#2: Daniela Larson, Productivity Coach

I'm learning that that's okay. You know, it's like I'm not going to please everyone and like, I don't want to please everyone. That just sounds overwhelming.

Yeah. Okay. So I'm so glad to have you on, Daniela. I am just like, honestly, we have grown so much together, especially over the last few months. So I'm super honored to have you here today. We are right now inside of the private Facebook group, the Aligned Coach Community. We're on my personal profile and then on like my business page. So we are like multi-streaming right now. I wish I could like make it go to Instagram at the same time, but I'm still working on that. So yeah, welcome, welcome. So glad to have you.

Thank you. Hi everyone.

Yay. Okay. So Daniela and I actually met last year. To anyone watching this. And we met, um, in a coaching program that we were in, and we were like really figuring out what we were doing with our life. And, um, so you're in grad school, right, Daniela?

Yeah, I'm in grad school.

Tell us a little bit about who you are, um, your journey, where you're from. Give us all the deets.

So I'm— my name is Daniela. I'm from California. Um, like Lindsay said, I'm in grad school, and I think I kind of started this coaching journey back in 2019 of last year with my first coach, which is where I met Lindsay. And I feel like I've just grown so much from there. Um, I finally nailed down my niche, which is productivity coaching. I think— I don't know how many other ones I had. I remember I wanted to be a doula at one point.

Oh, I remember that! Yes. Yeah.

Um, not really my cup of tea. Um, I rather much do more like organization, kind of goal setting, that kind of thing. And I feel that that really fits in with like kind of like grad school and just also like the psychology of productivity and something like that, which is maybe what I want to do for my long-term like career, academic counseling or goal setting, something like along those lines. Mm-hmm.

Yeah. So really it's been like a learning process. You didn't just wake up one day and you're like, all right, I'm gonna be a productivity coach?

No, definitely not. No.

What did that look like for you? Because I remember like whenever we started working together, you were like, yeah, I want to be a doula and like I want to talk to mothers. And I think you even had like a, um, a Patreon set up at one time, didn't you?

I did, yeah. Um, I just feel like I couldn't relate to being like a doula because I'm not a mom. And maybe that's just a limiting belief or something, but I just really didn't feel like I could connect because I'm not a mom yet. So, and I honestly really didn't like it. Like, I was having a hard time finding content to put out. I was having a hard time connecting to my audience. And it just really wasn't working. But productivity, planning, organization— like, I love doing that shit. Yeah, that's my jam. And even from a young age, I've always liked doing that. My mom was like, you were so organized when you were like a little girl. She's like, I never had to tell you to pick up your toys. You kind of just did it.

Yeah. Yeah. I love that. Okay. So I'm curious. All right. So you're in grad school and you get this idea that you like want to start this coaching thing last year. Right. And so, but you just, so here's the thing. It's like, you know, I started out in relationship coaching, right? Like I started out as an intimacy coach and like helping women like heal childhood wounds and like doing all this inner work. Right. So it's like whenever you start out, you're going to start somewhere, but like the main thing is like just to start, right?

Yeah, definitely.

Yeah.

I don't know. I think it was just like I was kind of tired of doing what I was doing. I think at that point I was working for a nonprofit in San Francisco, not really making enough money, you know. And I also know that the nonprofit world really doesn't pay that well. They work you hard, but they don't pay you that well. And I was just kind of tired of like being someone else's boss. I'm like, I want to be my own fucking boss.

Yeah, yeah, that's okay to want that. Yes, yes, girl. Um, we had a so like such a good call the other night about like money and like shedding those beliefs and like around the fact that like, oh, people will actually pay me for what I do. Um, did you like experience any of that whenever you were first starting out? Or, you know, do those things still come up for you even? You know, like, what is that like, like running your own business? And, you know, um, just really like embodying the fact that like, hey, like I have a skill, right? Like what comes natural to you, for example, like, you know, organization and like goal setting and like just getting things done, that, that comes natural to you, but it does not necessarily come natural to everyone else. So what kind of like mindset shift had to happen for you to really realize that, oh, people will pay me to teach them how to do this?

