It's January 1st and people are setting goals that will be forgotten by January 12th. But some will look back knowing it was the beginning of real change. The difference? Understanding two words: intention and commitment. An intention is hope without an action plan. A commitment is desire with a clear action plan attached. Intentions live in our head. Commitments live on our calendar.

After selling luxury handbags for over 20 years, I learned something surprising: my wealthy clients didn't need another bag. What they really needed was relief from the same emotional struggles we all face—the gremlins that tell us we're not enough. Why do we invest more in our lawns than in our minds? The next time you want that designer purchase, ask yourself: could this money transform your life instead?

After building a 20-year career in luxury fashion, I made a bold midlife career change to become a Professional Life Coach. Why? Because my work, however prestigious, no longer aligned with who I'd become or the values driving my life today. As I faced this turning point, I realized many in my network were facing the same dilemma.

When in a crisis, leaders are at risk of either under-reacting or over-reacting. Under-reacting means minimal empathy and downplaying the situation; over-reacting means constant high threat, catastrophizing, and creating panic. The adaptive mindset—captured by the Stockdale Paradox—balances unshakable belief in eventual success with deep acceptance of harsh present reality.

When Julius Caesar wanted to conquer England, he burned all the boats so his army had no choice but to move forward. My clients do this every single day—they take action that makes them uncomfortable, that feels risky, that doesn't come with guarantees. Now it's my turn to burn the boats on a 52-kilometer mountain race that scares me, reminding myself of what I ask my clients daily: dream big, take one small step after another, and never leave an exit door open.

Feeling stuck in your relationship doesn’t mean the love is gone. Often, what’s missing is the courage to communicate openly without fear of conflict. In this post, I share three simple but transformative communication skills—from reframing your inner story, to replacing expectations with agreements, to opening tough conversations with curiosity—that can shift your partnership from tension to connection.