EP165: Strategy VS. Soul Work: Why You Cannot Have One Without the Other to Have a Successful, Thriving Business and How You Can Have Both

Welcome to the Leadership Formula podcast, where you will learn the secret sauce behind achieving massive success. I'm your host, Tracy o', Malley, multimillion dollar entrepreneur, your Enneagram expert, master performance coach, and mom to millennials. Do you want deep, meaningful relationships? To wake up every day with purpose and make money doing something you love? Well, you've landed in the right place. Every week, I will teach you how to get exactly what you want in life by strengthening your emotional intelligence. Using a combination of the Enneagram framework, live life coaching sessions, and real talk from yours truly, it's time to transform yourself into the ultimate leader of your life.

Let's do this thing.

So you want some success, right? And the first thing that we do when we want to learn how to do something or to do it well, we start down the Google train. It's so funny. I wish I had a printout of everything I've Googled over the last year. Some crazy, funny crap for sure. But I know some of you are very, very serious about making an impact on this world. It's with your gift, a product, a service, whatever that looks like. And the benefit of being in 2021 today. It's not like it was when my parents were growing up. To learn something, they had to know somebody, they had to go to school for it. They didn't have this interweb at their fingertips and the plethora of information.

Available to them. And so thankfully, we live in a, in a time where we can work from anywhere, we can work online, we can bring some of the craziest shit that we are skilled at and monetize it in a way that not only helps other people, but can make us money. Some of the things, it's just, you know, you think about these YouTube gamers and things like that, like it's crazy that anything is possible here in 2021. And if you're a little bit older like me, and you're like a first generation personal developer, my parents. And if you're in your 40s or above, even 30s and above, your parents didn't have personal development. It wasn't a thing. It was either therapy or nothing. And if you went to therapy, you didn't talk about it back then, right? So we've got endless amounts of information and strategy and tools and everything online. And now we have, you know, life coaches on every corner teaching you life and personal development and mindset work. Now, this much information, quite honestly, is probably making you a little crazy, right? This is where I'm grateful. I'm A little more old school and have a little bit more experience under my belt. And that's why I wanted to come and talk to you today about strategy versus soul. And I mean, like the soul work, the inner work, the air quotes work, right? And like, usually for each of us, there's one that we try to avoid, right? One of a. There's usually one of those categories where you like to go down the rabbit hole in, you know, I am a very tactical person. I'm a bottom line me kind of person. I don't like to suck at shit. So I learn, I really do learn something. If I'm going to go all in with it, I'll be messy at first. I am absolutely okay with that. However, I will become very, very good at it. I will do it over and over and over. The thing was, for a long, long time, I mean, I've been able to have success in my life. Even when I was a shit show, I really, really did. And so you might be thinking, well, good, then just give me all the strategy, I'll be a shit show and have success. And some of you are like, give me all the mindset work. And once I get the mindset work, then I'll actually take action and you stay down the rabbit hole of podcasts and shelf help, books and coaches and programs and all the free things. And I'm not here to say that any of it's bad. I think that anytime we're growing, it's a good thing. Now here's the thing. A lot of us are doing a bypass of the work that needs to be done specifically for you. You need both a strategic plan and you do need to do some inner work. And here's the thing. For you people that have done strategy and want more strategy and more strategy, you guys are usually avoiding the inner work because there's plenty of strategy out there. There's a lot of people who do know what they're talking about, and then there's other people who don't. And if you want some feedback on who to go to for strategy, I've got a few handful less than 5 on my. My hand that I would probably recommend. But what they will tell you is if you are going for strategy all the time, any of those quality coaches that I'm talking about will tell you you probably need to do a little more work too. Now here's the thing. It's not either or. It's and. And you can do them both in tandem. In fact, some of the greatest transformations in businesses have Come in line with strategy and the soul inner work at the same time. Right. It's not, I'm going to do this first to do that. I'm not gonna do this first to do that. I know the people that want the strategy that know. I've heard