Catherine Odhiambo’s Post

Side Hustlers, Can You Relate? 🤯 Running your business while juggling holiday chaos with the kids home from school is no easy feat! From potential stock shortages and increased marketing costs to family commitments, it's easy to feel stretched thin and your side hustle revenue to take a hit. I get it! As a fellow mum and side hustler myself, I know the unique financial and mental stresses this festive season can bring. That's why my latest blog covers 5 ways to boost your holiday sales WHILE avoiding that dreaded burnt out feeling. One key tip? Schedule proper downtime! Block off a few days where you completely unplug from work. Spend that time recharging through fun activities with loved ones that have nothing to do with making money. You'll return to your business refreshed and better equipped to maximise sales! The holidays should be a prime money-making period for your side hustle, not a draining slog. With the right game plan, you can make the most of Q2's upside potential in a sustainable way. Tap the link below to read my full holiday hustle survival guide! https://lnkd.in/gmavhDtw And if you need additional support, you don’t need to go it alone! Book a free Side Hustle Kickstart Call! Together, we'll collaborate on a game plan to bulletproof your finances before the silly season hits ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gmY9XVkf #sidehustle #sidehustlelife #sidehustlesuccess #cfoservices #festivefinances

Feeling the holiday hustle? Here are some tips to help you unwind and savor the season, stress-free.

This morning, I stood in front of an ice bath, completely terrified. Every part of me thought, what are you doing? But I took the plunge. And as I sat there, freezing and uncomfortable, I realised the ice bath wasn’t just about the cold—it was about proving to myself that I can do hard things and come out stronger. This year has been absolutely massive. I’ve poured everything into my business—12 months of showing up, building something I’m so proud of, and supporting the most incredible business owners along the way. Helping others achieve their goals lights me up like nothing else, and I feel so lucky to do what I do. But somewhere in all that hustle, I forgot about me. I’ve been working long hours, isolating at home, snacking a little too often (okay, a lot), and I’ve let my own health slide. The weight has piled on, my energy isn’t what it used to be, and I know it’s time to make a change. So, here it is—my Self-Love Era. This isn’t about giving less to my clients (because they’ll always get my best). It’s about making sure I’m also giving something to myself. Starting Monday, I’m kicking off a 28-day sweat challenge. It’s my way of taking back control, getting active, and feeling strong and confident again. Because as much as I love supporting others, I’ve realised I need to support myself too. Running a business is incredible—you get to choose your clients, your hours, and your income. But it can take over if you let it. This is me saying, no more. It’s time to show up for myself the way I show up for everyone else. If you’ve been putting yourself last lately, let’s change that. What’s one thing you’re doing just for YOU this week?

The holiday season can be both exciting and overwhelming, and it's easy to get caught up in the hustle. Remember, saying "no" to things that stress you out is just as valuable as saying "yes" to the things you truly feel excited about. Give yourself permission to simplify, focus on what really matters, and make room for moments that fill you with calm and connection. Make choices that nurture your well-being, both now and in the future. Stay grounded, stay intentional, and make space for what matters most. ❤️ You can read more tips on my blog, Tis the Season to Pause. Link is below. https://lnkd.in/gdHB48jn

Take one step back so you can take two steps forward. If you’re an entrepreneur, you probably see your weekends like regular workdays. Bad idea! It’s only a matter of time before your brain becomes burnt like the rarest steak you’ve ever seen. (Even salt “forearm drip” bae can’t fix that.) You see… If you want to increase your productivity, you need to take a break from work. This doesn’t mean shutting your brain off with booze or sleeping all day. It means keeping your mind active while doing fun things. Like living your damn life, for example. That’s what you’re in here for, right? You want freedom? You want options? What’s the point of allowing yourself that if you build your business around a lifestyle you don’t want to live? The point is not to make huge sums of money, go to an island, and take a vacation for the rest of your life… But to enjoy every minute of it. (Yes, even while doing the tedious work.) Because that allows you to grow and give back value to the world. Just test this out for one month if you don’t believe me. And take a mini vacation every month for at least one weekend. See how you begin your week each Monday. Refreshed and ready to be a speed demon without sacrificing quality. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting double your time. Like when forcing yourself to work and improve on your low-quality work. Be the intelligent turtle rather than the burnout bunny.

𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 '𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲' 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬% 𝘁𝗼𝗼? It takes us a solid 3 days just to shed the grumpy vibes. And just when we start feeling somewhat human again, what do we do? Hunt down the nearest wifi – just in case. Result? Our 'Return on Rest' is barely 20%. Because even on a break, we're never really off, are we? We're pros at keeping our phones juiced up. But when it comes to recharging ourselves? Not so much. Your job might be to care for everyone else, but who's taking care of you? Food for thought, isn't it? Here's a tip for playing the long game: When the fun starts to fade, it's time to go find some. And if you're really committing to that break, leave your phone behind. Trust me, you'll come back stronger and ready to conquer! Remember, it's not just about going the distance – it's about making sure you can keep going for the long haul. Leave the tech, catch the rest, and come back ready to smash it! 🌟🔋🚀✨ What's your secret to recharging? Drop a comment, share your thoughts, and let's connect! Photo credit: Me on rest mode- Where my brain takes a vacation but my To-Do List doesn’t get the memo.

Are you exhausted? Was your weekend to blame? We always hear, Make the most of your weekend. What if I told you “doing nothing” is the key? Here is what someone told me once 👇 “Weekends are for catching up on all the things you couldn’t get to." How about this 👇 Weekends are for catching up on you and your family. Most people treat their weekends like a second to-do list. They usually go like this: • Run errands. • Clean the house. • Finish those emails. • Start a new side hustle. • Feel guilty about not doing enough. When that gets too exhausting, the plan becomes: • Say yes to every social invite (even when you’re tired). • Skip self-care because it feels “unproductive.” • Wonder why you’re still tired on Monday. • Cram in more tasks to feel “productive.” • Drown in weekend FOMO. Stop chasing productivity on your weekend, every weekend! Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is nothing at all. Here’s what you really need on your weekend: • A few hours to recharge without guilt. • A chance to listen to your own thoughts (or none at all). • Time to binge-watch that show or read that book with zero expectations. Sometimes, we need just to be...to exist. No plans, No pressures, No problems. Weekends aren’t about how much you get done. They’re about how much you can unwind, breathe, and let yourself recharge for the week ahead. Here's to a great week! Crush it.

Fresh starts !! Thanks to the calendar they happen every year. Just set your watch to January. Our reward for surviving the holiday season is a new year. Bringing on the great tradition of resolutions. Put your past behind you and start over. It’s hard to resist the chance at a new beginning. A chance to put the problems of last year to bed. It’s an event, big or small but it changes us. Ideally it gives us hope. A new way of living and looking at the world. Letting go of old habits, old memories. What’s important is that we never stop believing we can have a new beginning. But it’s also important to remember that amid all the junk are a few things really worth holding on to. ✨ #newbeginnings #perspectiveshift #pov #learnandgrow

Before the weekend starts I just want to say this... Weekends can make or break your progress toward fat loss. It's easy to let loose after a week of hard work, but those two days can either push you forward or set you back. Think of it this way: staying consistent on the weekends is your secret weapon. While others may fall off track, you’re setting yourself up for success by sticking to your goals. A few smart decisions whether it’s choosing healthier meals or getting in a quick workout can make all the difference. Remember, fat loss is about progress, not perfection. Use the weekends as an opportunity to stay aligned with your goals and set the tone for the week ahead. Keep your momentum going, and watch your results follow! Have a great (healthy) weekend!

Ever stayed up way too late just to feel in control of your own time? I did this weekend. I stayed up until 4 AM playing Football Manager and reading. And you know what? I’m actually glad I did. They call it 'revenge bedtime procrastination' (報復性熬夜), a rebellious act against the feeling of losing your time to work, commitments, or life obligations. It’s a way to claim back what’s yours when you feel your day was stolen from you. For me, it was after a week of a tightly scheduled group tour in Paris for my mother-in-law's birthday. No freedom, no choice in how I spent my time. So, that late night? It was me reclaiming control. I needed it, but more importantly it made me realise how little I experience revenge bedtime procrastination these days after overhauling the way I work some years back. I run my day, my day doesn't run me. But here’s the thing: What if we could create a life where we don’t need to ‘steal’ our own time? What if we could build days that truly belong to us, where rest and recharge are not something we have to fight for? What if that late-night urge is your mind’s way of telling you something? What if it’s a reminder to create space for yourself intentionally rather than reactively? As entrepreneurs, we’re the architects of our own time. Let’s move from reaction to proaction. Let's create systems that empower us to live and work in alignment with what matters most. Instead of waiting for moments to rebel reactively, let’s proactively create systems that respect our time by default. What’s one thing you can do today to give yourself more freedom within your schedule? For me, I'll be skipping the managed group tours in future.