I'm a huge advocate of executive coaching. I've heard other women express the same sentiment, and I wholeheartedly agree: a single session with an effective coach, who helps you delve deep and uncover the underlying reasons behind your career aspirations, can often have a greater impact than five sessions of traditional talk therapy.

I turned to coaching because I had a laundry list of career goals, but it felt like I was trudging through thick mud to achieve them. I could visualize my desired destination, almost within arm's reach, yet it remained elusive. It was as though my mind was urging me in one direction—a path dictated by external expectations—while something deep within, something I couldn't quite grasp, was whispering a different message. The presence of this resistance signaled that something was out of alignment. I just couldn't pinpoint what it was, so I sought help.

Through coaching, I unearthed the transformative power of clarity and self-awareness. I realized that my lack of progress stemmed from a misalignment between my goals and my core values. As long as this misalignment persisted, I was destined to remain stuck, mired in resistance. I discovered that one of my fundamental values was the concept of "home." To me, home symbolized a haven of happiness, health, and safety—a place where my family could thrive and bond. Surprisingly basic as it sounded, this value held far greater significance to me than climbing the corporate ladder. Once I recognized this, anything that conflicted with this core value became easy to decline. Whether it was taking on an extra project or sacrificing weekends for work, filtering decisions through the lens of this value empowered me to assertively say "no," regardless of the consequences. I had established a boundary for myself, and it was incredibly liberating. I had also identified and accepted my definition of success and took confidence in the fact that following my path would get me farther in my career than trying to adhere to someone else’s.

The power of choice–In an upcoming podcast episode, my guest Katie Kohloff Mouat and I delve into the empowering concept of choice. Discovering that I had the agency to decline projects I didn't enjoy, avoid burnout-inducing work hours, or pursue a career path that didn't fulfill me was incredibly liberating. You might argue that saying "no" is easier said than done, considering the potential repercussions. However, when you're crystal clear on your "why" and your values, you set goals that align with them, effectively establishing boundaries. Being aware and accepting that these boundaries are vital for long-term success diminishes the significance of any potential consequences. Moreover, it's even more empowering when you consciously choose to uphold your boundaries, firmly asserting your autonomy.

Acceptance-Another profound lesson I gleaned from executive coaching revolves around the concept of acceptance. Most of us have a deep-seated need to feel loved and accepted, often stemming from childhood experiences. I traced some of my professional insecurities back to a pivotal moment in seventh grade when I yearned for acceptance from the "cool kids" and faced rejection. This fear of rejection and longing for acceptance continued to manifest in my professional life well into my forties. By delving inward and offering compassion and healing to my seventh-grade self I was able to release a considerable amount of negative energy surrounding acceptance. This newfound sense of self-assurance has empowered me to network with confidence, free of inhibition and insecurity.

If you’re looking for a good executive coach, DM me! I’m happy to recommend a few of my favorites.