Jenna Kutcher: An Inspirational Q&A Series

I was lucky enough to meet and work with Jenna Kutcher a few years ago while I was living in New York City. I had just finishing writing my new book, Finding My Shine, and was trying to decide who I wanted to shoot the cover of it. I came across Jenna from a mutual friend and the moment we got connected and started talking, I knew I loved here! Something about her energy was electric and I knew we would be instant friends. Not only is she an amazing photographer, but just an amazing and inspiring person… you must follow her on instagram!

What are your morning rituals?

– Well, if hitting the snooze could be considered a ritual than I would be the ritual queen! Drew and I usually roll out of bed around 7:30AM and let the dogs out and then hit the gym. I have to go right away in the morning or else it just isn’t going to happen. We work out Monday – Friday and do crossfit together and then dive into work when we are all done.

When you think of the word “successful”, who is the first person that comes to your mind?

Joanna Gaines. I admire the heck out of her! She has built a true empire and continues to expand her reach while also maintaining a semblance of balance as a wife, mother, designer, creator, and business woman. I love that she stays pretty private while still creating an insane connection just through the work she does both on and off of TV. I love women who pursue multiple passions with grace and I think Jojo does just that.

What is your favorite book?

-Right now it’s “Present Over Perfect” by Shauna Niequist. What a beautiful reminder to slow down, to choose progress over perfection, to be present and lift our eyes to the life happening around us. Reading that book was like daggers to my soul in such a positive way, because I have a tendency to bury my head in the work I am doing and get consumed over all the things I am passionate about but our presence should be our biggest gift.

What would you tell your 10 year old self?

“You’re going to change the world and you don’t need to be perfect to make an impact.” When I was 10 I was a competitive gymnast, the kind of girl who pushed for perfection in every aspect of life. I wanted big things but I had no clue that my path would lead me to where I am today. I was a sensitive little girl with a lot of grit and tenacity, I believed in kindness, but I never knew that those imperfections that I loathed would become the things that have skyrocketed me to where I am today: still imperfect, but perfectly happy and driven.

Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

“Even still, amen.” We’ve walked a really challenging road this last year losing two babies to miscarriage. I’ve questioned a lot of things, felt alone, experienced grief in a way I wasn’t prepared for but I’ve also learned so much. God has taught me to be empathetic, to lean on him and his timing, to trust that his plans are bigger than mine. He hasn’t let me down yet and so I am in this season of praying and waiting and saying, “Even still, amen.” Even if things aren’t the way I thought they would be today, they are still so full of good and joy and beauty.

What do you believe is true, even if you can’t prove it?

You are enough. I believe that you are enough, perfectly enough, crazily enough just the way you are right now. I know that you might not believe it, you might be waiting for the perfect time or circumstance or relationship or pant size but I know without a shadow of a doubt that you are enough right here in this moment. I know that you’re pushing off progress in pursuit of perfection and you’re waiting for a sign (this is it) but I see you and I hear you and all I can see is you whole, enough, and ready to change the world.

What inspires you?

This might sound weird but time inspires me. I want to live the fullest, wildest, most passionate life and I know more than ever that in order to do that, I have to fill my days intentionally with the right things to help me reach that crazy goal. I don’t look at money as my currency, I see time as that and every single day that I wake up breathing my bank is filled up again and I have the choice in how I will use it. I want to spend every minute of it well, that inspires me a lot more than money ever could.