The other day, I was looking at the word success.

And out of nowhere, a childhood memory surfaced.

My parents were visiting my grandparents in Florida when a big storm hit here in Buffalo.

Water was getting into people’s homes, and my dad’s construction business phone started filling up with messages.

I remember sitting by the answering machine and counting them.

Nine messages.

Nine people needing help.

My parents called to check in from Florida and asked how many messages were on the answering machine.

I said 9.

He ended his vacation early and booked a return flight home that night.

At the time, I didn’t understand why.

But my younger self absorbed something powerful in that moment.

Without realizing it, I formed a belief:

⚡️ Success means you have to leave your family.

⚡️ Success means you can’t rest.
⚡️ Success means work always comes first.
⚡️ Success means vacations get interrupted.

So when I looked at the word success the other day, something inside of me resisted it.

Because if success meant losing time with my family…

Why would I want to be successful? I wouldn't trade time with my family for anything.

What I see now — nearly 35 years later — is that the real reason my dad came home wasn’t success.

It was financial pressure.

But a child doesn’t see the nuance.

A child just sees the moment.

And that moment becomes a belief.

This is how so many of our patterns, beliefs, and the rules we live by are formed.

Not because we consciously chose them.

But because something happened that our younger self tried to make sense of.

Which is why telling someone to “just go for it” often doesn’t work.

Because sometimes there’s a story underneath the surface that needs to be understood first.

And when that story comes into the light, everything can begin to shift.

If this story sparked something for you, I created a short guide that will help you uncover your own Locked-In Moment.

✨ You can download it here​

You might be surprised how one small moment from the past can shape what feels possible today.

Sending you so much love and support Reader,

🌟🌟Jess's Testimonial🌟🌟

"I’ve learned how to identify what aligns with my values, when to say “yes” with intention, and how to say “no” with confidence and WITHOUT guilt."

"Laurie is an amazing person and an incredible coach.

Starting her life coaching program was truly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It has transformed my life in ways I never thought possible.

Before working with Laurie, I struggled with saying “no,” constantly overcommitting, and ignoring my own needs. I often said “yes” out of guilt or fear of disappointing others.

One of the biggest shifts for me has been finding my voice, not just speaking up, but truly recognizing that my voice matters. Laurie helped me see that I have the right to express myself, to take up space, and to make choices that honor who I am. I used to feel like I had to please everyone. Now, I show up for myself with confidence and clarity.

Through thoughtful guidance, practical exercises, and compassionate accountability, Laurie helped me understand the value of my own time and energy. I’ve learned how to identify what aligns with my values, when to say “yes” with intention, and how to say “no” with confidence and without guilt.

One of the biggest breakthroughs for me was learning to set and hold boundaries both in my personal life and at work. Laurie didn’t just tell me what to do; she helped me discover how to do it in a way that felt natural and empowering.

I now feel more in control of my decisions and more aligned with who I want to be. If you’ve been people-pleasing, struggling to be heard, feeling unseen, or unsure how to stand in your truth, Laurie will help you find your way back to your voice and to yourself.

If you're dealing with burnout or just feeling stuck, I can’t recommend Laurie enough."

-Jess

Not sure how you got here?

You're a current or past client, or you signed up for one of these. Money Energy Audit, Money Making Mantras, 5 Steps To Declutter Your Brain, Manifesting 101 With Laurie 5-Day Challenge, My Money Tracker, 3 Shifts To Unblock Your Abundance, How To Say No With Love SO You Can Lovingly Enforce Your Boundaries, The YES/NO Challenge, a Vision Board Workshop, or a free workshop I hosted!

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