this too. Like, if you know that you have to get some tools to have a strategic plan, but you know you've got some inner work to do. I've heard this a million times. I'll do that because I got to make some money first. And I would have been one of those people. I have compassion for you because I have been that person. And it never ends well. Because eventually you can have all the strategy you want, but you're going to blow your life up, I promise you. Or you'll sabotage your growth or you'll keep, you know, flushing money down the toilet for more strategy 1. What you really need is somebody to guide you through yourself. Right? Did I have success before I started deep diving into the work? A little bit, yeah. But I couldn't keep it. I would sabotage it. I could make it. I'm one of the hardest workers I know. But all that hard work and ability to grind it out and make money didn't mean I would keep it or keep my relationships, because I blew up those too. And I'm a mother. And there were times that I know that that strong work ethic was a mask for me, running from my own shit. And that included being the best mom I could be at the time. And so for those of you that are like, pushing, pushing, pushing for more strategy, if I just know this, if I just learn this, if I just learn this, it will take a toll on your health, on your relationships, and on your kids. I'm all for doing this for your kids and not using them as an excuse. And then those of you that are doing the mindset work and you're like, I just, I need to know myself better or I need to manifest or I get it, I get it. I'm one of those today that will get wrapped up in the soul work. Cause I'm obsessed with psychology and the puzzle pieces of the human soul and the human brain and the human heart. But we can be stuck in that too, because we think like, oh my gosh, if I. If I take this strategy and I'm gonna be really transparent with you right now, I'm in this boat right now because I'm taking different strategy with my businesses so that I can serve more of you and I don't have to work as many hours in the day. So I'm implementing new strategy as we speak. And it's really freaking painful because a lot of this inner work that I've done is saying, oh, this feels really rocky right now, and why don't I just kind of work harder and figure things out more about myself before I jump into a new strategy? Because God forbid I jump into a new strategy and all my vulnerabilities are exposed and, oh, my God, imposter syndrome. And you might think I don't know what I'm talking about, which is all bullshit, because here's the facts. I am the best at what I do. I know this. I believe this. I have, like, actual proof of it with, you know, thousands and thousands of client testimonials and client transformation stories that, you know, I guided. They did the work, but I guided. I am lined up with the best strategists in their field to guide me in that process. I am in safe hands where people won't judge me. And yet that enneagram8 in me is like, no, no, no, no, no, this doesn't feel good. This doesn't feel good. And that's where we can bullshit ourselves. This is where, if you listen to the podcast last week where I listed the three Js that are holding you back, judgment, justification, and jealousy and envy. And this is where you can be justifying, well, it doesn't feel in alignment or it doesn't feel good for me. And this is where being radically honest with yourself comes into play. And I know when I'm saying this doesn't feel good to me, that just means I'm scared. And it means I'm supposed to kind of lean in, lean into the trusted people. I have found there's a lot of really good people out there that want to help you. And I'm one of those. I am one of those that actually is skilled in both strategy and soul. I'm a very good strategist. And I also know that the best strategy in the world won't mean jack shit if you are going to sabotage it. You're going to procrastinate it, you're going to numb it, you're going to run from it, you're going to ego your way out of it, you're going to pick it apart, you're going to be a perfectionist. All those things come into play. Or you're codependent and you're worried about the effect this might have on somebody else in your life. Or, you know, this is about to disrupt your life, even though you know on the other side of this disruption is the holy grail of everything you have spent your whole life dreaming about. The freedom, the time freedom, the location freedom, the parental freedom, the relationship freedom, the bank account freedom, the travel freedom, all of it is on the other side of this disruption of your. Your life. And you do need a strategy. You do need an exit plan. You do need to know what you're working at and have a plan. But the best plan won't happen no matter how hard you try, without some soul and inner work. And I wanted to come and talk to you today because I have worked with thousands of people over the last 10 years, and it always comes down to this. People will come to me because they see what I've done. And I'm not minimizing at all what I've