05/01/2026
Celebrating the Incremental Steps
This week marks the end of Year One of my three‑year doctoral journey, AND yes, I am absolutely doing a little happy dance.
We do not celebrate these small, steady steps nearly enough. We wait for the finish line, forgetting that the real transformation happens in the messy middle, in the late nights, the early mornings, the “why did I sign up for this?” moments, and the tiny victories that keep us moving forward.
My daughters have asked me more than once why, at my age, I would even start a doctoral program. And truthfully, when you are knee‑deep in homework, working full‑time, running a consulting business, loving on the grandkids, supporting your kids, and juggling all the “adulting” that life throws at you… you do pause and think, “What on earth was I thinking?”
But every time I ask myself that question, the answer is the same:
Because I am committed to continuous learning. Because I want to make a difference. Because sharing what I learn is part of who I am.
And yes, the sarcastic part of me still thinks Dr. Cool Ass (Kulas) has a pretty fantastic ring to it. 😎
At the end of the day, no one will take care of my dreams, my growth, or my future the way I can. If something matters to me, I am going to figure out how to make it happen. And earning this credential is meaningful, not because of the letters, but because of the journey.
For anyone standing on the edge of a bold leap, wondering if you should jump, let me remind you:
I once willingly threw myself out of a perfectly functioning airplane skydiving.
Terrifying? Yes.
Freeing? Absolutely.
Life‑changing? Without question.
That moment taught me something I carry into every challenge:
If I can jump out of a plane, I can do anything.
And so can you.
Fear is only a four‑letter word. It has no power unless you hand it the keys.
Here’s to Year One.
Here’s to the small wins.
Here’s to the courage to leap, again and again, no matter your age, your stage, or your circumstances.
Celebrate the small victories!