And to think, I almost didn’t stop.
And to think, I almost didn’t make the time.
And to think, I almost pushed forward without taking a moment to pause.

 

 

 

I’ve lost count of the times I had a plan, a perfectly structured execution strategy, but no room for life’s seemingly insignificant moments, the ones that, in hindsight, are the most beautiful and awe-inspiring.

 

 

As I rounded the corner of Bay Road in Miami Beach, I walked toward my favorite meditation spot, settled onto the concrete edge, and smiled. A deep inhale, a long exhale—one of those rare, unhurried sighs that says, I’m fully here.

 

And then I heard it.

 

 

I glanced up, and there he was—a man dressed in slim-fit khakis and a blue short-sleeve, collared, two button shirt, sunglasses on, a water bottle in one hand and a coffee cup in the other.

 

“Excuse me,” he said again.

 

I smiled up at him.

 

“This might sound strange,” he continued, “but when you walked up, I could feel your energy. It’s so positive and radiating. What do you do to create that?”

 

I paused, offering up a silent prayer of gratitude. Just that morning, I had prayed:
Lord, let me be an energy and light that lifts each person I encounter today closer to You.

 

I smiled. “I’m here to meditate before heading to the store to pick up some sushi-grade ahi tuna for dinner.”

 

He introduced himself—Carlos. He lived a few blocks away and meditated here daily, too. We talked about the brilliance of living on West Ave in South Beach, the way the morning light dances on the water, and the energy of the neighborhood. Before parting ways, I asked him to carry the same energy he had felt from me into his day—to share it with every person he met. He grinned, nodded, and walked away lighter, almost buzzing with energy, ready to pass it forward.

 

I closed my eyes and meditated for just four minutes—long enough to receive divinely guided ideas for the book proposal I’m working on. Then I stood, heart full, whispered another prayer of gratitude, and continued my morning God walk.

 

 

Life isn’t waiting for you at the next milestone, in the next big achievement, or on the other side of your perfectly executed plan. Life is happening right now. 

 

We get to choose—to be fully present for it or to rush past it.

 

I choose to experience it richly.

 

And I invite you to do the same.  Will you accept my invitation? Comment “I accept” below.

We all experience life in different ways, shaped by our beliefs, experiences, and the stories that are often running on repeat in our heads daily. But what if the very beliefs that have driven your success are now the ones holding you back?

 

We are not machines, programmed to operate in only one way. What works for you might not work for me—and that’s not just okay, it’s the beauty of being human. Growth, leadership, and success are not about rigidly clinging to what we think we know. They are about curiosity, adaptability, and creating the margin to ask perspective-shifting questions.

 

Because here’s the truth: The number one thing keeping you from your next level of success is your current level of success.

Most of us rarely question our core beliefs. We hold onto them because they feel familiar, comfortable—even when they no longer serve us. But if we truly want to grow, we must be willing to challenge them.

 

Try this exercise:

For example, if you believe “Success requires constant hard work and struggle,” ask yourself:

What if success could come with flow and ease? What if effort and impact didn’t have to mean exhaustion?

Or if you believe “I need to have all the answers to be a great leader,” ask yourself:
What if the best leaders don’t have all the answers—but instead, ask the best questions?

This practice isn’t about proving yourself wrong. It’s about expanding your perspective, opening new doors, and stepping into a version of success that is aligned with who you are becoming, not just who you have been.

 

We often measure success by external markers—titles, revenue, influence. But true success is deeply personal. It should look different for each of us, evolving as we do.

 

The real shift happens when we remove the attachment we place on outcomes. When we no longer tie our self-worth to whether we perfectly execute a plan or reach a predefined milestone, but rather the progress we are making each day.

 

Because when success is no longer about proving yourself, it becomes about expressing yourself. And that changes everything.

 

I have always been a driven, focused, independent woman. I love challenges, and deep in my core, I believe I can do anything. But like many powerful beliefs, this one is a double-edged sword—yes, I can do anything (and so can you), but not all at the same time.

 

Early in my career, I tried. I was determined to excel in my corporate leadership role in finance, be an incredible mother, wife, sister, and friend, volunteer in my community, and continue studying and learning in every spare moment. My life was a nonstop cycle of achievement, where success was measured by accolades, awards, perfect execution, and external validation. The bigger the bonus, the higher the grade, the more recognition—I tracked it all, and my self-worth rose and fell with the results.

 

If I wasn’t excelling at everything, I wasn’t enough.

 

It took years before I started to realize that while I could do anything, I didn’t have to do everything. And more importantly, my value wasn’t tied to how much I achieved or how perfectly I performed.

 

I began to shift my focus—prioritizing what mattered most in different seasons of life and setting goals accordingly. At first, I was still striving, still seeking a sense of perfection, but the intensity started to ease. Then one day, I asked myself the very question I’m posing to you now: ⤵️

 

“What do I know to be true?”

