10 Lessons from a Decade of Bold Leaps & Beautiful Surrenders

1. Take the Time to Make People Feel Seen and Heard

In a world that moves fast, the greatest gift you can give someone is your attention. One of the most defining moments of my 30s was sitting at a piano, playing for a mentor who simply saw me. She looked me in the eyes and said, “Don’t you ever quit.”

That moment reminded me: People don’t need grand gestures—they need presence.

2. Surround Yourself with People Who Terrify You (In a Good Way)

Growth happens when we put ourselves in rooms that challenge us. When I joined my first mastermind group, I felt completely unqualified. But here’s the truth: If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.

3. Never Let Someone Else Question Your Magic

Early in my career, someone looked at my success and said, “How did you even get here?” I spent years overworking and burning myself out, trying to prove my worth. But here’s what I learned:

Your magic doesn’t need validation. It needs ownership.

4. You Can’t Change How Someone Sees You

No matter how hard you try, you will never be able to shift the perception of someone who has already made up their mind about you. Stop trying to prove yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you.

5. Trust Your Intuition and Listen to Those Who Love You

When a friendship suddenly ended, I felt blindsided. But looking back, my husband and closest friends had seen the red flags long before I did.

If your gut is telling you something isn’t right, trust it. And when you can’t, trust the people who love you enough to tell you the truth.

6. Your Spouse is Worth Learning About

Marriage isn’t just about love—it’s about understanding. When I discovered the Enneagram, I realized how different my husband (a 9) and I (an 8) truly were. Where I bulldozed through life, he sought peace. Where I demanded instant responses, he needed time to process.

Learning about his strengths, fears, and motivations transformed our marriage.

7. Eliminate Everything That Drains You

Toxic relationships, unhealthy food, stress-inducing environments—if it drains you, it doesn’t belong in your life.

8. You’ll Always Figure It Out

No matter how chaotic or overwhelming life feels, you will figure it out. You always have a choice—you just need to pause long enough to see it.

9. When You Change How You See Yourself, Everything Changes

For years, I sought external validation. But the moment I truly saw myself, everything shifted. The world didn’t change—I did.

10. When You Surrender to Your Calling, You Will Never Worry About Survival Again

The defining moment of my 30s came at a Friday night football game. As I watched my husband walk in his purpose, I realized: I was surviving, not thriving.

So I surrendered. I stopped forcing. I stopped chasing. I let go—and everything changed.

Final Thoughts: Give Yourself Permission

You are allowed to change. To start over. To dream a new dream. To walk away from what no longer serves you. To create a life of ease, alignment, and unstoppable excellence.

So stop waiting for permission. You already have it.