There was a moment when a role I had been preparing for didn't come together as expected. While disappointing, it became a catalyst for reassessing where I could create the most value. Instead of pursuing a linear path, I invested in cross‑functional experience and took on roles requiring clarity, coordination, and disciplined execution. That pivot strengthened my leadership approach and sharpened my ability to operate at the intersection of strategy and execution. The experience reinforced an important leadership lesson: setbacks are often signals to elevate perspective, not retreat from ambition.

No matter where you begin, what you've faced, or how long the journey takes; your purpose remains yours to build.

There was a time when I was up for a promotion and had been told I would interview for that position. It took four months for them to schedule an interview. During that time, I had a chance to evaluate what I had where I was at and the people I worked with. I did do the interview, and it was a great experience, but I ultimately turned down the position. Was there people mad at me and disappointed, yes. I was able to get a promotion in the office where I was at within a year and continued on my path to be a project manager in what I think was a better office. You don't always have to do what is expected of you and you don't need to be in a hurry to move up the success ladder. Sometimes, staying where you are at for a bit will get you where you want to be with more experience behind you. Delay is not Denial as a friend of mine always says.

I didn't follow a traditional path and for a long time, I thought that might hold me back. I became a caregiver for my mom during her chemotherapy while I was still in high school. To be there for her, I transitioned to homeschooling so I could stay home and help. Over time, that path shifted, and I ultimately made the decision to leave school and earn my GED so I could support myself and begin pharmacy technician training. At the time, it didn't feel like a bold move, it felt like survival. That experience is what first pulled me into healthcare. Being on the patient side of the system, advocating for someone you love, gives you a completely different perspective. It wasn't just about medications; it was about access, understanding, and showing up for people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. As my career progressed in inpatient pharmacy, I attempted to go back and pursue a more traditional path by working toward a bachelor's degree. When that didn't work out, I initially saw it as a setback. Over time, I realized it was actually a turning point. I focused on what I could control like my work ethic, my ability to learn, and the relationships I built along the way. I stayed curious, took on challenges, and consistently delivered results. Those choices opened doors that a traditional path might not have. Looking back, what felt like detours were actually defining moments. They forced me to build resilience, trust my instincts, and create my own path forward. If there's one thing I've learned, it's this: your path doesn't have to look like anyone else's to be successful; it just has to be yours.

A setback should not be viewed as a failure but rather as a temporary pause or a redirection. Understand that what is meant for you will ultimately come to you.

The COVID-19 pandemic paused my graduate studies and pushed me to take an unexpected path into the Hawaii State Legislature. What began as a detour became a calling, leading me to a career in public service rooted in culture, language, and community impact.

Moving to Philadelphia to teach immersed me in grief in ways I never expected: I lost my parents, three grandparents, and too many students in such a short span of time. But those heartbreaks carved a new path, one where teaching and writing became my way of turning grief into purpose, giving voice to those I will always carry with me, and proving that even the deepest pain can become power.

One of the greatest setbacks in my life became the very thing that revealed my purpose. Through grief, pain, and loss, I discovered the power of healing, advocacy, and helping others find hope again. Sometimes what breaks us is also what builds us into who we were meant to become.

Setbacks are sometimes a blessing in disguise. There have been times when I was passed up for positions that I felt I deserved. Instead of feeling defeated or upset, I changed the way I looked at the situation by telling myself, "It's not no. It's just not right now." Many times, setbacks are moments that allow you to prepare for what is actually meant for you. Changing your mindset about how you view setbacks helps you appreciate the journey and the lessons that prepare you for your destiny. In the end, some of the things that didn't work out actually led me to better opportunities and greater growth than I could have imagined.

When my sister was diagnosed with stage-four cancer, I asked for unpaid time off or the ability to work remotely so I could be with her, and my employer said no, even though I was one of their top performers. That painful setback became the moment I realized I could no longer build a life around someone else's permission, and it ultimately led me to redesign my career, reclaim my time, and create the work I now speak about: helping others find clarity, joy, and direction through uncertainty.

I have always believed that there is no growth without adversity. You must trudge through the mud to reach the roses. Throughout adulthood, I chose a more arduous path, but in the end, that path led me exactly where I hoped to land, both personally and professionally. Had I taken an easier route, I might not be the person I am today, nor would I so deeply appreciate where I arrived or who I have become.

There was a time when a path I worked incredibly hard for didn't unfold the way I expected, and at first it felt like a major setback. Looking back now, that disappointment pushed me to grow in ways I never would have otherwise leading me toward new opportunities, stronger confidence, and a clearer sense of purpose. Sometimes the moments that don't work out are the very moments that guide us where we're truly meant to be.

I used to believe that giving something your absolute best (your effort, your values, your full identity) was enough to make things work. What I learned is that when you're in the wrong environment, no amount of dedication bridges that gap, and trying to impose your values on others is a losing battle. The deeper lesson was about redirecting that energy inward, staying true to my own work ethic, trusting the effort I put in, and not relying on others to validate my worth. Struggling through the wrong situation ultimately led me back to myself, and that's where I do my best work.

Yes, I went through a divorce last year, and my manager in our office is not supportive of my desire to move up to the next position. I moved into a new city to get a fresh start, turned in my notice, and opened up my mortgage company.

We may not always start with all the resources, funding, or answers, but purpose has a way of pushing you forward when the mission matters deeply enough.

What appears to be a setback can become the pivot point into a more evolved, more impactful version of yourself.

Years ago, I experienced a season where multiple things in my life fell apart at once, plans I worked hard for didn't materialize, relationships shifted, and I questioned whether I was truly moving in the right direction. At the time, it felt like failure and disappointment were defining my story. But looking back, those setbacks forced me to slow down, rebuild my confidence, and become intentional about the life I truly wanted instead of the life I thought I was supposed to have. What I didn't realize then was that the closed doors were creating space for growth, purpose, and opportunities that aligned far more with who I was becoming. The setback didn't break me — it introduced me to my resilience, my voice, and the strength I needed for the next chapter. It always works out for you if you believe it to be true.