Cassie Koutnik O.D.’s Post

Today is International Women's Day! But I'm deciding to take a different approach to recognizing today. I'm not going to just post an inspirational quote or tell someone "happy international women's day". All these things are good, but... let's be honest they fall short. Instead, I am choosing to do things to intentionally to empower women in my life. I hope you do too. I am speaking positive affirmations to my daughter. I am reaching out to a friend to let them know they are doing a great job even when life is challenging them. I am complementing a stranger in the grocery store. If we want to celebrate women we need to empower, encourage, support, cheerlead, and recognize other women. It is not enough to post an empowering quote, but instead we need to live out these quotes. And not just one day a year, but day after day. So yes, Happy International Women's Day! What a great day to reflect on what we as individuals can do better to support one another. #koutnikconsulting #internationalwomensday2023 #empowerment #entrepreneurship

How do you start your day? If you saw my recent post I've been working on re-working my morning routine. To be honest... it is still a work in progress! I would love to hear some tips and tricks you have to help me maximize those first 10-30 minutes of my day. 👇 For a bit of background, I do have a 1 year old. I've been getting up before I expect her to wake to give myself that initial time in the morning. Current things I'm focusing on is: 1. Not checking my phone for the first 30 minutes at least 2. Making the bed so I have a tidy space and win off the bat 3. Getting that cup of coffee made 4. Taking a minute to list off 3 things I'm grateful for 5. Not hitting snooze! #koutnikconsulting #help #morningroutine #success

Lessons from a first-time mom: Episode 3 Wake up 1 hour before your child. Hear me out on this one… This may sound elementary to many people but after months of sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, and constant changes in routine the idea of sleeping until the last minute possible was incredibly attractive. Any new parent experiences the initial adrenaline rush of being a parent followed by the abrupt hit of fatigue. So when I heard of other parents getting up early I thought there was no way! And to be honest when I started setting that alarm I didn’t use that time wisely. I was like a zombie making my way around our condo waiting for our daughter to wake up. Getting nothing done but thinking about the sleep I was missing. But recently I listened to a podcast where they talked about the importance of taking the first 10 minutes of your day for yourself. Because you deserve it. Yes, it will set up your day for success but most importantly we need to constantly remind ourselves we deserve to prioritize our health as well as our families, friends, and communities around us. So what have I changed that I feel has made a difference? Well first of all I make my bed. A win off the bat! Brush my teeth, make a coffee, then do things to set up my day. Sometimes it’s just getting some breakfast in the oven so I can have a healthy meal to kick off my day. Or picking up a self-development book to prioritize my self-growth. Or getting that important task off my plate before I start snuggling, laughing, and playing with my daughter. What I don’t do is pick up my phone to look at social media, read the news, or respond to messages. That is what I used to do. That can wait. Honestly, it has been a simple change. But sometimes simple changes are what make the biggest difference in the approach to our day. #koutnikconsulting #success #change #momlife

I'm kicking off the new year by saying "yes" more often. I've had to practice saying "no" to many things over the year. If I hadn't I knew I wouldn't accomplish my own goals and instead would have had everyone else dictating my calendar. But now I have a new mission. To say "yes." Yesterday my husband, Dr. Edward Koutnik offered to bring my car in for me to get a regular service.  I am perfectly capable of bringing it in and usually do. However, I said, "yes." Why? Because it was a way he could take one thing off my plate so I could focus on other things that needed to be accomplished. It was a way he could show his love for me.  This may be easy and small for others, but for me accepting help isn't always easy. Especially when I am capable. But this year I look forward to saying "yes" more often and allowing my tribe to support me in making this the best year yet. What are you saying yes to this year? #koutnikconsulting  #chicago  #yes  #mindset 

This a great quick read for anyone looking to maximize their happiness in 2023. I thought the first point was especially interesting. Too often I think we try to “show off” our success with things. But at the end of the day what makes us happy isn’t things themselves but time with loved ones, nature, feeling physically good, etc. I’ve had fun the past few years shopping my closet and wearing things bought before 2020 when I swiftly switched to leggings and sweatshirts or scrubs 24/7. Don’t get me wrong I’ve bought a few new pieces of clothing, but nothing compared to the amount of money I used to spend on clothing. At this point, I’d rather spend that money on experiences with my family or investing and saving for my family's future. Would love others thoughts on this article and things you do to maximize your happiness 👇 #happiness #koutnikconsulting #chicago https://lnkd.in/gCFFtGms

