163. Are You Stuck in Creator Mode When Your Business Needs a CEO?

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Have you ever poured your heart into cranking out product after product, only to watch your sales drop instead of soar? I’ve been there, and it turns out, I was stuck in what I call “creator mode.” In this episode, I’m sharing how I learned (the hard way) that sometimes what your business really needs isn’t another new thing to sell, but for you to step up and put on your CEO hat! Trust me, getting out of my comfort zone as a creator and actually leading my business has made all the difference, and I’m breaking down exactly why.

We’ll dive into what creator mode really looks like for digital product sellers. Think dreaming up new ideas, designing, tweaking, and all the fun stuff we love. But then there’s CEO mode, which, let’s be honest, probably feels a lot less exciting: reviewing data, analyzing your numbers, and making strategic decisions that actually move your business forward. I’ll talk you through the big mindset shift I had to make, and why hustling in creator mode without direction can leave you feeling burned out and discouraged, even if you’re busy every single day.

Most importantly, I’ll walk you through the practical systems I use now, like my monthly CEO days and simple time blocking tricks, to make sure I’m not just creating into the void. You’ll hear why both roles matter, how to balance them, and some gentle but firm encouragement to look at your own calendar. If you haven’t given yourself CEO time lately, this is your nudge to finally make it happen. Your business, and your sanity, will thank you!

00:18 – The danger of staying stuck in creator mode
01:42 – What creator mode actually looks like
03:18 – Why CEO mode matters for business growth
06:21 – How I use time blocking for CEO and creator tasks
08:40 – Simple steps to start your monthly and weekly CEO habit

Links & Resources:

• Episode 161, I Said Yes When My Gut Said No
• Follow me on Instagram @kristendoyle.co
• Check out my Everything Page: a one-stop shop for savvy selling!
• The Savvy Seller Collective
• Join my private Facebook community: Savvy Teacher Sellers
• More resources for growing your TPT business
• Rate & review The Savvy Teacher Seller on Apple Podcasts

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode163

Feeling overwhelmed by all the things you think you need to do to grow your digital product business? Take the Savvy Seller Quiz and find out exactly what to focus on right now to actually move your business forward.

➡️ Take the quiz at savvyquiz.com

Check out my Everything Page at https://kristendoyle.co/everything