The Truth About Strategy That No One Talks About

• Why overachieving might actually be slowing you down
• What it really means to take inspired action
• How to spot when you’re forcing it and what to do instead
• The surprising mindset shift that helped both of us finally gain traction

“You can be doing all the right things, but if your belief isn’t aligned, the strategy won’t work.”

“Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means releasing resistance and that’s when everything shifts.”

“We think we have to hustle to earn success, but the truth is: pushing harder often repels what we want.”

“Everything in your business begins with your mindset. That’s not fluff, it’s the foundation.”

“For so long I believed being productive meant rushing. But peace came when I stopped pushing.”

INTRO

I got banned. When I invested in my first course, I implemented the strategies that were taught in that course to their tee, but it didn’t work. I made zero money.

But what if the reason that those strategies didn’t work had nothing to do with execution and everything to do with mindset? If you ever felt like you’re doing all the things and still nothing seems to be working or bringing the results that you want, this episode is for you. I’m joined by mindset coach, Jeni Jonte, and we’re flipping the script on how success really works. Jeni says something bold, 95% of success is mindset and only 5% is strategy.

That might sound surprising. And in our conversation, we dive into what alignment actually means, how to spot when your beliefs are holding you back, and how to take inspired action. Because here’s the thing, peaceful productivity isn’t just about doing less.

It’s about doing what feels right. And in this, we will help you reconnect with what that means for you. 

Welcome to the peaceful productivity pod, where we redefine productivity through a lens of mindfulness and holistic well being.

ANNE

So Jeni, I heard you say that 95% success is mindset and only 5% is strategy and that doing the inner work is really important so that we feel inner peace and that we can work towards our goals. So tell me more about that. Because everywhere I go on the internet, a lot of people that I work with, we often talk about this strategy.

But you’re saying it’s the other way around. Why is that?

JENI

Because it all really comes from within. Everything that you see right now in your reality is your manifestation.

So even if we are not intentionally manifesting things, you are always manifesting. So what you see right now is a result of your past thinking. So when you start to look, you start to change what you think and what you feel on the inside.

And that is how you will start to change your reality. And it really does come from 95% of your mindset, which entails so many different parts. So a huge part of that is your beliefs so that when you go to pick the strategy that you choose for your business, you want to make sure that you’re aligned and then your belief has to be 100% behind it that I know without any shadow of a doubt that this strategy is going to create this for me for my business.

And so if you go into it with this complete knowing, it really doesn’t matter what strategy you use, as long as you have the mindset and the feeling of who you are, what your goals are, what your visions are, and everything is set up as you jump into whatever that strategy is. 

ANNE

Okay, I want to break that down a little bit more. So first of all, manifesting, obviously, it’s a word that I hear a lot, but maybe not everyone is like really familiar with it.

So maybe if you tell us what you mean by manifesting and how we do that, because it sounds like we do that all the time, but maybe not so consciously.

JENI

Yes, I think that’s exactly it.

Because you are constantly manifesting what is happening in your reality. So the thing is, we put a lot of emphasis on others sometimes. And we say, Oh, our business won’t work because the economy or because this or because that won’t work because of this person or that person.

But when you really start to go internally and you realize that everything that is occurring in your world at this time, you created. So we can very easily, blame or look to outside circumstances for why something is or is not the way that we really desire it to be. But in reality, it’s coming from you.

So when you start to look at what your past thinking was, and your past thoughts and beliefs about yourself and your ability to succeed and all of that, and you start to make that connection, okay, that is why this is where I’m at right now. But the key is to now become aware of that. And to start take control over your thoughts, your feelings and your actions that now you can create what it is that you really desire.

That’s what manifesting is. It’s just your thoughts, your feelings, everything just becoming your physical reality, right? So it’s taking all of these parts of us that are in like another dimension to get really deep on it and, and bringing it into this 3d experience that we’re having while we’re here. So, but once you become aware of that, and you start to understand that you can have control over that, which is what’s really beautiful, it doesn’t matter what’s going on in the economy, it doesn’t matter what,  so and so says that, oh, this strategy is no longer relevant, or this, isn’t going to work anymore.

