Change Is in the Wind

Can you feel the shift? A vibrant season has arrived, a chance to embrace the changes outside and shed the heaviness. Does this sound like where you are? I feel it, and I hear from a lot of you who are trying to shake loose and build momentum.

The ideas are flickering, you sense they’re coming, trying to break through, yet some days you feel stuck in gray. The key to getting unstuck is to be in motion.

Don’t let the stale settle in. On the calls and the meetings I participate in, there is a palpable sense of the challenges in today’s business world. While the obstacles are real, they don’t have to keep you frozen. Pick one thing on your list, and take the next step. Some days, the step might be small, but at least you’re moving. Your customers, family, friends, and even colleagues look to you to bring the energy, to be a light, and redirect toward an open space of opportunities.

When you feel your mind resisting, spinning in place, movement frees your energy. If you can’t decide what to do in your work, do something to help someone else. Send a card, reach out to say hello, connect. You’re not alone, and they’ll appreciate your thoughtful outreach. That one act of kindness feels good and gets you going. Another option is to let nature inspire you; step outside to clear your mind, go for a walk, even if it’s around the parking lot.

Ask yourself: What can I do differently this week? How can I breathe fresh air into my plans?

I hope this inspires you, friends, to stay in gentle motion. Today, what is one thing you can do to help that flicker become a bright light?

Lessons from the Rearview

Over the years of my entrepreneurship journey, I’ve built things I love, and I’ve closed things down. That’s how it works. I discovered that my “wrong” decisions were counted by others as valuable experience. (Perspective can be hard to hold when you’re “in the thick of it” as a business owner.) Opportunities appeared because people saw a foundation of knowledge and strength, and knew I could inspire and educate those just starting. I saw moments one way, others saw them differently. Now, I know better.

What past experiences are you rehashing and seeing only the negative? What if you redirect your thinking? Consider your pivotal moments, note what you learned, and the skills you acquired. Maybe now you’re thinking differently, practicing better communication, focusing, and know the difference between a projection and a miracle.

What if you pull confidence from these moments? Acknowledge your strong foundation and let go of constant comparisons to a perfect scenario.

Celebrate that you are either winning or learning, and both serve you well.

If you’re ready to stop retelling old stories and build your strong foundation, join me in my current coaching capsule, Dial Into Your Brilliance. You’ll find the details here.

Relax Into a Refined Plan

A few deep breaths and an air of calm haven’t always been how I approach a new project. My early years were fueled by intensity and determination, backed by passion. These are helpful traits to access when entering a new chapter. However, a steady diet of intensity without a sprinkle of calm isn’t healthy. Like me, I’m guessing you’ve been there? I eventually learned that the addition of slow, peaceful moments is when the insights, ideas, and inspired planning come together.

It may seem ironic that allowing space to pause amid work schedules and commitments is what creates clarity. It’s true. Being open, moving lighter lets you write, think, and solve problems more clearly. Ease cracks open space for ideas to float to the surface.

This natural flow of ideas is what feeds your vision, whether it’s of next month or next year. The proactive choice to make time, focus on your future, and imagine what excites you draws you forward. And, when your day goes sideways, it’s your vision that brings you home, reminds you of your priorities, and the next step in your plan.

If you hold no vision, then you move at the whim of others. Your energy is drained by the lack of a cohesive thread or direction; it’s a road to nowhere. Don’t let reckless and random define your days. Instead, choose a relaxed approach to refine your plan and enjoy this next chapter.

If you're feeling the frustration of bouncing between what others think and dragging yourself across imaginary finish lines, it’s time to pause and take a breath. Refresh and reset. I invite you to join me in Dial Into Your Brilliance. It’s my new coaching capsule. I’m excited to be your guide as you define the next steps of your sustainable, fulfilling plan.

What if Your Vision Fits Your Life?

Are you holding on to your current life so tight that your dreams are slipping away? I talk to women who work so hard for what they have and think their only option is to choose between their dreams and the life they have today. What if it’s possible to create space, a world where you continue your growth and fulfillment, and savor what’s fun and fabulous in your life?

create a vision that savors the fulfilling, the fun, and the fabulous

There’s no magic wand required; it comes down to three things. Getting clear on what you want, defining next steps, and being devoted to your priorities.

Gaining clarity means first choosing your non-negotiables. What are the joys, the activities, the things that are the most important in your life? These elements remain a priority, and your body of work or business is threaded around them. Family gatherings, date night, dinner with friends, your art, journaling, reading, travel, long walks, etc. What is the life you’re creating?

