This is what I’m sharing in this video that I shot from the vineyards of Champagne.

Have you noticed that sometimes you keep working at something you want, working harder and harder, putting more effort and attention to it, and that thing you want keeps eluding you…

Do you know that working harder can become counterproductive…. and move you further away from your goals?

… and there is another way to create and get what you want?

A way that is actually much easier and often dismissed.

This is what I learned when I decided to spend a weekend in Paris a month ago.

I shot a video from France where I reveal what I learned on how to create what you want faster and with more ease, instead of working harder.

Enjoy and share one of your takeways in the comments. I’d love to hear.

To the career and life you truly desire!

The post What Paris taught me about reaching my goals appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

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.

It’s my layoff from Yahoo! 12 years ago…

As shocked and scared as I was when it happened, I was also relieved…

…relieved to leave work that was not in alignment with my purpose anymore. 
…relieved to not have to constantly adjust to tasks that were getting further outside my zones of genius and excellence.
…relieved from second-guessing myself and wondering if I was smart enough.
…relieved from being able to use only 40% of my core strengths at work and having to leave the others in the shadow, unexpressed, unseen, and unappreciated. 

After taking the time to feel my feelings and take care of myself, I started to see the layoff as the opportunity I needed to finally actualize my dream…

…the dream that I had been contemplating for more than six years.
…the dream to do work that fully aligns with my true talents, passions, and purpose.

….the work I do now: helping high-achieving professionals, executives, and managers create purposeful work that reignites their passion and makes a difference.

A layoff can be a catalyst to step into your purpose, the work that truly matters to you.

It can be a blessing in disguise to give you the push to finally go for your dreams and to stop postponing them to “someday.’ Did you notice that “someday” is not a day on the calendar? If you wait for it to come, I will probably never will.

A catalyst for purposeful work, this is what it is for my client too.  Successful Senior Director in Product Marketing, she just got laid off.

Only the day after she was laid off, she came up with a BRILLIANT business idea that is so aligned with her purpose and so perfect for her. She is thrilled and I am too.

Why did she come up with this idea with so much clarity and confidence?

…Because of all the preparatory work we have done together in the past few months to help her clarify her core drivers, values, strengths, personality type, true passions, and purpose. The essential work to excavate her true self, purpose, and talents, buried under decades of climbing the corporate ladder and what a successful career is supposed to look like.

This is why she can use this layoff as a stepping stone toward her dream career, instead of a setback.

As traumatic as a layoff can be, I know she will look back at it as the day that accelerated her journey toward her purposeful work. And she will be grateful for it, as I am for my own.

Of course, it is important to first honor and feel all the feelings, the shock, the fears, the grief, all of it, and get support around it. This is how you move through it, by feeling it first, before moving into what is next.

But what if your layoff–or any challenge you encounter–was actually a stepping stone in realigning your career and life with what matters most, instead of a setback? Or maybe a helping hand the Universe is sending you to reach your next dream? This is what it felt like for me.

(Note: Feel free to replace “layoff” with any challenge that is happening to you. The same questions apply. You can also forward this email to someone you know–friend, relative, spouse, or coworker–who got laid off and may need to hear this.)

What if this layoff was happening FOR you and not AGAINST you?

When you are ready, after honoring the feelings and getting support, I invite you to ponder these questions and find the truth in them for you.

If you need a supportive, empathic ear, I’m here. So don’t hesitate to reply and share with me.

I’ve been in your shoes. And, on top of the layoff, losing my working visa to stay in the US was not easy. I can tell you. In one day, I was losing my work, my livelihood, and I was close to losing my home too.

You are not alone. 

Reach out.

I believe in you. I believe in your dreams. I believe in your purpose.

With love,

Isabelle

P.S. If you doubt whether you have a purpose, I can tell you this: every single person on earth has unique talents and a purpose to offer the world, I know it after working with hundreds of professionals, including people who doubted they had a purpose when they started working with me. I’m naturally gifted in helping you see what you cannot see in yourself. This is the gift I was given, so trust me, even if you don’t yet believe it, I believe it for you.