None of that really matters. It all comes down to you. And what you believe will happen when you, you know, step out into that.

ANNE

I like that, because the more you were talking about it, the more it really felt like, true for myself, but also when I work with clients, and we’re here on the podcast talking about peaceful productivity. So I, before I discovered that I can be productive in a different way, I was like, really, go, go, go, always something is going on, like 5 million projects, always something like,I don’t know, tripping over things, because always rushing. And that was my reality.

And like being with my children and being a bit, a person who just really thinks fast and does so many things. But it was the same at work. I think like, if I’m connecting, that’s right.

But I feel like my belief was that I’ve got to be go, go, go to do all the things that I’m supposed to do, because I’m a mom who’s busy and all of that, and I want to be successful. So I, whatever I was doing in work, was go, go, go, because that was what I thought I am supposed to do. And that’s how I thought it’s, it should be, should work.

And then obviously, I realized, oh, maybe not so much. Slow down, like, take breaks, you don’t have to do everything, all of these things, like, I think what you were saying about the awareness and then taking control. And I see that with clients as well, quite often, I work with clients who are lacking systems and processes, and then they come to me, and they want help with that.

But again, because they believe somewhere, they are not systems people, like, so often, they say to me, I need your help. I know, I need systems. And I know, I need to create a process here.

But it’s not me, like, I go with the flow, and this kind of thing. And that’s what you’re talking about.

JENI

Yes, I mean, and that’s beautiful, too, if you can do that.

There has to be this really great blend of, like, I look at it as kind of like a feminine and a masculine approach to things, right? So like, the masculine is very much, in my view, or understanding of it is a lot more systematic, right? It’s a lot more like action, action, action, you must do these things at this time, right? Where then if you can blend that with the feminine energy behind it, of making sure that you are in the right place and centered first before taking out into this action, I mean, it’s just, it’s such a beautiful thing. So if you ever, come across people who talk about manifesting, and they’re like, just think about it. And that’s it.

They’re very much on the feminine side. So you really do, there has to be action that you take, but you don’t want it to be like, constantly driving and running, because I was the same way, too. I mean, I spent most of my life is just a perfectionist, right? And thinking that, I needed to have all these accomplishments, in order to, be seen as successful in order to be liked or loved or whatever it might be.

And so I just, would strive so hard and push to try to make things happen. And, but the funny thing is, I was like resisting and pushing things away from what I really wanted, because I was pushing so hard. So once you can get that down, you get that balance, then it’s, it’s really beautiful.

So you’re still taking action, but it’s inspired action. Because even when I first started my business, I did so much because everybody said I needed to do all these things. And so I’m like, well, I’ve got to be here and there and there.

And oh, my gosh, you better have this presence on social media. And you better do like, if you’re not posting several times a day, and all of this stuff. So I just like, killed myself, trying to take all of these steps that everybody was telling me I needed to.

So I had to do the same, I had to finally sit down and think about me and what I really wanted, what my goals were for the business, what my vision was, and what are the things that I enjoy doing? Like I love doing podcasts, I love meeting with people, and getting to share and hear about their experience and networking through that way. So I  took out all of the nonsense, or delegated some things that I just don’t have to. And, now I can come at it from a very different place.

ANNE

I love that. And then initially, you were talking as well about strategy and mindset, and if it’s not aligned, the strategy won’t work. So how could we, let’s talk about the alignment and how we can create that and what we need to do in order to be more aligned with strategy and also with the way we’re working and these kinds of things.

JENI

So it comes down to our energy, right? And if you hear people talk about the law of vibration, which is, the primary law to the law of attraction, and all of this stuff, when you get into the theory behind it, but it’s really, I think the number one thing we all need to do is to understand and know ourselves. I realized, I was like, 38, and I had no idea who I actually was. I spent most of my life as a chameleon, I was just blending in and doing what I thought what I was supposed to do conforming to whatever the norm was.

