A little personal background (not necessary to read to get the content below): Back in 2017 I had decided that 2018 was going to be a "Year of Yes" (title inspired by Shonda Rhymes--creator of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal). Out of necessity rather than desire, I've had to make some bold and uncomfortable moves in 2017 and I told myself that 2018 had to be different.. It HAD to for my own sanity..I didn't want to be a spectator in my own life and wanted to be an active agent... So...that year consisted of saying yes to all sorts of things--yes to doing deep work (thank you Bible/God, thank you Brene Brown, thank you other books and friends), yes to things that scared me (e.g. speaking at a seminar, doing a radio show, running a self esteem workshop, doing activities solo, saying 'no' to things that didn't fit what I actually needed), saying yes to different connections ( @LaTanya Carter -I appreciate you more than you'll ever know!!!) . I stumbled A LOT and fell often, but I also became more confident, more independent, more conscientious of boundaries, more of myself. As a result of 2018, 2019 became my 'resurrection' year or my 'phoenix' year. Rising from the ashes. (Funny that it coincided with my 33rd year in life-maybe that's why I called it the resurrection year). So....as I'm reflecting on this past year and coming up into the next, I figured it's time...It's time for another "Year of Yes". I think it's been brewing. ______________BEGIN THE REAL POST________________________________ *Please watch the video if you have th time. :) :) People hear the phrase a "Year of Yes" and automatically think that it means impulsive decisions, saying yes to a bunch of new activities, being busy with all sorts of things, "bucket list"...But the reality is that it's more like..exposure therapy for the soul. It's breaking up with things that hold you back from living an aligned life. It's saying no to things like unhelpful fear, perfectionism, people pleasing, overthinking, self-doubt and the "maybe later" type language.

Hi everyone, I originally posted this for my group, but @Georgiana D suggested it could spur interesting conversation here… All the aspiring entrepreneurs and business people I talk to (and I've talked with hundreds in the last 2 years) all say the same things. They want - freedom from the golden handcuffs - financial freedom - freedom from the 9-5 As I've watched them grow, they separate out into two groups: those focused on the money, and those focused on something else. Those focused on the money mostly burn out and disappear rather quickly. They're not prepared for the work required to develop themselves, content, original ideas, or personal offers. The second group measures results not only in cash, but in everything that builds relationships, since relationships are the source of all opportunities. My little mnemonic for remembering the 4 kinds of income is the 4 Rs: reach, reputation, relationships, and revenue. I discuss the 4 Rs in this short video. What questions does this raise for you? Where do you disagree? What drives your activity?

This morning, I looked to my left at my little dreamboard and the quote that stood out to me today was: "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." (John Quincy Adams) In what ways do you feel like how you show up in the world impacts others? In what ways have you been inspired by others?

I often meet people who say that they are "tired". Conversation then leads to the question of, "Yes, but what KIND of tired are you?". Sleep will only "fix" the physical or sleep-related fatigue. But the other types of tired including mental fatigue (cognitive load), emotional fatigue, or moral or spiritual fatigue/injury all require different types of intervention. This post will focus more on the cognitive/work load type of tiredness--burnout. This type of burnout can still be impacted by physical factors of course, but there are other things at play that require our attention if we are to prevent or decrease the level of burnout. Burnout is an invitation to address your inner life...your relationship with yourself and things in your life! Below is a condensed version of symptoms, causes and interventions. :) Then, a video if you choose to see it. No pressure :) Lastly, a worksheet for yourself or use in your profession! ⚡ Symptoms of Burnout Emotional - 😓 Exhaustion - 😰 Feeling overwhelmed - 😠 Irritability - 😒 Cynicism - 😶 Emotional detachment Physical - 💤 Fatigue - 🤕 Headaches - 🌙 Insomnia - 💪 Muscle aches - 🍽️ Digestive problems Cognitive - 🧠 Difficulty concentrating - 📝 Forgetfulness - 📉 Reduced productivity - ❓ Difficulty making decisions Behavioral - 🍷 Increased substance use - 🚫 Neglecting self-care - 👤 Withdrawal from social activities--there's been times when I've just wanted to stare at a wall and think of nothing (this was a sign of burnout) - 🏢 Increased absenteeism/getting sick more often 🔥 What Causes Burnout - 🕒 Overwork: Long hours without breaks drain energy and focus; poor work-life balance - 📈 Unrealistic expectations: Trying to do too much or please everyone adds constant pressure; I'd say perfectionism and overachieving tendencies can also fall under this category - 💻 Always “on” culture: Emails, messages, and notifications prevent full mental rest--these will be there in certain work environmens. This can contribute to a sense of lack of control and if this is also attached with difficulty setting boundaries, it's burnout waiting to happen - 💔 Lack of support: Feeling isolated makes stress harder to manage - 🎭 Emotional exhaustion: Caring for others constantly leaves little energy for yourself - 😴 Poor self-care and lack of coping mechanisms: Skipping sleep, unhealthy eating, and no exercise weakens resilience; substance use while an attempt at coping, ends up sabotaging this as well

Follow up from earlier post: Small purchases may feel harmless, but they add up quickly. With intentional strategies, you can take control of your money and make spending purposeful. ✨ Strategies to Curb Micro-Spending: - 📝 Track Every Dollar: Keep logging your expenses to stay aware of where your money goes. Awareness is the first step to change. - 🚫 Pause Before You Buy: Wait 24 hours before making a non-essential purchase. Many impulses fade with time. - 💳 Set Spending Limits: Create a small, budgeted allowance for micro-purchases each week. This allows flexibility without overspending. - 🛍️ Avoid Triggers: Identify stores, apps, or routines that lead to unnecessary purchases and reduce exposure. - 📦 Unsubscribe and Delete: Cancel unused subscriptions and remove shopping apps from your phone. - 🎯 Focus on Goals: Keep your larger financial goals visible, like savings, investments, or debt repayment, to motivate mindful choices. - 🏦 Use Cash Envelopes: Allocating physical cash for discretionary spending can make micro-purchases feel more real and controlled. ***Live humbly--think about your relationship with others and with money. The video below mentions on how in Swiss culture it is frowned upon to be flashing one's money and how status is not dependent on how someone 'shows off' what they have but rather their ability to manage what they have responsibly. *** I appreciated this because a lot of the U.S. culture (and media that we ingest) is counter to this*** - 💬 Reflect Weekly: Review wins and challenges each week. Celebrate when you make intentional choices and adjust strategies as needed. 💬 Question to consider: What small habit could you change this week to reduce micro-spending and save more toward your goals? (for me? It's going out to eat...It's my biggest expense I would say)