Holly Hoffman

Starting Fresh

hollyhoffman — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 03:38:47 +0000

Happy 2026.

As I sat down to write my first blog of the year—committing to reflect in three-month chapters—I found myself with pages of ideas, topics, and lessons. But as I looked back on January, February, and March, one theme kept rising above the rest: the quiet, powerful value of starting fresh.

We often think of a fresh start as something big—something bold, something new, something better. But what I’ve come to realize is that starting fresh isn’t always about gaining more. Sometimes, it’s about letting go.

And letting go is not easy.

Letting go can mean releasing expectations, old habits, past disappointments, or even parts of ourselves that once felt necessary. It requires change, and change asks us to step into uncertainty. But within that uncertainty lies something incredibly important: growth.

Starting fresh also calls for something else—gratitude.

A dear friend once gave me a plaque that reads, “When you love what you have, then you have everything you need.” That message has stayed with me, especially in these first months of 2026. It’s a simple reminder, but a powerful one. We often believe a fresh start means upgrading our lives—having more, doing more, being more. But sometimes, the greatest fresh start is simply seeing what’s already in front of us… and truly appreciating it.

March marked a milestone birthday for me—I turned 60.

That moment gave me pause. It gave me space to reflect not just on where I’ve been, but on who I’ve become. I’ve thought deeply about the lessons I’ve learned, the mistakes I’ve made, and the ways I’ve grown because of them. Life isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about trying, failing, learning, and choosing to keep moving forward anyway.

And that’s what starting fresh really means.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about awareness. It’s about recognizing where we can do better, where we want to grow, and what truly matters most.

For me, starting fresh in 2026 is rooted in gratitude—especially for the relationships in my life. The people who have stood beside me, supported me, challenged me, and loved me through every season. They are my foundation. They are my “everything.”

As I move forward into the rest of this year, I’m not chasing more. I’m embracing what is. I’m learning to let go of what no longer serves me, and I’m choosing to grow from everything that has shaped me.

Because sometimes, the most meaningful fresh start isn’t about changing your life—

It’s about finally seeing it clearly

October – November – December

hollyhoffman — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:27:32 +0000

On December 23rd, with Christmas just around the corner, I embarked on a serene afternoon walk at 4 o’clock, enjoying the mild 48-degree weather. The scene that unfolded before me was one of pure joy – a young man, presumably returning home from college, was greeted by his overjoyed mother with open arms. This poignant moment served as a gentle reminder to prioritize love, kindness, and gratitude in our lives. It’s easy to get caught up in the commercial aspects of the holiday season, but these small moments are what truly make life worth living.

Further along my walk, I stumbled upon a group of boys playing basketball with infectious enthusiasm. Their carefree laughter and music brought tears to my eyes, reinforcing the importance of appreciating life’s simple pleasures. As 2025 draws to a close, I reflect on my blessings, including my family, friends, and community. May we carry the spirit of gratitude into the new year.

July – August – September

hollyhoffman — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 21:03:26 +0000

As the crisp mornings of fall bring a sense of renewal to the air and leaves begin to fall from the trees, the season changes right before our eyes, reminding us of the transformative power of change. Change! I speak about the value of embracing change, but how many times do we really think about the profound impact it can have on our lives? Going through a change of any kind can evoke a wide range of emotions, but it’s precisely this process that can lead to profound growth and self-discovery.

I did something I had never done in 15 years throughout my speaking career – I took a month off. The entire month of August was a journey of self-reflection, as I spent many hours alone, recharging and rejuvenating my spirit. There would be days I would sit in my recliner without any distractions, and I would even turn off my cell phone, simply being present in the moment. Why? I decided I needed some time to myself to regroup, readjust, and reflect on my life. When I decided to do this, I didn’t know at the time I would be facing some challenges, so the timing was perfect!

