Getting "Tactical"
Looking out at the ocean this morning, I watched two seagulls perfectly coordinating their dive for breakfast. One swooped low, startling a school of fish, while the other waited at exactly the right moment to catch them. Nature's most efficient partnership! It got me thinking about this word "tactical."
It's a word that often makes me cringe, especially in the context of relationships. Like somehow being intentional about our connections makes them less genuine, less real.
But here's what fascinated me in my conversation with Laura Kavanagh, the first woman to lead the FDNY in its 157-year history! She shared how firefighters, these incredible humans who run into burning buildings together, approach relationships with both heart AND strategy. In her 99% male department, she's observed how they build networks of deep trust while being completely straightforward about helping each other succeed.
Maybe being tactical isn't about what I can get from you or you can get from me. It's about what we can create together! It's about being specific and intentional about the encouragement, growth, and understanding we want to build in our lives. Instead of just collecting more of what we already have plenty of, we can multiply what we need more of when we're brave enough to name it.
I've been experimenting with this blend in my own life lately! When I think about the women who've most transformed my journey, many of those relationships started with an intentional reach-out, a strategic ask, a planned coffee. But those tactical beginnings? They've blossomed into some of my most authentic, soul-filling connections. (The mushy ones, not so much, BTW).
This is exactly why I'm so lit up about Uplifters Live this March! We're creating this extraordinary space at Brooklyn Brewery where 150 inspiring women can practice both the art and the strategy of authentic connection. We'll explore how to turn our individual courage into collective power, how to build networks that multiply our impact, and how to be intentional about creating change. I hope you can join us.
With so much love and excitement to do big, brave things together in 2025,
Aransas
➡️ Paid subscribers can find my complete 2025 Reflection Guide below – it's a thoughtful companion for processing your 2024 journey and dreaming into what's next.
➡️ Plus, I'm offering something special: Courage & Clarity Sessions for 2025! In these intimate 75-minute 1:1 sessions, we'll dive deep into your reflections, identify your core desires for the year ahead, and craft a practical roadmap to get you there. I have just 8 spots available at $275 (regular price $400). These tend to fill quickly, so if you're feeling called to start your year with purpose and momentum, reply to this email to claim your spot.
Here's to honoring where we've been and boldly stepping into where we're headed!
Aransas
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✨ As always, all of my writing is free and you can listen to every episode of the podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Substack, or wherever you get your podcasts. For those of you who are more visual or want to take a deeper dive with our guests and who want to support this work with a paid subscription, you’ll find the extended-cut video of my conversation with Laura Kavanagh below.
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