

Start with Small Steps
Jill from The Northwoods
Start With Small Steps is a practical, thoughtful podcast about making meaningful progress in everyday life—without overwhelm. Each episode breaks big ideas into small, manageable steps you can actually use, whether you’re working on habits, health, productivity, faith, or personal growth.
Instead of chasing quick fixes or perfect systems, this podcast focuses on steady change, reflection, and realistic action. You’ll hear clear explanations, relatable examples, and simple frameworks designed to help you think better, choose wisely, and keep moving forward—even when life feels complicated or slow.
Start With Small Steps is for anyone who wants growth that fits real life: small actions, honest reflection, and progress that lasts.
Instead of chasing quick fixes or perfect systems, this podcast focuses on steady change, reflection, and realistic action. You’ll hear clear explanations, relatable examples, and simple frameworks designed to help you think better, choose wisely, and keep moving forward—even when life feels complicated or slow.
Start With Small Steps is for anyone who wants growth that fits real life: small actions, honest reflection, and progress that lasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 28, 2021 • 16min
55 - Have a Great Day
55 - Have a Great Day
Today, we're going to be talking about something that we all strive for - making the most out of our day. So, what can we do to ensure that we're having a productive and fulfilling day?
Well, first things first - let's talk about arriving early to appointments. It might seem like a small thing, but trust me, it can make a huge difference in how you approach your day. By getting to your appointments early, you're avoiding unnecessary stress and anxiety.
Setting small tasks for yourself throughout the day can be incredibly helpful. By doing so, you'll feel accomplished and productive throughout the day, even if you're not tackling big projects.
But it's not just about being productive - it's also about taking care of yourself. That means organizing your space, learning software shortcuts, and avoiding social media when you need to buckle down and focus. And of course, eating well and doing things you enjoy are also important for mental and physical well-being. In other words, focus on the present and don't dwell on the past. With a bit of planning and prioritizing self-care and enjoyment, you can have a great day every day.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2761
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Sep 21, 2021 • 19min
54 - Best Tomorrow Starts The Night Before
54 - Best Tomorrow Starts The Night Before
n this episode, we're diving into the secrets of making the most out of each day by preparing the night before. I share several strategies to set you up for success, such as reviewing your past day, visualizing a perfect tomorrow, developing routines, cleaning up before bed, setting out breakfast ahead of time, preparing for the next day, and reflecting on your achievements.
Tackle anything that prevents you from getting a good night's sleep and celebrating your successes to ensure future success. Try out these amazing recommendations and find the strategies that work best for you. By being prepared and consistent, you can make each day the best possible day and achieve all your goals.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2754
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Sep 14, 2021 • 22min
53 - Anniversary Episode With My Best Advice
53 - Anniversary Episode With My Best Advice
Welcome to the first anniversary episode of the podcast, where I share our best advice with you. Today, we discuss important life lessons such as not being in a cult, not believing you can change others, and not being selfish or self-centered. We also emphasize the importance of enhancing your strengths, living an experimental life, and learning from everywhere. Remember to have perspective, get help when needed, and improve a little every day. Lastly, we discuss the importance of being a role model, balancing everything, and allowing for failure and forgiveness. Thank you for listening to the podcast, and I look forward to sharing more advice with you.
Don’t Be In a Cult
Don’t Be a Mind Reader
Don’t Believe You Can Change Others
Don’t Be Lazy
Don’t Do Everything
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2223
Don’t Be Selfish
Don’t Be Self-Centered
Don’t Ignore The Future You
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2564
Don’t Cross Fences Without Knowing About It
How You Do One Thing Is How You Do Everything
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2334
The Serenity Prayer
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2297
Focus on Enhancing Your Strengths
Live the Experimental life
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2278
Bikes Only Go When You Pedal
Have Bandwidth
Do the Next Logical Step
Have Perspective
Get Help
Improve A Little Every Day
Learn From Everywhere
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2559
Look At Everything Like a Newcomer
Over Communicate
Keep Learning and Then Teach
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2478
Allow for Failure and Forgiveness
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2318
Be a Role Model
Be Balanced in Everything

Sep 7, 2021 • 18min
52 - Grow Your Income with Facts
52 - Grow Your Income with Facts
Hey there, in today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of personal finance with the book “Get Good with Money” by Tiffany Aliche. You’ll discover practical tips on increasing your income, including ways to ask for a raise and find side hustles. Plus, you’ll learn how to assess your skills and monetize them. And remember, no matter who you are, you can make your dreams come true!
https://thebudgetnista.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIT8TaVZg5VVxj94ycoJzPA
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2731
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Aug 31, 2021 • 18min
51 - Savings for Peace and Fun
51 - Savings for Peace and Fun
I share a book that completely changed my perspective on money. It's called Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche.
Aliche talks about the importance of saving money for emergencies and achieving our dreams in her book. But what I love most about her approach is how she encourages us to think like squirrels - saving during good times, automating our savings, and listing our expected abundant times to save for. It's such a simple but effective way to approach our finances.
