Values, Coaching, and Bold Moves: Living in Alignment

Welcome to another edition of Kickin' it with Kristen — your midweek motivation every Wednesday!  

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💡Aha! Moment

Ever stayed in a role that no longer felt like you? I did—for years. Almost 18 months ago, I made the leap out of corporate America, and my only regret? Not leaving sooner. It took me a long time to understand that my frustration wasn’t about the work itself; it was that I wasn’t living in alignment with my core values.

Three of my values are family, curiosity, and courage. And in my last role, none of these were truly honored:

• Family: The job had become 24/7, which meant my family life took a backseat. There were endless “emergencies” (think urgent requests to create PDFs), and constant negative energy that spilled into my personal life. When I was with my family, I wasn’t truly present, my mind weighed down by gossip, passive-aggressive texts, and bosses who thrived on drama. I was constantly “on” but rarely in a meaningful way.
• Curiosity: I’m someone who loves to learn and grow, always wondering, What’s next? But in that environment, curiosity was a dead end. We were encouraged to do things “like last time” to avoid ruffling feathers. I found myself watching great ideas get dismissed before they even had a chance, and it took the spark right out of the work.
• Courage: For me, courage means speaking up, challenging myself, and taking bold steps forward. But in my last role, courage wasn’t rewarded; it was shut down. People who voiced new ideas or concerns were quickly dismissed, creating a culture that valued silence over progress.

So I left, and now? Today, I am aligned.

• Family: Running my own business has given me a freedom I didn’t think was possible. I work when I want, on my terms, arranging my days, weeks, and months exactly how I choose. Even better, I’ve surrounded myself with people who are positive, supportive, and collaborative. Removing that negativity from my work has been life-changing—I feel lighter, more present, and connected to my family and myself.
• Curiosity: Every day, my team and I are looking for ways to improve, innovate, and create. We try new things all the time. Some succeed, some don’t, but every experience is a lesson. That’s the kind of energy that keeps work exciting and fulfilling—constantly evolving and challenging us to do better.
• Courage: Now, courage is at the heart of what I do. It’s the fuel that drives me to keep going, try new things, and challenge myself in ways I never thought possible. My days are filled with conversations with people around the world about event planning and hotel sourcing, coaching clients navigating big transitions, and—I’m thrilled to share—I’m writing a book!

Finding alignment isn’t just about what we do; it’s about who we get to be in our work and our lives. The moment I realized that, everything changed. I didn’t have to keep bending myself to fit a role that didn’t honor my values—I could create a path that did.

If you’re feeling out of sync, ask yourself, Are my values showing up in how I live and work? Because the magic happens when your work becomes an expression of your core values. It’s a journey, yes, but when you align with what truly matters, you don’t just find success—you find fulfillment.

Here’s to creating a life and career that align with your values. It’s possible—and it’s worth it. 

1️⃣One Thing I...

🏫 Learned - This week, I learned something that truly shook me. An old classmate from grade school through high school—someone I hadn’t spoken to in years but was still connected with on Facebook—was arrested and charged with first-degree murder of his wife. Just days before, he had posted a tribute to her with a GoFundMe link to help cover funeral expenses. I even considered donating, but something didn’t sit right with me. Right below his post was another GoFundMe link created by someone else, highlighting her role as an amazing mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend—without a single mention of her husband. That small detail was enough to make me hesitate, and now I’m glad I trusted my instinct.

It’s a reminder of how much can be hidden beneath the surface. You think you know someone—or understand a situation—but sometimes you’re only seeing part of the story. It reinforced for me the importance of looking a little deeper before offering support or donations, especially online. Taking that extra moment to verify where our help is going can make a difference in ensuring it truly serves the right purpose.

📖 Read - If there’s one thing I’ve read lately—well, maybe a hundred things—it’s the endless flood of campaign emails and texts from every angle of the political world. Kamala, Walz, Trump, Vance, Obama…at this point, it feels like I’m on a first-name basis with half the political landscape! The constant notifications have me wondering if I’ve somehow become best friends with these people, given how often they seem to “check in” with me.

Will it all stop today? One can only hope! But, there’s something to be said about the sheer volume of outreach; it’s a reminder of how deeply personal and targeted modern campaigning has become. Still, I think we could all use a break from the pings, buzzes, and “urgent” messages—for at least a little while!

👀 Watched - Last weekend, I watched my two nieces' first cheer competition of the season, and it was so rewarding to see all their hard work in action. Both of their teams performed well, and it was clear how much effort and dedication they’d put in to make it happen. But what struck me most was one of the other teams from their gym. They struggled—almost every stunt faced a major fall. Yet, despite the rough performance, they kept their composure, never letting their disappointment or frustration take over. They held their heads high, kept pushing through, and showed incredible resilience. I was inspired by their ability to persevere in a tough moment, and I can’t wait to cheer them on as they keep growing stronger through the season. Here’s hoping they hit zero next time!

✔️ Accomplished - This week, I’m excited to share that I redesigned my coaching page! If you’ve ever thought about working with a coach, let’s talk! I specialize in helping people who are either in a period of change or considering one—whether that’s stepping into a new level of leadership, joining a new company, or even exploring a whole new career path. The journey can feel daunting, but with the right guidance, it becomes a lot more manageable and even exciting.

🤔Insight for the Week

Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.— Brené Brown 

❓Ask Kristen

Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. This one came from the state of Florida!

Q: What’s one thing you wish more people knew about working with a coach?

A: I wish more people understood just how empowering it can be to have a coach in their corner. A coach is there to be your biggest cheerleader and strongest supporter—they genuinely want to see you succeed and will celebrate your wins with you, no matter how big or small. But more than that, a coach offers a fresh, outside perspective. It’s easy to get tangled up in our own thoughts and assumptions, especially during times of transition or uncertainty. A coach helps you step back, see things from new angles, and work through challenges you might not even realize are holding you back.

Most importantly, working with a coach is truly an investment in your growth. They’ll help you clarify your goals, identify what’s meaningful to you, and build a plan to get there—all while cheering you on every step of the way. It’s like having a dedicated partner solely focused on helping you reach your potential, and that kind of support can be life-changing.

I'd love to hear from you! If you have a question or topic you'd like to see covered in a future edition, comment below or DM me!