Wednesday Coaching Tip

When life feels heavy, it’s easy to slip into autopilot, moving from one obligation to the next without truly being present. In this honest reflection, Dorene shares what it looks like to live with the intention of uncertainty, embracing the process instead of rushing past it, one day and one choice at a time.

In a world that glorifies busyness, it’s easy to forget that people, not productivity, drive meaningful work. The most effective leaders don’t just focus on results; they create space for their teams to pause, recharge, and be human. Sustainable success starts with energy, not exhaustion.

Stop trying to juggle everything and start choosing what truly matters. When you look closely at how you spend your time, you may find a disconnect between your priorities and your daily actions. By identifying your “glass cups,” letting go of “ghosts,” and setting intentional boundaries, you can protect what matters most and create a life rooted in clarity, focus, and purpose.

Burnout isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a wake-up call. When exhaustion pushes you to your limits, it’s an opportunity to rethink your mindset, set boundaries, and create a life that truly aligns with your values. Learn how to turn burnout into clarity, growth, and sustainable living.

Spring is a season of renewal. As the days grow longer and nature awakens, we’re invited to let in more light, both literally and metaphorically. Embrace the shift, breathe in fresh energy, release what no longer serves you, and welcome brighter days ahead.

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight; it builds quietly until exhaustion feels normal. This March, instead of pushing harder, take a step back and look honestly at where your energy is going.

Written by: Coach Allyson There is a park near my house, lively in the summer with concerts, festivals and family gatherings. Until recently, I thought of the park solely as a place for events. When I decided in January to increase my walks to include the park’s lake, my perspective changed. The shift was slow at first, I was so focused on how many steps I was clocking in. The lake only came to life when I started to bring my 35mm camera. Taking pictures expanded my view

The other day, I was coaching a senior leader who described herself as a perfectionist, and I could sense the weight of that word. It carried frustration, pressure, and self-criticism. So, I invited her to pause and explore: How is this trait impacting you? Without hesitation, she said, “It’s not serving me very well.” Then I asked a different question: How has it helped you? At first, she resisted. But as she reflected, she began to uncover small ways this drive had shape

In many organizations, gratitude season can look like a flurry of thank you notes, appreciation lunches, or end of year awards. Those gestures matter, but sustainable gratitude, the kind that fuels energy and trust year round, goes deeper. At ithrive31, we see gratitude not as a moment, but as a mindset. Real gratitude lives in action — in how we listen, how we coach, and how we show up. It’s the daily discipline of seeing people, hearing them, and recognizing their impact —

I’ve never considered myself a risk taker. I like the familiar, the routine, the things I can count on. I tend to stay close to what I know—where it’s comfortable and predictable. For a long time, my walks followed the same paved paths near my home. They became my ritual, quiet time to clear my head, soak in the sunshine, and reconnect with myself and with God. There’s something grounding about being among the trees. I often look up and feel a deep sense of calm and perspec

Recently, we took a vacation to Colorado. Now, it’s not the first time we’ve been there—our son and daughter-in-law live in Colorado, so we spend a fair amount of time visiting. But we don’t always make it up to the mountains. This time, we did. We spent a few days in Glenwood Springs, tucked away in the canyon area, and it was breathtaking. It's a small, quaint community that follows the Colorado River, past the busyness of the popular mountain towns of Breckenridge, Dillon,

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

I signed on to coach two new mid-level leaders last week, both facing a familiar challenge: Sound familiar? This isn’t a new phenomenon. In fact, it’s one of the most common developmental themes I see with mid-to-upper-level leaders. As professionals move up in their careers, they increasingly want, and are expected to, operate at a more strategic level. But despite their best intentions, they often get pulled back into daily problem-solving and task execution. Why does this

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

In today’s workplace, expectations are rising, pressure is mounting, and burnout is everywhere. We're moving so fast from one thing to the next that we often miss the most important moments—the pauses. The intentional moments where we stop to acknowledge others. Where we recognize effort, progress, or just say, “I see you.” A colleague recently shared something that stuck with me. She deeply respected her leader but noticed she rarely gave praise. Not because she didn’t care—

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

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

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

A powerful part of communicating is to let other people know we really listened and care about what they are saying. Below are 3 types of listening along with tips to consider… they may be especially helpful to keep in mind during upcoming holiday gatherings! The first is subjective. Everyday listening is usually subjective, and usually occurs when whatever is said is heard through the experiences of the listener and/or as it relates to the listener, e.g. answering based on h