In a recent episode of the Power to Live More podcast, host Joe Dodds and Robin Waite shared a candid conversation about building a business that not only drives success but also enriches your life. Drawing on Robin's personal journey from running a digital marketing agency to establishing a coaching practice, the discussion explored how to create a sustainable business model that blends productivity, self-care, and giving back.
Jo Dodds is a versatile entrepreneur, consultant, and advocate for living a balanced and fulfilling life. With a background in retail HR, Jo has evolved her expertise to become a prominent employee engagement and leadership consultant. She has a natural talent for networking, which played a significant role in building her early publishing business in Kent. Embracing digital tools, Jo successfully transitioned into social media consultancy and online marketing coaching, helping businesses leverage platforms like Twitter and WordPress.
What We Discussed on the Power To Live More Podcast
- Align Business with Lifestyle: Design your business around your personal values and desired lifestyle rather than sacrificing personal well-being.
- Focus on Lead Indicators: Prioritise activities like consultations, networking, and content creation to drive long-term success.
- Use Productivity Systems: Implement tools like a Default Diary for structured scheduling and a Diary Detox to manage workload balance.
- Leverage Automation: Tools like Todoist and Zapier streamline daily tasks and enhance productivity.
- Embrace Flexible Working Models: Combining shared and home offices enables better integration of work and family life.
- Prioritise Self-Care: Recreational activities like surfing and cycling boost mental clarity and resilience.
- Incorporate Charitable Giving: Supporting community causes and environmental initiatives strengthens business values and social impact.
Robin Waite’s Journey: From Marketing to Coaching
Robin’s career evolution is a testament to the importance of realigning your business with your personal values and lifestyle. After spending 12 years in a fast-paced marketing environment, Robin decided to pivot in 2016. Key highlights of his journey include:
- Recognising the need for change:
- The pressures of managing a marketing agency became unsustainable, especially as his family grew.
- He realised that working for someone else might have meant sacrificing precious family time and personal fulfilment.
- Transition to coaching:
- Robin shifted his focus to coaching business owners, particularly those running micro or solo operations.
- His new approach centred on helping clients design a business that works around their life, not the other way around.
Building a Business That Works for You
A recurring theme in the podcast was the importance of designing a business that supports your lifestyle. Robin and Joe emphasised several key aspects:
Prioritising Self-Awareness
Understanding your personal and professional needs is critical. Robin highlighted the difference between lag indicators (results that appear after the fact, such as falling sales) and lead indicators (the daily activities that drive results). He explained:
- Lag Indicators:
- Sales figures at month-end
- Revenue shortfalls
- Missed targets
- Lead Indicators:
- Number of consultations or meetings held
- Daily engagement with prospects
- Consistent effort in activities that move you closer to your goals
Creating a Goal-Driven Strategy
Setting a clear, long-term vision is like entering a destination into your sat nav. Robin described the process as:
- Establishing a big picture goal (for example, building a six-figure business).
- Reverse-engineering the activities needed to reach that goal, such as:
- Scheduling regular consultations
- Speaking at networking events
- Maintaining a consistent stream of content
Productivity Tools and Techniques
Efficiency and organisation are cornerstones of the business model discussed. Robin shared practical tools and strategies that help him stay on track:
Structuring Your Day
Robin uses a default diary and a diary detox system to manage his time. These systems ensure that he allocates time for both high-impact business activities and personal downtime.
- Default Diary:
- Blocks out regular slots for coaching sessions, consultations, and other core activities.
- Helps prevent overbooking and maintains a steady workflow.
- Diary Detox:
- Involves colour-coding tasks (green for leadership, amber for monitoring, red for execution, and brown for non-essential tasks).
- Encourages a balanced approach and helps identify time-wasting activities.
Essential Apps and Automation Tools
Robin’s productivity is further enhanced by simple yet effective tools:
- Todoist:
- A straightforward to-do list app that sends daily digests to keep tasks top of mind.
- Ensures that no important activity is overlooked.
- Zapier:
- Automates repetitive tasks by linking various apps together.
- Reduces the need for manual data entry across platforms like CRMs, booking systems, and email marketing tools.
Other tools mentioned include:
- Acuity for appointment booking
- Typeform for gathering client information
Achieving Work-Life Integration
A significant portion of the discussion focused on balancing professional ambitions with personal well-being.
Flexibility in the Work Environment
Robin’s experience underlines the benefits of a flexible working model:
- Shared and Home Offices:
- Robin works from a shared office and has built a personal home office that adapts to his lifestyle.
- This flexibility allows him to integrate family time seamlessly into his work schedule.
- Digital Detox and Regular Check-Ins:
- Regularly reviewing and decluttering digital commitments ensures that only value-adding activities remain.
- A digital detox can clear mental clutter and lead to more focused work sessions.
Self-Care Through Recreation
Taking time to unwind is vital for long-term success. Both Robin and Joe emphasised the role of physical activities, such as:
- Surfing:
- Robin finds that long surf sessions help him disconnect from work and refresh his mind.
- Even on days when things go awry, the simple act of getting into the water can spark creative ideas.
- Cycling:
- Regular cycling sessions not only boost physical fitness but also foster mental resilience.
- Group rides, despite the occasional mishap, help maintain camaraderie and a sense of accomplishment.
Giving Back: Integrating Charity into Your Business
Robin believes that a truly successful business is one that gives back. He shared his commitment to charity through several initiatives:
Community and Charity Initiatives
- Local Networking Group:
- Organises events where goody bags contribute to a local children’s charity.
- Over three years, these efforts have raised nearly £5,000.
- Environmental and Social Causes:
- Donations to organisations like 4Ocean help remove plastic from the ocean while supporting local communities.
- Future plans include partnering with Buy One Give One to support educational initiatives for underprivileged girls.
These acts of giving not only benefit the community but also reinforce a business ethos centred on positive impact.
Conclusion
The Power to Live More podcast episode with Robin Waite offers a wealth of insights for entrepreneurs seeking to design a business that aligns with their lifestyle and values. Key takeaways include:
- Designing your business around your life rather than allowing it to dictate your personal schedule.
- Maintaining self-awareness to identify and act on the right lead indicators.
- Leveraging productivity tools like Todoist and Zapier to streamline daily tasks.
- Embracing self-care through recreational activities such as surfing and cycling.
- Incorporating charitable giving as a core part of your business strategy.
By combining strategic planning, effective time management, and a commitment to personal well-being, you can build a business that not only thrives but also empowers you to live more fully.
For those interested in learning more, Robin Waite’s work and resources are readily available online—demonstrating that with the right approach, a fulfilling, balanced, and impactful business is well within reach.
