In a culture that glorifies ‘busy’ the concept of taking time off from work or responsibilities may seem like a luxury.
As I am gearing up for some time off, I am thinking about how it is precisely during these hectic times that we need to recognize the significance of stepping away from our daily routines and planning vacations in order to rest, recharge and connect.  Connect not only with ourselves, but with loved ones.

I was talking on the phone to a good friend this past week about books we were reading, our exchange said a lot without saying a lot.  My friend shared with me recent fiction books she read, and I shared with her about a new book I picked up on team building … I re-read the first page about 5 times before putting the book down.  It’s a sign that I need to take a break, my business input is on ‘full’ and I need to step away and take time to just be…maybe even pick up a fiction book!   You see, planning your vacations can enhance both your personal well-being and professional productivity.

Taking time off allows us to disconnect from the constant demands of our lives, giving our minds the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate. It provides a break from the everyday stressors, reducing burnout, and enhancing overall mental well-being. By planning vacations ahead of time, we give ourselves something to look forward to, which can significantly boost our mood and motivation in the present.
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Contrary to common belief, taking regular breaks and vacations can enhance our productivity in the long run. Stepping away from work allows us to recharge our energy levels, regain focus, and return with a fresh perspective. In fact, it is in these moments that I tend to be most creative and clear headed!  By planning vacations ahead, we ensure that our time off is properly allocated, minimizing the likelihood of work interruptions or last-minute conflicts that could negatively impact our productivity.  I am blessed to have Adam (my husband) who has been so good at planning vacation ahead of time, or I would tend to work non-stop and not even realize I was headed to burn out.  Over time, I have realized how important it is to step away and even more so, how planning it ahead helps so much.  We often plan trips or have a good idea of them a year ahead! 

Vacations provide a conducive environment for creative thinking. Exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, or simply indulging in leisure activities can inspire fresh ideas and innovative solutions to challenges we face in our personal and professional lives. 

On our upcoming trip we’re signed up for white water rafting and zip lines…get out there and LIVE!  Whether it's a family getaway or a trip with friends, these shared experiences create lasting memories and strengthen bonds. I am looking at the stage of life I am in now, being married for almost 20 years and with two teens with jobs and one with a license…it’s all to easy to feel like we are living separate lives.  Time on vacation pulls everyone together! 

In a society that often glorifies busyness and constant productivity, taking time off and planning vacations seem to be a rebellious act…I encourage you to take back your power and plan some time off.

​Dare to return to responsibilities with renewed energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. 
B.

When was the last time you were a beginner? 

We live in a world that constantly demands expertise and mastery, where we are expected to know it all, excel in every aspect of our lives, and avoid making mistakes at all costs.   The problem is that we all must start at the beginning, where we are anything but proficient and certainly prone to mistakes.  We can fear judgment, failure, and the discomfort that comes with being a beginner.

Our comfort zone is the breeding ground for stagnation and complacency. Stepping outside our comfort zone is not only vital for personal growth, but it is also the birthplace of innovation and progress. It is through discomfort and uncertainty that we discover our hidden strengths and untapped potential. So, Embrace the transformative power of pushing beyond these pesky comfort zones and watch yourself grow in ways you never thought possible.

Freedom to fail!  Failure is not the end; it is merely a steppingstone on the path to success. Every setback is an opportunity for growth and learning. When we are brave enough to be beginners, we grant ourselves permission to stumble, make errors, and learn from them. Remember, failure is not a reflection of our worth but a catalyst for growth.  Failure can be fortifying and empowering when you choose to fail forward and learn!

Remember, every expert was once a beginner, and their expertise blossomed because they were brave enough to start. When we shift our perspective and embrace the learning mindset, we unlock a world of opportunities for growth. Being a beginner means opening ourselves up to new experiences, gaining fresh perspectives, and acquiring valuable knowledge that can enrich our lives. We build the inner strength needed to persevere and continue growing, even in the face of adversity.