The first two weeks were hard, as I would find myself looking for things to do, but then it hit me – this is not why I took this time off. I took this time off for myself. I woke up one morning and I remember thinking, I am here, I’m going to be present, and I’m going to use this time off to nourish my mind, body, and soul. I started to golf more, I started going on walks, I sat and watched television, and I actually started liking being by myself. Yes, you heard that right – I liked being by myself. I started enjoying who I am and really felt a sense of peace and contentment in my own company.

I had always struggled with being alone, but now I was feeling a sense of liberation and empowerment. Alone time is not just okay – it’s essential. It’s a time to recharge, reflect, and rediscover ourselves. You have to love yourself before you can love others; you have to love yourself before you can truly love life. It made me realize that I am stronger than I thought I was, and that I have the power to create positive change in my life.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love being around people and I absolutely love being in big crowds, but now, when I’m alone, I’m at peace with that. Having confidence in yourself is so important, and being independent is even more important. Alone time is not just a necessity – it’s a gift. I have reached a point in my life where I feel like I know myself better than I ever have before, and I am grateful for that. Get to know yourself, realize you are okay with being yourself, and love yourself first, because then you will love others better.

April – May – June

hollyhoffman — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 21:46:36 +0000

I blinked—and suddenly it was July 1st! Didn’t we just celebrate Easter? Time, it seems, is in fast-forward. When you hear “time flies,” it’s so true. When all three of my children were in high school, I felt like I never had enough time and was just running from event to event. They were all involved in sports, and there were times when I was running from basketball games to swim meets to football games to cross country meets………it was non-stop!

When they all left for college, I thought things would slow down; but the older I get, it seems like time is going faster. It’s a common perception that time seems to move faster as we get older. This feeling is likely due to a combination of factors related to how our brain processes information and the nature of our experiences. Essentially, the older we get, the fewer new experiences our brains process, making time feel like it’s accelerating.

Can you slow down time? No! But there are certain things you can let go of to make better use of your time. How about distractions? Have you ever jumped on social media and went down the rabbit hole? You look up and see you have been scrolling on Facebook for two hours. Have you gained anything? Have you learned anything? Social media can be a huge distraction and very time consuming.

Everything in moderation is good. Slow down time by focusing on the now. Use your senses: go barefoot and linger in the feeling of grass on your soles, describe your surroundings vividly in your mind, breathe in deeply and scrutinize the scent.

Embrace the present and let go of rigid expectations. Holding on to expectations for how life should unfold can prevent you from seeing what’s happening in the present, and you may miss the beauty of something that did happen.

Living internally distracted also makes time pass more quickly. Slow down time by designating blocks of time where you practice dropping your expectations. Become the observer. Open yourself up and be ready for whatever life brings your way. Take time to breathe and remember your time is precious – your time is valuable. Cherish the little things and live each day fully.

What it all boils down to is that you don’t need more time, you need more presence. Let go of the race, lean into the moment, and make your minutes count.

Another thing that helped me organize my time is setting a timer. If I had a scheduled call, I would set a timer. As the call started, I would even mention I have 20 minutes. Your time is valuable. Your time matters. Your time is precious.

When we look at our time from a bigger picture, how we spend our days shows us exactly how we invest in ourselves.

Make your time a priority!

Time Flies

hollyhoffman — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:48:27 +0000

WOW! Where did January and February go? Last year, I was able to get a blog out every month, and 2025 hit, and it felt like time got away from me. So here is my blog for January, February, and March – one blog for three months.

Most people can relate to the feeling of time seemingly “flying by” when they are deeply engaged in an activity or when life is particularly busy. As time flies by, we need to be reminded to be present in the moment and pay attention to how time is passing so that we don’t miss important things. How many of you have found yourself saying things like, “I can’t believe it’s already 5 p.m., how did the day get away from me so fast?,” or “Sometimes, when I am working on a project, time just gets away from me, and I don’t even notice how many hours have gone by.” We have all experienced those moments.

The last few months, I have felt there just aren’t enough hours in the day for me to get everything done. I felt overwhelmed and unorganized. Do you ever feel this way? So I sat down and asked myself – what do I need to do to help me step away from this feeling of not having enough time? We all have the same 24 hours – so why do some people seem to achieve more with their time than others? The answer – good time management.

