Written by Jess, Edited by Jenna

When was the last time you were a beginner at something? Tough question, huh?

I dabbled in tennis as a kid. Nothing serious, until my coach said I could be serious. And that’s when my tennis career came to a screeching halt. I was already playing soccer and softball competitively. No way could I add anything more to the mix.

At a recent conference, we were asked the following question: “10 years from now, what will you regret if you don’t learn it or do it now?”

A fascinating question and one I think about often now. But for some reason that day, playing tennis quickly jumped to mind. Interesting, as I hadn’t touched a racket in a long time. Maybe I had been spending too much time with Jenna (who was an amazing college tennis player!)

Being a beginner is hard! It forces us to get out of our comfort zone. Be uncomfortable. Feel frustrated. But amazingly, that’s where the growth comes in. Life would be boring if we never tried something new.

But getting started as a beginner is even harder. So many excuses! I didn’t have “tennis” clothes. I no longer had a racket. How do I find out the schedule? And worst of all, why are there so many different tennis levels? And what level am I?!

I went to sign up for a class with a friend, but of course, it couldn’t be that easy! I really did need to know my level and go to an evaluation. So scary!! But then something magical happened. A Glimmer perhaps! I emailed the recreation center with a question, and they immediately responded that the evaluation class was the next day. Could they sign me up?!

I easily could have ignored it. Said no thank you. Put it off to another time. But instead, I saw it as a sign. It couldn’t get any easier. So I said yes and signed up.

And then the hard part - I showed up. The anxiety was real. I had no idea how it would unfold. Who would be there? What would we do? Would I be able to keep up? And the ultimate LA question: where would I park?

But I did it. Heart pounding, sweat dripping, breath racing. Proving I can do hard things. So proud of myself. I was officially a tennis beginner!

Next steps:

• When was the last time you were a beginner at something?

• How would you answer the question: 10 years from now, what will you regret if you don’t learn it or do it now?

Written by Jenna, Edited by Jess

I like to think of my Dad as the “OG entrepreneur.” When describing my dad’s career, we often say he’s had his hands in a lot of different things. Everything from physical therapy equipment financing to wellness products to mobile gaming to real estate tax strategy.

While some interesting projects, it hasn’t always been easy. As a true entrepreneur, he was always grinding. Cultivating relationships, traveling to conferences, hosting speaking engagements. Always putting in the hard work, but not really knowing if or when business was going to “hit.”

There were times when the hard work didn’t quite pan out in the way he hoped. Deals would fall through. Clients would change priorities. But what made it all worth it was when he would get “the email.” Notice of a closed deal. An introduction to an exciting new client. A positive testimonial from a peer. Whatever the form, “the email” was a signal that his hard work paid dividends.

And thus began a core family mantra: You never know when you’re going to get the email! It’s our shorthand for hope, momentum, and trusting the process when nothing seems to be landing yet.

This concept was especially prevalent during my competitive tennis days, a special chapter my dad and I shared. In high school and college, I was often training 3+ hours daily on and off the court, with tournaments on the weekends across the state. At times, there were extremely tough losses. Long drives home. Rehashing each key point while in tears.

I was discouraged, knowing I was putting in the hard work but not seeing the results. As my dad comforted me, he would often say: “Remember, you never know when you’re going to get that email. That moment when all the hard work nobody sees pays off. And it will come.”

Later, when I finally clinched a tough match or felt my game begin to click – when that metaphorical “email” came – the feeling was even sweeter.

Today, this mantra remains highly top of mind when coaching students. In the ambiguous world of the job search, students are often putting in the hard work - networking, researching, brand-building, crafting tailored applications. Even when they’re doing all the right things, it can feel like nothing is happening if an interview invite or offer hasn’t come through yet.

When they’re in this understandable rut, I often bring in my dad’s wise words. Progress can feel invisible…until suddenly, it isn’t. The email could be right around the corner!

And with that, I hope today’s piece serves as your “email.” A glimmer. A gentle reminder that your hard work and consistency matter. Keep going…you never know when you’re going to get the email!

As yesterday was my dad’s birthday, it is only fitting that he inspired this Glimmer. Thanks to him, this mantra is forever near and dear to my heart. Happy birthday, Dad!! 💛

Next Steps:

• Think of an area of your life where you’ve felt discouraged because results haven’t shown up yet. What evidence do you already have that you are moving forward?

Written by Jess, Edited by Jenna

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time. Life without texts, emails, Slacks, and reels. No beeps or dings. Less interruptions. More focus.

Often, I catch myself doing way too many things at once. Writing an email while reading Slack. Watching TV while scrolling. Even texting while doing yoga (ha!). In today’s tech-driven world, focusing on just one task at a time is challenging. Not to mention, trying to keep up with the constant flow of information feels overwhelming.

Recently, I was leading an interview group session, and the MBA students were practicing answers to some of the most dreaded interview questions. Tell me about a time you failed. Tell me about the last time you received constructive criticism. And of course, the most dreaded, what’s your biggest weakness? The questions you hope aren’t asked in an interview.

One student started to tell a story. It was about needing to slow down to avoid making a mistake. Almost instantly, another student lit up, saying it resonated - it was her struggle too. I sat quietly, watching this moment unfold. Clearly, I wasn’t alone.

After their interaction, I told them about one of my favorite mantras: “slow down to go fast.”

A mantra I say to myself constantly. Slow down and read the entire email. Slow down to respond in the most comprehensive and empathetic way. Slow down and follow all of the directions. Slow down and gather all of the information. Slow down and think - do I need to respond to this right now, or can it wait? Often, it can wait.

There’s no doubt that slowing down is hard in today’s world. We’re constantly pulled in multiple directions, yet our brains aren’t wired to do several things at once. Research clearly shows that focusing on one thing at a time leads to higher-quality work, greater productivity, more creativity, and less stress—all things we’re striving for more than ever.

So the next time you rush to respond or do a task quickly just to cross it off your never-ending to-do list, remind yourself… slow down to go fast!

Next step:

• Think about one way you can slow down to go fast this week.

• Reflect on what changed when you took a breath and slowed down?

Written by Jenna, Edited by Jess

My husband and I have a pretty typical Saturday routine. The day usually starts with some movement. On a recent Saturday, he hit the gym, and I decided to take a long walk. I threw on my workout clothes and debated my entertainment options. Music? The latest episode of Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast? A quick call with a friend?

Then it hit me…we’re currently sharing AirPods, and he took them to the gym. Argh! How could I possibly take this walk without something to do?!

I paused. Did I really need a playlist or podcast? Could I leave my phone behind and just… walk? Be bored? See what comes up? I decided to put myself to the test.

As I laced up my shoes, I remembered a mindfulness workshop I had attended earlier that week, where the facilitator suggested taking a “color walk.” Pick a color and notice it along your route. I chose purple. Even in the first 5 minutes down my own block, the pops of purple were countless! Flowers, a kid’s bicycle, a painted mailbox, even a street number. I have taken this walk a thousand times but never looked around in this way.

Something else unexpected happened. As my eyes wandered, my mind did too. Yes, there was the occasional cycling through my to-do list. But then a new idea popped into my head - a way to break through the writer’s block I had been feeling on a Glimmers piece! In forty-five unplugged minutes, I noticed more beauty, found inspiration, and practiced being present. When I later told my mom about this experience, her response was perfect: “Sounds like you recharged without a plug!”

This experience reminded me of this short Harvard Business Review video from psychologist Arthur C. Brooks, who studies happiness and well-being. He explains that when we’re not glued to a screen, our brains enter a different mode, one that activates deeper reflection, creativity, and meaning-making. This is often why an idea or burst of inspiration comes to us while in the shower! That quiet wandering space actually allows new ideas to surface, the kind we often miss when multitasking our way through life.

So this week, take space from your phone. Give yourself permission to be bored. To recharge without the plug. You might be surprised by what comes up!

Next Steps:

• Spend 15 minutes without your phone! On a color walk, commuting to work, while eating dinner, etc.

• Then, take 5 minutes to journal or reflect about the ideas that came up when you gave your brain some breathing room.
  

Written by Jess, Edited by Jenna

I remember the moment so clearly.

We were meeting with our very first cohort of the life coaching groups (Alive), which we started a few years ago at UCLA Anderson. In the very last session, we were experimenting with some group coaching. One student was presenting a poster board she created. It included her values, superpowers, obstacles, and more. She was summarizing what she had learned throughout the 6-week program and what she was still figuring out, including overcoming her own self-doubt.

She was definitely in the hot seat. The group asked her questions to dig deeper. Pushed her a bit. And then as time was winding down, someone asked this powerful question…“What do you want to tell yourself?”

The room was quiet. Silence. With tears in her eyes, the student took a deep breath and clearly exclaimed, “I AM ENOUGH!”. The whole room whooped and hollered and applauded. Goose bumps. Yes! She was enough… and then some!

Since then, I have noticed a trend. This student is not alone. Many students wonder if they are enough. They doubt themselves. Amazing students! Leaders on campus. Those who you think have it all together. Excelling in the classroom. Securing big brand-name jobs. Surrounded by lots of friends. The student everyone wishes they could be.

I now display the above “You are Enough” sign in my office. Everyone walking in can clearly see it. Hopefully, they can start to believe it.

Recently, after a very long, tiring week, I walked into my office. Immediately, I was confused. What happened to the sign? Where did the E and the N go? I chuckled a bit to myself. Kinda fitting for the week I was having. I took a pic. Sent it to my family with the caption, “apparently today I am not enough, just ‘ough’.”

My husband quickly texted back. “Someone swiped the EN? Put a T there!” Ha! I had never thought of that before. But, how very true!

You are ENOUGH. And yes, you are TOUGH. Two different things, but equally true. As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, give yourself some extra love. You deserve it!

Next steps:

• While it can be easy to be hard on ourselves, what more empowering message do you want to tell yourself today?

• How are you enough and tough?

Written by Jenna, Edited by Jess

Over the holiday break, my mom and I did a “Jazz Funk” dance class together. While I danced as a kid, I hadn’t learned a choreographed routine in over 20 years! At first, I felt clunky as I tried to follow the instructor and remember the next move in the sequence, then piece it all together to the music. Clearly, I was very much in my head.

As we eased in and ran the routine more and more times, I started to hit cruising altitude. I let go of trying to nail every move perfectly and just had fun with it. I enjoyed the quality time with my mom – moving, laughing, being silly, connecting back to my inner kid – and became fully present. When I reflect back on the experience, I realize I felt truly ALIVE!

In the group coaching program we co-lead (called Alive), we always start with an icebreaker question. In our very first meeting, we ask: When was the last time you felt most alive?

This question often brings pause. High-achieving business school students are usually moving quickly from one thing to the next, planning for what’s ahead. This isn’t a question they’ve spent much time considering or keeping top of mind. Given the demands of life, it is likely an uncommon reflection question for most of us!

The students’ responses are always touching. They felt alive during the bigger moments. Walking the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain. Surprising family in India for a relative’s birthday. A road trip with friends. Yet they also felt alive in the small moments. Trying a new recipe. Hiking in nature. Swimming in the ocean. Singing at a concert. Practicing yoga. Sitting in the sun.

While the specific answers are always unique, the core themes remain the same. The moments that feel most alive tend to involve connection – with others, with nature, with their bodies. They include movement, laughter, presence, and being fully in the moment.

Coming alive isn’t just reserved for big milestone moments. It doesn’t always require a vacation, a major life change, or a perfectly curated experience. Feeling alive can show up in ordinary moments, when we let ourselves drop out of our heads and into the present.

Just like my Jazz Funk dance class. A random hour on a holiday break. No expectations. No productivity goals. Just movement, connection, and play!

Once we become aware of what makes us feel alive, we gain agency to create more of those moments. Rather than waiting for “aliveness” to simply arrive, we can intentionally make room for it now!