done. I'm really, really not. I have worked really, really hard. But the reason I've had, the success I have had over the last 10 years, you know, the prior 25 years before that, I could have success, but it was like, up and down and up and down. And all the things I just talked about, why I have had not just the success in my bank account, but the success in the ability to be present with myself, with my family, with the people I care about, with my clients, is because in tandem to strategy, I constantly wake up every day doing my soul work. And I know a lot of you might be afraid of that because if you were like me, I had 40 years at the time, and unpacking that could really disrupt my life, I wouldn't know what I would find. You know, when you kind of go up into the attic you haven't been into in 10 years, and you're like, shit, I don't know what I'm going to find up there. Yeah, that's kind of what happens with our soul work. But sometimes we find a lost gem, even in some of the hard stuff we dig up. And I will tell you this. Some of the things I was afraid to dig up for 40 years were the very, very things that set me free. And if I wasn't willing to lean into this inner work and soul work at the same time of doing the actual fricking work to build businesses, it wouldn't happen. It wouldn't happen. And I wish that for you. And I want you to know it's possible. I have finally taken my wait list off. I know a. A lot of you have been reaching out and wanting to work with me, and you're maybe You've been listening to the podcast. It's been almost two years now. I can't believe close to 200 episodes of tons of, you know, the experiences I've had, the wisdom I've gained, the wisdom I've earned, the wisdom I've paid for over the last two years. And I've had the honor of guiding people through a transformation in business and personal. And, you know, a lot of people come to me for one thing, and a lot of it's business and leadership, because I'm a damn good leadership coach. But what happens is the work that we do together, not only does it grow your business or change your business or pivot into a different business or all sorts of things, but the compound effect it has on all areas of your life. The people you live with, the people you love, the people you want to call into your life, the squad that you want surrounding you, the friends that you want that actually want you to succeed, the romantic partnership that is hot as hell, but also a support and a safe place to fall. A lot of that happens when you do this work in tandem with each other because your energy, vibration, changes, and the things that you once were okay with no longer work. It's been really cool to watch not just businesses transforms, but marriages, families, friendships, all of it transform and love being invited in for people and new opportunities and all sorts of things. So I wanted to come to you today because it's summertime and a lot of you have kind of taken your foot off the gas. And I'm a mom, too, and I've been a mom for, God, quarter of a century. Can you even freaking believe that? I cannot. And I know it's easy to get wrapped up into all the things summertime, whether it's with your families, you know, especially this year, because, like, we're free. This is the time now to get your shit together. There has never been a time where there's more opportunity to make money, more creative ways to make money. I know that 2020 exposed a lot of cracks in your foundation, in your relationships, in your households, things that you used to be able to sweep under the rug, now you're tripping over. I want you to know that I'm here to help. And I have spent five decades in experiences and education and willingness and grit and tenacity to be able to walk this journey with and alongside you. So, that being said, if this is something you're wanting to do, you have two options right now if you want to kind of go down the enneagram path. And unlock your soul. Roadmap a little bit. Getting typed properly. You can do that. Currently@traceyomalley.com, the work with me section. You'll spend 90 minutes with me where we will dig into you in the most beautiful way. Probably what I, what I hear often from people that I've never met before is like I have never felt so seen, heard and understood. And I feel like you have known me my whole life. There's something very rewarding in that. And if you are like me, I've never felt really seen because most of the time I wouldn't let you see me. But a 90 minute session to kind of deep dive into getting typed on the enneagram properly. So you can take that information and move forward with it. Or if you are ready to say I am tired of it all and I want the strategy, I want the soul, I want it all. I am ready. I am now taking again one on one clients. I have some openings ready for you. It is, you know, a three month long process where you and me, every single day, we have access to each other. It is the coolest thing. There is no other coach, I promise you, that would open themselves up like I do on a daily basis in real time video form every single day. You