The NBV Essentials: What Keeps Me (and My Business) Going
Every business owner has their non-negotiables, the little tools, routines and guilty pleasures that make the long days feel a little easier and the workload a little lighter. Over the years of running NBV, I’ve figured out the things that keep me productive, balanced, and (mostly) sane. They’re not flashy or overcomplicated, but they are the backbone of how I work.
Here are my essentials:
Toggl
Time tracking is one of those things that feels unnecessary until you do it. I use Toggl not only for myself (to see where my hours have gone) but also for my clients, so they know exactly what I’ve working on. It gives transparency, keeps me accountable and has helped me spot when I’ve been spending too much time on tasks that aren’t really important. It’s like having a quiet reminder in the background: is this really the best use of your time?
Trello + Notion
If Toggl is the accountability tool, Trello and Notion are the brains of the business. I’ve always got a hundred ideas and actions swirling around in my head and if I didn’t have somewhere to put them, I’d lose them forever. Client projects, processes and action tracking all live in one of these two places. I think of them as my digital filing cabinets, but much prettier and easier to navigate! When I sit down at my desk, I know exactly where to go to pick up where I left off.
I know emails are the “professional” standard, but honestly? WhatsApp is where half my business actually happens. It’s quick and it means I can be responsive without overcomplicating things. Most of my clients use it too, so it’s the fastest way to get hold of me. For me, it’s about keeping communication easy, you don’t need a formal email chain for every quick question or update.
McDonald’s + Coke
Not exactly the glamorous productivity hack you were expecting, but hear me out. There are days when a large Coke and some salty McDonald’s chips are exactly the fuel I need to power through. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about finding those little comforts that keep you going when the day feels long. For me, that familiar pick me up is sometimes what flips a midday slump around. It might not be healthy but it definitely works!
Luna
Last but absolutely not least, my fluffy associate: Luna. She’s my Maltipoo, the chief of the fun police and my daily reminder to take breaks. When I’m deep in client work, she’s there demanding a treat or flopping across my laptop. She makes me laugh, gets me away from my desk and brings so much joy into every day. Honestly, I don’t know how I’d do business (or life) without her.
None of these things are huge or complicated, but together they’re what make NBV run smoothly. They give me structure, accountability, and a sense of balance, while also making sure I don’t forget to enjoy each day and remember why I chose this life!