In this episode of "The Grit Show," Shawna Rodrigues reflects on the importance of balancing personal goals and professional pursuits. She shares her journey of self-reflection, emphasizing the need to let go of beliefs that no longer serve her goals for 2024. Topics like time management, rest, and the intriguing concept of "Words of the Year" are highlighted, shedding light on how words like "believe" have shaped her success. Shawna’s relatable struggles with balancing busyness and leisure offer valuable insights for those looking to achieve a more harmonious lifestyle. Don't miss out on practical tips and meaningful reflections designed to help you align your personal and professional life goals.

This episode of The Grit Show is a must-listen for anyone looking to boost their motivation and personal growth. Host Shawna Rodrigues breaks down the Four Core Expectation Framework (which is commonly called The Four Tendencies), emphasizing how obligers and rebels uniquely respond to tasks and expectations. Learn why obligers, who excel with external motivation, struggle with internal goals, and how you can support them to prevent burnout. Shawna also highlights rebel tendencies and shares her personal experience on effective communication strategies with rebels. From recognizing early signs of "Obliger Rebellion" to aligning tasks with a rebel's personal values, Shawna's insights are both practical and profound. Intrigued by how these principles can make life smoother? Tune in to gain a better understanding and actionable steps for yourself and others.

Get ready for a refreshing take on holiday hosting. This week on "The Grit Show," Shawna Rodrigues chats with the ever-inspiring inspiring Mara Derikx about easing the holiday mental load. Discover thoughtful tips for tackling tricky holiday hosting challenges, from managing the mental load to knowing what to let go of... and when to rely on options that are store-bought. Uncover the art of simplifying holiday dinners with clever meal-sharing strategies.

This episode also tackles the awkward realities of hosting, like stocking your guest bathroom and setting up effective food stations. Moreover, Shawna and Mara unpack the pressure-cooker of traditional expectations, urging listeners to remember what things bring them pleasure and reminding them you can find joy in small gatherings and smart task delegation. Tune in to transform your festive season into a meaningful, low-stress experience filled with genuine connections.

Mara offers a fabulous (and simple) holiday beverage recipe at the end of the episode and mentions a holiday challenge that you'll want to follow along on her Instagram to learn when it may start (will also update the show notes when the time comes!).

Mara Derikx, the Joyful Hostess, brings over 20 years of entertaining expertise to help others create memorable gatherings with less stress. Growing up in a family that celebrated every occasion, she discovered her passion for hosting early on. After spending nearly 15 years as a financial planner, Mara transformed her hosting philosophy to suit modern, busy lifestyles. She shares invaluable tips for decorating, time and money-saving strategies, organizational techniques, and crowd-pleasing recipes. Drawing from her experience hosting everything from intimate dinner parties to large corporate events, Mara teaches a simplified approach to entertaining that favors connection over perfection. Her motto, "less perfection, more connection," reflects her belief that life's too short not to enjoy your own party.

Connect with Mara -

In this episode of The Grit Show, Shawna Rodrigues uncovers the secrets behind why we succeed—or fail—to meet expectations. Featuring Gretchen Rubin's acclaimed personality framework, Shawna touches on the characteristics of Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels - focusing on Upholders and Questioners to open this conversation. She shares intriguing personal experiences, like how her questioning nature affects her work and offers examples of the Upholders in her life, such as her partner, responding to clear expectations. Perfect for anyone seeking to understand their own behavior, improve their relationships, and better understand what it takes to motivate ourselves and others - this episode is packed with eye-opening insights. Join us for a thought-provoking exploration into the way we handle life's demands and how understanding our tendencies can empower us.

Make sure you are following or subscribed to this podcast to hear the conclusion of this conversation and more on Rebels and Obligers.

In our first episode of Authenticity Amplified, host Shawna Rodrigues wanted to make sure we started with a topic that as solopreneurs we can all relate to, scaling our businesses. Fortunately we get to sit down with award-winning strategist Jan Ditchfield to learn the secrets behind finally building to $10k months. Jan is an expert in marketing strategies that are in alignment with why you do what you do and leave you with your ethics in tact. The duo touch on overcoming tech overwhelm, what it means to be ethical in sales, and why authenticity matters. They also explore balancing creativity in both personal and professional spheres, with valuable insights for transitioning from employee to entrepreneur. Tune in for a blend of light-hearted conversation and deep expertise that promises to revamp your approach to business and marketing.

Jan Ditchfield enjoys a distinguished career as a professional fundraiser, known for her role as a "gun for hire" for struggling charities. Specializing in human rights causes in Canada, Ditchfield was renowned for her ability to steady organizations, redesign operations, raise significant funds, and network with key influencers. Her expertise spanned women's rights and disability rights, among other human-centered issues. In addition to her consultancy work, she founded two national nonprofits, one of which operated for nearly a decade, while the other continues to thrive under exceptional leadership.

How to connect with Jan: