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Thanks for joining me in this space.

If you’re here, it means that something about the byline “tips and tools for how to boost your impact without burning out” resonated with you.

Either that, or something I’ve posted or mentioned in the past caught your eye.

Before we get to this week’s main musing, I thought I would share a bit more with you about why I’m here. 

Why, in this age of unlimited, instantly accessible information, I decided to start a newsletter.

Well, because I’ve been there. Burned out. Anxious and depressed - seasonally and sometimes not so. Functioning on autopilot - many times highly functioning, but internally feeling like I was in a vacuum. Going through the motions because that’s what was required at the time. All while still harboring dreams of making a difference, doing something meaningful that helps other people to elevate their lives or level the playing field.

Creating a better world is exhilarating, and also exhausting work. It’s work that requires us to maintain our energy, our enthusiasm, and a good attitude if we’re going to continue to pour into it.

And I find that the current setup - virtual or otherwise - does a poor job of offering space for reflection, let alone insights for how to maintain energy, grow, and maximizing our impact before burning so hard and fast that we extinguish ourselves like a supernova. 

First and foremost, who can reflect when they’re in the messy middle of things? Putting out fires, navigating the emotional complexities of life - especially in an age where we may be simultaneously taking care of our own kids while looking after our parents (the so-called sandwich generation - ya’ll hear me?), managing and leading our teams, while we also negotiate the ways we show up and serve?

What the internet is good at is offering Instagrammable, bite-size remedies that capture your attention in 2 seconds…then lose it 2 seconds after the reel finishes.

Consider this my attempt to create such a space. Each week, I’ll share some reflections based on my own lived experience. My guess is that if I’ve gone through it, or it’s given me pause, chances are it will for you too. And while you may not be ready to take action just yet, I’ll also ground my insights in some practical options for action, if and when you’re ready to take them.

Take and share what you will, release what you won’t. And please let me know what’s resonating with you (or not.) 

The point of this whole exercise is to let you - to let all of us know - that while our journey is our own, we don’t have to do it alone. That’s what community is about, you hear what I’m saying?