Please meet Dr. Jessica Michaelson from DrJessicaMichaelson.com. She is a psychologist that helps parents take good care of themselves, their relationships, and their children simultaneously – without going insane. Jessica provides private coaching with individual parents and parent couples, as well as, facilitates an online community program for parents who want to connect and support one another in creating lives they love. She joined us for Systematic Success last year and I asked her to share some of her results.
What were you struggling with before taking Systematic Success?
I am not an inherently organized person. I like to follow my impulses and creative inspirations, which is a great quality in many ways, but not so great for running a business while raising two little kids.
When I started Systematic Success, I was working on my business 35 hours per week, in a completely inefficient way. One day I would work on a blog post for 3 hours, just to scratch it and start over. The next day, I would be booked with prospective clients calls, many of whom were not a good fit for my business.
I was aimless and always felt too busy and so stressed. Like my clients, I also have small children, and it was important to me that I spend as much time as possible with them and be happy and present during that time. The state of my business was keeping me away from them too much. When I was with them, I knew I was more stressed that I needed to be.
When I heard about the program, I knew Natasha would provide me the structure my business needed and the tools I needed to maintain it.
What changes have you seen as a result of taking Systematic Success?
Now, I know what I’m doing when and why. I schedule time within my week when I can be unstructured and let inspiration guide me. So, I haven’t lost that important element. I have a very specific schedule for when I write, when I publish, when I read and return emails, when I see clients, when I do my accounting, etc.
The stress of not-knowing has gone way down (there’s always going to be some in business, and in life!). I hired a VA to manage many of the administrative tasks that I don’t need to do myself.
I feel much more in control of my daily life and in control of my business, which makes me more available – physically and emotionally – to my family.
Another side benefit to being part of Systematic Success is the community of like-minded business women, many of whom I now consider true friends.
What is the biggest accomplishment you have taken from Systematic Success?
When I started Systematic Success, I was working 35 hours a week. By becoming more efficient and systematic, I have been able to cut that almost in HALF! I now ‘work’ 20 hours per week.
Within that 20 hours, I am able to go to at least 2 yoga classes per week and have lunch with at least one friend or colleague per week. So, in reality, I am working in or on my business for about 15 hours per week.
I did not have to experience any reduction in income by cutting my hours back, in fact, since I joined Systematic Success, my income has increased by 30%!
Even more importantly for me, I have much more time to spend with my children and husband and I have the energy and presence I want to give them!
