As leaders, it’s easy to get caught up in past successes, familiar rhythms, and the way things have always been done.

 

But what if the vision you’ve been holding for your life and business is still too small?

 

I hope you allow your leadership to be bigger than you ever imagined. I hope you let your work embody more beauty, impact, and meaning than you thought possible.

 

I hope you don’t get trapped by outdated strategies or old ways of thinking simply because they feel safe.

 

Growth requires shedding what no longer fits.  Don’t cling to what you’ve outgrown just because it’s comfortable.

 

Everything you lose in this process isn’t a loss—it’s making space for something greater. Your potential isn’t capped by what others believe is possible. It’s defined by your willingness to expand beyond what you once imagined.

 

Most of all, I hope you recognize the light when it finds you—that moment of clarity, the bold idea, the opportunity disguised as a challenge. Let yourself step into more than you ever thought you could.

 

 

 

Everyone wants self-discipline—until they realize how uncomfortable it is. That’s because self-discipline isn’t about motivation or willpower. It’s about doing what’s necessary especially when you don’t feel like it.

 

At The Amplified Life Company, we don’t believe in fluff. We believe in strategies that push you beyond your comfort zone and force you to level up. So if you’re ready for real discipline—the kind that creates undeniable results—start here.

 

 

Seriously. Before you even start your day, do something physically or mentally challenging—something that forces you to override your natural resistance. A cold plunge, a 5-minute ice-cold shower, or an intense workout before checking your phone. Why? Because self-discipline is a muscle, and discomfort is the gym. If you train yourself to handle discomfort first thing in the morning, you’re telling your brain: I control my actions, not my emotions.

 

Most people won’t do this. But that’s why most people don’t have the discipline they want.

 

 

Want to check social media? Wait 10 minutes. Want coffee? Earn it by finishing a task first. Hungry? Push your first meal back an hour. The ability to delay gratification is one of the strongest predictors of success, yet most people give in instantly to every craving and impulse.

 

Try this: Make a list of your daily indulgences—scrolling, snacking, Netflix, caffeine. Then set a rule: I can have it, but only after I’ve completed something difficult. You’ll be shocked at how much more productive and focused you become.

 

 

Most people break promises to themselves constantly—hitting snooze, skipping workouts, pushing deadlines. And every time you do, you train yourself to believe your own excuses.

 

Pick one thing that feels almost impossible—like waking up at 4:30 AM for a month, writing 500 words every day, hitting your daily sales call numbers, or crushing a workout at the gym six days a week. Then do it. No matter what. Even if you’re exhausted. Even if you don’t feel like it. Because when you prove to yourself that your word is law, everything changes. 

 

Try this: Print out a calendar, hang it where you’ll see it every day, and physically mark off each day you complete the task. Seeing that streak build-up is powerful—it creates momentum, reinforces your identity as someone who follows through, and makes you less likely to break the chain.

 

 

Identify the things that make you weak—the distractions, temptations, and comfort traps that kill your momentum. Then eliminate them entirely.

Will this be annoying? Yes. Will you want to quit? Also yes. That’s the point. Discipline means making hard choices before you need to. The fewer temptations in your environment, the easier it is to stay focused.

 

 

If this list makes you uncomfortable, good. That means it’s working. Discipline isn’t about making life easier—it’s about making yourself stronger. And the fastest way to break through mental resistance is to face it head-on.

 

So, what’s your first move? Are you willing to start your day with an ice bath? Delay that dopamine hit? Keep a promise that feels impossible?

 

Self-discipline isn’t built in theory—it’s built in action. Pick one of these four strategies and commit. The version of you that’s waiting on the other side? They’ll thank you.

 

 

 

 

The most powerful leaders don’t react—they respond with intention, clarity, and conviction. They create space between stimulus and action, ensuring that every decision strengthens trust, confidence, and impact.

 

 

Restraint isn’t about holding back—it’s about leading with wisdom. It’s about creating space to observe, listen, and discern before taking action. When practiced intentionally, restraint builds trust, strengthens relationships, and leads to more thoughtful, effective leadership.

 

Restraint can be defined as the practice of being devoted to richly experiencing each moment through the wisdom of present attention, strong patience, and the disciplined daily alignment of each thought, word, and action with one’s highest self and deepest character.

 

Yet, in leadership, we often choose to hold back for the wrong reasons—what we call withholding or failing to speak with true candor.

 

1️. Fear – Fear of conflict, rejection, or being perceived as too bold or disruptive.
2️. Control – Believing that by keeping information to ourselves, we maintain power or influence.
3️. Avoidance – Dodging discomfort, difficult conversations, the fear of adding more to your never-ending to-do list, or the responsibility that comes with speaking the truth.