Once you set your non-negotiables, you weave the work you love around these areas. This is the time to refresh and refine your plan. Write down the steps you want to take this quarter and add them to your calendar. Then, step back and take a look at what you’ve created. Does this schedule excite you, feel inspiring, offer you a chance to stretch and grow? Or are you exhausted looking at it? Be real. Move, extend, or change what doesn’t feel right in this chapter of your life. Your calendar speaks volumes, and as a smart, capable individual, you decide your timeline and path forward.

Lastly, being devoted to your schedule and to the priorities you’ve set makes all other decisions easy. It allows you to avoid temptations and time-wasters disguised as opportunities, activities that move you off track, and derail your plan. Because you take the time to get clear and make thoughtful decisions, you can say “yes” or “no” with confidence, choosing to stick to your plan and the exciting life you’re building.

As the CEO of your life, revisit and refresh your plan. Savor the fun and fulfillment with a vision that fits your next vibrant chapter.

Permission to Simplify

I heard a woman tell her friend that she was now in her late sixties and realized she didn’t want to work until 5 o’clock every day. It was a routine she had always done, and she decided to change it. When was the last time you took a moment to revisit your routine? This woman shared that she now works fewer days, and less hours. “I’ve earned it!” she declared.

Most of us entering what I fondly call the “seasoned and savvy” years were raised in an era of rigid job environments. Working from home wasn’t a real thing yet, and personal appointments? All squeezed into your lunch hour or after work. Sound familiar? I’ve caught myself in this pattern many times. It’s no wonder I hear so many women looking for a refresh.

Today, grant yourself permission to simplify. Instead of racing into the next project, take a moment to reset.

Notice how often your mind tries to turn back to old, ingrained work habits. While there is always more to do as a business owner, there is also more time than we tell ourselves. Watch how often your brain suggests that more work and more hours are the only answer.

This time, question your thinking. Redirect with one simple question: How can I make this easy? Your answers might surprise you. You can continue to learn and grow without the stress and pressure. Choose to simplify.

Here are examples of how to invite more ease into your plan:

• Can you expand your timeline by a day, a week, or a month? Not from the energy of procrastination or fear, but from a place of completing the details with a fresh and rested perspective.

• Can you launch your project in two stages instead of finishing everything upfront? This allows you to keep moving forward with flexibility.

• Who can help you? It takes a village.

• Do you need to fully bake every step in your plan? Or, can you begin with solid first steps and outline the rest? Tweak and update as you go.

As you explore ways to simplify, avoid letting your mind turn to thoughts of shutting the whole idea down or giving up. That’s not the point of a refresh. When you find yourself white-knuckling, limiting your creativity, or struggling to enjoy the flow of ideas, take a step back.

Adjusting your plan comes with the confidence of having a strong, centered foundation. It’s what I call dialing into your brilliance. Once you’ve dialed in to who you’re becoming and where you’re headed, every decision becomes much easier.

Savvy & Sparkling

While this month is full of sparkle and pinks, dazzle and dreams, I ask, are you being your own, best Valentine? Can you count on yourself for a passionate pep talk?

These sweet sentiments don’t just impact our personal lives. What’s the most important relationship in your business? It’s the one with yourself. You are the CEO of your life.

This week, I’m sharing ideas and questions to add both sparkle and savvy to how you lead your business. What does it mean to be your own, best V-A-L-E-N-T-I-N-E? First, I invite you to bring the fun: print this (on purple paper?), create a colorful card featuring one word, or draw vibrant letters, add one question in markers, crayon, red lipstick - whatever sparks your imagination.

Most of all, use this as an excuse, an opportunity, a reason to start loving on yourself, and watch how it ripples across your life and business.

V - Vision. What images do you hold of your ideal future? What are you doing in that scene? Where are you? Who are you with? See it and speak it, every day. Bring your future into your present. (If you need the science behind this concept, look up the Reticular Activating System, your internal filter, defined by you.)

A - Age is an Asset. With years of experience comes a finely tuned intuition, wisdom you can’t find in a book: the ability to spot genuine (or not) a mile away, valuable evidence that you can handle and learn from, anything that comes your way. Let your knowledge and skills work for you.

L - Let Go. Say goodbye to terrible stories you’ve carried for twenty years, words some random college student, confused family member, or coworker spoke to you without a thought. What is one thing, one habit, you can release today? Stop the second-guessing, and turn your focus toward tomorrow’s opportunities.

E - Energy. What energy do you bring to your day, to your creative ideas, to your customers? Joy, optimism, possibility? Fear, confusion, and doubt? What excites you to start your day, to open your office door? What, and who, drains your energy (see above, Let Go)? What do you want more of this year? Define it, dream it, and declare your…

N - Next Steps. Stay in motion. On the challenging days, take a breath and decide, what’s one thing, one small step you can do to move forward? Call a friend, book the appointment, read an inspiring chapter. One small step moves you forward, and maybe tomorrow you’ll be ready for a bigger step.

