How I’m pivoting my Notion consultancy by embracing authenticity and mindful productivity
In a world that often promotes the hustle and grind, trying to go against that can feel like a revolutionary act — especially when you’re a Certified Notion Consultant.
The Notion YouTube videos & tutorials are all telling you how to “do more” — often for the sake of it. When, actually — what I’ve found is that when my clients come to me, their Notion systems aren’t working for them because they actually need to do less.
Being a Notion consultant is actually very similar to being a home organiser, architect or stylist. You first need to get your client to figure out what they value and care about. I often find that a lot of productivity frameworks & templates are often a distraction. You spend more time tracking your life, vs living your life.
Additionally, you need to unpack how they actually need to use the space you’re designing for them, attitudes towards productivity, as well as overall lifestyle match. A tiny thing might be that they’re on the phone all the time, so everything needs to be designed for mobile-first, or they’re easily overwhelmed, so prefer to hide things away in toggles. Ironically, I wanted to be an interior designer when I grew up — I’m not far off.
As someone who happens to love Notion, while feeling like an alien in the productivity world, I’ve been on my journey as a business owner for a while now, learning that authenticity isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a necessity. Here’s how I’ve pivoted towards a more authentic business and what I discovered along the way.
Understanding the Need for Authenticity
When I first started my business as a Notion consultant, I found myself trying to fit into a mold that didn’t quite resonate with me — a typical corporate tech service provider persona. I realized quickly that this was not aligning with my strengths or personality. It was time for a change.
The Realization and the Rebrand
My journey towards authenticity began with a simple realization: I needed to show up as the person I truly am, not who I thought the market wanted me to be. After a couple of rebrands, I finally feel more aligned with my inner self.
Every rebrand has brought me closer to presenting myself authentically — not just visually, but also in the types of services I offer. The focus shifted towards my strengths — connecting with clients and making complex concepts accessible (and not boring).
Building a Business That Resonates
One of the biggest pivots has been starting a monthly group coaching tier — The Big Notion Energy Academy. This approach has allowed me to leverage my teaching skills while providing valuable, learning opportunities, that can reach more people, at a more accessible price point. You could argue that it’s a good business decision, but it’s also fulfilling.
Additionally, I’ve embraced the concept of timeboxing my Notion business into mostly coaching calls, “VIP days” and workshops. By always having definite deadlines, my workload immediately feels more manageable. This allowed me to regain my love for the business by focusing on parts of my work that truly excited me, such branding and strategy.
Creating Systems that keep Burnout Away
Re-evaluating my systems was another key aspect of the pivot. Big goals were broken down into actionable steps; everything that makes sense to be automated is, and I strategised how to turn my packages and content into flywheels. I’m most excited for my new podcast — Coffee & Oysters — where I essentially get to talk to people in my community (London business women) about the business and life systems they couldn’t live without/
I’ve packaged and templated as much of my process as possible — including creating core base templates that I work with to build out my two most popular Notion requests — workspaces and client portals.
Being True to Your Audience
In my niche, I’ve learned that relatability is crucial. I’m fostering genuine connections within my community, who are generally intimidated by the mainstream tech world.
Looking forward, I’m excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what authentic business means — always staying true to myself, and encouraging others to do the same. With an expanding Notion Academy, a podcast exploring the intersection of business and lifestyle, and more creative projects on the horizon, I’m incredibly grateful for where I am — and for the journey that I’ve been on.
Embracing authenticity and pivoting my business hasn’t just changed my work — it’s changed my life. For anyone out there feeling stuck in a business persona that doesn’t fit you, I encourage you to re-evaluate your values and how you can reflect them in your business. Trust me, the journey to authenticity is more than worth it.
