Where am I chasing applause instead of purpose? I wouldn’t say I’m chasing applause. It’s more that I can become anxious about how I’m being seen, especially when I have to present or speak in a group. I know my purpose and I know what I’m doing, but sometimes I worry that others may not see that. I also notice that I adjust myself to avoid conflict. There are times I hold back from speaking up or sharing my thoughts because I don’t want to deal with certain reactions or be challenged in a way that feels uncomfortable. Sometimes I over-explain myself so I won’t be misunderstood. So it’s not about chasing attention—it’s more about wanting to be received well and not wanting conflict. But in doing that, I can hold myself back instead of fully standing in what I know is right. What would I do differently if no one could see me? If no one could see me, I would show up more free—less stress, less worry, and more confidence in myself. I would speak more freely without overthinking how I’m coming across. I would plan and prepare without second-guessing if it’s “good enough” for others. I would step up more and not worry so much about being challenged. I would be able to stay present in conversations, even when I feel anxious or overwhelmed, and take a moment to think before I respond. I would feel more in control of my thoughts, my emotions, and my reactions. I would just do what I know is right without hesitation. Who am I trying to impress—and why? I don’t feel like I’m trying to impress anyone in a surface way. It’s more about how I’m being seen, especially by leadership. After an experience a few months ago where I had a strong emotional reaction, I think part of me still worries about how I’m perceived now. There’s a fear that I’m not seen as professional or as capable as I was before. That feeling can show up when I have to present or be in situations where I might be challenged. It’s not about trying to impress—it’s more about wanting to be seen accurately, as someone who is capable, grounded, and knows what they’re doing.

Where am I chasing applause instead of purpose? Honestly, I’m not chasing applause. I’m just not comfortable with it. I’m more laid back. I’d rather listen, be present, and just do what I need to do. I don’t look for recognition. I do what I do because I love what I do. To me, chasing applause feels like a waste of energy. What would I do differently if no one could see me? I’ve actually already done things differently when no one could see me. I’ve grown into doing things for myself—not in a selfish way, but in a way that takes responsibility for my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. I would still be me. I would still cry in private. I would still laugh, feel joy, feel anger—whatever I’m feeling. I’m the same person whether people see me or not. There are just some things that don’t need to be seen, and I’m okay with that. And in my daily life, I would still stay consistent with my routines—my health, my workouts, taking care of myself. If anything, I would just be more intentional—more stretching, more water, more care for myself. Who am I trying to impress—and why? I don’t feel like I’m trying to impress anyone. I can see how someone might look at me and see resiliency, determination, or someone who doesn’t give up, and if that impresses them, that’s fine. I hear the feedback from family friends and some coworkers, and I am happy they feel empowered or encouraged. But I’m not doing any of that to impress anyone. That wouldn’t make sense, because then I wouldn’t be doing it for myself. I’m doing it because it’s who I am and how I choose to live.

Where have I been praying but not acting? I’ve been praying for better focus, more energy, and to keep my rhythm with everything that’s going on. But sometimes I still drop the ball on the small actions that would actually help make things easier, like putting in a little more effort into the routines that keep me grounded. I’m more aware of it now, though. I can see where adjustments are needed, and that awareness is helping me get better at taking action instead of just hoping things will improve. Do my actions prove or contradict my faith? I don’t believe my actions contradict my faith. My faith is part of my life every day. But there are still moments when I react before I pause, especially when stress or anxiety shows up. I’m getting better at slowing down and praying instead of letting those feelings spiral. It’s a process, and I’m continuing to practice responding with more awareness instead of reacting in the moment. What steps align with what I’m praying for? The first step is awareness. I’m noticing what’s happening instead of ignoring it. I’m talking about it, reflecting on it, and taking steps to adjust. I can feel the early signs of burnout, and instead of breaking down over it like I might have in the past, I’m recognizing it and choosing to do something about it. That means using the wellness tools I’ve learned, making adjustments, and learning through the process instead of just trying to survive. The goal now isn’t just to get back to a safe place—it’s to keep growing and moving forward

Where have I been praying but not acting? I don’t feel like I’ve been completely stuck in just praying and not acting, but I can see where there are moments I hesitate. I pray for peace, direction, and clarity, especially with everything going on at work. But sometimes I sit in that prayer and don’t move right away because I’m unsure or overthinking. There are times I wait, not because God hasn’t shown me anything, but because I’m trying to feel ready, certain, or better before I act. And the truth is, taking action while in the middle of anxiety, doubt, and being in my head is one of the toughest things to do. But I know that’s what I need to do. Do my actions prove or contradict my faith? I believe my actions do prove my faith, especially lately. Even when things feel overwhelming, I still show up. I still do what I need to do. I still take steps forward, even if they’re small. That shows trust. That shows I’m not just talking about faith—I’m living it. But I also know there are moments where fear and overthinking slow me down, and in those moments, my actions don’t fully match what I say I believe. And that’s something I’m still working on. Faith without works is dead. I know that now more than ever. What steps align with what I’m praying for? The steps that align with what I’m praying for are continuing to take care of myself, staying consistent with my routines, and not giving up when things get hard. It also looks like taking action at work in a calm and grounded way—speaking truth, setting boundaries, and not reacting emotionally. It means continuing to move forward with my plan, even if it’s one small step at a time. There’s nothing I want more than to know what’s coming next, to feel certain, to feel positive, and to have clear direction. But sitting and waiting for that feeling is the hardest place to be. And I know now that not doing anything is not the answer. I’ve learned over the years that sitting, hoping, and dreaming things will change is just that—a hope and a dream. It’s not action.

