About the Guest: Yvette Howard is a licensed clinical social worker with multi-state licensure in Nevada, Texas, and Illinois. She has a distinguished career helping clients deal with medical depression, chronic illnesses, and improving communication with healthcare providers. Yvette is the founder of Brighter Tomorrow Therapy, a mental health practice offering a range of services including trauma, depression, anxiety management, and life transitions. Additionally, she runs Independent Mind, guiding communities—especially women—towards intentional living through unique methods like vision journaling. Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of "A Healthier Tomorrow," hosts Will Rucker and Ciara Owens kick off the new year with intentions for mindful living and personal wellness. Focusing on intentionality and balance, they emphasize the importance of being present and deliberate in various areas of life. This episode welcomes Yvette Howard, a gifted clinical social worker, who shares her expertise on mental health and goal-setting strategies, offering listeners tools to foster personal and communal growth. Yvette Howard discusses the significant role of intention-setting in achieving personal goals, particularly through the use of vision journals—a novel approach that combines visualization with practicality. The conversation also dives into the importance of affirming one's "why" behind goals, embracing flexibility, and encouraging support networks for success. The hosts and guest dissect the interplay between mental and physical health, highlighting the value of therapy and coaching in achieving holistic well-being. They stress the accessibility of mental health resources while advocating for self-compassion and accountability in goal realization. Key Takeaways: Vision Journals: Yvette Howard encourages the use of vision journals as a portable, practical alternative to vision boards for visualizing and tracking progress on personal goals. SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals are essential in providing clarity and direction in intention-setting. Therapy and Coaching: Engaging with both therapy and coaching can address underlying barriers to success, enabling personal growth and goal achievement. Community and Accountability: Building a support system and being part of communities with shared interests enhance personal accountability and motivation. Mental Health Resources: There are numerous accessible and affordable resources for therapy, including insurance options, free services, and budgeting strategies. Notable Quotes: "Setting intentions is basically your why… being honest with yourself is the number one thing you need to do when you're setting intentions." — Yvette Howard "I'm always telling my clients, treat yourself as if you were to treat your friend." — Yvette Howard "It’s important to be gentle with yourself and celebrate the progress you do make." — Yvette Howard "You are not just a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop." — Will Rucker "Use your voice and your intentions and our powers to band together." — Ciara Owens Resources: Open Path Collective: Affordable therapy resource. Meetup.com: Platform for joining interest-based groups to build community and accountability. Because We Matter Tobacco Free Living Summit: Event details at becausewematterlv.org. Listeners are encouraged to tune in to the full episode for a deeper dive into intentional living and mental wellness, along with strategies to successfully navigate personal and professional goals. Stay connected for more such inspiring conversations on "A Healthier Tomorrow."
