If Men Are to Make Plans, Women Need to Make Space The last blog post on this topic sparked significant discussion among clients and colleagues, making it clear that a deeper conversation is needed. Read it here . How Did We Get Here? In today’s world, women are assertive and in control of their lives both personally and professionally. This is a beautiful evolution, and I’ve championed it since I was 15, watching my mother navigate a male-dominated world. Her strength and re

As a husband, I’ve learned that the little things matter—planning a date night, deciding on an outing, or even choosing what’s for dinner. Early in my marriage, I sometimes found myself stepping back, thinking I was being easygoing by letting my wife take the lead. But over time, I noticed something: when I wasn’t making decisions, it created tension. She didn’t want to always be the one in charge—she wanted to relax into her feminine, knowing I had things handled. Not sure i

Take this short quiz to assess how well you're stepping into your masculine role in your relationship. 1. When it comes to date nights or outings, who usually decides what to do? A) I usually plan and let her know in advance. B) We decide together after a long discussion. C) She usually decides because I want her to be happy. 2. If your wife asks, "What should we do tonight?" how do you respond? A) I suggest something based on what I know she enjoys. B) I ask her what she fee

This is part 2. If you haven’t already, check out part 1: The Nice Guy or the Right Guy? Take the Nice Guy Quiz . Breaking Free from Nice Guy Syndrome I’m a recovering Nice Guy. For much of my life, I thought being agreeable, accommodating, and avoiding conflict was the key to acceptance and love. It worked—especially with my mother. But over time, I realized this approach wasn’t serving me. Through personal development, I discovered a better path: striving to become the Righ

Reflections on the Nice Guy Syndrome At first glance, being polite, flexible, and accommodating seems like the right way to live. Saying yes easily and earning compliments like, “He’s so nice,” feels validating. But beneath the surface, the "Nice Guy Syndrome" often holds men back, limiting their authenticity and growth. What is the Nice Guy Syndrome? The “Nice Guy Syndrome” describes a pattern where men prioritize being overly agreeable, accommodating, and conflict-averse, o

Take this quiz to reflect on your behaviors and mindset. Answer honestly to gain insights into whether you're more aligned with the "Nice Guy" or "Right Guy" archetype. This quiz pairs up with the blog, The Nice Guy or the Right Guy? 1. How do you typically respond when someone asks you for a favor, but you're already feeling overwhelmed? A. Say yes, even if it stresses you out (Nice Guy). B. Politely explain that you can’t but offer an alternative if possible (Right Guy). 2.

Here we are, January 2025, with a short list of goals for the year ahead, and already some of us are wondering: How do I even begin? The answer is simple—start by setting an intention. Something as straightforward as saying, “I want to take one step toward my goal today,” can open up possibilities for actions and opportunities that support your goal throughout the day. Try this: set an intention for five days in a row and notice the results. Among all the tricks, tools, and

Love, like all living things, needs tending. It’s not a stagnant entity, but a dynamic force that grows, evolves, and sometimes falters under the weight of life’s complexities. This realization is what inspired The Love Retreat — a space for couples to rediscover, rekindle, and reimagine the essence of their connection. Calibrated to You When couples arrive at The Love Retreat, they often bring a spectrum of emotions. Some feel a quiet yearning for the spark that once burne

This is the final installment of both the Year in Review and the Year Ahead. These previous articles do a good job of leading to today’s theme of setting plans that feel right and genuine to you in 2025. In case you missed them here are the links: Kickstart 2025 by Reflecting on 2024 – Step 1 How to do a Year in Review – Step 2 Why we Achieve Some Goals and Not Others – Step 3 The Year Ahead 2025 – Step 4 Energizing or De-Energizing? As you review the past year in your "

Welcome to this continuing series of engaging approaches to reflect on past goals and prepare for the year ahead. Let’s face it—some goals fail to ignite our enthusiasm. This method transforms the process, helping you set goals that energize and motivate. Follow these strategies to make goal-setting a lighter, more rewarding experience, paving the way for meaningful progress. Building on the Year in Review This blog continues the theme from the prior post, Year in Review , wh