Time management is the process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between different activities. Get it right, and you will end up working smarter – not harder, to get more done in less time even when you are pressured.

So how did I begin? One morning, I sat down at my desk and starting writing things down that needed to get done. After making my list, I numbered them. You can achieve more when you start dedicating time to the right things. As I looked back on January and February, I was wasting my time on things that were taking up my time the wrong way, like social media for example. Have you ever found yourself on Facebook and then realized three hours had passed? Prioritizing is key!

When we look at our time from a bigger picture, how we spend our days shows us exactly how we invest in ourselves.

Make your time a priority!

Remember the Little Things

hollyhoffman — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:33:13 +0000

Happy Holidays! As we prepare to celebrate with our family and friends, there is so much to do that it can be overwhelming. That is why we need to breathe, prioritize, and truly remember why we are celebrating the season. We get so wrapped up in getting everything done, being on time, and making sure everything is just right that we forget to take time for ourselves.

I had a major stress moment over my Christmas cards this year. I purchased matching pajamas for all grandchildren, because I thought it would be fun to take a group photo with all of them in matching pajamas. The group photo didn’t work out, so I worked with everyone’s schedules to take pictures with each family individually. It went well, and the bonus was that all the grandchildren loved their new pajamas.

After the pictures were taken, it was just a matter of getting the cards designed and printed. I thought I’ll never get it done – why? It was a time factor, and I was stressing about it. One night, while I was sitting at home, I just jumped up and ran to Walgreens and did it. The clerk was so helpful, and they were done in an hour. Now I just had to get them out.

As I was printing the address labels and putting the cards in the envelopes, I noticed I forgot to put my name on the card. I sat at my desk and giggled and thought to myself – well if people don’t know who I am, they shouldn’t be getting a card from me. The stress of those cards was causing me anxiety, especially since I was already getting cards in the mail from other people. Well, I am proud to say I got my cards out – without my name, but I did it.

After it was all over, I sat back and thought to myself, would it have been that big of a deal if those cards didn’t get out? No! Why do we do this to ourselves? Christmas would still come, my family would still gather, the baking would still happen. Sometimes we just need to let things go. Enjoy the moments we have and stop worrying about the little things.

As we approach the New Year, I hope you’ll remember to take time for yourself and your families – make that a priority. Try to set goals for yourself, and keep working, keep learning, and keep growing to make yourself a better person. Oh, and one more thing – remember, if the cards don’t get sent out, it’s okay.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2025

Thankfulness

hollyhoffman — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 20:43:21 +0000

I know I’m not the only one who gets excited each year when Thanksgiving rolls around. There’s something special about gathering with our families and friends to enjoy a meal and reflect on everything we have to be grateful for.

But as we all know, that excitement doesn’t always last for very long. And way too often, the spirit of thankfulness that comes with the holiday fades away too. That’s not good!

We might not always be filled with the holiday spirit, but we can choose to be thankful at any time. And it’s really important for us to make that choice because we miss out on a ton of amazing things when we let that attitude of gratitude slip away.

It’s easy to focus on the negatives in life. We are bombarded with them. Even though there are far more positive events that occur around the world, the news chooses to focus on disasters. It’s much easier to correct a mistake than to praise a good job. We are not negative by nature. Our environment, our culture and our upbringing influence how we view our world.

Feeling thankful helps you feel more satisfied with your life and less anxious. Shifting your attention from what can go wrong to what is going right helps you feel better.

Being thankful starts with waking up every morning and Thanking God for another day. The Bible is full of passages on gratitude and thankfulness—commands, parables, prayers, you name it. You know what that tells me? Thankfulness is really important to God. When we actively practice gratefulness, we become more of who God wants us to be. Plus, we get to connect with Him through our prayers of gratitude.

We all like to be around thankful people. Do you like hanging out with people who are ungrateful and entitled? Nope, I didn’t think so. But my guess is you love spending time with people who are grateful and down-to-earth because people like that are super pleasant to be around. Guess what? You can be one of those people when you practice thankfulness. When you’re a thankful person, others will see you in a positive light and want to be around you. Be someone others want to be around, not someone others avoid because of your ungratefulness.