Lessons from a first-time mom Episode #2: Anytime is an appropriate time for a dance party. As I was grabbing some frozen veggies from the grocery store yesterday I turned back around to see my 11-month-old shoulder shimmying to Justin Bieber playing in the background. Since “dancing” is a new move for her at first I just broke out in a huge smile. Then I did something I never would have before becoming a mom, I joined her. 💃👯♀️ We did a little shimmy, laughed, and smiled; yes, in the frozen foods aisle. Once I exited our little dance party world I looked up to see an older gentleman in the aisle with a huge smile on his face. A young guy walking by said cute kid and the older woman nearby just came up gushing. One little dance move brought so much joy. So maybe someone thought we were weird but sometimes when your jam plays you just have to enjoy it. Bust out the move, sing the song, and just let joy take over. There are so many amazing moments hidden in our normal day if we choose to be present and soak them in. So dance in the grocery aisles, smile at a stranger at the coffee shop, and focus on the small beautiful moments of every day. #koutnikconsulting #joy #chicago #mindset

Having success isn't about what you are willing to do ONE time.  But instead, what you are willing to do TEN THOUSAND times over. That is truly how you master anything and become great.  Not so glamorous I know.  Many times wish I could be great the first time I do something. But even the most talented people need to practice to become exceptional in any arena. As many people are experiencing layoffs, exploring new career opportunities, business ventures, parenthood, etc I think this is a good reminder. You won't be great on day 1 or even day 2. You won't feel confident right out of the gates. But that doesn't mean you don't have the potential to be exceptional.  It takes time, practice, coaching, persistence, and maybe most importantly a good attitude. So feel free to apply this to whatever area of life you are striving to become great in today, and know I'll be cheering you on time 1-10,000. #koutnikconsulting  #chicago  #entrepreneurship  #success  #mindsets 

I feel like I should start a new series: Lessons from a first-time mom. But what I'm referring to may not be what you are thinking. I'm not talking about parenting tips, but instead life lessons my daughter has taught me. One of them is that change is hard and often painful.  Aka a 10-month-old teething.  (Does anyone else know what I am talking about... 😩) But the second part of that is that although it is hard and painful those feelings won't last forever.  The pain does have an end. The teeth do emerge. And with it a whole new world... of chewing!  Ok, so for me it isn't gaining new teeth, but instead new habits and skillsets. But I've realized it is important with all change to acknowledge the growing pains, but also to keep in mind there will be an end. A bad habit can be broken and new ones emerge. New skill sets can be learned and heck you can become great at them. You don't need to draw it out or make it longer or harder than it needs to be.  Instead, get through it as efficiently as you can always keep in mind what is difficult today will be easier tomorrow and in the future can be your expertise. #koutnikconsulting #change #entrepreneurship #habits

Lessons from my first Halloween with my daughter 🎃: 1. When the costume doesn't arrive in time you get creative. 🪡 I had ordered a ghost costume back in September for our daughter... yes you read that correctly September. Why pivot to a pink flamingo? Well luckily I have an amazing sister-in-law that made my niece a chicken costume a few years ago and I decided to copy her general pattern and make it a flamingo instead. 2 pink boas, a onesie, some felt, and a pink hat... Voila, a flamingo! 2. Pink Feathers stain everything. 🪶 You've been warned... 3. Many things we stress about aren't worth it and are out of our control. Focus on what is important and what you can control. 🤨 I would lie if I would say I wasn't a bit frustrated with the initial costume not arriving. But after realizing it wasn't coming I knew it was out of my control, and getting angry wasn't going to change the outcome. So instead of wasting my emotional and physical energy on the situation, I decided to redirect it to create a new costume. And honestly... I think it turned out better than that ghost costume and my daughter could not have cared less! 🦩So Happy Halloween a day late from my favorite little flamingo. And here is to focusing on what we can change and letting go of what we can’t.🦩 #koutnikconsulting #chicago #mindsets

My motto today: Tackling today like everything is going my way! Catchy right!?! 😉 But in all honesty, I had to give myself a little pep talk this morning. I hope I'm not alone in that some days I wake up and feel some weight on my shoulders of what is ahead to tackle that day. For me, it is something as small as my daughter teething and trying to navigate a wonky day with so many things bouncing around in my head to do. So one thing I did that helped was to write down a list of the top things I needed to get done today. Both things that will take time like packing for a weekend away. And short tasks like a quick text to send out. Then I got to work! Now I have half my list taken care of and feel a renewed spirit about taking on the day. I would love to hear any tips and tricks people have on taking on that never-ending "to-do list" and keeping a good attitude in the process. 👇 #koutnikconsulting #entrepreneurship #chicago