I think I see a lot of people doing it like on Facebook and like YouTube. On YouTube there's like this huge planning community and they post like plan with me. So they're, they're like showing you like how they plan out their day and all that kind of stuff. And that's kind of like where I was like, that's when kind of like my light bulb like hit. I was like, oh shit, like, if they can do it, why can't I do it? Yeah, so I think that's how it kind of started. And then I was like, okay, but okay, I don't really necessarily want to do YouTube full-time because I don't— what happens if YouTube ever like shuts down? Or what happens with monetization? It's really like up and down with YouTube. Like What if I start like a coaching business and charge the high ticket price? And then I was like, okay, I have no idea how the fuck to do that. So here I am.

Yes, yes, I love that. Okay, so what is— so tell us, like, what exactly does a productivity coach do? Like, what would you— like, what does that even look like? Do you tell someone, hey, here's how you're gonna go organize your house? Or like, hey, here's what you're gonna go write in your planner? Like, Tell us what that even means.

So I'm really big into time management and goal setting. So those are my two main focus things. And I, it just depends, it varies by person. I like writing things in pen and paper, but there's also Google Calendars. And that's mostly what I do, just time management, helping people fit their busy lives into the set amount of hours that they have.

And what does that bring someone? So, and I'm just thinking, like, whenever someone— because I know, like, I'm a mom, I was a teacher, I was coaching, I have a husband, and at that time he was working super long hours. Like, oh my God, time management, like, became my best friend because I had so much to fit inside of that. So, like, what do you think is, like, the cherry on top for someone whenever they work with you? Like, what does that bring them?

I think that just brings them a peace of mind and just a satisfaction that they got all their shit done in the day. And like, you can do it. Like, I'm in grad school, I work full-time, and then I also have this coaching business and it's, it's a lot, but somehow I get all my shit done. And part of the reason why is because I time block and time batch.

Yeah. What does that even mean? What does time block mean? I know that some people listening to this are like, what are they even talking about?

So time blocking is just basically, I'm just going to show you guys.

I don't know if you're able to get it. Yeah.

So this is like my little planner and I don't know if you guys can see it, but I have everything that I need to do. So I have my AM routine, I have a reflection paper that I need to write for class and then I have my class schedule and it's all like organized. I have it from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. So if you have, let's say you're doing your coaching business and you're working on Lean generation. You can block out 2 hours in a day to do lead generation, or how much ever time. Doctor's appointment at 12 PM, you know, mark that off. Or let's say you have a— you need to do something, you know, just mark it off, put it on your time block, and that way you know when exactly you're doing it. And also it kind of just helps you stay on track of your your day-to-day, especially if you're like an online coach and you're working from home. I feel like it can sometimes be like really hard. It's really easy to get distracted. So sometimes like what I do every morning is I look at this planner and I look at the days that what I need to do throughout what I need to do.

Yeah, one of the main things that I hear from clients is that they like the boundaries sort of get blurred. So for example, it's 10 o'clock at night and they're like responding to clients or they're, you know, responding to like messages, or, you know, it's on the weekend and they don't know how to like turn it off for the weekend. And it's sort of like, it's like a, uh, a caveat of running your own business, you know, um, that, that you don't have like a clock-in and clock-out time and that you don't go into the office or whatever. So like, what tip would you give for someone who, who is working from home and who is building their business? And, you know, um, like, what would you tell them? How, how do you like set those boundaries?

Um, I just— the time blocking. Like, I set a time aside. Like, I'm going to bed like at 10 PM, you know, and start my PM routine, be done by like 10:30, and like be in bed by like 10:30. Like, just the time blocking, just— it really helps me. Um, that's basically what I do. I don't know if it works— it's gonna work for everyone else. Everyone's different, but Yeah, I mean, just setting those boundaries and holding yourself accountable, I think that's the main thing.

Yeah, yeah, totally. You did a video, um, like I think a week or two ago about SMART goals and about like what that meant. And so I know that's going to be like the hype for the next, you know, month. Everyone's setting their goals, they're setting up their New Year's resolutions. So what is like a SMART goal and, and what does that mean? And like how do you What is that? How do I get one of those?

Basically SMART, I have, I sometimes I don't remember. So I have like this little cheat sheet that I created.

Yes.