Next Steps:

• Write down 3 examples of when you felt most alive. What patterns or themes do you notice in your alive moments?

• What’s one thing you’d like to commit to this week to support you in feeling more alive?

Written by Jess, Edited by Jenna

It’s been a year, literally and figuratively.

January 7, 2025. A date we will never forget. Not only did we lose our Palisades home, but our entire community, friends, schools, and so much more. Everything we loved, owned, cherished - gone in a few hours. Even a year later, it’s impossible to wrap our heads around it. So many emotions - anger, frustration, sadness, disbelief. But through the immense pain, there have been some Glimmers:

• Music heals: Jelly Roll’s lyrics, “I’m not okay, but it’s all gonna be alright” will always be our fire anthem. Singing it at the top of our lungs with tears streaming down our faces at the LA Fire Aid concert was devastating, yet cathartic. Just when you think you don’t have the words, a song does. So if you are feeling down or need a boost, pump up the music. It may be just what you need to believe “it’s all gonna be alright”.

• Community matters: We miss our community. The people we saw every day. Walking our dog, Moose. Running into Gelson’s or the UPS store. Playing sports at the rec center. It’s the people who make a town. And absolutely what we miss desperately. Before the fire, I didn’t think that much about the importance of community, but now it’s absolutely the reason we are rebuilding our home in the Palisades.

• Our bodies hold our stress: First, it was my knee. Then my neck and shoulders. No doubt the stress and trauma of the fires and the aftermath of it all were being felt in my body. The mind/body connection is absolutely real. Pay attention to it, especially during difficult times.

• Pause during transitions: Transitions are an inevitable part of life. They move from an end to a messy middle and then a new beginning. For us, the end was abrupt and shocking. And while we were so focused on the overwhelming to-do list and trying to move forward, it was important to slow down and process the pain. Fire fog was indeed real. Pausing to journal, talking to a therapist, and reconnecting with Pali friends were crucial in the healing process.

• Advocate for yourself: Dealing with the aftermath of the fire was a lot. Whether it was finding housing, dealing with insurance, or getting building permits, we had to stay organized and advocate for ourselves. Using our voice (kindly, of course) to ensure things moved forward absolutely mattered.

• Schools can be in a Sears building: Not only did our teens lose their house and community, but they also lost their school, Pali High. While 4 months of Zoom school brought back Covid PTSD, it was going back to school that brought my kids back to life. Even if school was in an abandoned Sears building! So a huge thank you to everyone who literally rebuilt a department store to bring our kids back to school. In person with their friends and teachers. Exactly where they belong.

Recently, this quote hit hard… “If you didn’t go through what you went through, you wouldn’t be here now. It’s part of your story.” The Pali fire does not define us, but will forever be part of our story. #Palistrong

Written by Jenna, Edited by Jess

The holidays are here! No doubt a time reminiscent of childhood memories and moments of play. For me, I think back to dancing in holiday performances with my sister and singing in our school’s winter concert (pictured above & below), going to see The Nutcracker ballet, and helping stir the batter for latkes and cookies.

In Alive, the group coaching program we co-lead for our MBA students, we start each session with an icebreaker question. One of my favorites: What did you love to do as a kid?

Rather than going around the room and each student answering verbally, we attempt to bring them back to childhood. How? We give students play-doh. That’s right, adults molding colorful clay with that nostalgic scent! We ask them to create something that represents what they loved to do as kids.

The masterpieces from this exercise are always delightful. Sports equipment, toy cars, Easy Bake ovens, swimming pools, board games, books, a stage for school plays, to name a few.

The impact is two-fold. First, it reconnects students to play. As adults, we move so quickly through life that play and creativity can often fall by the wayside. But play isn’t just fun, it is essential. And this concept is science-backed!

I have been fascinated by Cas Holman’s work, a thought leader on the benefits of embracing a “playful mindset.” Her research shows that play activates the same parts of the brain involved in creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. With that, play is grounding, can initiate flow state, and ultimately lead to increased productivity.