and me, when shit's hitting the fan, you got the phone, a friend card and it's Tracy o'. Malley. And that is something that I know it is an investment for sure. It is grossly underpriced for what I can help you with and the value you will get out of it. I guarantee you that. You can ask anybody that has done one on one coaching with me, they will attest to that. But it has been kind of the way that I give back to. I wanted to make sure that it was in reach for all of you. It's a huge commitment on my part. Not just time wise, but energetically. I was talking with my best friend today who she's a business strategist. She's amazing and obviously when she gets into strategy with people and there's some roadblocks, it's this inner work and she, she can do it. It's not her favorite part of it, you know, because she is so in the strategy part. And she said to me, she's like, I don't know how you do this all day and you know, dive in with people on this kind of thing. And it, it's the thing that I love, I love strategy, but I love being able to give you strategy that will stick because I can help you through the things that are holding you back inside. And you don't have to do it alone anymore. If you really want somebody to guide you through it and you're tired of playing small, you're tired of all the woo woo shit out there. And I'm all for woo woo, but you really gotta dive into the stuff, the messy stuff. And I can tell you this, there's nobody that will have more compassion, understanding, wisdom and experience to guide you through. And if that's you, go to traceyomalley.com the work with me section and fill out the one on one application. That is an application only. I don't take everyone. I want to make sure that you are ready for that. It's like the master's program. But if you've been listening to me for any length of time or even if this is the first time you're listening to me and you're like, well, shit, she's got a point. You can ask around, you can go back and binge and listen to some of my podcasts and you know, I'm a straight shoot and tell it like it is, with so much love and compassion kind of girl who is so obsessed with transformation for you that I will be your biggest fan. I will. And I've got your back always. So go to traceyomalley.com, work with me, fill out the application, we'll get on a call. Nothing scary. I'm not like a hard, hard seller or anything like that. It's not at all what it is. I just really want. If you're going to raise your hand and say, I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready to change my life. Then mean it. I know 10 years ago when I finally, you know, I'd said I wanted to change for a long time, certain things, but I wasn't willing to be honest with myself. I wasn't open to every process, especially one that I didn't know about. And I wasn't willing to disrupt my life in certain ways. And it wasn't until I became honest, open and willing for all of that. And I raised my hand and said, okay, I'm ready to dive in. And I know we're going to unpack some stuff and it might scare me a little bit, but I'm here for it. That's when everything changed. Yes, I made a lot of money. I've made, God, probably over.

$5 million in the last eight years, which is amazing. The relationship with my kids in their 20s is phenomenal. There's nothing bullshit about it. And they're very different from me. The friends that I have in my close inner circle would take a bullet for me. I could lean into them in complete real time, which is something I've never done until the last few years. I'm inviting in love in ways that I never have before. That scares the shit out of me, but I'm here for that too. And it's all in tandem with success and inner work and diving. And so I would be honored to take you on that journey. You don't have to struggle anymore. You don't. It doesn't mean it's going to be easy. I can't promise that. And I can't promise that you spend three months with me and no hard things happen. I've done a lot of work and I can tell you this. The more work that I do, the more challenges that come up. But that's what growing is all about. And that's what going next level is all about. And I see you guys, you say you want to go next level. So here's your sign. Here's your sign. I'd be honored to take you on the journey. If you are loving this podcast, it would mean the world to me that you shared it with somebody. If you want screenshot it, tell me what you're ready to work on. Strategy, soul, or both. You got to do both. You got to do both. Some of you already have the strategy. You've got tons of it, you've got bookcases of it, but you haven't tapped into what's holding you back. Some of you have been doing all the self help and the personal development and all the drinking frog juice, whatever the heck you're doing. But you're afraid of the strategy because then you're going to actually have to take action. I can help you with both. I would be honored to help you with both. So until next time, here's to you becoming the ultimate leader in your life. See you soon.

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