The Organised CEO Podcast

You think you're too busy to work on your business. But what if I told you you're spending 15+ hours a week on tasks that will never move your business forward? In this episode, I'm walking you through the Opportunity Cost Audit - a framework for figuring out where your time is actually going, what it's costing you, and what to protect instead. We'll cover: Why busy work feels safer than important work (and how to stop hiding) The real cost of spending 10 hours a week on content that doesn't convert A case study from a Recovery Call with a founder who was spending her entire 12-hour work week on low-value tasks The 4-step framework to audit your time and make strategic decisions about where it goes Four reflection questions to help you see what you've been avoiding This isn't about hustling harder or optimising every minute. It's about seeing where your time is ACTUALLY going versus where you THINK it's going, and then making conscious choices about what deserves that time. Because every hour you spend on something that doesn't serve you is an hour you can't spend on something that does. That's the trade. And you don't get both. If you're tired of being busy without making progress, this episode is for you. Links mentioned: Book a free Recovery Call: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing  Monthly CEO Support (£275/month): DM me SUPPORT on Instagram @hollybrayceo: https://www.instagram.com/hollybrayceo/ 

You know that thing you've been avoiding? The conversation. The boundary. The painful truth you can see but don't want to face? This week, it's time. In this week's 5-Day CEO Plan, I pull tarot for the soul of your business and the cosmos is backing your courage. Mercury conjunct Mars on Monday means your words have FORCE. Scorpio season begins Thursday, asking you to go DEEP. And the Three of Swords showed up as the theme - something hurts, and this week you're finally ready to face it. The cards: Knight of Swords (clarity through action) King of Pentacles (build on solid ground) Nine of Cups (design for satisfaction) High Priestess (trust what you know) Your 5-day plan: Monday: Speak the truth you've been carrying Tuesday: Plant new seeds (New Moon) Wednesday: Trust your intuition Thursday: Transform through facing the wound Friday: Build from the truth You've been protecting yourself from the pain. But avoiding it is costing you more than facing it would. This episode is for service providers, sensitive CEOs, and multipassionate founders ready to stop building around their wounds and start building THROUGH them. Listen now for your weekly tarot-based roadmap + cosmic context. Book your free 10-Hour Recovery Roadmap: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing Grab this week's action plan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQB36MZjBhW/?img_index=1

Feeling exhausted by Q4 pressure? You're not behind - you're being honest about your capacity. In this episode, I'm sharing why the smartest thing you might do this quarter isn't scaling, but stabilising. I walk you through my Audit → Simplify → Stabilize → Scale framework, the psychology behind why we resist slowing down, and a real Recovery Call story that shows what happens when you try to build from depletion. If you're a founder navigating limited capacity, complex life circumstances, or just feeling done with hustle culture, this one's for you. Plus, I cover what's happening cosmically (Mercury in Scorpio), what I'm seeing on client calls, and how to lead yourself differently this season. DM me if you're interested in Monthly CEO Support: https://www.instagram.com/hollybrayceo/ Book your free 10-Hour Recovery Call: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing

This week's 5-Day CEO Plan is about building from honest capacity, not wishful thinking. I pulled Temperance, Ace of Cups, Knight of Wands, and Queen of Swords - and the message is clear: you don't need MORE. You need what you already have to work TOGETHER. In this episode, I'm breaking down: Why integration beats addition every time How to build systems that work WITH your actual capacity (not the capacity you wish you had) The difference between momentum and burnout Why boundaries are the real scale strategy Plus, your Monday-Friday action plan - five simple daily moves (total time: ~55 minutes for the week) to stop being the glue in your own business. This isn't about doing more. It's about getting what you have to actually work in harmony. Hosted by Holly Bray, Astro-Systems Strategist and founder of The Organised CEO. I bring psychology, nervous system work, and astrology into business strategy for founders with complex lives. New plans every Monday. Save the carousel on Instagram @hollybrayceo and come back to it all week: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPv03dEDCZb/?img_index=1 Book your free 10-Hour Recovery Roadmap: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing 