Being a beginner also takes a willingness to be vulnerable.  I am reflecting on two areas that I have tried something new. This weekend I went Kayaking with my girlfriends. I have always wanted to kayak but really have no idea what I am doing.  I started out a little rough by tipping my kayak when getting in…made a memory.  I am horrible at steering and had a few moments where I went over rocks, but I had SO much fun.  I enjoyed the sun, calming effect of being outside in the water, great friends and conversation and I totally want to go again! 

The second area I am a beginner in is a little more intimidating for me.  I am starting a video podcast!  We launch in August!  I’d love if you’d listen in and cheer me on as I embark on this new venture, I’m excited as this has been a long-term goal…and it’s also intimidating for a variety of reasons.   If you’d like a front row seat to what being a beginner looks like… check it out: https://www.youtube.com/@UnravelingSuccess
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I encourage you to be brave enough to be a beginner!
B 

Well, it’s June…the middle of 2023.  We are ½ way through the year, which is so odd because it feels like we just got started.  I have noticed that as I get older, time seems to go faster, and life seems to have a lot more distractions than even when I was a young adult.   I have spent the last week looking over and evaluating my written goals. 

With constant distractions and ever-changing priorities, it's easy to lose sight of our goals and aspirations. We often find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of daily routines, leaving little room for deliberate action towards our dreams. By putting pen to paper and articulating our ambitions, we unlock a transformative power that can propel us towards achieving the life we desire.

Starting in October of every year, I pause and start to plan for the next year.  I write down goals and evaluate what has worked and not worked this past year.  Then I break my goals down to monthly and quarterly goals.  I have this all laid out in my planner so it’s at my fingertips…although this helps me a lot, it still takes implementation on my end.  Also, life happens so we need times to pause and ‘recalibrate.’

As I am looking back at the first part of the year, I am realizing the power of written goals.  I have hit some goals this year that have been long term dreams of mine, others were stretches for my family too.  The process of distilling our aspirations into concrete statements forces us to think deeply about our values and priorities. It enables us to identify what truly matters to us, providing a sense of direction and purpose. The act of writing down our goals transforms them from abstract ideas into tangible commitments.

I often talk to my team about the learning loop, and part of the learning loop is writing things down…there is something I can’t quite describe about writing down a goal and keeping it in front of you.  It brings clarity, focus, and a tangible commitment to our aspirations.

I encourage you to take some time, write out the 2nd part of 2023 if you have not already.  Take that first step today, pick up a pen, and set our intentions in motion.
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Here’s to an amazing end to 2023!
B

This past week our team had the worst week…ever!   Thank God it was only a 4-day week.

A team member’s spouse passed away while they were on a long-awaited road trip to visit family.  Tuesday morning, I woke up to this crushing news.  I am SO thankful that we had a team dinner early May celebrating Chris’s semi-retirement, we spent time as a team and most of our significant others…little did I know how much that dinner would mean in the future.

Another team member was sick and was out for two days at the doctor’s just trying to get some answers and feel like herself.  I jumped on a video call with her Tuesday morning, and it was immediately apparent that this team member’s #1 priority needed to be herself…not insurance.   

To add to the mix, we had a new remote team member start on Tuesday.  Not the best timing given the unforeseen circumstances.

Why do I share this?  Well, in life and in leadership you are going to have ups and downs and lots of curve balls.  When we look at our teams, a lot can be said by how a team handles the hard. 

I experienced a team that rallied around each other and stepped up to the plate to support in any capacity possible.  We shed tears, lots of tears, we took good care of our clients, we forged forward.  We had conversations about how we can lift each other up, we stayed super connected.  The character I saw our team exemplify was heartwarming – these are the people I get to do a lot of life with, and I could not be prouder.  We'd showed up for eachother.  

At my mastermind in Utah, a speaker said…the people on your team are either Ambassadors or Assassins.  This is a team of Ambassadors.  I think the hard can reveal who are your Ambassadors and who may be your Assassins.

How does your team handle the hard? 
B.