Welcome to another edition of Kickin' it with Kristen — your midweek motivation every Wednesday!

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💡Aha! Moment

Work-Life Balance Isn’t What You Think

When I left corporate, I thought work-life balance would finally be within reach. No more 5am flights, 11pm emails, or back-to-back meetings. Surely, solopreneurship would mean freedom and balance, right?

But here’s the shocker: balance in corporate and balance as a solopreneur are two completely different beasts.

I’ll never forget one Friday of Labor Day weekend. Family and friends were coming over for a party when my phone rang at 2:30pm. My boss needed me to pull the team together for a 7pm call, because his boss had a priority. That “priority” swallowed our entire holiday weekend with calls every few hours. The kicker? Nothing was done with the work for over two weeks. We ruined the weekend for nothing more than waiting.

Fast forward to solopreneurship. One Saturday, a client texted me asking for immediate answers. Old me would have jumped in, no questions asked. Instead, I drew a line: I’d work on it first thing Monday. Her response? Total understanding—she even apologized for how urgent the text sounded.

In corporate, balance meant someone else controlled my time. As a solopreneur, the balance line is mine to draw, but I have to redraw it every single day.

My Aha: Balance isn’t a finish line—it’s a daily negotiation.

Try this: Instead of asking, “Am I balanced?” ask, “What needs my energy most today—and what can wait?”

One Thing to Know

🏨 Event Essentials - Opening Keynotes That Don’t Flop

I’ve sat through my fair share of opening keynotes that fell flat. And here’s the truth: how you start your event sets the tone for everything that follows. If the keynote drags, the energy in the room sinks—and it’s really hard to climb back from there.

The best openings don’t just “fill time.” They’re intentional. They reflect the event’s mission, connect with the audience, and set the stage for what’s to come. Storytelling is powerful here—real, relatable stories spark curiosity and keep people engaged. And the right speaker? That’s everything. Someone who genuinely connects, inspires, and motivates will have your attendees leaning in instead of checking their phones.

Pro tip: Use your opening to create anticipation and momentum. When you do, you’re not just welcoming people—you’re inviting them into an experience they’ll want to stay fully part of.

🏰 a_far_off_place by Katy Lampe - Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is in full swing! Dive into this blog post to feast your eyes on the spooktacular treats this year's party has to offer!Tickets are still up for grabs—give a shout, and let's cook up some plans for this magical shindig!

🏫 Learned - Two weeks into using my brand-new Apple laptop, the unthinkable happened: the keyboard completely stopped working. A brand I’ve always loved and trusted—suddenly, I couldn’t even log in. It was frustrating, and honestly, a little shocking.

What I learned from the experience? Always buy Apple products directly from Apple. If I had, they would have replaced it on the spot. Instead, because I bought it elsewhere, I had to trek to the Apple store, wait for them to evaluate it, ship it off, and then wait again while the keyboard was replaced. Lesson learned—the extra convenience on the front end isn’t worth the hassle on the back end.

✔️ Accomplished - This week, I made a recommitment to healthier eating and getting back on the weight loss train. It feels good to put a stake in the ground and say, this matters to me.

To hold myself accountable, I’ve decided to share little progress updates right here in Kickin' it with Kristen. Don’t worry, it won’t be a lecture on calories or carbs—but I’ll find fun ways to report back each week. My hope is that it not only keeps me consistent, but maybe inspires you to recommit to something that matters to you, too.

🤔 Insight for the Week

❓A Question Worth Asking

Every week, I’ll leave you with one question—something I’m asking myself or my clients. Take it into your next team meeting, journaling session, or just a quiet moment.

Recommitting to anything—whether it’s healthier eating, finishing a project, or showing up differently in a relationship—often comes down to a simple tension: what I want now vs. what I want most. The quick fix or comfort can be tempting in the moment, but the bigger goal usually tells a different story.

🟡 This week’s question: When faced with “what I want now” vs. “what I want most,” which one usually wins—and what shift would help tip the balance?

💬 Let’s Connect! Whether you’re planning an event, looking for leadership coaching, or dreaming up your next adventure, let’s chat. Hit reply, or find Kristen on LinkedIn and Katy on Facebook/Instagram.

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