Hello, welcome to our August 2025 newsletter
We hope this message finds you soaking up the final, golden days of summer. There’s a unique energy in the air during August—a time of both reflection on the rest we’ve had and anticipation for the fresh start that September brings. For so many of us in leadership, the fall feels like a second New Year, brimming with new goals, renewed hope, and fresh calendars!
As always, you are at the center of everything we do. We are channeling all of that "new year" energy into creating something truly special for you this fall.
🌱 The Bloom Leadership Circle is Almost Here!
The excitement is palpable! Since our incredible Women's Roundtable Event in June, we have been working diligently behind the scenes to bring the Bloom Leadership Circle to life. Your vision for a community of support, growth, and authentic connection has been our guiding light.
We have been meeting with our incredible lineup of guest speakers and are finalizing the details on our beautiful venue that will serve as our home for the 2025-2026 series. We are curating every detail to ensure each session leaves you feeling inspired, equipped with practical strategies, and deeply connected to a network of your peers.
Get ready! Official registration details, dates, and the full speaker lineup are coming VERY soon. In the meantime, please forward this email to any of your colleagues or friends who you think would be interested in this kind of networking opportunity.
They can join our email list by clicking here:
đź“– What we are currently reading!
In "Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success," Sylvia Ann Hewlett provides a powerful roadmap for leaders who want to signal that they are "in charge" and ready for the next level. This book is a must-read as we head into a new school or work year, where making a confident, capable impression is key.
Hewlett breaks down "presence" into three actionable pillars: Gravitas (how you act), Communication (how you speak), and Appearance (how you look). It’s not about being someone you’re not; it’s about learning to align your powerful inner substance with your outward impact. We love how this book demystifies a concept that can often feel elusive and provides tangible advice for honing your leadership style. If you want to start the year with confidence and ensure your hard work gets the visibility it deserves, we highly recommend adding "Executive Presence" to your list!
⚡Beyond the September Rush: Sustaining Your New-Year Energy
Does this sound familiar? You spend August meticulously planning for the year ahead. You set powerful intentions, create new systems, and feel a surge of optimism. The first few weeks of September are a whirlwind of positive energy. But by mid-October, the initial adrenaline has worn off, the realities of the daily grind have set in, and you find yourself slipping back into old patterns, feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from those initial goals.
I (Dana) have been there many times. I used to treat September like a sprint, only to find myself exhausted a few weeks later. True, sustainable leadership isn’t about that initial burst of energy; it’s about creating the systems and mindsets that carry that momentum through the entire year.
This year, let’s focus not just on starting strong, but on staying strong. Here is a simple framework to help you sustain your "new year" hope and energy, paired with journaling prompts to guide your reflection:
The Fall Framework: "P.A.C.E." Yourself
P - Prioritize the Vital Few: The desire to do everything at once is a recipe for burnout. Before the year kicks off, get crystal clear on your top 1-3 priorities. What are the "vital few" goals that will have the biggest impact? Everything else is secondary. This isn't about doing less; it's about focusing your energy where it truly matters.
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Journaling Prompt: What are my 1-3 most vital priorities for this fall? How will I ensure they get the first block of my time and energy each week?
A - Anchor Your Habits: Your best intentions will crumble without a solid foundation. What are the non-negotiable daily or weekly habits that keep you grounded and energized? (Think back to our F.U.E.L. framework from last month!). Whether it’s a 20-minute walk, 10 minutes of reading, or protecting your lunch break, these are the anchors that hold you steady in a storm.
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Journaling Prompt: What is one non-negotiable anchor habit I will commit to this fall? When and how will I schedule it into my day?
C - Communicate Your Boundaries: As leaders, we teach others how to treat us. To protect your priorities and your energy, you must communicate your boundaries clearly and kindly. This might mean defining your "email-free" hours, delegating a specific task, or simply saying "no" to a request that doesn't align with your vital few priorities.
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Journaling Prompt: What is one boundary I need to communicate to my team or family to protect my energy and focus this year? How can I phrase it constructively?
L - Look for the Evidence of Progress: It’s easy to focus on what’s left to do. Make it a practice to actively look for and celebrate small wins. At the end of each week, take five minutes to write down what went well. This practice rewires your brain to focus on progress, not perfection, which builds resilience and motivation for the long haul.
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Journaling Prompt: I will schedule a 5-minute "win review" every [Day of the week] at [time]. What is one small win I can celebrate from this past week?
If this resonates with you, we’d love to hear your thoughts. What’s your #1 priority for the fall? Click reply and share—we’re here to cheer you on.
đź’– Simplify Your Wellness, Amplify Your Leadership
Feeling overwhelmed with where to start on your wellness journey? As a leadership coach with a background and passion in fitness and wellness, I (Angie) can help you cut through the noise. My goal is to help women build consistency by simplifying their wellness routines to focus on the core habits that fuel effective leadership and prevent burnout.
If you're looking for personalized support, reply to this email to set up a complimentary 1-on-1 chat.
đź’« Looking for daily inspiration?
Check out GrowthDay Membership with Angie or GrowthDay Membership with Dana (sign up with the person who brought you here to Thrive & Rise!) for access to live training, events, and so much more to level up your life. It’s the world’s leading personal development platform, designed to help you stay consistent and motivated on your growth journey. Both of us love and use GrowthDay daily. This can also be claimed as a Professional Development Expense!
đź’¬ Let's Keep the Conversation Going!
Our community is our why, and your engagement means the world to us. Don't let the connection stop here! Follow us on Instagram for more tips, updates, and inspiration!
We are so excited about the journey ahead and feel privileged to grow alongside you.
Yours in growth and gratitude,
Angie & Dana
Thrive & Rise Academy
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