End of Year Reflections

 

December 23, 2023 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

End of Year Reflections Greetings Empowered Reader, As the year draws to a close, I have taken time to reflect on the remarkable journey we've had in 2023. Here's a look back on some of the empowering moments that defined my year, along with the invaluable lessons I’ve gleaned. This is an adaptation of the newsletter I send out to family members every year. 1. Travel to Oaxaca, Mexico: Lesson Learned: Cultural Immersion Fuels Creativity Our trip to Oaxaca taught my husband Chuck and me that embracing diverse cultures fosters creativity and innovation. The beauty of Oaxacan traditions left an indelible mark on our approach to problem-solving and ideation. So much so that we are going to Mexico City in 2024! 2. Celebrating Two Years of EMPOWER Possible, LLC: Lesson Learned: Persistence and Vision Yield Success The two-year milestone for EMPOWER Possible, LLC underscores the power of persistence and a clear vision. Each small step contributes to the larger journey of creating a meaningful impact. Thank you for joining me on this journey! 3. Lucky 13 Lesson Learned: Strong Foundations Sustain Success The celebration of Chuck and my 13th anniversary reminds us that the strength of personal and professional partnerships forms the bedrock of sustained success. 4. Ventures Across Boise, Colorado, and Santa Fe Lesson Learned: Broaden Horizons for Fresh Perspectives Our travels to Boise, Colorado, and Santa Fe reinforced the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones. Exposure to different environments sparks new ideas and perspectives, enriching our collective worldview. 5. My Two-Year Milestone at Essentia Health: Lesson Learned: Impactful Work Requires Commitment  The work of my colleagues and the dedication to Essentia Health for two years is a testament to the profound impact that commitment and passion can have on healthcare and community wellness. 6. Weathering the Snowstorm in Duluth: Lesson Learned: Resilience Amidst Adversity Duluth's record snowfall taught us that resilience is not just about enduring challenges but finding joy and camaraderie amidst adversity. I love the snow and 140 inches in one winter was a lot! I enjoyed skiing, snowshoeing, and shoveling snow. 7. Adjunct Top Moment: Lessons Learned:  There is potential for cross-pollination of ideas and methodologies between academia and our professional and entrepreneurial pursuits. My dual role as an adjunct professor at UMD and UMARY taught me how to maximize the synergy between academia and the mission at EMPOWER Possible, LLC. It was refreshing and energizing to be back in the classroom. 8.Gratitude Amidst Challenges: Lesson Learned: Community Support is Invaluable The health challenges with Chuck's father, Jim, faced emphasized the significance of community and support during difficult times. We are grateful for the strength found in shared experiences. 9. Staycations: Nurturing Connections at Home: Lesson Learned: Cherish the Moments of Connection Amidst global adventures, our staycations highlighted the importance of cherishing simple moments with loved ones. These moments are the threads that weave the fabric of our shared journey. Take a few moments now to reflect. Looking back on the year, what personal strengths did you discover or develop through various experiences, and how can you leverage them in the upcoming year? In what ways did you demonstrate adaptability and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges, and how can these experiences inform your approach to future uncertainties? Reflecting on your relationships with others, what moments of connection brought you joy or growth, and how can you prioritize and nurture these connections in the year ahead? As we bid farewell to 2023, I am deeply grateful for being part of the Empower Possible community.  Here's to a new year filled with continued growth, empowerment, and positive impact. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and New Year! Take care, dear reader,  Julie Photo Credit: Iwa Else.  Thanks Iwa for taking this photo of our snowshoes during a moon lit hike! Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. At The End Of The Year by John O’Donohue   As this year draws to its end, We give thanks for the gifts it brought And how they became inlaid within Where neither time nor tide can touch them. The days when the veil lifted And the soul could see delight; When a quiver caressed the heart In the sheer exuberance of being here. Surprises that came awake In forgotten corners of old fields Where expectation seemed to have quenched. The slow, brooding times When all was awkward And the wave in the mind Pierced every sore with salt. The darkened days that stopped The confidence of the dawn. Days when beloved faces shone brighter With light from beyond themselves; And from the granite of some secret sorrow A stream of buried tears loosened. We bless this year for all we learned, For all we loved and lost And for the quiet way it brought us Nearer to our invisible destination.

In the Media Join Melanie and I as we explore stress and burnout and some of the personal and professional issues that create it. Melanie and I both have had chronic stress and burnout and experienced toxic work environments and are passionate about helping organizations and individuals create effective plans to move from surviving to thriving . To listen click here. Interested in catching up on our previous podcast episodes? We invite you to explore our library of past recordings, where we delve into a diverse range of topics related to happiness and well-being. https://empowerpossible.com/podcasts/

Upcoming Events 1) December 2023, Career Reboot Summit, Navigating Career Crossroads Confidence Boost: Navigate career challenges confidently while aligning with your family’s needs. Renewed Enthusiasm: Rediscover joy and passion in your work, revitalizing your professional journey. Upgrade Your Job Search: Gain practical insights to enhance your job search and open doors to exciting opportunities. 2) February 29, 2024, Care for the Caregiver, Leading Age Minnesota Institute and Expo Email me, info@empowerpossible.com, with any questions you may have.