T - Trust. Have your own back. Trust that you are capable, a problem solver, and that you’ll bounce back. What if it all works better than you ever imagined? When things don’t go as planned, trust you’ll figure it out. Today’s decision isn’t forever; you can always make a new one.

I - Invest in Yourself. Support your brain and body. Take time to rest, to turn off the screens, to be in the quiet. (Yes, ten minutes, if that’s what you have.) Elevate your energy with a walk around the block, down the street, or to the park. Open yourself up to beauty: the sunrise, friendship, the purring kitty, the caring family member. Self care is real, it matters - especially now - and it’s uniquely defined by you. What is one non-negotiable way you will invest in yourself this month?

N - Nurture Your Creative. Set aside time for your hobby, your passions, something you love to do. Bake the cake, play the guitar, plant the flowers, paint the picture, write, or read the book. Finding moments to reflect and relax isn’t a “nice to have”; it’s what allows your mind to breathe. This is where the problem-solving happens: the next idea, the solution, the workaround. Allow the answers to percolate, to rise to the surface.

E - Elevate Your Everyday. (One of my favorites!) Turn ordinary moments, routine activities, into a treat for yourself. Pick a unique glass for water; choose a different cup for coffee or tea (Tip: the cups don’t require handles). Pack a festive napkin in place of a plain white square or paper towel. Wear the crazy socks. Enjoy a plate or a colorful bowl for snacks, use a cutting board, or a fun tray. (I snagged a vintage tray out of my Mother’s basement.) These don’t need to be new purchases; they’re likely right in front of you. What’s one simple thing you can alter to upgrade your routine?

Each day, consider the message you’re sending yourself. Remind yourself that you’re special, you are loved (by you), and you are on your way!

The Luxury of Letting Go

What if the key to our growth and fulfillment is letting go? Instead of adding more, what if we ease our grip and shake loose restraints?

We’re so used to piling on as a first option. Ask yourself, where are you holding back, restricting, instead of moving freely? Before you do more, release the limits you’ve placed on yourself. Are you staying silent when your ideas make a difference? Are you hiding your passions and skills, thinking they’re not quite ready?

Make space, move lighter, dream bigger.

When I look closely, I find there’s still plenty to release, like nonsense, for starters. I’ve also lovingly let go of relationships that live in lack, people who focus on the negative without a helpful idea or meaningful action in sight.

Moving freely means choosing topics and conversations that inspire you, owning your brilliance, and meeting with people who joyfully hold space for you and encourage forward momentum. It does not mean rigid perfection.

What if we let go of NOT speaking up? We invest time and/or resources in causes and organizations we believe in, and make our voices heard. Say what feels genuine, share your stories, which inspires another, and the ripple effect continues.

Inspired and Informed, Your Chapter to Define

There’s nothing like the blank slate of a calendar and the white pages of a notebook to inspire. They invite us to answer questions of who we choose to be, what’s next, and scribble fresh ideas. I love the page turn into a new year, to imagine what’s possible.

Some people choose to carry the baggage of last year forward, like luggage on a roof rack. I’ve learned to focus on the glimmers, bring the quality lessons, and toss the rest. With a fresh perspective, we move with lightness in thinking and doing. The lessons inform our choices and priorities, and help us create momentum.

I don’t slide into the new year, letting precious days slip by without purpose. And to be clear, some days, rest is the purpose. Or, the day may be business-driven. You get to decide.

I’ve learned to avoid diving straight into tasks and to-dos before defining the big picture. Jumping into tasks is a natural tendency, and one I often see. We instantly make ourselves busy to feel good, but busy is different than productive.

In this new season, we’re not starting over; we’re starting informed. What glimmers and lessons will you pull forward as the foundation for this year’s success?

Sparkling Sentiments (Notes that get noticed)

There’s no better way to set your message apart than with a handwritten note. As a business owner, coach, and human, I find thoughtful sentiments are a beautiful gift in this rushed, rambunctious world.

Simple in design yet powerful in impact, words of compassion and cheer shine brighter than any designer tag or trending toy.

The magic of cards and letters is often overlooked amid the tinsel and treats of the holiday season. Your wishes of calm, congratulations, or encouragement will melt the heart of any Scrooge in the bunch.

Today, I’m here to help you connect in warm and wonderful ways with family, friends, and clients. You’ll find tips for sending your most genuine message, and ways to add a dash of dazzle to your notes, sure to be saved and shared.

Short, simple, a kind sentiment.

