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PS 121 You’re Allowed to Slow Down
In this episode, I talk about the natural highs and lows of running an education business. When things slow down, it can feel worrying — but those quieter seasons often lead to the biggest growth.
I share how stepping back helped me create space for new ideas and stronger business alignment. You’ll learn how to use slower periods to refine your marketing, boost sales, and build long-term clarity.
Enjoy :-)
Sumantha
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👋🏽 Hello! I'm Sumantha McMahon, and I've supported over 100 tutors and education business owners.
As a teacher 'dropout' turned professional tutor, combined with my 20+ years as a business owner, I'm in it with you! Yes, I'm qualified too :-)
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© 2024 Sumantha McMahon
Transcript
Now we all have seasons in business where everything just clicks. Ideas are flowing, your energy is high. Opportunities keep coming. But inevitably, there are also times where things feel a bit slower, sometimes even stuck. And both of these seasons are okay. Both of them are normal and they happen. But when things are feeling slower, it's easy to feel a bit panicked.
Sumantha [:Maybe you're waiting on something, or maybe you are tired, or maybe life outside of your business is demanding more of you. So this is really a gentle reminder that those slower seasons are still a part of progress. Slowness doesn't mean you're falling behind.
Sumantha [:In fact, I often talk to my clients about the difference between going at a pace and going fast or slow. Pace isn’t the same as speed. And so whether you are going fast or slow, it doesn’t mean that you’re not making progress. It just means your energy is different. Maybe you need a bit of a reset. Maybe you’re making space in your business for something new.
Sumantha [:I remember when I launched Upgrade Your Education Business. I took on less tuition. Things were slower, things were quieter because I was making space for that new thing. I often think back actually to a time in my business, just before that, when I was making the decision to slow down to speed up, so to speak.
Sumantha [:At first I really panicked. I started questioning everything, thinking, have I made the wrong decision? Was I doing enough? I compared myself to other people. But once I stopped trying to force momentum, when I took that step back, I realised I was in a rare position — to have the headspace to evaluate what I actually wanted next.
Sumantha [:That quiet spell ended up being a turning point. Some of the most powerful shifts I’ve seen in my clients have actually come when they’ve allowed themselves to pause or just move a bit more gently for a while.
Sumantha [:Reflection, rest, or even boredom can spark ideas or bring clarity. Because when you’re not rushing, you start noticing things — maybe old patterns you’re ready to shift, ideas you weren’t ready to hear before, or new opportunities that feel more aligned because you finally have time to think and feel.
Sumantha [:So slowness isn’t the opposite of growth. Sometimes it’s actually a gateway to it. So if you are in a slower season right now, run with it. Trust it. You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re still building, you’re still moving.
Sumantha [:Take a moment to ask yourself — what if this slower pace is preparing you for what’s next? Use that headspace to realign and reevaluate how you’re working, so that however things move forward, they move forward in a way that feels really good.
