Playing Big

I truly feel that Jenelle, a new friend of mine, and I were meant to cross paths.

After briefly meeting at a few events, I knew I wanted to get to know her better. When we finally made time for coffee, we couldn't stop talking.

As we shared our stories, we discovered so many similarities—from the town we grew up in to the winding career paths we've taken. We quickly realized we probably should have found each other much sooner. But I'm a firm believer that people come into our lives exactly when they're supposed to.

During a conversation that lasted for hours and included plenty of laughter, a few tears, and discussions about family, professional growth, passions, and purpose, Jenelle told me I had to read “Playing Big” by Tara Mohr.

I'm so glad I listened.

One lesson that hit home was the idea that women who play big often face criticism. As I've become more visible, more involved in my community, and more confident in my work, I've felt some of that pushback. But I've also never been more proud of what I've accomplished or more excited about where I'm headed.

The book is full of reminders that many growing professionals—especially women—need to hear: trust yourself, take the leap before you feel ready, listen to your inner mentor, and don't let fear of criticism keep you small.

A huge thank you to Jenelle for the recommendation and for a conversation that arrived at exactly the right time.

As we head into the second half of 2026, I'm choosing to play bigger.

What's a book that changed your perspective at just the right moment?