Maybe you’ve been doing all the things people tell you you should do but nothing has worked… You are discouraged, and wonder what else you can do.

If this is you, this video is for you!

I’m sharing two tools, often overlooked, that may help you get unstuck.

If you need extra support, you can sign up for a 25-minute complimentary assessment of your current situation, why you are stuck, and what can help you get the career and life you desire.

If you want to take advantage of this session, email me with a few lines about your current situation, your main desires, and your challenges. I’ll follow-up to schedule a time to talk.

To the career and life you truly desire!

The post Grief & Surrender as Pathways to Your Goals appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

Today, I helped…

  my client who works in HR for Accenture, discover her purpose & vision for her next career in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice.
➤ She left the session lit up and excited about some tangible action steps to take in the next few months.

  my client who is Senior Director in Product Marketing for a tech company uncover her natural leadership style, why it clashes with her boss’s, and what to do about it at her next meeting.
➤ She left the session finally understanding the strengths of her leadership style, why her manager does not see and value them (as they are different than his), and what to do to address it.

my client, Senior Product Designer, successful, smart and a high achiever who tends to repress her emotions which causes her stress and fatigue at work and life. We did a powerful process to help her learn to welcome her emotions more, and use them as a leveraging tool in her career/life, instead of a hindrance.
➤ She left the session with some internal shifts and practices to welcome/leverage her emotions instead of repressing them.

Photo Credit: In Her Image Photography

The post A Day in my Office appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

No, I’m not sick

I’m not ‘lazy”

I’m not being “unproductive.”

Quite the opposite.

Here is what happened…

This morning, I felt some resistance to “work.” My mind was telling me “It’s Monday. You should go and work at your desk. This is the way workdays are supposed to be.”

My body wanted to stay in bed. Instead of fighting it, I reluctantly surrendered to it, while judging myself as “lazy” and “unproductive.”

Then, I started to journal.

And then I got inspired to watch a training video from my bed, so I brought my laptop. I felt a surge of inspiration again.

Then, I said, “what about I wrote this LinkedIn post.”

And then, I emailed my assistant.

And now, I’m feeling motivated to take on other tasks…that I was resisting earlier.

…all from bed.

It’s 2pm. I’ve not eaten yet. (It’s probably time now!) But I’m being productive and inspired… from my bed and in my PJs.

I found my inspiration from my bed.

If I had forced myself to do my usual Monday routine and go to my desk, I would probably not have accomplished as much as I did. I would probably still be beating myself up for not being productive.

Why am I sharing this?

Well, it is extremely hard to take action and be productive from a place of “should.” It is actually the most counterproductive thing to do.

Yet, many of us do it. We are trained to follow the “shoulds” and the “rules.”

– What work is supposed to look like.

– What Monday and a workday are supposed to be

– What “being productive” is supposed to look like.

Society and the work culture make the rules and we follow them, without realizing that maybe there are other ways, that don’t fit the box and that work better for us.

And then, we wonder why we are unproductive, and we judge ourselves as “lazy.”

It takes courage to challenge and break away from the “shoulds” to listen to your natural energy flow.

But, on the other side of it, there is inspiration, creativity, joy, and YOUR authentic contribution to the world.

You don’t create from a place of “shoulds.” You create from a place of freedom from the shoulds, inspiration, and aliveness.

Do you give yourself permission to challenge and break away from the “shoulds” to listen to your natural energy flow?

What is a “should” you can challenge today?

Even if you have a job you need to go to or a schedule you need to follow, there is always a place where you can find freedom from the “shoulds.”

What is it for you?

The post I’m working from my bed today… appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

It was one of the biggest crises of my life.

(I’m sharing this post I wrote in 2020 as it may help you or people you know who are facing a layoff.)

As I was losing my job, I was also losing my Visa to stay in the U.S.

I wanted to stay in California and change careers to pursue my passion.

It was time.

I kept hearing voices telling me otherwise.

