From Workaholic to Conscious Creator

From Workaholic to Conscious Creator

Lessons in Work-Life Balance from a Seasoned Entrepreneur

As I sit here on my cozy couch, reflecting on my journey as a writer, coach, and entrepreneur, I can't help but smile at the twists and turns that have led me to where I am today.

My name is Sofia Wren, and I've spent over 25 years writing and publishing online, as well as more than a decade as a business owner. But my path hasn't always been smooth or balanced. In fact, for many years, I was the quintessential workaholic, hustling non-stop in pursuit of success.

My journey began in childhood, when traumatic events led me to hide my true self, including my creativity. Writing became my secret outlet, starting with a blog at age 10 in 1997. As I entered my twenties, I realized I was suffocating in a box of fear, giving up a huge part of my soul. I knew I had to change.

In 2013, I took the leap and started my own business. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once. I threw myself into my work, showing up at events, building connections, and using my writing online to keep people updated. Success followed - I was recruited as the head copywriter for $10,000 marketing campaigns, ghostwriting jobs and editing books. I was living my dream as a professional writer!

But something was still missing in my personal life.

In 2017, the month I turned thirty, my dad had a heart attack. That's when I realized life was too short to keep living the way I had been. This epiphany led me to make a drastic life change and move to Japan.

As random as it seemed, it was exactly what I needed to do, but it wasn't easy. I had to get serious about tackling a huge number of tasks to secure a job in Japan teaching English, conclude my affairs in America, and get ready to move across the planet (while still working my business).

I faced a mountain of things to do! But I made it happen by learning new things about digital organization and how to prioritize. (This led me to be such an enthusiast about digital organization, that I would start teaching other people how to do it, too!)

Japan gave me an unexpected gift.

Living abroad in isolation gave me the space to reevaluate my goals and patterns. For the first time since I began blogging decades before, I examined my relationship with how I share myself online.

Being in a new timezone where I no longer got constant updates, I realized that since I started my business, I'd become addicted to social media and the constant need to "show up" for others. I began to question: Am I brave enough to make up my own mind and not judge the value of my feelings and thoughts by how many people 'like' them online?

This period of reflection was challenging but ultimately transformative. I met my husband in Japan, and after navigating a long-distance relationship during the COVID pandemic, we finally reunited in America. But life had another curveball in store - my father's cancer diagnosis and subsequent passing in 2021.

Losing my dad plunged me into a dark night of the soul. I lost my fire for life and questioned everything I'd been working towards. Was I just trying to make my dad proud this whole time? I needed a new reason to get out of bed.

Amid my grief in 2023, I made a conscious decision to put my relationship with myself first. My number one priority became, not a work task, but a focus on being my own best friend, even if it meant slowing down my business or sharing less of myself online.

This shift led me to a profound realization: writing isn't just about connecting with others or building a career. It's about being my own best friend and creating things that are beautiful and meaningful to me.

3 Takeaways

Through this journey, I've learned valuable lessons about the dangers of being a speed demon like I used to be and prioritizing my well-being:

  1. Hustle culture can be toxic: Constant work without rest leads to burnout, not success. This is not sustainable, so if it is the cost of success, that success probably will not last. It's easy to get caught up in the idea that more work equals more success, but I'll ultimately end up feeling disappointed and unhappy with the results of my labor.
  2. Self-care is non-negotiable: Taking care of yourself isn't selfish or lazy; it's essential. When I neglect my well-being, my work and relationships suffer. And so does the quality of my life so when I find myself overworking, I have to ask what am I really doing any of this for? When I'm more rested, everything just works better in my life, business, and creativity. As I often remind myself now, "Taking care of myself is productive."
  3. Balance is key: Success isn't just about career achievements. True fulfillment comes from a balanced life that includes personal relationships, self-care, and pursuits that feed my soul. I now recognize I have a number of hobbies that are an important part of my life, and these "distractions" are what make life worth living by keeping me in a good mood.

Putting it Into Practice

In my journey to balance self-care and business priorities, I've discovered a powerful tool that has been a game-changer.

