How to believe in yourself when life gets hard

It’s easy to believe in yourself when things are going well. When you’ve just been hired in an exciting new job, when you sign your first client, when you start a new relationship. Everything seems possible. The world is open to you and good things are happening. But what about those times when things aren’t going well? When you’ve been … Read More

How to handle personal problems when you have to work

A few years ago, right around Thanksgiving, the relationship I was in ended very abruptly. I discovered a big deal-breaker between us that I was not able to handle, and he reacted very badly to my bringing it up. Physical threats were made, police were called, and the whole thing had to end right then and there. It was a … Read More

What to do when you don’t know what to do

It just happened again to me last week. I caught myself throwing up my hands about a sticky situation regarding a family trip, and just concluding that there was no good answer. “Well, I guess we’ll just have to all be miserable for those 5 days. I don’t know what else to do!” But those words haunted me. “I don’t … Read More

How to love a job you hate

The feeling of dread rises up every Sunday night. Tomorrow is Monday morning, and tomorrow you have to go back to the job you hate. Walking in the door every morning is defeating. You’re overworked and unappreciated, or you’re bored and ignored. You leave work feeling drained and its all you can do to fall into bed at the end … Read More

How to work with someone you don’t like

Raise your hand if you’ve had to work with someone you dislike. Your hand is up, right? We’ve all been there- chances are we’ve all suffered through a particularly unpleasant experience working with someone we dislike. Today I talked to a co-worker who was feeling particularly frustrated with another co-worker. His frustration has grown until it was making him unhappy … Read More

3 Steps to Mindful Problem Solving

When it comes to solving life problems there’s a simple concept I learned about years ago that helps me make mindful decisions. As simple as it is in theory, it can be challenging to apply it when I have so many years of practice making knee-jerk decisions or spending too much time over-thinking my options. Fortunately, as with all things … Read More

5 Benefits of procrastination

Yep, I’m a procrastinator. A highly successful procrastinator, or so I tell myself. The thing is, I use procrastination to my benefit. Really, it can be a good thing! No, really. Not too long ago I put off writing a blog post because I needed a break. I got some much needed me time and I was inspired to write … Read More

How to make big life decisions

Earlier this year I found myself dealing with job burnout and was faced with a major life choice- what direction to take in my career. Seek another full-time job? Take a part-time job? Start offering work-life balance and professional development coaching services on the side? Start actively pursing paid speaking engagements? Take a risk or follow the “safer” route? Ultimately … Read More

Complain The Right Way

If you want to live a happy life, you’ve got to stop complaining! But sometimes complaining is a good thing- if you complain the right way. Complaining can be an effective way to express yourself, spark positive change, and release your stress. Enjoying the benefits of complaining is all about complaining the right way- the right way to a happier … Read More

Dealing With Disappointment

You didn’t get the job you wanted. You were passed over for promotion. Your boss didn’t listen to your ideas. The customer went with another vendor. There are many situations that lead to professional disappointment. Disappointment can’t be avoided but it can be managed. Managing disappointment is the difference between getting stuck in fear, frustration, and doubt, and using the … Read More