And it just kind of goes in my planner. So SMART goals are specific. They are measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. So you want a goal to be very specific. I can use the example that I used is I have this goal of an overall weight loss. But that really isn't specific enough. So a way to make that SMART is I want to lose 10, 20 pounds by March, by March.

So instead of just saying like, oh, I'm going to lose weight this year, like, well, okay, but how many pounds are you going to lose and by when? That would make it specific.

That would make it specific. And it's also time-bound because I know when I want to achieve it by. And with weight loss, it's very like up and downs. So also, but just having that general timeline also helps you stay motivated and kind of helps you stay on track because you have an end goal. And if you don't achieve it, then just prolong it, you know, try again next month. But at least you have a general sense of like when you want to accomplish the goal.

Yeah. Okay. So, all right. And then what was the M for?

Measurable. How are you— needs— there needs to be some way to measure the— measure your goal. So I definitely use pen and paper, and what I'm doing right now with my goal is I am tracking it in my planner. So every Sunday I weigh myself and I write it in my planner.

Okay, so that's how you're measuring it. All right, and then what's the A?

Uh, the A is achievable. So Can you actually achieve this goal? And that's kind of self-explanatory, but like I have lost for me exactly, I have lost weight in the past. If I've lost weight in the past, that means that I can definitely lose weight again.

Right. So, and it's also saying like, is it actually realistic too? Or is that the R?

That's the R. That's right.

Okay. Okay.

So what's, okay.

So tell me what, tell me more about the R.

So I think when creating a goal, you definitely start with the R. You know, that's how I always think about it. Because if it's not relevant, then why am I, why am I, why am I even doing this goal? You know, it has to be relevant to your life purpose, to your mission, to who you are. It just has to be relevant because if it's none of those things, the chances are that you're just not going to do the goal. Like you're not going to accomplish it.

Yeah. Yeah. Why is that important to you? It's sort of like connecting to like your why, right?

Yeah, definitely. Yeah.

Yeah. That's so good. Okay. So that's a SMART goal, y'all. Like, all right. Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound.

Time-bound. Yeah.

Okay. I love it. So, all right. If you're watching this, whenever you go to make your New Year's resolutions and you are making your goals for 2021, make sure that you're making SMART goals from wise words of Daniella, the productivity coach. I love it. Okay, that's so good. All right, so I am so curious, whenever you started getting this idea about like becoming a coach, and at this point you were thinking about like being a doula, right, first? Okay, so obviously it's changed since then, like very drastically. But when it first, like, like in the very, very beginning stages of this, this thought ever even like crossing your mind, what like limiting beliefs came up for you? Like what were the things that kept you stuck the longest?

Um, one of the huge ones was that I thought I didn't have the time, and that's kind of funny because I'm a productivity coach. But at that time, like, I was just— I think it was because I was just trying to find myself and try to find what I wanted to do, and I wasn't necessarily doing the right thing. So in turn, I didn't feel like I had the time because I wasn't doing the right thing. Um, also the fear, you know, what's gonna happen? What if I— what if no one buys my product? Or what if I succeed? Um, what if I'm judged? Oh, those were the main ones. The judgment.

Yeah, yeah. What if— who did you worry about judging you? For me, honestly, like, I worried about like people on Facebook. And that— and it's so funny because that's where we're like streaming now. But really, like, I worried so much about what like my Facebook friends would think. And honestly, like, most people on there like really love and support me in whatever it is that I do. And, you know, they're either like family or they're like friends from high school or college or, you know, whatever, or teachers even. And then like everyone there pretty much supports me, but I had this huge fear that like I would be judged or that like they wouldn't get it or they would like think that it was stupid or, you know, and it was like all of stuff came up. So I like— did that come up for you?

Definitely. Um, especially like with social media, I think that's where it mostly comes up with me. Just like, is— does my— when I'm posting on Instagram, like, does my caption make sense? Like, like, are people gonna like this? Like, what happens if someone like doesn't like it? Or what if I'm judged by it?

Yeah, yeah. How do you fight through that? How do you get through it anyways?

Um, I just say fuck it, honestly. I just say fuck it and do it, you know? It's like, I know that not everyone— I'm gonna relate to everyone, and that I'm learning that that's okay, you know? It's like, I'm not gonna please everyone, and like, I don't want to please everyone. That just sounds overwhelming.

