‘Here goes nothing’ could be the start of….everything. Stop and think about that. Your choice is your magic. But those choices are only powerful if you take action. Take a minute to decide what magic you’re going to unlock this week. And run towards it full speed.

Each week I set 3 intentions:

1.) What is the 1 big thing I want to ACCOMPLISH this week?

2.) What is 1 new thing I can EXPLORE?

3.) What is 1 way I can CONNECT with others?

My ACCOMPLISH this past week was taking a workshop on design thinking to learn how to “Innovate Like an Entrepreneur”. The power of entrepreneurship is in thinking differently, finding inspiration everywhere and taking chances. With a new idea or business, you have everything to lose, but also everything to gain. In the workshop, we not only heard the tails from successful entrepreneurs like Jordan Buckner, founder of TeaSquares, but also took action to develop a new product and pitch to a set of venture capitalist – all in 24 hours! Talk about an intense thrill. While our team didn’t win, I was amazed by everything we accomplished. It had me wondering why we spend so much of our day analyzing when we could benefit from more doing?

My EXPLORE this past week was checking out Runn Chicago, a running studio (treadmill studio) for urban runners. If the thought of running for 45 minutes on a treadmill sounds like a snore, you’re about to be jolted awake. I’m usually a 3 to 4-mile kinda gal as that’s all I can mentally take on what some might call the “dreadmill”. This class was drill after hill constant engagement. Before I knew it, I was flying past mile 5 and felt like I was just getting started. Danielle, my instructor, was a burst of positivity as she took us through four zones of work throughout various speed drills and rolling hills. Zone 1 was sort of your “comfort zone” – a pace that you could comfortably hold while talking with a running parner. Zone 2 was what I would call a “faster friend” pace that is a bit more challenging. Zone 3 is where you head into a true run that has you questioning whether you can hold the pace (and the answer is always yes!) and zone 4 is all out mayhem. I’d highly recommend checking out a class with @daniellekshea!

Finally, my CONNECT this past week involved re-fueling at a reunion brunch with a classmate from my MBA program who recently moved to San Diego. We, along with some friends, visited an old favorite, Hot Chocolate, in Wicker Park. Brunching patio style with good food and good company is seriously living your best life.

Get out there and set some intentional magic this week, friends!

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Wham bam, thank you ma’am.

Thanks to @asweatlife for another bad*ss event with a barre/boxing mash-up led by @tristagreco and @cbels23. The event was part of a full day of empowering events in support of Equal Pay Day on April 10. The date symbolizes how far into the year women have to work to earn what men earned in the previous year. Women get paid on average $0.80 to every $1.00 that men are paid for a variety of reasons – choice of occupation, maternity leave, lack of negotiation skills/confidence, etc. It’s an important issue and one that is near and dear to my heart as a woman in business.

On top of a kick*ass barre boxing class workout, the event featured an awesome panel of women blazing new trails. Moderated by @ahleeduh, the panel including advice from Brand Consultant @baabaholland, @glowoutsalons founder @jennandjuice_, Food Tech Entrepreneur @rianalynn, and @katlinasmith, founder of @simplemills.

My favorite message from the night: “You can have anything you want, but not everything. You have to ask yourself, what is your chief want.”

Still wanting it all, but mulling over that last bit of advice.

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