Big changes are coming to the StoryBrand Guide program. It used to be that if you wanted the best in the business to help you ‘clarify your message’ you looked no further than your local Storybrand Guide. Well… those days are over forever.

Soon, “StoryBrand Guides” will be known as “StoryBrand Coaches,” a shift that marks a crucial evolution in the world of brand messaging and business strategy! With the rapid rise of AI in the marketplace, this transition is more relevant (and immediate) than anyone imagined.

Why the change? Let’s break it down.

Adapting to the AI Era

Donald Miller, author of Building a StoryBrand, originally released in 2017, has always emphasized the power of clear, customer-focused messaging. But as the business landscape evolves, so must our tools. This January, the best-selling book will receive an update alongside the release of StoryBrand.ai—a game-changing resource that will revolutionize how businesses create content.

The tool is out today and if you want the full checklist of what it can do (and what you should have for your business) we’d be happy to send it to you.

With StoryBrand.ai, you’ll be able to input critical information about your business, and the tool will generate everything on the checklist from website copy to lead generators and nurturing emails.

It sounds like magic, right? But here’s the catch: What you put into the tool directly influences the quality of the output.

Want to know another secret…? You’ll still need to take what the tool produces and edit and build it out for your business!

The Human Advantage: Curating vs. Creating

As Donald Miller wisely states, “AI can create, humans curate.” It’s not enough to rely on technology alone. You need a strategic mind that knows how to tailor and refine AI-generated content to fit your business’s unique needs and the marketplace. A well-trained StoryBrand Coach is not just a copywriter; they’re a strategist and an advocate for your brand’s long-term success. They’ll ensure the content produced isn’t just passable but exceptional, resonating deeply with your target audience.

At Tributary Coaching®, we understand that great marketing isn’t just about spinning words. It’s about developing a comprehensive strategy that supports your business’s growth and leadership WHILE ALSO bringing your team along for maximum alignment and authenticity. We’re here to help you use AI tools to their fullest potential, crafting messaging that inspires action and sets your brand apart.

Why You Need a StoryBrand Coach

Many businesses think a website or clever marketing copy will be their golden ticket to growth. The reality? It takes a comprehensive approach that aligns your messaging with your business goals, team dynamics, and future aspirations. That’s where a coach comes in—not just to craft content, but to elevate your entire strategy AND put it into action.

Navigating the murky waters of business growth is no cakewalk. Countless “gurus” may promise quick fixes, but only a seasoned coach can dig into the heart of your operations and leadership. We work alongside you, ensuring every move is strategic and geared toward sustainable growth.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Don’t settle for just a good storyteller when you could have a business partner who’s invested in your success. Building a StoryBrand’s updated version will soon be available, and you can purchase it through our resource page. But why wait to get started? Book a free call with us today to clarify your message and learn how to maximize existing AI tools for your business.

Hire a coach, not just another copywriter. Your future self—and your business—will thank you.

Download the new StoryBrand Marketing Checklist

From Chaos to Calm: My Personal ‘Time Management’ Turning Point, 

and How to Invest Your Time Effectively

Want to get control and bring some calm to the craziness that is entrepreneurial life by understanding how to invest your time effectively…?

Read on to overcome ‘The Time Management Myth’ and discover the proven system for how to invest your time effectively and with purpose like a leader, rather than simply spending it in reaction mode.

The turning point was one of necessity. It was clear I could no longer just ‘wing it.’ I remember the moment because I was flooded with a sudden rush…A whirlpool of emotion really, with a healthy undercurrent of embarrassment thrown in for good measure. 

I mean… I had already passed out in the first week of birthing class, and now I was the guy jumping out of his seat in the middle of class and running out of the room, leaving my wife to explain that the text I had just received from my sister Erika would change everything for our family. 

It simply read: “We got the heart.”

I’m still not fully sure why I passed out the week prior, but it might have had something to do with everything that was going on that month. (Plus, I still maintain it was WAY too hot in that classroom)

Our house was half taken apart at this point because it turns out… ‘nesting’ is really a thing. 

We were moving a bathroom, adding a laundry room on the main floor, and completely gutted our main bedroom so our moms could have a place to stay when they visited the new grandbaby. With just weeks to go, Kate was right in there prying things apart with a pry bar and literally hammering away to make the project happen before the big day. It was all hands on deck, pregnant or not!

