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.

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.

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 —

At ithrive31, we have the privilege of walking alongside leaders and employees in organizations of all sizes. And one theme we hear again and again this time of year is this: “Everything feels heavier in Q4.” Deadlines stack up. Year-end numbers loom. Strategic plans for the new year are due while current projects still need to be wrapped. Add in performance reviews, budget conversations, and shifting priorities—and suddenly leaders and employees alike are running on fumes. (

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