An HR person told me that “I had to choose. I could not have both: staying in California and changing careers.”

My heart was screaming at me:  “no, I cannot choose. I’m not buying this. I think I can have both and I will.”

People were telling me: “What about you stay in the field of User Experience for now. It will be easier to stay in the US.”

I knew in my heart that this was not my path.

Despite the fears, despite the shoulds, despite the voices—internal and external—telling me otherwise…

…I chose the path of my heart and I forged ahead.

I went back to school to study coaching and psychology.

Two years later, I started my business to do what I love the most:  helping executives, managers, and high-achieving professionals stuck in a career they no longer love, discover and create meaningful work that reignites their passion and makes a difference. 

Ten years later, my business is thriving, I work with clients I love, I’m excited about my work… and I’m doing it from California!

If it was not for the layoff, I would not be where I am now.

Looking back, I see that the layoff was a blessing in disguise to help me on my path.

Are you facing a crisis that is trying to tell you something? Are you listening?

I’m where I am now because I listened and I did not choose the path of fear; I did not let the fears—inside and outside—stop me.

I followed my intuition and it led me to where I am now.

One step at a time. One day at a time. One victory over fear at a time.

This is what I tell my clients every time, to choose the path of intuition over the path of fear.

To do the work you truly love, you need to choose the path of your intuition.

Which path are you choosing, Isabelle?

• the path of fear?
• or the path of your true desire?

If you are ready to choose the latter but are scared and need help clarifying your next meaningful career, I’d love to help.

I have a few spots available for my 1:1 coaching programs:

• Roadmap to the Career You Love & Land the Career You Love
• Elevate Your Purposeful Work & Life
• Enneagram Discovery & Transformation

I’m offering a special discount or a Bonus Enneagram Session if you sign up by December 20.

If you are interested, email me. I’ll follow up with a few questions to make sure this is a good fit. If so, we will set up a time to chat.

If you love your work but know people (spouse, friends, relatives, coworkers) who don’t, please share this email with them.

Isabelle

Erik started where you are now.

“Working with Isabelle has quite literally been life-changing. After a 23-year career in Project/Product Management, I was burnt out and didn’t know what to do next. I wanted to find a new career direction but didn’t have the first clue how to do so. During my first consultation call with Isabelle, she just reached me on a deep personal level I was not expecting.

Over a 4-month period, I completed a group course with Isabelle that allowed me to discover my ‘authentic self’ and truly discover what work I’m passionate about and what values drive me. Long story short, Isabelle’s course helped me see bad behaviors I had been perpetuating for years, and learn to appreciate the things that motivate/drive me. With Isabelle’s guidance and wisdom, I am now on the path to the career of my dreams that I’m excited to have for the next 25 years.

To say Isabelle’s work is life-changing is an understatement!”
~ Erik Z., Oakland, California.

Want to become a success story like Erik? Email me here and we’ll connect.

Photo credit: In Her Image Photography

The post the day I was laid off appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

The interview is now LIVE on RTL Podcasts and Spotify.

In this interview (in French), I don’t hold back…

I share personal stories about self-limiting patterns that used to hinder my success in relationships, life, and work.

I reveal how the Enneagram has helped me significantly transform these self-limiting patterns and beliefs and transform my relationships, my confidence, my career, and my business.

When used well, the Enneagram is one of the most powerful and precise tools of personal and professional transformation I know. In combination with coaching and other modalities such as shadow and part work, the Enneagram will help you:

• Identify and move past your main self-limiting patterns in the way of actualizing your career goals.
• Improve your personal and professional relationships.
• Increase your self-esteem and confidence.
• And much more.

This is why I often use it with my clients to help them move past their self-limiting patterns stopping them from reaching their career and life goals. 

Isabelle

> > If you understand French, I encourage you to listen to my interview (Base 4) and to the interviews of the eight other types. You will learn a lot about yourself and the people in your life.