Second, this question invites students to rediscover what they were genuinely drawn to as kids. What did fun look like before anyone told you what was “practical” or “impressive?” What captured your attention when no one was grading you or giving feedback? Fun and play look different for everyone, offering even more clues about your most authentic you.

And what better time to reconnect to your inner kid than the holiday season!

Wishing you all, our amazing Glimmers community, a joyful and playful holiday season and new year!

Next Steps:

• What did you love to do as a kid? What was your natural form of play?

• What could play look like for you now? What is one thing you could do this week in the spirit of play?

Written by Jess, Edited by Jenna

My dad loved the song “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang. I can still see him dancing (maybe a bit offbeat?!) with a huge grin, singing… “cel-a-brate good times, come on!”

In my family, we always celebrated accomplishments, and it’s a tradition I’ve kept alive in my own home. Yes, the big wins, but even the small ones (and the failures, too)! From dance performances to golf tournaments to finishing a big assignment to the first or last day of school to trying something new - we often ask, “How are we going to celebrate?”

Interestingly, Jenna and I noticed something. Many of our students didn’t celebrate their wins. And there were plenty of them to celebrate! They were too focused on moving on to accomplish the next big thing. Very common for high-achievers.

So instead of just focusing on to-do lists, we started teaching them about a ta-da list. And they loved it! A list of all of the things accomplished in the last day, week, or even year.

The wins don’t all have to be big or monumental. It could be simple things. Going for a walk. Catching up with a friend. Booking that flight. Raising your hand in class. Signing up for a workshop. Trying a new recipe.

Recently, I have been meeting many students in individual career coaching sessions. Often they are feeling stressed. Totally understandable. Being an MBA comes with a lot of pressure, ambiguity, and anxiety. But when I ask them to tell me a win or two they have had over the last week, the mood in the meeting shifts instantly. They smile. They relax. They perk up.

According to the book, The Gap and The Gain, “success is measured by looking backwards at what you have accomplished.” Often, we are so focused on the gap or comparing to the ideal that we forget to notice the gains or how much we have already achieved.

As the year starts to come to a close, now is a perfect time to reflect on your wins in 2025. Launching Glimmers was definitely a big one for us. I know my dad is looking down, dancing and singing… “cel-a-brate, good times!”

Next steps:

• Start a ta-da list! Write down 3 wins from today (or this week/month/year)

• Then write down 3 wins you want to accomplish tomorrow

Written by Jess and Jenna

Walking into both of our offices, you will notice something similar. Thank you notes line the top of our cabinets (pictured above). Old-fashioned, handwritten thank you notes. Yes, you read that right! These days, gratitude often shows up via a quick email, Slack message, or a LinkedIn shout-out. All of which are wonderful. However, when we receive a handwritten thank you note, it stands out. We remember. And it gets displayed!

Not only do we take notice of these thoughtful touches, others do too. That’s why we encourage our students to always lead with gratitude. Begin an informational meeting by thanking the contact for their time. Start a job interview with a simple, “Thank you so much for having me. I’m really excited to be here.” A small gesture, but it makes a big difference.

And that’s not all. Ending with gratitude is equally important. Close the loop and thank someone for their time. If they shared something with you - whether it was a podcast to listen to, a book to read, or a referral to connect with - circling back to express gratitude goes a long way.

One of our favorite memories is of a student who, after landing his dream job, showed us a full list of contacts he planned to thank for their support along the way. Music to our ears! Years later, students like him hold a special place. What we remember most isn’t the job titles they landed, but the intentionality and thoughtfulness they brought to their journeys.

So in the spirit of Thanksgiving tomorrow… a huge thank you to all of you! For impacting our lives and being on the Glimmers journey with us. We greatly appreciate you and wish you an amazing holiday, relaxing, reflecting, and recharging!

Speaking of gratitude… a special thanks to our amazing readers who submitted their favorite mantra via our “Gotta Glimmer” form below!

Written by Jenna, Edited by Jess

These wise words above from Maya Angelou have always resonated with me. A mantra I come back to time and time again.

