Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
What would you do if you had one year left?
Darlene Hawley
A Reflection on Time, Legacy, and Living Fully
What Would You Do If You Had One Year Left?
On the 4th of July, while many were celebrating, I was quietly sitting with a flood of memories. This year marked 24 years since my mom passed... she was just 49. I’ll turn 48 later this month.
That number is hitting differently this year.
I can’t stop thinking...
If my mom had known she only had one more year… what would she have done differently?
Would she have slowed down?
Traveled more?
Said something she’d been holding in?
Taken a chance she was scared to take?
And of course… I turned that question on myself.
I love the work I do. Helping women find and use their voice, speak up when it matters most, and step into leadership with authenticity and courage... it lights me up.
But even still… there are things I put off.
Places I keep saying I’ll visit “someday.”
Ideas I scribble into my journal.
Moments I rush through instead of soaking in.
Words I don’t say because they feel too vulnerable.
And if I’m being honest, sometimes I get caught in the same loop I help my clients untangle... second-guessing myself, overthinking and making up stories in my head, shrinking instead of taking up space.
So here’s what I’m sitting with.
What if “someday” isn’t a guarantee?
What would change if we treated the next 12 months like they really mattered?
Because they do.
Your story matters.
Your voice matters.
And how you choose to spend your time, energy, and brilliance… it all adds up to a life well lived.
It’s about alignment.
It’s about presence.
It’s about saying the thing, starting the project, booking the trip, showing up... even when your voice shakes.
That’s the kind of life I want. And that’s the kind of life I want to help my clients create.
Whether it’s through coaching, speaking, or leadership development, my work is always about one thing... empowering you to stop waiting for permission and start living on purpose.
If you knew you had one year left, what would you stop postponing?
What would you say, do, create, or finally give yourself permission to feel?
Send me a message and tell me... I really want to hear. And if now feels like the time to speak up, shift something, or stop holding back, let’s talk. I’d love to walk beside you.
------------------
💬 MadLips for Leadership: Living on Purpose Edition
"If I only had one year left, I would stop _________, start _________, and finally give myself permission to _________—because deep down, I know _________."
✨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.
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.
Confidence isn’t automatic at the executive level. Here’s how to reclaim it.
Want your company to cover the cost of executive coaching? Learn how to make the business case, advocate for your growth, and use a sample email script.
