Stephanie Bultema, PhD’s Post

A year ago, I decided to take a leap. I walked away from a professional path I felt obligated to follow and bet on one that felt more aligned with who I am and the impact I wanted to make. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. Over the last year, I've built Collaborative Capacity Co (CoCap) with a simple mission: to help mission-driven leaders learn, plan, and align for collaborative systems change. Every training, workshop, and consultation has reminded me that when we invest in collaborative capacity, we strengthen communities. Learn more about CoCap: https://lnkd.in/gBuu5CjC I also launched Prism Canyon Press, a publishing company that will bring together my love of storytelling and my passion for translating research into practical ideas. It's just getting started, and I can't wait to share more soon. Has it been easy? Nope. Building two businesses has required more courage than I imagined. But it's also brought more joy, purpose, creativity, and fulfillment than I ever expected. My mental and physical health have improved because my work is aligned with what energizes me. If you're standing at the edge of an exciting decision that scares you, don't dismiss it just because it's risky. Prepare thoughtfully. Ask for help. Manage the uncertainty. Then give yourself permission to pursue the work that lights you up. Life is too short to spend it on work that drains you. Here's to choosing courage, following your curiosity, and giving the world the most authentic version of yourself.