Unscripted Pivots: Inspiring Stories from WTF [Women That Flourish]

Danielle Sprouls (00:02.744)
Hello WTF friends and welcome back to Unscripted Pivots. know, September is one of those months that feels like a second chance at New Year's. Kids are going back to school, the days are getting shorter, and there's this undeniable sense of a fresh start. Like life is hitting the reset button. I know many of you are going through some big changes right now though.

Maybe you're sending your kids off to college for the first time. I have friends that are watching their own children walk into kindergarten for the first time and their work days are starting to look completely different. If that's you, how are you holding up with that emotional shift? Are you finding it challenging to settle into this new rhythm? It's okay if it feels a little bit like a roller coaster. Transitions like these can stir up a lot of emotions.

and it's so important to check in with yourself. As we dive into this new season, it's the perfect moment to reassess, realign, and refocus. But let me ask you, when was the last time you took a deep breath? Not just the quick inhale, but a full satisfying breath that reminds you you're alive and present in the moment. For me,

this realization hit hard recently. After months of overworking across many goals, from writing a book to flirting with the idea of using my sales experience and love of content creation in other industries, you know, on the side, I was finally relaxing into a breathable rhythm. It was one of those moments where I thought, okay, I can breathe now. But then, out of nowhere,

It hit me. Summer was ending and September was here. You know that slight panic that sets in when you realize time has slipped away? Suddenly, my gratitude for those full breaths began to morph into a sense of urgency. Does that happen to you too? Do you find yourself in a comfortable rhythm?

Danielle Sprouls (02:24.564)
only to be jolted by the realization that time is marching on and you're not quite where you thought you'd be. As we navigate these moments, it's essential to have a plan in place, a strategy to stay focused, pivot when necessary, and embrace those WTF moments that lead us into unexpected successes. Speaking of which, I'm thrilled to share

that I've been working on something very special just for you. Starting soon, I'll be launching a series of exclusive group coaching programs under the Unscripted Pivots brand. But before I dive into that, let's wait, Kyle, I'm gonna start that over. Starting soon, I'll be launching a series of exclusive group coaching programs under the Unscripted Pivots brand.

But before I dive into that, let's talk about something that's been on my mind. When I started Unscripted Pivots, it was all about having organic, real conversations with women. And that's still at the heart of it. But as I spent more time with it, I realized there was potential here to turn it into a true business tool. That realization pushed me to dive into something that I'm not usually very fond of, analytics.

Not the most exciting part of podcasting, I'll admit, but necessary to figure out the direction I want this podcast to go. Have you ever found yourself digging into something you didn't particularly enjoy only to realize it was crucial for your growth? That's what analytics was for me. And in this process, one idea that kept coming up was expanding unscripted pivots to include male guests. What do you think?

Would hearing from men about how their industries embrace or sometimes don't embrace women in power be something you'd find valuable? I'd love to know your thoughts because this podcast isn't just for me, it's for you. Now, back to the group coaching programs. These programs are designed for all of you who are ready to take charge of your journey, whether it's leading with more confidence, transitioning into a new career,

Danielle Sprouls (04:49.94)
or finding freedom in a side hustle. I recognize that not everyone feels comfortable with one -on -one coaching, and some may feel that it's outside their financial reach at the moment. Do you find yourself yearning for that sense of community where you can connect with others who are on similar paths? That's what these group sessions will offer, a space where you can build relationships

that might turn into incredible opportunities, both personally and professionally. I'll be sharing more details in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. Whether you're looking to accelerate your leadership skills, build resilience, or finally make that pivot you've been dreaming of, these programs will provide the tools, support, and yes, the WTF moments that will make a difference. So if you're ready to take that next step,

Keep an ear out for more information because you won't want to miss the opportunity to join a group of like -minded, driven individuals who are all about getting to the next level.

