The toughest parts of entrepreneurship are at the intersection of personal and business growth. Self-awareness, structured routines, and maintaining a positive mindset in overcoming obstacles are must-have skills for business owners. By embracing these coping strategies, you (and I) can navigate business challenges with grace and resilience, ultimately paving the way for success and abundance. 

Be honest; How often do you allow business challenges to consume you?  Lacey calls it out in this episode, saying “There’s no blank check for being miserable.” Our conversation perfectly encapsulates the need to set boundaries and time limits for processing setbacks (or wins!), allowing room for growth and resilience. Find out and emulate her superb techniques for coping with news, maintaining mental health, taking care of herself, and ensuring productivity in her business.
  

Lacey Langford, widely recognized as the military money expert, has developed a unique perspective on overcoming business challenges through her own experiences and personal growth. Lacey’s approach to dealing with business challenges emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, prioritizing mental and physical health, and maintaining authenticity.  

As the owner of MILMO and the Military Money Conference, she highlights the risks of overworking and burning out, suggesting that making space for personal needs can lead to increased creativity and improved business outcomes. With a strong belief in the power of individuality, Lacey encourages entrepreneurs to refrain from conforming to societal expectations, instead focusing on being their best selves. She values reflection on personal growth and accomplishments, no matter how small, as a continuous learning process to navigate and thrive in the business world. 

Key Takeaways:

• Setting strong boundaries (using your calendar as a tool to help!) with your time reduces stress when you create intentional deep work blocks, breaks, and family/personal time.
• Getting a small dose of sunshine and fresh air helps “calm my crazy” so the next time you’re feeling scattered, aimless, stressed, lost, or unmotivated, step outside.
• If you find yourself on either end of the emotional spectrum for long periods (you define how long is too long), it might help to create rules for processing emotions within a designated time frame
• My best ideas, biggest ah-has, and most solid problem-solving hacks come to me when I’m out running, and apparently, that works for Lacey too.
• If you often feel intimidated at networking events or conferences, work toward approaching those you feel “smaller than” by offering value to their brand/business and boldly introducing yourself. That introduction might spur a beautiful business relationship and open the door for additional opportunities.

Tools/Resources Mentioned:

• Calendly: https://calendly.com/
• The Pomodoro Technique: https://www.reachingabundance.com/pomodoro-technique/
• Free Desktop Pomodoro Timer: https://pomofocus.io/

Must-Listen Moments: 

[00:05:25] – Coping Strategies
Lacey Langford shares coping strategies for dealing with stress and challenges in business, such as setting strong boundaries, taking time for mental health, creating rules for processing emotions within a designated time frame, and making space for personal reflection through activities like walking and running. She acknowledges the commonality of facing unexpected challenges in business and the need to navigate them without letting setbacks define the entire journey, showcasing a proactive approach to maintaining a balance between work and personal well-being. Lacey’s insights shed light on the significance of coping strategies in managing stress and challenges, ultimately contributing to business success and overall growth.
 
[00:09:22] – Productivity Methods
Lacey emphasizes the significance of setting strong boundaries and making time for mental health to enhance productivity and creativity. By incorporating activities like outdoor walks and utilizing productivity methods such as the Pomodoro technique, Lacey highlights the value of taking breaks and creating space for personal well-being. Lacey’s practice of time blocking and adjusting schedules based on weather conditions is a great example of how we can all be more strategic about creating a harmonious work-life balance.
 
[00:18:50] – Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is crucial for productivity and well-being. According to Lacey’s experience, emphasizing the importance of mental health, physical health, and setting boundaries to avoid burnout is key. By making time for personal well-being, such as setting aside time for physical activity, you can enhance your creativity and overall performance in your professional endeavors. Implementing routines, like scheduling time for self-care and creating space for flexibility, can ultimately prevent stress and exhaustion, leading to a healthier work-life balance.
 
[00:21:47] – Setting Boundaries in Coaching
Recognizing the intimate nature of financial coaching, Lacey made it her purpose to create a comfortable environment by setting boundaries to establish trust and ensure clients feel safe discussing personal matters. She’s found that more effective client outcomes are the result of establishing a coaching relationship around guiding because supportive environments (as opposed to judgemental ones) cultivate a space where individuals can openly address their financial challenges and goals without fear of criticism, leading to more effective coaching outcomes. This proactive approach to setting boundaries serves as a foundation for building trust and rapport, enabling both coach and client to work towards financial success collaboratively.
 
[00:25:30] – Flexibility Through Boundaries
Setting boundaries in business and life allows for adaptability to unexpected events and opportunities. Lacey’s experiences with staying true to her purpose amidst challenges and being open to opportunities showcase the importance of establishing boundaries to maintain flexibility and focus in achieving goals.
 
[00:27:08] – Networking and Building Relationships
Networking and building relationships are crucial in seizing opportunities. Lacey recounts how attending a conference led to a significant opportunity, showcasing the value of networking and introducing oneself to industry influencers. Setting goals and boundaries, while remaining flexible, is key in navigating professional development and being ready to capitalize on unexpected opportunities that arise.
 
[00:43:38] – Courage to Network and Put Yourself Out There
Having the courage to introduce yourself, pitch ideas, and network with successful people is essential for creating opportunities. By taking bold steps, you can attract the attention of individuals who can support and elevate your journey. It’s not about being perfect, but about being proactive and showcasing your value to others, ultimately leading to beneficial collaborations and growth.
 
[00:46:58] – Value in Providing Solutions
Presenting solutions to problems adds value to your business relationships and fosters positive opportunities. By offering solutions instead of just identifying issues, you’re intentionally building trust, positioning yourself for referrals, and establishing a reputation for reliability and credibility in their respective fields. This approach benefits clients and contributes to your personal growth and professional development by showcasing your problem-solving skills and a proactive mindset in various situations. 

Lacey Langford, AFC is the founder of MILMO a personal finance company specializing in the unique world of the U.S. military. Lacey is the creator and host of the MILMO Show, a podcast dedicated to helping the military community with personal finance. She’s also the founder of MilMoneyCon, a national conference focused on bringing together military and financial professionals.

She’s a U.S. Air Force veteran, military spouse, and a financial coach who changes people’s lives from being fearful of money to having control and confidence with it. Lacey is an Accredited Financial Counselor with over 15 years of experience in financial planning, counseling, and coaching.

Connect with guest, Lacey Langford: 

Website & Podcast – https://milmo.co

MilMoney Conference- https://milmoneycon.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ItsMILMO

Twitter/X – https://twitter.com/ItsMILMO

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/itsmilmo/

Connect with host, Virginia Elder:  

Website – https://www.reachingabundance.com 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/podcastabundance 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/podcastabundance 

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachvirginiaelder/ 

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@ReachingAbundance 

This podcast is edited and managed by the team at Podcast Abundance. To discuss working together on your podcast or YouTube channel, book a Discovery call with Virginia.