How to guides

Why Saying “Yes” to New Opportunities Can Be Your Career Superpower

by

I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of “yes” lately. It’s been just over a month since I said farewell to my last job, and instead of jumping straight into what’s next, I’ve intentionally made space — and within that space, I’ve said “yes” to things I wouldn’t have before.

  • Yes to spontaneous lunch or zoom calls with new people.
  • Yes to volunteering for a nonprofit’s AI fundraising project (completely unfamiliar territory!).
  • Yes to showing up at events just to see who I might meet or what I might learn.

And honestly? The results have surprised me. I’ve made more meaningful connections and sparked more ideas in these five weeks than I usually do in half a year. It’s reminded me of something important: you don’t have to leave your job or make a big life change to open yourself to growth. You can start saying “yes” right where you are. ...  read more

How to Use AI as A Career Growth Guide for Promotions and Job Searches

by

Many dedicated professionals remain hidden in plain sight. They deliver exceptional work daily but struggle to advance their careers. The missing element isn’t skill or effort—it’s the ability to effectively communicate their value.

The Invisible Professional’s Dilemma

I’ve seen it countless times: some of the most talented, hardworking professionals I know aren’t getting promoted. They don’t shine in interviews either. Their expertise remains hidden because they simply don’t know how to talk about themselves. ...  read more

A Birthday Letter to My Mom — And a New Tradition

by

Last month, I started something new — something simple but meaningful. I wrote a letter to my dad for his 81st birthday.  That letter wasn’t about making peace or fixing the past. It was about connection — sharing small but cherished memories that shaped how I see him, and showing him, in writing, how much he means to me. ...  read more

How to Recover Quickly After a Work Mistake – 5 Tips

by

We’ve all been there—staring at our screen, replaying a mistake we made at work, feeling that pit in our stomach. It happens to the best of us. Just recently, I found myself in this exact situation.

My Work Mistake

I had an important meeting with my big boss, and I knew I needed to be concise. My leader had even advised me to focus on just one row of a particular slide, but for some reason—maybe pride in my work, maybe just being half-asleep on a Monday morning—I explained all six rows in detail. ...  read more

How to Crush Your New Year Resolutions & Become Your Best Self

by
crush your new year resolution with identity based goals

Every January, millions of people commit to New Year resolutions. “I want to lose 10 pounds,” “I’ll join a pickleball league,” or “I’ll be kinder to myself.” These resolutions often feel like they have a binary outcome: success or failure. For years, I avoided setting these types of goals because they felt rigid and defeating. Instead, I began focusing on who I wanted to become in the new year, rather than what I wanted to achieve. It was a subtle but transformative shift. ...  read more

Start 2025 Right: Must-Read Books on Money, Fitness, Life, and Family

by

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful moments. Here’s to a 2025 full of adventure, growth, and plenty of fun!

I know it’s been a while since my last post—I’ve missed connecting with you. Life had its own plans for me recently, involving unexpected work travel, my daughter’s knee surgery, and a health scare with excessive bleeding. But I’m back, and I’ll share more details in future posts. ...  read more

Three Unexpected Benefits from “Talking to the Duck”

by
working partnership
In my role as the Digital Experience Strategy leader, I started working with a lot of new partners this year. At first, I spent hours explaining the context of the work ahead, sharing the intricacies of what we can do next together, and trying to align everyone on the vision. It was exhausting, and it felt like I was rehashing the same information over and over. But one day, about six months ago, something shifted. I was venting my frustration to a partner, saying how tiring it was to repeat myself, when they stopped me and said, “You know, there are benefits to ‘talking to the duck.’” The phrase made me pause. “Talking to the duck” is a playful reference to saying things out loud to get clarity. It turns out this approach with my partners has three unexpected benefits that go beyond simple updates. Here’s what I learned:

1. Getting My Partners Truly Up to Speed

When I take the time to explain the context of the work ahead, what we can do next together, and share my thoughts on challenges, my partners gradually start to see the whole picture. Yes, it can feel repetitive, but the process of “talking to the duck” builds a foundational understanding that goes deeper than a one-time briefing. My partners begin to connect the dots for themselves, anticipate what’s needed, and can even make informed decisions without waiting for me to spell things out each time. This understanding means they can proactively suggest solutions or spot potential issues sooner. ...  read more