That simple question cracked open everything I thought I knew about success, self-worth, and fulfillment. I started challenging my beliefs—about how I measured success, about my health, my relationships, my strengths, and even my spirituality.

 

And in doing so, I redefined what success meant to me.

 

It was no longer about external markers of achievement. Instead, I created a new measurement: Did I wake up with energy and enthusiasm? Because if I did, it meant that the day before, I had shown up as my highest and best self. And if I could do that, I could do it again today.

 

From that point on, something shifted. Success no longer felt like a relentless chase. Day after day, flow and ease began to rise—even in the face of challenges.

 

Because the truth is, the freedom you’re seeking isn’t found in achieving more. It’s found in redefining what enough looks like for you.

 

So I ask you:
What do you know to be true?
And what if the opposite is also true?

 

Here’s to choosing self-discovery over stagnation. To being endlessly curious—not just about the world, but about yourself. To embracing who you are, rather than the version of you that’s been shaped by external expectations.

 

Growth isn’t about discarding who you are, it’s about expanding who you are willing to become.

 

Are you willing to challenge what you know and step into something greater?  Comment below and share your thoughts!

In today’s fast-paced world, decisiveness is key to dynamic leadership. The DECIDE framework helps you make timely, impactful decisions that move your team and business forward. 

 

Trust your intuition and experience to cut through the noise. Discernment lets you focus on what matters most.

Tip: Reflect on past wins and lessons to strengthen your decision-making instincts. 

Identify knowledge gaps and seek insights from trusted experts or mentors. Use data wisely—don’t get stuck overanalyzing.
Tip: Know where your expertise ends and consult trusted advisors to avoid uneducated decisions.

 

Think beyond quick wins—consider how your decisions shape the future and align with your bigger vision.

 

Make decisions deliberately—no knee-jerk reactions. Move forward with purpose and timing.
Tip: Pre-decide on routine matters to save time and energy for bigger decisions.

 

Stay involved after the decision but avoid micromanaging. Create clarity, remove roadblocks, and support your team.
Tip: Lead with your compelling vision, check in regularly, and empower others to act.

 

Shift from doing to leading. Share ownership, provide clear expectations, and build trust.

1. What problem are we solving?
2. What options do we have?
3. What happens if we don’t decide?

Lately, I’ve returned to weekly yoga practice. Yoga, for me, isn’t just exercise—it’s a privilege to be fully present with my body, mind, and spirit. In that space, there’s nothing to fix, nowhere to go, and nothing to cross off my to-do list. It’s a moment to drop into stillness and simply be.

Today, as I came out of Savasana, I reflected on three powerful principles of high-performance from my practice: 

The Space Between Tension and Ease 

In my first downward dog, I felt both tension and ease as I gently pressed my heels toward the mat. This simple movement reminded me of moments when I leaned into challenges, explored my personal and professional edges, and was fully committed. Every time, I was transformed—my perspective shifted, and my leadership grew.

As humans, we default to what’s comfortable, especially when we’ve achieved a certain level of success. But comfort can be a trap. We’ve seen time and time again that current success is often the biggest barrier to the next breakthrough.

 

A study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that executives who participated in resilience training experienced a 35% boost in stress management and a 20% increase in productivity by intentionally pushing their limits. 

Are you pressing into your edge? Maybe 2025 is your year to step beyond comfort.

Tree pose has always been a challenge—balancing with one foot pressed against the opposite leg often throws me off. Today, I tried a different approach. Instead of aiming for my inner thigh, I placed my foot on my calf and focused on alignment.

I stretched my arms high, leaned back, and pushed to my edge. I wobbled, lost my balance, and came out of the pose. But I wasn’t done. I re-engaged my core, pressed my foot to my leg, and stepped right back in—this time going deeper.

 

We all stumble away from our best strategies or personal well-being. The key isn’t perfection; it’s the idea of learning from perceived failures, and then the ability to re-engage in the face of challenge. 

A Forbes report found that resilient leaders are 1.5 times more likely to inspire productivity and engagement than those who dwell on failure.

The next time you feel off-balance, remember: Stepping out isn’t a failure. It’s an invitation to step back in with renewed strength.

In my fifth round of chair pose, I sank deeper, pushed my hips back, and felt my legs burn. But even as the tension grew, my foundation felt stronger.

This duality mirrors high-performance leadership. Many believe ease follows struggle, but peak performers know strength often coexists with a challenge. Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s concept of antifragility explains that systems—and people—grow stronger under pressure when they remain flexible.

 

A 2023 McKinsey report shows that leaders who embrace discomfort and ambiguity achieve 25% greater innovation and adaptability.

What’s your current chair pose moment? Where is your struggle making you stronger? Growth lives between effort and empowerment.

Here’s to pushing our edges—and remembering that whenever we fall out, we can always step back in.