Well-Being

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 from a place to exercise

What does self-love have to do with leadership and the workplace? Absolutely everything. Self-love is the origin point of how you live, lead, and influence the world around you. When you love yourself, you lead with intention, clarity, and strength. Remember: Who you are is not the same as what you do—though meaningful work matters. Your worth is not earned through performance, title, or achievement. No role, relationship, or circumstance defines you. Your past is written, bu

February is Heart Month—a reminder that heart health is about far more than diet and exercise. It’s deeply connected to stress, burnout, and the changes we experience in midlife. ❤️ Does this sound familiar? We wake up already thinking about the day ahead. Meetings, deadlines, emails, and the quiet pressure to perform. Coffee in hand, we move through the morning on autopilot, telling ourselves, For many professionals in midlife, burnout doesn’t announce itself loudly. It rar

The return to work after the holidays can feel abrupt. One day, you’re spending time with loved ones, travelling, or simply resting. Then, the clock strikes 12:01 am, and you are expected to be entirely focused, productive, and “back to normal.”  If your energy feels off just thinking about these abrupt shifts, you’re not alone.   Think “Warm-Up,” Not Sprint January doesn’t need to begin at full speed.  Think of it as a warm-up to a marathon, where we can be intentional about

When you think "new year, new me," your brain isn't just being naive. By creating psychological distance from your past self, it genuinely makes change feel more possible. So, the key is understanding why it works so you can actually use it. Scientists in behavioral research call it the “fresh start effect.” We're more likely to pursue goals after time markers, whether it’s the new year, birthdays, Mondays, even the first day of a new month. Something about crossing a speci

As we step into the new year, setting goals is a common and powerful way to create focus and momentum. In our January ithrive31 newsletter, we shared our 31-day approach to goal setting. This method encourages you to dream big while breaking down your aspirations into manageable actions that drive progress over the next 31 days. For the past 10 years, I’ve used this approach myself—writing down my goals 31 days at a time. I use the ithrive31 Goal Setting Worksheet and keep m

We’re in the middle of the holiday season–ING. This time of year carries a lot. Expectations. Obligations. Pressure. Emotion. And if we’re honest, most people are walking around with something heavy on their minds whether it’s their own circumstances or the challenges facing people they love. For me personally, this holiday season hasn’t gone the way I expected. Not because of something happening directly to me, but because people I care deeply about are navigating some di

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 —

Coaching on Demand™ at ithrive31: Helping organizations expand the power of Coaching We all face moments at work that feel overwhelming: a tough conversation you’re dreading, a workload that feels impossible to prioritize, or feedback that stings and leaves you unsure what to do next.  These challenges are common—but you don’t have to face them alone. With Coaching on Demand™ , you have direct access to a professional coach who can help you think clearly, regain perspective,

When was the last time you had a magpie land on your head? It happened to me last Fall, when the black-and-white bird known for being bold, curious, and a little mischievous paid me a visit. It wasn’t shy about swooping in, grabbing attention, and causing a bit of chaos. I don’t know why, but it chose me: I first saw it ( Oh, how cute! ) It fluttered ( wow, look at that! ) And suddenly landed on my head ( surprise! ) And stayed there ( hey! ) I brushed it away and it insisted

Transitions are a part of life, either by choice or by circumstance. Jobs change, relationships evolve, or we might relocate to different places. Or it could be a shift in priorities or opportunities to try something new. I've been through over 20 moves and three career changes in my life, so I know from experience that transitions bring both real challenges and unexpected opportunities. So, the question isn’t if or when but rather how we navigate the process – the season in

Recently, our son ran a 100-mile ultramarathon in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This was no ordinary race; it meant pushing through steep elevations, terrible weather, and 33 hours of nonstop running. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, it was a grueling test. We were his pit crew—meeting him at designated stops, refueling him, swapping out pacers, and giving him what he needed to keep moving forward. These moments were short, 10-minute intervals at most, but they made all

The Autumnal Equinox is on September 22nd. As we shift from summer to fall, I’m striving to embrace nature’s reminder that changes are inevitable. I love autumn. There's something special about those first crisp mornings when I get to reach for a sweater instead of a tank top. The air carries a different energy, and my schedule becomes a bit more intentional. Summer's slower pace give way to fall's more structured rhythm. The changing leaves might mirror our own transforma

Retirement is often seen as the finish line but at ithrive31, we see it as a launching pad. It’s the moment you get to take all the wisdom, experience, and relationships you’ve built and channel them into the life you want now. This is your time to think beyond “what I’m leaving” and focus on “what I’m stepping into.” Whether you crave travel, creative projects, deeper family connections, or new ways to serve your community, this season is about creating purpose and joy on y

There are certain milestones in parenthood that bring up a mix of emotions. Watching your child walk into their first day of kindergarten with a tiny backpack or loading the car to move your teenager to college can be a bittersweet blend of pride, joy, and a little sadness. These moments are big changes, not only for your kids, but for you. When so much of your daily routine, purpose, and even your sense of identity has been tied to the role of “parent,” it can feel differen

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,

We’re over halfway through the year already…life has a sneaky way of rushing past us, doesn’t it? As we juggle daily tasks and check off our to-do lists, we may miss the tiny miracles happening all around us. But here’s the thing – when we pause and stay present in the here and now, the most ordinary moments suddenly sparkle with possibility! Let’s start with ourselves. When we look inward, we might notice how our whole body breathes a sigh of relief when we finally sit down

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