We often advise students on professional networking, which for some can feel unnatural or uncomfortable. The key unlock is reframing: networking isn’t about pitching - it’s about building relationships, authentic human interaction, and meaningful connection.

To help students prepare, our office will host mock networking events. Recently, Jess and I joined one. She played the role of Strategy Manager, and I was a Consultant. Picture a room of 75 students and 10 “employers” (portrayed by our colleagues), all mingling and milling about. Given this ratio, it can be a tricky dance for students to navigate.

While I met many impressive students at the mock event, one really stood out. Why? Because we had a conversation about glasses. That’s right - eyeglasses!

I usually wear contacts, but that day, I had made the swap. Truthfully, I felt self-conscious as my glasses are typically reserved for home. A student, also wearing hers, approached me. With a bright smile, she said hello and complimented my glasses, sharing that she doesn’t typically wear them either, but here we are. We bonded instantly. While I interacted with close to 50 people that night, she was the one I remembered. Not because she asked a smart question or nailed her elevator pitch, but because she made me feel seen. Literally!

Angelou’s beautiful words also make me think of my mom. My mom is an experienced litigator and now a mediator. She often navigates high-stakes, emotionally charged scenarios. What makes her extraordinary and memorable amongst clients isn’t just her knowledge of the law - it’s her warmth, her ability to hold space, to actively listen. Her way of making people feel seen and heard. Empathy is her secret sauce, and I admire how she embodies this quote every day.

Today is her birthday, so I dedicate this Glimmer to her. Happy birthday, Mom!!! 💗

Next Steps:

• Think of a recent interaction that left you feeling seen or valued. What made it memorable? How did the other person’s words or presence impact you?

• In your next interaction, pick one simple way to practice making someone feel seen. Offer a genuine compliment or ask a follow-up question to show you were actively listening.

Written by Jess, Edited by Jenna

We’ve all done it. Put off a simple task for another day, another week, maybe even months. An easy task. Calling to make a doctor appointment. Writing an email. Even sending a quick text.

This summer, I watched my 18-year-old daughter stew and stew and stew. She had to write a short application. Short! One or two paragraphs to apply for a college freshman seminar. She had just spent the entire last year writing essay after essay for college applications. She had done the hard part. In comparison, this application was easy. A piece of cake! But day after day, nothing.

There was clearly something about the assignment that kept her from doing it. Figuring out what to write about? The fear of not getting in? Being scared to be vulnerable and write about herself? Burnt out from writing too many essays? Too much time, so putting it off to another day wouldn’t really matter? Maybe she didn’t really want to do the seminar?

Taking time to think about what’s behind the stewing may be an important question to ask yourself. Perhaps the stewing is telling you that the thing is not that important and is a “should” and not a “want”. Maybe it’s because the thing is bringing up a different emotion - fear, frustration, sadness, shame. Perhaps you are doing the thing for someone else, not yourself. Whatever it is, it’s important to pay attention to it and dig a little deeper.

My daughter finally did the thing. She was open and vulnerable and wrote about a hard topic. And yes, it took way less time than she thought. Easy even. And the best part… the seminar with the short application is currently her favorite freshman class.

More often than not, the stewing is worse than the doing!

✍️ Next step:

• Write down 1 or 2 things you keep putting off.

• Think about what’s behind the stewing?

Written by Jenna, Edited by Jess

Reflecting back on my undergraduate life, I definitely had moments of living in the “should” space. I thought I should major in Economics, because that felt smart. Practical. Relevant to society. My friends were doing it. So that’s what I declared.

Were the Economics classes the ones I really wanted to take? Looking back, not really.

But… Introduction to Television Studies? I was so stoked for that class. Actively participated. Actually enjoyed writing the midterm paper. Theories of Microeconomics? I wasn’t racing to get a front row seat. Usually hid in the back. Eyes glazed over while doing homework as I re-read the same paragraph three times in a row.

If only I had Jess’s mantra of “Pay Attention to What You Pay Attention To” back then, I probably would’ve realized much earlier in life that these were important clues!

Why is it that we let the “should-isms” take hold and drive our direction?

