Chanel Dokun, New York, NY (2025)

02/24/2024

My phone is a good paper weight, but it's an excellent communication device. I call it good when it does what it was intended to do. The same is true for us. Flourishing and living "the good life" is when we step into our true purpose and design. What were you made for?

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📚This quote comes from Life Starts Now: How to Create the Life You've Been Waiting For. Start reading for free by hitting the download link in my bio or visiting http://www.chaneldokun.com/lifestartsnow

10/03/2023

Does it feel like you're sitting in the backseat of an Uber for your life? You're not alone. Many of the women who start life or executive coaching with me report feeling like they have no control of the trajectory of their life. Each day is one constant effort to keep up with the demands and expectations of others. If that's you, we can change it. Here's how:

1️⃣First, we're going to audit where you are. Perspective is critical.

2️⃣Next, we'll make a plan for some immediate relief so you have enough energy to start making more substantial changes in your life.

3️⃣Then, we'll begin identifying who you are, what you want, and the big picture of where you're headed.

4️⃣And my favorite part? We'll make a plan. Your plan! We'll make a plan you can begin to implement so you're not blown and tossed by the wind.

Ready? A great place to start is by grabbing some of the free resources on the Life Starts Now book hub so you can assess where you are. I'm happy to help with a consultation or Kickstart session when you're ready, but start by downloading the Life Assessment Worksheet. Comment HUB if you need a link to the free book hub.

08/25/2023

What I’ve been reading lately. What’s grabbed your attention?

Congratulations, The Best Is Over by R. Eric Thomas is my most recent indulgence. You NEED this book. Have I told you about my obsession? He is my imaginary internet best friend. 🥴 And since my real life best friend also loves him, it’s like we are the 3 Musketeers! Funny, fast, insightful…what is not to love about this book?!

Effortless by Greg McKeown is a perpetual delight. I’ve been referencing it in my Life Kickstart coaching sessions a lot recently to clients.

Sabbath As Resistance by Walter Brueggeman is one of those books I’m always reading, but I never quite seem to finish (even though it’s less than 90 pages🤪). Maybe this fall I’ll finally finish it.

What’s on your reading list right now?

05/17/2023

On sabbatical. Last year was a whirlwind. I pushed out my book, Life Starts Now, and my baby girl. Time to savor and rest. I’ll be back later this summer to reconnect with you.

✨In the meantime download the start of my book for FREE and hop on my email list at the link in my profile.

🚨Pro-tip: Email subscribers will get the first chance to book fall life planning sessions!

05/02/2023

What a way to celebrate National Mental Health Awareness month! I got to share some of my best tips on finding your purpose and pieces of my framework with the folks at for their Living Centered podcast this week. 🎧Listen to the latest episode now anywhere you access your podcasts!

04/18/2023

“Without rest, we cannot sustain the energy needed to have life,” Muller writes. I’m sitting alone in my car waiting for my son to finish Kumon and reading Wayne Muller’s rumination on Sabbath as I prepare for my sabbatical. That line hooked me.

In Life Starts Now, I wrote how the kingdom runs on a currency of paradox. Meaning we know it’s right and true usually when it’s counterintuitive.

…Whoever loves their life will lose it
…The first shall be last

That kind of stuff.

And here it is again as Muller begins to unpack the upside down nature of Sabbath. In a world where hustle and overwork is regarded as a virtue, rest is the secret to greater output.

Have you ever thought of taking a sabbatical? Let’s talk about it. What if you had permission to rest?

04/17/2023

STORYTIME: A year ago I set a goal to speak at more events to help women step into their purpose. TBH I thought it wasn’t possible because I couldn’t see past my own limiting beliefs. 🫣 I thought I was disqualified because I was 1.) Pregnant, 2.) Unknown, and 3.) Disconnected.

Then I followed my own advice to “steward my influence” from chapter 12 in my book Life Starts Now. I stopped looking too far down the road and paid more attention to the influence I already have. And a funny thing happened. More opportunities that fit the real constraints of my life revealed themselves. (Just like this chance to speak for the Rock Your Routine Summit with .)

LESSON: The life you want is happening right now. You just have to wake up to it.

By the way, I’m speaking for FREE at this summit so grab a spot before my talk tomorrow by heading to the link in my profile or https://summit.routineandthings.com/a/2147529719/LdQXFjFh.

04/09/2023

Question: do you separate your puzzle pieces first into edges and interior pieces, or are you sociopath? 😂 No but seriously, what’s your puzzle strategy?

I’m under the weather with a post-vacation cold, so no Easter Sunday church for us. But our home is warm, the Pampelmousse La Croix is flowing, and a puzzle is on the table. Simple reminders that our “regular degular” life is more than enough. In Life Starts Now, I write that your life is in your limits because our constraints have a funny way of giving us focus and direction that makes us more efficient in our pursuit of purpose. That’s also why I’m destroying my son in this puzzle. He’s w***y nilly trying to make the taxi but I got edges so I’m almost done. 😜

So back to you. Are you team edges first or nah?

03/11/2023

Happy birthday to the guy who made me giggle when I had the swine flu 14 years ago. As your wife I’m supposed to say you’re aging like a fine wine. But we drink Target store Apothic, so let’s be real. “I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout no aged wine.” 🤗 You’re more like bourbon—distilled from the greatest ingredients on earth (your parents), solid as a charred oak barrel, and as robust in love and flavor as they come. I’m glad you’re alive. Keep living. No seriously…live like a long, long ass time so I can keep dancing and laughing with you. Happy Birthday hubs!

03/08/2023

Committed to "woman-spreading" since 1983. 😂 You know how guys can "manspread" when they sit on a subway seat or conference room chair, and just occupy ALL the space? Sometimes it's not even physical. Clients often tell me how the men in their lives fill up board rooms and living rooms with bravado, ego, and the kind of dogged self-assuredness that leaves little room for women to coexist. And when there is little room, women often shrink to fit.

