It explained how, over the summer, kids can lose a bit of the progress they made during the school year. Especially in subjects like math and reading. Not in a dramatic way, but enough that it takes time to rebuild once school starts again.

I found myself thinking about it more than I expected.

So I ordered a few workbooks for my daughter.

Nothing intense or rigid. Just fun, engaging exercises she can do here and there. She actually loves that kind of thing, and it felt like a nice middle ground. She gets a real break, but she also stays connected to what she’s been learning.

And somewhere in the middle of all that, I had the thought:

I see a version of this all the time with adults.

Not just in the summer, but especially then.

We step out of our routines a bit. We spend more time outside. We travel. We say yes to things we don’t usually have time for.

All good things.

But without realizing it, we can drift a little too far from the things that were giving us clarity or momentum.

I hear it in conversations with clients all the time:

“I feel a little scattered.”
“I’m not sure what I’m focusing on right now.”
“It feels harder to get started again than I expected.”

It’s not about discipline.

It’s about staying connected.

And that connection doesn’t have to be heavy.

It can be surprisingly light.

A single conversation where you step back and look at your life from a slightly different angle.
A space where you can say things out loud and hear what’s actually true for you.
A moment to reconnect to what you were building before things got busy or diffuse.

That’s often enough to shift something.

To help you keep your rhythm, even in a season that naturally pulls you out of it.

If you’ve been feeling that subtle drift, or you just want a place to think things through, I’m opening up a handful of complimentary coaching conversations.

No pressure, no expectation to continue.

Just a thoughtful hour for you.

You can grab a time here: https://calendly.com/jenny_bv/coaching-exploration-call

Warmly,
Jenny

Play. Reveal. Slow down.

I’m part of a small group of coaches right now and we’ve been exploring these themes together. It’s been one of those experiences that is subtle but also quietly transformative, both for me and in how I’m showing up with clients.

I’m still in it. Figuring it out as I go. But I wanted to share a bit of what’s been coming up.

Reveal

This one has been more nuanced than I expected.

I’ve always felt like I wear my heart on my sleeve, that people can sense my intentions and how much thought I put into my work.

But the reality is, people only know what you choose to show them.

I’m learning to be more discerning. To reveal things intentionally in a way that actually serves the person I’m talking to. Not over-sharing. Not holding back.
Just choosing what is most useful in the moment.

Play

There is so much emphasis on efficiency in work. Frameworks, templates, repeatability.

And those things have their place.

But I’m noticing, especially in coaching, how limiting that can be when we are working with humans who are complex and different every single time.

I’ve been experimenting more. Letting myself follow intuition. Trying things and adjusting in real time.

Making it less about getting it right and more about being present and responsive.

Slow down

This might be the most challenging, and the most important.

Everything in our world is designed to move quickly.
But the moments that actually create change almost always require slowing down.

Pausing long enough to notice what is underneath.
Giving yourself space to think.
Letting something unfold instead of rushing to solve it.

I’ve been practicing this with clients and with myself. And every time I do, something shifts.

If any of this resonates, if you are craving a bit more space, clarity, or a different way of approaching something in your life or work, I’m offering a handful of complimentary coaching sessions. (link to book)

For you, or for someone you care about.

No pressure. Just a chance to slow down, play with ideas, and maybe reveal something new.

Warmly,
Jenny

My daughter recently started an all-girls kickball league.

The first practice was…uncomfortable.

She didn’t want to go onto the field. She felt embarrassed. She was worried people would laugh at her.

So I stood out there with her.

While the other parents were gathered along the sidelines, I was standing on the grass next to my six-year-old, trying to look casual while very much feeling like the only parent on the field.

And if I’m being honest, it was harder for me than it was for her.

I was very aware of the other parents standing along the sidelines. I found myself wondering what they were thinking.

Was I coddling her? Was I not pushing her enough? Was I preparing her for the real world?

It’s amazing how quickly your brain can spiral in moments like that.

She was actually fine, a little hesitant, but participating here and there. Meanwhile, I was the one sitting in the real discomfort.

