We've all heard the phrase work smarter and not harder, but how do you do that?

This is what I'm diving into with the fabulous Liz Hardwick.

Liz is an award-winning Professional Speaker and Tech Entrepreneur, known for delivering practical, high-impact strategies in AI, Digital Productivity, and Time Management.

With 25+ years’ experience turning “digital” into real human and business benefit, Liz helps individuals and teams work smarter, focus deeper, and achieve more… without burnout. Her sessions combine proven frameworks (including her own), modern technology tools, and actionable tactics – trusted by global names such as BBC, NHS, GSK, Rolls-Royce, and General Assembly. Whether on stage or in a masterclass, Liz inspires lasting change that elevates performance, clarity, and momentum in today’s fast-paced digital world.

We talk about:

- How to manage your emails

- Different time management hacks

- Apps that will maximise your day

The apps we mentioned:

Focus Friend

Todoist

Asana

To learn more about Liz click here

To complete the Confident Leaders Scorecard click here

To find out more about how you can Smash Your Own Ceiling click here

Barbara Nixon shares how to step up to the next iteration of you, so you not only achieve your goals, but you elevate!!

Go to barbaranixon.co.uk to complete the Confident Leaders Scorecard and start your journey.

Welcome to the Smash Your Own Ceiling podcast.

Today I'm delighted to share a great conversation that I had with choir director Maria Mullin.

Maria is the choir director and founder of the Great Yorkshire Chorus. Originally from Liverpool, Maria moved to Yorkshire to study music and has never left!
She is passionate about making music accessible to all and has worked as a freelance musician for many years.

Maria studied music at the University of York, specialising in classical saxophone (in which she holds an LRSM Diploma). This is where her interest in choirs and conducting first began.
Over the years Maria has lead many different choirs - community, gospel, office and school singing groups. She’s also taught piano, saxophone, played with various ensembles and lead music in schools.

In 2018 Maria set up the Great Yorkshire Chorus to be a wonderful new choir based in Saltaire and has been delighted to see GYC grow and flourish. She’s also recently been writing her first musical, Salt, which is currently in development towards a full production.

Maria lives in Shipley with her husband and four children and also enjoys running.

In this conversation we talk about:

- Creating a great welcoming community

- How to juggle a family, a business, and lots of additional projects

- The systems that need to be in place to make that happen

- How to re-think failure

- How to focus on things that move the needle when you're really busy

To learn more about Maria click here

If you're ready for more visit www.barbaranixon.co.uk