👋 Welcome, Life Architects!

💬 Introduction: A quick intro

🖌️Introducing the Life Architect Program: Discover the basics of learning how to design a life you’ll love

💝 What’s in Your Personal Values Vault? Let’s examine what matters most to you

📖 Monthly Challenge - Start a Gratitude Journal: Learn how to appreciate your current life all while creating a new one

💭 Outro: A few closing words

There’s a Wonderful Life…Waiting for You

I am so glad you’re here! Welcome to the first issue of The Life Architect’s Toolkit, your companion guide to designing the life you want and deserve. You can kick back and relax here. It’s safe to color outside of the lines when it comes to creating the life you desire (not the one you were told to live, or the one you thought you wanted). In the world of life design, it’s all about exploring the hidden possibilities of what your ideal life could look like — and there may be more than one. The key is to have a guided and trusted person to help you navigate the process. That’s where I come in!

What Inspired Me to Create the Life Architect Program?

After over 10 years of facilitating trainings and getting to know so many wonderful participants, I started noticing a common thread. It wasn’t just about learning new skills or gaining more knowledge—it went deeper than that for most. People had this burning desire to improve their whole life. Many wanted to make the most of the life they had, and some even dreamed of creating an entirely new one.

I remember having these simple yet powerful conversations where people would open up about what they’d love to do if they could start over, or they’d ask for guidance on which direction to take next.

And that’s when it hit me.

I needed to create something for people searching for more—a personalized coaching program to help them not only find but also design their ideal life. But I wanted to take it a step further. In many coaching programs, the focus is on providing tools and breaking negative thought patterns (which is important, no doubt), but there’s often something missing—sampling the designed life.

Imagine being able to test-drive your ideal life. What if you could get all the answers up front—talking to people who are already living the life you dream of? What if you could test it out yourself in a trial run before committing to your new lifestyle?

Now, you can.

The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

-Bertrand Russell

Introducing The Life Architect Program

The Life Architect Program is a unique 8-week experience designed to help you discover your ideal life. Through a mix of design-thinking principles and hands-on experiences, you will immerse yourself in a series of activities and exercises to get you on the right path.

This is accomplished in 3 simple steps:

1.  Self-Discovery & Assessment: We’ll do some personal exploration and assess who you are, your life stage, and what moves you.

2.  Planning & Prototyping: Together, we’ll design prototypes of your ideal life based on the discovery exercises, dialogue, and 1:1 coaching.

3.  Action & Reflection: Finally, you’ll have the chance to either engage through a phone call, shadowing, or an experiential test run to try out your ideal life. The good news is - you’ll get connected to someone doing what you’re interested in pursuing and confirm if this is really the right avenue for you.

Who is the program for?

There's no limit on who can join or benefit from this program! Life is always changing, and as we move through different stages, our needs evolve too. Here are just a few types of people who might find success with The Life Architect program:

Retirees: With more free time, now is the perfect opportunity to find new passions and redefine what fulfillment looks like in this exciting next chapter for you.

Professionals: You are ready to get clarity on your career trajectory and align work with your passions and personal values, entertaining a much-needed pivot.

Empty-Nester Parents: You’re eager to transition into the next phase of your life with a sense of direction, focusing on developing a side gig or hobby to keep you busy.

High School Students: You want to explore potential paths, whether it’s choosing a major, career, or entrepreneurial goals.

What this program IS NOT

This program is not a traditional coaching program. This is not a traditional career coaching program. It is not a traditional life coaching program. (I repeat, it is not a traditional life coaching program). It is a passion-finding program for people who need clarity - people who are eager to design a life with meaning.

You are provided tools, strategies, and customized resources to help you design the life that you not only want but is a great fit for you within the following areas: a job, career, hobby, or business. It’s about self-discovery, information gathering, and experiential learning, so you can make your next informed decision about how to pursue the right path for YOU.

Please keep in mind: You are not guaranteed a job. This is not a staffing or placement agency.

