In this episode, Maggie Perotin explores how journaling can be indispensable in your high-performing CEO toolkit. From Bill Gates to Sarah Blakely, successful business leaders use journaling to foster creativity, solve problems, and maintain peak performance.

What You'll Learn:

• The science-backed benefits of journaling for entrepreneurs
• Four powerful journaling methods that boost business performance
• How handwritten journaling improves memory, creativity, and problem-solving
• Simple techniques to incorporate journaling into your daily routine

Key Benefits of Journaling Discussed:

• Emotional regulation and stress reduction - Process emotions to reduce overwhelm
• Enhanced self-awareness - Gain deeper insights into your thoughts and decision-making
• Improved problem-solving and creativity - Create space for breakthrough business ideas
• Health benefits - Boosted immune function, lower blood pressure, and better sleep
• Increased productivity - Better organization, goal-setting, and motivation

Four Journaling Methods for Business Owners:

1. Mindset Maintenance Journaling - Daily gratitude and celebration practice (10 minutes before bed)
2. Idea Development Journaling - Brainstorming solutions and developing intellectual property
3. Organizational Journaling - Weekly planning and project management
4. Transformational Journaling - Brain dumps and prompted reflection for personal growth

Featured Quote:

"As business owners and leaders, our business cannot outgrow us. We must first grow for the business to deliver the results we want."

Resources Mentioned:

• DREAM-PLAN-DO Journal
• Research by psychologist James Pennebaker
• Mueller & Oppenheimer Research (2014)
• Baikie & Wilhelm Research (2005)
• Michigan State University research

Take Action:

Ready to transform your business through journaling?

Join Maggie's journaling challenge!

Book a consultation to learn how to combine personal development with business coaching for maximum results.

Connect with Maggie:

Visit stairwaytoleadership.com to learn more about coaching options and the Diamond Effect Group.

🔊 Episode Summary:
Maggie reveals why traditional to-do lists set you up for stress (not success) and shares her *30-minute Weekly CEO Power Hour*—the exact system she uses (and teaches clients) to 10X productivity, eliminate wasted time, and achieve 1 week’s work in 1 day.

💡 Golden Takeaways:

✅ The Big 3 Rule: Focus on 3 weekly goals tied to 90-day targets (not 30 random tasks).
✅ Time Block Like a CEO: Schedule outcomes, not just tasks (e.g., *“2-hour block: Finish Module 1”*).
✅ The Daily Filter: Ask: “Will this move my Big 3 forward?” (If no, delete or delegate).

And if you're serious about becoming a High-Performing CEO and 10X Your Business, book a complementary consultation call with Maggie here to discuss details. https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/

Are you transitioning from solopreneur to a small business owner with a team? This episode is your practical guide to effective leadership, whether you're hiring your first virtual assistant, building a small team of contractors, or hiring a few full-time employees.

🎯 Perfect for you if:

• You're about to hire your first team member
• You've started building a team but leadership doesn't feel natural
• You want simple, proven leadership principles that actually work
• You're looking to scale your service-based business with a team

💡 In this episode, I share five essential leadership principles drawn from:

• 15+ years of hands-on leadership experience
• Building teams from scratch
• Transforming underperforming teams into high-performing ones
• Leading hundreds of team members successfully

🔑 The 5 Essential Leadership Principles:

Lead by Example (00:04:00)

• Why actions speak louder than words
• Common leadership mistakes to avoid
• How to build trust through consistent behavior

Know Your People (00:08:00)

• Two crucial levels of understanding your team
• How to motivate different personality types
• Building genuine connections without crossing professional boundaries

Have Their Back (00:13:00)

• Creating clear operational guidelines
• Supporting your team while maintaining standards
• Removing obstacles for your team's success

Avoid Micromanagement (00:16:00)

• Why controlling everything limits growth
• Setting outcomes vs. dictating methods
• Building trust and encouraging creativity

Address Performance Issues (00:21:00)

• Why keeping underperformers hurts everyone
• How to handle difficult decisions
• Creating a high-performance culture

💪 Key Takeaways:

• Leadership isn't about being perfect; it's about being consistent
• Your role shifts from doing to enabling
• Clear guidelines create freedom within structure
• Trust and empowerment drive business growth

Ready to level up your leadership? Book a free consultation HERE

Connect with Maggie:
https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/

https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/

#DiamondEffectPodcast #LeadershipTips #BusinessGrowth #TeamManagement #SmallBusinessSuccess #ServiceBusiness #BusinessCoaching #EntrepreneurshipJourney

Discover why consistency isn't about willpower or time management - it's about something much more fundamental. Through a real client story, Maggie reveals the two key elements that make or break your consistency efforts.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why having "enough time" isn't the real issue with consistency
• The crucial mindset shift that transforms sporadic action into consistent results
• How to create systems that make success almost automatic

💡 Client Story Highlight:
Learn how one business owner went from struggling with newsletter consistency to making it a non-negotiable part of their business - without finding more time in their schedule.

⚡️ Action Step:
Identify one area where you're struggling with consistency and examine whether you're treating it as "optional" versus "non-negotiable."

🎁 Special Opportunity:
Join Maggie's online AI Workshop on May 28th, 2025 to discover how to leverage artificial intelligence for consistent business growth while saving hours each week.

Connect with Maggie:

• Website: stairwaytoleadership.com
• Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/

🎉 Celebrating 200 Episodes of Diamond Effect Podcast!

In this special milestone episode, host Maggie Perotin interviews her husband, JF Perotin (stage name - Jay RK), a musician and performer who successfully built his entertainment business while maintaining a full-time career and also prioritizing family life.

