Maria Connolly, LPC
Learn how to focus on the soft skills, the people skills like good communication, effective leadership, positive motivation, and managing your emotions.
Does it seem like your life goals are a moving target you never seem to hit? There’s always a lot of talk about setting life goals and achieving life goals. But the more important conversation centers around this question – are you setting the right goals?
Rather than settling for what’s comfortable and easily within your range, it’s also important to ask, How do I know that I’m aiming high enough, without making it unrealistically impossible to achieve?
One of the most profound transitions many women face is when children leave home for college or their own adventures. The house feels quieter. The routines you once lived by suddenly shift. Often, this stage of life is called the “empty nest syndrome” and moms are the “empty nesters”. But what if we reframed it? What if instead of emptiness, you began to see spaciousness, giving you room to grow, dream, and thrive and giving the kids room to do the same?
Fall has a way of pulling us into its whirlwind. The long, lingering days of summer give way to calendars packed with deadlines, school schedules, family events, and the unspoken pressure to keep up as life speeds up around us. Sometimes it feels like we have to force ourselves to relax and unwind, which causes more stress, rather than relieving it.
Slowing down feels like a luxury you can’t afford. Rest becomes the reward for checking everything off your list or something you earn after the work is done.
But here’s a new way of looking at it: rest isn’t the reward for finishing everything; it’s the foundation that makes everything in your life sustainable. It’s what fuels your energy, creativity, and clarity. Without it, you’re running on fumes.
What is life about for you? To go for the gusto and experience a new thrill every day? To live a quiet life? To live a good life? To live a happy life? To live a life of meaning and purpose? Each phrase brings a different picture to your mind, doesn’t it? What does it mean to YOU to really live?
Life is about how you choose to spend the time you have – only you can define and design the life you want. What makes you happy or gives your life meaning may be vastly different from anyone else’s. The key is to determine YOUR Perfect Life and then live it without apology.
September is a time of transition. Here in Oregon, we’re shifting into autumn weather and it’s back-to-school time. It reminds us of the thrill of fresh starts, new beginnings and renewed focus. This time of year fills me with anticipation and excitement. It’s my season for reviewing and preparing for next year, because strategic living involves knowing where I’m going, how I’m going to get there, and recognizing that I’m on the right path.
For high-achieving women, this season offers an invitation. The rhythm of the year naturally turns toward structure after the ease of summer. You have an opening to create intentional transitions in your life. Whether that means redefining how you approach work, deepening a relationship, or recommitting to a personal practice, the key to strategic living is not adding more but choosing with clarity.