TL;DR: Your messy middle isn’t a failure—it’s where the real transformation happens. Here’s how to measure progress with self-compassion, work with your brain (not against it), and celebrate wins that actually matter.
Embracing the Messy Middle
Let’s be real: not every year is a highlight reel. This year, my birthday reflection surprised me: I realized I wasn’t broken, distracted, or unworthy. I had simply spent too long in the wrong room—trying to fit into spaces and systems that didn’t honor who I was becoming. The real lesson? Sometimes you need to create your own room and fill it with people who align with your new identity.
The most unglamorous, challenging phase was deciding to retire from my corporate career. That chaotic crossroads triggered a chain reaction of changes—career, home, schedule—reshuffling my entire life in just a few months. What first felt like chaos was actually transformation. When I reframed the year from “messy” to “transformational,” I stopped worrying about how it looked to outsiders and started focusing on the result: more peace, calm, and contentment.
Debunking Productivity Myths (Especially for Neurodivergent, 50+ Women)
Let’s bust the myth that you need a perfect plan and flawless execution to achieve big goals. The truth? You don’t even need a plan—just a decision and the courage to act, even if it’s messy. For so many of us, especially women in transition or living with neurodivergence, traditional productivity systems feel alienating. When your brain doesn’t fit the mold, you might feel like a failure. But your differences are your superpower—your path counts, even if it looks nothing like the highlight reels.
I know firsthand the invisible harm that comes from trying to fit into productivity myths and toxic positivity, especially in corporate culture. For me, it led to stress and real health consequences. That was my turning point.
Working With Your Brain (Not Against It)
This year, I learned to check in with myself throughout the day—honoring how I feel and what I need. I ditched rigid deadlines in favor of flexibility, and I stopped neglecting the basics: rest, movement, nutrition. My favorite “real AF” hack? The Permission to Pause Audit. Every 60–90 minutes, I pause, check in, and adjust before overwhelm hits. Sensory-friendly tweaks—like reducing noise and clutter—help my executive function and are game changers for my neurodivergent family.
The Real AF Measurement Framework
Instead of “Did I hit the goal?” try this:
- Capacity (energy): I built my schedule around my real energy shifts, not someone else’s expectations. Mornings for focused work, movement midday, winding down in the evening.
- Consistency (frequency): I track habits and routines—reminders everywhere—but also allow intentional deviation for self-care. Consistency is about coming back, not perfection.
- Courage (hard conversations/boundaries): Retiring early, tough family talks, and telling my boss I was leaving—each boundary was a win, proof I could do hard things for my own good.
- Support (systems/people): My husband and daughter are my rocks. I ask for help (big and small) and lean on a growing business community.
- Simplicity (what you removed): Letting go of my corporate role, others’ opinions, and unnecessary commitments freed me to focus on what matters most—my health, family, and new business.
Coming Up: “If I Were Starting Again” & Monday’s Podcast
If you love practical, real-life stories, don’t miss my audio appearance in the “If I Were Starting Again” event (Feb 1–10): I’ll share what really matters for early-stage business owners—where to focus, what to stop overthinking, and the lessons I wish I’d known. Stay tuned to my socials for the link.
And on Monday, tune in for my podcast with Canva Verified Expert Melissa LeMay. We’ll talk about using Canva to market your business—and how Melissa turned a corporate “last straw” into full-time entrepreneurship.
Try It Yourself: Reflection & Permission
If you’re in your own messy middle, download my free Annual Reflection Script and Goal Setting Worksheet. Give yourself permission to make bold decisions, set audacious goals, and take messy, imperfect action. Your messy middle counts—sometimes it’s the best part of the story.
What’s your messy middle win? Hit reply or share it with our Productive AF community. Let’s celebrate the real progress together!
P.S. Tools I Love & Actually Use:
- Descript – My go-to for editing podcasts and video content with less stress and more ease. (Try it: 50% off for 2 months!)
- Primal Queen Supplements – Holistic wellness is foundational to my productivity. I use Primal Queen’s beef organ nourishment, Goddess Creatine Bites (delicious, women-focused creatine!), and PQ-7 for appetite support to keep my energy and focus on track.
- Skool – Community is everything when you’re building a new chapter. Skool is my favorite platform for connecting with other purpose-driven entrepreneurs and creators in a supportive, growth-focused space.
These are affiliate links, but I only recommend what I genuinely use and trust to support my own journey. Thanks for supporting this work!
This post embodies the Authentic Productivity pillar by giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what it really means to work with your brain, honor your capacity, and celebrate progress—even when it’s messy. It’s about building systems and measuring success in ways that actually fit your real life, not just your calendar. My hope is that these reflections help you redefine productivity on your own terms, so you can create rhythms, routines, and results that feel true, sustainable, and genuinely yours.
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