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What Type of Action Taker Are You?

 

December  15, 2023 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

What Type Of Action Taker Are You? Dear Empowered Reader, Today, I am handing over my newsletter to a very special guest, Charity Youngblood. I met Charity a few years ago through a women's leadership group. She attended a session I was facilitating on how to create a vision board. Charity is an Action Taker, Host of the 5-minute "Life's Questions & Lessons" podcast, Creator, Writer, and Educator.  During our first meeting, she provided good commentary and valuable insights. From that day on, one of the reasons I looked forward to attending the Leadership group was because I would reflect and learn with her. Eventually, we set up regular chats to check in with each other. I also connect with Charity by taking a few minutes every day to listen to her podcast,  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lifes-questions-lessons/id1596134857  Her podcast and our monthly conversations always leave me feeling inspired, supported, and ready for action. Being ready for action and taking action are not the same and as I reflected on the type of action I tend to take a few questions kept coming up for me including, "What kind of action taker am I?" and "How do I motivate myself to move forward?".  Lucky for me I was able to take Charity's quiz and it helped me to be more strategic in my action-taking and helped identify areas of growth.  Click to take the quiz,  https://www.lifesquestionsandlessons.com/ In the next section Charity will share more about taking action. Take Care, Dear Reader, Julie From Charity Youngblood: Have you ever found yourself saying things like “I’ll take that class next year,” or “I’ll start that project in a few months,” or “I’ll relax and travel once I’m retired”? Putting things off for this reason or that reason, while the years continue to fly by. And before you know it, you don’t even remember why you put off all the things you wanted to do.  I totally get it! Things come up and life gets messy. Priorities shift and change all the time. But contrary to popular belief: tomorrow is not promised. How do I know this? Well, I’ve experienced a LOT of death in my family. I mean a whole lot.  I went to my first funeral when I was 7 years old. I have lost cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles as well as a few close friends. All at various ages. Because of this, death is always at the top of my mind. Not in a morbid way, but in a “If you’re thinking of that person, call or text them today” kind of way.  I think that’s also why I am so adamant about being an Action Taker. If you’re reading this, you have been given the gift of life. You are here. Here to dream, do, and be whatever you desire. When I get discouraged, I think about the people who’ve gone before me, and the chances they no longer have. The lessons they can no longer learn. The magic they can no longer witness. The laughter, the play, the adventures, the excitement they will no longer see. The pain and disappointment that leads to extraordinary growth. All of it is gone for them. But you and I are still here.  There is no valid excuse to not live each day like the gift it is. I am blessed to be able to create and share my experiences with you. It is an honor to encourage and empower others, the way others have empowered and encouraged me. Please remember: Life is not a dress rehearsal. Whatever you want to do, whatever you want to create, whatever story you want to share, whatever places you want to go, make it happen.  Since taking action is often easier said than done, here are a few questions to explore: What are the goals, projects, ideas, trips, etc you have been putting off for "later"? Why do you think “later” is a better time than “now” to do those things? Is what you’ve been putting off important to you? Why?  What feeling(s) would you experience once it happens or is completed?  It can also be helpful to know what type of Action Taker you are, which you can discover by taking our new quiz.   https://www.lifesquestionsandlessons.com/ Click to access the quiz Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. Excerpt from "The Dash"  by Linda Ellis I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend He referred to the dates on the tombstone From the beginning...to the end He noted that first came the date of birth And spoke the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all Was the dash between those years For it matters not, how much we own, The cars...the house...the cash. What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our dash.

Product Spotlight Ready to take action and embark on a transformative journey? Consider signing up for Career Crossroads, an online course that navigates the intricacies of career transitions.  Uncover the power of introspection as you reflect on past experiences, extracting invaluable insights to shape a future filled with purpose and fulfillment.  Join us on this holistic exploration, identifying patterns and preferences that pave the way for a flourishing professional and personal life. Click HERE to get started today!

