8%STRONG: Growing Forward – at Work, at Home, and in Life

cultivating whole-person leadership from the inside-out

[ September 2025 – May 2026 ]

Professional growth begins with personal growth. 


Sustainable success starts within — shaped by:


  • mindsets,
  • habits,
  • skills,
  • tools, and
  • an ability to lead ourselves. 


In today’s fast-paced, over-extended, and under-resourced working environments, an undeniable reality is clear:


Your development is your responsibility.


The good news is that every investment in you is your advantage.


To support you in this essential work, I leveraged my thirty years of experience supporting leaders in business, education, nonprofits, healthcare, and ministry to design this 8%STRONG series.


Are you an Eight Percenter?

(use the arrows to the right to learn more)

  • The Power of Eight Percent

    8%STRONG Power. That’s what each new month offers – a fresh 8% of the year to fill with intention, reflection, and growth.


    Eight percent may not seem like much, but consider that:


    ... for passengers on a flight from Chicago to London, 8% can be the difference between comfortably landing at Heathrow Airport and ending up somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean


    ... for runners making their way to the finish line, 8% can be the difference between going out for a nice, long jog and completing a marathon


    ... for students in a traditional classroom, 8% can be the difference between passing and failing


    ... for climbers, 8% can be the difference between hanging out on the side of a mountain and reaching the summit


  • The 8%STRONG Origin Story

    8%STRONG Origin. It was late November, and the year hadn’t gone as planned. I was behind on goals, short on resources, and running low on enthusiasm. 


    It felt like the year was over – and honestly, so was I.


    I knew that I was struggling. I knew something had to shift. I just wasn’t sure what.


    After several days of wrestling with gremlin-thoughts, I turned to journaling. That — along with a much-needed dose of nature-therapy along Chicago’s lakefront — brought the clarity I needed.


    The year wasn’t over.
 That was the lie. December still held 31 days — 8% of the year. 8% still available. Still full of possibility.


    That realization sparked a new question, “What have people accomplished in thirty-one days?”


    That simple reframe shifted everything. 


    It gave me energy. It gave me hope. It gave me intention.


    From that moment on, I began celebrating December 1st as 8% Day —
my personal holiday and annual reminder: The year isn’t over. And neither am I.


    Since then, I’ve shared the power of 8% with thousands of friends, loved ones, audiences, tobynote readers, and coaching clients as a reminder of two powerful insights:


    1) a lot can happen in one month

     

    2) the last days are often the  best days


    We launched the first month-long, 8%STRONG program in December 2020.

  • Past 8%STRONG Programs

    8%STRONG Past:


    Finishing Strong (December 2020)


    A Strong Start (January 2021) 


    Change, Changing, Changes (March 2021) 


    A Strong Step Forward (May 2021)


    A Season for Change (October 2021)


    Making These Days Our Best Days (December 2021)


    Revival (February 2022) 


    Your Strong Next Step (September 2022)


    Navigating Change (April 2023)


    A Strong Step Forward (August 2023)


    Navigating Change (September  2023) 


    Navigating Change (October 2023)


    A Strong Start (January 2024)


    Navigating Change (April 2024) 


    A Strong Start (August 2024)


    Resilience (December 2024)


    Resilience 
(January 2025)


    Navigating Change: an introvert's edition  
(June 2025)

  • The 8%STRONG Philosophy

    8%STRONG Philosophy. 


    100% effort is rarely realistic — and often unsustainable. Even 10% can feel out of reach some days. That’s why 8% matters.


    Our Philosophy


    Eight Percenters are a community of people who know that small, focused shifts — practiced with care — can create lasting impact.


    We invest enough to make a difference,

    but not so much that it overwhelms.


    We recognize that life is a process. We don’t just chase finish lines.


    We practice showing up — fully, steadily, from the inside out.

  • The 8%STRONG Approach

    8%STRONG You.


    Each 8%STRONG offering is designed as a challenge-by-choice, buffet-style experience. 


    That means:


    You engage at your own pace.

    You choose what serves you.

    You leave behind what doesn't.


    There is no "right" way to participate in an 8%STRONG offering. There is only your way – informed by your own rhythm, style, capasity, and intention.

