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Leadership Couture, A Quiet Moment
Published 12 days ago • 5 min read
A Quiet Moment
Saturday was my 42nd birthday. My alarm went off at 5 AM, and I started my day with a few of my favorite things - a hot cup of black coffee spiked with collagen (hello, 40s!), Glennon Doyle's latest book (more on this below), and a warm seat by the fireplace (the mornings are still cold in PA!).
I realize I may have lost some of you with "my alarm went off at 5 AM" on a Saturday on my birthday. Why do I wake early? Like so many of you, I'm a mom (Happy Mother's Day today and everyday), a wife, and an entrepreneur. My days are full of tasks, people, and responsibilities. The 5 AM hour is my golden hour. It's a quiet moment to breathe, reflect, and set intentions for the day ahead.
Once the coffee takes hold, that first hour of my day usually includes one or two of the following:
Stretching Meditation: I love the idea of meditating - eyes closed, legs crossed, back straight - but my mind and body always have other plans. So, I stretch while I meditate. Aditi and Chelsea are two of my favs on the Peloton app. Their five, ten, or fifteen minute meditations are the perfect start to my day.
Reading: There's something about reading a book with pages made of paper that calms my mind for the day ahead. I currently have The Broken Rung, The Last Bookshop in London, and The Frozen River at the ready.
Knitting: With the help of my husband's late grandmother and a sweet neighbor, I learned how to knit a few years ago. I will knit anything as long as the finished product is a square or a rectangle. Why? I do some of my best thinking when my fingers are busy and my brain can simply wonder (and not count stitches!).
My current project on my needles...a square blanket!
Gift yourself a quiet moment. It doesn't have to be an hour at 5 AM. It could be a five-minute earlier start to your day, a walk around the office at lunch, or for you night owls, ten minutes before bed. Start today. Start small. Just start.
Reading this newsletter could be your quiet start. This month, I'm sharing all the things that help me create space for me. If something resonates with you or you have a quiet moment to share, let me know! I love hearing from you.
Welcome to this month's edition of Leadership Couture - an invitation to a quiet moment just for you! Get ready to try on new ideas, take off what doesn't fit, and confidently wear your Leadership Couture!
Stay stylish, stay courageous, and as always, lead with intention.
Your Leadership Stylist,
Try it On
Community
Communities are having a moment. Why? We're tired of doing all the things alone. You want a running community? Check out Strava. You want to make new friends for you and your pup? Try DogHood. You want a community of strong women who have your back, are committed to your personal and professional development, and are only a text away? Join MyNetwork. We're a virtual mastermind with women from across the country. As a participant and now a facilitator, I wouldn't do life without this group of amazing women, but don't just take my word for it. Join us for a series of complimentary virtual discussions we're calling The Gathering. Give it a try for yourself by signing up below.
Are you in the thick of summer planning? Whether you’re a caregiver or not, the summer schedule invites a different level of planning. There’s the fun stuff—vacations, pool days, road trips to see family and friends. Then there’s the not so fun—deciding which summer camp works, how many snacks to pack, and whether we’re overcommitting (again).
At the start of last summer, I was still learning how to integrate entrepreneurship into my life. It was clunky at best. This summer I’m taking what I learned and trying again.
If you're feeling the pressure to do it all, here’s your permission slip to do a little less and a few of the lessons I’m carrying into this summer.
1. Redefine “productive” Let a meaningful conversation over coffee or lunch be your new measure of productivity. Focus on quality over quantity.
2. Time-box work, not life Protect your “off” time. Work will expand to fill every available hour—unless you don’t let it.
3. Lower the bar, on purpose Let “good enough” be great. Done is better than perfect.
4. Leave space for magic Schedule less. Unstructured time often leads to the best summer memories.
5. Chase micro-moments A quick morning dance party. Popsicles after lunch. A five-minute walk at the end of the day. Small moments, big impact.
This summer, let less be more. More presence. More play. More room to breathe. That's it - you’ve got this!
Wear It
Your Signature Style
As I redefine "productive" this summer, I'm making space for a limited number of coaching relationships. Through a series of four sessions, we'll uncover Your Signature Style. Together, we'll define and align your core values, discover your DiSC style, and leverage your unique experience and skills to achieve your goals. One-on-one coaching kicks off in June so Style Up and schedule a call with me now to learn more. Just like Your Signature Style this summer looks good on you!
My dear friend, Jess, has carved out a beautiful space on Instagram for self-reflection, joy, and quiet moments. She softens my edges and reminds me to choose me. Give her a follow. You'll be glad you did.
Is there a book in your life you keep within arm's reach? A book you always recommend? One that has lines highlighted on every other page? For me that book is Glennon Doyle's Untamed. Lucky for me, Glennon, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle have a new book out, We Can Do Hard Things. The book offers insight on "Answers to Life's 20 Questions" from the authors and over 100 other "wayfinders" as they affectionately call them. "Who am I really?" has been my favorite question so far. Pick up a copy and discover yours.
"Women are not small men." On this episode of Mel Robbins' podcast, Dr. Stacy Sims shares her research on women's exercise and nutrition and dispels the myths we've been told about the two for years. Stop fasting and start lifting. Your body and your mind will thank you.
Have you heard the good news? It’s BOGO season! Buy One, Give One means when you place an order from 5/1-6/30, cabi will donate one piece of clothing to a woman overcoming difficult life circumstances either at home or around the globe. Let’s chat about this incredible opportunity to give back (and shop!) ❤ Check out the fresh styles on my site at the link below.❤
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“Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness .”
Are you ready to turn heads, influence with grace, and lead with intention? Leadership Couture is your go-to for insights and inspiration to lead confidently and authentically. From tackling burnout to building executive presence, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe now and start leading with purpose and style!
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