Do I only run to God in desperation? No, God is not my backup plan. I start my mornings with prayer and try to stay connected to Him throughout the day. But there are still moments when anxiety or stress shows up and my first instinct is to try to fix things myself. I’m learning to pause and bring God into those moments sooner instead of trying to carry it all on my own. What would true daily alignment look like? Daily alignment for me means trusting God and doing my part. I believe in Him and trust Him, and then I follow through with what I’m responsible for. It means sticking with the plan I’ve set for myself—keeping my word, staying consistent, and holding myself accountable. It’s practicing what I know I should do and staying committed to it each day. How has my faith shifted over time? My faith has become more personal and steady over time. It’s no longer something I turn to only when things are hard. It’s part of my daily life now, and I’m learning to lean on God more consistently instead of trying to handle everything myself. I’ve also started digging deeper into Scripture, like reading through the Gospel of Matthew, which has helped me become more curious and intentional about growing in my faith.

Do I only run to God in desperation? No, I don’t only run to God in desperation. I talk to Him every day. I pray, and I stay in communication with Him. But if I’m being honest, there are times when things get really heavy, and that’s when I lean in even more. Not because He’s a backup plan, but because I need Him more in those moments. And sometimes, when things are going okay, I might not be as intentional as I should be. So it’s not that I only go to Him in desperation, but I can grow in being more consistent in all moments, not just the hard ones. What would true daily alignment look like? True daily alignment would look like putting God first in everything, not just in the morning or when I’m overwhelmed. It would look like checking in with Him throughout the day, before decisions, before reacting, before speaking. It would also look like trusting Him fully—not just saying I trust Him, but actually letting go of control and believing that His way is better than mine. It’s being present with Him, not rushed, not forced, just real. How has my faith shifted over time? My faith has grown a lot. Before, it felt more like something I knew about. Now it feels like something I live. I’ve learned to trust God more, especially in difficult situations. I’ve learned to let go more and not try to control everything. I’m not perfect, and I still struggle, but I see the growth. I see the difference in how I respond, how I think, and how I move through things. My faith today is more real, more personal, and more present in my daily life

1️⃣ Wins & Gratitude What’s one win from this week — and one thing you’re grateful for? I am super grateful for continuing to move forward while being in the middle of a storm. I didn’t let it deter me or make me quit. I continued with my routines and my workouts, even at home, along with physical therapy. I felt tired, but I didn’t let go or give up. I’m truly grateful for that. 2️⃣ Execution Check What action did you take this week that actually moved you forward in your Q2 focus? No matter what was going on, I knew I still had to suit up and show up for myself because no one can do it for me. No one is coming to rescue me. If I’m being totally honest, I had to face the fact that I’m the only one who can get myself out of situations, emotions, or whatever I’m going through. And that’s what I did. I didn’t just think about it—I did it. 3️⃣ Alignment Check Did your daily actions reflect the standards you said you were committing to last week? Yes, my actions matched my standards. As difficult as it was, I stayed consistent. I didn’t want to get up in the morning. I didn’t want to do anything except sulk and feel sorry for myself, and even look at others’ faults instead of my own. But I chose to look at myself, be honest with myself, and not give up. That was true alignment for me. 4️⃣ Friction Point What tried to throw you off this week — and how did you respond? Work—behaviors, unfairness, and actions—definitely tried to throw me off. It was really tough. It felt like a fight. But even in that, I didn’t break my consistency or my word to myself. I responded this time. I didn’t react. I told the truth from the best of my knowledge, and I let go and let God. I took action and let the outcome be His, not mine. The results are not for me to control. God is the one who will guide me, show me the next step, and lead the path. Even if I don’t understand why, I trust that His way is the right way. 5️⃣ Adjustment What’s one small shift you’re making going into next week to stay aligned?

What message does my work ethic send? I think my work ethic shows that I’m a team player. I communicate well, and I know there’s always room to improve there. I am honest, and I keep my word. If I say I’m going to do something, I follow through. I also show that I can adjust and adapt to changes when things shift, which they often do. Where am I cutting corners? If I’m being honest, it usually happens when I’m really tired or when my schedule gets all over the place. That’s when I might wait until the last minute to practice something or rush through parts of my routine. It’s not because I don’t care. It’s more that I’m trying to keep up and sometimes my energy is just low. What could excellence look like today? Excellence today probably just looks like slowing down a little and preparing ahead of time instead of rushing. Doing the next right thing in front of me. Taking care of what I need to take care of without overthinking it and without letting exhaustion make the decisions

What message does my work ethic send? My work ethic shows that I care about doing a good job. I can be trusted, I am reliable, and I take pride in what I do. Even when I don’t feel like doing something, I still give it my best because that’s who I am. I don’t believe in doing things halfway—what I do matters to me, and I want my actions to reflect that. Where am I cutting corners? At times, I avoid the harder parts of my work or tell myself that something is “good enough” when I know I could do better. There are moments when I show up physically but feel mentally checked out, especially when I’m tired or overwhelmed from a long week or life outside of work. While it’s not intentional, these moments can affect the level of care I usually bring. What could excellence look like today? Excellence today looks like staying present and not letting stress or frustration take over. It means focusing on what’s in front of me instead of everything else going on. I will pay attention to the small details, take a few extra minutes to review my work, and make sure I’m doing things the right way—not just the fastest way. I will give myself grace while still holding my standard, choosing to complete my tasks with care, intention, and pride.