Danielle Dinville

I’ve always been loyal — I’ve been at Sammons for 15 years — but I also know when it’s time to move on to something new. If I reach a point where I feel like I’ve tapped out in terms of what I’m learning, or I’m not growing or able to teach others, I don’t stay stuck. I look for what’s next — usually within Sammons, but always with growth in mind. During COVID, I hit a point where I wasn’t doing well mentally, and neither was my family. That’s when I really started rethinking how I was managing my time and energy. I read a lot — productivity, mental health, time management — but none of the systems fully worked for me. So I took the parts that resonated with me and created something that truly fit my life, which led to the development of my handmade planners and side hustle, Friday Afternoons Co. I’ve always been someone who learns, figures out how to apply it, and then shares it with others. I don’t gatekeep — that’s just not me. Recently, we did a team exercise around personal brand, and the consistent feedback I received was that people learn from me in a way that’s not preachy or judgmental. That meant a lot, because that’s exactly how I try to show up.

About two years ago, when I realized I needed to make a change, someone very important to me gave me advice that truly resonated. She told me to focus on chasing what felt right, not just running away from a problem, which helped me slow down and be intentional with my choices. That advice led to a change I ultimately made, and I’m still very grateful for her guidance. She was incredibly important to me during that time. Another manager gave me more practical advice when I was feeling overwhelmed and ending my days wondering what I had actually achieved. She suggested doing a time study. At the time, I didn’t really understand what that meant, but it was eye-opening. It’s something I still come back to now, and something I’ve shared with others as well. If you’re trying to set better boundaries, a time study can help you see clearly where your time is actually going — and identify where something needs to change.

In my 20s, I was very much in that hustler, go-getter phase, and I’m grateful for it — I wouldn’t change it. But by the time I hit my 30s and experienced burnout, I realized how important it is to create boundaries early. I was lucky to have a strong support system, and I don’t take that for granted. Not everyone has that, and without it, it’s even more important to be intentional about protecting your time and energy. Especially in the corporate world, it’s easy to feel like everything matters equally — but it doesn’t. The sooner you learn to prioritize and find that balance, the better. It’s not about doing the bare minimum, but about focusing on what actually moves things forward and making space for your life outside of work. At the end of the day, your work matters, but your life matters more. Finding that balance — and having the support to maintain it — is everything.

Finding balance is still the biggest challenge — and something I’m actively working on. Being present, managing my energy, and making space for self-care all play into that. Over the past year, I’ve felt more content than I probably ever have, and I do think part of that comes with perspective. I just turned 40, and I’m starting to understand why people say this stage of life can feel different in a good way. About two years ago, I was also diagnosed with ADHD, which brought a lot of clarity. I’m open about that because it’s more common than people think, especially for women to be diagnosed later. Getting support has made a real difference in how I focus and process things day to day. One of the biggest changes has been with reading — something I always struggled with growing up. Now I read constantly. Last year I read around 80 books, usually juggling a few at a time, and that’s become a big part of how I reset and take care of myself. I don’t know if my current approach will always look the same, but right now it’s helping me show up better — both in my work and in my life.

A few things really guide how I show up, both in my work and in my life. First is always learning. I’m constantly looking for ways to grow, try new approaches, and apply what I’m learning in real life. Support systems are also incredibly important to me — not just having people you can rely on, but being that person for others too. That’s something I try to be very intentional about. And then authenticity. Staying true to who you are, especially in a corporate environment where it can be easy to get pulled in different directions. I think that’s gotten a little easier over time, but it still takes effort. Speaking up, sharing your perspective respectfully, and not losing your voice in the process really matters. That’s something I think about a lot right now, especially with how much AI is becoming part of our day-to-day. I try to make sure I’m showing up as myself first, and using tools second — not the other way around. At the core, it really comes back to learning, supporting others, and staying grounded in who you are.