I was also staring down the biggest work event of the year that was scheduled 3 weeks before our due date. We were coordinating with the Coast Guard, flying coaches in from all over the world, registering over a hundred eager paddlers, and wrangling sponsors for the biggest rough (or ‘Lumpy’ as it was called) water sea kayaking symposium in the world. 

Now, amidst all of it, I knew I’d be making a big trip back to St. Louis to be bedside following our mom’s heart transplant. 

The Call that Changed it All

She’d been on the list for just 2 weeks when she got the call. Now, in a matter of a few hours, she would be under the knife, and everything felt like it was hitting at once. The next time I would see her would hopefully be in the ICU… Hopefully. 

The house still needed to be finished. Our baby was coming soon! The event my whole job revolved around was happening either way, but nothing was going to keep me out of that ICU.

The only way I could survive the next few weeks was to do two things…

1. Accept the help of INCREDIBLE friends who are more like family.
2. Figure out how to invest my precious time effectively.

Somehow, I needed to get twice as much done in half the time AND stay organized enough to tell willing friends how they could help us (and when!).

The Time Management Myth: “Why You Can’t ‘Make Time’—And What You Can Do Instead” to invest your time effectively

Psssst… I have a secret… 

No matter what they claim, no one can improve your ‘time management’ because managing time isn’t actually a thing! (feel relieved yet?)

I can assure you that this is especially true when you’re hurdling down the wormhole of YouTube clips explaining what time actually is when you should be writing this blog post. (Not recommended if you want to get anything done ever again)

At that point, time ceases to exist, except for maybe that handy 2X speed option and however long it takes to microwave that other frozen burrito you’re calling lunch because you’re “too busy” to stop and eat a proper meal. Hey, I’m still not perfect at this whole productivity thing, but bear with me…

You may find yourself in a similar ‘must make’ situation some day. Perhaps you are facing challenges that you’re not sure how you’re going to handle right now! Maybe you’re even fortunate enough to have people around you that want to help, if only you knew how to best utilize their generosity. 

If only…

If only we could 2X speed button our big projects so we had more time to do the things we yearn for! 

If only we were organized and clear enough about our needs to allow others in to help. 

If only you could overcome the time management myth!

What would that mean if you could…?? 

Would it mean you could be done working when your kids get home? 

Would it mean you could mentor and train leaders at work to take things off your plate? 

Would it mean you could plan more date nights and be a better partner?

Would it mean you could train to finally run that marathon or paddle down that river?

Would it mean you could coach your kid’s team or volunteer in your community?

Would it mean you could start that new business you’ve been dreaming of? 

Time is a constant (and a constantly dwindling resource if you’re a business leader).

You can’t ‘make time,’ but we certainly all waste some of it each day. 

I often hear my coaching clients say they don’t have enough, but I wonder…

What if instead of ‘managing time’ (or worse, just spending it without thought), we focused on properly allocating and INVESTING it instead…?  

I wonder what would happen if, instead of a to-do list, you had an easy-to-implement system for getting more done in less time and with less stress!

For now, you don’t feel like you have enough as it is, so let’s get into the goods quick to learn how to invest your time effectively and, as a result gain control of your life!

The 46-Hour Challenge: “Where Does Your Time Go? A Breakdown” showing it is possible to invest your time effectively

How much time we actually have:

1. Total Weekly Hours: Each week gives us 168 hours to play with (24 hours per day times 7 days).
2. Sleep Takes Its Share: If you aim for a healthy sleep pattern of 8 hours a night, that’s 56 hours a week spent snoozing. Now, we’re down to 112 waking hours.
3. Daily Living Activities: Consider the time needed for essentials like eating, grooming, and general self-care. It’s not uncommon to spend about 2 hours per day on these activities, which sums up to 14 hours a week. Now, we’re left with 98 hours.
4. Work Commitments: For those with a full-time job (say, 40 hours a week), that brings our available time down to 58 hours.
5. Errands and Chores: The average person spends about 1-2 hours a day managing life—grocery shopping, cleaning, or running errands. Let’s estimate 12 hours a week here, reducing your time to 46 hours.

The Remaining Hours To Invest With Purpose:

Common Pitfalls: “The Silent Productivity Killers: Multitasking, Indecision, and Social Media”

That’s 46 hours left in your week. It might sound like a lot, but those hours are often the ones we mismanage or let slip away. The real culprit is usually time leakage: scrolling endlessly on social media, battling indecision, or inefficiently switching between tasks. This is key to learning how to invest your time effectively. When you realize how precious and finite your usable hours are, it puts into perspective the importance of making intentional choices. It’s about being proactive, knowing where your time goes, and designing your days to align with your priorities.

