For most of my life, I genuinely believed I wasn't creative. Like, hand on heart, I would tell anyone willing to listen that I didn't have a creative bone in my body. And I really believed it.

Why? Because to me, creativity meant one thing: being able to draw or paint. And since I can't do that (trust me, this isn't false modesty – I literally cannot draw to save my life), I wrote myself off completely.
But here's what I've finally realised: I've been using the wrong definition of creativity my entire life. And in doing so, I've been denying a fundamental part of who I am.

So, here's what I'm sharing with you in this episode:

• The narrow definition of creativity I carried from childhood into my business
• How I finally recognised that the way I think, write, and solve problems IS creative
• Why this isn't just about creativity – it's about the identity stories we tell ourselves. The stories you might be telling yourself that are keeping you stuck ('I'm not strategic', 'I'm not good with money', 'I'm not a natural salesperson'...)
• How your business will only ever be as big as the identity you're willing to claim
• The loop that's running your life: identity determines actions, actions determine results, results reinforce identity

Here's the truth: Your business will never outperform who you are. If you're keeping yourself inside a restricted identity – some clinical, small version of you – your business will never outgrow that.

This week's journal prompt:
What story are you telling yourself about who you are or who you're not? And where did that story come from?

I bet it came from somewhere outside you. Someone else's definition. Someone else's standards. Something you decided once, years ago, based on limited information or one bad experience or comparison to someone who does it differently.

Pay attention to who you actually are when you're not trying to be who you think you should be.

Let's connect:
Drop me an email at info@gillmoakes.com and let me know what came up for you when you listened to this episode. I absolutely love getting those messages – they honestly make my day!

And if you're enjoying the podcast, I'd be so grateful if you'd hop onto Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen) and leave a five-star rating and review. You wouldn't believe the difference it makes to the reach of the show.

Mentioned in this episode:

Unapologetic Retreats - we gift women the time and space to explore what’s possible for them, and be inspired to take action, unapologetically. (https://www.unapologeticretreats.com/)

Girls That Get Shit Done - a roaring, global network of seriously creative female bad asses that are shaping the world of design, marketing, business and brand. (https://www.girlsthatgetshitdone.com/)

Listen now and subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Your favourite podcast platform

00:00 Introduction and Happy New Year!
00:27 Embracing Creativity: My Personal Journey
02:17 Redefining Creativity and Identity
04:13 Challenging Limiting Beliefs
05:45 Recognising and Owning Your Creativity
09:25 The Power of Identity in Business
16:16 Breaking the Loop: Identity and Actions
17:08 Reflection and Journaling Prompts
19:01 Final Thoughts

In the first episode of 2026, I'm sharing five deliberate choices I refuse to apologise for in my business. These include not being present on all social media platforms, my pricing, saying no to unaligned opportunities, not always being relatable, and working long hours.

Yep an eclectic little bunch of insights this week - let's start this year as we mean to go on and get clear on what we're not going to apologise for!

Tell me what that means for you: info@gillmoakes.com

Want to explore working with me this year? Schedule a call: https://go.oncehub.com/alignment-call

00:00 Welcome to Rewild Your Business 2026!
01:09 Unapologetically Authentic: Embracing Your Business Choices
03:01 Social Media: Quality Over Quantity
05:08 Valuing Your Worth: No Apologies for Pricing
07:11 The Power of Saying No
10:11 Relatability vs. Transformation
14:28 Passion Over Balance: Embracing Long Hours
16:51 Final Thoughts and Reflection

As we close out 2025, this episode is about the three critical decisions that will position you to make next year truly extraordinary. Whether you're listening in those strange days between Christmas and New Year, or you're one of those brilliant people who switches off completely until January 5th, these decisions are for you to make...

If you have a vision for your life and business that's bigger than feels comfortable to admit out loud, this episode is going to challenge you in allllll the right ways.

The Three Decisions:

Decision 1: To Uplevel Your Identity
This isn't about affirmations or visualisation... it's about who you're actually being, not just what you're thinking. Your current business - everything it is and isn't - is an exact match for who you've been being up until now.

If you're not getting the clients you want, it's because the woman you've been being isn't the woman who works with those clients. If you're not charging what you're worth, it's because the woman you've been being doesn't believe she's worth it.

The uncomfortable truth? You can't grow your business beyond who you are being. So who do you need to become to hold the vision you have for 2026?

Decision 2: Say No to Misalignment
Every yes to something that doesn't align with your values or vision is a no to something that does. You can't make space for what's next if you're holding on to what no longer serves you.

This isn't about being ruthless, it's about being intentional. It's about honouring yourself enough to protect your energy, your time, and your focus for what actually matters. What are you tolerating that's keeping you small?

Decision 3: Invest in Yourself
Growth requires investment. You know the difference between genuinely not being able to invest responsibly and using money as a comfortable excuse to avoid growth.

What investment do you need to make in 2026? A mentor? A mastermind? Training that would give you the skills to deliver at the level you want? Someone to help you do the deep identity work?

Write down what you need. Then write down all your reasons for not doing it yet. Read them back and ask yourself: are these the thoughts of the woman I decided to become?

Your Action Steps:
For each decision, make one concrete move:

Identity: Write a detailed description of the woman you're becoming. Choose one action that woman would take that terrifies the woman you've been being. Then take it.

Saying No: Identify one thing you're currently doing that's misaligned and start thinking about your exit strategy.

Investment: Research the investment you know you need to make. Book the discovery call. Request the proposal. Look at your finances and figure out how you'll invest in yourself in 2026.

Don't wait for perfect clarity. Don't wait to feel ready. Just make the decision.

Want to Work With Me in 2026?
If you need someone to help you become the woman who can build the legacy business you're dreaming of, let's talk. Book a call here https://go.oncehub.com/alignment-call or DM me on LinkedIn.

Thank you
Thank you for making this podcast part of your 2025. This is the end of the third year of ReWild Your Business, and recording these episodes is still such a pleasure. I feel really lucky to have this as my platform... well, it's not luck, it's bloody hard work, but I love it!

Have an amazing New Year, however you're celebrating, and I'll speak to you next time in 2026.

Connect with Gill:

Website: https://gillmoakes.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillmoakes/
BOOK A CALL NOW: https://go.oncehub.com/alignment-call

00:00 Gratitude and Reflections on the Past Year
00:51 Making the Most of the Year-End
02:51 Understanding Ambition and Vision
06:48 Decision 1: Uplevel Your Identity
15:16 Decision 2: Say No to Misalignment
22:17 Decision 3: Invest in Yourself
29:54 Final Thoughts and Encouragement