Ever wonder why doing great work isn’t enough to earn consistent referrals?

Show Summary:
In this episode, I welcome back Stacey Brown Randall, author of Generating Business Referrals Without Asking and the new The Referable Client Experience. Stacey explains why being referable starts with a client experience that creates emotional connection and trust beyond basic customer service. She outlines her three-stage client experience, shows how to meet clients where they are emotionally, and shares simple tactics like handwritten notes and intentional touchpoints that turn happy clients into natural advocates.

Takeaways:
• Referrals come from relationships, not results alone.
• Client experience is how clients feel while working with you. Feelings drive referrals.
• Customer service fixes problems. Client experience builds connection.
• Clients move through three stages: new, active, alumni. Each needs different touchpoints.
• Acknowledge the client’s quiet voice after they sign. Normalize doubts and reassure them.
• Handwritten notes are more memorable than digital messages.
• During long projects, show active clients they are seen and supported.
• Treat past clients as alumni. Maintain light, scalable contact such as holiday cards.
• Being referable combines excellent work with intentional relationship building.
• Three foundational strategies target existing referrers, current clients, and new potential referrers without asking or incentives.

Connect with Stacey at ReferableClientExperience.com for bonuses and a free chapter. Her books are available wherever you buy books. About our guest Stacey Brown Randall
Stacey Brown Randall is a business coach, author, and speaker who teaches professionals how to generate referrals naturally without asking, manipulation, or compensation. She is the author of The Referable Client Experience and Generating Business Referrals Without Asking.

===========================================================

Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.

Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!

Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/
Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/

I had a conversation with Peggy Sullivan about the idea of time poverty, which is that feeling of ending the day without having done anything that really mattered. She walked me through her personal wake-up call and the eight years she spent creating a system to help people take back their time without sacrificing success. Her method focuses on being intentional with how we spend our time instead of just staying busy for the sake of it. Some of my biggest takeaways:

• People wear busyness like a badge of honor, but Peggy makes it clear that constant activity does not mean you're using your time well. Time poverty is when you have plenty to do but no time for what matters.
• Her three-part process begins with subtraction. That means removing distractions like excessive email, constant notifications, and interruptions that break your flow and waste energy.
• The second step is something she calls mojo making. She explained how short moments of joy throughout the day help reset your brain, improve focus, and protect your energy.
• Step three is aligning your schedule with your values. She identified four core values that consistently lead to more satisfaction: energy management, growth, human connection, and authenticity.
• Most people can get back five to seven hours each week by following this approach. What you do with that time will define the quality of your life.

You can connect with Peggy at peggysullivanspeaker.com. She offers a free survey there to help identify your biggest time drains and is active on social media if you want to reach out.



Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.

Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!

Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/
Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/

I talked with cognitive performance strategist Emily Heird about how professionals can avoid burnout and perform at their best by understanding how our brains respond to stress and distraction. We dug into how busyness has become a toxic badge of honor, why rest and recovery are essential for real productivity, and how chasing dopamine through devices or overwork is quietly wrecking our focus and mental well-being. Emily shared a practical system for building healthier habits so we can get more done with less strain. 

Some of my biggest takeaways:

• Cognitive performance is about applying mental skills with intention. You don’t have to be in someone’s profession to help them do that well.
• Burnout isn't just a personal issue. For lawyers and others who use their brains as their main tool, failing to take care of yourself can lead to serious mistakes and ethical problems.
• The constant pull of email, social media, and "just one more thing" creates dopamine spikes that lead to anxiety, irritability, and distraction. Then we reach for another hit. It’s a loop that drains us.
• Emily teaches four pillars she calls dopamine discipline: regulate your inputs, get real rest, build recovery rituals, and grow resilience by building identity outside of work.
• Real productivity is about efficiency, not how many hours you grind. When you give your brain space to recover and focus, you do better work in less time.

To connect with Emily, visit vantageviewcoaching.com, find her on LinkedIn under Emily Heird, or subscribe to her newsletter through her website. 



Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.

Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!

Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/
Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/

Man, I just had a bad week.  It sucked. 

I needed to hear about what was going well in my life.

Then I remembered a brief LinkedIn Live I did a couple of years ago, on this exact topic.

In fact, it went viral (well, LinkedIn's version of viral:) Coincidentally, it was the same day I launched this podcast.

So instead of reinventing the wheel, I'm sharing it here; both for you and me:)


Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/

Most people spend more time planning a kitchen remodel than they do planning their business.

My beautiful wife Sarah and I have lived in four homes together, all of them fixer-uppers with their own quirks and challenges. We never had the skills of a professional crew, but we always had a plan that started with a clear budget, a timeline, and a realistic understanding of what we could actually get done. It still amazes me how much more planning we put into fixing up a house than most people put into launching or running a business. 