The distractions of modern life are a massive drain. Studies suggest that decision fatigue and multitasking make us significantly less effective. The American Psychological Association reports that task-switching can cost as much as 40% of your productivity. We also spend an average of 2 hours and 31 minutes daily on social media, adding up to over 900 hours a year lost to scrolling.​

The Solution: “A Hybrid Digital and Analog Approach to Reclaiming Your Day and

overcome the time management myth”

But it doesn’t have to be this way. By being more intentional, you can reclaim your wasted time and reinvest it in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. It’s about making conscious, meaningful decisions that serve your life’s bigger purpose.

The Digital vs. Analog Conundrum: A Battle of Dopamine, Distraction, and the REAL reason most productivity planners and tools don’t work. 

Why not just use an app, you ask? Well, digital productivity tools have a dark side. Research shows our phones are distraction factories. Social media notifications, emails, and the black hole of the internet are just a swipe away. You open your calendar app, and suddenly, you’re watching yet another hilarious dog video. Oops.

Meanwhile, an only-analogue approach has its limitations too. Ever tried scheduling a meeting with a paper-based planner when everyone else is digital? It’s like trying to write a letter in Morse code during a Zoom call—unnecessarily complicated and there is no way to truly coordinate with you in real-time. Plus, who wants to cart around a clunky planner book everywhere they go?

The science: Our brains engage differently when we write things down by hand. Kinesthetic activity, like taking notes, has been shown to improve memory retention. That’s why old-school note-taking in class remains effective. Then there is the satisfying joy of crossing things off (Thank You, Dopamine)** 

Let’s face it: there’s a primal thrill in drawing a line through a completed task. That simple physical action triggers a dopamine hit, rewarding your brain and making you want to do more. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, emphasizes the power of this feedback loop. It’s a concept rooted in neuroscience: when we associate actions with rewards, we naturally reinforce those behaviors. You’re literally training yourself to be more motivated. (maybe those dog training videos were on to something 😉

Apps can’t replicate that. Sure, you might tick a box, but it doesn’t carry the same punch as a pen scrawling a triumphant line across a task. That physical connection fosters intrinsic motivation, making you feel accomplished. 

By combining the benefits of both digital and analog systems—and embracing the power of physical rewards—you create a more balanced, effective method for managing your time and attention. 

The best part? You’re more likely to keep it up because your brain loves a good reward. So, go on and soak in those little wins!

The Proven Plan: “How I Plan My Day to overcome the time management myth (and Teach Others to Do the Same)”

Ready to master your time and focus? Let’s turn those ‘must-make’ moves into a lifestyle of success and enjoyment by learning how to invest your time effectively.

Truthfully, I didn’t just come up with all this that day in birthing class when I got that text about my mom’s heart transplant. It was something that had been evolving over the years as my kayaking and coaching career was ramping up. This was an evolution over about a decade as I moved from a life of just drifting downstream to one I took seriously enough to put real intention behind. 

Perhaps you currently find yourself where I was or somewhere along a similar progression.

Here’s how it’s evolved over the years for me:

• Floating thoughts – I used to do my best to just remember the important stuff, but inevitably, things would get missed, and it just got too overwhelming to remember it all.
• Random to-do reminders – The next obvious step was to write down the really important stuff on random to-do reminders or sticky notes, but it was sporadic at best, and soon, I had a mosaic of pink and yellow scattered across my computer, wall, and calendar. 
• A full to-do list (brain dump) – At some point, I knew I had to just get it all down in one place, so I would do periodic brain dumps onto long unorganized lists loosely categorized as either “work” or “personal”
• Pulling from the to-do list for a daily to-do list – Once everything was braindumped out, I could pull things to form daily to-do lists, most of which I’d only finish a fraction of, leaving a sense of failure even when I had accomplished most of my list for the day.
• Numbering the to-do list items in the order I would do them – To be sure I didn’t waste time deciding which to-do to do next, I started numbering the daily list in the order I would complete the tasks. Of course, I’d tend to start with the easy stuff, leaving little time to actually dig into the most important (and usually most challenging) tasks.
• Putting the top tasks first (eat the frog, as they say) – Realizing the importance of starting with the most important things, I started getting wiser about how I’d order my to-dos, creating a fairly effective action plan that helped me get the keystone items moving first, but with very little structure or organization based on the realities and demands of the day, I often ended up feeling cramped for time still. 
• Putting my daily plan to a time based system (every 30 mins) – This was a BIG step that really changed things for me. I remember my coach, Rob Yates, sharing his daily worksheet that included plotting actions in 30-minute chunks throughout the day. Suddenly, I knew exactly what I needed to be doing all day, and it forced me to be realistic about how long things actually take. Game changer…. But still not enough.
• Starting to make tomorrow’s plan the prior day – Once I had the habit of planning out my days in 30-minute intervals, it only made sense to put some thought into the plan for tomorrow so I could start my day already knowing what I needed to do (and when!)
• Projecting out a full week on Monday morning – I started to realize how much calm and peace having the daily plan already organized brought to my days. I was able to better visualize the day ahead, so why not look just a little further out? This was the step I knew needed to happen when we got that faithful text about my mom’s heart. 
• Setting a meeting with myself at the end of the week – It wasn’t until years after that I started having my weekly planning meeting with myself on Friday evenings, so I could feel at ease over the weekend knowing I didn’t have to worry about the next week. I had a plan. So long for good Sunday Scaries!

