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Growth happens through awareness, discernment, and the willingness to keep showing up even if we're doing so imperfectly.
In this episode of Recounting Life Lessons, marketing expert and agency owner Trish Saemann pulls back the curtain on the hard-earned life and business lessons that transformed the way she hires, serves, and succeeds. From surviving a bookkeeping betrayal to navigating nightmare clients, Trish shares how the underrated skill of discernment has been the backbone of her entrepreneurial journey.
If you're an overwhelmed entrepreneur, solopreneur, or leader trying to filter out the noise, protect your time and energy, and attract aligned opportunities that fuel your mission, this episode is a must-listen.
Listen now if you're ready to learn how discernment can be your most powerful success strategy in 2025 and beyond.
Why Discernment is the most underrated skill for entrepreneurs in 2025
In a world flooded with opportunities, advice, and noise, success as an entrepreneur in 2025 isn't just about strategy, hustle, or visibility—it's about discernment. The ability to see through the fluff, choose what truly matters, and say "no" just as often (if not more) than "yes" could be the competitive edge that defines the future of sustainable success.
Here are 4 reasons why discernment is a game-changing skill every entrepreneur needs to master this year:
- More Opportunities Doesn't Equal Better Opportunities. The digital landscape makes it easier than ever to access potential clients, tools, collaborations, and markets. But with that access comes decision fatigue and shiny objects syndrome. Without discernment, it's easy to overcommit or chase trends that pull you away from your actual mission. Those who can distinguish between what's merely possible and what's actually purposeful for their specific goals, values, and business model will give themselves an advantage this year and in the years to come.
- Misaligned Clients Cost More Than They Pay. Just because someone can pay you doesn't mean they're a good fit. Working with clients who don't align with your values, communication style, or business boundaries drains more than your calendar—it drains your energy, joy, and often your team's morale. Discernment helps you vet clients not just based on revenue potential but on long-term fit, mutual respect, and alignment. This leads to better client relationships, smoother operations, and far fewer fires to put out.
- Trust Without Verification is Risky Business. Whether you're hiring, partnering, or outsourcing, discernment helps you spot red flags before they become expensive mistakes. As Trish shared in the episode, failing to vet someone's background cost her peace of mind—and could have cost her entire business. Entrepreneurs who pause to investigate, ask the right questions, and check their own assumptions are building safer and more resilient businesses.
- Saying "No" is a Growth Strategy. Discernment empowers you to say "no" from a place of confidence rather than fear of missing out. Whether it's declining a client, turning down a project, or stepping away from a commitment that no longer aligns, saying "no" creates space for the right "yes." Growth isn't just about doing more—it's about doing more of what matters most. Discernment is how you know the difference.
Improving your ability to use discernment is a game-changing skill. It's crucial for navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship and life. It can help us see through the fluff, lies, and identify what truly matters. With the overabundance of access to information and noise that newer technology creates, the ability to discern is going to be even more valuable to have.
In the episode below, Trish Saemann shares real life examples, experiences, and principles that can help high achievers like you improve your ability to discern between what's worth your time, money, and energy in your life and in your business. Listen to Discern, Serve, and Succeed Better: Life & Business Lessons with Trish Saemann now if you're ready to find out how discernment can help you get more out of your time, money, and energy.
More about Trish Saemann & Resources Mentioned:
Trish is a no-fluff marketing strategist, author, and the founder of GoBeyondSEO.com. With over 15 years of experience helping service-based businesses grow through smarter, more aligned marketing strategies, Trish is passionate about helping entrepreneurs attract clients they love—without losing themselves in the process.
She is also the author of Get More Clients You Love and a host of the podcast Breaking Even Better, where she shares candid lessons from the trenches of entrepreneurship and real talk about what it takes to succeed without selling your soul.
Trish's refreshing, no-nonsense approach helps business owners get clear, aligned, and empowered in how they show up and serve.
Learn more about Trish and her work:
- Website: GoBeyondSEO.com
- Book & Client Attraction Resources: GetMoreClientsYouLove.com
- Podcast: Breaking Even Better
- Instagram: @dishwitrish
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Main Takeaways & Golden nuggets of wisdom from this episode:
This episode was rich with insights, but here are five standout takeaways that we believe are especially powerful if you're ready to grow intentionally and live more fully.
- Discernment is more valuable than hustle. Success isn't about how hard you work —it's about how wisely you choose what (and who) to work with. Discernment helps you cut through the noise, avoid distraction, and focus your energy on the right opportunities that align with your values and long-term vision.
- Your "no" is just as powerful as your "yes." Saying "no" with confidence protects your time, peace, and capacity. It's not about being selective for the sake of exclusivity—it's about ensuring every commitment moves you closer to who you're becoming and what you're building.
- Misaligned clients cost more than they pay. If a client drains your energy, ignores boundaries, or pulls you away from your purpose, they're not a good fit—no matter how much they pay. Discernment allows you to recognize red flags early and choose clients who energize your work instead of depleting it.
- Firing the wrong fit might be the best business decision you make. Holding onto the wrong team member or client out of fear can stall your growth and steal your joy. Sometimes, the most courageous and strategic move is walking away to make room for something better.