 

Restraint isn’t about silence, avoidance, or control—it’s about leading with wisdom, clarity, and alignment to your highest self.

 

Before you act, consider this: 

The greatest leaders know when to pause, when to speak, and when to wait.

 

My first job was babysitting the neighborhood kids. I was 10 years old—too young by today’s standards but completely normal in 1991. My older brother had a paper route to make extra money, and I wanted in on the action. Babysitting seemed like the best option.

 

I didn’t love it. I wasn’t passionate about it. But it was an opportunity to learn responsibility, the kids were fun, I earned money, and gained experience—so I kept doing it for a few years.

 

Fast forward to September 7, 1998—the start of my first real career. I was a high school junior hired as a teller at a regional bank. My official title? “High School Intern.” It felt like a big deal—most of my friends were working fast food jobs, but I was in a professional role, learning real-world skills.

 

At the time, I had no idea that saying yes to that opportunity would launch me into a 16-year career in leadership, finance, and relationship-based sales. I worked my way up, eventually earning the title of Vice President, running the #2 revenue-generating profit center in Oregon.

 

And yet, outwardly successful as I was—something was off.

 

I had everything society told me I should want: a thriving career, a beautiful family, a 4-bedroom house with a fenced yard and a dog, summer vacations, wonderful friends.

 

But inside, there was a disconnect I couldn’t name.  Nothing was necessarily wrong, but everything seemed wrong.

 

It wasn’t burnout. It wasn’t dissatisfaction. It was something deeper—an incongruence between what I was doing and the gifts I was meant to share with the world.

 

In May 2014, I walked away. I gave two months’ notice and left behind the career I had built. I was terrified—and more confident than ever.

 

That was the beginning of The Amplified Life Company—and the beginning of truly aligning my life with my calling.

 

We’ve been fed this idea that you should chase your passion—but that’s a trap.

 

I didn’t “follow my passion.” I followed opportunities, mastered my craft, and built something meaningful.

 

Honestly? If you had asked me back then what my passion was, I might have given a half-hearted answer—something like “volunteering” or “giving back to the community.”

 

Don’t get me wrong, I love both—but at the time, I was overextended, overwhelmed, and unsure what I really wanted.

 

The Truth? Going After Your Passion Might Lead You Down the Wrong Path.

 

 

If that feels counterintuitive, let’s look at the science.

 

In their 1997 study published in the Journal of Research in Personality, Amy Wrzesniewski and her colleagues found that people view work in three ways: 

 

1️. A Job – Work as a means to an end, focused on financial reward.
2️. A Career – Work as a path to advancement, achievement, and success.
3️. A Calling – Work as a source of purpose, deeply meaningful and fulfilling.

 

 

One may see it as a job, while another sees it as a calling—and the difference is in their level of skill development, engagement, and connection to purpose.

 

 

This is where Self-Determination Theory (SDT), developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, comes in.

 

Their research shows that intrinsic motivation—the kind that makes people fully engaged in their work—comes from fulfilling three core psychological needs: 

 

1️. Autonomy – Having control over your actions and decisions.
2️. Competence – Feeling effective, skilled, and capable.
3️. Relatedness – Feeling connected to others and contributing to something bigger.

 

When these three elements exist, people don’t just show up to work—they show up fully engaged and purpose-driven.

 

 

As leaders, it’s our responsibility to create environments where people move beyond just “showing up for work.”  Our teams need more than paychecks and promotions. They need growth, connection, and purpose.

 

If we want higher engagement, creativity, and long-term success, we need to be so deeply compelled by our own work that we inspire the same in others.

 

Are You Ready to Build a Purpose-Driven Culture?

At The Amplified Life Company, we help leaders and teams:

✔ Shift from transactional work to purpose-driven performance.
✔ Increase engagement and intrinsic motivation.
✔ Create leadership cultures where mastery and meaning thrive.

If you’re serious about building a high-performance, and a high-fulfillment team, let’s talk.

Join us—whether through executive coaching, leadership workshops, or immersive offsites and retreats, we’ll help you step into a more fulfilling, high-performing future.

Visit The Amplified Life Company to get started.

In the spring of 2022, I became completely captivated by rocking chairs. Not the ornate or oversized kind—just a simple wooden rocker with a perfectly balanced wide seat, spacious yet not too large, that moved smoothly with each motion. A solid wood frame that cradled and supported me as I rocked rhythmically forward and back.

 

Even more than the chair itself, I found that the moments I spent in these magical seats were some of the most peaceful I had ever experienced. This newfound appreciation was sparked by one of our favorite hotel partners, SCP Hotel.