For the last 5 years,

I’ve been using this time planning system to teach Tributary Coaching clients ranging from executives of billion-dollar companies to solopreneurs looking to make a leap from corporate to self-employment, to busy professional athletes, to leaders of elite first responder units, how to invest their time effectively.

Where do you find yourself along this progression? Now, you can finally skip some or all of those steps I had to take and instead jump right to what has been proven to actually work! 

It’s easy…

1. First, get the planning tool AND the proven process below…
2. Set a 30-minute meeting with yourself this week
3. Complete the Planning Sheet so you can take back your time (and your life)

It’s that easy!

Get the Time Planning sheet

Call to Action: “Take Back Your Life Today: Download the Time Planning Sheet”

and start investing your time effectively!

In the end, thanks to those incredible friends willing to pitch in to help when we needed them most, an unwavering commitment to making it all happen, and some focused energy backed by the planning system I share with you today, we pulled it all off!

Mom got her new heart, and I was able to be there with her in the ICU every single day. The house project came together JUST in time. We pulled off a wildly successful international event and got to greet our first baby boy (who happened to arrive right on his Halloween due date, as if it was scheduled to be all along!) 

Imagine, just for a moment, that instead of your days slipping through your fingers like sand, you had a firm grip on how you invest your time. What could that mean for you?

Picture this:

A life where those 46 extra hours aren’t just “survival hours” spent treading water. Instead, they become your time to thrive. It’s about more than just ticking boxes; it’s about savoring sunsets, coaching your kid’s team, or launching that dream business.

No, you can’t hit a magical “2X” button to speed things up like in those guilty pleasures YouTube binges we all love. But you can hit pause, recalibrate, and decide what really deserves your precious time here and now. 

Ready to turn the scattered chaos into strategic calm? It won’t happen in a day (or even a weekend). But, armed with your newfound understanding and the right approach, you can transform how you live, a half hour at a time. 

Because in the end, investing time wisely isn’t about getting more done; it’s about making more room for what truly matters. Now, go on—take back your hours and make every moment count.

Download the Time Planning Sheet and start investing in life today!

Remember, you’ve got this.

It’s time to eliminate excuses and embrace the flow. It’s time to finally move past the Time Management Myth but instead invest your time effectively!

Give it a go, and let me know how it works!

-Paul Kuthe

Elite Performance Coach

A few years back, we worked with an inspiring business owner leading a fast-growing healthcare team. She had big hopes and plans for the new year, and her team was eager to hit the ground running…

But, when it came time for their annual ‘all-team’ planning meeting, she found herself struggling—trying to keep the meeting on track while also sharing her own ideas and vision as she tried her best to be sure everyone had a voice in the discussion.

“I felt like a referee instead of a leader,” she told me afterward. “I was so focused on making sure the meeting ran smoothly that I barely had time to contribute or soak in anyone else’s ideas. In the end, I ended up with a giant to-do list and even less time to do it all.”

This is a common challenge I see with leaders. When you’re responsible for both facilitating AND participating, it’s easy to get pulled in too many directions. That’s where bringing in an outside coach as a facilitator changes EVERYTHING. It lets leaders shift their focus to what matters most—being fully present, sharing their vision, and guiding their team toward success!

Why a Team Planning Session is Essential

Starting the year without a clear plan is like setting off on a river rafting trip without paddles—your team will drift along wherever the current happens to be going, but it will never take you where you actually need to go.