My mother always told my brothers and I, it’s not what you have in life, it’s who you have in life. Be grateful for the relationships you have with amazing people. One of the greatest things you will ever have in your life is relationships. The older I get, the smaller my circle becomes. I don’t mean that in a negative way, but I am realizing the importance of being around people who lift me out and are grateful for the little things. How can you be thankful for the little things? Practice gratitude. Make note of the things for which you are grateful: your breath, your beating heart, the particular shade of the sky at dusk or dawn, colors, the gifts and strengths you have, other people in your life, the ability to laugh.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, be thankful, be grateful. Here’s the bottom line: We all have a lot of things to be thankful for in our lives, and that includes you! Whether it’s something simple like your favorite T-shirt or something bigger like a career you’re passionate about, I know you have plenty to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving.

Fall into Change

hollyhoffman — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 17:03:29 +0000

As the trees change color and the leaves are falling, we are experiencing the change of the seasons. This brings me to the subject for my October blog – Change! I know I have talked about change before, but this time, I am going to look at it from a different perspective. If you want to reach a goal or start something new, you need to make a change.

My daughter Alex is a marathon runner, and watching the intense amount of training she does is mind blowing. She is very dedicated to the sport, even getting up at 4:30 in the morning to run. She missed qualifying for the Boston Marathon by 90 seconds in her first marathon, so she ran another marathon and qualified by 30 seconds. However, she was heartbroken when she received the devastating news that she didn’t make the top qualifiers in her division. She knew she had to make a change. She increased her miles, hired a coach, and worked her butt off. She ran a third marathon and qualified by more than 30 minutes, so guess where I get to go in April? To watch her run the Boston Marathon! I don’t know who is more excited!

Alex continues to train and prepare for that big day and is entering marathons around the area. Just recently, she was running a half marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska. She asked me if I could come with her to take her to the starting line and cheer for her along the way. It worked out great, because I was flying back from Salt Lake City, Utah, from a speaking gig and flying into Omaha, Nebraska.

As we were heading to the starting line that day, I could feel her energy go up along with mine. I have always loved to run, and seeing 7,000 runners line up to race was so exciting. As Alex began the race, I ran to my car to meet her at the four-mile mark. After she came by and I cheered her on, I ran to my car to meet her at the nine-mile mark. After she ran by, I literally was sprinting to my car to get to the finish line. I don’t know who was more tired – me or Alex.

As I stood by the finish line, I was so excited about seeing her come across. I started talking to a young gentlemen who was waiting for his friend to finish. I looked at him and said, “We should be coming across instead of watching,” and he agreed. With his help, I was tracking Alex on my phone, and she was getting closer. As she finished, I got tears in my eyes and was so full of excitement that I couldn’t stop taking photos.

Thinking about the change and dedication a marathon runner has to put into one race made me realize the value of hard work. If you really want something, make that change and do it. We have a tendency to hold ourselves back, because we think we can’t; but when we tell ourselves we can, we can! After watching my daughter, I came home and went out and purchased some running shoes. I started running, and believe me, it’s not pretty. I know I need to start slowly and train to the point of trying a half marathon. Let others inspire you, but also, inspire yourself! My daughter has inspired me to get out and start running again, and it truly feels great. Congratulations, Alex! I can’t wait to see you run in the Boston Marathon in April of 2025!

Give Someone a Compliment Today

hollyhoffman — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 21:58:00 +0000

How many compliments do you give someone in a day, a week, or a month? It’s a question I really want you to think about. Would you just walk up to a stranger and give them a compliment?

Think back to the last time you got a compliment from someone else. It probably felt good. Even a stranger telling you that you are wearing a nice outfit can be a nice thing to hear. Compliments from friends, colleagues, and loved ones can be particularly nice to hear. And — for that matter — it can feel good to compliment someone else as well. Yet, most people don’t compliment others as often as they should.