Before the second practice this week, I told her, “We’ll just take it slow again like last time.”

But inside, I was honestly dreading it and already picturing the same scenario unfolding.

The whole situation made me realize something I witness all the time in coaching.

When someone we care about is struggling, whether it’s a child or a client, the instinct to fix shows up fast.

We want to give the advice, offer the reassurance, and solve the moment.

Sometimes that urge is about helping them. But sometimes it’s about relieving our own discomfort. And, quite often for me, about proving I'm capable.

One of the core principles of coaching is that people need space to have their own experience.

Not because we don’t care. But because growth usually comes from wrestling with something yourself, not from someone handing you the answer.

Parenting, I’m realizing, asks for the same discipline: staying close and offering support, while allowing the experience to unfold without trying to manage every moment.

What surprised me most is that when I stepped back a little, my daughter found her way just fine. And I can't rush the timeline.

And the bigger realization for me was this:

Sometimes the discomfort we’re trying to fix isn’t actually theirs. It’s ours. And sometimes what people really need, whether they’re six or fifty, isn’t advice or solutions.

It’s space. Space to think, to feel what they’re feeling, to arrive at their own next step.

That’s also the spirit behind something small I’m offering right now.

Through the end of March, I’m opening a handful of complimentary Clarity Conversations, simply a thoughtful space for someone to talk through something in work or life.

No pressure, no expectation, and no assumption that it leads to coaching. Just a real conversation.

If that would be helpful for you, you can book a time here:
https://calendly.com/jenny_bv/coaching-exploration-call

And if someone comes to mind who might appreciate that kind of space right now, feel free to forward this along.

Warmly,
Jenny

“I’m curious about coaching… I’m just not exactly sure what that means.”

Fair.

“Coaching” can sound abstract.
Or fluffy.
Or like advice in disguise.

So let me break it down. Here’s what it actually looks like when we work together.

Inside consistent coaching conversations, we’re doing things like:

• Clarifying what kind of leader you want to be
• Identifying where burnout is really coming from (it’s usually not just workload)
• Strengthening how you regulate under pressure and stress
• Untangling the over-functioning, micromanaging, or people-pleasing that’s quietly exhausting you
• Making decisions from intention instead of urgency

This is not surface-level productivity work. It’s operational, psychological, and strategic.

Sometimes this translates into revenue growth, or unlocks a promotion.
It could look like finally delegating in a way that actually works, or simply feeling steady in rooms that used to spike your nervous system.

The external outcomes vary, but it always comes down to an internal shift.

A feeling of clarity, self-trust. Being less reactive and more deliberate.

It’s not about adding more to your plate. It’s about changing how you operate so the same plate feels different.

If you’ve ever wondered whether coaching is “worth it,” a better question might be:

What would shift if you felt more aligned, more regulated, and more decisive in your work (or life)?

If you’re in a season where something feels tight, heavy, or unclear, I offer dedicated consultation calls where we map out what’s going on and what’s possible.

No pressure. No sales script. Just a real conversation.

You can book that here: https://calendly.com/jenny_bv/coaching-exploration-call

Warmly,
Jenny

As we went through the list of responsibilities, we hit one deliverable that made them pause.

“Honestly, this one’s not very exciting,” they said. “But you know what? Since nobody else really wants to do this work, maybe that’s exactly why I should own it. I could become the go-to person for this on our team.”

That comment immediately brought me back to something that happened at Airbnb.

At the time, trust and safety was a huge conversation for our corporate travel clients.

Questions would come up constantly:
“How do we know our employees will be safe?”
“What happens if something goes wrong?”

We had a dedicated Trust and Safety team who could join calls, but they had their own responsibilities, and our team was getting very busy.

So I started learning from them. I’d listen and absorb as they joined calls, ask a million questions, and take in everything I could about how the platform worked to keep travelers safe.

Pretty soon, colleagues were tagging me as the person to answer trust and safety questions on our sales team.

It wasn’t glamorous work, definitely not what most salespeople were excited about.

