Concentrating during chaos can feel impossible — especially when life is unpredictable, confusing, and messy (hello, snowstorms… and everything else happening in the world). In this episode, I’m sharing a simple metaphor I couldn’t stop thinking about: the trees outside my window.

It really struck me that nature isn’t fighting chaotic weather — it’s prepared for it.

We’ll talk about why your brain interprets chaos as a threat (and why your nervous system will always prioritize survival over productivity), how decision fatigue and fragmented attention make it harder to focus, and what to do instead.

Using a tree framework — roots, trunk, branches, and seasons — you’ll explore how to get more rooted in what doesn’t change, simplify what you’re trying to do right now, stay committed without rigidity, and let this season be the season it is.

If you’ve been overwhelmed, second-guessing everything, researching instead of choosing, or feeling like everything needs a reevaluation… this one is for you.

“Boring isn’t about making life smaller — it’s about finally doing what I said I wanted to do.” —Mia

My highly passionate, creative, maybe ADHD, manifesting generator — or simply feeling scattered — sisters, I hope you find one piece in here that helps you.

I’ve chosen “boring” as my word of the year.

The need for boring energy has shown up through the health challenges of the past two years — a diagnosis that led to brain surgery, a series of illnesses, and recently falling and breaking my arm and sacrum.

And surprisingly, saying boring has helped me finally follow through — actually doing the things I know will create the life and goals I want.

As I lean into this word, I’m learning a lot. Here are some of the biggest lessons so far:

1. Avoid Shiny Objects

Have you ever gone to post something on social media and resurfaced 90 minutes later unsure what happened — and the post isn’t even a thought anymore?

Me. All the time.

But I’m changing that. Boring means going in with intention, doing the thing I came to do, and leaving before the distractions take over.

2. Notice the Negative Behaviors That Pretend to Help

I’m really good at rushing and multitasking — but I miss things, slip and fall, and lose focus.

Sometimes what feels connecting or exciting is actually avoidance. Watching a show can feel cozy, but sometimes it replaces harder conversations or needed rest.

Choosing boring brings me back to what I actually said I wanted.

3. Follow My Own Needs (Not Outside Expectations)

If you feel like you have to post constantly or send daily emails because “that’s how business works,” you might be following someone else’s priorities.

Same with life. Sending kids to school sick because they’re supposed to go? That’s another outside rule that I choose to break. Working sick. I go inward before I decide what I’m going to do.

Boring asks: what rhythm actually works for me?

Choose alignment over expectation.

4. Do One Thing Really Well

As a highly creative, multi-passionate person, this is hard — and it comes up constantly in coaching.

But constraints are powerful. When you focus on one thing at a time and do it well, it’s deeply satisfying — and often moves you forward faster.

5. Simplify to Reduce Decision Fatigue

When you simplify your calendar and choose to do less, you remove constant decision-making.

And when decisions decrease, energy increases — especially for the uncomfortable but meaningful work.

6. Simplicity Is Hard — But Transformational

We resist simplifying, even when we know it helps.

But slowing down, simplifying, and focusing allow us to actually move forward instead of spinning in possibility.

You might notice overlap in these lessons — and that’s the point.

Simplify.

Slow down.

Focus.

Do the things that really matter.

How could that serve you this year?

7. What’s Your Word?

And if boring is not what you are here to play with. What are the big lessons you need to learn from your word of the year?

If any of this resonated, here are three ways to experiment with your own version of “boring” this week:

SIMPLIFY YOUR CALENDAR

What’s one thing you could remove next week? Where are the bottlenecks or overwhelm points? What could you decide in advance?

PICK ONE THING

Instead of trying seven or eight things — even if you’re great at multitasking — what happens if you choose ONE and do it really well?

DOES THIS SERVE ME?

Pause and ask: does this actually support what I want? Does watching a show create connection — or avoid conversation? Are you staying up past bedtime to do it? What might you be saying no to without realizing it?

“Curiosity is a foundation for connection.”

–Nathalie Pincham

Doing everything you’re supposed to do and just running on fumes? Knowing you’re good at what you do (but starting to wonder) because business is floundering? You’re not alone! And there are things you can do. I’m diving into that with coach Nathalie Pincham.

Nathalie works with people on both strategy and success mindset. That includes figuring out what’s holding you back, and it could be what made you successful to this point.

She’s created a series of 10 archetypes that can help you understand yourself and your business and believes in the power of curiosity.

We talk about:

1. Reconnecting with your purpose — and getting help figuring out what’s blocking you
2. Profit vs. revenue — figuring out your numbers
3. Why you shouldn’t be doing everything in your business just because you can
4. Better questions to ask than “what do you do?”
5. What opens up when we stay curious
6. Bringing more intentionality and connecting to purpose to all things

ABOUT NATHALIE

Nathalie Pincham of Your Success Tonic offers strategic coaching for visionary leaders and founders and believes one curious question can change the whole trajectory of your week (or your business!).

LINKS

1. https://www.yoursuccesstonic.com/
2. https://www.yoursuccesstonic.com/quiz
3. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaliepincham/

DOABLE CHANGES

At the end of every episode, we share three doable changes, so you can take what you've heard and put it into action. Action is how change happens.

Often we feel like our actions have to be huge to match the bigness of our desires, but we have seen over and over and over again that the little things add up. By stacking up a series of Doable Changes, you will create that big change that you crave. Choose the one that really resonates with you this week and really make it part of your life.

Here are Three Doable Changes from this conversation:

1. ANCHOR IN YOUR WHY. If you’re feeling like things aren’t working, take some time to remember your why. Why are you doing this? What really matters? Remind yourself that you are doing something valuable and have something important to share. This allows you to start building your business from a place of strength.
2. ASK DIFFERENT QUESTIONS. Instead of asking “What do you do?”, ask people: What do you need? What drives you? What inspires you? Be curious about them. See what opens up when you ask questions that let people show you more of themselves.
3. COACH FROM CURIOSITY. In conversations with...