Series At-a-Glance

(use the arrows to the right to learn more)

  • The Inside Advantage: Staying Centered in Turbulent Times (SEPT 2025)

    Topics Explored:


    • emotional intelligence, 
    • self-knowledge, 
    • agency, 
    • energy management, 
    • mindfulness, and 
    • the power of routines, practices, and protocols 

  • A Season for Change: Embracing the Nature of All Things (OCT 2025)

    Topics Explored:


    • change as a nature, ever-present reality of life, 
    • fear and resistance to change, 
    • agency, 
    • adaptability and openness to change,
    • leveraging change as opportunities to grow, and 
    • the power of routines, practices, and protocols 

  • A Survival Kit for Busy People: Navigating the Holiday Season with Grace and Resolve (NOV 2025)

    Topics Explored:


    • priorities, values, and preferences, 
    • expectations and rules
    • agency, 
    • boundaries and standards, 
    • clear and kind communication,  and 
    • the power of routines, practices, and protocols 

  • Wonder-Full: Rediscovering the Gifts of Curiosity and Awe (DEC 2025)

    Topics Explored:


    • the benefits of curiosity and wonder, 
    • the beginner's mind,  
    • agency, 
    • reflection and meaning making, 
    • sharing stories to deepen connection, and 
    • the power of routines, practices, and protocols 

  • A Strong Start: Designing Your Year Around What Matters Most (JAN 2026)

    Topics Explored:


    • values, preferences, and priorities, 
    • begin with the end in mind, 
    • agency, 
    • crafting goals and making plans, 
    • accountability and support, and 
    • the power of routines, practices, and protocols 

  • Resilience: Cultivating Courage, Compassion, and Capacity (FEB 2026)

    Topics Explored:


    • the resilient mind, body, and person 
    • mindset and self-acceptance, 
    • agency, 
    • falling down better, 
    • learning from setbacks, and 
    • the power of routines, practices, and protocols 

  • A March for Gratitude: Harnessing the Power of Appreciation (MAR 2026)

    Topics Explored:


    • benefits of gratitude, 
    • expressing gratitude and appreciation, 
    • agency, 
    • difficult times and challenging situations, 
    • cultures of gratitude, and 
    • the power of routines, practices, and protocols 

  • Potential, Purpose, and Passion: Fueling Meaningful Action Every Day (APR 2026)

    Topics Explored:


    • the potential of "you",  
    • intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, 
    • agency, 
    • visions, missions, and whys, 
    • aligning passion and purpose, and 
    • the power of routines, practices, and protocols 

  • The Commencement Mindset: Looking Backward, Looking Inward, and Looking Forward (MAY 2026)

    Topics Explored:


    • the importance of sacred moments, 
    • celebrating progress and achievements, 
    • agency, 
    • growth and reflection
    • intention, attention, and the way-forward 
    • the power of routines, practices, and protocols 

What's Included:


Each month's 8%STRONG program is designed to with four ways to engage.


Weekly, Midweek Huddles: 


  • 20-minute virtual meet-ups to reflect, reset, and connect. Wednesday afternoons. (no recordings)


Weekly, Unpacking Videos: 


  • a short video "unpacking" one of my favorite tips, tools, or concepts related to this month's theme.


Bi-monthly Office Hours: 


  • 60-minute virtual drop-in sessions held twice a month to ask questions, explore challenges, and engage with Toby. (no recordings)


Opt-in, Daily, Morning Messages: 


  • 3-minute reads delivered Monday through Friday at 8:00a Eastern via email or text. These brief but powerful messages are crafted to reinforce that month’s theme through quotes, reflections, and questions.


All Together:


With stand alone months you have access to:


  • Two drop-in Q&A sessions with Toby


  • Four midweek huddles 


  • Opt-in morning messages


  • Digital participant guide including a program overview, important dates, available opportunities, and a proven practices list for getting the most out of the program 


With bundles you receive everything listed above, plus:


  • The ability to select your months immediately or schedule as you go.


With the full series you receive everything listed above, plus:

  • Through-line Digital Summaries Sheets that highlight connecting points from month to month.


  • Certificates of Completion for all participants (upon request)


How it works:


Because one size doesn’t always fit all, each month works as:


  • An integrated part of a nine-month experience.
  • A mix-and match group of related topics.
  • A stand alone resource focussed on a theme.


Flexible Pricing Options:

Option Base Price Adustments Your Price
Single $147 none $147
Bundle - 3 $441 $98/mo. $249
Bundle - 5 $735 $75/mo. $375
Bundle - 7 $1,029 $68/mo. $476
Full Series - 9 #1,323 $55/mo $495

(Group and organization rates available upon request.)

Registration is Simple as 1, 2, 3...

1. Reply to this email with your Name (First and Last) and the email you will use for the program.

2.  I will send you an electronic invoice 

3. Once payment is made, your registration will be completed!

Registrations / Orders