I Think It's Time.

Take it personal, girl.

I am literally at the coffee shop right now having an iced latte with oat milk because I'm a creature of habit and I drink the same things. Also because none of my lovely readers have dropped their coffee orders in the comments for me to try! No shade, but go ahead girl! What are you having today? Let me know!

And while we're here, what was the highlight of your week?

As for me, the highlight of my week was being able to share in the joys of my friends. I love to see people happy and I love when they share their happiness with me. I also love, love and to see moments of my friends being so happy and so loved really made my week. I don't have permission to tell y'all their business so I can't give you details, but with three different friends, this week, they shared their joy with me. It reminded me of the kind of restoration that only God can provide and I literally love that so much!

Side note: Do feel free to share the highlight(s) of your week in the comments!

For this week's blog post, I wanted to share a journey I'm embarking on for last four months of the year and it could totally be a group project or something we could do together! We're closing in on the end of August and we have the last third of 2023 to hit our goals and finish strong. I've been seeing a trend on TikTok about leveling up your character. They use the term character, but for me it's not about becoming someone completely different in an inauthentic way, but instead a better version of yourself. A personal rebrand, so to speak!

Let me just tell you that I live for a personal rebrand. I don't mind a pivot at all. It's how I'm only 35 years old but I've had multiple careers already, with education being almost the longest and definitely the longest that I've willingly participated. The military was an eight year experience and if I could've gotten out around football season of year two, I would've because who, really, wants to be at weekend drill when LSU is playing Alabama? Anyways, back the personal rebrand. That's what we're doing!

So, I'm doing this and I'd love for you to do it with me! It's goal setting on one hand, but it's also curating some of the nontangible things in your life! I'll give you a minute to grab something to write with and take a moment to think real hard about the following questions. We're going to start with the nontangible and the things that appeal to the senses.

Who do I want to be?

What is my energy? Character?

What does the life that I desire desire look like?

What does it feel like?

What does it smell like, even?

What does it sound like?

There are no limits to what the answer to these questions can be. In fact, I challenge you to close your eyes and dream. Imagine your wildest dream in the answers, but be real with yourself about your desires. Maybe you need a day or two or seven to really meditate on them, but when you're finally ready to answer, please write them down and preferably in complete sentences that begin with "I am." I'll give you an example.

For me, life feels like pure peace and authentic joy. I desire for the both of these to be constants in my life. I know you're probably thinking "but life be life'n, girl!" Childdd, don't I know but I'll share how I cling to these things even when life gets crazy a little later. Since I want to feel peace and joy, when I answer that question, I write "I am at peace and I have joy authentically and abundantly.." More of my responses to these questions are written like "I bring peace and joy to the lives of those that cross my paths, daily. I feel the sun shining on my face, even if the weather is different outside. God is the ultimate creative and he made me creative too so I have the ability to create my own sun. I am an early riser where I spend time in worship and my prayer journal. He has given me a light and I will shine my light in whatever room he calls me to. My life moves in harmony and I appreciate the sounds of happiness, joy, empowerment and I have the ability to curate those melodies." I could go on and on but really allow yourself to imagine these moments. Put yourself in these spaces mentally. This is just a little of a practice that I've been dong for about five years now.

Look, if I've learned nothing else, I've learned that my perspective on things impacts my experiences with things. I've found my center and as long as I work to remain spiritually centered and operate from that space, life can do what it does, and my peace and ultimate joy won't be shaken. I'm not saying that I experience these things every minute of every day but I am saying that at some point in the day, I will experience moments of peace and moments of joy because I look for them. I expect these moments. I make room for them and I lean into them when they show up. I magnify these moments. I have everything I need to have the life I'm destined to live and the lifestyle I'm meant to experience and largely, it's because I've found my center. I am my most creative self, my most influential self, and my most impactful and productive self because I've become familiar with my center. It took me some time to find, and I'm happy to share my experience with that in a separate blog post if you're interested. For now, let's get into the second part of our personal rebrand.

Now, that you've answered the sensory questions, let's look at some goal setting about things we want to accomplish before the year ends. I'd say set 3-5 real goals. You don't want to overwhelm yourself to the point of accomplishing nothing so be mindful of the the goals you're setting. I'll start with an example.

One of my goals this year is to get accepted into a PhD program for the spring. I ask myself, "Well, why would you want to do that?" For every goal I set, I ask myself the following question:

Well,, why?

It's important for me to set goals that have substance and to feel connected to the goals I'm setting. It's too easy, especially in the age of social media, to covet what we're seeing and set goals based on them. I've been guilty of this so that's why I have to make sure I give reason to my goals. I want a PhD in Organizational Development because I care the most about school culture and the people who coexist within the space. I realized that I am good at a lot of things, but I want to be an expert in a specific subject. A PhD helps to build my capacity to impact the environments we create for everyone who shares the educational space. This work also transfers to industries outside of education because work is such a huge part of our every day lives. We spend the majority of our waking day at work, so why would it not be an enjoyable experience? I want to help leaders create that. There are many other reasons but you get the gist. I have my goal and I have my why. Go ahead and write about yours!

Once we have our goal, we have to list the things we need to do in order to see it through. Now, the last question!

Well, what do I need and what does it require of me to realize this goal?

Then, I list those things. Going with my goal of starting a PhD program, I need to research PhD programs that have concentrations related to my niche. I need to find out when they're hosting virtual information sessions that I can attend to learn more about said programs. I need to know the length and structure of the program. I need to know costs, find resources, and structure my every day routines and schedule in a way that optimizes my time and energy so that I can give the effort needed to be successful. Once I've identified the answer to this question, I list them in a "to do list" format. I write them in a space that I visit daily. This can also be done weekly or monthly but for me, I like to see it daily. I find joy in highlighting things off my to do list. I repeat this process for each of my goals and that's how I am able to get things done. I'm happy to help you with yours as well. Shoot me an email or DM me and we can set aside a time because I really want to see you win!

Girl, wrap it up. Success requires intentionality. Are you serious about creating a life that you desire? You know you have the power and that you can have your hearts desires, right? No, really! You can! You have to focus and silence so much of the noise. You have to find out what it takes to accomplish your goals and thrive in your purpose, and you have to say no to anything that's not in alignment. No isn't a curse word and it's not meant with ill intent. If you want to be different, you have to BE different. I think it's time to take yourself seriously. You were created to bring so much to the world and you have purpose! Don't sleep on yourself, sis. Go make it happen! As always, I'm rooting for you!