Welcome to this continuing series of fresh, engaging approaches of reflecting on past goals and preparing for the year ahead. Let’s face it—some goals fail to ignite our enthusiasm. This method transforms the process, helping you set goals that energize and motivate. Follow these strategies to make goal-setting a lighter, more rewarding experience, paving the way for meaningful progress. Here is the prior week’s blog leading to this one, Kick Start your Goal Setting in 2025 F

Welcome to the first in a series of fresh, engaging approaches to reflect on past goals and prepare for the year ahead. Let’s face it—some goals fail to ignite our enthusiasm. This method transforms the process, helping you set goals that energize and motivate. Follow these strategies to make goal-setting a lighter, more rewarding experience, paving the way for meaningful progress. Start by Looking Back Reflect on the past year and honor yourself by recognizing what went well

In coaching, clients often come to me seeking relief from challenges in their personal or professional lives. After a session, they frequently report feeling lighter, as though a weight has been lifted. While this immediate relief is rewarding to witness, I’ve observed a recurring pattern: months later, a similar challenge resurfaces. This cycle points to a deeper issue—patterns rooted in childhood. To address these recurring struggles, we often need to journey back to where

Here’s a quiz designed to help you identify which childhood strategy (or strategies) resonate most. The quiz uses a point system to encourage self-reflection. You'll find reflection questions at the end. Instructions: Read each statement below and rate how much it applies to you: 1 = Never true 2 = Rarely true 3 = Sometimes true 4 = Often true 5 = Always true At the end, total your score for each strategy and see which one(s) align most closely with your behaviors.

This is the second article in a series written from both ‘his’ and ‘hers’ perspectives. In the previous post, David shared his insights on embodying the masculine energy in our relationship. You can read his blog here . When I first heard about the importance of balancing masculine and feminine energy in a relationship, I didn’t fully understand it. I assumed that feminine energy meant being soft, passive, or yielding, which didn’t resonate with me. I saw myself as strong, dr

This is the first in a series written from a ‘his’ and ‘hers’ perspective. Next week Cynthia will share her perspective on the feminine. Read her blog here . When Cynthia and I first began learning about masculine and feminine energy, I didn’t think much of it beyond the usual associations. To me, masculine energy was about strength, providing, maybe even protecting. Over time, I realized it was something deeper. Embracing my masculine energy became less about fitting into tr

You've likely encountered the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in business settings or conversations with colleagues. While it may sound straightforward, there's a deeper framework behind it. EI isn't an innate level of intelligence but rather an accessible set of skills that anyone can cultivate. We call it Emotional Fluency to emphasize its accessibility. Goleman’s Definition Daniel Goleman introduced the concept of Emotional Intelligence in the 1990s, defining it as

This cartoon perfectly captures what it’s like to be a people pleaser. As a former one myself, I know the internal struggle of constantly putting others first. We don’t ask for what we want, then resent the world for not giving it to us. We wear a happy face, regardless of how we really feel, out of fear that showing our true emotions will drive people away. Not just temporarily—there’s a deep fear of being abandoned for good. It’s a powerful but flawed mechanism rooted in th

Broadly speaking this is a state of shutdown and it doesn’t feel very good when it happens. It’s a state where we feel we cannot act on what is in front of us to take action or make a decision. We just want to flop on the couch and not think about anything. There is a myriad of reasons that can contribute to overwhelm. Here are those I see the most in my coaching practice. Take the Overwhelm Quiz . The classic is overcommitment by taking on too many responsibilities or commi

This blog will guide you through setting up for your best day, beginning with a simple morning meditation that helps you check in with yourself and your current state. The goal is to cultivate more effective, calm, and centered days. Three States Tense Peaceful Excited After I wake up, I enjoy a cup of coffee, splash cold water on my face, and then sit for a 10-minute meditation—before opening my laptop or reaching for my phone. Meditation comes first, grounding my day and