Hey Leader!
One of the VPs in The Elevate Lab pilot sent a Slack that stopped me in my tracks:
“I started my ‘shut down ritual’ yesterday at the end of work & got myself prepped for today. I didn't check emails, Slack, or social media this morning when I logged in. I tackled my top 3 priorities & already finished everything by 9:30! I could sign off right now if I wanted, and still feel productive for the day. It's been a while since I felt this way!”
Another set a boundary for the first time in years. Nothing collapsed.
Another got back into music after years away from it.
Another finally handed off a project she used to white-knuckle herself through.
Another stopped work at 5:00 and got to play Mahjong with friends.
These are senior leaders with serious scope. And yet? For the first time in a long time, they got to be strategic leaders and have energy left at the end of the day.
Not because they pushed harder.
But because they started doing the thing no one teaches you to do: stop holding it all.
Lead boldly, live fully, & don’t forget to breathe.
In your corner,
Try This Today
These 4 tiny shifts that made a BIG impact for senior leaders in The Elevate Lab:
Create a shutdown ritual, even just 10 minutes, to mark “work is done.”
Block your first hour for your highest priority work before touching Slack or email.
Practice saying “no” once this week, then notice what didn’t break.
Sit on your hands. Let your team figure it out without rescue.
Your Power Move
The Elevate Lab pilot wrapped this week, and I felt real, bone-deep pride.
Watching this group shift out of survival mode and into strategic leadership & reclaiming their lives outside of work was… electric.
📅 Save the date: August 26, 9–10 am PST
I’m hosting a free masterclass for women Directors & VPs who want to lead at their level without burning out their real life.
In one hour, you’ll learn how to reclaim strategic capacity and protect the life you’ve worked so hard to build, without being the duct tape that holds everything together or the escalation point for every problem.
This is your permission slip to lead in a way that fuels your career and your life.
Block your calendar now! Details coming soon.
And hit “reply” if you want in early!
Behind The Scenes
A peek inside what I’m building — at work & in life!
Work & Life in Progress
I was working from Mérida, Mexico (post unplugged vacay), and got to take a dip in the pool between work on Tuesday!
I’ve always taken work-free PTO in my career.
But as a new business owner? It hits different.
I almost checked Slack a few times. I didn’t. (Except for one program-related message. Progress, not perfection 😎)
Instead, I hopped into this pool. And stayed there.
🧰 Want the work-free vacation guide I used as a Managing Director?
Get it here!
Thought For The Week
In Case You Missed It
I built a resume that looked great on paper, but didn’t feel great in real life. Here’s how I started designing a career that actually fits.
Out of office ≠ off duty. I’m a planner, a leader, a get-it-done person and unplugging used to feel really uncomfortable. Here’s one way I take a backseat and let others lead.
Imagine being a VP, getting all your work done by 9:30 am, and feeling damn good about it. Here’s how she made it happen.