Entrepreneurship

And just like that, we’ve turned the calendar! Cheers to 2025! This is a beautiful time for renewed commitments, fresh starts, and a sense of optimism for what lies ahead. Use this energy to propel yourself forward—envision the future, plan for success, and dream about the goals you want to achieve this year. By harnessing this energy, you can fuel good momentum in your life. While the start of a new year brings excitement and optimism, it’s important to remember that we can

Hi all, Coach Lauren here! Have you ever thought about what types of goals set you up for success? It is the new year, and surely, many of us have New Year's resolutions on our minds. It is an unfortunate known fact, however, that these resolutions often do not last long; there’s even a “Quitter’s Day,” which falls on the second Friday of January, and research shows a significant amount of the population has already stopped their goal by that time. There are all sorts of tool

If I ask “What does it mean to be resilient?”, what picture comes up for you? For me it is someone in a boxing match who just took a hit, and yet they get back up. They clearly have some sense of resilience since they got back up. But what, actually, does it mean to be resilient? A few years ago I learned there are different types of resilience, and I found it helpful to break this down. In the case of the boxer who just got back up after taking a hit: Physical resilience: t

I was having a conversation with a new acquaintance who was recently promoted to a leadership role in the company. While excited, they also expressed feelings of self-doubt, citing a lack of experience in the new position. I shared a few perspectives with her and thought I’d offer them here as well! Potential over perfection Nobody knows it all Stories we tell ourselves Potential over Perfection When interviewing for a job, the focus is often on skills, background, and experi

In today's society, disagreements are increasingly common, extending into the workplace where differing approaches, styles, or opinions are to be expected. How we handle these disagreements significantly impacts our well-being and influences those around us, including coworkers and children. The other day, a client and I were having a conversation about her boss, who was taking credit for a project her team worked on. She was feeling very angry and resentful. She was ready to

I've spent many years in leadership roles and now work as a coach. There’s one fundamental shift that leaders can make to drive significant returns. This skill requires intentional effort and doesn't come naturally to most leaders. This is the art of Asking Questions Why this is important: By asking questions, leaders can help others grow and build capabilities. Organizations value critical thinking, and through questions, leaders can develop this skill in their teams. When e

As we head into the busy holiday season, it is very common for jam-packed schedules, last minute to-do’s and family drama to weigh heavy on our mental well-being. But it doesn't — and shouldn't! — have to be this way. We should be able to soak up all the joy, comfort and fellowship this season has to offer. So, to avoid experiencing stress and overwhelming feelings these next few months, now is the time to prepare yourself to end the year well. To help you make more conscio

Gratitude. It’s a simple word with a whole lot of meaning. It’s also something easy to overlook. So, as we head into the final few months of 2023, we want to encourage you to take some time to reflect on your accomplishments and blessings from the first three quarters of the year. Q1-Q3 Reflection Questions: What made you smile? What fills your heart with joy to remember? What did you gain? Think about these questions and the things and people that have filled your cup this

Hello, Melissa here! Are you feeling stuck and desiring a change? It is a sentiment that many of us experience at some point in our lives. It's that unsettling sensation that nudges us to break free from the monotony and explore new horizons. If you find yourself resonating with these emotions, then you're not alone. For years, I too grappled with similar messages that continuously whispered in the depths of my mind. However, I decided to take charge of my life, turning my t

Myth or Urban Legend? In today's fast-paced and highly demanding work environment, the concept of work-life balance has become more important than ever. One popular topic that often arises in discussions around employee well-being is the idea of a PTO (Paid Time Off) culture. Some view it as a mythical concept, a mere urban legend whispered among employees seeking respite from their demanding schedules. But is it truly a myth, or could it be a powerful tool for promoting wel

I remember that day well. It was a Sunday in the spring. My husband and I left church and headed to the grocery store before heading home. In the parking lot, I got the call from my boss. As his business partner, I had been working with him over the past month to reorganize the department, which I was a part of. In the reorganization, I initiated a change that eliminated my position. I knew I wanted something different. It was time to leave the organization I had been a part

With so many of our beliefs and assumptions being challenged over the past two years, the role of coaching in organizations should also be challenged. Traditionally, organizations have invested in coaching practices to support performance and development. But building a coaching culture is the fabric of a healthy, strong, and thriving organization. This goes well beyond managing performance and supporting development. Coaching is at the heart of engagement, overall well-bein

Melissa has an MBA and is a leader in a Fortune 500 global business. Melissa’s business background, strong coaching skills, and passion to help others make her a great fit for the ithrive31 coaching team. She joins the team as a Leadership and Transition Coach and will do both personal coaching and leadership coaching. Here’s a little more about Melissa’s love of coaching and why she joined ithrive31. What was your response to coaching for the first time? My first experienc

Four years ago, I started my business. There is so much to reflect on and I feel humbled and honored to be walking this journey. Life is full of opportunities for personal growth, so looking back, here are some of the lessons I have learned.   Year One was about humility . I never thought I had a big ego, but as it turns out, it has always been there.  I left my job after 25 years with a big salary, good title and loads of experience thinking, “why wouldn’t I be a valuable,

Is your business booming or bLooming?  The L can make all the difference. Recently I hosted a couple of women at my home to engage in a vision board exercise.  (For anyone not familiar with these exercises, it involves cutting pictures and words out of magazines that speak to your heart/intuition and help you craft a vision for your future). As they were sharing their pictures, Jen held up a beautiful pink peony in full bloom.  The caption on the image was: “Business is Bloom