circumstances and maintaining consistency regardless of external conditions.

Actionable Strategies for Consistency

Kristen offers practical advice on how entrepreneurs can maintain consistency in their business activities:

1. Adjusting Goals to Fit Current Seasons

   She advises redefining success based on the current business environment, much like adjusting fitness goals based on personal circumstances.

   “Maybe we need to evaluate what are your success habits that you can sustain even when life is in upheaval.” — Kristen Boss [15:30]

2. Identifying and Managing Stress Habits

   Kristen introduces the concept of "check engine lights" to recognize when stress habits are taking over. She encourages creating a personal checklist to reset the nervous system and shift back to success habits.

   “When you're in stress, think about what you can do to reset your nervous system and move back into your success habits.” — Kristen Boss [24:10]

3. Setting Clear, Actionable Tasks

   For individuals with ADHD or similar challenges, Kristen emphasizes the importance of specificity in task setting to reduce overwhelm and increase focus.

   “Sit down and write two emails. My brain can focus, but if it's too vague, there's ambiguity, it feeds chaos.” — A Guest Speaker [23:27]

Conclusion

Episode 224 of The Kristen Boss Podcast offers invaluable insights into the psychology of consistency in business. Kristen Boss skillfully navigates the complexities of maintaining steady growth by addressing the tendency to react only during crises and providing actionable strategies to foster sustainable habits. By sharing personal anecdotes and engaging in meaningful dialogue with her students, Kristen empowers entrepreneurs to shift from a crisis-driven mindset to one of consistent, volume-based activity that ensures long-term success.

Notable Quotes

• “People only wake up when their paycheck starts to inevitably decline.” — Kristen Boss [04:50]
• “What you’re doing is your nervous system is just in a flight state. It resets your nervous system.” — Kristen Boss [25:20]
• “We have to educate your teams to understand when it’s time to crank up the volume.” — Kristen Boss [14:54]

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs striving to build resilient businesses. Kristen Boss not only identifies the pitfalls of inconsistency but also provides a roadmap for overcoming them through self-awareness, strategic planning, and the cultivation of sustainable habits. Whether you're navigating through personal challenges or seeking to elevate your business practices, the insights shared in this coaching conversation are both practical and transformative.