Ten years ago, in November 2015, I went into the hospital for what should have been a simple knee replacement. Instead, everything went wrong. I went into respiratory failure and was put on a ventilator. My heart stopped and I had to be resuscitated. My kidneys failed and I was placed on dialysis. My bowels shut down so severely that my stomach had to be pumped out. One organ after another collapsed. I slipped into a coma and didn’t wake up for a month. When I finally opened my eyes, I couldn’t move anything but my head. I couldn’t sit up on my own — if someone lifted me, they had to hold me the entire time or I would fall straight over. I couldn’t feed myself because my arms and hands didn’t work at all. I was hospitalized for four months. My husband put two heart-shaped stress balls in my hands and told me to try to squeeze them any time I thought about it. Lying there for weeks, unable to move or go home, I had nothing else to focus on. The thought of my five-year-old son needing his mother kept me fighting. I begged to go home. The doctors kept repeating the same sentence:“If you go home, you will die.” It was the darkest, hardest season of my life.But it was also the beginning of my fight to live again. Part 2 coming tomorrow…

This week, focus on one small upgrade — one habit, one task, one mindset shift.What’s ONE thing you’re improving this week? Mine is to drink more water today. Let’s encourage each other. 💛

Good AFTERNOON Optimization Collective. Today was supposed to be our big moving day — the one we’ve been planning for, working toward, and counting down to. But life threw us a curveball this morning. The previous renters left the house in a condition that prevents us from moving in today. I won’t pretend it isn’t disappointing. It is. But here’s what I can say: Sometimes the path to a better season requires one more pause, one more cleanup, one more unexpected turn. And even then… we keep moving forward. So today, instead of unpacking boxes, we’re shifting, adjusting, and choosing hope all over again because that’s what we do here — personally, professionally, and as a community. If you’re facing something today that didn’t go as planned, you’re not alone. We can still find our footing, reset our expectations, and take the next step. Tell me in the comments:👉 What’s one thing you’re choosing to stay hopeful about today? Sending love and strength to all of us navigating the unexpected.— Rebecca 🌿💛

Good morning, Optimization Collective! Today is a BIG day for our family — it’s finally moving day! We’ve been waiting, working, preparing, packing, sorting, dreaming… and now it’s here. I wanted to share this moment with you because so many of you have walked through this whole journey alongside me — the setbacks, the planning, the organizing, the health challenges, the business growth… all of it. And today feels like proof that steady steps really do lead somewhere beautiful. As we move into this next chapter, here’s today’s reminder: When life feels heavy, keep going. When progress feels slow, keep going. Every box you pack — literally or figuratively — is a step toward a better season. Thank you for being part of my community and cheering our family on. I’d love to hear from you today: 👉 What “new chapter” are you stepping into this week — big or small? Let’s celebrate each other’s fresh starts. 💛 Here’s to new beginnings, fresh energy, and the life we’re all building — brick by brick. — Rebecca

Something I’ve noticed lately… We often talk about the first five minutes of a project — the motivation, the jumpstart, the excitement. But the last five minutes? Those are the real game changers. The last five minutes are where you: - tidy up your workspace - outline tomorrow’s plan - send the final email - update your progress - close the loop you opened earlier Small things.But they make tomorrow smoother, lighter, and more productive. Most people skip them. That’s why most people stay overwhelmed. A tiny habit for today: Before you walk away from any task, take five minutes to finish it well. Your future self will thank you.