I’m currently sitting at my writing desk at home

…Reflecting on blessings before churning out another 10,000 words.

Each year, as I ramp down the year, I not only spend time writing and planning for 2024, but I am also investing in myself. The kind of self care I’m referring to is up skilling.

Last week, I had an executive leader comment in a coaching session that she was amazed at how no matter what challenge she is facing, I have “a tool for that.” She was referring to value.

This is possible because of my constant commitment to enriching and advancing my skills and knowledge, and that ultimately impacts leaders, workplace cultures and organizations worldwide.

What did that look like for me in 2023?

👏Completed coach education in neuroscience (another expected Dec 2023)

👏 Pursuing my certified DISC practitioner designation (expected Dec 2023)

👏Obtaining a certificate in RedTeam Coaching

👏Securing a certificate in High-Impact Coaching

👏Upgrading my ICF credential (expected Q1 FY24)

Someone wise once said, “Whatever doesn’t grow, dies.”

This sizeable investment in myself (ie money and time) impacts the leaders and organizations that I work with. It isn’t enough to write and speak about topics that have been written or spoken about before. If I’m not growing my knowledge, my clients, readers and leaders that experience me in various formats aren’t growing.

So much goes into being a leader: you have to be first, or you must innovate and you must have followers (and this isn’t about social media, peeps). Being one of the sliver of a percentage of credentialed and certified Black women executive & personal coaches in the U.S. and the only Black woman leadership author committed to books that focus on the impact of science + culture in business—is an honor and a distinction that I do not take lightly.

This is also your signal to examine how you’ll grow for 2024. Let me hear from you in the comments.