And I had to take quite a bit of time to slow down and figure out who I was, what I wanted, not what other people told me that I should have, or I should desire, like what I actually wanted. And so I think the very first thing you need to do is have a super clear vision on where it is that you’re going. And I recommend both personal and professional, so that if you don’t know where you’re going, then you’re just shooting in the dark, right? You’re just doing all kinds of different things and seeing what sticks and seeing what’s going to go.

And, oh, maybe the business will do this, or maybe I’ll do this, but you’re not clear on where it is that you want to go. So I think that’s probably the number one thing is to understand who you are, what you desire, what you believe to be true about yourself, and then have that clear vision. And you can start to then develop, understand your attitude, your, all of these things in relation to the mindset, then when it comes to the strategy that you want to choose.

ANNE

I like that. And I’m wondering, because I’m always, I’m always that person who’s like the, the sort of like, oh, but, oh, but, so I’m wondering if, you know, a person who’s listening, then, okay, I’ll dive deeper, I’ll try to understand myself. And I’m sure the listeners already sort of on this journey, because that’s obviously why they’re listening to a podcast like this.

But there you go. But self doubt, I felt like in my journey, and definitely, I think there’s some similarities there in terms of like, really rediscovering who you are, what you really want, how your business really feels good, and what you enjoy. Like I went through that too.

But I remember there was a lot of self doubt. Because again, what we’re seeing out there, and what people are telling us what we’re supposed to do can look very different from what we feel good about. And how do we, what would you tell your clients like self doubt? How do we tackle that? When we want to feel aligned? 

JENI

Yes. Oh, this is a big topic. And we see it so much, right? I know I have struggled with doubt in so many times. But so a lot of things that I like to say about this.

So first of all, I like to help people understand that they are a spiritual being, right. And when that really first started to click for me, I was like, Oh, my goodness, this makes so much more sense. Because we exist on three planes, right? We have our physical body.

But we are spiritual being and we have this incredible mind, which is not the same as our brain, it’s separate from, our physical body. But understanding that your spiritual being is perfect. It is flawless, it has no limitations.

So if you can understand that and start to tap into that more and more, and know that these things that we’re trying to do, and this, physical world that we’re living in right now, is nothing for your spirit, it’s easy. So start to understand, it’s easy, you can do it all, there really is no limitation. And I know you might hear this sometimes, and I used to hear that.

And I’d be like, that’s great for so and so. But that’s not true for me, right? Like, but I have all these limitations, there’s no way I could ever do that. And I believed that even about starting my own business in the first place, I was like, no, no, no, I’m just gonna stick with my I was a physical therapist before doing coaching.

And I’m like, I’m just, this is safe. I know this, I went to school for a long time for this, like, I’m just gonna do this, because this is what I’m doing. You know, it’s wonderful that so and so is out there, and they’re taking on and doing their own business.

And, but I’d never believed it was possible for me. So as I started to understand this concept, through my own study and personal growth and development, I started realizing, well, why not me? Why can Joe and Shirley and whoever else have success, and I can’t, there’s nothing different about them, right? We are all essentially the same. So that’s another thing that I like to say, this is such a deep topic.

So there’s so much to say about it. But then again, there, you have to start looking at the beliefs that you hold about yourself. And I began to realize how much I allowed other people to dictate how I believed I was, or who I believed I was, and what I believed I was capable of.

So I had ventured into several other little things in the past. And I never really followed through, because in all honesty, it wasn’t really what I was meant to do. It wasn’t until I found this that I was like, okay, this is my purpose.

I know why I’m here now. And I never, ever stopped, right? But because I had tried these other things, and didn’t really amount to anything with it, I began to have this idea of myself, and people close to me began to see me as kind of a failure, right? Like, oh, you try stuff, but you never stick to it or you tried this little thing, you tried that, you did whatever, and okay, so now you’re going to be a coach.

