Think Better. Do Better. But First – Feel Better.

If only you could feel better... but where would you even begin? What if there was a recipe you could follow to start feeling like yourself again? Based on what I’ve observed, most people treat feeling good as an elusive luxury they can’t afford. But here’s the truth: Feeling good is the secret sauce—the foundation for enjoying life fully, showing up powerfully, and making clear decisions. It hasn’t always felt this hard. So how did we get here?

How Did We Get Here?

Let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture. For the last 80 years, the world has experienced The Long Peace—a relative global stability following World War II. In the United States, this has created a sense of insulation and security for two and a half generations.

Even when the U.S. has been involved in global conflict, it has remained physically distant—buffered by oceans and geography. Most Americans have experienced world events like Netflix mini-series: observed from a distance, without direct impact... until recently.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic—a global event with profound health and economic consequences that reminded us just how connected (and vulnerable) we are. Layered on top of this are the increasingly visible effects of climate change, from wildfires to hurricanes to floods.

The world is unpredictable. And now more than ever, we need a grounded way to feel better, think better, and do better.

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The Recipe:

Feel Better

Two core human needs help us feel great: security and freedom.

Security means feeling safe and supported. Freedom means having the ability to choose based on your own values and preferences. When these two are in place, you can begin to thrive.

Here are the three key components of feeling better:

1. Know Yourself

Humans are complex and beautiful. But in order to love or protect anything, we have to understand it first.

“We only protect what we love, we only love what we understand, and we only understand what we are taught.”  — Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Understanding yourself begins with awareness—paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and habits. Practices like meditation, journaling, and being in relationship with those who truly “see” you are powerful ways to deepen this awareness.

Mindfulness teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn defines it as:

“The awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”

2. Honor Yourself

Once you begin to know yourself, the next step is treating yourself with respect and care. This includes:

• Setting clear boundaries that protect your energy and time

• Regulating your nervous system when you’re upset or stressed

• Nurturing yourself with activities that bring calm, joy, or comfort

How you treat yourself sends a strong message to your mind and body about your worth.

3. Keep Growing

As you grow, your needs evolve. What used to make you feel good might no longer serve you. Part of thriving is giving yourself permission to upgrade your tools, habits, and mindset as you change.

The magic happens when you can seek more while loving where you are right now.

Think Better

When you feel better, you unlock higher-level thinking.

You access the creative, analytical, and intuitive parts of your brain. From this space, you can solve problems more effectively, see possibilities more clearly, and take action more intentionally.

Here’s a three-step process to help align your thinking:

1. Start with YOU

Get clear on your core values, personality traits, and dreams. Use tools like the JMM I AM Exercise to reconnect with your inner compass—who you are, what you love, and your natural talents.

2. Clarify Your Top Priorities

What matters most to you right now? Identify your top three priorities. These are your North Star.

3. Design Your Day Around What Matters

Choose three small daily activities that support those priorities and make them non-negotiable. This creates an alignment between who you are and what you do.

From here, decision-making becomes easier because you look at life through a lens that honors your true self.

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Do Better

Now comes the part where many people want to start—but it’s actually the final step.

Too often, we leap into action without laying the foundation of feeling better and thinking clearly. That’s when we end up working hard, burning out, or spinning our wheels.

But when your body feels good and your mind is clear, your actions are aligned and more impactful.

So, before you take action, ask yourself:

• How do I feel?

• How clearly do I see what I want and the outcome I desire?

• Is this action aligned with my best self and my deepest priorities?

When the answer is yes—you’re ready. You’re not just doing more. You’re doing better.

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Final Thoughts

We live in a dynamic and sometimes chaotic world. If we want to live our dreams and reach our potential, we must start with the inner work. Feeling good is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.

We now understand how deeply our emotional state influences our cognitive abilities, decision-making, and capacity to act with power and purpose.

Begin where you are. Take small, meaningful steps. Learn to care for yourself in a way you’ve never done before. It’s the most powerful thing you can do—not just for yourself but for those around you.

When you commit to feeling better, you’ll think better. And when you think better, you’ll do better—and live the life you’ve always dreamed of.