Breaking the Cycle: How I Prepared for My First Live Workshop—On My Terms

If you’ve ever worked in a corporate setting, you’re probably familiar with the unspoken rulebook for success: grind harder, work longer, and always strive for perfection. For over 20 years, I followed that script to the letter. Before every big presentation or meeting, I pushed myself to the limit, believing that was the only way to succeed.

The routine was as predictable as it was exhausting. I’d stay up late, obsessively polishing slides and rehearsing my talking points until my brain felt like it had been wrung out like a sponge. I’d forget to eat because, well, the pressure was just too high to waste time on something as trivial as food. Every spare moment would be squeezed dry, leaving no room for anything but work.

When the moment arrived—whether it was a meeting with senior executives or a critical pitch—I’d put on my game face and deliver. But the real challenge came after.

The second the meeting ended, my mind would flip into overdrive, picking apart every tiny detail:

• Why didn’t I answer that question better?
• Did they look unimpressed when I presented that slide?
• I should have spent more time preparing for that pushback.

I couldn’t just let it be. I’d carry the weight of my self-criticism for hours—sometimes days. The spiral of over-analysis would gnaw at me, convincing me I could have, should have, done better.

And for years, I thought this was normal. I thought this was just the price you pay to achieve success. It never occurred to me that there could be another way—until I walked away from the 9-to-5 grind and started building a life on my own terms.

A New Kind of Big Moment

Fast forward to last week: I hosted my very first live online workshop. This was one of those “make-or-break” milestones in my journey as a business owner, the kind of event that could have sent me straight back to my old habits. But this time, I did something radically different. And to my surprise, it felt as natural and effortless as if I were simply following a new script. It was fascinating.

Instead of treating the day like a high-stakes corporate presentation, I approached it as the empowered, intentional entrepreneur I’ve become.

The Old Way vs. The New Way

Here’s how I used to prepare for big moments versus how I approached this workshop:

The Old Way (Corporate Nadja)

• Night before: Stay up late, tinkering with slides and memorizing talking points. Sleep? Optional.
• Day of: Skip meals, run on adrenaline, and spend every waking second reviewing, overthinking, and second-guessing.
• After: Immediately dissect every second of the presentation. Spiral into self-critique. Lose sleep rehashing what I could have done better.

The New Way (Post-9-to-5 Nadja)

• Night before: Trust that the work I’d already done was enough. Sleep in.
• Day of: Start with a nourishing breakfast. Take a two-hour walk in the woods with my dogs. Do Yoga Nidra to calm my mind and find clarity.
• After: Turn off my phone. Hit the gym for a high-intensity workout to release stress. Relax with my dogs and a good book.

The result? I showed up to my workshop calm, focused, and fully present. I wasn’t running on fumes or fueled by nerves. I was in a state of flow, and for the first time, I genuinely enjoyed the experience of sharing my knowledge and connecting with others.

Why This Shift Matters

This wasn’t just a change in routine; it was a profound shift in mindset. For years, I believed success had to come at the cost of my well-being. I thought working harder, longer, and more intensely was the only way to prove my worth.

But stepping away from the corporate grind taught me something life-changing: Success isn’t about how much you sacrifice. It’s about how you show up—authentically, energetically, and in alignment with your values.

When you break out of the 9-to-5, you’re not just changing your work hours. You’re redefining what work means to you. You’re unlearning the habits that kept you stuck in a cycle of stress and exhaustion. You’re reclaiming your time, your energy, and your joy.

How You Can Start

If you’re stuck in a cycle of overwork and self-criticism, here’s what I’ve learned about breaking free:

1. Stop chasing perfection. You’re never going to get it 100% right—and that’s okay. Trust your preparation and let it be enough.
2. Prioritize yourself. Eat, sleep, move. It sounds simple, but these basics are often the first to go when stress kicks in. Make them non-negotiable.
3. Find a ritual that grounds you. Whether it’s yoga, meditation, or a walk in nature, create space to calm your mind and reconnect with yourself before big moments.
4. Close the stress loop. Don’t let stress linger in your body. Physical activity—whether it’s a gym session or a dance party in your living room—helps you process and release it.
5. Celebrate before you critique. Give yourself permission to feel proud before diving into “what could have been better.”

Join the Movement

This workshop was more than just a milestone for me—it was a testament to the power of working on your terms. If you’re ready to escape the grind and start building a life that feels authentic and fulfilling, I’d love to help you take the first step.

Shameless Plug: Join my next live event, “Escape the 9 to 5: How to Break Up with Corporate and Build Your Own Success,” happening on Thursday, December 5th, 11 AM - 1 PM EST. Tickets are available now on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/escape-the-9-5-how-to-break-up-with-corporate-and-build-your-own-success-tickets-1046397722757

Let’s rewrite the rules together.

#EscapeThe9to5 #SuccessRedefined #WorkOnYourTerms