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

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—

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