One of the most common questions I hear is about what to say in a card. When the right words aren’t coming to mind, think: One moment, one memory, one message.

Decide on a single focus for your note. Reference an experience together that brings back fond memories, or meet them where they are in hard times, with a note of care. When cheer is the mission, celebrate the small and big wins - the trip, project, race, or business launch. It’s not how much you say; it’s the thoughtfulness that leaves a lasting impression. Watch this short video (Instagram reel) for more.

Dazzle & Details

Personalizing your note is easier than ever, with the addition of artisan tape, specialty pens, and unique stamps. Pick one option, or include them all (my choice, of course!).

Marker casings, like this black and white design from Sherpa, allow you to easily switch the pen color based on the season or event. It also makes it more fun to write when you have a little dazzle in your desk drawer! Frixion pens are another favorite, for their colorful, erasable selection.

A Creative Complement

Stamps are no longer a boring utility in the mail process. The colorful varieties available let you choose causes, occasions, and designs that are genuine to you. Accents like these, round button-like stamps, offer creative choices to complement your message. Be sure to peruse your USPS stamp choices; you might be surprised at what you find.

The Surprise Seal

If you receive a note from me, odds are good there’s tape across the back. You’ll find unlimited options to match a letter's mood and purpose. (Explore Washi tape if you need a place to start.) In my experience, the element of surprise (when you turn the card over) is always welcome. People love an extra touch that is fun and festive, or mirrors the contents. And, it’s an opportunity to highlight your personality too.

Whether it’s the holidays or anytime during the year, the few minutes you spend on a handwritten note will leave a lasting impression on the person who opens it.

Beauty: More than a view, it's your door.

Instead of looking at beauty as an ancillary concept, what if beauty is a key to elevated, creative thinking?

Consider this mindset shift: Defining beauty on your terms isn’t a frivolous exercise. When you place yourself in your premium environment, it invites, allows, and encourages you to think differently. Why? Because you’ve surrounded yourself with elements that are genuine and meaningful to you.

Don’t settle for the cluttered chaos of other people’s definitions. When you claim what beauty means to you, you're not living in the land of wishful thinking; you’re immersed in an environment that sparks your mind and raises the bar on how you think, move, and operate your business.

Here are tangible ways to use your definition of beauty to shift into your full potential. See how this concept can work for you and how it has evolved for me.

Define It
Define what it is you call “beauty.” You can’t absorb its magic if you haven’t identified what it means. What images, activities, or experiences inspire you, bring calm, and clear your mind?

For example, being outdoors is my definition of beauty. I’m not hiking the highest peaks; I’m the trail walker and sunrise stroller. It inspires me, helps me breathe deeper, and gives me a fresh perspective. I’ve been doing this for years and thought it was just what I did in my downtime.

Once you define it, seek to create subtle, simple, and sensational ways to weave this inspiration into your life. For me, it means candle scents in birch, pine, ocean, and other aromas fill my studio. Photos and artisan decor representing these scenes are displayed throughout my home and office.

Taking this step will allow you to find more joy, renewed excitement, and calming fulfillment. Consider how this powerful energy enables you to think differently in your work.

Pay Attention to Your Passions
What do you love to do when you’re alone with time? I walk each week in neighborhoods and parks. I’m up at sunrise to witness the serenity of daybreak, and I take a lot of pictures everywhere I go. I also value quality, unique print products; magazines (yes, the ones you hold), stationery, cards, bookmarks, journals. And, I write, I note what I’m thinking, jot down ideas. All the time. For years, I considered these separate from business. Until now.

When Beauty Meets Business
A few years back, I was taking photos outdoors for our artisan gift business at clients’ home properties. This activity sparked a connection with another long-held passion, a love of print elements. After years of this creative current running under the surface, the light bulb switched on, and I began experimenting. I could use these photos to create postcards as a thank-you gift for the homeowners. They could use them as notes to invite others to come and visit. Suddenly (Well, this took years to figure out!), I combined print, artisan gifts, and photos to create a product, a gift for others - a meaningful combination.

The door in my mind opened, leading to new product ideas and expanded thinking, events, and collaborations. Now, it allows me to stretch beyond focusing only on traditional business topics to a powerful blend of beauty, brilliance, and business savvy - more of what I truly enjoy.

Moving forward, you’ll see the impact of this combination in my quest to inspire and elevate seasoned and savvy women in business.

Ask yourself, where do you see beauty? What passions are you overlooking that can add excitement to your daily work? How might these create opportunities to impact your business bottom line?

Practice weaving the work you love around the life that fulfills you.

Photo examples of how defining beauty, owning my brilliance, and elevating my business savvy moved me toward new ideas and next steps. Visit the new Collection!