Aliche also emphasizes the importance of having an emergency fund and calculating one’s noodle budget. And let's be real, we all need a noodle budget! Finally, she advises listeners only to buy things they need or love and to think of money as time.
If you're looking to get good with money (and, let’s be honest, who isn’t?), I highly recommend reading this book. It's packed with practical tips and advice to help you control your finances and achieve your goals.
Links
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2731
https://thebudgetnista.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIT8TaVZg5VVxj94ycoJzPA
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Aug 24, 2021 • 25min
50 - Budget the Easy Way
50 – Budget Money the Easy Way
I chat about a book that will change the way you managing your finances. Tiffany Aliche’s Get Good with Money is a must-read for anyone who wants to finally take control of their finances. In this book, Tiffany shares her personal experiences and tips on budgeting, all while emphasizing the importance of understanding your finances and categorizing your expenses. She even suggests separating your funds into different accounts and automating your bill payments. Trust me, after reading this book, you’ll have all the tools you need to gain control over your money and improve your financial well-being.
Links
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2726
https://thebudgetnista.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIT8TaVZg5VVxj94ycoJzPA
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Aug 17, 2021 • 16min
49 - Life is a Highway
49 – Life is a Highway
Hello fellow adventurers! In this episode I will take you on a journey of navigating life using the analogy of a road trip. Buckle up and get ready to fuel up, plan your route, and tackle any obstacles that come your way. We’ll discover new roads, meet new people, and learn about ourselves along the way. So grab your map, and let’s hit the road to success!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2722
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Aug 10, 2021 • 21min
48 - Cook Your Dreams in the Kitchen of the Mind
48 – Cook Your Dreams in the Kitchen of the Mind
A long time ago I found the course by Mike Vance and wanted to share it with you all. It's all about creating a "kitchen of the mind" - a way to visualize and achieve your goals using all your senses!
Think about it - our senses are so powerful. By incorporating visualizations, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch into our goals, we can make them feel more real and attainable. And the best part? There are digital tools like PicMonkey, Canva, and Corkulous that can help us create digital vision boards or physical bulletin boards with pictures, quotes, and steps toward our goals.
But here's the challenge - can you incorporate all your senses into achieving your goals? Can you visualize the end result, hear the sounds of success, smell the sweet smell of victory, taste the satisfaction of accomplishment, and feel the textures of your achievement? Let's make our goals a reality by using our senses to guide us.
Links
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2717
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiWrMUek2cU
http://www.thinkoutofthebox.com
https://www.corkulous.com/
https://www.canva.com
https://www.picmonkey.com/
https://www.picmonkey.com/blog/how-to-make-a-digital-vision-board
https://www.nationalmilitaryspousenetwork.org/public/Taste-See-Feel-Success-Using-Our-Five-Senses-Accomplish-Goals-Dr-Krista-Wells.cfm
https://www.founderjar.com/online-vision-board/
https://visuapp.github.io/
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Aug 3, 2021 • 27min
47 - Take a Big Leap into Genius!
47 - Take a Big Leap into Genius! Today, we will discuss a book that may change how you approach your work and personal life. "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks is all about finding your "zone of genius" and overcoming any obstacles that may be holding you back from reaching it.
Think about it - what is it that you love to do? What work doesn't even feel like work because you enjoy it so much? And what gives you the highest level of satisfaction compared to the time you spend on it? These are the questions that Hendricks encourages us to ask ourselves in order to identify our zone of genius.
But it's not just about identifying it - we also have to learn to say "no" to anything outside our genius zone. This can be tough, but by doing so, we can focus our energy and efforts on what we truly excel at. And when we do this, we can experience purposeful joy and even real-life magic.
So, if you want to take your personal and professional life to the next level, I highly recommend reading "The Big Leap" a read. It's full of practical advice and inspiring stories that will have you feeling motivated and ready to start living in your zone of genius.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2710
https://hendricks.com/product/the-big-leap/
Jill’s Linkshttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Jul 27, 2021 • 19min
46 -The Only Thing to Fear is Getting Stuck
46 – The Only Thing to Fear is Getting Stuck
Today we will talk about something that affects all of us at some point - fear. It can paralyze us from pursuing our dreams and achieving our goals. But fear doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It can motivate us to try harder and push ourselves to be better.
So, how do we overcome our fears? First, it’s important to identify exactly what we’re afraid of. Once we know that, we can start to prepare ourselves and create a plan of action. Maybe it’s building a resume, buying a plane ticket, or getting a microphone to start our podcast. Whatever it is, we need the tools and pieces to make our plan come true.
But what if things don’t go as planned? That’s where learning and self-reflection come in. We must figure out what went right and wrong and how to do better next time. The best way to overcome fear is by taking small, manageable steps and celebrating our successes.
Remember, everyone experiences fear at some point in their lives. But it’s up to us to use that fear to our advantage and push ourselves to improve. So, the next time you’re afraid, take a deep breath and remember you’ve got this. You’re capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2705
Jill’s Links
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Twitter startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com


