Apr 21, 2025

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You’re Not Lazy—But You Might Be Building Your Business Backwards

business, Communication, Featured, for solopreneurs, podcast, The Anxious Creative

Let’s get real.

Not “slap a Canva quote over your chaos” real—but I-ended-up-in-the-hospital-from-burnout real.

Back in 2016, I thought I was having a stroke.

My arms went numb. I couldn’t breathe. My face sagged. No one around me seemed concerned, and I was spiraling.

Turns out? It wasn’t a stroke. It was a full-blown panic attack—the kind that shakes you to your core.

And as scary as it was, it also cracked something open. Because what happened next completely changed my business… and my life.

The Real Reason You’re Exhausted (and Underpaid)

At the time, my income was a rollercoaster. My calendar looked full, but my bank account said otherwise.

I was terrified to slow down in case it all fell apart.

The truth? I was performing success.

  • Saying yes to everything.
  • Over-delivering to prove I was worth hiring.
  • Working 24/7 because I thought that’s what “successful” people did.

Sound familiar?

It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I learned how to build a business that didn’t leave me burnt out, anxious, and in a puddle of self-doubt.

You Might Already Be Doing Enough (Just the Wrong Way)

Here’s something I want you to sit with:

You might already be doing more than enough.
But you’re doing it in a way that’s working against your nervous system.

You’ve probably been taught:

  • Burnout is part of the deal.
  • Exhaustion means you’re doing enough.
  • Rest is a reward, not a right.

But what if that belief is what’s holding you back?

This Week on the Podcast

In this episode, I’m walking you through:

  • The exact story of that panic attack (yep, the whole messy truth)
  • How I finally shifted out of survival mode
  • The simple changes I made to stop overworking and start earning more—without guilt

Click here to listen

This one’s part storytime, part pep talk, part gentle nudge to stop performing and start allowing.

Let’s Build a Business That Honors Your Humanity

You’re not lazy. You’re not behind. You’re not broken.

You just need a new way forward—one that works with your nervous system, not against it.

You can: 

  • Create consistent income without overdelivering to prove your worth
  • Rest without guilt and still make more money
  • Feel safe slowing down—and trust that your business won’t fall apart

So here’s your next step:

  • Grab your cozy socks
  • Reheat your drink (again)
  • Hit play on this episode

Because this might just be the first time everything starts to feel different.

P.S. If you’ve ever felt “too sensitive” for business? This one’s going to land hard—in the best way. Click here to listen. You’ll feel seen, I promise.

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I am just a small-town, Canadian gal from the prairies who teaches thousands of creatives around the globe how to earn 6-figures stress-free!

Hey, I’m Dawn!

“Rock Your Business” Course Creator, Host of “The Anxious Creative” Podcast. Named by Salon Magazine as Canada’s #1 women of influence.

Get to know me! :-)

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