Sure. Like, that works. So you have to push that aside, and stay clear in the knowing that you are doing what you’re meant to do, and just have absolute belief in yourself.

So you have to just say, anytime those little self-doubt things come in, and they want to rear their ugly little head, then I love this analogy. I don’t know, it makes me laugh. But one of my fellow coaches always says it, but she says, just put your condom on, and just ignore it.

Let it bounce right off you. You’ve got your protection. It’s not coming in.

It’s not penetrating. So just put it on. And don’t allow any of those thoughts to get in.

Do not get emotionally involved with them. And stay clear and focused on the fact that you are doing what you’re meant to do. You are perfect.

Your spirit is perfect. And there’s no room for doubt. 

ANNE

I love it.

Just don’t let your mind go to visualizing that condom. That’s on the top of your head. Oh my God.

We want to keep that still pretty clean here on the podcast, but I love it. Thank you for sharing. This is definitely something that will probably spread word now.

Yes. That I wanted to ask you is, so the listener who might be that hustler, that, you know, I’ve got to do it all. I’ve got to be everywhere.

The perfectionist, what would you say are maybe like typical mindsets or beliefs that that person might be holding? Like, what are your thoughts there? Is there like a common one that you would think, you know, is related to this hustler grind mentality?

JENI

I think there’s a few things. First, I feel like this is the message that we are given from society. Like that you just have to keep pushing.

And if you’re not pushing hard, then you don’t even deserve success. Right? There’s kind of this, that really, that masculine message again, that you have to push really, really hard. You got to kill yourself.

Especially here in the US, we have like a no break kind of mentality going on here. And you almost feel guilty if you take time for yourself. But the funniest thing is, and I hear this over and over again, is that people, they’re trying so hard.

They’re striving so hard. And it’s like, minimal things are happening. They’re just not getting to where they really want to be.

Right? They’re not getting those big results that they desire. And then when they let go, you relinquish control. And you just, you work in alignment, you take time for yourself for things that you love and enjoy.

You take time for working out or being in nature or whatever it is that fills your soul. And that’s when things start to change. It’s really incredible

And it’s funny, like when we’re working really hard, you’re actually repelling what you desire. You’re repelling those results from coming to you. And so when you can work in that alignment and you can release the, I think one of the best things that I’ve heard in this, and it’s very hard for people to do, is to detach from the outcome.

So you want to have your vision. You want to have that goal. And yes, we’re working towards it with inspired action, but you detach yourself from the outcome.

And that is so hard. I think that is something that took me a long time to actually do because I’m like, but I want it so bad.

ANNE

And then you go on a sales call where you’re already like white knuckling,I have to make this happen.

And then it doesn’t happen because the energy, the like, you spoke about the vibration that you, transferring even through a Zoom call is just not the right energy to make it happen. And I believe that, if we’re pushing and pushing, because we are, we’re forcing it, the energy is not the right energy. And then the outcome is not going to be the outcome that we’re hoping for.

And that’s what you said, like, we’re pushing so hard, but the impact or the outcome is minimal. And so when we let go, which is not easy, not possible, that’s when suddenly, like everything falls in place. And you suddenly you having all these, I don’t know, opportunities and people coming around and sales happening.

And like, I literally remember those times when that happened to me, it was like, I worked so hard for years and years. It was like, but it was like, in hindsight, it was this energy of, okay, screw it. It’s not working.

I’m going to do something completely different. I don’t care. Whatever comes, and then it came.

So with me.

JENI

That’s beautiful.

Yes. And when you take it, the focus off of yourself, and when you fully look at the other person you’re talking to, right, you’re talking about that sales call, you’re there to serve. That’s what it’s all about.

So if you focus all of your energy and attention on them, and how you can help them, and not about what sale can I get out of this? And what how is it going to help me? It’s not about you in that moment, right? So I love that. And I love hearing that you also have had that experience of when you were able to let go. And suddenly it all starts coming.  It’s crazy how many times you hear this.

