925: I Quit Cold Turkey

Summary

Summary of Episode 925: "I Quit Cold Turkey"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Strategy Hour Podcast: Systems and Marketing for Service Based Businesses with Boss Project
• Host: Abagail Pumphrey, Business Strategist and Co-Founder & CEO of Boss Project
• Episode: 925: I Quit Cold Turkey
• Release Date: February 11, 2025

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Introduction

In episode 925 of The Strategy Hour Podcast, titled "I Quit Cold Turkey," host Abagail Pumphrey delves deep into the transformative power of letting go. This episode is particularly impactful for entrepreneurs and service-based business owners who find themselves hindered by habits, mindsets, and practices that impede growth and personal well-being.

Host's Personal Journey and Decision to Quit

Abagail opens the episode with a powerful declaration: "I quit cold turkey. No warning, no second guessing." (00:00). This bold statement sets the tone for a candid exploration of the things holding her back. Drawing from her personal experience of turning a layoff into a seven-figure online business, Abagail emphasizes the importance of decisive action in overcoming obstacles.

The Power of Quitting: Beyond Starting New

Abagail challenges the conventional focus on what entrepreneurs need to start, proposing instead that the key to progress lies in what they choose to quit. By highlighting the often-overlooked barrier of existing habits and beliefs, she shifts the narrative towards intentional disengagement from limiting factors.

"What if I told you the biggest thing keeping you stuck isn't what you need to start, but what you need to quit?" (00:58)

The 100 Things to Quit: A Comprehensive List

The centerpiece of the episode is Abagail's extensive list of 100 things she decided to quit to foster both personal and professional growth. While it's impractical to enumerate all 100 items here, the list encompasses various facets of life and business, categorized broadly as follows:

1. Personal Growth and Mindset Shifts

• Quitting self-doubt and imposter syndrome
• Letting go of perfectionism and the need for external validation
• Abandoning fear-based decision-making and embracing instincts

2. Business Practices and Productivity

• Moving away from busywork that doesn't contribute to meaningful progress
• Rejecting the notion that more work equals more success
• Eliminating reliance on unsustainable strategies and embracing what truly aligns with her business

3. Relationships and Boundaries

• Cutting ties with toxic people and avoiding energy vampires
• Stopping people-pleasing behaviors and setting definitive boundaries
• Refusing to engage in unproductive or harmful commitments out of guilt

4. Self-Care and Well-being

• Prioritizing mental and physical health over relentless hustle
• Recognizing that self-care is essential, not selfish
• Acknowledging and addressing personal needs without guilt

5. Strategic Planning and Execution

• Dismissing procrastination and the myth of needing to be fully ready before starting
• Moving from urgency-driven work to strategic, purpose-driven actions
• Avoiding the trap of chasing shiny objects and focusing on long-term goals

Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, Abagail highlights several poignant statements that encapsulate her philosophy:

• "Quitting isn't failure. It's the best decision I've ever made." (03:45)
• "Every time I let go of something that was holding me back, I make space for something better." (04:10)
• "I quit making decisions from a place of scarcity." (02:15)

These quotes serve as affirmations for listeners to embrace the concept of quitting as a positive and empowering choice.

Impact and Benefits of Quitting

Abagail articulates the profound impact that shedding these 100 limiting factors has had on her life and business. By eliminating self-imposed barriers, she was able to:

• Enhance Productivity: Focusing on tasks that truly matter led to more significant achievements with less wasted effort.
• Improve Mental Health: Letting go of constant pressure and unrealistic standards fostered greater well-being and satisfaction.
• Strengthen Relationships: Establishing clear boundaries and removing toxic influences cultivated healthier personal and professional relationships.
• Drive Business Success: Aligning actions with core values and strategic goals resulted in a more sustainable and profitable business model.

Call to Action: Craft Your Own Quit List

In the concluding segments, Abagail encourages listeners to take proactive steps toward their own growth by identifying and eliminating what holds them back. She prompts:

"If you're ready to drop even one of these, I want you to say it out loud right now. No more waiting. No more excuses." (04:20)

Listeners are invited to share their quit lists on social media, fostering a community of support and accountability.

Conclusion

Episode 925 of The Strategy Hour Podcast serves as a compelling reminder that growth often requires intentional disengagement from what no longer serves us. Through her candid discussion and comprehensive quit list, Abagail Pumphrey provides actionable insights for entrepreneurs seeking to build more profitable, sustainable, and fulfilling businesses. By embracing the power of quitting, listeners are empowered to create space for greater opportunities and success in both their personal and professional lives.

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Notable Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Abagail announces her decision to quit cold turkey.
• 00:48 – The significance of quitting multiple limiting factors.
• 02:15 – Quitting decisions from a place of scarcity.
• 03:45 – Affirmation: Quitting as a positive decision.
• 04:10 – Making space for better opportunities.
• 04:20 – Encouragement to create and share personal quit lists.

For more insights and resources mentioned in the episode, visit bossproject.com/podcast.

Transcript

[A]

I quit cold turkey. No warning, no second guessing. Welcome to the Strategy Hour podcast brought.

