Creators: Time to Say No (526)

2025-12-15

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In this episode, Joe digs into a hard truth most creators avoid: we keep doing things we no longer enjoy, not because we have to, but because stopping feels harder than continuing. After a personal conversation with his wife about the commitments and routines they no longer want in their lives, Joe realized something uncomfortable. Most of what fills our calendars is self-chosen… even the stuff we complain about. And the longer we avoid questioning it, the more permanent it becomes. This episode will help you get honest about what no longer fits, and give you a simple framework for letting a few things go. What You'll Learn Why creators keep doing things they don't enjoy

In this episode, Joe digs into a hard truth most creators avoid: we keep doing things we no longer enjoy, not because we have to, but because stopping feels harder than continuing.

After a personal conversation with his wife about the commitments and routines they no longer want in their lives, Joe realized something uncomfortable. Most of what fills our calendars is self-chosen… even the stuff we complain about. And the longer we avoid questioning it, the more permanent it becomes.

This episode will help you get honest about what no longer fits, and give you a simple framework for letting a few things go.

What You'll Learn

Why creators keep doing things they don't enjoy
The uncomfortable truth that nobody is forcing you to continue
How "defaults" become invisible commitments in your business
Why change feels hard even when the decision is simple
A practical method to assess what still belongs in your life and business
How to pause something for 30 days to get clarity
Why your language ("have to" vs. "choosing to") shapes your choices
A quarterly habit that keeps your work aligned with your goals

Key Ideas From the Episode

Most creators are not trapped. They are simply continuing things they never reevaluated.
Relief is powerful data. If stopping something feels good, pay attention.
If you wouldn't start it again today, it may not belong in your business anymore.
Nothing has to be broken for something to be finished.
The hardest part of change is admitting that nobody was making you stay.

Try This Week's Exercise

Create a Still-Doing List of anything you no longer enjoy.
Ask: Would I start this again today?
Pause one thing for 30 days and track how you feel.
Shift your language to:
- "I'm choosing to continue."
- "I'm not ready to stop yet."
Revisit all of it every quarter.