What If You’re Suffering Unnecessarily?

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a situation, believing that this is just how it is? You feel uncomfortable, unhappy—even suffering—but instead of looking for solutions, you convince yourself that this is normal because everyone else seems to be doing the same.

It’s a common trap. And I’ve been there, too.

The Electric Blanket Awakening

When I first moved into my college dorm, it was freezing. One night, my teeth were literally chattering—tak tak tak—from the cold. I wrapped myself in my blanket, but it wasn’t enough. I tossed and turned, barely sleeping for nights.

I thought, Well, this is just how it is. I have a room, a blanket, my roommates seem fine—so I should be fine, too.

But I wasn’t.

Instead of focusing on my studies, exercising, or even just enjoying my evenings, all my energy was spent just trying to endure the cold.

Then one day, I visited another dorm room. And what I saw shocked me.

A girl in my dorm had a huge electric blanket—and she was sweating! She said casually, “I don’t like the cold, so I bought one.”

I couldn’t believe it. The solution had been so simple, so obvious. It wasn’t expensive. It wasn’t difficult to get. And yet, I had never even considered looking for one.

Why? Because I had already decided that suffering through the cold was my only option.

That moment changed me.

It made me realize how often we close off possibilities simply because we assume this is just the way it is.

The Hidden Cost of Tolerating

I’ve had similar realizations in other parts of my life—moments where I was absolutely sure there was no way to change something, only to later discover a simple, effective solution that had been available all along.

And now, I see it in others all the time.

• People who feel stuck in jobs they don’t love, thinking, “This is just how work is.”
• People who struggle in their careers, believing, “Everyone else is in the same boat.”
• People who are deeply unsatisfied but don’t take action, because they assume there’s no other way.

But it’s not true.

There are always possibilities—often simpler and more effective than we realize.

So, What About You?

👉 What are you tolerating, thinking there’s no other way?

👉 What if a simple, effective solution is right in front of you?

But even more importantly—what is tolerating this costing you?

Instead of spending energy on suffering through discomfort, what if you could redirect that energy toward what you really want?

Because just like with my electric blanket, sometimes the only thing standing between you and a better life is the belief that change is possible.

What if it is? 🤔

That’s exactly what I do—help my clients see simple and effective solutions to what feel like impossible problems. If you think your situation is different and there’s no way a solution exists, email me and let's talk.

What Does a Coach Actually Do? Let’s Make It Real

In my two years of coaching exclusively, one question comes up again and again: “What exactly do you do?”

I hear this all the time. Coaching can seem abstract—until you see the results. So instead of just telling you, let me show you what it looks like in real life.

I remember the moment when I realized I needed a change. I was already stretched thin—managing work pressure, keeping up with family responsibilities, and sacrificing my own well-being. I grabbed quick meals instead of eating healthy, hadn’t exercised in a while, and felt constantly drained.

Even when I carved out time to focus on career growth, it was exhausting. I tried strategies that worked before, picked up new tips, but I still didn’t get the results I wanted. I knew I needed to adjust and keep trying—but with my limited time and energy, I was barely keeping up with the bare minimum of work and family.

So, I paused. I told myself, “Let me just get through this busy season. Then I’ll figure it out.”

And when things settled, I tried again. But again, it didn’t work. “Maybe I just need to be patient,” I thought. But another voice whispered, “What if I can't figure it out? What if this is it?”

The cycle repeated. And because each attempt took so much energy, I needed long breaks in between—making progress painfully slow and discouraging.

Does this sound familiar?

Now, imagine breaking out of this exhausting cycle and shifting into a different one—one that builds momentum and makes progress feel lighter, faster, and even exciting.

That’s the shift I made for myself, and it’s what I help my clients do. I’ve seen this transformation into a positive cycle happen over and over again:

➡ They start to push back on workload and set better boundaries at work.

➡ They gain the energy and time to prioritize their career growth—without sacrificing everything else.

➡ They show up differently, approach challenges with a lighter mindset, iterate faster, and make steady progress toward their goals.

➡ And as a result, they start seeing unexpected opportunities show up—the kind they never thought possible.

Let me give you two real-world reasons why coaching works.

✅ “What got you here won’t get you there.”

Many of my clients already know this. They’ve read all the books, listened to all the podcasts, and learned new strategies. But they still feel stuck. The most common thing I hear? “That’s good advice, but my situation is different.”

This is where coaching comes in. I challenge those beliefs—not to dismiss them, but to help my clients see where they do have options. Almost every time, we uncover real, practical ways they can move forward. And instead of forcing progress, they build momentum in a way that feels lighter and more effective.

✅ “Reading about how to ride a bike doesn’t teach you to ride a bike.”

It’s the same with career growth. Career advice, books, and tips are like reading about how to ride a bike. They tell you what to do, but they don’t help you do it. Coaching is different. A coach gets in the field with you, watches how you “ride,” and helps you make real-time adjustments, fast iterations, and see results sooner.

That’s why my clients achieve their goals much faster than they expect.

What about you?

Does any of this resonate with you? If so, I’d love to hear your experience. I hope this gave you clarity on what coaching looks like in real life.

Still have questions? Let me know—I’d be happy to answer!

The Real Reason You Struggle With Decisions (and How to Break Free)

Have you ever felt stuck making a decision, paralyzed by the fear of picking the “wrong” option?

One of the biggest reasons people struggle with decision-making is the belief that there’s a right decision. If one choice is “right,” that means the other must be “wrong.” And if that’s the case, the stakes feel impossibly high—one misstep could mean failure. No wonder decision-making feels so overwhelming.

