I'm not feeling it😞


Reader I'm just checking in to let you know I'm thinking about you.

Last week was the one year anniversary of my father's death and funeral.

So I am having a little grace for myself.

I've taken a few weeks off from writing this weekly blog because I couldn't find the focus in words or even message.

Grief is funny that way

It shows up and sucks all the air out of the room, while simultaneously honoring life and love.

Tomorrow I join a room of over 50 people at the SHRM Tennessee 2025 conference to talk about having courageous conversations.

As I prepared to make the case for why every courageous conversation is a gift to be given, I realized that I needed to walk my talk.

So here I am admitting that that I'm in a moment of struggle.

I have been telling myself that my grief was blocking my creativity.

It turns out, that it is actually a source to tap into.

With all the chaos of these times, there's much sadness and grief, so perhaps you need to hear that it is okay and you deserve grace too.

Acknowledging your feelings isn't wallowing.

Stay curious.

Ask, "What do I need most right now?"

And trust yourself.

As soon as I stopped framing this as hard and resisting my feelings, I knew what I needed to do.

So cheers to you Reader. And thank you for your patience and acceptance.

PS - Welcome Nebraska State Council friends

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The BEST Review of Show Up Positive Ever

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My 5-point System applies the latest insights from neuroscience and psychology to deliver:

LONG-TERM RETENTION: Retain the best people without the added cost of perks.

COST SAVINGS: Retain institutional knowledge and reduce the expense of talent replacement.

PERFORMANCE: Full discretionary effort from employees and resilience in the face of any challenge.

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Catch Up on 'the story i'm telling myself' podcast

Give us a 5-star review and share an episode with a friend: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music​

​Episode 1 with Karen Laos: Are You Enough? Finding your inner power

​Episode 2 with Gail Kraft: Is Your Fear of Abandonment Running the Show?

​Episode 3 with Sandra Adeyeye Bello: Am I Worth It? A question too many are afraid to answer

​Episode 4 with Leslie Minchin: Are You Busy or Just Avoiding Your Life?

​Episode 5 with Srivatsan Aravamudan: Broken, Dirty, Not Enough? The journey to self-acceptance

​Episode 6 with Vivian Blade: How Do I Say "I Lost My Job?"

​Episode 7 with Angie Redmon: Who Am I Letting Down? The hidden cost

​Episode 8 with Debbie Potts: I Refuse to Settle: Rewriting my story after a life-changing diagnosis

​Episode 9 with Tandra Price: Can I Do That? Unleashing your inner power

​Episode 10 with Ronda Berns: Am I the Prey? Overcoming fear and mastering sales

​Episode 11 with Carmen Alvarez: Can Joy and Grief Really Co-exist?

​Episode 12 with Melissa Robinson Hussain: Who Do You Want to Be? Coaching Yourself to Radical Transformation

​Episode 13 with Tiersa Hall: Is This Risk Too Bigβ€”Or Just the One You Need to Take?

​Episode 14 with Gary Spencer: Why You Should Pause Before Your Next Big Move (A Million-Dollar Lesson)

​Episode 15 with Susan LePLae Miller: Did I Abandon Myself Again?

​Episode 16 with Sharon Summerfield: I'm being undermined, now what?

​Episode 17 with Misha Safran: Am I Just a Wilting Flower?

​Episode 18 with Elisa Juarez: If Not Me, Who?

​Episode 19 with Leanne Elliott: What's Really Stopping You From Asking For Help?

​Episode 20 with Susan Collins: Will I Be As Good?

​Episode 21 with Tracy Borreson: From Leavable To Limitless

​Episode 22 with Kelly Charles-Collins: What If You Stopped Leaving Yourself Behind?

​Episode 23 with Karen Taylor: Am I to Blame?

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The Story I’m Telling Myself is for anyone who wants to overcome the limitations of self-doubt and live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Through candid conversations, you'll discover:

  • The hidden costs of listening to your inner critic: How fear and doubt sabotage your confidence, happiness, and success.
  • Transformational strategies for silencing the negative voice: Learn how to overcome self-doubt, embrace vulnerability, and step into your true potential.
  • The power of a mindset shift: Discover how changing your internal dialogue can lead to extraordinary results.

Real-life stories of courage and resilience: Gain inspiration from everyday people who overcame their negative self-talk to live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music.

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Rita Ernst, Positivity Influencer

My weekly emails are for you if you want a transformational SHOT OF POSITIVITY that makes you think, gets you laughing, and sparks a positive change. Start each week inspired.

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