ANNE

It’s just like really, and this is me with my masculine and my really, quite strategic mind and these kind of things. And then those things happen.

And suddenly, it’s like, what? And suddenly, I see people manifesting and vibration and frequencies. And it’s interesting, very interesting. But my personal experience really feels like there is the truth to it.

And what you said is the balance, we need to have some strategy, some goals to work towards. You can’t just, you know, fly around like a butterfly. But at the same time, there’s a balance of the other parts as well.

So I love that. So thank you so much for sharing. So let’s wrap it up.

Is there something else that you feel like very important that you want to give the listener, and then obviously share where the listener can find you, connect with you if they want to find out more about you?

JENI

I think you know, what I just say all the time is everything is possible. And even if you’ve heard that before, I want you to really sit on that idea and really think about it because it absolutely is true. So if you are in a place right now where you are doing something or wanting something, and you are doubting whether or not it is actually possible, it is so never let that doubt come in.

ANNE

Love it. Thank you so much, Jeni, and share where they should go to find you Instagram, your website, what’s the place where you hang out most?

JENI

Absolutely. The easiest place is if you go to bringonpossible.com.

I’ll have whatever is the next event coming up up there and links to all of my other stuff is there as well.

ANNE

Awesome. And I’ll put the link in the show description.

Thank you so much. It was a huge pleasure to speak with you, JenI. Thank you

JENI

Thank you. You as well.

OUTRO

I love this conversation.

And what stayed with me most is the moment when Jenny and I realized we had the exact same experience, pushing and pushing and doing all the things, especially all the quote unquote, right things, hustling, strategizing, planning, and still nothing, nothing until we let go. So I would love for you to ponder on this, or come to Instagram and send me a direct message if you had this experience. If you realize that once you let go, everything falls into place.

And I want to give this to you today from this episode, because letting go doesn’t mean you’re giving up. It means you’re releasing the resistance. And sometimes that’s when everything finally falls into place like magic.

So if this is you, and if this resonated with you and any other part of the episode, let me know. I would love to hear from you share the episode with a friend who might need that little bit of magic and JenI Sprinkle, which I think was really wonderful. And of course, tag me on Instagram, send me a message, I would just love to hear from you.

And if you’re craving that kind of clarity, as we head into the last part of the year, oh, goodness, 2025 is coming to a close, I would love to invite you to my Q4 planning workshop. So this is the last of four planning workshops for the year. And if you’re listening to this episode, when it comes out, the Q4 planning workshop is happening on the 16th of September.

And I will hold a dedicated space for us to step back, realign, and focus on what truly matters in your business for the next quarter. I would love for you to attend because I know like many of my attendees say that they are always intending to do the planning and most of the times something else crops up. So planning doesn’t get done.

But without scaring you off, we only have that one quarter left in the year. So if you have big goals that you still want to hit before the year ends, join us, the spaces are limited, tickets cost $19. And it is not a session that is about stuffing more into your calendar, it really is a session where we are simplifying things and we’re choosing the most effective, efficient and feel good path forward.

The link will be in the show notes. I would love to see you. If you have questions, again, DMs on Instagram are always open.

Instagram handle is _annerajoo_. And next week before I say goodbye to you, want to let you know, I’m going to talk to Sophia Roscoe, who is a really lovely lady who will talk to us about brain fog, fatigue, fuzzy thinking. And it’s not really about time management, but it is about nutrition.

And it is one of the probably most underrated productivity tips, I believe, because I have gone through quite a bit of a nutrition journey at that point where I discovered peaceful productivity, because I was not treating my body very well. And that affected my capability, my brain capacity, my focus in so many ways. So since then, I’ve come a long way.

I still learned a couple of things in this conversation with Sophia. So yeah, if you’re curious about how nutrition can help you to be more productive, come back next week and discover some really fascinating and very doable tips from Sophia. Until then, stay peacefully productive and catch you next time.