Have you missed me?

i'm guessing no - and that's okay.

But the fact is, as someone who's typically been pretty active on this platform I've taken a long break and I thought it might be worth explaining why.

Life has thrown me a few curveballs lately. Over the past year and a half I've been confronted with challenges across pretty much every category of my existence. Message from the universe, you say? (well, some of you say...) I believe so. But it took me a while to hear it.

Many of you know my story, but for those of you who don't let me give you a quick summary: Just a couple of years into building this business in a brand new field I was suddenly solely responsible for my family. Financially, emotionally, logistically - everything. And like any mama bear, I got fiercely determined and protective and did what I had to do to ensure that my two sons - and I - remained housed and fed.

Shouldering that responsibility occupied the better part of 20 years - years that, while exhausting, I'm incredibly proud of because the end result is two men who are good, kind, hard-working, financially savvy, beautifully partnered and making their ways in the world. Not to mention I built an incredibly successful coaching business along the way.

What I didn't realize was the cost of how I got it all done. "Fierce independence" used to be a badge I was proud to wear. I now understand it as the most costly way to do anything.

Once in a while, when I was in the thick of things, someone would ask me about my hobbies. "I'm a self-employed single parent - my hobby is sleep."

So, once everyone was officially "launched" and independent, I took a much needed break....hahaha, just kidding, of course I didn't. I just kept on working - partly because I truly love what I do, but also because I hadn't built any different ways of spending my time and attention. (Honestly, if I had a client that lacking in self-awareness we'd be having a pretty direct conversation...). But old habits die hard. Eventually, though, I ran right into a brick wall (metaphorically - although I did fall down some stairs and break bones).

I couldn't help but take notice - and as a result for the past few months I've let myself just be. I've been reading books and making art. I took a trip. I've slept. I relocated and settled into a small, low maintenance place. I've worked with a handful of clients who inspire me and with whom I feel my support contributes to them being able to positively impact the world. And I've been reflecting on who I am now that the parent part of my identity has shifted and I've got room to identify and pursue interests other than what's required of me by others.

What I haven't done are all the things required to keep a business top of mind.

As a team of coaches we have a great reputation and a steady stream of repeat and referral business. Still, keeping our client companies aware of us requires effort and activity the likes of which just haven't been available to me while I've been refuelling.

Now that I've put some "gas back into my tank" I'm ready to re-engage. That said, I'll be focusing on activity that supports deeper, stronger relationships with client companies who really believe that their people are more than "human capital."

I believe that if I'd had a "regular job" I would not have been able to do what I have needed to do personally to take care of my family. Consider the fact that I had schedule flexibility and independence and autonomy - no shareholders, no Board, no boss looking over my shoulder and no one checking my hours. Yet I still burned out. So it can't possibly be a surprise that people who do have those external accountabilities are burning out at record rates.

I feel passionately that most companies need to do a better job of recognizing and supporting the humans on their payroll. The scales are still out of balance and I believe what I do - and what my team does - can make a difference in the world of work. So that's where we'll be focusing - on companies and leaders who want to create change and who understand that unless the humans are thriving business isn't really successful.

Along the way I will no longer be defaulting to work - instead I'm creating an intentional schedule that supports me as a human being before me as a business owner.

I see this as a seminal "walk my talk" moment. And I'm certain that both the business and I will be better for it.

For examples of leaders who do things differently I highly recommend both Scott & Alison Stratten's latest book, "UnLeadership," and Mark C. Crowley's podcast, "Lead from the Heart."

If you'd like regular ideas and inspiration about how to succeed without burning out I invite you to follow Amanda Goetz and subscribe to her newsletter - she's figured out a lot and shares generously.