We were lucky to catch up with Tracy Battaglia recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tracy, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
My self-discipline is a result of deliberate practice and commitment, especially in the realm of entrepreneurship where challenges are ever-present. When focus feels like herding cats through a room full of mice – it takes patience, cunning, and the promise of endless treats (for me, not the cats).
I’ve cultivated this trait by consistently pushing myself to tackle difficult tasks, break them down, find ways to make it fun! I gamify my life daily! I’ve also established routines and prioritized consistency and as such I’ve ingrained discipline into my daily habits, much like building any other skill through practice.
Despite having ADHD, which sometimes feels like having a hyperactive squirrel as a personal assistant, I’ve found ways to channel my inherent drive and motivation into mastering self-discipline. This highlights the belief that self-discipline is attainable for anyone willing to invest effort and maintain consistency.
To share my hard-earned wisdom, I offer workshops on self-discipline, workflows, time management and efficiency. Together, we uncover the secrets to wrangling distractions as well as creating and achieving tasks like a pro.
One fundamental aspect I advocate for in these workshops is the creation of a comprehensive to-do list each day.
1. Break. It. Down! Breaking asks down into manageable chunks, typically under 20 minutes, helps combat feelings of overwhelm and enhances focus. For instance, when designing a website, I compartmentalize tasks such as creating banners and optimizing SEO, ensuring each step is easily achievable.
2. Prioritizing Self-Care. This is integral to maintaining productivity. Starting the day with simple yet nurturing activities sets a positive tone, ensuring I’m mentally and physically prepared for the challenges ahead. Whether it’s showering, dressing well, or making my 4th cup of decaf espresso ( because it’s the feeling not the caffeine for me) , these rituals enhance motivation and foster a productive mindset. If you feel amazing, you work amazing! It’s incredibly important to prepare for work EVERY day even if you sit at home alone the ENTIRE day! Which I often do. But gosh darn it, I’m gonna be cute sitting here rotting my life away at this desk!
3. Make. It. Fun! Why, yes I do set timers to try to beat my shower time score… or can I do the dishes in 4 minutes as opposed to my 5 minutes yesterday? How about the living room pick up? How much can I accomplish in 10 minutes? My life is literally a game. Of course the timer isn’t great for client delivery /creative work but household tasks it’s a real “game” changer.
4. Offload As You Go. To tame the chaos in my brain, like when you go to email that one client on the list and find 13 emails waiting for you… I’ve become a master of offloading tasks onto external lists and reminders. All it takes is a quick jot down of the new 13 tasks instead of following the rabbit trail friends! Just offload the new tasks (on a whiteboard, your Apple Watch reminders, or whatever system you use!) as they pop up in your head every 2 seconds! It’s like having a personal assistant who never forgets anything – except maybe where they left their water bottle ( hi, it’s me, I’m the problem it’s me)
These strategies I’ve shared are just a glimpse into my toolbox for cultivating self-discipline. The workshops go much deeper! If you’re eager to explore more personalized guidance and discover additional tips and tricks to boost your productivity and motivation, I invite you to visit my website. You can book a consulting call or join one of my workshops to delve deeper into enhancing your self-discipline and efficiency. Together, let’s unlock your full potential and achieve your goals with confidence.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
It’s Me, Hi-I’m Tracy, It’s me! I am the multi-entrepreneur behind The Fully Alive Agency, a hub of creativity and collaboration that brings my passion projects to life. Let me give you a peek behind the curtain into who I am and what makes my agency tick.
1. First up, we have Fully Alive Photography – my pride and joy since its creation in 2006. With a degree in film photography and 18 years of nurturing this baby, I’ve honed my craft to capture life’s most precious moments. From Weddings to the joyous chaos of family sessions, and everything in between, and mostly brands! We offer a range of photography services that cater to all walks of life. And let’s not forget our innovative subscription-based branding memberships, where we sprinkle a dash of story branding magic with captivating luxury photography and micro-videos for the social media demands.
2. Next on the roster is Fully Alive Creative, where imagination and strategy knows no bounds. As a creative and strategic branding agency, we dive deep into the realms of brand development, website design, and consulting. Whether it’s crafting visually stunning narratives or solving complex business challenges, our offerings span the spectrum from creative flair to strategic insight.
3. And then there’s Fully Alive Events- From intimate gatherings to grand affairs, from weddings, birthdays to launch parties-we specialize in curating unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression.
But enough about the business – let’s talk about me!
I’m a neurodiverse mother, wife, and 18 year multi-entrepreneur, navigating life with a blend of my midwestern farm-town roots (this means I’m a talker & a hugger) to my Southwest Az soul (I’m trying to be cool). When I’m not busy building my empire, or attempting to be a steller mom- you’ll find me obsessing over Taylor Swift, wearing cute outfits, overthinking everything, reading young-adult fiction, wishing I had more kittens, drinking 9 cups of decaf espresso, face-timing my mom, or chasing down the best street tacos/thai/indian/food in town.
So there you have it – a glimpse into the world of Tracy and The Fully Alive Agency. Join me on this adventure as we embrace creativity, celebrate life, and make magic happen, one project at a time.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey, I’d say three qualities have been most impactful in my journey.