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Career Reboot: Navigating Career Crossroads

 

Career Reboot: Navigating Career Crossroads Free Registration

Dear Empowered Reader, I am partnering with Lis Doggett from hanaicareers.com and hosting a session during her Career Reboot Summit. This free event runs until December 20th. If you are thinking you need to upgrade your career in 2024 but don't know where to start.  Then start here by registering for the free masterclass series, "2024 Career Reboot:  Effective strategies to unlock confidence, renew enthusiasm, and upgrade your job search to create a remarkable future at work and home."  Discover transformative insights to propel your career forward and achieve a harmonious balance between work and family life. As a career coach specializing in supporting working parents and caregivers, host Lis Doggett understands the challenges of juggling professional ambitions with family responsibilities.  She created the "2024 Career Reboot" summit because it's crucial to bridge the gap between career decisions and family considerations. Whether parenting, caring for aging adults, or supporting a friend or partner through illness, when we compartmentalize these discussions we build a shaky (at best) foundation for you and your loved ones.  This summit is designed to help you seamlessly integrate both for a more fulfilling and successful life. Imagine making career decisions that not only propel your professional growth but also enhance your family life. Picture a future where your career aligns seamlessly with your family's needs, creating a holistic and gratifying experience.  The "2024 Career Reboot" summit will guide you in achieving this balance. Resolving this problem means you can confidently pursue your career goals without sacrificing your role as a parent or caregiver. It means experiencing a renewed sense of enthusiasm for your work while ensuring your family's well-being. The summit aims to empower you to make the big decisions with courage, and positively impact both aspects of your life. This summit will help you gain: Confidence Boost: Learn strategies to navigate career challenges with confidence, knowing that your decisions align with your family's needs. Renewed Enthusiasm: Rediscover the joy and passion in your work, revitalizing your professional journey. Upgrade Your Job Search: Gain practical insights and tools to enhance your job search, opening doors to exciting career opportunities. Don't miss out on this opportunity to unlock your full potential in 2024! Sign up for the "2024 Career Reboot" summit at https://series.2024careerreboot.com/Julie and take the first step toward creating a remarkable future at work and home. Take Care, Dear Reader, Julie Free to Register

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Navigating the Holidays with Compassion and Understanding

 

December 4, 2023 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

Navigating the Holidays with Compassion and Understanding Dear Empowered Reader, As we are in the middle of the holiday season many of us find it is typically filled with joy and togetherness, I wanted to share a touching story that underscores the significance of compassion, understanding, and community during this time as it may not be as joyful as it seems. Meet Greg, he is a neighbor of mine, he lives across the street from me. I am not the most mechanically inclined nor do I know much about home maintenance. This has often led to very humbling experiences. Greg is the kind of neighbor who is always there to lend a helping hand. From the time I needed help learning how to secure my 10-foot kayak to my very small car or the time my car got stuck in a snowbank in front of my house.  Greg has always been there to assist me. Throughout the years, I have had the privilege of conversing with Greg about his journey. His story serves as a poignant reminder that the holiday experience varies for each person. A few years ago, Greg faced several profound losses casting a shadow over the approaching festivities. The holiday season, once a source of joy, now serves as a painful reminder of the void left behind. Navigating through the sea of holiday greetings has become an emotional challenge. During this time he shared with me that he is, "counting down the days until it is all over".  In the spirit of Empower Possible, let's unite as a community to support Greg and others who may be facing similar struggles during this time. As empowered people, our collective strength has the power to make a positive impact on the lives of those around us. Here are a few simple ways we can spread love and kindness: Reach Out: A heartfelt message, a phone call, or a handwritten note can convey the depth of your care. Inclusive Gatherings: Consider organizing gatherings that cater to various emotional needs. Creating spaces for connection beyond traditional celebrations can make a significant difference. Acts of Kindness: Small gestures, such as assisting with errands or offering a listening ear, can foster a sense of community and support. As we embark on this holiday season, let's make it a time of healing, understanding, and unity. Together, we can empower each other and create a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. To take this idea a step further, consider these questions: How can I foster inclusivity in my holiday celebrations to accommodate diverse emotions? What small acts of kindness can I incorporate into my daily life to uplift those around me? In what ways can I create a sense of community and support for those who may be facing challenges this holiday season? Wishing you a season filled with love, compassion, and shared joy. Take care, dear reader, Julie Founder,  Empower Possible Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. Now by Chas. R. Skinner  If you have kind words to say, Say them now. Tomorrow may not come your way Do a kindness while you may, Loved ones will not always stay; Say them now. If you have a smile to show, Show it now. Make hearts happy, roses grow, Let the friends around you know, The love you have before they go, Show it now.

In the Media Where can you find EMPOWER Possible? Besides posting on my own social media I also collaborate with other entrepreneurs. This week I am going to throw back to the Monday Positivitea with Parul Podcast as it is relevant to this topic This time of year it always seems there is not enough time. Want Freedom From The Clock? Check out this episode about Balancing Self-Discipline, Soul Purpose, and Self-Love for True Freedom. Check out the episode linked HERE to learn tips about finding work-life harmony, setting boundaries, and gaining freedom from the clock! Interested in catching up on our previous podcast episodes? We invite you to explore our library of past recordings, where we delve into a diverse range of topics related to happiness and well-being. https://empowerpossible.com/podcasts/

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Duluth, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.