Let's just say that again, like, I'm not gonna please everyone. Yeah, yes. Oh my God, that is such a huge realization whenever you realize that like not everyone's going to be your cup of tea and you're not going to be everyone else's cup of tea. But that's what makes your tea taste better, right? Like that's what makes your tea better, because it's like for the people that do love you and for the people that do trust you, right? And the people that do like vibe with you, you know, like your vibe attracts your tribe and that's how it happens, by being you, right?

Yeah, definitely. Just be my authentic self.

Yes, that's exactly what we had. We did an interview this morning with Darnita. I'm not sure if you saw it or not, but like, that was like the core of the conversation. It all came back to like just doing what lights you up, like being authentic to who you are and just really being like unapologetic about it, you know? And it's like, this is my life, right? Like, this is me, you know? And and I'm just like spreading my light, making the world a better place.

So yeah, yeah, definitely just being authentic and not worrying so much about like what I post on like social media and everything, like just being my true authentic self. Like I think like a few weeks ago I bought like this mermaid thing off of Amazon and like I had my mom take a picture of it and everything. I don't know if you remember seeing that, but I'm just like I'm just a goofball sometimes and I'm just like a kid at heart, you know? So it's like, I was so excited when it came in the mail and everything. I was like, what is wrong with you?

But that's me though, right?

Yeah, that's who I am.

And that's why people will resonate with you, right? Because they're also a goofball or they're— they also have like these weird things about them too, you know?

Yeah, definitely.

Yes. Yes. I love that. Okay. So if you could go back and like give yourself any piece of advice from, you know, like, let's just like zoom back to 2019, little baby Daniella starting her coaching business. Like, what advice would you give yourself?

Not to worry about what other people will what people will say or think or do.

I'll just be you.

Kind of just fuck it. Kind of just fuck it.

Yes, yes, I love that. So anyone that's listening, like, if you are— and not even just a coaching business, you know, like, really whatever you do in life, you know, whether it's going back to school, whether it's not going to school anymore, whether it's starting your own business. Like, I have a lot of friends on my Facebook that do network marketing. So they're in like multi-level marketing stuff. And I think that's cool because like they're doing whatever they want, even though it may get a bad rap sometimes, or even though like, you know, I know from experience how much courage it takes to like step up and do what you want. So y'all take Danielle's advice and just like do it anyways and don't be afraid of what people will think. And, you know, ultimately, like, you're the only one that has to live with you. So like, do whatever you want anyways, you know.

Yeah, and have fun with it while, while you do it.

Yep, yep. And then chunk it in the bucket if you have to, right? Yes, yes. I love it, I love it. Okay, so what's like the biggest, the biggest lesson that you've learned? So if we, if we know to just chunk it in the bucket, right, and we know to like not be afraid of what people think, like What is like the biggest thing that you've learned even about yourself? Maybe what you, what you're capable of, or like maybe something that surprised you about yourself.

Um, I think one thing that surprised me about myself is that just I actually can do it, you know. Once I get rid of all that negative stuff, it's like I, I can actually do it, you know. It's just a matter of kind of putting yourself out there and doing it.

Yep, that you can do it. Yeah, absolutely. Um, what has it been like with COVID and stuff? I know that like I talked with a lot of women, um, who have started their business or like really went like all in during COVID um, because either their job was shut down or, you know, they had more time, or, you know, like for whatever reason they realized that like, hey, like my job's not really guaranteed to me. So like that's why they started their own business. So has COVID affected like your business or even like grad school, like anything like that? Has it affected any of that?

So I wouldn't say it has affected my job. I work at a homeless shelter. So we're essentially considered essential workers. So I actually never stopped working. Like we're still working through the pandemic. They have measures in place to keep kind of safe and the residents safe, but they're open 24/7. So we didn't shut down at all. But, um, my classes did go on Zoom and I did not like it. Half the time I want to throw my computer against the wall. Like, I love that face-to-face, like, classroom and I just don't get that, get that on Zoom. And especially hearing a teacher talk for like 3 hours and lecture off of a PowerPoint on Zoom, it's so draining. Like, it was draining like in classroom in Zoom, it's even more draining.

