PODCAST: Season 7, Episode 2
Welcome to Season 7 of Soul Leaders! We’re kicking off 2026 with something different – not another bloody goal-setting episode, but a proper strategic framework that’ll stop you from burning out by March.
Here’s what happens every January: You finish your break feeling pumped and alive, creativity flowing, and suddenly you’re planning new offers, more content, more fucking everything. Then March rolls around and you’re wondering why nothing’s working.
Today we’re doing bigger picture thinking with my Stop, Keep, Start framework – and yes, we’re doing it in that order for a very specific reason.
The Agency Owner Who Wanted to Add Everything
Let me tell you about a client (and she’s not alone in this). Agency owner, massive list of things to launch for the new year – new services, potential podcast, LinkedIn strategy. All amazing ideas.
So I asked her: “What are you going to stop?”
She looked at me like I’d grown a second head. Because here’s the thing – she was already doing a lot. We needed to look at:
- What was actually working?
- Where was revenue coming in from?
- What was draining her?
- What did she want more of?
You can’t add more to your plate without removing something.
This is what I see constantly – these big plans like you’ve got unlimited time and energy. We need to learn from what didn’t work instead of just keeping things because “we’ve always done it that way.” We can’t add shiny new offers without checking if our current offers even work.
You probably don’t need to add loads more in 2026. You need to bin the shit that’s not working and double down on what is.
The Framework: Stop, Keep, Start (In That Order)
STOP: What Literally Needs to Fuck Off?
Look at three things:
1. What drained you?
- VIP days that left you wanting to quit
- Clients that made you question your life choices
- Those go in the stop pile
2. What didn’t convert?
- Lead magnets that went nowhere
- Free trainings with zero results
- If it didn’t work, stop doing it
3. What took massive time for little return? Look at your actual data. I had one client spending ages on reels that got zero inquiries. Stopped that, focused on what did convert, and doubled down on it.
Action: Write this down. Don’t just think about it – you need the full picture.
KEEP: What Actually Worked?
Ask yourself:
1. What made you money with the least effort? Example: One of my clients realized 70-80% of her revenue came from referrals from four specific clients. That’s what we built 2026 around.
2. What lit you up? Even if something makes money, if you don’t like doing it, you won’t sustain it. What did you actually enjoy?
3. What got amazing client feedback? Look through your:
- Testimonials
- DMs
- Slack/Voxer messages
What are people raving about? That goes in your keep pile. Could be a methodology, a type of session, whatever they’re actually loving.
START: The Exciting (But Dangerous) Bit
Listen up because this is important: You’re only allowed to start something new AFTER you’ve identified what to stop and what to keep.
You can’t start anything until you’ve stopped something and looked at what you’re keeping.
Maybe 2025 revealed you’re missing something:
- Keep hitting capacity? Maybe you need a group program
- Pricing too low? Time to raise those rates
My Pricing Story: ChatGPT Roasted Me
Speaking of starting things in 2026, let me tell you what I changed – my pricing.
I’ve had a massive block around being one of those coaches who just charges loads. I don’t like the industry (you know this if you’ve listened before). And I wouldn’t even put myself in the coach bracket because I do way more than coaching – it’s strategic, done-for-you, done-with-you, consultancy, business strategy. Yes, I’m a trained coach, but it’s much more than that.
I’ve struggled for years to disassociate myself from the high-ticket crazy coaching prices. I’ve done serious work on my money mindset and identity to find a price where I can still do what I love and be paid what I need to be paid.
My husband has this analogy: When you’re driving on the motorway and everyone’s doing 80mph, you have to go with the flow. If you suddenly drop to 50mph, you cause a traffic jam. If you’re fucking good at what you do and everyone around you is charging higher prices, and you’re really not, you’re the 50mph car. People won’t book you because they’ll wonder why you’re charging so little.
It’s about finding the sweet spot where I don’t feel gross asking for it, but I’m not undercharging.
The ChatGPT Reality Check
Hilariously, I asked ChatGPT for feedback. Listed everything I do for my consultancy clients and asked what it thought of my pricing.
Usually ChatGPT brown-noses you with “Oh my god, you’re amazing, best ideas in the entire world!”
It roasted me.
It said: “Why are you charging so little?”
Then it listed what clients are actually buying:
- A strategist
- A consultant
- A sales mentor
- A copywriter
- A content team
- A messaging expert
- A creative director
- A sounding board
- A mindset support system
- A decision-making partner
- A launch advisor
Then it said: “It’s not just undercharging, it’s industry shocking.”
Alright, ChatGPT. Thanks for that.
The Spiritual Side (Stay With Me)
The more spiritual side of things – I often ask my guides for help. My dad passed away in 2015 and I talk to him. Some of you might be thinking “What is wrong with this woman?” but that’s me. Like it or don’t.
I asked about my pricing and said: “If this is a good idea, send me a sign. I want to see a flamingo.”
Then I let it go (you can’t obsess about finding flamingos). I was at my mastermind retreat weekend and hadn’t seen a flamingo for three days. Started thinking maybe I shouldn’t change my pricing, no sign from my guides.
Then I turned to my neighbor and caught sight of her notebook.
It was covered in flamingos.
So yeah, that’s what I’m starting in 2026. I’ve hit capacity, don’t want to do a group offer, so I needed to look at my pricing.
Your Turn: The Strategic Questions
Let’s get back to YOU. What are you going to start? Think about:
- What have you been too busy to launch that would actually free you up?
- What aligns with your keep list?
Not just random shit you think you should do – what actually feels aligned?
Your Action Steps Right Now
1. Open your calendar – look at what you actually did in 2025
2. Split your page into three columns:
- STOP: What drained you or didn’t convert?
- KEEP: What made you money and lit you up?
- START: Based on those two lists, what’s the ONE strategic thing to add?
3. Get curious with these audit questions:
- What did you keep doing in 2025 that you knew wasn’t working?
- What made you the most money with the least drama?
- If you could keep three things in your business, what would they be?
- What’s draining your energy that you haven’t admitted yet?
- What’s the one thing you’re scared to stop because you think you should be doing it? (This one’s gold)
The Big Truth
Your 2026 doesn’t need to be bigger. It just needs to be better.
More strategic. Don’t add to broken systems. Get clear on what you actually want.
Let’s Connect
I want to see your Stop, Keep, Start lists! Come into my Instagram @mills_gray and:
- Tag me if you found this useful
- Share the podcast
- Show me your lists
This is different to your boring goal-setting for 2026. This is about working smarter, not harder.
The next iteration of your business has been waiting for you.
Resources Mentioned:
- ChatGPT for pricing audits (apparently it’s brutally honest)
- Your calendar/planner for reviewing 2025
- Your testimonials and client feedback
Connect With Mills:
- Instagram: @mills_gray
- Facebook Group: Mind Your Mindset
Now go make those three lists. Your future self will thank you.
Bye-Z-Bye! 🎉