(Photo credit: In Her Image Photography)

The post A layoff as a catalyst for your dreams 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.

My interview on Dominika Miernik’s podcast “The Expat Career And Lifestyle” is LIVE!!

I talked about the Conditioning of Your Native Culture on Your Career Choices.

In particular, I shared:

▶ My story including how the conditioning of my native culture (France) impacted my career choices,
▶ Specific challenges on your career path that come from having a multicultural background (including challenges coming from the conditioning),
▶ How to start discovering a meaningful career in alignment with your true self, not the conditioning you took on,
▶ Strengths of your multicultural background and how to leverage them in your career,
▶ and much more.

LISTEN to the full episode or WATCH it here.

Please share this interview with people you know you may benefit from it!

To your innate brilliance that transcends any conditioning!

Isabelle

The post How Your Culture Impacts Your Career Choices appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

He could not figure out his life purpose. He has done the homework but was still in the fog about it.

Then, I asked him a simple question that unlocked it for him. Ten minutes later, he was clear about the main theme of his life purpose.

Do you wonder how to figure out your life purpose, Isabelle? or how to infuse more purpose into your work?

If so, this question will definitely help!

Check out this video where I reveal the two questions I asked my client that helped him nail down his purpose.

Isabelle

If you want help discovering–or refining–your purpose and infusing it into your work, apply for Your Meaningful Work Discovery Session with me.

If you are a past client and need a refresher, email me for details about the Brilliant Seeds Tune-Up Session available if you sign up by September 30.

The post This question unlocked it for him appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

I look forward to giving this talk next Friday and you are invited!
as well as people you know–spouse, relative, friend, coworker-who may benefit from it. Please share this email broadly.

🔸 Are you a high-achieving professional, manager, or executive who has realized some success but is bored and lacking passion for your current role or industry?
🔸 Do you want to infuse more purpose into your career but can’t figure out how or even what your purpose is?
🔸 Do you long for more meaningful work that allows you to make a contribution, maybe leave a legacy, but you can’t figure out what it is?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then this interactive talk is for you!

In this presentation, you’ll learn:

✅ The #1 key factor to aligning your career with your life purpose with total clarity and certainty.
✅ The four elements of your unique career blueprint that will unlock your most purposeful 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.

I look forward to seeing you on the call!

Isabelle

To attend, simply join the Zoom meeting by entering the Zoom meeting ID: 829 8569 0187 and the passcode: mindful

If you or someone you know attend, let me know so that I can say hi!

Update: If you missed it the session, the replay is available here.

The post You are invited! appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

Do you have a multicultural background?
Are you first or second-generation immigrant or expat?

Do you want to find a meaningful career that makes a difference….or infuse more meaning and purpose in your current career?

If so, this interview is for you. (Even if you don’t have a multicultural background, you’ll benefit from it.)

I had the privilege to be a guest on this globally top-ranking podcast to chat about one of my favorite topics!

“Finding a Meaningful Career as a Multicultural Leader”

In this interview, I share:

• How the conditioning of my native culture influenced my career path and how it probably did for you too.
• How to free yourself from your cultural conditioning, and preconceived notions of success, to create your own meaningful career path.
• A powerful visualization to help you discover your purposeful work. I did it live with Tayo, the host!

Listen to the interview on Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

Happy listening!

Isabelle

I also encourage you to check out this brilliant podcast, As Told by Nomads., by Tayo Rockson, This is the podcast our multicultural world needs more than ever.

“Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine in 2019 in the Top 25 Business Podcasts for Entrepreneurs, As Told By Nomads with Tayo Rockson features interviews with global nomads, Third Culture Kids, and entrepreneurs discussing what it takes to be global leaders.”

The post Multicultural background? This is for YOU 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.