- Sustainable growth starts with aligned messaging. Your mindset, mission, and message must work in harmony. When you're clear on who you serve and how you serve them, your marketing becomes magnetic—and your business becomes easier to run.
- Build your business like a magnet, not a net. The Alignment Attraction Framework helps you pull in clients who are aligned with your values, vision, and voice. When you're aligned, you don't need to chase people down—you naturally attract those you're meant to serve.
- Time, money, and energy are your most important currencies. Most entrepreneurs over-focus on money and underestimate the value of time and energy. Trish reminds us that managing all three wisely is key to creating a business that doesn't just pay well—but feels right.
- Don't outsource your judgment—do your due diligence first. Delegating is fine, but awareness is power. Understand enough to stay in control of what matters.
- It's okay to quit temporarily—just don't stay there. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is give yourself permission to rest, reset, and recommit.
- Success will stretch you in unexpected ways. Growth often requires learning things you didn't sign up for—but that's where transformation lives.
Discernment is the difference between doing more and doing what matters most.
For an in-depth exploration of these takeaways and more, be sure to listen to the full episode below.
Tips for applying these takeaways:
Want to apply these insights to your life? Here are some actionable steps you can take today:
- Audit your time, energy, & money: Take inventory of how you're currently spending your time, energy, and money—the three currencies that matter most in business and life. Are your days filled with tasks that drain you or light you up? Are you investing in relationships or projects that move the needle, or just maintaining busy work? Track your usage over the course of a week and notice patterns. Then ask yourself, "Is this aligned with my core values, priorities, and goals?" Clarity begins with awareness, and you can't optimize what you don't measure.
- Vet before you trust. Don't let charisma or convenience cloud your judgment. Whether you're hiring, outsourcing, or partnering, take time to do your homework. Trish's story is a powerful reminder that failing to vet someone—even when they come highly recommended—can have costly consequences. Always check references, run background checks if appropriate, and ask pointed questions that uncover how people respond under pressure. Trust is earned, not assumed. And when money, clients, or your brand reputation are on the line, a little extra diligence up front can save you a world of stress down the road.
- Fire fast, hire with intention. When someone—client, contractor, or team member—is misaligned with your mission, your values, or your boundaries, it's time to part ways. Keeping people around out of guilt or fear of financial gaps will cost you more in morale, time, and missed opportunity. On the flip side, when hiring, don't just look for resumes filled with skill. Hire people who are coachable, collaborative, and aligned with your culture and communication style. Chemistry matters. The right person in the right role is an energy multiplier. The wrong person—even if technically competent—will slow your momentum.
- Say "no" to protect your "yes". Every "yes" is a tradeoff. If you're constantly saying yes to things out of fear, people-pleasing, or scarcity thinking, you're saying no to the people, projects, and priorities that could actually move you forward. Learning to say "no" with confidence—without guilt or over-explaining—is a skill that high-impact entrepreneurs must master. Declining the wrong fit opens space for the right fit. Practice asking yourself, "Is this a full-body yes?" If not, it might be a graceful no. Growth doesn't come from doing more—it comes from doing more of what matters most.
- Build your Alignment Attraction Framework. Attracting the right clients and opportunities starts with aligning your internal world (your mindset and mission) with your external strategy (your market, message, and medium). Trish's Alignment Attraction Framework helps business owners create messaging and systems that not only pull in better-fit clients, but also set them up for success long-term. Begin by defining who you are, what you stand for, and who you serve best. Then align your marketing channels and communication to reflect that. And don't go it alone—join or create a mastermind or peer circle to keep you grounded, honest, and inspired as you grow.
Listen now if you're ready to reclaim control over your business, your boundaries, and your bandwidth.
final thoughts
In a fast-paced, overconnected world, discernment is your shortcut to clarity, alignment, and sustainable success. Trish's journey reminds us that failure isn't fatal—but failing to learn and apply those lessons just might be.
By learning to pause, question, and filter your choices through your core values and long-term vision, you protect your most valuable assets; your time, energy, and peace of mind.
This episode is your permission slip to stop doing all the things and start doing the right things—for you, your business, and your impact.
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes as we and people from all walks of life share their experiences and we identify the lessons, blessings, and success principles that life is providing—lessons that we can all take advantage of and learn from if we pay attention.
If you're ready to step into your full potential, make sure to listen to the episode and share it with someone who could benefit from this powerful message. And don't forget to subscribe to Recounting Life Lessons and jump onto our Insider email list for more insights, actionable tips, and empowering stories.
We are Sione & Alana
Co-Hosts and Owners of
Recounting Life Lessons
We're a married couple from Hawaii who are now living in Vancouver, Washington.
Two things that we are passionate about are:
1) Uncovering the success principles and life lessons that help us all grow into our best selves.
Our favorite ways to uncover success principles and life lessons are by sharing stories from our own adventures and interviewing inspiring guests from all walks of life on our podcast.
2) Making personal growth and consistently leveling up in your life simple and sustainable, no matter what your circumstances are.
We take special care to craft the programs and resources we create, in a way, that keeps things simple and easy to follow-through on.
Through our blog, podcast, courses, and programs, we aim to empower you to grow into your best self, live with purpose, and make a meaningful impact on the world around you.
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