Yeah, that sounds like it sucks. That's why we're not going to do a 3-hour long interview, right? Yeah. So did it help you like go in more fully with your business?

I think it did. And then kind of like when finals hit and stuff like that, which is where I'm at right now, like I'm kind of taking it like super easy, super chill because I don't want to overwhelm myself. Um, but yeah, I think that like I started working with you in the summer, right?

Yeah, it was like July, I think it was.

Yeah, June, July. And in the summer I only take like 1 or 2 classes, so it wasn't— I wasn't feeling over— like super overwhelmed. Like I was like, okay, I can do this coaching business and still do grad school and still work. Full-time. Yep. Um, and so far I've been doing actually really good. Somehow I've been able to manage all of, all of that, um, except for during finals week. During finals week, I'm just like, yeah, yeah, that's your priority.

Yeah, yeah.

Um, but I have— when am I done with finals? I'm done with finals next week, so I will just have my coaching business and um, my full-time job at the homeless shelter. So that's when I'm— that's when I really push hard for the coaching business. Like, I feel like more effort into it than I do when I'm in like school.

Yeah, absolutely. Um, that's so cool. So what are you in grad school for again? It's psychology, right?

Yeah, clinical psychology. So basically to become a therapist. But I don't want to become a therapist. I'm not going to the, to the traditional route.

Okay, so how is all of that going to tie in? Tell us like what your big vision is, like with your degree and then like with the business. Like how is all of that going to integrate?

So what I specifically want to do is— and we were talking about this yesterday about having like a side hustle— I want this coaching business to be like my full-time job. But then I want to have maybe like a part-time job, like at a college, because I want to be an academic counselor. And that's going to be my side hustle, which is totally fine because most colleges only hire part-time people anyways. So it fits in perfectly and it's kind of like productivity, but it would be productivity, but for like college students because they would have a goal, like their goal is to transfer out of that or to finish their degree, you know. So it's like they have an end thing in mind. They just need a little help getting there or staying on track.

And it's like you get to apply your skills to both, right? Like keeping, holding people accountable, setting SMART goals, you know, being realistic and like keeping people on track. So I like the way that you have really swapped them. You know how you said, wait a minute, like I want to be an academic advisor. Like I actually like doing that, but I just want that to be the side hustle and I want this to be the full-time biz. Like, exactly. Like, that's exactly what I shared about in the post where I was like, I actually like interacting with people and I sometimes want to get a part-time job just to like, you know, go do something just for fun, right? You know, um, like, I literally love what I do and I love coaching, but if I— you know, it's so cool because you just, you realize that like you have autonomy over your life and like you have the authority to make those decisions, you know, like, okay, if I want to get a part-time job, I can, cool. Like, if I don't, okay, cool, because like this brings in, you know, all of my income or whatever. Like, you have that control over your life and you don't have to follow like the traditional route of, okay, let me graduate high school, go to college, graduate high school, and like you're just checking off these boxes just because, you know. And, um, even like graduating college, you could say, okay, well, this is what my degree's in, so let me go be a clinical psychologist now. Instead, you're saying like, wait, that's not how I want to do it. I want to do it this way. You know, like, I want to make this my life because ultimately it is your life, right?

Yeah, it is my life, and I will do what I want with it. That sounds kind of harsh. Oh, but it is your life. Yeah, it's my life.

Yeah, yeah. And I think that we get caught up in trying to please everyone else, you know. We get, um, because just in that statement, right, like, it's my life and I'll do what I want. And then you're— and then it's like an immediate, like, um, reaction to think, oh wait, that sounds harsh. Oh wait, but it's like, to who? Harsh to who? Like, who is it that we're— that we're like, you know, trying to please? Who is it that like we're saying sorry to, you know? And it's just so crazy because you just realize like how much those thoughts are like ingrained, you know, to do things a certain way, or to like explain your decisions, or to show up a certain way.

Ah, that's a good way to say it. I didn't even realize that, like, I had said that, but like, yeah, exactly how you said, like, who are we trying to please?

I mean, yeah, absolutely. Who, who are we trying to please, you know? Yeah. Okay, so I'm curious, Daniella, you recently made a swap in your business, right? Like, you recently leaned in more to working with online entrepreneurs with their productivity. So if there is a coach or an online entrepreneur watching this live or the replay, what would it look like to work with you and how could they do that?

