Celebration Time!

August 1st marks the 3rd anniversary of my first book, Under a Full Moon and a Guiding Star being released!  The day was marked with a release party on the evening of a full moon that rose in perfect synchronicity with the cover of my book. I was surrounded by family and friends, good food and music, and couldn’t have asked for more. I thought that was going to be the big accomplishment of my retirement years, but it was just the beginning. More on that later, now let’s celebrate! Three lucky subscribers will be chosen to receive a signed copy of my book along with a few extra gifts. And if you haven’t yet gotten your copy, here’s where to find it – https://alakaiassociates.com/book/ 

Now about that beginning…

It was almost immediately after the first book was released that people started asking if I was going to write another one. I really didn’t think so. The first one was a compilation of memoir and life lessons from more than 50 years. I thought, “what else was there left for me to write?” But another tiny seed has been planted. 

At the beginning of 2024 I was reading the book, The Untethered Soul, by Michael A. Singer, and towards the end of the book this made me pause – he asks, “Would you like to go beyond? Would you like to feel no edges?” My answer was yes, but beyond what?  So I started collecting material that spoke about beyond, and finally the idea for the second book emerged – Beyond the Horizon. For me it was a calling to go beyond my own comfort zone and explore new horizons that I couldn’t even see but knew were there for me.

Along with the year of writing the book I also began to explore a new community of women mentors and found a place where I felt seen and heard. That journey has now blossomed into my becoming a mentor within the SHINE Circle and a new look at heart-centered leadership. 

This is a path that I have been on in one way or another my entire adult life and so I have collected lots of resources that have helped guide me along the way. I discovered one such resource as I was clearing out some files and would like to share a summary with you on how managing your energy can be one of the keys to successful leadership.

It comes from a conversation with the best selling author, John Maxwell. He begins by saying that leadership and energy are connected and it’s impossible to have one without the other. He then goes on to say that it all begins with knowing yourself, knowing your own limitations, and knowing when you perform at your best. For example, if your peak energy is in the mornings then that is when you schedule your most urgent tasks. Activities requiring less energy are scheduled in the afternoon. And evenings are for winding down by reading or writing, or other quieter activities.

Of course schedules don’t always cooperate but having a plan makes it easier to come back into balance. 

Another author, Jim Cathcart, says to be at your best you must determine your zone of “optimum velocity”, the pace and intensity where you are most creative, unstressed, happy, and productive. Here are the zones he describes:

Working above the zone:Here is where you experience stress and frustration, then anxiety, and finally burnout. At this level you are overwhelming yourself with too much to accomplish at one time. 

Working in the zone: Here you are at your best. Going with the flow of work naturally, productive and self assured, challenged but not overwhelmed, motivated and able to easily adjust when problems arise.

Working below the zone: Here you experience boredom, then apathy, and finally depression. You may begin to feel useless and your self esteem suffers. 

One way to manage your energy is with some movement or exercise. It almost sounds too simple, but take a walk.

Lastly, protecting and replenishing your energy is critical for every leader. Here’s a down-to-earth approach offered by Mira Kirshenbaum. “First you plug the leaks: learn to recognize what drains your energy – life situations, toxic people, or habits such as worry, indecision or guilt. Second, you identify what fills your tank – pleasure, prayer, anticipation, or fun – and give yourself more.” 

What zone are you working/living in right now?

What is draining your energy?

How do you fill your tank?

I would love to hear from you.

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Some Summer Time Tips

Midsummer and it is already back-to-school time for many which makes it almost have a “new year, new you” vibe. It is a time where we often are taking an assessment of our life goals and are sometimes tempted to set new, more ambitious ones. Go ahead and lean into that energy, but before diving too deep, start by really defining what success will look and feel like when you honor your well-being, energy, and joy – not just your output or results. Sometimes our ambitions can tempt us to chase the biggest milestones without checking to see if the goal is compassionate in the context of our lives. Now is a perfect time to listen to your inner voice pointing you in the direction of what you truly desire. 

Here are a few ways to tap into that inner knowing:

> play your favorite soundtrack 

> take a pause

> gather your “squad”, your support team, your tribe

> connect with nature – outside and inside

> plan for joy 

And here are a few ways to honor your well-being:

* stay hydrated, avoid sugary drinks, add flavor to your water with a few drops of lime, lemon, or orange oil (use only CTPG digestible essential oils)

* cool down with a cool shower or bath, drink some iced water with a few drops of peppermint oil. 

* eat lighter meals, more fruits and vegetables. Plants are easier to digest which in turn produces less heat in your body. 

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Alaka’i Upcoming Events

August 15, 2026

I will be co-facilitating the Gimme A Break Caregiver Retreat at Holy Nativity Church. Registration is open now, go to www.gab808.org/retreat 

August 22, 2026

Beyond the Horizon book reading and signing at Salt Lake-Moanalua LIbrary on Oahu. Open to the public.

August 29, 2026

In a new partnership with Kawainui Healing Center, in Kailua, HI, I will be hosting a Discovery Journal workshop. Registration link will soon be posted.

If you do not live on Oahu but are interested in hosting a book event or Discovery Journal workshop, please contact me at https://alakaiassociates.com/contact/