Community Highlights: Meet Elizabeth Upton of MYOB

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Upton.

Elizabeth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I can honestly say that I’ve found peace and freedom in my life. That wasn’t always the case. As a former entertainment business executive operating a multi-million dollar company, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t — and learned the hard way. I had many sleepless nights. I felt like I was on a hamster wheel, and honestly, I didn’t know there was a better way. I thought everybody drove themselves into the ground to achieve success. From tracking company initiatives, KPI’s, and streamlining systems, to leading teams and managing thousands of projects and people. I was the glue that held it all together; a bridge for the staff and the right hand to the CEO. Work and sleep, work and sleep, rinse and repeat. I learned a lot about myself and about running a successful business, but as a high-performer, I was burning the candle at both ends. It was exhausting and would later catch up to me.

On top of that, I was devastated from the very sudden and tragic death of my Father. I saw him as invincible and the harsh reality that he wasn’t, was crippling. The circumstances surrounding his death shook my worldview to the core. I poured myself into my work to avoid the pain. I was under a lot of stress, and while I didn’t realize it, overtime, I was experiencing burnout. It was painful. I appeared to be fully functioning, but on the inside I was breaking down and I felt extremely alone.

My son’s birth was a pivotal moment for me. I couldn’t keep going at my old rate. I was forced to slow down. I looked at my job and my life under a microscope; I took inventory, I invested in myself, and went through rigorous training. I applied what I was learning to all aspects of my life and career, and things started to shift and open up. I was less and less overwhelmed. Actions I needed to take were clear and things began to unfold with ease and without resistance. I began to find more joy, make more impact, and started sharing the process with friends, family, and colleagues — and it began making a difference for them as well!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would assert that if it’s an easy path, you’re probably not challenging yourself enough. Overcoming challenges is a natural part of growth. Despite how difficult the last year and a half has been for all of us (and our businesses), I’ve realized how resourceful and resilient we are. While on lockdown we had the chance to slow down and really look at what’s important to us, and hopefully do more of that. We’ve been able to ask ourselves who we want around us (literally). We’ve been given the chance to appreciate (and miss) human connection – both physically and emotionally. And we’ve been able to feel all of the emotions we may have been stuffing down and avoiding. So when it all shut down and we could no longer distract ourselves, what was left there for you? …Your marriage, your children, your business, your boss, your partner, your pets, your dishes, your laundry…all the things.

But to get back to your question, the biggest challenge I had to overcome was to start putting myself first. It took me a long time. As the first born, with a natural inclination to be a caretaker, I was always putting everything and everyone else first. Once I realized that I needed to take care of myself (so that I could then take care of all the rest), I stopped feeling guilty and started noticing that I was much more present and happy. So, I got to work on a plan where putting myself first was a “must do”, rather than a, “would like to do”. And in-so-doing, I invested in myself and in having a support team around me. I’ve always been so self-sufficient and asking for help did not come easily, but I realized how much time and heartache it saved, and quickly got over it. It reminds me of a quote my step-dad just told me on the MYOB podcast, “The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, the second best day is today.” Think of yourself as that tree and go for it!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Well, what I thought was a system for my own workflows (and sanity) has become the core process that I now call The Quarterly Design System™. Everyone has a “superpower”, mine is the ability to distill larger concepts into bite-sized steps. It is a unique process that I’ve been developing for almost a decade now that cuts down on overwhelm and that horrible feeling of being stuck. It has you look at your operational systems and your life with new eyes. Whether you are a C-Suite executive, a small business owner, a solopreneur, or even an employee, the strategies and templates are custom-built for your needs. Together we create your goals and dial in the clarity so we can zero in on the highest priority actions that will leverage your time. My goal is to have you living a life that you love (not as some cliché idea, but to really experience your life in this way). I’ve been featured on Yahoo Finance, Fox, NBC, CBS, and the Boston Herald. Since Q3 is just about to start, right now, I’m offering a free strategy call for those of you who might hear something in here that could make a difference for you. I’d be happy to hop on the phone to discuss your needs.

Also, every Friday I discuss strategic business tips with brilliant guests and good friends of mine on the Mind Your Own Business Podcast. We talk about topics across all industries; marketing, PR, finance, operations, HR, sales, personal dev, self-care. The show is designed to inspire you to take action in your life and your career, all while not taking ourselves too seriously. You can find us by searching the “MYOB Podcast” on Apple Podcast or Youtube or @myobpodcast on Instagram. If you enjoy it, please share it with a friend. I’m also in the process of writing my first nonfiction book. Wish me luck!

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Yes, if you’re looking for a mentor you will find the perfect match. I’ve found that the adage is true, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”. Being willing to learn and to embrace things with curiosity will set you up for success. I recommend you get very clear about what you want. The more specific you get, the better. If you don’t know where to start, set a timer for 15-min and start writing. Think big. Ask yourself, what do I really want? What would I be a “yes” for? What is important to me? Don’t worry about the how. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just start writing. I think you’ll be surprised about what you discover.

My motto is, “Your greatness is not what you have, it’s what you give.” Zero in on your gifts (you could call this your calling) and give back. I am inspired by my father’s legacy and learned through his tragic death that we only have one chance at this game of life — so we better live it full out. His legacy inspires me to be in service and to give back as much as I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elizabethupton.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethuptoncoaching
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.u.vaca/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOtwkyAUiM06jp3lGXB55xA
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/myob-podcast/id1559834460