ACTIVATE THE
AWESOME BLOG

Life is lived forward, understood backward, and this year, as I take a breath and look back, I can feel the fullness of what has been unfolding. Not in the big, loud moments, but in the quiet yeses, the brave decisions, and the steady choosing to step into the work I am called to do. […]

I overheard a conversation the other day that stopped me in my tracks. Someone said, “I’ve got my review tomorrow.” Then came the sigh: “What’s the point, though?” It wasn’t sarcastic. It was honest. Tired. Disconnected. Performance reviews often feel more like a routine than a real conversation. A checklist to survive, not a moment to grow.

Employee engagement isn’t just slipping, it’s slipping through our fingers. According to Gallup’s latest workplace research, nearly 6 in 10 employees are quietly disengaged. Not loud, not dramatic—just slowly fading into autopilot mode. Let’s pause here. What would your organization look like if even half of those employees reignited their spark? What if your team […]

Why Mental Health at Work Matters More Than Ever We spend nearly 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime. That’s one-third of our lives. If we’re not checking in on how people are feeling during those hours, we’re not just missing productivity… we’re missing people. Insights from the 2025 WebMD Health Services Workplace & Employee […]

Economic disruption. Those two words can tighten a stomach faster than a Monday morning inbox. But what if we flipped the script? Instead of seeing uncertainty as a threat, what if we saw it as our moment—the moment—for HR to rise, lead, and activate the awesome within their teams?

I recently read the 2024 State of the Workplace report by TriNet, which analyzes how U.S. small businesses are navigating employee engagement, AI integration, generational shifts, and workplace culture.

The business case for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is stronger than ever. But let’s be honest—despite significant efforts, many DEIB initiatives fall short of real transformation.

What I do isn’t work—it’s a calling. I have often wanted to quit and run in the opposite direction. But every time I do, another door opens, and I can’t say no. I have to pinch myself about my journey and the awesomeness that has happened—and continues to happen—as a result of this journey. My hope is that by sharing a bit of my story, you’ll be inspired on your journey…

Imagine the thrill of a rocket launch — the precise countdown, the roar of engines, and the liftoff that defies gravity. I had the privilege of witnessing this magic firsthand at a SpaceX launch at Kennedy Space Center. Each stage of the countdown had its purpose. This process mirrors my Activate the Awesome™ framework, each step preparing us to launch into our…

As the holidays approach, let’s pause and focus on an extraordinary gift: You!!! Yes, you are a gift to the world. Your unique strengths, talents, and qualities make you one-of-a-kind, and recognizing and celebrating that can create a powerful shift in how you experience this season. At a time when 79% of people globally prioritize wellness, but many still struggle…

Thomas Troward observed that “our thoughts travel at 186,000 miles a second, which is 930,000 times faster than the sound of our voice.” This reminds us just how powerful our thoughts are in shaping our lives. Here are three simple tools to help you reconnect with your awesome thoughts throughout the day, each designed to fit seamlessly…

Election time is here, and with it comes the electric energy of people assessing candidates, policies, and possibilities. Voting is more than a choice; it’s an act of belief and hope in what’s possible. Many of you have already activated the “A.W.E.” in Activate the Awesome by voting—Assessing, Waking up to your values, and Engaging…

Have you ever felt like there’s more you could be doing — like there’s untapped potential just waiting to be unleashed? You know the feeling. It’s the thought that keeps popping in your head like an itch that won’t go away. For some of us, we know something needs to change. We feel off, but we don’t know exactly why…

As the cool air of September begins to move in, this month isn’t just about the changing seasons—it’s about seizing new opportunities and embracing fresh starts as we harness that unmistakable back-to-school energy. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to ignite your true awesomeness, build self-esteem, and finish 2024 on an awesome note, the time is now!