A life coach on how she manages stress, and three simple words of advice.

Laurie Gerber knows that designing a life you love isn’t easy—it requires making promises to yourself, and setting consequences when you don’t fulfill those promises. But it does get a bit easier when there’s someone in your corner, like a life coach, cheering you on.

We asked the co-president of Handel Group Life Coaching to share some of the promises she’s made to herself this year, any consequences that are helping to keep her on-track, where she finds inspiration (outside of life coaching) and her go-to workout.

Read our September story with Gerber for more information on life coaching and Handel Group.

24Life: What inspires you, besides what you do?

Laurie Gerber (LG): My children. They represent the future of our human potential. And I think we have a lot of work to do to make the planet the kind of place that I’d be psyched for them to grow up in.

24Life: You have 24 minutes—what’s your go-to workout?

LG: Jogging.

24Life: What’s your power food?

LG: Almonds.

24Life: What’s your secret to getting a great night’s sleep?

LG: Have a bed time and go to bed at that time. Also I don’t do caffeine so that helps.

24Life: What’s your number-one stressor, and top stress buster?

LG: My mind. Duh [laughs]. My number one stress-buster is calling my coach. My number two is meditating.

24Life: What is the most important promise (or promises) you’ve made to yourself this year?

LG: So many good ones. I’m taking it very literally, like this year. I can’t bring my phone into the bathroom, that’s one. Meditating 10 minutes a day. That has really helped. Have sex with my husband twice a week. What does that help? Turns out it helps a lot. And I would say no more than 11 hours of work a day. That is one of the most important promises I have in my life. And 6:30 dinner. 6:30 family dinner and not a minute late.

24Life: What’s the most effective consequence you’ve given yourself?

LG: Giving money to my children is very effective. And push-ups seem to be relatively effective.

24Life: What’s the best advice you’ve given or gotten, in 24 words or less?

LG: It’s easy, I can give it to you in three words: Tell the truth.

Interested in finding a life coach? Get started today at handelgroup.com/fitperks.

Photo credit: Mark Kuroda, kurodastudios.com