Seasons in Business

Feeling the fear and doing it anyway

In this episode, I'm getting vulnerable about the ideas I've been holding back on — and how fear has been quietly getting in the way. If you've been hesitating on something you really want to do, this episode is a gentle reminder that you don't need all the answers before you begin. Key takeaways from this episode * How to recognise when fear is disguising itself as something else * The shift from asking "am I ready?" to "can I just try?" * Making space to work on ideas without the pressure of having it all figured out Thanks for listening today, I hope you enjoyed this episode! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so come and say hello on Instagram or Threads (@sarahandmaude). Remember to subscribe so you never miss future episodes. And if you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5* rating and review. Connect with Sarah Website sarahandmaude.com [https://www.sarahandmaude.com/] Instagram @sarahandmaude [https://www.instagram.com/sarahandmaude] Threads @sarahandmaude [https://www.threads.com/@sarahandmaude] Join my email community [https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life] for seasonal business insights

Finding a way to begin (when you’d rather be doing something else)

In this episode, I’m exploring what’s really going on when we avoid the things we know we need to do. From small admin tasks to bigger, more meaningful projects, the resistance to begin can be strong. So we're taking a look at procrastination, what it might be trying to show us, and why it often appears when something feels important, unfamiliar, or a little bit overwhelming. I share some of my own patterns and experiences, along with a few simple, supportive ways to approach starting — without pressure, perfection, or the need to have everything figured out. So if you’ve been circling around something, waiting for the right moment, or struggling to take that first step, this episode is a quiet invitation to begin today. Key takeaways from this episode * Why procrastination isn’t always about discipline, or motivation * How fear and overwhelm can create resistance to starting * The “perfectionism loop” — and how it can delay both the start and the finish * Gentle ways to begin, including time-blocking, “eat the frog”, and starting small * A reminder that starting — not finishing — is often the most important step Thanks for listening today, I hope you enjoyed this episode! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so come and say hello on Instagram or Threads (@sarahandmaude). Remember to subscribe so you never miss future episodes. And if you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5* rating and review. Connect with Sarah Website sarahandmaude.com [https://www.sarahandmaude.com/] Instagram @sarahandmaude [https://www.instagram.com/sarahandmaude] Threads @sarahandmaude [https://www.threads.com/@sarahandmaude] Join my email community [https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life] for seasonal business insights

Planning with the seasons: Finding a gentle 90-day rhythm

In this episode, I’m exploring seasonal planning — a gentle way to plan your business by working with the natural rhythm of the year, rather than against it. Building on episode four, where I shared what a slow, seasonal business can look like, this feels like the next step — turning that idea into something practical and supportive. I talk through how I combine the Wheel of the Year with a simple 90-day approach, creating a way of planning that feels structured, but still flexible. This isn’t about rigid systems or doing more. It’s about choosing one meaningful focus, working with your energy, and allowing space for things to evolve as you go. So if you’ve been craving a softer, more sustainable way to plan your work, this episode is a gentle place to begin. Key takeaways from this episode * What seasonal planning is, and how it blends natural rhythms with 90-day planning * A simple way to choose a seasonal focus without feeling overwhelmed * Why working with the energy of each season can make planning feel more intuitive * The importance of a mid-season check-in, and allowing flexibility as you go * A gentle alternative to goal-setting, using themes or intentions instead Links and resources mentioned in this episode Download my Seasonal Planning Guides [https://www.sarahandmaude.com/seasonal-planning] — These gentle guides will help you reflect, set intentions, and plan your next 90 days in a way that feels calm and manageable. https://www.sarahandmaude.com/seasonal-planning If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like episode four "What running a slow, seasonal business really means — and why I love it". Thanks for listening today, I hope you enjoyed this episode! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so come and say hello on Instagram or Threads (@sarahandmaude). Remember to subscribe so you never miss future episodes. And if you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5* rating and review. Connect with Sarah Website sarahandmaude.com [https://www.sarahandmaude.com/] Instagram @sarahandmaude [https://www.instagram.com/sarahandmaude] Threads @sarahandmaude [https://www.threads.com/@sarahandmaude] Join my email community [https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life] for seasonal business insights

Have you ever… Asked everyone else, before asking yourself?

In this episode, I’m exploring what happens when we ask everyone else what we should do — before asking ourselves. It’s something many of us do, often without even realising. We look for reassurance, perspective, or a sense of certainty… but somewhere along the way, our own voice can get a little lost. This isn’t about never asking for help — it’s about gently shifting the order. Letting your perspective come first, and then inviting others in. So if you’ve been feeling unsure, overwhelmed by opinions, or a little disconnected from your own decision-making, this episode is a quiet invitation to come back to yourself. Key takeaways from this episode * Why we naturally seek input from others — and when it becomes unhelpful * How too many opinions can leave you with analysis paralysis * The shift from asking for permission to trusting your own judgement * Simple, gentle ways to anchor your own perspective before reaching out * A reminder that no one knows your business quite like you do Links and resources mentioned in this episode Powerful [https://uk.bookshop.org/a/17216/9781472978929] by Maisie Hill [https://uk.bookshop.org/a/17216/9781472978929] – https://uk.bookshop.org/a/17216/9781472978929 Thanks for listening today, I hope you enjoyed this episode! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so come and say hello on Instagram or Threads (@sarahandmaude). Remember to subscribe so you never miss future episodes. And if you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5* rating and review. Connect with Sarah Website sarahandmaude.com [https://www.sarahandmaude.com/] Instagram @sarahandmaude [https://www.instagram.com/sarahandmaude] Threads @sarahandmaude [https://www.threads.com/@sarahandmaude] Join my email community [https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life] for seasonal business insights

Shifting seasons: A brief intermission

In this short intermission episode, I’m sharing a quick update as I prepare to move house and studio — and reflecting on how beautifully timed it feels as we approach the shift from winter into spring. After recently talking about work/life balance and building a slow, gentle business that moves with the seasons, it felt important to follow my own advice and take a small step back. I’ll be back soon with a deeper dive into seasonal planning, and explore how we can gently shape the next season in our businesses. Thanks for listening today, I hope you enjoyed this episode! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so come and say hello on Instagram or Threads (@sarahandmaude). Remember to subscribe so you never miss future episodes. And if you’re enjoying the show, please leave a 5* rating and review. Connect with Sarah Website sarahandmaude.com [https://www.sarahandmaude.com/] Instagram @sarahandmaude [https://www.instagram.com/sarahandmaude] Threads @sarahandmaude [https://www.threads.com/@sarahandmaude] Join my email community [https://sarahandmaude.myflodesk.com/business-life] for seasonal business insights