But here’s the thing: I didn’t know exactly where it was leading, but I could sense something happening.
So I just ran with it.

That decision to lean into the “unsexy” work changed everything.

I started getting invited to speak on panels about corporate travel safety.
I was pulled into strategy meetings I never would have been in otherwise.
When big clients had concerns, I became the person they wanted on the call.

That expertise I’d built in an area nobody else was rushing toward became my differentiator.

Looking back now, I realize what my client said yesterday captures something so important:
the work that nobody wants to do is often the work that can make you indispensable.

We’re all looking for ways to stand out, to add unique value, to get noticed for the right reasons.
But we tend to chase the shiny, popular projects: the ones everyone else wants too.

Meanwhile, there’s this whole category of work sitting right there, waiting for someone to claim it.

The trick is recognizing it when you see it, and then trusting that gut feeling that says,

“I don’t know where this is going, but something’s happening here.”

What “unsexy” opportunity is sitting right in front of you?

Sometimes we can see it clearly, and sometimes we need someone else to help us spot the gold we’re missing.

If you’re curious about uncovering your own hidden differentiators (the work that could set you apart) let’s talk.
I’m offering complimentary coaching conversations to help you identify these opportunities in your career or business.

👉 [Schedule here]

I spent 20+ years in the corporate world, experiencing nearly every level of sales, from frontline selling to building strategy, leading, and managing through hypergrowth. I worked across Fortune 500 companies and unicorn startups like Airbnb.

A few years ago, I made the leap to start my own business, combining that experience with my coaching certifications to help others in two ways:

1. 1:1 leadership coaching
2. Sales training for individuals, founders, and corporate teams

But enough about me, let’s talk about something I bet you’ve experienced.

The Emotional Waves of Work

You know that feeling when everything is clicking: projects moving forward, confidence high, that sense of “I’ve got this”?

And then, seemingly overnight, everything shifts. Nothing feels right. Confidence wavers. That voice creeps in: “Maybe I don’t actually know what I’m doing.”

A coaching client of mine went through this recently, two weeks apart, same person, completely different emotional state. And honestly, it reminded me of my own early days at Airbnb.

When I Hit My Own Wall

Picture this: a company in hypergrowth, priorities shifting weekly, constant pivots. I was surrounded by brilliant people, and imposter syndrome was creeping in.

I was exhausting myself trying to control outcomes I couldn’t influence, whether my projects got prioritized, if my ideas gained traction, or how leadership responded to my work.

The turning point wasn’t dramatic. It was a gradual realization that this approach was unsustainable.

I had to learn what psychologists call emotional homeostasis, staying grounded through both the peaks and valleys.

The Three Practices That Helped Me

Instead of trying to flatten my emotional curve (impossible!), I focused on strengthening my internal steadiness so the swings couldn’t knock me off center.

Here’s what helped:

1. Observe Without Judgment

When chaos hit, I used a three-step check-in:

Notice: What’s actually happening right now?
Name: What story am I telling myself about it?
Neutralize: What’s another possible story?

When a project got deprioritized, instead of spiraling into “They don’t value my work,” I’d ask: “What if this is just about timing or resources, not my worth?”

2. Micro-Routines for Grounding

Small daily rituals, especially during uncertainty:

Morning reflection: “What matters most to me today?”

End-of-day jot: “One thing I showed up for, regardless of the result.”

Sensory anchor: The feel of my coffee mug, three slow breaths, adjusting my posture.

Just small reminders that I still had agency, even when things felt chaotic.

3. Cultivate Internal Validation

Instead of waiting for feedback or approval (others were busy!), I learned to coach myself:

“What feedback would I give myself if I were my own coach?”

“What evidence do I already have that I’m capable?”

“How did I show up today, independent of outcomes?”

The Truth About Waves

Here’s what I wish someone had told me earlier: the waves are inevitable.
High weeks and hard weeks are both temporary and completely normal.

But when you build that steady center, when you know how to notice your stories, ground yourself daily, and validate your own efforts, you can ride the waves instead of being knocked by them.