Maybe to meet societal expectations. To sound impressive. To seek approval. To appease someone else. But leaning into the “shoulds” often means going against the quiet tug pulling us toward something more aligned with our authentic selves.

We often see this very normal should vs. want conundrum bubble up in our work:

“I should go to that event.”

“I should apply for that position.”

Whenever we hear a “should” in joint coaching sessions, Jess and I usually exchange a look as our inner beepers are simultaneously going off. And the question that immediately follows is: But what do you really want?

Because honoring - or even just creating space to consider - what you truly want is more than okay. It is powerful!

📝 Next Step:

• Write down three recent “shoulds” that have been bouncing around in your brain.

• Then rewrite each one starting with “I want to…” or “I feel good about…” Notice what changes. How does your gut feel? Which ones feel more aligned?

Written by Jess, Edited by Jenna

If there is one mantra I say more than others, it may be this one… run your own race!

Recently, the Anderson MBA students started their 2-year journey. In the very first week, students partake in a super interactive career brainstorming exercise. Students get a list of 100+ jobs, and from that list, they rank order their top 12. Then, in small groups, they come up with images, themes, and tensions based solely on that list of jobs. Example below.

What’s fascinating about the exercise is that the list of 12 jobs each student picks is completely unique to them. I have never seen 2 students have the exact same list! Jobs include everything from typical MBA roles - brand manager, venture capitalist, CEO, entrepreneur to non-traditional MBA roles - influencer, philanthropist, professional athlete, captain of a ship, and more.

So while all students start their MBAs with a different list, somewhere along the 2-year journey they begin to want the same things. Product manager in big tech. Consultant at a top firm. The same roles at the same companies! Yet the students are all so amazingly unique in their own ways. When did they all start running the same race?

And this “race” isn’t just specific to MBAs. It can show up at any age and life stage. From high-achieving high schoolers applying to the same prestigious colleges, to adults climbing the corporate ladder, to peers posting only the highlights on social media - the race is everywhere!

I get it. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others. But putting blinders on and running your own race is absolutely crucial. What you really enjoy is most likely very different from others. Oftentimes, it takes slowing down and ignoring all of the noise to be your best and most authentic self.

Plus… why is everyone even racing?

Maybe it’s not about the finish line at all. Maybe it’s about walking your own path, at your own pace, in the shoes that are comfortable for you, slowing down and cherishing each step along the way.

Next steps:

• Write down 1 thing that you may be doing now that is true to who you are.

• Is there 1 thing you can lean into further to be even more you?

• Are you running a race? Is it your own? Do you even want to be racing?

Written by Jenna, Edited by Jess

If you’ve ever been at a crossroads – unsure of what to do next in career or in life – you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I remember feeling quite lost in my own career. I knew I was ready for a change, but the what, the where, the how? Total mystery. “I’ll keep thinking about it,” I told myself. “Do some soul-searching. It’ll come to me.”

Meanwhile, I had 37 tabs open at all times – LinkedIn, company websites, job postings, links to cozy sweatpants, Postmates (it was peak COVID after all) – but nothing was resonating. No “Eureka!” moment of clarity as I scrolled. Just more fog.

Reflecting on this time, here’s what I learned: Yes, we are thoughtful, intelligent humans. But it’s nearly impossible to think our way to the “right” answer. Why? Because all we have access to is the information we already know. And if you’re standing on the edge of something new, like I was, that old info might not be enough.

So how do we chip away at what might be next? We engage. Because more often than not, clarity comes from engagement. (1)

Eventually, instead of staying stuck behind my computer, I reached out to a career coach. She was amazing and those early meetings were transformative. Not because I left with a fully formed plan, but because I finally took a step.

And that’s what engagement looks like. Not a neatly drawn out five-year plan. Just one small action toward something that sparks curiosity.

It might look like:

• Saying yes to the random invite

• Reaching out to someone doing something that inspires you

• Signing up for the class

• Writing the email

• Shadowing, volunteering, testing, creating, talking… doing!