1. Choosing Kindness – my ride-or-die companion. I’ve built my entire existence around it, except maybe when I’m behind the wheel, silently muttering curse words at questionable driving skills (but hey, we all have our moments, right?). Seriously though, choosing kindness every single day, in every decision, has been key to shaping both my personal life and my business.
2. Finding Joy. My ever-optimistic partner in crime. Even on those days when I’m feeling blue or questioning my own existence, or if everyone really hates me? I make it my mission to seek out those little slices of joy. It’s like Pollyanna (but in the good way- it’s okay to feel your feelings – then find joy. I never ignore my feelings, first process then find joy! It’s like a superpower that keeps me going, giving me the courage to face whatever life throws my way.
3. Build Resilience – my tried-and-true mantra. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” “ Practice makes perfect” “What doesn’t kill me makes me want you more” Oh wait- that’s Taylor Swift “if it doesn’t kill you, it makes your stronger”. These are not just silly sayings plastered on motivational posters – it’s my life philosophy. Every setback, every stumble, only fuels my determination to bounce back (Coach Dar- check out her book the Art Of Bouncing Back) stronger than ever. I preserver and I build resilience.
So, to all you early birds embarking on your own journey, here’s my wisdom: embrace kindness, chase joy like it’s the last cookie in the jar, and never, ever give up. These qualities aren’t just random traits – they’re deliberate choices you make every single day. So, when life throws you a curveball, ask yourself: How can I choose kindness? Where can I find joy? And most importantly, how can I bounce back and keep pushing forward? Trust me, you’ve got this!
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
Ah, the age-old debate: should we double down on our strengths or strive for well-roundedness by improving our weaker areas? As with most things in life, the answer isn’t black and white – it’s more of a delightful shade of gray.
Let me break it down for you.
On one hand, going all in on our strengths can lead to mastery and excellence in those areas. Think of it like a superhero honing their superpowers – when they focus on what they’re already good at, they become unstoppable forces of nature.
On the other hand, there’s something to be said for being a well-rounded individual. Investing effort in areas where we’re not as strong can broaden our skillset and make us more adaptable in different situations. It’s like adding new tools to our toolbox – the more versatile we are, the better equipped we’ll be to handle whatever life throws our way.
So, what’s the right approach? Well, it ultimately depends on your goals and personal preferences.
For me, I’ve found that striking a balance between the two is key. Let me share a little story to illustrate my point:
Back in the day, I was hyper-focused on my photography strengths (for 15 years!!! plus a degree? Why wouldn’t I focus there? Some like to call it “staying in your lane”– let’s call it my “comfort zone.” I excelled in these areas and felt like I was on top of the world.
But then, life threw me a curveball (ahem covid) and suddenly I found myself facing challenges ( like no in person work!) and realizing I was meant for more than just photography. Sure I had dabbled in coaching and had even written an entrepreneurship course called Launch- but I wasn’t invested in that offering because I was SO wrapped up in photography.
Instead of shying away from this challenge, I decided to roll up my sleeves and tackle them head-on. I jumped into the deep end and launch a second business! I launched Fully Alive Creative…And you know what? It was tough at first, pushing myself to grow in a semi-new area, figuring out what I was even capable of offering others, and figuring out what people even needed.
I was starting all over in another lane- even thought it was on the same road! As an long time entrepreneur, I was already capable of running a successful and profitable business, I could easily help others? And as a photographer I already understood strong branding and creative direction! Again, I could help others do what I had done! But still imposter syndrome is a real thing! And it was still hard for me, especially the fear of thinking others were thinking I was crazy for changing lanes.
But screw the naysayers that say “stay in your lane?” Who does that? Who drives in one damn lane? NO ONE – Why? Because it’s stupid. That’s not life. You are multi-faceted, you are human! You need freedom to drive where you want! I mean let’s not drive OFF the road unless you are a special person with a special off-road kinda car… This phrase was probably coined to help people that drive all over the place and never get good at anything because they never focus… but this phrase has become so toxic because it shames people from growth, puts them in a box of death- because if you aren’t growing you are…. (yes I’m being dramatic- it’s for effect). The point is don’t let others hold you back. Allow yourself to grown and become.
With perseverance and determination, I ignored my tiny shame voice and I started to see improvement. I expanded my skillset, became more adaptable, and ultimately grew as a person. I have doubled my revenue, helped 50+ businesses launch, grow, or rebrand in the last 4 years! It’s amazing how many I have been able to help! It’s LIFE giving!
So, my advice to you is this: don’t be afraid to lean into your strengths and embrace what makes you unique, learn the art of focus and perseverance. But at the same time, don’t shy away from areas where you could use a little improvement or you want to grow in. Being a well-rounded knowledgeable business owner gives you a higher success rate! Strive for balance, embrace growth, and remember that life is a journey of continuous learning and development.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thefullyaliveagency.com
- Instagram: @thefullyaliveagency @fullyalivephotography @fullyalivecreative @fullyaliveevents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullyalivephotography/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tracyannbattaglia
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFullyAliveAgency
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fully-alive-photography-tempe-2
Image Credits
– Me! @ Fully Alive Photography