[B]

To you by Boss Project. I'm your host, Abigail Pumphrey and I'm dedicated to supporting online businesses. I don't believe in one right way to build a business. I'm here to help you build business your way. One that supports not only the life you have, but the life you want. I'm on a personal mission to help you become financially free. I'm taking all the lessons learned as I turned a layoff into a seven figure online business. I'm here to help you prioritize your life every step of the way.

[A]

Whether you're creating your first digital product.

[B]

Growing an email list, or scaling an already profitable business. Settle in. It's time to talk strategy.

[A]

I quit cold turkey. No warning, no second guessing. And I'm not talking about a bad habit. I quit everything holding me back. And today I'm going to tell you exactly what I walked away from and why you should too. For years I held myself back. I made excuses. I played small. But one day I made a decision. And today is the day I quit. And not just one thing. I quit 100 things. And after you hear them, you might decide to quit a few too. What if I told you the biggest thing keeping you stuck isn't what you need to start, but what you need to quit? I made a list of 100 things I refuse to do anymore and I'm about to read them all to you. If any of them hit home, maybe it's time you quit too. I quit staying small. I quit making excuses. I quit holding back. I quit waiting for the right time. I quit overthinking every decision. I quit playing it safe. I quit doubting my own expertise. I quit waiting for inspiration to strike. I quit assuming success is only for other people. I quit keeping my dreams a secret. I quit expecting others to understand my vision. I quit trying to convince people who don't believe me. I quit letting fear guide my decision making. I quit second guessing my instincts. I quit ignoring my gut. I quit thinking I have to do it all at once. I quit making fear based decisions. I quit being afraid of rejection. I quit being afraid of success. I quit believing I'm too much or I'm not enough. I quit doubting then I am capable of more. I quit people pleasing. I quit making myself smaller to make others comfortable. I quit over apologizing. I quit saying yes when I really mean no. I quit seeking external validation. I quit seeking approval from people I wouldn't trade places with I quit trying to be liked by everyone. I quit trying to make everyone happy. I quit waiting for permission. I quit waiting for everything to be perfect. I quit procrastinating on things that scare me. I quit believing I need to be ready before I start. I quit delaying investing in myself. I quit mistaking planning for action. I quit believing busy equals productive. I quit thinking more work equals more success. I quit working harder than I need to. I quit believing I need to suffer to succeed. I quit thinking busy is a badge of honor. I quit using that busyness as an excuse for avoidance. I quit working from urgency instead of strategy. I quit playing by someone else's rules. I quit thinking I have to do business like everyone else. I quit assuming I need to be everywhere online. I quit believing I have to follow a specific timeline. I quit operating from a place of scarcity. I quit making myself fit into a box. I quit following strategies that don't align with me. I quit sacrificing my happiness for someone else's comfort. I quit tolerating toxic people. I quit working with people who don't respect me. I quit spending time with energy vampires. I quit ignoring my boundaries. I quit giving people unlimited access to my energy. I quit being the go to person for people who wouldn't do the same for me. I quit keeping toxic commitments out of guilt. I quit comparing. I quit downplaying my success or who I am. I quit over explaining myself. I quit acting like I have to prove myself all of the time. I quit assuming I'm behind just because someone else is ahead. I quit making myself last on the list. I quit ignoring my mental health. I quit ignoring my body's needs. I quit ignoring my own needs. I quit thinking self care is selfish. I quit undervaluing my skills. I quit believing clients are doing me a favor by hiring me. I quit measuring my worth by my revenue. I quit undervaluing my own time. I quit working on projects that don't excite me. I quit making decisions from a place of scarcity. I quit assuming success will just happen to me. I quit making decisions out of guilt. I quit believing money is bad. I quit ignoring red flags. I quit blaming myself for things outside of my control. I quit avoiding having hard conversations. I quit putting my dreams on the back burner. I quit putting off joy. I quit saying someday. I quit letting other people ruin my day, my week, my month, or my life. I quit choosing comfort over courage. I quit settling. I quit accepting less than I deserve. I quit playing a role that doesn't fit me anymore. I quit assuming others have it all figured out. I quit thinking I have to do it all myself. I quit wasting time on things that don't actually matter. I quit chasing shiny objects. I quit treating my to do list like some success metric. I quit consuming more than I create. I quit treating my dreams like an afterthought. I quit believing my past defines my future. I quit looking for shortcuts that don't exist. I quit ignoring my creativity. I quit letting others define success for me. I quit treating fear as a stop sign instead of a green light. I quit pretending I'm okay when I'm actually not. Let it sink in. What about you? What's on your quit list? If you're ready to drop even one of these, I want you to say it out loud right now. No more waiting. No more excuses. And if you need to listen to it on repeat, I'm not judging. Quitting isn't failure. It's the best decision I've ever made. Because every time I let go of something that was holding me back, I make space for something better. I can't wait to see what you quit DM or tag me on Instagram with. Whatever you're quitting, post your list. Share it. Let people know what you are no longer tolerating. Tell me which of the ones today resonated with you most. I want to know and I want to support you quitting. You deserve that space for something better. I can't wait to see what that better turns into.