From the bustling streets of Minneapolis to the tranquil landscapes of Thailand, Molly’s journey is nothing short of a whirlwind adventure, marked by a quest for efficiency, a passion for veganism, and a love for the simple joys of life.

In this interview, we dive deep into the heart of Molly’s world, exploring how a serendipitous discovery led her to become a certified Notion consultant, reshaping not just her career trajectory but also how we perceive productivity.

So grab a cup of coffee (or maybe a herbal tea, if you’re following in Molly’s health-conscious footsteps), and get ready to be inspired by the story of a woman who’s redefining what it means to be productive in the digital age.

Q: How did you first discover Notion, and how it has shaped the trajectory of your career?

A: My partner introduced me to Notion in 2019 and I was super hesitant at first. He wanted to use it for a product we were developing and as a seasoned Project Manager I wasn’t ready for change. I was a big Excel fan as well as the entire Microsoft Suite. At one point in my career, I was even presenting productivity courses to New Zealand’s largest energy company all about “OneNote, Outlook, and Organising your Workflow”. But after watching a few videos from Marie Poulin (who was probably the only one out at the time) I was hooked. Within a year I became one of the first Certified Consultants and I remember explicitly celebrating with my friends saying ‘This is going to change my life’ and it did!

Q: What inspired you to become a Notion Consultant in 2020, and how did you prepare for it?

A: I had (to the best of my knowledge) the first Travel template, it was a lead magnet for my travel product. When the travel product turned out to be a flop (2020 wasn’t a great year for travel) I took some time off. But I was browsing Facebook one day and someone wanted help with Notion. I was able to show her my article with the Travel template in there, and that was enough to get started. It was really easy to find clients after I realized I could make a career out of it. I was driven by a strong passion and fully committed myself.

Q: How do you balance the personal touch with efficiency when dealing with a large and diverse client base?

A: My personal touch is always efficient, so it’s easy 😉

Q: What does a typical day in your life look like?

A: Ideally I’m only working Tues-Fri, and each day has dedicated tasks in order to keep the business side running. My routine lately means I’m waking up around 5:00 am, meditations and affirmations, and then deep work until around 10. Then I’ll exercise, and go about connecting with people on my team, returning emails, and just general business. I’ve been trying to set aside Tuesdays for writing content and Fridays for recording YouTube videos but I’m looking to optimize this more by batching a whole month at a time. After work, I love cooking homemade food with my partner and relaxing. I’m a simple gal at heart.

Q: Can you describe a particularly challenging project and how you navigated it using Notion?

A: I worked with one of New Zealand’s major political parties and had to organize absolutely every task and workflow from the members of parliament down to the administrative team. The scope was huge, but I loved it – and so did they! It’s cool to know that when they are speaking in parliament, they are reading from a solution I’ve created for them.

Q: How do you approach the educational aspect of your consulting, especially for those new to Notion or technology?

A: It’s important to always assess the educational requirements of any client prior to working together. Almost all of my engagements include training, and it’s absolutely crucial that the business understands the importance of proper change management prior to any implementation.

Q: In your experience, what are the most underutilized features of Notion that can significantly boost productivity?

A: I find a lot of people creating Wikis in pages, and I just don’t get it. Wiki’s do great in database form and you can still create page views. It’s tough though because Notion advertises this page format and it’s a key driver for many people’s interest in Notion. It looks good in page form, but it’s just not realistic.

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to follow in your footsteps as a Notion Consultant?

A: The best time to start is today. I’ve been doing this for four years and I feel like my business is still so young. Consistency is key, and if you find yourself without a client use that time to build your business. I’ve been guilty of enjoying a lot of time off, which has been great for my mental health and well-being, but I could no doubt be much more successful if I didn’t take so many holidays. Also – shameless plug, I’ve been building and growing the Notion Consultants Course since 2021. We’ve had 150 graduates and 7 out of the 70 Certified Notion Consultants are alumni from my course. So if you are looking to follow in my footsteps, it’s all laid out for you at https://notionconsultants.com

Q: What’s your favorite way to relax or destress?

A: Massages, hands down (ha!) I live in Thailand and getting massages are cheap, easy, and everywhere. I also really enjoy time in nature, fully immersed and sweating my butt off. Hiking is incredibly cathartic and if I can get in one hike a week I’d be a happy gal.

Q: Can you share a goal or dream that you’re currently pursuing?

A: Kind of! I’m actually in the middle of an incredibly exciting new approach to monetizing Notion that will be 100x more lucrative than my current approach and require a lot less effort. If successful, I’ll be sharing all about it. But for now – I’m holding onto this secret.

As we wrap up our chat with Molly, it’s clear that her journey with Notion is more than just about organizing tasks or managing workflows; it’s a testament to how embracing change can lead to unexpected and fulfilling career paths.

From her initial reluctance to her current status as a Notion maestro and online educator, Molly’s story is a beacon for anyone standing at the crossroads of curiosity and professional evolution. Her advice to start today and embrace consistency is not just a strategy for aspiring Notion consultants but a mantra for life.

Whether it’s finding balance through morning meditations, unwinding with nature hikes, or exploring new business ventures, Molly’s approach to life and work is a balanced blend of discipline, passion, and openness to new experiences.