As I was lining up for a flight this month, a lady gave me a compliment. I smiled back at her and said thank you. What she didn’t know was I was having a rough day. It was a long travel day, and I had just gotten news that my aunt had passed away, and I was struggling. When she looked at me and complimented me, it put a smile of my face and brought some happiness to the surface. She didn’t know how my day was going or that I had just lost my aunt. You never know how that one compliment can change someone’s day.

Giving a compliment doesn’t just make the person receiving the complement feel good. The person giving the complement also feels good. I believe when someone is confident in themselves, they are better at giving compliments. They aren’t looking for anything to gain – just being their confident self and genuinely noticing someone who is dressed nicely or has a nice hairstyle.

After thinking about this compliment thing for a while, I thought I would put it to the test and see how people who are strangers act on compliments. I was flying to Arkansas to speak, and as I was sitting in the airport, I starting complimenting people. How many people did I compliment? Around 20. What were some of the responses I got?

“I really like your suit – the color is fantastic”

Response – “Me? Aw thank you.”

SURPRISED!!

“You really have a cute hairstyle.”

Response – “Oh thank you, and I really like your outfit.”

A RETURNED COMPLIMENT

“I love the color of your sweatshirt.”

Response – “Thank you. I got it at the State Fair. It was at this booth that had all kinds for fun stuff. I wanted to get the matching pants but just didn’t.”

A LOT OF INFORMATION

“Your suitcase is a really cool color.”

Response – NOTHING. I was ignored

HEADPHONES IN – DIDN’T HEAR ME

Happy August

hollyhoffman — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 17:15:29 +0000

August reminds us all that Fall is right around the corner. As students head back to school, it’s a reminder that time goes by way too fast.

I spoke at an event four years ago, and after I spoke, I had a lady come up to me and tell me she has always wanted to own her own coffee shop, but she’s scared to take on a new career and somewhat hesitant to start a new business. I remember asking her what was holding her back, and of course, her answer was like so many – fear of the unknown. I remember having that conversation with her like it was yesterday. A few months later, she emailed me to tell me she was going to do it. She decided to take the opportunity and step out of her comfort zone and start a new business. I was so thrilled for her and so excited to see where her new business would take her.

Well, little did I know it would all come around! This month, I spoke at an event, and the event had a coffee bar set up. I walked in and noticed this lady who looked very familiar. I walked over to the coffee bar, and as she and I started having a conversation, she asked me if I remembered her. I told her she looks very familiar, and then she asked me if I remember talking to a lady about starting a new business. I knew immediately who she was. I gave her a hug and told her how proud of her I was. Her business is thriving, and she had a coffee bar set up at this event. She told me how scared she was to start a new business, but once she started, she knew she could do it, and she loves it.

It’s a reminder to us all that sometimes we just have to go for it. We have to take those opportunities that we are afraid of. Why are we afraid of the things we want? There’s the fear that if we fail, it will feel like there’s no way to pick ourselves up and create something else (a hopeless and weak feeling). There’s the fear that you’ll be called selfish for going after what you desire. I truly think there is a big difference between being selfish and going after a dream. Have you ever wondered if it’s selfish to pursue your dreams? The answer to this question is, it depends! It CAN be selfish to pursue your dream, if your dream is only about you.

But most dreams, even the ones that may seem selfish to you, actually DO benefit the world around you. Crystal, the owner of Half Pint Coffee Company, followed her dream, and it benefited her and all the people she is kindly serving coffee to. It was beneficial to her community, as it gave people a place to gather and enjoy a cup of coffee. When I saw Crystal that day, she had this glow about her. She had a big smile on her face, and she looked fulfilled.

There’s nothing more fulfilling than living the life you always wanted. Pick an end goal, make a plan, and make your dreams happen — that’s an amazing way to find true happiness. Plus, pursuing something that aligns with your values will undoubtedly lead to greater success. Do you have a dream? Are you following it? Ask yourself that question, and what answer do you come up with? Life is too short not to follow your dreams. Check out Crystal Knakmuhs dream she made come true.