A well-structured and facilitated team planning session ensures your team is aligned, prepared, and ready to navigate the challenges ahead TOGETHER.

Here’s why it’s so important:

• Align Personal and Team Goals
  When individual goals connect with the team’s mission, each member feels personally invested in the overall success and can better integrate team goals with their own.
• Clarify the Team’s Mission
  A shared mission statement provides a clear destination for everyone, ensuring the whole team is paddling in the same direction. 
• Set Expectations with Clear Agreements
  Defining roles and responsibilities from the outset promotes accountability and minimizes miscommunication.
• Create Consistency with Messaging
  When everyone knows the message—including the company one-liner—your internal and external communication stays on point.
• Identify Key Marketing Strategies & Promotions
  With a defined plan, each team member knows how their individual marketing efforts contribute to the bigger picture and where it’s going.
• Equip the Team with a Customer-Focused Approach
  By learning the StoryBrand framework, your team will know how to position the customer as the hero, making your offerings more compelling and easier to sell (especially for those who don’t like “selling”).

A team planning session provides clarity, alignment, and focus. It’s your chance to prepare the team, overcome obstacles, and build momentum—ensuring everyone is ready to paddle in sync toward success in the new year.

The Problem: Leaders Can’t Do It All

When you’re leading a team, it’s easy to feel like you have to manage everything—steering the boat, watching the currents, and paddling all at once. But if you’re busy keeping the session on track, you can’t focus on sharing your insights or participating fully in strategic discussions.

Facilitating a team planning session requires structure, focus, and neutrality. It’s not just about following an agenda—it’s about reading the room, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, and keeping the momentum going. If you, as the leader, are tied up with logistics, it’s hard to be fully present, connect with your team, and contribute meaningfully.

Trying to both facilitate and participate leads to:

• Split Focus: You’re juggling the meeting flow and your role as a leader, making it harder to contribute effectively.
• Missed Opportunities: Important ideas and insights can be lost if you’re focused on keeping the meeting running smoothly.
• Burnout: Managing every detail alone creates unnecessary stress and can drain your energy for the work that truly matters.
• Being left with a giant ‘to-do’ list: When you’re so wrapped up in leading the meeting, you can end up left at the end with a giant list of to-do’s (and a little regret for good measure) rather than delegating and getting committed action from the team.

The reality is that leaders shouldn’t have to do it all. Your role is to inspire, strategize, and lead—not get bogged down in the mechanics of the session. That’s where having a coach as a facilitator can make all the difference.

The Solution: A Coach as Your Session Guide

Bringing in a coach to help plan the meeting flow and act as the facilitator allows the team leader to fully engage in the discussion rather than manage the flow. The coach keeps the meeting on track, brings innovative activities that bring out the best ideas, ensures productive conversations, and creates space for every team member to contribute, allowing the leader to focus on strategy and vision.

With a coach facilitating the session:

• The Leader Can Participate Fully: Instead of juggling logistics, the leader engages in meaningful discussions and shares their vision.
• The Meeting Stays Focused and Efficient: The coach ensures that the agenda flows smoothly, with no one derailing the conversation.
• Everyone’s Voice is Heard: The facilitator encourages input from all team members, building alignment and trust.
• The Leader Builds Stronger Connections: Shifting from facilitator to participant allows the leader to collaborate openly with the team, fostering trust and engagement.

The coach’s role is to bring structure, focus, and direction to the session. While the facilitator handles the logistics and guides the conversation toward actionable outcomes, the leader can concentrate on sharing insights and contributing to the team’s success.

A facilitated session not only reduces the leader’s burden but also strengthens team collaboration. With clear goals, focused discussions, and shared accountability, the entire team moves forward in alignment—ready to tackle the new year with confidence.

Remember that stressed-out leader who felt left out of her own planning session at the beginning of this post? Check out the testimonial after she brought us in to run the meeting the following year: “We’ve been able to grow our team and open a second location… I could go on and on and on…I feel MUCH more confident as a business owner and leader” -Kendall Hagensen, Founder of Vancouver Wellness Studio.

Ready to Start the Year Strong? Time to Plan Your Session

The most successful teams don’t just set goals—they create a clear roadmap to achieve them. Let us know if you need help to guide your team through a powerful planning session so that you, as the leader, can focus on leading without distraction.

Let’s talk about booking your all-team planning session today and get ready to start the new year with purpose and alignment with your team!

Feel free to email me at paul@tributarycoaching.com or book a call here.