How I’m preparing for puppy life and adjusting my business with intention
Here’s an update: we’re getting a puppy!
This will be a huge change for our whole family and a big shift for my working days in the coming year. In this blog post, I’ll share a bit about what it means to welcome a puppy—and how I’m adapting my business to this new season of life.
The Prep
This has been a long time in the making. We’ve done serious considering, dog-sat a friend’s puppy for part of a day, then a whole day, half a week, and even a full week. I’ve spent hours reading and watching training videos—and done some deep inner work to feel all the feelings and arrive at a full-body YES. This is the right decision.
It’s a big deal. The kids are excited, and my husband’s really invested, but the reality is: I work from home. I’ll be the one looking after our pup during the day. I wanted to be 1000% on board with the idea of a baby—with sharp teeth and a bladder the size of a pea—coming into our lives.
The last time I did this was 16 years ago. But after plenty of due diligence, I feel ready. I also know the best strategy is to prepare for what matters most… and then go with the flow once things unfold.
Oh, and before you ask—we’re getting a Finnish Lapphund (Suomenlapinkoira), or “Lappie”. If you know Girl with the Dogs on YouTube, look up the Furnado video. Yes… it’s as dramatic as it sounds. The upside? This breed sheds intensely twice a year but is otherwise quite low-maintenance coat-wise.
Lappies are healthy, eager to learn, smart, active, and full of character—but not too much. No dog therapist needed. Just a giant, cuddly muffin of fluff. What more could you want?
The Shift
Life is going to change—especially in the first 6 to 12 months. But my business still needs to run. One of the first things I realised was that I needed to embrace the change, not resist it. Easier said than done, but also… inevitable.
So I turned to my strengths. (I took a strengths test with a coach years ago and it’s still so useful.)
– My top learned strength? Work ethic.
– My top unrealised strength? Adaptability.
– My biggest weakness? Competition. So… no puppy-business-care showdowns here, I’m afraid.
In short: I’ve got what I need to handle this.
What I do need is a plan—and the flexibility of an overcooked spaghetti noodle.
I trust in the creative power of constraints. When there’s less to work with, creativity soars. And with that, I moved on to defining my priorities.
The Priorities
First, I revisited the foundational questions:
– What are my constraints?
– What do I value?
– What do I need?
– What are my non-negotiables?
These are exactly the kinds of questions we work through in the Business Circle Program.
Then I looked at my Vital Few—the core things I must do to keep my business going. (Also part of the programme!) Since I’ve done this work before, it’s now a quick check-in rather than a deep dive.
Here’s what I landed on:
-
Care for myself first – so I have energy for the puppy, my family, and my clients.
-
Honour my commitments – my current clients come first.
-
Stay visible – I’m not aiming for big growth right now, but I want to stay connected with those who are interested in what I do.
Letting go of all the “shoulds” and most of the “want to’s” is key. They can wait.
The Business Adjustments
If you’re on my email list, you might have noticed I did a major clean-up recently. I clarified my priorities, reorganised my lists, said goodbye to the folks who weren’t really engaged, and designed a new email strategy that actually fits my business and my life.
From now on:
– I’m sending out The Ja, Wol Journal monthly.
– You’ll also get updates when new podcast episodes go live.
Speaking of the podcast… I’ll be batch recording a bunch of episodes. I’ve picked a theme, and I’ll record most of them over a couple of days. They’ll be scheduled and sent out with prepped emails and posts. It’s a short-term sprint so I can step back for a few months—especially over the summer.
Zoom calls with clients? No change. My clients are always my top priority, and they’ll continue getting the support they expect (plus maybe a few puppy pics on the community platform 🐶).
And in the Ja, Wol Community, regular posts, questions, and prompts will keep the conversation flowing. I’ve prepped and scheduled them in advance—and I’ll still pop in to join the chats. Because honestly, I can’t stay away from our little fibre village online.
The Emotional Stuff
With this plan in place, I’m not worried people will forget about me. It’s designed to keep things running with maximum effort now, and minimum effort later. I’m just shifting my attention around—that’s all.
I know I won’t grow the business during this time, and that’s okay.
Staying visible in small, sustainable ways is good enough.
My pace has never matched the mainstream. I’ve always questioned traditional approaches. That’s part of my work—figuring out how to run a business that works with your life, not against it.
To keep us healthy. To keep us happy.
Because really—what else is the point?
The Excitement
I can’t wait to welcome our puppy and walk this new path. I’m excited to run my business with more efficiency, to carve out time for care and study, and to stay connected without overwhelming myself—or neglecting my clients.
And I’m really excited about the upcoming podcast series.
I’ll walk you through the Ja, Wol framework and show you how to build a business that fits your life and brings you joy (and income). It’s designed as a journey—and you’re invited.
Stay tuned. Sign up for the emails so you don’t miss a thing.
The Closing
Life and business are deeply connected—through calm days and chaos.
We need the tools to carry our work through lockdowns, burnout, grief, marriage, parenting, and everything else life throws our way.
If you’re facing a shift, you’re not alone.
I’m in it, too. And in the Ja, Wol Community, many others are navigating their own transitions. We support each other. We cheer each other on.
My life is about to expand—with a puppy and with new studies (yep, I’m training to become a coach with actual credentials!). When the dust settles, I’ll re-emerge with new clarity, energy, and direction.
Because if I’ve learned anything, it’s this:
Life changes can be the best thing that happens to you.
When you follow your inner compass and meet your own needs, things only get better.
Running a business as a human is an adventure.
A beautiful one.
Love,
Sas x