Busy or Purposeful?

Choosing Values Over Volume

If you know me, you know I can’t stand the word “busy.” Yet it’s everywhere! When someone asks how we’re doing, so many of us reply, “Oh, busy.” But what does that even mean? We’ve somehow turned busyness into a badge of honor. Spoiler alert: I was a Girl Scout Troop Leader, and there was no Busy Badge!

Imagine if, instead of “busy,” we said, “Life is full” or “I’m really enjoying [fill in the blank] right now.” I know, easier said than done, right? You’re probably wondering, “How am I supposed to get from busy to purposeful?”

A great place to start is with values. Have you ever listed yours? It’s one thing to have a vague sense of what matters; naming values gives them weight and direction. For me, it’s Relationships, Making a Difference, Growth, Courageous Authenticity, and Intentionality.

Once you have your values, check your calendar. If you’re like me, your life runs on that color-coded calendar. And when I look at mine, I can see just how well (or not) my time reflects my values—a pretty good indicator of whether I’m living “busy” or purposeful.

This month, I’m sharing practical tools to reduce decision fatigue, work toward gender parity, and add a little fun along the way.

Give the values exercise a try—what do you have to lose? After all, there’s no badge for Busy! And if you’d like a little help with it, I’m here to support you.

Welcome to this month's edition of Leadership Couture! 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

Mitigate Decision Fatigue

Did you know “decide” and “homicide” share the same root, meaning “to cut down” or “to kill”? Yikes! When it's 7 AM, and you’re on your tenth decision, decision fatigue can start to creep in, chipping away at your clarity and focus. Organize your day like a curated closet: prioritize big decisions early, limit trivial choices (like which color of beige heels to wear), and set up decision-making frameworks. Be sure to read this entire Chief article to learn more about fighting decision fatigue and overcoming FOBO (not a typo!).

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Wear It

Gender Parity for All Women

At the current pace, it will take an astonishing 48 years for white women and women of color to achieve proportional representation in senior leadership within corporate America.* That means my daughter could be nearing her 60th birthday before we reach true gender parity. How old will your daughters, nieces, or granddaughters be? We can’t wait that long—and women can’t accelerate the pace alone. In this article, Caroline Fairchild of LeanIn.Org offers actionable workplace solutions to drive meaningful change toward gender equality.

*Data sourced from Lean In and McKinsey's Women in the Workplace report.

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Take it Off

The Podcast

When you find that friend who truly listens, supports, and energizes you, you hold onto her AND share her with the world! Jess is that friend to me, and I’m thrilled to share our thoughts and conversations in the Take It Off podcast. Together, we’ll dive into what it means to live authentically, embracing ourselves and letting go of labels. If you’re local, RSVP below to join us next Thursday for our Launch Party! Not local or can't make it? Sign up to get an exclusive sneak peek of our first episode.

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What I'm Loving...

on the screen,

Most fans know Kristen Bell from her iconic role in Veronica Mars or as the voice of Anna in Frozen. But my love affair with Bell began with her hilarious #Momsplaining series in 2018. My kids were four and six, and those videos were my regular dose of laughter and sanity! I love her so much, we even named our dog Lincoln—after her daughter (not really, but wouldn't that be cool?). If you’re craving a rom-com that brings back all the 90s and early 2000s magic, you need Nobody Wants This in your life. Plus, O.C. fans will recognize Bell’s co-star, Adam Brody! Watch the trailer (mature audiences only) here.

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in my ears,

Have you listened to Coldplay’s new album, Moon Music? As I type, I have the title track playing softly in the background. The piano and lyrics are simply beautiful, seamlessly flowing into the second track, feelslikeimfallinginlove. Reflecting on the album title, band co-founder Chris Martin shared that it’s about embracing all of life’s phases and “shining your light without needing anything in return.” #MustListen

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and on the page.

I recently dusted off Drive by Daniel Pink, and despite being published 15 years ago, its message feels more relevant than ever. Pink dives into what really motivates us, dispelling the myth that external rewards like money or status are enough to fuel our best work. Instead, he reveals the power of intrinsic motivators—autonomy, mastery, and purpose—that connect us to our work in a meaningful way. It’s a refreshing, human-centered approach to motivation that invites us to rethink how we view success, growth, and fulfillment.

Check out his website for more on Drive and all of the other great resources he offers. I especially like the Pinkcasts!

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Last month, I joined these amazing stylists in Tampa for a day of training and connection. In this group is an attorney, a professional criminal interrogator, current and former teachers, and me...just to name a few!

When I first joined Cabi, I was drawn in by the clothes, the earning potential, and the chance to bring women together in a fun way. But it’s the supportive community that has truly captured my heart and keeps me committed. This isn’t just about style; it’s about uplifting one another, sharing confidence, and building friendships. Each show is an experience of connection and empowerment—leaving us all a little more inspired, a little stronger, and ready to make our own unique impact. Truly, there’s never been a better time to join Cabi. If you’re looking for purpose and community, I’d love for you to join me as a stylist! Let’s chat!

And if you just love the clothes, check out the new additions to our collection at my website!

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"Woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself."

— Susan B. Anthony

While she didn't live to see the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920 giving women the right to vote, the work she started over 70 (!) years earlier laid the amendment's foundation. It's widely known as the "Susan B. Anthony amendment."