purrfect!


Reader, I have a treat for you. Meet Beatrice.

My daughter just sent me this picture, and it got me thinking that Bea has a lot in common with us.

Reader, how would you describe her vibe?

I see trust, love, curiosity, and readiness.

She is a fun-loving kitten, about 12 weeks old, and needs the same things we do.

  1. Psychological safety: Bea is up for pets from anyone. She trusts that humans will be caring and fun playmates and quickly makes friends with new people. She smartly sheaths her front claws, keeping the psychological safety flowing in both directions.
  2. Autonomy: Bea loves to play all the time and has learned to self-entertain. She even uses her mouth to turn on her favorite battery-operated toy all by herself.
  3. Appreciation: Bea greets you at the front door. She also rewards you with snuggle time and purring after playtime.
  4. Belonging: Bea is happy to invite everyone to play or exchange affection.
  5. Meaning: Bea respects boundaries. She understands that her humans have other priorities that do not negate their underlying commitment to shared companionship.

Happiness isn't a feeling you chase but the result of a carefully cultivated set of conditions.

As you enter the second half of this year, I invite you to reflect on how you are bringing and experiencing STAR TREATMENTπŸ’«:

  • Are you generating impact that has significance and purpose?
  • Are you fostering autonomy or co-dependency?
  • Do you pause each day to notice and appreciate the good around you?
  • Are you building a strong relationship bank account with others?
  • Do you invite healthy conflict and embrace mistakes as learning opportunities?

Reader, you are a shining star. Don't let your light dim or be afraid to brighten others.

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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)

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.

Read more from Rita Ernst, Positivity Influencer

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Reader, last week I got to do what I love twice! I delivered talks at two conferences β€” one in Texas and one in Louisville. I know that interactive learning is the best, so my presentations include some type of "pair and share" element whenever possible. In Texas, I invited the participants to reflect on their happiest and least happy job experiences, then share the stories with their partners. Here was the punchline from the debrief: Was the experience you shared about compensation, tasks,...