I just pressed pause on the thing that brings in tons of momentum every month: my podcast.

Not forever. Just December.

Last month alone? Tens of thousands of downloads. Hundreds of new subscribers. A steady stream joining my programs without me even asking.

So walking away for 30 days isn't small. 😬

And the “experts”? They'd tell me I'm making a mistake. You'll lose momentum. Your downloads will tank.

Honestly? They're probably right. 🤦🏻‍♀️

But I see that as a short-sighted criticism, and I choose to look at the long-term rewards.

Here's what I know: when you're crystal clear on your ONE thing, the hard calls get easier.

Right now, my one thing isn't content. It's building my new coaching program at the highest possible level.

December has to belong to deep work.

The kind of focused building that gets sacrificed when you're trying to keep all the plates spinning.

I keep thinking of a line in one of my favorite books, The One Thing…

“When you say yes to something, it's really a no to everything else.” 🙌🏻

If I say yes to podcast episodes in December, I'm saying no to the program that will define the next stage of my business.

Here's where this lands for you:

When students tell me “I don't know where to focus,” or “I have way too much to do,” what they're really saying is: I haven't named my one thing for this season.

But momentum doesn't live in balance. It lives in clarity.

I’m not saying it’s easy to let go of or pause important parts of your business, but I am saying it’s necessary for your long-term success.

Your end-of-year gut check:

♦️What sacrifice are you avoiding because it feels too risky?
♦️What are you choosing comfort over that would actually move the needle?

The thing you're most afraid to pause might be the exact thing keeping you stuck.

Side note: While I'm on hiatus, I'm airing my most popular episodes. In case you missed the one with Jenna Kutcher and me all about the big changes in online business that are happening in this moment, click to listen. 🎧

In Case You Missed It 🤓

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Here’s what’s worth your brain space this week.

#1: The Easiest Growth Hack You’re Ignoring
A study of two million posts found a 42% engagement jump for creators who reply to comments. Translation: you don’t need more posts. You need better conversations. Deets here →

#2: Turn Stress Into Your Secret Advantage
This eleven-year-old talk still hits: when you believe stress drives growth, your body releases growth hormones, your mind sharpens, and creativity spikes. Choose the “stress-is-enhancing” mindset as you close out this year.  Worth the watch →

Before You Hire, Do This 📎

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Hiring in the new year? Start with this question…

Is your next hire going to save you time, get you leads, or make you money?

I learned this concept from my friend Stu McLaren years ago, and it changed everything for me.

Because most entrepreneurs hire from overwhelm. ❌

They wake up tired, look at a mile-long to-do list, and think, “Someone just needs to help me!”

And that is how you accidentally bring on a warm body instead of the right team member.

The result is always the same: you spend more time micro-managing, nothing meaningful moves forward, you’re still doing everything, and you feel even more behind.🥴

Early hires must earn their keep in one of three ways, and you need to be painfully honest about which one you need most.

Save You Time ⏰
This is the hire who pulls you out of the weeds. They remove recurring tasks, protect your creative window, and give you back hours you can reinvest in strategy, selling, or content creation. If you are drowning in admin, this is your category.

Get You Leads 👩🏻‍💻
If you have offers you know can convert, but your pipeline is small or inconsistent, you need someone focused on growth. Think visibility, list building, social support, and nurturing. If your audience is not growing, nothing else will either.

Make You Money 💰
These roles move revenue directly: marketing strategies, retention strategies, sales support, and conversion optimization. If you are booking calls or launching but not closing, this is the hire.

And here is the part most people overlook.

One of the most powerful hires you can make right now is a Marketing Project Manager.

This role creates structure, owns timelines, and keeps marketing moving while you create, teach, and sell. For many of my students, this is the hire that finally stops the feast and famine cycle.

If you want to see a job description for a Marketing Project Manager, here’s an example that can spark some ideas for you.

Think about these three categories before your next hire. Clarity here will save you thousands of dollars, months of frustration, and more emotional energy than you realize.

Let’s get you hiring from intention, not exhaustion.

What's On My Christmas Wishlist 🎄

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I hope Hobie's reading this newsletter, because here are three things I've been eyeing this holiday season. The first two are a little pricey, but you and me… we're worth it.

1: BrainTap 🧠
I've been doing EMDR for months, and it's genuinely changed my life. This little device activates your brain’s peak potential and taps into different neural pathways for a more balanced outlook. If you're working on your nervous system like I am, this is the upgrade. [Click here to check it out.]

2: Red Light Biomax 300 🚨
I’ve given up on the red light masks because I'm claustrophobic and they make me want to come out of my skin! This one sits on your table, and supposedly, it's even stronger than the mask situation. No suffocation required. [Click here to see it.]

3: NodPod Body 🧘🏻
Because I struggle with anxiety, this one piqued my interest. It’s a weighted blanket, but smaller, so you don’t feel like you’re drowning in it (ha… there’s that claustrophobia again!). This one better find its way into my stocking. [Click for details.]

Nice chat. Let’s do it again next week.

Until then, name your One Thing, hire for the right reasons, and steal one of my gift ideas for your own holiday list!

Amy