Reflect on What’s Working, What Isn’t, and What You Want to Create Next

Reflect on What’s Working, What Isn’t, and What You Want to Create Next

by | Oct 1, 2026 | Leadership

TL;DR: You have 92 days left. Don’t sleepwalk through them. Take a moment to reflect on what’s working, what isn’t, and what you want to create next. Then BE THE ONE to do something about it..

There are 92 days left in 2026.

Last month, I challenged you to spend 30 days reflecting on your life, your choices, your relationships, and what you really want. So this month, I want to take that one step further.

What are you going to do with what you learned?

Take a few minutes today and ask yourself: 

  • What do I want to experience in these next 92 days? 

  • What impact do I want to make? 

  • What do I want to stand for? 

  • And what do I finally want to stop tolerating?

October always feels like a natural reset for me. Things are finally cooling down here in Miami Beach, and while I love every bit of summer, there’s something about this time of year that makes me want to slow down, get clear, and finish strong.

September was a full and beautiful month. I delivered two keynotes here in Miami, welcomed new clients to The Amplified Life Company, traveled to see family, celebrated my grandmother’s 97th birthday, and enjoyed the life Joal and I have built together.

It also gave me plenty to reflect on.

One practice I use every quarter is the Wheel of Life. I rate different areas of my life from 1–10, with 1 meaning the area needs attention and 10 meaning it’s thriving. I also try not to give myself a 7. If I’m tempted to choose 7, I force myself to decide whether it’s really a 6 or an 8.

Here’s where I landed for Q3:

Want a clearer picture of how balanced your life feels? Download the Wheel of Life and identify the areas that could use more attention.

A few things stood out to me:

  • My relationship with the love of my life, Joal, stayed strong despite a lot of travel, which made me really happy.

  • Personal growth was a 9 because some challenges in my work stretched me in ways that I didn’t anticipate but I needed.

  • My free time moved up because I started reading fiction books again, playing basketball, and roller skating three times a week.

  • Then there’s finances. That’s my 6. We have big goals, and we’re not yet at our financial freedom number.

Rather than judging the numbers, or myself, I want to use it as information. Where do I want to put more attention in Q4?  That’s really the point of this exercise.

Reflection gives you information. Clarity helps you decide what to do with it.

So look at your own life. Where are you thriving? Where are you settling? What needs more attention? And perhaps most importantly, what are you no longer willing to tolerate?  

As Randy Komisar said, “Like it or not, those questions you’ve been putting off for later may suddenly become urgent, so why not get started thinking about them now?”

You have 92 days. You don’t need to reinvent your entire life. You simply need to decide what matters most and take the next right step.

Reflection brings clarity. Clarity brings focus. And focus creates fulfillment.

So, what will you do with your next 92 days?

I invite you to Be The One.

Cheers to living life to the fullest over the next 92 days of 2027,

Carmen Ohling
CEO & Founder, The Amplified Life Company

When you’re ready, here are 4 ways to work with the Amplified Life Team and me. 

Let’s talk.  Click HERE to set a time. Click HERE to download a list of our services and experiences. 

I’ve been half-assing the most important part of my day.

I’ve been half-assing the most important part of my day.

by | Sep 1, 2026 | Uncategorized

TL;DR: Reflection and clarity are what deepen your roots, so you can stay steady no matter what’s blowing through your life. I’m inviting you to a 30-Day Reflection Challenge, plus two chances to join me in person this month, one on the West Coast and one on the East Coast.

Yesterday, during my morning reflection time, I realized something. I had been half-assing it for the past month.

My schedule has been packed. I feel genuinely blessed about that. But the time that matters most, the time I use to actually reflect, is the time I had been neglecting.

Honestly, most of us neglect reflection in our lives and our leadership. We put it off until we “have time.” And that time never comes. Can you feel me?

For me, reflection matters because of a paradox I get to hold at the same time. It allows me to be grateful, proud, discerning, and forward-looking, all at once. I get to look back and look forward without one canceling out the other.

And, of course, daily reflection is backed by research. A Harvard Business School study found that people who took time to reflect performed nearly 23 percent better than those who didn’t take the time to pause and reflect. 

A few weeks ago, in one of those same morning reflection sessions, I wrote this in my journal:

“A tree is steadfast not because the wind stops blowing, but because the roots go deep.”

Reflection deepens your roots. Clarity deepens your roots. And deep roots are what let you stay standing when the wind picks up, because it will.

So here is where I want you to start.

Write out your dream day. Make it plain. Put it on paper, in as much detail as you can stand.

Where are you? What time do you wake up? What do you do first? What does it feel like in your body? What are you wearing? Who is with you? Where do you go? What does your environment look like? What impact are you making? How are you taking care of yourself? How are you nurturing the relationships that matter to you? What does the end of the day feel like? Where are you having fun?

Write all of it down, in detail.

Once you do that, you are clear on what you want. Now comes the harder part. What values does that dream day point to? And what behaviors, done daily, actually get you there?

That is where the 30-Day Reflection Challenge comes in.

The 30-Day Reflection Challenge
I am challenging you to join me for the next 30 days. Write it out with pen and paper. It sounds simple. It will change your life.

Three questions, every day:

  1. What were my wins today?
  2. What did I learn?
  3. Did my actions align with my values and the impact I want to make?

At the end of the 30 days, go back and read everything you wrote.  It will significantly shift things for you, I promise. 

I also want to see you in person this month.

There are two chances to join me.

West Coast: Bend, Oregon — September 9: Leadership Workshop, “The Real Reason Your People Are Leaving,” with the Oregon Christian Chamber. Grab your spot here.

East Coast: Miami, Florida — September 22: Women’s Leadership Breakfast, “Secure Your Seat at the Table,” with the Florida Banking Forum, sponsored by International Finance Bank (IFB). Secure your place in the room here. (This is an intimate gathering on purpose; seats are limited)

So, what do you want? Are you clear on it yet?

Get clear on what you want, commit to the 30-Day Reflection Challenge, and tell me what comes up for you. Email me at carmen@carmenohling.com. I’d love to hear from you. I hope to see you this month, in person, on one coast or the other.

Let’s go deeper and live richer, fuller lives together.

Carmen
CEO & Founder, The Amplified Life Company