Takeaways:

• You do not need to be a renovation expert if you start with a clear plan and stick to it.
• Your business deserves the same kind of structure as a home project: map the budget, timeline, and responsibilities.
• Pick one short-term goal each week, block time for it on your calendar, and treat that time like a non-negotiable appointment.

Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/

In this episode, I chat with Lauren Ruth Martin, LPC-MHSP, to discuss the challenges of overthinking, overdoing, and burnout. Lauren shares her insights on how perfectionism, people-pleasing, and overachieving show up in people's lives and how they can address these struggles. From personal experiences to actionable strategies, this episode dives into the importance of setting boundaries, identifying your core values, and embracing self-compassion.

Key Points:

• Overthinking & Overdoing: Lauren discusses the cost of constantly pushing for perfection and how it affects mental health and productivity.
• The Price of Overachieving: How being an overachiever often leads to burnout, guilt, and shame, even when you're successful.
• The Importance of Values: Learn how identifying your core values can help you align your life with what truly matters, leading to more ease and fulfillment.
• Setting Boundaries: Practical advice for setting and maintaining boundaries, both in business and personal life, to preserve your time and energy.
• The Role of Self-Compassion: Why being kind to yourself is key to preventing burnout and living a balanced life.

Practical Takeaways:

1. Recognize when you're overdoing it and explore why you're pushing yourself so hard.
2. Use a values list to help prioritize what matters most to you and let go of things that drain your energy.
3. Start small with boundary-setting. Communicate clearly with others about your availability and stick to it, even when it's uncomfortable.
4. Stop comparing yourself to others. Focus on your own journey and remember that doing less can often lead to more.
5. Embrace that sometimes, the best thing you can do is simplify your life and focus on what truly brings you joy.

Resources Mentioned:

• Lauren Ruth Martin’s 9 to Kind Planner: A tool to help you live with more compassion, balance your personal and professional life, and stay aligned with your values.

You can find Lauren on Instagram @LaurenRuthMartin or visit her website at laurenruthmartin.com for more information on her work, the planner, and her speaking engagements.

In this episode, I chat with Lauren V. Davis, an entrepreneur who took her business on the road.

After years of running a successful record store and coaching others on personal branding, she and her partner decided to travel the country in a van. We dive into how she made it all work. Getting the bandwidth for client calls, simplifying systems, and managing her business while living off the grid. Plus, we discuss the importance of having boundaries, simplifying your schedule, and knowing when to take action. 

Key Takeaways:

• Simplify Systems for Flexibility: Lauren shares how she had to streamline her business to make it work while living on the road. She used Pep Link for internet and blocked out her days to make sure she stayed productive.
• Time Blocking for Neurodivergency: Instead of traditional time blocking, Lauren creates blocks of days, focusing on CEO tasks, calls, and creative work.
• Sacred Sundays: Lauren prioritizes “Sacred Sundays,” where she takes a break from work to reset and recharge.
• Eliminating Distractions: From scrolling through endless media to over-committing to tasks, Lauren discusses how important it is to recognize when you’re doing too much and when it’s time to take action.

Actionable Advice:

• Create an ideal day or week plan and set boundaries to protect your time.
• Embrace simplifying your work systems—use tools like Calendly to automate scheduling and apps to take over repetitive tasks.
• Use the Pomodoro Technique to stay on track and avoid burnout.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to streamline your business to create more time for what you love, head over to yourcharlesalexander.com and grab the exclusive toolkit to help you get started.

---------------------------------------------------------

About our guest: Lauren Davis is the founder of Lauren Davis Creative, a marketing and branding consultancy that will help you create memorable personal branding messages that convert to engagement and life-long clients.

--------------------------------------------------------

Time Freedom for You:

Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team. Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!

Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/

How do you use AI to enhance your marketing without losing your voice?

Show Summary:

In this episode, I talk with Kathryn Good of Good Circle Marketing about how she and her team are using AI to serve small businesses and nonprofits in smarter, more authentic ways. We cover everything from how to get started with AI, to building a strategy-first marketing plan, to creating long-form content that can be repurposed across platforms. Katherine shares real examples of how AI saves her time, helps her clients shine, and frees her up to focus on what matters most. If you’ve been overwhelmed by AI or aren’t sure how to use it well, this one’s packed with ideas you can run with.

Key Takeaways:

• AI works best when you pair it with your own voice, strategy, and point of view.
• Use tools like ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner, not a replacement for your creativity.
• Building a strong foundation—like knowing your audience and message—makes AI tools 10x more effective.
• Repurposing long-form content into smaller pieces is key to marketing efficiently.
• The more you outsource and automate, the more you free up time for strategy, family, and what you love.

Marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you combine smart systems with your personal touch.

About our guest 

Kathryn Good is a 20-year marketing expert with experience leading marketing tactics and teams for small businesses, nonprofits, and corporations. She is passionate about helping businesses become more aware of and secure in their marketing efforts. She lives in Gallatin with her husband, Seth, and their two children, Caleb and Clara.

==================================================================

Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.

Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!

Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/
Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/
Start Now Quit Later Book -  https://a.co/d/3xPW1Hs
Explainer Videos for Your Business - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/videopackages
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourcharlesalexander/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourcharlesalexander/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/yourcharlesalexander

More isn't always better...in fact, more is usually worse.

Summary:
In this episode, I talk about the Law of Diminishing Returns and how too much can lead to less progress. Using a story from my dad’s furniture store, I explain how adding more people or tasks often creates chaos instead of better results. I share practical examples, like over-seasoning food or over-editing content, to show how this law plays out in everyday life and business. Key Takeaways:

• More Isn’t Always Better: Whether it’s moving furniture, training kids, or micromanaging, doing too much can backfire.
• Four Tips to Do Less and Get More:
  1. Set a Deadline – Create urgency.
  2. Start Small – Don’t fear mistakes.
  3. Eliminate, Automate, or Delegate – Free up time.
  4. Focus on the Big Picture – Keep your eyes on why you’re doing this.
• Embrace Imperfection: Done is better than perfect. Stop tweaking endlessly and start shipping!

If you’re constantly over-editing, micromanaging, or obsessing over tasks, it’s time to simplify. Focus on completing tasks, not perfecting them. 

Join the Time Freedom Community to learn how to work on your business instead of in it. Visit yourcharlesalexander.com or connect with me on LinkedIn to get started!

What's the secret to getting paid for what you know, not just what you do?

Join us as Peter Thomson, often regarded as the Brian Tracy of the UK, dives into the art of valuing your knowledge and transforming it into profitable business ventures. With a career spanning over five decades, Peter shares how he shifted from running Europe’s largest tracing agency to becoming a celebrated author and speaker under the Nightingale-Conant umbrella. This episode isn't just about learning to charge what you're worth—it's about understanding the true value of your knowledge and expertise.

Takeaways:

1. Value your time based on the revenue it generates, not just the hours you put in.
2. Your fees should reflect the cascading impacts of your work, far beyond the immediate results.
3. Turn your expertise into tangible products, like books, to solidify your authority in your field.

And remember, it's not just about charging for the time you spend; it's about ensuring you are compensated for the comprehensive value you bring to the table.

====================================================================

About Peter Thomson

“People will never consistently do – who they aren’t”
 
It’s true. And it’s what stops you and me and our fellow travellers from reaching the level of success we so richly deserve. There is a solution. Starting business on 2nd February 1972 as a Private Investigator. Then as an entrepreneur, moving through selling the early carphones, then setting up a leasing business which I sold for a few million and retired at 42. Since then, I’ve spent the last 30+ years helping fellow consultants, coaches and business owners to share their hard-won knowledge with a waiting world.
 
As the UK’s most prolific information product creator and author (details here) I love seeing the light go on as my clients (and friends) realise just how valuable they and their ideas can be. And as they build businesses and lives of choice – I smile with them. Oh yes!
https://www.thepaidbook.com
==================================================================


Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. 

Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.

Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!

Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/
Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/
Start Now Quit Later Book -  https://a.co/d/3xPW1Hs
Explainer Videos for Your Business -https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/videopackages
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourcharlesalexander/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourcharlesalexander/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/yourcharlesalexander

 I am flipping the script a little on you today.

Instead of doing a solo podcast here, I am being interviewed.

I was recently on the Investor Coaching show with Paul Winkler, and no, I'm not talking about how to invest.

He does an excellent job of going deeper than just discussing finances.

It's a very popular radio show and a very popular podcast, and we're going to talk in depth about how to create time freedom for entrepreneurs.

Busy professionals and nonprofit leaders, so take a quick listen in and listen to Paul's show, interview me, and I hope you enjoy it!

How can we work smarter and avoid getting lost in busy work?

Show Summary:

We’ve all had those days where we sit at our laptops, work for hours, and yet somehow accomplish nothing. In this episode, I talk with Kristen about how she sets boundaries, prioritizes tasks, and avoids getting sucked into an endless cycle of checking emails and scrolling. She shares how external accountability, batching tasks, and outsourcing have helped her stay focused while running a business and managing a household with four kids. If you’ve ever struggled with feeling “busy” but not productive, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Setting external accountability, whether from a spouse, coach, or group, can help clarify priorities.
• Batching similar tasks together minimizes distractions and improves efficiency.
• Saying no to extra commitments—even ones you enjoy—creates space for what truly matters.
• Checking email or social media for a quick dopamine hit can derail productivity.
• Eliminating unnecessary tasks makes room for deep, focused work and creativity.
• Even small changes in how we structure our time can make a huge difference in what we actually get done.