I'm excited to share this tool in my "Find Your Priorities" class, which is available for free on YouTube. You can watch it by clicking here.

I highly recommend watching this class if you're struggling with overwhelm or unsure how to prioritize your tasks. In just 45 minutes, you'll learn:

1. How to tap into the creative soul of your book or business to uncover your true priorities

2. A unique journaling technique to gain clarity on your goals and what to do next.

3. Strategies for balancing your self-care with productivity.

4. How to feel more satisfied with what you spend your time on.

I have taught these techniques for years and have seen how they help my clients break through overwhelm and gain a renewed sense of purpose in their work. It's a great starting point for anyone wondering what to do next, and who cares about creating more balance in their life and business.

Please note that the video does briefly mention a 6 week intensive offer. That offer has now expired, but I am currently offering something else...

Get Support Now

If you want to make faster progress writing for your book or business, I've created the Rapid Progress 2 Month Program just for you.

This intensive program is designed for busy people who need extra support in their writing journey, whether you're working on a book or business content.

Here's what you'll get:

- Clarity and Prioritization: We'll sort through your ideas for your book or business so you know what to focus on next at every turn.

- Weekly Check-ins: Get my personalized weekly feedback via Voxer or email—no need to schedule live calls.

- Optional Editing: Submit up to 6 pages of writing per week for feedback, or 3 pages for line-by-line edits.

- Bonuses: You'll receive access to the Optimism Challenge E-course & 2 months in the Video Vault, packed with resources to support your writing goals.

It's time to move from stuck to unstoppable.

'Sofia is an amazing editor. She's helped me in the past and is currently helping me. I highly recommend this talented woman. This is a quote I texted Sofia the other day "Your work is amazing. I love what you've done for me and the book!"' Melissa Feick, Spiritual Teacher & International Bestselling Author.

"Sofia masterfully guided me to tune into my own wisdom to discover what my business was telling me. It was such a unique and empowering experience. Sofia's approach is unique and highly effective." Keasha Lee Ince, Striking Statements


Only 2 spots remaining

at the discounted price of $300.

(That's $200 off my typical rate.)

Why Now?

This offer is only available from now through December 1st.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to push forward with your projects, this is your sign.

Imagine starting 2025 with your writing well underway...

—whether it’s a book you’ve been dreaming of or content that will grow your business.

This program is for you if you want to make progress writing,

but feel stuck or overwhelmed by too many ideas.

My commitment is to help you move the needle on writing for your book or business while also balancing your mental health.

“I definitely am so so happy that I reached out to you because I feel like you have helped me motivate myself and helped me to boost my confidence and self-esteem when it comes to my business ideas. You helped me with the process. Since we’ve talked, I’ve literally built an Instagram network, built a Tiktok network. I’ve been more comfortable with posting my things on LinkedIn, and Facebook. Oh and my website, you’ve helped with that. Just from April, when we started talking, I’ve literally built an entire website and I have over 1000 followers on social media, which I like never thought that would happen.” – Kristina


What to Expect Next

If this sounds like a fit for you, let’s connect!

Contact me here to say you are interested.

We can have a conversation over email or the phone to discuss your goals and figure out if this program is the right next step for you.

If you’re ready to wrap up the year strong and always know what to do next to make rapid progress,

Contact me to talk more.

Let's get started!

Wrapping Up

As I continue on this journey of conscious creation and entrepreneurship, I'm excited to share what I've learned with others. That's why I've created the Rapid Progress 2 Month Program, designed to help writers and entrepreneurs clarify their priorities, overcome obstacles, and make significant strides on their writing in just eight weeks.

Remember, finding balance and prioritizing what truly matters TO YOU is an ongoing process.

Be patient with yourself, and stay open to new insights. Sometimes juggling it all can seem impossible, especially when you have big ideas. Trust that with consistent effort, you can live your values in your life and work, even if you haven't had success or balance so far. Don't be hard on yourself for learning new things. No one is born perfect. Learning is the point of being human.

Here's to your success in creating a more balanced, productive, and fulfilling career and life!

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great week.


Warmly, Sofia



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