Happy Friday, Empowered fam! @Bruno Militz and I were talking a bit over the past week and discussed the possibility of having a mix of positive and playful chaos for today, and here's a little prompt for today: 👉 Go ask your ChatGPT: • “Based on what you know about me, what’s one genuine compliment that truly fits?” • “Now give me a playful roast I can handle.” 😅 (I've also asked it for a brutal roast because I found it pretty darn accurate and helpful)--I love how it still has a positive spin to it even when it's trying to be sassy. Keep it 1–2 paragraphs max but if you want to make it longer that's okay. This is ALL in good fun. The roast part may help with some of our growing edges! :) Would love to see some of your results! No judgment, just some funsies! Let's have some fun. Aaaaaaaaaaaand for those who maybe don't want to use ChatGPT--maybe drop some of your favorite compliments that you've received and/or something that you know is a growing edge. :)

The OODA Loop I first heard about this acronym when taking a self defense class and it's something that's stuck with me--I may not always remember the acronym, but I do remember it in practice. Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. That's it. It has some drawbacks but it's used in business, military, sports, self defense and other areas of decision making. OODA describes a cylcle where we observe what’s happening, orient by filtering it through experience and context, decide on a response, and act (then the loop repeats). Most missteps happen in the Orient phase. We have the tendency to rationalize red flags, freeze under social pressure, or default to familiar scripts. Type 1 thinking. Under stress, the brain narrows attention, distorts time, and favors habit over reason. If our orientation is off, every decision downstream is flawed and in some situations this can lead to not so great outcomes. In typical decision-making, improving OODA means challenging assumptions, noticing emotional reactions, and updating mental models instead of defending them. Better choices come from clearer perception. In high-stress contexts (self-defense, emergencies),threats exploit hesitation and confusion. Early recognition and decisive action (even something as simple as creating distance or leaving) can interrupt another person’s OODA loop and collapse their plan before it turns physical. When we encounter someone acting/planning to act with bad intent, they've already moved through parts of their OODA cycle and they are in the preaction phase. Our job is to be aware of potentials and interrupt this process. (vigilance/awareness is different than hypervigilance though--more on this below). OODA isn’t about being fearless or fast. It’s about being harder to manipulate, surprise, or trap psychologically. Whoever adapts first has better control of a moment. *******(A quick note: observation/orientation is NOT the same as hypervigilance)******** Awareness and hypervigilance can look similar as they both involve noticing what’s happening around us. Psychologically, though, they come from very different places and lead to very different outcomes. This is important because how we end up acting as a result matters.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. " MLK Jr. :) I wanted to share something that @Arthur Maddocks-Brown and @Maxwell Riseman are doing in their communities and that I'd like to put out here for anyone that would also be interested and inspired to do something similar!! In a world of darkness, we can be carriers of some light! :) Be the change you wish to see in the world. Arthur used to volunteer for a charity called Letters of Hope, but unfortunately they closed due to funding issues. BUT, the mission doesn't have to stop and I think that we (and others) can continue it. THE TASK, should you choose to accept it: -Write a handwritten letter of hope as if you're writing to someone you deeply care about, knowing it will be gifted to a complete stranger. -Leave the letter somewhere for someone to find, or, if you're feeling extra brave, hand the letter to a stranger. If you want to post a photo or share about your experience in writing it , please do so in the comment section below! :)

According to author Matthew Kelly, success is defined not by external achievements or societal metrics, but by living a life that is in alignment with one's core values and personal purpose, also indicating that success without this alignment is ultimately hollow. I love the Emerson quote as it really resonates with how I want to show up in the world...especially that last part. "What is success? To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch Or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!” POLL: How do you measure success right now? QUESTION: How do YOU define success? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED (ACTION TIME) 1. Define success in your own words 2. Choose one daily alignment habit 3. Track energy (what fuels vs. what drains), not just productivity 4. Clarify your non-negotiables Decide what you will not sacrifice for success (health, relationships, integrity, rest) 5. Seek people that will give you honest feedback 6. Leave something better each day --End the day by asking:“What did I leave better than I found it today?”A person, a space, a conversation, even yourself.

This past week we stealthily crossed the 100 member milestone and I'm so so excited for it! A couple of you reached out about it (thank you!!) and @Chris Wendt 's post here100-members means so so much to me... This milestone belongs to all of you! It truly does! Thank you for showing up, contributing your voices, sharing your experiences, and helping create this space into what it is today. I never anticipated how this little corner of skool was going to take shape and I am so so truly thankful for it and for you all. A gift that I never knew was needed and didn't see coming. My heart is overflowing with joy. The connections formed and nurtured, the conversations sparked, and the growth truly wouldn’t exist without your willingness to engage and support one another and me. This community is possible because of you-your presence, insight, and energy matter more than you know. Thank you for making it the special space that it is. Here’s to what we’ve built together so far, and to everything still ahead!!!!💛 Excited!!!!!