“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” – Rumi

 

For 16 years, I worked in corporate leadership within the financial industry. I was constantly on—the emails, the phone calls, the endless to-do list. I was overworked, underappreciated, and often resentful. I spent my days in meetings and my nights catching up on the work that actually mattered—strategy, innovation, team development, and client experience.

 

I thought I was being productive because I was always doing. But in reality, we were barely hitting our goals. It felt like we were running uphill, always pushing, never flowing. Instead of truly leading, I was stuck in the cycle of busyness—mistaking movement for progress.

 

Then, in the spring of 2008, I picked up The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. One concept hit me hard: the Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule)—80% of results come from just 20% of efforts.

 

Let me be honest, while at the time I never worked only four hours a week, the shift in perspective changed everything!

 

Many executives fall into the trap of constant motion—believing that productivity is about how much they do, not the impact of their work. But real leadership is about focusing on the 20% that moves the business forward.

 

One major unaddressed problem? Our nervous systems are stuck in constant activation.

 

When we operate from urgency, we live in a stress cycle—staying in a low-level fight-or-flight mode. This drains creativity, clouds decision-making, and leads to burnout.

 

And here’s the hidden fear that keeps leaders trapped:

 

 

The truth? The most effective leaders don’t do more—they do what matters most.

5 Ways to Shift from Busyness to Focused Leadership

 

Ask yourself:

What are the critical tasks that only I can do?

What activities drive the biggest results for my business or team?

What work excites me, fuels my energy, and aligns with my vision?

Prioritize those—and delegate, automate, or eliminate the rest.

 

When you start leading differently, others may not immediately see the impact. Be intentional about sharing wins, progress, and insights. This isn’t about justification—it’s about leadership presence.

Doing more doesn’t make you a better leader. Making the right moves does. Focus on high-impact work, manage your energy wisely, and own your space as a strategic leader. The results will speak for themselves.

 

You don’t need to prove your value by staying busy. You prove it by leading with clarity, focus, and intention.

 

Isn’t it time you stepped out of the reactive cycle and into the work that truly matters—you’ll not only achieve more but also lead with greater peace, power, and presence.

 

Believe me, if I can do it, so can you- and I assure you it will make a significant impact in not only your business but your life and energy as well!!

 

Want to learn more? Let’s connect.

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.