Why This Mindset Holds You Back

🔹 Fear of Failure – If there’s only one “right” path, making the wrong choice feels like a disaster waiting to happen. The pressure to succeed makes it terrifying to commit.

🔹 Avoiding Responsibility – If a wrong decision could lead to regret, it’s tempting to delay, overthink, or let someone else decide—so you’re not to blame if things go south.

But here’s the truth: There is no single “right” decision.

Even if one choice eventually leads to a better outcome, that doesn’t mean it was the “right” decision at the time. Because when you’re making the decision, you don’t have the luxury of hindsight. You’re working with the information you have right now.

How to Make Decisions With Confidence

Instead of chasing the “right” decision, shift your perspective:

✅ You’re not choosing the outcome—you’re choosing the path.

If you knew you’d succeed either way, how would that change your decision? Some paths are slow and scenic, others are fast and direct. Which journey do you want to take?

✅ One decision won’t make or break your future.

Success isn’t about a single, life-altering decision—it’s a series of choices that shape your journey. Whichever path you take, you have the power to pivot, adjust, and make it work. In the end, you make the decision right.

The Bottom Line

If you feel stuck in decision-making, ask yourself:

🔹 Am I believing there’s a single right answer?

🔹 What’s within my control to make either path work?

I once worked with a client who was torn between two job offers, terrified of making the “wrong” choice. But once she realized both paths could lead to the success she wanted—each with different challenges to navigate—she chose the one that felt more exciting to her. And she never looked back.

The truth is, you don’t have to pick the “perfect” path—you just have to pick one and make it work.

What’s Networking For Anyways?

Have you ever thought this? I have.

In my early career, I was told I was great at my work, but nobody knew me. “You need to network more,” they said. So, as someone who jumps in and tries things quickly, I started going to networking events.

I’d walk into a room where everyone was talking in small groups, clearly knowing each other and enjoying their conversations. Some turned and waved, but no one approached me. I stood there, feeling like an outsider. “I’m in the wrong place,” I’d think.

Even when I did talk to people, I walked away feeling like it was completely useless. We chitchatted a little, and then what? How was that supposed to help my career?

So I stopped going.

Then, over time, I started to really understand what networking is for and how it can actually work. And the reason I bring this up now? Networking is more important than ever for job searching.

Back in the day, you’d submit applications, get callbacks, go through interviews, and land offers. But now? Many people say they don’t get any callbacks at all. The market has changed. That’s why proactively meeting people before you need them is more critical than ever.

The Myths of Networking (Well… My Myths)

Here’s what I used to believe about networking:

1️⃣ It’s only useful if the person has a job for me. If they weren’t in my function or didn’t have open roles, why bother?

2️⃣ If I meet someone hiring, I should ask them to connect me to the manager or pass along my résumé. That’s the whole point, right?

3️⃣ I’m there to meet these ‘useful’ people. The ones who could give me something.

The Truth

Turns out, I had it all wrong.

✅ People aren’t there for you—they’re there because they need something too. If you listen to them, you’ll often find ways to help. And when you focus on what others need, they naturally start thinking about how they can help you too.

✅ Don’t ask for favors—become the kind of person people want to recommend. Instead of saying, “Can you introduce me?” show up as someone they want to introduce. The best connections happen when people volunteer to help: “Hey, are you looking for a job? I’d love to connect you with our hiring manager.”

✅ Everyone you meet can be “useful” in some way. Maybe not by giving you a job, but by helping you refine your introduction, show up with different energy, or test how you share your insights in different ways. The more open your intentions, the more valuable the experience becomes.

How to Make the Most of Networking Events

So how do you shift your approach and make networking work for you? Here’s what helped me:

1️⃣ Let Go of Expectations

Don’t walk in thinking, I need to meet a hiring manager in X industry. Instead, shift your mindset to curiosity: Who will I meet today? What new perspectives can I gain? Try experimenting—introduce yourself in different ways, adjust your energy, and notice what resonates. The best opportunities often come from unexpected places.

2️⃣ Be the Connector

Ever notice how event organizers greet people at the door, but once inside, you feel like an outsider? Truth is, most people feel this way. So take the lead—introduce people, start conversations, and make others feel welcome. That’s leadership too.

3️⃣ Focus on Helping First

Instead of thinking, Who here can help me?, be the one to offer help first. Ask about their challenges. Share an insight, connect them with someone, or recommend a useful resource. Real relationships form when you create value for others.

4️⃣ Lead with Passion, Not Just a Title

When someone asks, What do you do?, don’t just state your job title—share why you love what you do. Passion is contagious, and people believe that passionate people are great at what they do. If you’re not excited about your work, ask yourself why—that might be the most important question to reflect on.

5️⃣ Show Up Like a Consultant

If you meet someone in your target industry, don’t say, I’m looking for a job. Instead, ask smart questions: What’s the biggest challenge your team is facing? What’s working well? What’s missing? Share your perspective and insights.

I once had a conversation with someone who worked closely with a data science team. We talked about their challenges, and by the end, she said, I want to work with you. Are you looking for a job? Our data science team needs a leader right now.

Making Networking Work for You

Networking isn’t just about luck or finding the right person at the right time. It’s an opportunity to practice how you show up, engage, and offer value. It’s a space to refine your leadership presence, build genuine connections, and see what resonates.

Some of the people you meet will remember you, refer you, and maybe even work with you—but that’s just a nice bonus.

💡 In my recent interview with Jackie Santayana, we talked about her networking tips and experiences—how she built relationships, navigated career shifts, and positioned herself for leadership. Watch it here.