Speaking of taking steps, let me ask you this. What's been holding you back from starting that podcast or launching that new idea you had in the back of your mind or pursuing that dream? Well, podcasting's been something I've been doing and I just want to mention that there is really a growing interest in the business community and for good reason. If you've been thinking about starting your own podcast or using it to boost your professional identity,

Here are three reasons why it can be a true game changer. First, authority building. A podcast allows you to establish yourself as an expert in your field. When you consistently share insights, stories, and advice, your audience starts to see you as a go -to resource. And let's not discount the networking opportunities that exist. Hosting a podcast gives you a reason to reach out to people you admire in your industry.

Danielle Sprouls (06:58.688)
It opens doors to conversations you might not have had otherwise, and it's expanding your network in meaningful ways. And then there's the content creation that is born from podcasting. mean, podcasts are a fantastic way to generate content. Each episode can be repurposed into blog posts, social media snippets, or even an ebook. And this is extending your reach and reinforcing your brand.

If you were even thinking about starting a podcast, think about how it can align with your professional goals. And if you're looking for guidance on where to start, how to grow and how to sustain success, I highly recommend checking out my podcast manager, Kyle Cummings. And he has this podcast called Pod Circle, which is also the name of his company. And Kyle is full of valuable tips that will help you make the most of your podcasting journey.

So let's talk about how you can stay on track when you realize your explorations have turned into distractions. We've all been there. We know that. Here are some tactics to reclaim your focus. First, connect with your why. Why did you start this journey in the first place? For me, it hit me when I realized that months had passed and I hadn't yet rolled out the group coaching programs I'd been planning.

My why was to help ambition professionals like you embrace their WTF moments and transform them into growth. When I lost sight of that, I knew it was time to pivot. Next, set clear actionable goals. It's easy to get caught up in all the exciting possibilities without a clear destination in mind. That's why it's so important to set specific actionable goals

that align with your overall mission. For example, instead of spreading myself thin across multiple platforms, I decided to return my focus on building a strong presence on LinkedIn, where my professional audience actually lives. I set clear goals for content creation, engagement, and networking, and all this was aimed at growing my coaching business and podcasting platform. Another key step is to create accountability structures

Danielle Sprouls (09:25.676)
Now this is something I emphasize with all of my clients because it's so crucial. If you've been struggling to stay consistent with your goals, having someone to hold you accountable can make all the difference. Whether it's a coach like me, a mentor or a trusted colleague, finding someone who will keep you on track is so important. For me, working with accountability partners helped me stay focused and execute my plans.

Let's not forget that decluttering your focus is also essential. Distractions often come from trying to do too much at once. Declutter your focus by identifying what truly matters and letting go of the rest. For me, this meant taking a hard look at how I was using my time and deciding where I could have the most impact. It wasn't just about having fun. It was about making strategic choices that aligned with my goals.

And finally, embrace your mistakes and move forward. Mistakes are inevitable, but they're also our greatest teachers. If you find yourself off track, don't dwell on the should -haves and could -haves. Instead, embrace those mistakes as part of your journey and use them as a fuel to move you forward. Regret is a waste of time, but reflection is powerful.

I reflected on my own detours, I learned from them and then pivoted back to what mattered most. The power of pivoting cannot be understated. As I've learned this year, getting sidetracked is just a natural part of the journey, especially when you're exploring new opportunities. But the key to success is recognizing when it's time to pivot back, to realign with your goals and to move forward with clarity.

and purpose. So if you find yourself wanting to take your life and career to the next level, but have struggled with consistency, I get it. I've walked that path too. But here's the thing, going it alone often leads to a cyclical experience. Whether you find yourself back at square one, wondering what progress feels like so elusive to you. That's why having someone in your corner

Danielle Sprouls (11:47.85)
Someone who understands the challenges and can hold you accountable is so crucial. If you're ready to make that pivot to embrace your own WTF moments and to move forward with confidence, I'm here to help. Together, we can turn those detours into valuable lessons and transform your journey into one of growth and success.

Thank you so much for joining me today on Unscripted Pivots. If this episode resonated with you, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who you believe also needs to hear this message. And please let me know your thoughts on expanding the podcasts to include male guests. Right? Why not? I do value your feedback, so I'd love to hear from you on that front.

Remember, women that flourish are born from unscripted moments that challenge us to grow. Until next time, keep pivoting with purpose.