➡ I find this rarely works.

When a guy manspreads on a bench or a pew, shrinking does not signal to him to stop. Instead of getting smaller, Women of Consequence know to get bigger. Take up MORE space. "Woman-spread" by owning your voice, amplifying your talents, and stewarding your influence over every stretch of life until it's abundantly clear that you are here and you matter.

For International Women's Day, let's commit to taking up space.

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📣 Doors are open this week to Women of Consequence. Join at http://www.womenofconsequence.co/woc or link in profile. Share this with a woman you know who needs to step into her purpose.

03/07/2023

Have you read 's latest? I just finished it for a book club with my neighbor and her friends. I'm telling you that reading it alongside a group hit different. Aspects of the book leapt off the page that I completely missed. I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes. Which do you love?

BTW did you know there is a free book club discussion guide for my book Life Starts Now? I'm no Forever FLOTUS, but it could make for some powerful conversation with your girlfriends. Grab the guide at http://www.chaneldokun.com/lifestartsnowhub

Favorite Quotes from The Light We Carry:
- "Each day we are tasked with becoming some newer version of ourselves."
- "Our fears become our limits."
- "It's hard to dream about what's not visible."
- "Discomfort is a teacher."

02/28/2023

Hey friend! Will you do me a favor on this final day of Black History Month? Please share this post about my book Life Starts Now with 3 people in your life who need to read it. Here's why:

Your voice matters. Do you know how many black female Christian authors have shelf space in the self-help arena? Not many. And it's not because our books aren't transformational. It's because we usually have *smaller platforms.

Unless I deliver a 🔥 Ted talk like (Jesus be an event booker) or preach with the tongue of an angel like (someone get me onstage at ), it's going to be hard for people to hear about my book.

But believe me...Life Starts Now is worth your time. Swipe to read what women of all backgrounds say about the book.

When I sold the manuscript to one reason they were eager for me to write Life Starts Now was because they believed the self-help industry needed the voice of a black woman of faith well-acquainted with adversity who could be fiercely joyful, practically optimistic, and intellectually sharp to give you the tools you need to transform your life. Let's prove them right.

🙏🏾 Please spread the word. Because honestly, your friends already have a copy of 's latest cookbook (if they know what's good for them), and they've already pre-ordered 's new book for the fall (like me!). So talk about those books later and tell them about Life Starts Now today.

Thank you in advance!

*BTW I consider it a privilege to have this platform to speak to every single person who comes my way. I don't care if the world says you need 50K+ followers to make a difference. I don't discount one person in my sphere of influence. I'm grateful for YOU.

02/19/2023

☀️ Sun’s out; guns out. Ileri turns 3 months today and is happy her tummy time regimen is paying off with these toned biceps. 💪🏾

02/17/2023

Vocation and calling are about more than a day job. We need the balance of all our life buckets to remind us that our purpose is present everywhere we go. TBH today was a $h!t work day for me. One of those everything goes wrong so you have to laugh to keep from crying kind of days. But then I came out and saw this little face. And she looked at me like I’d hung the moon. So I’m back in my skin again, reminded that work isn’t everything. I’m more than my job and so are you.

👉🏾It’s Friday night so question…how are you going to be powerfully present in the non-professional parts of your life this weekend? Share in the comments if you don’t mind for inspiration. I’m digging into the latest from and then maybe a trip with the kids for . What about you?

02/15/2023

“We did it Joe,” we shouted in unison on the third push as I panted from the hospital bed, welcoming our littlest love into the world. Why are we like this?! 🥴 You can’t take us anywhere…🤣 Thanks hubby for being the MOST fun at all times. Life is a comedy with you, and I’m seriously in love. Happy Valentine’s Day!

02/14/2023

Say it again for the people in the back! This line from my book Life Starts Now is one I'm most proud of writing. The whole section really (swipe to read). I wanted to be crystal clear after decades working in toxic male-centered ministries and earning my degrees in old boys' club Christian universities. The way women are taught to view themselves in and out of relationships has to change.

When I worked as a marriage and family therapist, I'd watch single woman after woman come into my office feeling inadequate without a partner. The church told them they lacked spiritual authority, maturity, or value because they didn't have husbands. And then I'd watch the married women come and sit on my couch crying. They felt trapped in unfulfilling relationships where they played second fiddle to their husband's purpose because the church told them "submit to your husband's calling."

Ladies - squash that noise. We don't have time for it.

Here's the new narrative: You are a woman of consequence. You are worthy. Your purpose matters. It is unique, vibrant, and God-ordained. Single? Celebrate your freedom. Partnered? Rejoice because you have someone to lean on in life. But don't stop believing God's promise of purpose applies to you.

Share this message with someone who needs to hear it. Then go have an incredible Valentine's Day because you are loved, cherished, and valued for the mark you're leaving on the world.

02/13/2023

I’m loving the moment is having right now in relation to her calling. Despite all kinds of external pressure to release another album and exponentially grow the billion-dollar empire she’s built through and 17 years in the music business, Rihanna says nope. ✌🏾 These are purpose-driven moves, and Rihanna is giving a masterclass in how to be the architect of your own life.

I’m praying that this week you dig your heels in on one thing you’re passionate about and ignore the voices telling you to live according to their demands and metrics of success.

Let’s cheer for our girl RiRi and her choice to take another step into motherhood with baby number 2. Thanks for showing us how a well-rounded life of your choosing is the life worth living. Work, work, work, sis!

02/01/2023

Bedtime thoughts on grace while the big reads the little The Serious Goose by .

Chanel Dokun