You don’t need to fix the dip.
You just need to trust that you’ll rise again and have a system for when that trust feels shaky.

What’s One Small Way You Can Strengthen Your Center This Week?

If you’d like to explore how this applies to your situation:
→ Book a complimentary 1-hour coaching session

If you’re curious about team sales training:
→ Let’s chat for 30 minutes about your needs

Warmly,
Jenny

Not outgoing enough.
Not the right personality for sales.

I hear this all the time, and it couldn’t be further from the truth.

Fast forward to our final session this week.
That same person, and the whole group, were asking nuanced questions about internal selling strategies for complex deals.
They were role-playing with confidence.
They’d found their voice.

Here’s what shifted everything:

Great sales isn’t about having the perfect thing to say.
It’s about listening deeply and focusing on how you can help someone solve a problem.

When that clicked, the power shifted.
No more scripts.
No more trying to be someone they weren’t.
Just authentic, confident connection.

The biggest transformation I see in every program isn’t just better sales skills, it’s self-trust.
It’s people realizing they already have what it takes.

Sometimes the best sales training isn’t about learning to sell.
It’s about learning to help.

💬 Your Turn

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m just not a natural salesperson,” I’d encourage you to reframe that.
You don’t need to change your personality - you just need a framework that helps you listen, connect, and lead with value.

That’s the foundation of how I teach and coach.

If you’d like to explore that for yourself (or for your team), I offer a complimentary 1-hour 1:1 coaching call — no strings attached, just a genuine conversation to help you find clarity and confidence in your approach.

👉 Book your complimentary session here.

These days, my work splits between two things that feel very connected:

• Leadership & personal development coaching: I get to work with people in transition, whether it’s stepping into a new leadership role, managing growth phases, or navigating big life changes. What I’ve seen again and again is that clarity, confidence, and influence skills make the difference in not just surviving those transitions but thriving long-term.
• Sales training programs (for groups of 4+): I also run trainings that make selling feel authentic and effective. Let’s be honest, we’ve all seen how much stronger relationships are than transactions. My most requested sessions are on negotiation and influence, because people want to sell (and lead) in a way that feels true to who they are.

To close out the year, I’m opening up a couple of ways to connect:
🎯 Complimentary 1-hour coaching sessions (great if you’re in transition or leveling up your leadership game). Book here: https://calendly.com/jenny_bv/complimentary-coaching-hour
🎯 Free 45-min sales training demos (we can dive into negotiation or influence, and you’ll get a feel for the full program). Just email me at jenny@jennybv.com.

I’m grateful for the chance to keep building alongside this community. If you or someone in your network could benefit, I’d love to reconnect and support what you’re/they’re working on.

The back-to-school energy is real in business too. Teams are refocusing, goals are getting clearer, and there’s a renewed sense of “let’s make the rest of this year count.”

For many companies, this is also the time when training budgets need to be used before year-end. And for individuals, it’s when personal development funds or professional stipends are sitting there, waiting to be put to good use. If either of those apply to you, or if you’re already planning ahead for 2025, it could be the perfect moment to invest in growth.

Here’s how I typically work with clients:

🎯 Leadership Coaching
For professionals ready to move up a level. We work on building confidence to work cross-functionally, influence key projects, and step into bigger roles with clarity and ease.

📈 Customized Sales Training
For founders who’ve been doing founder-led sales and want to feel more confident presenting pricing and handling negotiations without second-guessing themselves.

🤝 Sales Process Coaching
For individual contributors who want to lead more effective discovery calls, sell on value instead of features, and consistently increase their close rates.

🏢 Group Sales Training
For teams and new hires who need to align on process and build core skills together, so everyone is moving in the same direction.

The common thread? Everything I do is customized. No cookie-cutter approaches, no one-size-fits-all templates. Just tailored coaching and training designed around your real challenges and goals.

If this resonates with you, or someone on your team, hit reply and let’s start a conversation. And if you know someone who might benefit, feel free to forward this their way.

Let’s make Q4 count. 💪

Warmly,
Jenny