 

My first introduction to these humble yet extraordinary pieces of furniture happened on the Oregon Coast at an SCP resort, Salishan. Stepping onto my balcony, I was initially struck by the breathtaking view—the towering trees, the rolling golf course—until my eyes landed on her.

 

Intrigued, I paused. When was the last time I sat in a rocking chair? I couldn’t remember. Still curious, I eased into the seat, gently pushing off. As I settled into a steady rhythm, I felt something unexpected—a sensation that was both soothing and energizing all at once.

 

I rocked multiple times daily during that trip to Salishan, often before and after I met with and coached the sales team. It became more than just a seat; it was a space for clarity, creativity, and deep thinking.

 

Fast forward to the winter of 2023, and we once again found ourselves at an SCP property—this time in Laguna Beach, California. As I wandered along the winding path toward the beach, there they were—an entire row of simple wooden rockers, perfectly lined up, waiting. Each one was an invitation to pause, reflect, and find the perfect rhythm for that day’s view.

 

For years, I was too preoccupied, too busy, too caught up in the next thing to even consider stopping—let alone sinking into a chair and rocking. The thought of spending minutes, maybe even hours in that slow, rhythmic motion felt almost indulgent.

 

But everything shifted when I set one simple daily intention—an intention that has since allowed me to experience life more richly, fully, and deeply. From the seemingly mundane yet profoundly meaningful moments to the lowest lows and the highest highs, this single shift changed everything:

 

 

So simple. Yet unapologetically impactful.

 

Since setting this intention over half a decade ago, I’ve experienced a profound shift. I’ve learned to feel deeply, connect meaningfully, discern with clarity, and contemplate with intention. And perhaps most importantly, I’ve been able to do what I’m doing right now—writing as a way to connect and impact the lives and leadership of others who are on a similar journey.

 

 

Let me be clear—this doesn’t necessarily mean moving slowly. You can still move fast, but with a different energy—one of focus, intention, and attention.

 

 

But you might be thinking, That’s nice for you, but my plate is so full I don’t see how I could possibly not rush.

 

I hear you. I’ve been there. But I promise you—it’s possible. Not rushing doesn’t mean doing less or moving slowly. It means operating with intention, presence, and clarity.

 

 

If every moment of your day is booked, you have no room to think, breathe, or be present. Schedule at least 30 minutes of white space daily—a buffer between meetings, a break before making a decision, or just time to sit, reflect, and reset. These moments are where clarity, creativity, and breakthroughs happen.

 

Try this: Look at your calendar right now. Where can you create a small pocket of space today? Even five minutes is a start.

 

We often schedule our week based on availability, but what if we scheduled based on when we perform best? Notice when your mental energy is highest (mornings, afternoons, late nights?) and plan your most important work during those peak hours.

 

Try also batching similar tasks together on the same day to create momentum and reduce mental switching costs. For example:

When you structure your week with intention and alignment, you’ll find yourself working with your energy instead of fighting against it.

 

Try this: Instead of packing your calendar back-to-back, structure it in a way that works with your energy, not against it. Look at your upcoming week and identify a day (or block of time) where you can group similar tasks together.

 

Every “yes” you say to something unaligned is a “no” to something more important. Stop overcommitting. Protect your energy. Say no to things that pull you away from your bigger purpose.

 

Try this: Before agreeing to something, ask: Does this align with my priorities?  Does this get me closer to or further from my vision?  Is this a yes out of obligation, guilt, or true desire?

 

The pressure to do it all right now is a trap. Urgency is often self-imposed. If everything is a priority, nothing is. Give yourself permission to focus on what truly matters and let go of the rest.

 

Try this: Take five deep breaths right now and remind yourself: There is plenty of time and money for everything!

 

Unfinished tasks clutter your mind and drain your energy. If something takes less than 10 minutes, do it immediately and do it well. Completing small tasks clears mental space, leaving you more present and focused on bigger priorities.

 

Try this: Scan your to-do list. What quick task can you knock out right now to create momentum?

 

I hope this serves as an invitation, not just advice or a sales pitch for rockers. An invitation to create space in your life—not just for the sake of slowing down, but so you can show up fully for the things that matter most.

 

Because when you stop rushing, you start living. You start seeing the beauty in small moments, feeling more deeply, and aligning your life with the purpose God has for you.

 

So today, take a breath. Make space. And step into a life that is rich, intentional, and truly yours.

 

Thank you, SCP, for all the beautiful moments spent in your rocking chairs—I can’t wait for the next one!

 

If you’re looking for a rejuvenating escape that nourishes both mind and spirit, I highly recommend SCP Hotel. Their spaces are designed for rest, reflection, and connection, making them the perfect retreat for anyone seeking more peace and presence in their life.

 

Go ahead—slow down, take a breath, and maybe even find your own perfect rocking chair.