The Life Architect program is about clarity, connection, and commitment to helping you find your way toward happiness.

Note: At this time the full experiential 8-week program is 100% on-site for the Piedmont Triad area in North Carolina; however, online resources will be offered in the near future.

Stay tuned!

What’s in Your Personal Values Vault?

Everyone has a personal "values vault"—a sacred space within us that holds the values we cherish most deeply. These are the values we guard and protect at all costs - the core beliefs and principles that guide our decisions, shape our behaviors, and influence how we interact with the world.

Yet, stop and think for a moment: how often do we pursue activities or experiences that truly align with our values?

Why It’s Important to Review Your Values

Over time, as we grow and experience life’s changes, our values may evolve. That’s why it’s essential to periodically review them. Here's why:

1. Clarity and Focus: By regularly reflecting on your values, you gain clarity about what’s important to you right now, helping you focus your energy on what truly matters.

2. Better Decision Making: When you know your values, it becomes easier to make decisions that align with your long-term goals and desires, reducing indecision and regret.

3. Life Transitions: Major life changes (new job, moving, relationships, etc.) can shift your priorities. Reviewing your values ensures that your decisions are in harmony with your current stage of life (and what feels right for you).

4. Authenticity: Understanding your values helps you live in alignment with your true self, leading to greater fulfillment, satisfaction, and a sense of purpose.

The Takeaway 

Take at least 1 hour a week reviewing your values for a values audit. Are you living the way you feel empowered to? How often are your decisions influenced by your values? Are you living authentically? If not, it’s time to make some changes.

What’s in The Life Architect’s Toolkit?

What’s in the Life Architect’s Toolkit? Everything you need to live your best life — and then some. For starters, you can expect my newsletter to hit your inbox once a month with tips and insights on the following areas including:

• Goal Setting / Achievement

• Self-Discovery

• Designing Routines / Strategies

• Career Design

• Motivation

• Personal Development Tools

Aside from the above, I’ll be bringing you a selection of freebies: videos, templates, and suggested activities to help you design the life you’ve always wanted.

And that’s just the beginning.

Start a Gratitude Journal

Before you start the life you’ve always dreamed of, it’s important to appreciate the one you already have. 

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is the act of recognizing and appreciating the good things in your life. It’s about focusing on the positives—whether it’s small daily moments or bigger milestones—and acknowledging the impact they have on your well-being.

It’s a mindset shift from what we lack to what we already have. 

Why Practice Gratitude?

Practicing gratitude helps us cultivate a positive outlook, which can improve mental health, reduce stress, and even enhance our relationships. When we actively take time to appreciate what we have, we begin to notice more reasons to feel thankful, boosting our overall happiness and resilience.

Starting a Gratitude Journal

A gratitude journal is a simple way to start building a daily gratitude practice. Each day, take a few moments to write down three things you’re thankful for, whether they’re big or small. It can be as simple as appreciating the roof over your head, or your supportive family.

Over time, this habit can help you shift your mindset and focus on the positive aspects of your life, even when challenges arise.

Here’s a list of a few of my favorite items to get started gratitude journaling:

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely believe will add value and use myself.

1. Start with Gratitude: Daily Gratitude Journal 

2. Scrivener Black Lacquer Luxury Pen 

3. Yankee Candle Vanilla Cupcake Scented Classic 20oz

Simply starting with 5-10 minutes a day makes a big difference in your mindset and well-being.

Give it a try and see for yourself!

It’s All About You

This is your life. You hold the cards.

If you’re in a job you hate, it’s time to change that. If you’re ready to do something different, then do it! Shake things up! Step outside of your comfort zone and be willing to go after what you want. Life is too short to sit on the sidelines, twiddling your thumbs, and looking out the window wondering “what if?”

You deserve to live a life that excites and fulfills you, one that aligns with your values, passions, and dreams. The journey may be challenging, but the destination—your ideal life—is worth every step.

See you next time,

Janelle