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

Hi all, Coach Lauren here. Happy start to summer break! You may be familiar with the yin-yang symbol, but have you ever heard of yin and yang energies? These are two complementary energies we all have in our lives, and we need both in order to feel balanced. “Yang” energy is the “doing” or “outward” energy. Yang is traditionally considered “summer energy” because it is bright and action-packed. It is lively, energetic, structured, and goal-oriented. This is sometimes called t

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

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—

Question: It’s ithrive31® Lucky 7 Anniversary, how does it feel? Dorene: Yay, Seven Years! You know, that's an interesting word, “luck.”…. because I feel when you've been in business for seven years, it's not as much about luck as it is hard work, creativity, and resilience. I have always loved working. I feel blessed to be working at something that I feel is a calling for me and something I truly love to do. Question: What do you love about the work? Dorene: I've thought a l

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