If you know exactly what you need to do but can't seem to protect the time to actually do it, this episode is for you. I've had the same conversation three times this week with three different founders. They're not missing strategy. They're not confused about what needs to happen. But the week starts, client work takes over, and suddenly it's Friday and nothing that mattered got done. Here's what I'm seeing: most founders don't need another system. They need someone in their corner helping them actually USE the systems they already have. In this episode, we dive into: Why you're trying to add systems when you're already at capacity (and what to do instead) The difference between structure as restriction vs. structure as protection Why this is an accountability problem, not a discipline problem How to build sustainable rhythms instead of reactive systems The three patterns that keep founders stuck (and what breaks them) Plus, I share a real client story that shows what changes when you stop doing it alone, and what monthly support actually looks like in practice. If you're managing perimenopause, caregiving, grief, burnout, or any life complexity that makes "standard productivity advice" useless, this episode will show you there's another way. Listen if: You're tired of feeling behind, your capacity isn't stable, and you're ready for strategy that works WITH your real life. 3 spots open for Monthly CEO Support. DM me SUPPORT on Instagram @hollybrayceo: https://www.instagram.com/hollybrayceo/  Or book a free 10-Hour Recovery Roadmap here: https://calendly.com/hollybrayceo/time-audit 

This week's cards say you're carrying too much - and the answer isn't better time management. It's putting things down. I pulled 10 of Wands (you're overloaded), Temperance (integrate what you have), The Lovers (choose what stays), and The Fool (trust the leap). This episode walks you through what that actually means for your week. No more collecting solutions. No more being the glue in every workflow. This week is about release, integration, and creating space for what's next. Your CEO challenge: write down everything you're carrying, then pick one thing to drop. Delegate it, delete it, or defer it to 2026. Then notice what happens. Your 5-day action plan for the week: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPdvl1OjNzg/?img_index=1

October always hits different. The pressure to "lock in" for Q4, finish strong, and sprint to December is everywhere. But if you're already working weekends and drowning in Slack pings, that advice just adds weight. In this episode, I'm introducing a new segment: The CEO Briefing - your weekly download on what's happening in the founder space, what patterns I'm seeing on recovery calls, and the signals that should shape how you lead this week. This week's briefing covers: Why Q4 feels heavier than it should (and how to reframe it) The "locking in" trend and why it's broken for most founders The one-day contract that's eating your whole week Where all the energized, well-rested women have gone (and how to become one) Then I break down three filters that will save you 5-10 hours this week: Projects before pings Approvals at intervals Decision filters instead of daily reactions If you're tired of telling yourself "it'll calm down after Q4," this episode is your permission slip to stop waiting and start building the structure that gives you back your evenings, weekends, and energy. Links mentioned: Book a free 30-min Recovery Call: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing  Learn about The CEO Studio (90-day private partnership): https://hollybray.com/studio  If this episode resonated, share it with another founder who needs it, or leave a review to help more people find the show.

You've hired support. You've built systems. So why are you still holding everything together?  This week's CEO Move is about integration - getting what you already have to work in harmony without you being the constant middleman. I pull Temperance as your mindset anchor, the 5 of Swords for your structure move, Queen of Cups transitioning to King of Wands for systems, and The Moon for your growth mindset. Learn how to audit where you're the unnecessary glue, document your intuitive processes, redirect emotional fires, and lead from strategy instead of being the first responder to everything. Plus, grab the free Integration Audit at https://hollybray.kit.com/integration-audit to map exactly where you're stuck in the middle and what to delegate, systematise, or stop doing this week. Get this week's 5-day action plan: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPLtfDUDHA4/?img_index=1 

Most founders think they have a time problem. In reality, they have a decision problem. In this episode of The Organised CEO, I share Sarah’s story, a brilliant service provider who was drowning in her inbox, convinced she just needed better focus. What we uncovered together was far deeper: she’d built her business around being essential to everything. Even her email became a bottleneck. You’ll hear: Why inbox overwhelm isn’t about discipline or productivity hacks The hidden “safety behaviours” keeping you stuck in operator mode How to flip your decision hierarchy so projects move first and email waits The keystone shift that freed Sarah from months of reactive spirals, in less than 24 hours If you’ve ever felt trapped in your own version of “email prison,” this episode will show you how one small structural shift can ripple through your entire week. 👉 Ready to spot your own bottlenecks? Book a free 30-minute strategy call with me here: https://calendly.com/hollybrayceo/time-audit  Because the first step to scaling sustainably is building an operating system that protects your time, energy, and growth.

