Have you ever found yourself constantly searching for the next perfect business strategy, convinced that it’s the missing piece to your success?

I’ve been there, mama. In fact, I spent 66 hours this year alone working on an evergreen funnel that I never even launched.

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain to share a powerful truth that transformed my entire approach to business: the answer isn’t in another strategy—it’s in something much deeper and more meaningful.

The Strategy Trap: My Journey from Strategy-Seeker to Intuitive Business Owner

The Webinar That Never Was

Let me be vulnerable with you for a moment.

Last year, I joined a group coaching program focused on evergreen funnels and webinars. Like many of you, I was convinced this was THE strategy that would transform my business.

I invested countless hours creating what I thought needed to be the “perfect” presentation:

• Hours crafting the perfect slides
• Days fine-tuning the content
• Weeks obsessing over every detail
• Months trying to make it “just right”

The result? A webinar that was too long, never shared, and ultimately unused.

But here’s the real kicker: it wasn’t just about the wasted time. It was about how this pursuit of the “perfect” strategy kept me from doing what I do best—connecting authentically with my audience and serving from the heart.

The Hidden Cost of Strategy-Chasing

When we constantly chase new strategies, we pay prices we don’t often talk about:

• Lost confidence in our own intuition
• Diminished connection with our audience
• Weakened trust in our unique gifts
• Increased anxiety and overwhelm
• Distance from our true business vision

The Root of Strategy-Seeking: Understanding Why We Do It

Before we can move beyond strategy-seeking, we need to understand what drives us to it. Here are the common reasons:

Fear-Based Decision Making

• Fear of not being enough
• Fear of making mistakes
• Fear of being judged
• Fear of missing out on the “next big thing”

External Validation Seeking

• Looking for approval from others
• Trying to fit into someone else’s business model
• Comparing our journey to others’
• Seeking guaranteed success

Perfectionism

• Waiting for the perfect moment
• Over-preparing and under-implementing
• Analysis paralysis
• Fear of messy action

What You Really Need Instead:
5 Powerful Alternatives to Strategy-Chasing

1. Accountability Over Information

Why Accountability Matters More Than Knowledge

Information without implementation is just mental clutter. Think about it:

• How many courses have you purchased but never completed?
• How many freebies sit unopened in your downloads folder?
• How many webinars have you registered for but never watched?

Creating Effective Accountability Systems

• Find an accountability partner who understands your vision
• Join a community of like-minded mompreneurs
• Set up regular check-ins and progress reviews
• Create measurable goals and share them with others

Implementation Exercise:

Take 15 minutes to audit your “business education” folder:

1. List all unused courses and resources
2. Choose ONE to implement fully
3. Find an accountability partner
4. Set specific implementation dates
5. Schedule weekly check-ins

2. Trust Your Instincts: The Power of Inner Knowing

My Story of Self-Abandonment

I learned this lesson the hard way when I niched down to serving mom photographers because someone else suggested it. Despite my gut telling me otherwise, I ignored my intuition because I thought others knew better. While that experience taught me valuable lessons, it was ultimately a form of self-abandonment.

Signs You’re Not Trusting Your Intuition

• Constantly seeking external validation
• Feeling disconnected from your work
• Resistance to implementing strategies
• Lack of excitement about your business
• Feeling like you’re copying others

Rebuilding Trust with Your Intuition

1. Start with small decisions
2. Journal your gut reactions
3. Track when you follow/ignore your intuition
4. Notice patterns in outcomes
5. Celebrate when your intuition proves right

3. Faith-Based Business Leadership

Making Jesus Your CEO

This year, I put “Jesus as CEO” on my vision board, but what does that really mean in practice?

