The Calm Practice

Seven years ago yesterday, I walked out of the Chicago corporate office of the company where I worked for 12+ years for the last time. I spent a few more months wrapping things up — and have been running my business full-time ever since.

When I started my business, I knew I needed to lean into my gifts, talents, and skills for communications, but also my purpose of helping people see themselves fully, undo the stories that aren't serving them, and live more freely and fully because they have found their voice and know how to use it to lead their mission.

Corporate work never gave me the freedom to be who I truly am and lead accordingly, but I'm grateful for the experience because it taught me to build my life and work differently in a way that supports me and those I serve.

It takes time and awareness to meet ourselves and one another and be present in the moments we are in.

It takes time and awareness to build intentional lives and work based on our values, and not on what we are told to be and do.

I didn't realize how much trying to conform to corporate kept me busy and “small” at the time. It took me years to undo that conditioning.

The world is vast and promising when we can dismantle systems that suppress our aligned natures.

I'm so grateful to be surrounded by the most amazing visionaries who are changing the narratives and lives of those around them. These leaders and entrepreneurs are restructuring the world, one corner at a time.

I'm in awe of what happens when we build human-centered structures instead of ones that are capital-centered at all costs.

Trust me, the money follows. But the sacrifice isn't at the expense of humanity.

Throughout my career in Fortune 500 companies in numerous leadership roles, one theme has always risen above the rest: relationships matter.

We are here to connect with ourselves and others, and we can't do that if we don't have the clarity, space, and resources for the relationships and conversations that matter most.

Make space for yourself.

Do the things that matter the most to you, because how you spend your days is how you’ll spend your life. (nod to the eloquent Annie Dillard)

Need to make some space for calm?

Here’s a present from me to you.

This is “The Calm Practice” I shared at my retreat last weekend. I hope it helps you pause and notice so you can choose from a conscious place and become more of who you really are and less of who the world expects you to be.

xox

Michelle

P.S. I’m booked up for the rest of 2024, except for a few single-session strategy spots. Want to think about 2025 together? Let’s chat & see if it’s a fit.

P.P.S. New Year, New Brand? Get the checklist and see if it’s time for a refresh, revamp, or a whole new everything.