About our guest 

Kristin is a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator for QBQ, Inc. With over a decade of experience sharing the message of QBQ! to over 200 organizations, Kristin is passionate about facilitating discussion around the topic of personal accountability. She grew up in the home of QBQ! as the oldest of seven Miller children. Steeped in the QBQ! message of personal accountability, she is uniquely equipped to share it with others. She’s VP of everything at QBQ, Inc. and holds a Masters in Curriculum, Instruction and Corporate Education. Kristin has created a number of tools based on QBQ! including an accountability curriculum for schools titled I Own It as well as co-authoring The QBQ! Workbook, published by Penguin.

==================================================================

Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. 

Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.

Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!

Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/
Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/
Start Now Quit Later Book -  https://a.co/d/3xPW1Hs
Explainer Videos for Your Business - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/videopackages
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourcharlesalexander/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourcharlesalexander/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/yourcharlesalexander

I recently wasted 90 minutes scrolling through Netflix trailers and Rotten Tomatoes reviews, and never watched a thing. That might sound silly, but it’s a perfect example of decision fatigue, and it happens in our work lives constantly. In this episode,.  We're going to discuss how too many options can actually paralyze us, how it affects entrepreneurs and leaders, and how to fix it with a few simple decision-making strategies. Whether you're stuck on a marketing plan or your next project, this one's for you.

Takeaways:

• Decision fatigue is real, and too many choices can lead to doing nothing at all.
• Weekly goals give your decisions direction and reduce overwhelm.
• Use a simple filter: Is it a heck yes? Is it yours to do? Is it the right thing?
• Constraints like time limits and deadlines help you make better decisions faster.
• The more options you offer (yourself or your customers), the less action typically gets taken.

You’ll get more done when you stop trying to do everything and start choosing with intention.


TIME FREEDOM COMMUNITY: For entrepreneurs and busy professionals who want to work on their business instead of in it, so you can spend more time with family, friends, and doing what you love! - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/

Can you radically change your work week when the chips are down? 

In today's episode, I sit down with Phil Pelluccia from Billionaires in Boxers to discuss how redefining team roles from mere task execution to ownership of outcomes can dramatically increase productivity and team morale. Phil shares his personal journey of reducing his work week to just two days following a serious health scare, and how this led him to rethink business operations fundamentally. We dive into the philosophy of empowering team members to own their responsibilities fully, resulting in more engaged and proactive team dynamics.

Key Takeaways:

1. Assigning ownership rather than tasks allows team members to feel more invested and responsible for outcomes.
2. Focusing on core activities that only you can perform optimizes productivity and frees up time.
3. Building partnerships can be a strategic way to handle tasks outside your core activities, enhancing business growth without increasing workload.
4. Simplifying your approach to work by focusing on results rather than hours spent can lead to greater work satisfaction and effectiveness.

Keep these insights in mind as you evaluate your approach to team management and personal productivity.

About Phil Pelucha

Philip Pelucha delves into the remarkable evolution of a simple idea that, at its inception, was just a spark of inspiration, yet has since grown into a powerful movement with the capacity to fundamentally reshape entire industries. Through a combination of relentless passion, innovative thinking, and a commitment to empowering businesses, this idea has transcended its humble beginnings to become a global force for change. Today, it stands as a beacon of transformation, driving not only economic success but also redefining what it means to lead, innovate, and thrive in a competitive world. By challenging conventional wisdom and embracing bold, audacious strategies, Philip’s vision has ignited a revolution that is empowering entrepreneurs, scaling businesses, and leaving a lasting imprint on the future of industries around the world.

https://billionairesinboxers.com

==================================================================

Charles Alexander has been a full-time Business Coach since 2007. He has coached over 2,000 entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and helped over 250 people start businesses. 
Then he decided to practice what he preached. After years of seeing the need for video marketing, he started creating Explainer Videos for Busy Professionals in 2015. That part-time business is now a full-time business with proven systems and a team.

Using those real-world experiences, I have created a boatload (well not a real boat, but you get the picture) of resources for you below, so you can start doing more by doing less!

Website - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/
Time Freedom Community - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/
Start Now Quit Later Book -  https://a.co/d/3xPW1Hs
Explainer Videos for Your Business - https://www.yourcharlesalexander.com/videopackages
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourcharlesalexander/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourcharlesalexander/
YouTube - Show more...