>> If you want to discover your Enneagram type, the self-limiting patterns holding you back, and how to move past them, you can do an Enneagram Typing Interview with me. I have a few spots available for those before July 22, when I’m taking my summer vacation in France, Email me if you want to learn more.

The post my interview is LIVE… and I don’t hold back! appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

Like my clients, it may be…

• making a difference in the lives or careers of your employees, students, patients, or clients
• supporting the environment, diversity & inclusion, health, art, architecture, children’s education, girls and women’s empowerment, real estate, or anything else.

But have you considered that…

• being an amazing spouse, a good parent, or grandparent that leaves a legacy in your children and grandchildren’s life,
• or bringing happiness and joy to your circle of friends and family 

could also be part of your purpose?

What if BOTH categories were an integral part of your purpose or “sacred work” as my colleague Beverley Barnes calls it?

Your purpose–what brings meaning to your life–, can take many forms. And some of its forms are all too often ignored. 

For many of my clients, whatever their gender identity is, being a good parent or a good partner, is as important to them as making a difference in the world with their work.

It’s why, when I help them clarify their purpose in my Land the Career You Love coaching program, we look at the holistic picture to ensure we integrate it all. 

Career and purpose coaching need to be holistic to make a true difference in people’s lives and ensure fulfillment at ALL levels, not just at the professional level disconnected from the rest.

It is also the reason why in the past eight months, I have been quieter and not sharing as much. I’ve been putting attention to another important part of my purpose and sacred work while continuing to serve my 1:1 clients. 

As you probably know, a BIG part of my purpose is to help high-achieving leaders discover the work that reignites their passion and makes a difference. 

Well, I recently realized that there is another part of my purpose that is as important. This is being an amazing partner and deepening the relationships with my loved ones. 

I had always known it was important to me, but I had never considered it part of my purpose. So, I would spend a lot of time on this part of my life, but I would dismiss it as outside the scope of my purpose or my “work.” I would feel some kind of guilt that I would spend so much time on it at the expense of what is supposed to be “real work and purpose in the world.”

In the past few months, I realized that being an amazing partner is an integral part of my purpose and calling. It is not outside of it. It is IT. When I spend time and energy on it, I’m actually living my purpose and doing my sacred work in the world.

• Do you know what are the components of your purpose and your “sacred work’?
• Do you dismiss anything that does not look like what society tells you should be “work” or “purpose”?
• Do you hold a holistic view of your purpose?

I’d love to hear your insights. Comment below and let me know.

The post Your purpose… (and why I was quiet) appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

They apply in all kinds of situations, whether or not you are wanting to change careers. 

Check them out in this video and let me know what you think.

Isabelle 

The post 2 Things That Can Make Or Break Your Career Shift Success appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

• to prove I was intelligent enough.
• to belong and be accepted by my colleagues and my managers, the same way I was longing to be accepted in my family.

I achieved great success in my career and life, working for one of the biggest Internet companies in the world at the time–Yahoo!–, becoming bilingual, and moving from France to Canada, and then the US.

But I reached a point where the “proving to be smart” was just not working anymore.

I was miserable at work. I knew this was not the right career path for me long term. This was just not sustainable. 

Something else was calling me.

Something, where I could be my full self at work–100% myself–without having to prove anymore, and where I could use ALL my natural gifts and fulfill my purpose.
Something that would allow me to leave my mark in the world, not someone else’s mark. 

Can you relate?

⏩ Are you a high achiever who is unconsciously using your career or business to prove you are intelligent enough? or to belong? to fit in?
⏩ Have your career decisions up to now been driven by that desire? 
⏩ Or, if you somewhat like your work, is there still a big part of you who is trying to prove that who you are is enough? 
⏩ Are you in a career where you cannot bring your whole self? and you have to pretend or put a mask on, leaving some parts of you behind?

I feel the pain of that. I get it. 

You are not alone. I’ve been there… and also, out of it.