You know that story you keep telling yourself? ‘I can’t raise prices until I have a bigger audience. I can’t launch until the website’s perfect. I can’t take a break until I hire someone.’ This week’s CEO Move is here to remind you: you’re not as stuck as you think. In this episode, we’ll cover: ✨ How the 8 of Swords calls out the stories keeping you trapped ✨ Why the Queen of Wands wants you to stop tinkering and make one bold move ✨ How The World helps you lighten your load by finishing what you’ve already started ✨ Why Strength is about calm conviction, not force Plus, I’ll give you one simple CEO Challenge you can take on this week to shift from circling in busywork → to moving forward with clarity. 🎧 Listen now and get your clarity hit for the week ahead. And if you’re ready to recover 10+ hours in your business, book your free 10-Hour Recovery Call here: ttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing  Want the daily action plan? Check out this week's CEO Planner Carousel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollybrayceo/p/DO50wBpjOAG/   

Are you exhausted from carrying every task, deadline, and decision in your head? In this episode, I share why this pattern keeps even the most successful founders stuck in survival mode, and how to free up 10+ hours a week without sacrificing quality. We’ll dive into: The hidden costs of being your business’s “project manager” The 3 mindset traps keeping you reactive instead of strategic Practical steps to reclaim your mental bandwidth and protect your energy If you’re ready to stop being essential to everything and start being essential to the right things, this episode will show you where your hours are hiding, and how to get them back. Book your free 10-Hour Recovery Call here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing 

This week's CEO Move is about leading through difficult moments with courage, not avoidance. If you're delaying that hard conversation, managing around broken processes, or hoping team issues will resolve themselves, this episode is for you. I'm pulling cards through my Organised CEO Method to show you how to stop being a reactive leader and start being a strategic one. You'll learn how to make difficult decisions with clarity, systematize vision during tough seasons, and transform challenges into growth opportunities. Perfect for ambitious founders ready to step back from being essential to everything and lead with both courage and strategy. Want the daily action plan? Check out this week's CEO Planner Carousel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOnohVcDIEm/?img_index=1 Book a Freedom-First Roadmap call here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing 

Feeling capped despite consistent revenue and happy clients? You're not alone. In this episode, I break down the three hidden time leaks that keep successful founders trapped in reactive mode instead of scaling strategically. We'll explore why your communication systems, social media habits, and delegation approaches might be working against you - plus the nervous system science behind why being "always on" prevents the strategic thinking required for growth. You'll walk away with my proven Structure → Systems → Scale framework and practical steps to plug your biggest leaks immediately. Perfect for ambitious founders ready to stop being essential to everything and start focusing on what only they can do. Book your free Freedom-First Roadmap Call here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing 

Welcome to the very first episode of The CEO Move - your weekly strategic hit for founders ready to stop being essential to everything. This week's focus: King of Cups energy. Stop being the emotional mop, start being the strategic anchor. In this episode, I break down your weekly moves through my Organised CEO Method: Structure: Stop firefighting and focus on foundations Systems: Set up now what creates capacity later Scale: Grow by deepening what already works If you've been feeling like the business therapist - constantly managing everyone's emotions and crises - this is your roadmap to step back and lead with clarity instead of "feeling all over the shop". Want the daily action plan? Check out this week's CEO Planner Carousel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOVndIzDAmA/?img_index=1 Ready to stop being essential to everything? Book your free Freedom-First Business Roadmap call → https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing 

Relentless. That’s the word a founder used to describe her weeks, and it hit me right in the gut, because I’ve been there too. If your business feels like constant admin, scattered focus, and guilt every time you log off, this episode will show you why it’s happening, and what to do about it. I’ll share the shift that changed everything for me as my son started school: moving from being the operating system to building one that actually holds me. You’ll hear real client stories of delegation, burnout recovery, and the hidden costs of being “essential to everything.” You’ll walk away knowing: Why your weeks feel so heavy (it’s not just workload). The pattern most high-capacity founders miss. How to create a business rhythm that gives you freedom, not fire-fighting. 🎧 Tune in, and let’s make relentless a thing of the past. 👉 Free 30-min Time Freedom Audit calls are open now: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing 