Daily Business Meeting with God

• Start with gratitude
• Share your challenges
• Listen for guidance
• Document inspirations
• Follow divine timing

Practical Application:

Create a morning routine that includes:

1. Bible study or devotional
2. Prayer specifically about your business
3. Journaling insights and guidance
4. Setting intentions aligned with your faith
5. Reviewing your mission and values

4. Take Action Over Perfect Planning

The Power of Imperfect Action

Success stories from my own journey:

• Launching my first workshop before feeling “ready”
• Starting this podcast without perfect equipment
• Creating my group program before having it all figured out

Implementation Framework

1. Choose one project or idea
2. Break it into tiny steps
3. Take one small action daily
4. Document learning and adjustments
5. Celebrate progress over perfection

5. Focus on Habit Formation: The Foundation of Sustainable Success

Understanding the Motivation Myth

It’s not about motivation—it’s about self-discipline and consistent action.

Core Business Habits to Develop

1. Planning Habits
   • Weekly business planning
   • Daily priority setting
   • Regular review and adjustment
2. Content Creation Habits
   • Consistent posting schedule
   • Content batching
   • Regular engagement with audience
3. Personal Development Habits
   • Daily learning
   • Regular self-reflection
   • Skill enhancement
4. Self-Care Habits
   • Regular breaks
   • Physical movement
   • Mindset work

Habit Formation Process

1. Start tiny (smaller than you think)
2. Stack habits (connect to existing routines)
3. Track consistently
4. Celebrate small wins
5. Adjust as needed

6. The Safe Self vs. Expansive Self Dynamic

Understanding Your Safe Self

• Role in protection
• Fear responses
• Comfort zone maintenance
• Resistance to change

Embracing Your Expansive Self

• Vision for growth
• Calculated risks
• Innovative thinking
• Comfort with uncertainty

Balancing Both Selves

• Acknowledge fear while moving forward
• Take calculated risks
• Create safety nets
• Celebrate growth

Practical Implementation Guide

Week 1: Awareness

• Audit current strategies
• Journal about intuitive hits
• Notice resistance points

Week 2: Planning

• Choose one aligned action
• Set up accountability
• Create implementation timeline

Week 3: Action

• Start small
• Document progress
• Adjust as needed

Week 4: Review and Adjust

• Evaluate results
• Celebrate wins
• Plan next steps

Moving Forward: Your Comprehensive Action Plan

Immediate Actions (Next 24 Hours)

1. List all current strategies
2. Rate alignment with values
3. Choose ONE focus

Short-Term Actions (Next Week)

1. Set up accountability
2. Create implementation plan
3. Take first imperfect action

Long-Term Actions (Next Month)

1. Develop key habits
2. Build intuition trust
3. Regular review and adjustment

A Final Note of Encouragement

Remember, mama, you already have everything you need within you to build a successful business. The answer isn’t in another strategy—it’s in taking aligned action, trusting your instincts, and showing up consistently for your dreams.

Don’t let the pursuit of perfect strategies keep you from making progress. Start where you are, use what you have, and take one step forward today. The worst that could happen is you learn what doesn’t work.

The best? You might just create something amazing that perfectly aligns with who you are and what you’re meant to do.

Share a screenshot of your biggest takeaway from this post on Instagram and tag me @thepurposegathering – let’s inspire other mamas to trust their intuition and take aligned action!

Until next time, keep shining that beautiful light of yours. You’re doing amazing things, even when you don’t realize it.

And remember, success comes from alignment and action, not from collecting more strategies!

Thank you for spending part of your day with me. And as always, mama, I am here rooting for you and you are not alone on this journey.

Complimentary Episodes:

1. Ep 186. Unlocking Your Potential from Playing Small to Dreaming Big
2. Ep 183. Transform Your Workday Starting with a Strategic Business Meeting
3. Ep 171. Implement Weekly CEO Dates For Strategic Growth
4. Ep 168. The Goal that Changes Everything
5. Browse All Business Related Episodes

Resources:

1. Ideal Week Blueprint – Get the clarity and tools you need to take control of your calendar and align your week with your goals and priorities.
2. Need support managing your time well and creating systems to streamline your business? Join the Efficient Mompreneur (12 Month Group Coaching Program)
3. Message me on Voxer (My username is afreehan)
4. Have a question for me? Or a specific struggle you’re dealing with? I’ll address your question on the podcast. Submit your ‘Ask Ashley’ question here
5. Local to Gilbert/Mesa Arizona (For Mom Business Owners) Join our in person membership community