Personal Development

As we flip the calendar to July, the second month in this three-month summer chapter, I find myself pausing for a moment of reflection. June felt full. It was busy, yes, but a happy kind of busy. A balanced busy. The kind that reminds me life can be full without being overwhelming. Looking back, June was filled with joy—vacations, time with friends, laughter, and sunshine. There were pockets of rest, much-needed pauses that helped me recharge. And there was growth, both perso

In addition to being a travel enthusiast, I’m a certified professional coach, educator, and military veteran. I’ve traveled to 32 countries and sailed on 12 cruises (so far), and my favorite destination is wherever I’m headed next! Being on travel reminds me of the importance of showing up. And we get to choose how we show up in the world every single day. It’s not just the big trips or major moments that matter. Sometimes, it’s the simple things that stay with us the most. S

Summer is a great time for memories. One of my favorite memories from when my kids were little was something we called a “kidnap breakfast in the park.” The moms in our neighborhood coordinated a surprise morning adventure—we woke our kids up at the break of dawn, didn’t tell them where we were going, and took off on a stroll in their pajamas. As the sun was rising, we arrived at the park pavilion where orange juice, donuts, and games were waiting. They still talk about how f

Just like a garden needs water and sun, relationships need care and attention to grow, and communication is the lifeblood that makes it all happen. Whether you’re leading a team, having a tough conversation, or simply trying to connect more meaningfully, small shifts in how you communicate can create a big impact. This month, we’re sharing three practical tips to help your communication bloom. Think of them as small seeds you can plant—simple actions that lead to stronger, he

Hi there! Coach Miki here. There’s a lot happening in our world right now – both locally and globally. Building a supportive community of friends (and family), mentors, and coaches to navigate life’s challenges can be incredibly grounding and empowering. Friends are at the heart of community, bringing comfort, familiarity, shared history, and joy. Friendships are where mutual care grows strongest, and we can engage them by checking in regularly. A quick phone call or simple t

Recently, I revisited an exercise introduced by Dorie Clark —a personal branding expert and author of —that’s as simple as it is powerful. It’s called the “Three-Word Exercise.” Originally described as a shortcut to a 360 review, the exercise invites you to ask a small group of people who know you well, “If you had to describe me in only three words, what would they be?” It may seem basic at first, but as Clark explains, once you’ve gathered responses from six to eight people

I don’t talk about money a lot, and I certainly don’t claim to be a financial expert. However, as someone who believes in whole-person well-being, I know that finding fulfillment in our personal finances is something we all need to pay attention to. From an early age, our beliefs and behaviors around money take shape. That’s why the lessons we learn about money should start in Kindergarten and serve as guiding principles throughout our lives. Here are five fundamental truths

“I’m just ordinary.”That was the response I got when I asked a client to tell me about herself. I smiled and said, “Tell me more about your uniquely ordinary life.” As we talked, I quickly learned she wasn’t ordinary at all. She had incredible experiences, quirky traits she thought were flaws, and passions she had buried deep inside. It reminded me how often we underestimate ourselves. We look at the world around us—at the bold, the accomplished, the ones in the spotlight—and

Hang tight — we’re heading into spring, a season of refreshing renewal! What energy do you want to bring into this new season? Now’s the perfect time to reflect on your first quarter. How are your goals shaping up? Do any need adjusting? Take a moment to align your next 31 days with intention and focus — grounded in our three core principles: Be intentional with your thoughts Be deliberate with your time and resources Be purposeful in how you treat your body Reflect on Q1 It

Lately, emotions have taken center stage in my life. Through events and situations that have misaligned with my values, I’ve experienced the full spectrum—anger, frustration, helplessness, and everything in between. As a lifelong learner, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on emotional intelligence—not just as a coach, but as a student of life. What does it mean to truly understand and work with our emotions? Here are a few lessons I’ve been contemplating. 1. Separate Emotio

Time is precious. And while we tend to focus on productivity, efficiency, and doing more with less, there’s also something to be said for dolce far niente, an Italian phrase that means “the sweetness of doing nothing.” At ithrive31, our three core principles provide a model for positive and healthy living. Core Principle #2 is, “Be deliberate with your time and resources.” This principle is about how we choose to spend our time. It’s about aligning our time and resources wit

Hi all, Coach Lauren here! Have you ever heard the phrase “assume good intent”? It seems a bit self-explanatory, but I wanted to take some time to dive into this phrase. This is a helpful lens for unlocking more good energy in our lives. What does “assume good intent” mean? Assuming good intent means taking a pause, giving folks the benefit of the doubt, and asking ourselves “What do I actually know about their intentions? What does this person believe is ‘good’, and what ‘g

At ithrive31, our mission is to bring good energy to the world. We aim to bring love and positive energy to the workplace, our homes, and our communities. We also believe that one of the most powerful forms of energy is love. As we celebrate love in all its forms this February, we are reminded of how this energy transcends beyond romantic relationships and can be infused into every part of our lives. Love in the Workplace Some might argue that love has no place in the workpl

Personal development is a journey, not a destination. It’s easy to forget this when we’re bombarded with new trends, advice, and practices promising to transform our lives. But what if the most important mindset shift isn’t about finding the “perfect” practice—but about embracing ourselves as beautiful and evolving works-in-progress? Recognize That We’re Learning as We Go Life is a continual process of learning and discovery. As we explore personal growth, we often try new p

I love the camaraderie of coaching. It’s so inspiring to spend time with fellow Coaches—people who lean into personal growth and development. This doesn’t make us perfect, but it does mean we understand the power of personal responsibility—for our relationships, our well-being, and the fulfillment we seek in life. Coaches know that achieving the results we want begins with taking responsibility for our own actions. As we step into 2025, I invite you to reflect on the results

How often do we allow ourselves time to fully arrive into a space? As we rush from place to place or meeting to meeting, a gentle reminder that mindfulness practices can help us get settled and better prepare for what’s next. As a life coach and teacher, I’ve found that incorporating simple mindfulness practices can help me be more present. And in sharing these methods with clients and students, I recognize we can all carve out a few moments to fully transition and get ground

At ithrive31, we believe in empowering individuals to live with intentionality, purpose, and confidence. Through our unique 31-day approach, we help clients uncover what matters most, set actionable goals, and create meaningful change in their lives. Heather Lilienthal’s inspiring story is a testament to the transformative power of this process. Here, Heather shares her journey of rediscovery and finding her smile again. Finding My Smile with ithrive31 By Heather Lilienthal L

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

Ah, the holidays—they come with all the glitter, glam, and often far too many commitments to squeeze into a single month. As you enter December, it’s the perfect time to lean into ithrive31’s Core Principle #2: Be deliberate with your time and resources. This principle is all about setting boundaries, making intentional decisions, and choosing what truly matters to you. During the holiday season, it can feel like you need to say yes to everything: the parties, the gift exchan