Mindset, Momentum, and the Power of Plan A:
A Conversation with Donna Kennedy
Have you ever felt like you’re constantly “busy” but not actually moving forward? Donna Kennedy, an Irish entrepreneur, mentor, and author of nine books, discusses how to break that cycle. Donna has spent decades helping founders build profitable businesses that actually fit their lives, focusing on sustainable growth rather than the typical path to burnout.
This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, and I wanted to share some of the most impactful lessons from her journey.
From Five-Year-Old Entrepreneur to Business Mentor
Donna’s entrepreneurial spirit started early—at just five years old, she was already running her first business selling brooches. By age 12, she was making and selling Christmas wreaths. But her path wasn’t always easy. Donna spoke openly about her humble beginnings and a difficult past marked by significant personal trauma and health challenges.
Instead of letting these obstacles define her, she used them as a catalyst for building something better. She believes that desperation can often be the spark that drives leadership and success.
The Foundation: It’s Always About People
In an era dominated by social media “glitz and glam,” Donna reminds us that business is all about relationships. While many focus on the product, long-term success is built on recommendations and trust.
However, even the best relationship-building strategy will fail without the right foundation: your mindset. Donna argues that you can have the best qualifications and strategies in the world, but if your mindset isn’t the base, the entire structure will eventually collapse.
Why You Need to Ditch “Plan B”
One of the most provocative parts of our talk centered on her latest book, Action. Donna advocates for a “Plan A” only philosophy.
Why? Because having a “Plan B” often acts as a safety net that invites procrastination and self-sabotage. When you commit entirely to Plan A, your actions become far more purposeful and intentional. While she believes in visualization and the law of attraction, she is firm that “if you do nothing, nothing happens”—you must pair your vision with calculated action.
Building Resilience and the “Life Audit”
Donna shared several practical steps for maintaining momentum without losing yourself:
- Stop the Comparison Trap: We often compare our “behind-the-scenes” to everyone else’s “highlight reels” on social media. True resilience comes from being authentic and realizing that everyone has “bird’s nest hair” in the morning.
- The Two-Month Life Audit: Every two months, Donna tracks where she is in every area of her life—health, family, and career. This allows her to make small improvements before they become disasters.
- Business as a Vehicle: Your business should be a vehicle for your lifestyle, not the other way around. If you don’t value your time and set boundaries, you’ll end up unhappy and potentially broke.
- Don’t Wait for Motivation: Motivation and confidence are fluctuating “states of being.” Donna’s advice? Do the work anyway, especially on the days you want to pull the duvet over your head.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are at a crossroads (a topic she covers in her book DECISION) or looking to scale your current venture, Donna Kennedy’s journey is a testament to the power of clarity and resilience.
As Donna says, “Life needs to feel meaningful.” Don’t just be busy for the sake of being busy. Focus on the actions that matter, value your time, and keep your mindset as your primary priority.
For those looking to dive deeper into Donna Kennedy’s work or check out her nine books, you can find her at donnakennedy.com.
To listen to more interviews, go to: LBDLibrary.com
To Your Success
Alun Davies