These moments generate new information about what energizes you, what drains you, what comes naturally, and what’s simply not it. Data you can’t access when stuck in your head.

Clarity rarely shows up all at once. Instead, it arrives quietly, in the feedback loop that forms when you start trying things, noticing what resonates, and adjusting along the way.

✍️ Next step:

• Write down 1-2 things you’ve been meaning to do, big or small. That step you’ve been putting off.

• Then, ask a friend to hold you accountable to actually doing it.

(1) All credit to Marie Forleo for this mantra. She quotes this in her book Everything is Figureoutable.

Written by Jess, Edited by Jenna

In June, my social media feed was all about finding the best croissant in Paris. 🥐 Video after video with more choices than one could possibly eat in a 4-day visit. Recently, it’s all about the must-haves for college freshmen. Who knew there were so many different mattress topper choices?! 😴

Clearly, these are the things I have been paying attention to recently. We all pay attention to different things at different phases of life. What interests me, may not interest you.

I used to tell students to think about flipping a magazine (yes, a real, hard copy magazine! Imagine that?!). What articles do you stop and read, and which ones do you quickly skip over? For me, I will always read about up-and-coming brands, retail, sports, parenting, education, and anything creative. But if it is an article about insurance or aerospace, not so much.

Oftentimes, we are moving so quickly through life that we don’t take time to stop and think about what we are paying attention to… and why. These are clues and data points offering valuable information about your most authentic interests and curiosities.

What classes in school really excited you? What specific topics energized you? Which ones were super draining? What work assignment was interesting to tackle? Which did you slog through? If you could read or write about any topic of interest, what would it be?

📝 Next step:

• Write down 2-3 things you are currently paying attention to. What’s on your social media feed?

• What magazine articles would you read? Which would you skip?

A glimmer can come at any time. A small, silent nudge. A sign from the universe. It can come in different ways. At different stages of life. Hard to ignore.

Jess’ Glimmer Moment

Written by Jess, Edited by Jenna

I had never heard of Modern Elder Academy (MEA). Until it kept showing up - over and over. A glimmer for sure.

A year ago, I watched Chip Conley (Founder of MEA) speak on a webinar for Challenge Success. An organization near and dear to my heart. Then a colleague mentioned being one of the youngest to attend an MEA workshop. And then someone else I had just met mentioned MEA in a random informational call. All within a month or so of each other. I started to pay attention and tune in. I took a few small steps to learn more. Signed up for the MEA newsletter. Attended a virtual MEA session. And then MEA was hitting the road and coming to… LA. It was a sign!

Jenna and I attended the MEA Wise and Wild session in LA. They gave a name to this “universe speaking to you” phenomenon. Glimmers. Moments that are telling you something. Sparks of inspiration. Tuning into your intuition. This was it. A glimmer about Glimmers!

Jenna’s Glimmer Moment

Written by Jenna, Edited by Jess

I was drawn to life and leadership coaching, but drowning in decisions.

In the early days of exploring my next career step, I was swimming in information - coaching schools, webinars, certifications. One particular program, iPEC, stood out, but I wasn’t quite ready to commit. The choices felt endless!

At the same time, I wanted to connect with people who I looked up to who had successfully made a career change. I thought of a dear friend who’d moved from sales in big tech to admissions at UCLA Anderson. When we met, she mentioned she was earning her professional coaching certificate - through iPEC! A glimmer. I knew it was the sign I needed to take the plunge.

Pursuing that program not only supported my growth as a coach, it eventually led me to UCLA Anderson (thanks to that same friend!). And Anderson is where I met the amazing Jess. During the interview process, we quickly bonded over being collegiate athletes. Another glimmer, and a friendship I knew I wanted in my life.

Fast forward to today. Our glimmer moments have led us here…

Welcome to our newsletter!

We are excited to introduce Glimmers! All influenced by our years of experience as life and career coaches. Fun pieces of inspiration. Mantras, sayings, images, and quotes that we often use in our coaching sessions. A quick read to make you smile, think, and maybe even inspire an aha moment. We can’t wait to bring some Glimmers to your life!