So I would say if you, if you're interested, just message me on Facebook and I could just help you with like time management, creating goals, setting goals. Developing routines so that you have the time to do everything that you want in your business, but also have the time for yourself and to do the things that you still need to do aside from your business, like family, friends, kids, all that good stuff.

Yeah. And you have been working with, um, one of the other members of Aligned Coach Academy, right? Elsa. I wonder if she's watching. Um, yeah, and, and you've really helped her also like establish routines and like create boundaries and stuff, right?

Yeah, definitely. Um, yeah, I helped her create a morning routine and, um, she— I haven't checked in with her, but I'm pretty sure she's doing great with it. Um, and yeah, and they don't have to be super long or anything like that. Like, honestly, my morning routine is just 4 things.

Just 4 things.

Just 4 things.

Okay, well now we want to know. Now I want to know what people say. What are they?

So, um, I wake up like around like 10 AM, um, I take a shower and then just get ready for the day, do breakfast, and I try not to look at my phone. And that's the really hard one, like Yeah, looking at my phone when I first wake up. That's really hard for me because I think it is for everyone. Yeah. And, um, drink my coffee and fill out my water bottle because I try to drink as much water as I can. I have this really nice water bottle that I just got.

Oh, that looks fancy.

It isn't even— it even has all the time things and everything, so That also helps me too.

Nice, that's awesome. Yeah, I love that. Yeah, you're like— I think that the word morning routine just sounds kind of scary, like it sounds, um, intimidating, but really it's just having like something in place that like starts your day, right? Yeah, it's like, this is how I start my day each day, like this is something consistent and predictable that I can start my day with.

Yeah, and a lot of the times we do the, like, especially in the morning, we do the same thing anyway. So it's like our brain's like wired and we don't know it, but we're actually already doing a routine. We just never knew it. And I kind of like realized that and I was like, I do the same thing every morning.

Oh, I already have one of those. They speak about— yes, yeah, yeah, that's funny. I love that. Okay, so I am all about like helping people just take super tangible tips away from this and just like applying something to their life. Um, so if you could just tell, even, even if they're not an online entrepreneur, even if they're not a coach or whatever, like what would you give them? You know, like what would you tell them or, you know, piece of like practical advice would you give to anyone watching?

I would just say just fuck it. I've said that so many times today, but it's so true. Just don't worry about what other people are thinking. Just do you. Be you. Be your authentic self. Throw out all the rest.

Yeah. Do you, boo. Do you.

Do you, boo. Yep. Do you and throw out all the rest.

I love that so much. Oh my God, that's perfect. Okay, so if someone wants to connect connect with you, Daniela. I know that you're doing, um, sessions right now, right? Like, are you doing sessions?

Um, yes, I am gearing up to do sessions.

Yeah.

Okay, so I'm scheduling sessions, and then once I'm done with finals, um, yeah.

Perfect. All right, so y'all heard that Daniela is busy this week. She's got her priorities in line. She's gonna like ace all the finals. Yes. Okay, so if someone wanted to reach out to you about getting together, like their routines planning out their goals for 2021 and really like getting their shit together, like how could they reach out to you to work with you?

Um, definitely, um, Instagram. My Instagram is Daniella_Plans.

Is that— does that have a Z on the end or an S? It has an S. Okay, Daniella Plans. So I'm gonna put that in the comments. Um, and yeah, y'all can reach out to her on Instagram. Now this is actually airing on Facebook, So they can also message you on Facebook, right?

I don't use Facebook as much, um, so just Instagram.

Okay, so if y'all want to work with Daniela, she's pretty picky, so y'all just—

I am. I'm sorry, guys.

I love it. Yeah, okay, so that's totally cool though. So if you, um, want to reach out to her, Daniela is amazing. You just have like this like beautiful personality that is so easy to connect with. Um, so if y'all want to work with her, definitely reach out on Instagram, and I will— I'll put like your link in the, um, comments. So @daniella_plans. And yeah, get your shit together with her. Get your life together with Daniella.

Yeah, thank you so much, Lindsay.

You're so welcome. This has been so much fun. Bye everyone. Bye.