Book your free Time Freedom Audit call here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YsOE-H1gnkSnDvDTbpUmXLpixgLwDrGq17E2PFTsT6U/edit?usp=sharing  If you’re planning your next 90 days the same way you planned the last, you’re about to repeat the same cycle: overbooked calendar, scattered focus, and another quarter that leaves you exhausted instead of accomplished. Most founders make the same mistake: they plan like they have unlimited time and perfect circumstances. Real CEOs plan with strategy and reality. In this episode of The Organised CEO, I share my 6-part CEO Planning Process - the exact framework I use inside my Make It Happen Collective retreats to help ambitious founders create 90 days of momentum without burning out. You’ll learn: How to reflect like a CEO (and why most founders skip this critical step) The 7 Pillars Diagnostic that reveals your hidden bottlenecks Why aligning your 12-month goals matters more than adding new ones The secret to setting a quarterly theme that filters every decision How to actually execute your plan with the 30-60-90 method The mindset shift that turns plans into reality (instead of day-30 failures) By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to design a 90-day plan that works with your real life, not against it, so you can reclaim time, reduce overwhelm, and finish the year with strategic momentum. 👉 Ready to go deeper? Book your CEO Operating Audit here: https://hollybray.com/audit 

Feeling scattered despite your success? Making hundreds of micro-decisions daily but never having space for the strategic thinking that transforms your business? You're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing the one protected hour that changes everything - CEO Thinking Time. This isn't another productivity hack. It's about creating space for the pattern recognition moments that only happen when you step away from reactive mode. You'll learn: Why decision fatigue keeps you scattered (and how to break the cycle) The exact framework for strategic thinking sessions that actually work How to protect this time when everything feels urgent Real examples of breakthrough moments that happen in this space If you're successful but exhausted, making money but feeling overwhelmed, this episode shows you how to reclaim your role as the strategic visionary in your business. Ready to stop feeling scattered? Book your CEO Operating Audit at https://hollybray.com/audit  to identify what's blocking your strategic clarity.

You're drowning in your own success and you don't even realise it. If you can't take a sick day without three fires starting, or you're lying awake thinking about everything that could go wrong - this episode will change everything. This week's energy is PERFECT for building systems that actually work. I'm breaking down exactly why you're still the glue holding everything together in your six-figure business, and the one strategic shift that creates space to breathe instead of constantly react. Plus: The 'Quick Question' Audit that shows you exactly where you're bleeding time and energy, how to create your first Decision Document, and why this Friday starts 'systems season' - perfect timing for September's opportunities. I pulled the Knight of Swords for this week's energy, and the message couldn't be clearer: stop overthinking and start implementing. You know what needs to be done. Ready to stop being the system and start HAVING systems? This is your Monday clarity cut when everything else feels urgent and nothing feels clear.  

What happens when you can't show up for your business? If taking one sick day means everything falls apart, you're not running a business - you're being run by it. In this episode, I walk you through the five-question Sick-Day Test that reveals exactly where your business would break if you stepped away. Plus, you'll discover how to build a business operating system that works whether you're there or not. You'll learn: The 5 critical questions that expose your business bottlenecks Why being "essential" to everything is actually expensive burnout waiting to happen My Structure → Systems → Scale framework for building resilient operations Real client transformation: how one founder went from panic to peace in 30 days 3 actions you can take this week to start building systems that hold your business If everything feels urgent and nothing feels clear, this episode will shift you from being the bottleneck in your business to becoming the CEO who finally has systems that make sense. Perfect for visionary founders who are done holding it all together with willpower alone. Ready to diagnose exactly where your business would break? Book your CEO Operating Audit at https://hollybray.com/audit 

This week's cosmic intel for successful founders: Mercury goes direct + Venus-Jupiter conjunction = perfect timing to stop choosing urgency over alignment. In this episode, I break down what's happening in the skies, how it affects your business decisions, and give you your exact strategic priorities for the week. Plus, I pull the Four of Wands and reveal what it means for your foundation. If you're a high-capacity founder who's built something successful but feels trapped by your own success, this is your weekly dose of clarity. Topics covered: This week's astrological influences and what they mean for business Your 3 strategic priorities (not 47!) Why Mercury direct in Leo means confident communication The Four of Wands message about celebrating what you've built How to trust what you already know instead of looking for proof Grab the visual guide to this week's priorities: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNNo3detDeo/?img_index=1  Want this personalised? DM me FOCUS on Instagram for a 15-minute focus call.