Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
How Rest, Nature, and Movement Helped Me Reset During a Tough Week
Darlene Hawley
A real-life story on navigating burnout, honoring invisible illness, and finding peace in unexpected places.
Some weeks feel heavier than others.
A few weeks ago I had one of those weeks while my kids were home for Spring Break.
I was in a funk, and couldn’t seem to shake my low energy no matter how many to-dos I checked off or how many deep breaths I took between Zoom calls.
I needed a reset.
So, I decided to take a day off and head to the beach with my kids for the day. A day of play, sunshine, sand, salty air and my toes in the sand felt like the perfect escape. But life had other plans.
As soon as we got on the road, lights started popping up on the dashboard. Error codes, warnings. (it turns out it's my transmission)
It was one of those moments where you just sigh a long deep breath and go, of course. The beach was out.
I had a choice: turn the car back around and go back home and call it a day, or find another way to shift the energy.
We ended up being right off the exit to Fallbrook and decided to go for a hike instead. The trail was quiet. The air was fresh. The sun peeked through the trees. My kids were laughing, exploring, and moving their bodies. And somewhere between the first mile and the last, something shifted.
My mood lifted. My body softened. My breath deepened.
It wasn’t the original plan, yet it was exactly what I needed.
Sometimes, self-care looks like a full beach day. Other times, it’s simply choosing to step away from the screen, move your body, and let nature do its thing.
We often wait until we’re completely burnt out to care for ourselves. What if we didn’t? What if we paid attention to the subtle signals... the funk, the fatigue, the brain fog, the feeling of being disconnected and gave ourselves what we needed before we crashed?
That day was a reminder.
Movement matters
Being present with the people I love helps ground me
Plans falling apart can make space for something even better
Caring for myself doesn’t need to be complicated
If you’re in a funk right now, know you’re not alone.
Maybe it’s your sign to take a walk around the block and look at all the blooming flowers, get some fresh air, or just give yourself a moment to breathe and reset.
You deserve it.
Here are a few simple reset ideas that have helped me over the past few weeks when I feel off:
Step outside for a 10-minute walk (leave the phone on the kitchen counter and just enjoy the fresh air)
Put on your favorite playlist and move your body (here is one i use when I need to get energized) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ca6rFiMjcURoms5O0xtED?si=I4pJK4Y_RaayONEE5Opdaw&pt=51ebf2fe076e364704b3f68046553d75&pi=u-
Call a friend who gets you... no fixing, just connection
Take a tech-free hour (or even 15 minutes)
Make a warm cup of chai and sip it slowly, without multitasking
Write down 3 things that are going well... even if they’re tiny
Let go of the plan and follow what feels good in the moment
Sometimes the smallest shift can create the biggest ripple.
The truth is, many of us are carrying things others can’t see... whether it’s the weight of an invisible illness, emotional burnout, feeling like you're alone, or simply the quiet exhaustion of being everything to everyone. And while the world often celebrates pushing through, I’ve learned that our true strength lies in knowing when to pause, reset, refresh and care for yourself.
So let me ask you this, What would shift if you gave yourself permission to rest... not because you’ve earned it, but simply because you need it?
You don’t have to wait for a breakdown to prioritize your well-being. You can choose to listen now.
Speaking of refreshing, does your signature offer need a refresh or do you need to create a new offer for this new time?
Last weeks Refresh Your Signature Offer roundtable was exactly the kind of conversation we need more of in business: honest, vulnerable, supportive, and strategic.
Women from all kinds of industries came together with one shared truth:
We are still wildly passionate about our work... but we’re also feeling the shifts in buyer behavior, sales cycles, and messaging that just isn’t landing like it used to.
The desire to make a real impact hasn’t changed. But the way we communicate our value? That needs a refresh.
If you missed the roundtable—or if you attended and left thinking “I know I need help doing this for myself”—I created something for you:
✨ The VIP Offer Refresh Intensive
A private 90-minute working session where we’ll:
✔ Refine or rewrite your signature offer so it resonates right now
✔ Position your message to get more “yeses” from aligned clients
✔ Align your pricing and delivery with today’s market without compromising your mission
💬 You’ll also receive a 30-minute follow-up call
to review your launch, troubleshoot sales convos, and tweak as needed.
💛 Your Investment is just $797
You do not need to build something new from scratch.
You don’t need to hustle harder.
You need to tell the truth of your work in a way your people can hear, trust, and buy into today.
If you’re ready, I’d be honored to support you.
✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.
In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.
Plus, you’ll get a
step-by-step workbook and
personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.
Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan, a seasoned keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, and change strategist, shares her incredible journey from a challenging career in pharma sales to becoming a transformational catalyst. She discusses overcoming fear-based thinking, navigating major business disruptions, and building trust in organizations. Whether you're a heart-centered entrepreneur or an executive leader, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on how to lead confidently, handle major transitions, and create a business that thrives. Curious to learn more? Visit darlenehawley.com/workwithme. 00:41 Meet Carolyn Bennett Sullivan 01:48 Carolyn's Journey and Overcoming Fear 04:15 Navigating Workplace Disruptions 07:21 Tools for Leaders and Employees 15:03 The Importance of Communication and Engagement 21:19 The Importance of Team Buy-In 22:49 Building Relationships in Sales 27:21 Future Plans and Goals 29:26 Rapid Fire Questions 35:09 Conclusion and Contact Information Carolyn is an inspiring keynote speaker, transformational catalyst, and change strategist. As a TEDx speaker, author, and consultant, she leverages her corporate sales and small business expertise to help organizations create strategies for navigating business disruptions through mindset mastery. Her deep understanding of psychology, neuroscience, and business uncovers barriers to change and guides individuals to overcome obstacles, build resilience and unlock their highest capabilities. You can engage with Carolyn at: https://linkedin.com/in/carolynbennettsullivan https:instagram.com/cbsullivan https://facebook.com/carolynbennettsullivan ------ Hi I’m Darlene Hawley and I help ambitious entrepreneurs and executive women find their voice, craft powerful messaging, and regulate their nervous system so they can speak up with confidence in high-stakes conversations, client meetings, and on stages ... without second-guessing themselves. Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/communicationguide Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline Grab a Chai and let's Connect: https://darlenehawley.com https://linkedin.com/in/darlenehawley
How do you lead, sell, and grow in a world where the old playbook no longer works? Learn how to evolve your message and strategy for lasting impact.
Explore how career pivots and technological advancements like AI can reshape business landscapes and personal journeys.
When you're talking but no one's listening. Have you ever introduced yourself at a networking event… only to feel like people’s eyes glazed over? One of my clients put it perfectly: “Darlene, I share who I am and what I do, but it feels like I’m invisible. People nod politely and then move on.” She had so much value to offer. In fact, she is amazing at what she did. Yet, her introduction was all over the place. Some days she was talking to potential clients, other days to possible collaborators, and sometimes even she wasn’t sure what her main point was. And that’s why it felt like no one was listening. Why This Happens It’s not because you’re not experienced enough. It’s not because you’re not interesting enough. It’s because without clarity about who your audience is in the room and what you really want to say, your voice gets lost in the shuffle of business cards and conversations. Networking rooms are full of people competing for attention. If your message doesn’t connect directly... if it doesn’t make them pause, lean in and say, “Tell me more” ... it disappears before they even leave the event. The Shift When this client and I worked together, the first thing we did was get crystal clear about: Who she most wanted to reach in the room. What those people actually cared about. How her work specifically helped them. Once she had that clarity, her introductions started sounding different... more direct, more alive, more her. And the result? People leaned in. Instead of walking away, they asked questions. They followed up after the event. They booked time with her. Because when you find your voice and know exactly who you’re talking to, you stop being forgettable. You become someone people can’t ignore. This is exactly what we’ll be diving into in Session 1 of my Attract & Stand Out Framework: Getting clear on who your audience is. Knowing what you want to say. Communicating how you help in a way that truly connects... whether you’re introducing yourself in a room or on stage. It’s not just about having the words, it’s about the confidence to say them out loud too... with presence, authority, and ease. If you’ve been walking out of networking events feeling overlooked, let this be a gentle nudge: ~ You don’t need to try harder. ~ You don’t need to stuff more into your intro. ~ You need clarity... on your audience, your message, and your voice. That’s where visibility begins. That’s how you go from overlooked to unforgettable. Think about the last time you introduced yourself at a networking event. Could the right person in the room... your dream client or collaborator... hear you and say: “That’s me. She gets it”? ________________________________________________________ 🌀 Nervous System Regulator: The 4-7-8 Reset Feeling that anxious butterfly sensation before you introduce yourself? Try this right before you speak: Inhale quietly through your nose for a count of 4. Hold your breath for a count of 7. Exhale slowly and fully through your mouth for a count of 8. Repeat this 3–4 times. It only takes a minute, but it tells your nervous system: You’re safe. You’ve got this. When your body is calm, your voice comes through with more presence and power... and people remember you. ✨ Ready to stop feeling overlooked at networking events? Download my free guide, 6 Steps to Attract & Stand Out, and discover how to clarify your message, show up with confidence, and connect with the people who matter most. Grab it here »
Discover how Laurie Itkin, CDFA and founder of The Options Lady, refined her messaging, raised her rates, and attracted high-value clients with clarity and confidence.
had the honor of attending the first-ever C-Sweet Annual Summit in Shelbyville, Tennessee—hosted at the breathtaking Uncle Nearest Distillery.
Explore the journey of leadership strategist and executive coach Ellin Sidell as she shares her unique insights on influence and leadership.
Even the most talented women can struggle to speak up in high-stakes moments. Vocal empowerment helps leaders move from self-doubt to bold communication.
Discover key leadership strategies to empower Gen Z in your organization through effective communication and mentorship.
