#100. 100 Episodes Later: 10 Lessons I Wish I Knew Sooner
Let’s be honest—when I started this podcast in 2021, I had no idea if it would last. Four kids, a growing business, and a brain that loves a good dopamine detour? Not exactly a recipe for long-term consistency.
And yet… here we are. 100 episodes later.
This milestone felt like the perfect time to pause, reflect, and share the 10 biggest lessons I’ve learned—not just about productivity, but about being a human who wants to thrive at work and at home without losing her mind in the process.
If you’re new here: Welcome. I’m Theresa—SLP, productivity coach, ADHD-aware mom of four, and a big believer in B-minus work and messy action.
Let’s get into it.
1. Balance is a Moving Target
Work-life balance isn’t something you achieve once and check off your list. It shifts. Daily. Hourly. Seasonally.
Stop waiting for a magic formula that works forever. Ask yourself:
“What’s one small thing I could adjust today to feel a little more balanced?”
Then do that.
2. Time Management is Overrated
Okay—not completely. But if you’re only managing your time and ignoring your energy? You're missing the mark.
The goal isn’t to be more efficient at being exhausted.
The goal is to match your energy to your tasks as often as possible.
Start tracking your energy patterns. Your productivity will thank you.
3. Being “Ready” is a Lie
Spoiler alert: You’ll never feel ready. Readiness is a decision, not a feeling.
Most of my biggest moves (starting a private practice, launching this podcast, rebranding my coaching biz under legal pressure 🙃) happened before I felt totally ready.
And guess what? Things still worked out. Usually better than I planned.
4. Structure = Freedom
I know, I know—if you have ADHD, “structure” might sound like a straightjacket. But hear me out: structure isn’t about control. It’s about clarity.
The more structure I create in my day, the more freedom I actually feel.
Start small: a daily anchor task, a weekly rhythm.
You’ll feel the shift.
5. Stuck? It’s Not Just Your Circumstances
Hard truth: If you’re stuck, it’s probably not just your environment.
It’s also your thoughts and strategies.
Yes, you may have a noisy office. Yes, you may share space.
But how are you thinking about those things?
And what (if anything) are you doing to adapt?
Mindset isn’t magic. But it is the foundation.
6. Progress Is Invisible… Until It’s Not
Most of your progress happens underground. Quiet. Messy. Not Instagram-worthy.
Then one day—bam—it’s visible. But only if you didn’t give up first.
Stop looking for proof of progress every five minutes.
Start noticing the micro-wins: the shifted thought, the one less tab open, the decision made a little faster.
7. Perfectionism = Procrastination in Disguise
“I’m just being thorough” = classic lie we tell ourselves.
Perfectionism sounds noble, but it’s just fear in a clean outfit.
Done is better than perfect.
Your B-minus podcast will help more people than your A-plus draft stuck in Google Docs.
8. Your Self-Talk is Your Most Powerful Tool
You want a new strategy? Start with how you speak to yourself.
No more inner Jillian Michaels barking insults from the sidelines.
You are not lazy.
You’re not behind.
You’re doing your best with what you’ve got.
Speak to yourself like you’d speak to your favorite client—or your kid. Watch what happens.
9. Life = One Big Experiment
Nothing is permanent. Almost everything is tweakable.
Treat your schedule, your systems, your habits as experiments—not pass/fail tests.
Try → observe → adjust → repeat.
Way less pressure. Way more progress.
10. Time Is Your Most Valuable Resource
You can’t make more of it. You don’t get it back.
You can only decide how to spend it.
That truth is what fuels every podcast episode, every coaching session, every system I teach. Because when you start protecting your time, everything changes.
Let’s Keep This Going 🎉
If something here hit home, do me a favor:
➡️ Comment in the Facebook group and let me know which lesson hit hardest.
➡️ Want to go deeper? I’m giving away a free 60-minute Productivity Audit to one lucky listener.
Just listen to Episode 100, then comment your biggest takeaway on the pinned post in the group.
Winner announced Wednesday, May 28th @ 12pm ET—don’t miss it.
Thanks for being here for the first 100.
Here’s to the next round of messy, meaningful progress.
—Theresa