I know the path out of this! 

Through my own journey, my training, and through guiding hundreds of people in my coaching practice, I’ve discovered the keys to getting out of this vicious cycle once and for all…
…So that you can finally uncover and live the career of your dreams, bring your full self, live your purpose, and make the contribution you are here to make.

This is why I’m taught my free masterclass “Unlock Your Next Level Dream Career” on Thursday, July 8.

To help you…or if not you, maybe someone you know–spouse, friend, relative, co-worker. 

In the masterclass, you will discover the secrets to aligning your unique talents with your unique purpose, so you can have a dream career making a positive difference in the world.

I share more about my own journey and my proven approach to supporting high-achieving professionals land the next career of their dreams.

>>  You can watch the replay until Monday July 12, 2021 at 11:59pm PT by signing up here. 

I’d love to have you watch it!
…or people you know who could benefit from it. Please do share this email with them. 

It is possible for you to have a dream career where you can bring your whole self, make a meaningful difference. and feel more than enough exactly as you are.

I want that for you. 

Isabelle 

P.S. In this masterclass, you will also learn: 

• The #1 mistake high-achieving professionals make when trying to find their next career and how to avoid it.
• A decision framework for reaching total clarity and confidence about your next career, no matter how long you’ve been searching.
• The four elements of your unique career blueprint that will unlock your next dream career, most impactful work, and the confidence to go for it.
• The five steps to go from bored and trapped in your career to thriving in a career you absolutely love that allows you to live your purpose and make the difference you are here to make.

>> Watch the replay now!

The post I chose a career to prove I was smart enough appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

 I’ll be delivering it LIVE from Maui.

It’s FREE to attend. 

It will take place on Thursday, July 8 at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET.
If you cannot join live, the replay will be available, so don’t let the day and time stop you from signing up!

I would love for you to join!

This training is the result of some labor of love I’ve been engaged in the past four months to provide even more value to you. The content is brand new and I’ll share things I’ve never shared before

—> If you have been curious about my approach and what gets my clients such powerful results, this is the BEST way to experience it at no cost.

—> If you already know and have experienced my work as a client, in my workshops, or on a private call, this is a great opportunity to deepen the work and get a new influx of inspiration on your journey.

This free masterclass is perfect for you if…

• You are a high-achieving professional, entrepreneur, manager, or executive who has achieved great success but is bored and lacking passion for your current role or industry.
• You feel trapped, lost, or confused in your career.
• You want meaningful work that allows you to make a contribution and impact in the world, maybe leave a legacy, but you can’t figure out what that next work or career is.
• You have so many ideas that you don’t know how to choose the right one.
• You don’t know whether your current career, business, or industry is the right path for you or not.

* Even if this masterclass is primarily geared towards high-achieving and successful professionals, you will still get value from it even if you don’t identify as such. 

In this masterclass, I’ll share with you…

…the secrets to aligning your unique talents with your unique purpose, so you can have a dream career making a positive difference in the world.
If you’ve been searching for this kind of meaning and freedom for a while and are starting to feel stuck or hopeless, I know this promise can seem far-fetched. But after years of helping hundreds of clients successfully land their dream careers, I know there truly is one key element that consistently unlocks this hidden path and I can’t wait to share it with you!
 

You will learn:

• The #1 mistake high-achieving professionals make when trying to find their next career and how to avoid it.
• A decision framework for reaching total clarity and confidence about your next career, no matter how long you’ve been searching.
• The four elements of your unique career blueprint that will unlock your next dream career, most impactful work, and the confidence to go for it.
• The five steps to go from bored and trapped in your career to thriving in a career you absolutely love that allows you to live your purpose and make the difference you are here to make.

—> Share with people you know (friends, family, spouse, coworkers) who may benefit from it.
You can forward them this email or share the registration page: https://mailchi.mp/brilliantseeds/dreamcareer

I can’t wait to share this powerful content with you!

Isabelle

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