Key Discussion Points:

🎸 Building a Creative Business (0:00-5:00)

• Starting from zero network as an immigrant entrepreneur
• Evolution from YouTube channel to live performances
• Growing from one monthly gig to regular weekly bookings
• Innovative approach to audience engagement through QR code song requests

💼 Business Growth Strategies (5:00-13:00)

• Effective venue outreach and follow-up techniques
• Building relationships with venues and private event clients
• Balancing multiple revenue streams (bars/restaurants vs. private events)
• Using creativity as a business advantage

⚖️ Work-Life Integration (13:00-19:00)

• Managing a side business while working full-time
• Starting small with realistic commitments
• Prioritizing without sacrificing quality
• The importance of having a supportive partner

❤️ Relationship Dynamics (19:00-24:00)

• Supporting each other's entrepreneurial journeys
• Maintaining open communication
• Creating habits for staying connected (daily walks)
• Building trust through consistency

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parenting & Business (24:00-31:00)

• Nurturing relationships in a blended family
• Showing authenticity as a parent-entrepreneur
• Connecting with children through shared interests
• Maintaining consistency while being available

🎵 Where to Find JF's Music:

• Streaming platforms: Search for "Rockin Krolik" (K-R-O-L-I-K)
  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2geMzqZhDmDnfcUIANhOyx
  Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-rockin-krolik/1449242861
• YouTube: @therockinkrolik
• Live performances: Greater Toronto Area

💡 Key Takeaways:

1. Start small and build gradually
2. Maintain consistent follow-up with potential clients
3. Create systems for balancing multiple priorities
4. Stay authentic in both business and family life
5. Keep communication channels open with your support system

🎯 Action Steps for Creative Entrepreneurs:

• Begin with manageable commitments
• Document your progress
• Create follow-up systems
• Build support networks
• Establish communication routines

Connect with JF:
https://www.therockinkrolik.com/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/therockinkrolik/

Connect with Maggie:
https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/

LinedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/

#DiamondEffectPodcast #CreativeBusiness #Entrepreneurship #WorkLifeBalance #FamilyBusiness #MusicBusiness #SideHustle #BusinessGrowth

In today's Maggie's Moment, Maggie smashes the myth of "passive income" and reveals why most entrepreneurs waste years chasing it. Learn the 3 hard truths about building real scalable income—without the guru hype.

Passive income isn’t real. Here’s why:

• Truth #1: Passive = Pre-Loaded Hustle (the hidden work no one talks about).
• Truth #2: Focus on leverage, not laziness (scalable vs. "set-and-forget").
• Truth #3: Your time is your best asset (skills > systems).

💡 Key Takeaways:

✅ There’s no such thing as 100% passive income—only pre-loaded effort.
✅ Scalable income (e.g., group programs, productized services) beats "passive" dreams.
✅ Invest in skills that compound (marketing, sales) over buying shortcuts.

📣 Engage With Maggie:

• Comment: "Do you agree? Drop a 🔥 for ‘truth’ or 🤔 for ‘still skeptical’!"
• Tag a friend who needs this reality check.
• Want more? Follow @Ymaggie.perotin.s2l on Instagram or TikTok for weekly business truths and realistic tips

In this value-packed episode, Maggie shares her practical approach to implementing AI in your service-based business, drawing from her extensive leadership experience in technology adoption and business scaling.

Key Insights:
• Why AI is like training your delegation skills (and how this prepares you for future team growth)
• The "10X output" framework for solopreneurs and small business owners with limited budgets
• How to maintain your authentic voice while leveraging AI tools
• 4 practical areas where AI can amplify your business today

💡 Actionable Frameworks:

1. Marketing & Sales Applications
   • Proposal writing
   • Content repurposing
   • Social media strategy
2. Research & Development
   • Market research automation
   • Content ideation
   • Trend analysis

🛠️ Recommended Tools:
• Sintra - for social media, marketing and sales materials - https://playosinc.pxf.io/7ayEnr
• Descript - for video and podcast content - https://get.descript.com/2sd4jd07z70j
• Chat GPT, Perplexity, Deep Seek - for research and content creation

🎯 Getting Started Tips:
• Start with free tools to build confidence
• Focus on specific, context-rich prompts
• Always fact-check AI-generated research
• Use AI as an amplifier, not a replacement

💥 Special Announcement:
Join Maggie's hands-on AI workshop on May 28th, 2025 (2-4 PM EST) to create:

• 30-day content plan OR
• 2 weeks of ready-to-use posts OR
• Sales email sequence Limited spots available at $47 CAD!

🔑 Key Takeaway: AI isn't about replacing human expertise—it's about amplifying your business capabilities while maintaining your authentic voice and expertise.

Ready to transform your approach to AI? Book your workshop spot at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/solopreneurs-ai-toolkit-create-weeks-of-content-sales-materials-fast-tickets-1321747364949?aff=oddtdtcreator

#BusinessGrowth #AIforBusiness #ServiceProvider #SmallBusinessTips #BusinessAutomation #DiamondEffect

Tooday, I share 3 key mindset shifts that directly impacted my business revenue and can transform yours too.

Key Insights:
• Why successful businesses still face challenges and how this knowledge makes you a better leader
• The "Rock Behind You" principle: How to stop letting past results limit your future potential
• Why consistency trumps trendy strategies (especially for introverts!)

💡 Quote highlight: "Don't trip over the rock behind you" - Seneca

🔑 Key Takeaway: Your future success isn't determined by past results - every day brings new opportunities to exceed your previous best.

Ready to transform your business mindset? Book your discovery call at https://stairwaytoleadership.com

#BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #MindsetShift #BusinessSuccess #EntrepreneurMindset