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.

To your brilliance,

Isabelle

P.S. Don’t know where to start? Apply for a Complimentary “Discover the Career You Absolutely Love” Breakthrough Session with me. 

P.P.S. You love your work but know people—friends, spouse, relative, coworkers—who don’t? Share this email with them. I’d love to see how I can help them.

The post (Client story + Video) 3 reasons why now is a great time to reevaluate your career and your life appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

Or

to finally do something about it. 

This is YOUR choice.

Don’t fool yourself, you choose even when you don’t take any action.

You just choose to postpone your happiness.

Be honest with yourself with what you are choosing.

Isabelle

P.S. If you decide 2020 is the year for you to take action and you need support discovering the career you absolutely love, you can apply to the “Find the Career You Absolutely Love” Complimentary Breakthrough Session and I’ll follow-up with you as soon as I receive your application. I’d love to help you get unstuck!

Feel free to share with people you know (spouse, friends, relatives, coworkers) who could benefit from it. I’ll be happy to see how I can support them in finding the career they love!

The post What are you choosing? appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

Well, I’m excited to lead FOUR workshops in San Francisco this Spring.

I’ll be facilitating my signature class Career Shift: Find Work You Love at General Assembly on these dates:
March 11
April 15
May 6
June 3

If you are local to the Bay Area,join me! I’d love to have you. 🙂
…..or share with people you know (relatives, coworkers, friends, etc) who may benefit from it. 

If you are not local to the Bay but interested, let me know. I can send you a recording of a webinar I did about this topic. It’s not as in-depth, but it will give you a first start on the topic. 

and if you want me to lead a workshop or a talk in your organization or community, let me know. I love being of service by giving talks and workshops and reaching more people that way, locally and internationally. It can be done in English or in French 🙂

To your brilliance!

Isabelle

The post I’m facilitating FOUR workshops this Spring… appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

Well, this is what my client Adam expected when he started working with me…

This is not how things played out for him… and for the better!

Following my guidance, using patience and listening to his own true voice, he ended up over time in the perfect work-life balance situation that matched everything he wanted, including releasing an album with his band!

Listen to his story in the video below.

Or jump right below the video to read his email and find his band on Spotify,

BEFORE

When Adam started working with me:

• He was bored, unchallenged, and depressed in his work.
• The long daily commute was killing him, as well as working at a desk from 9 to 5, and lacking the flexibility and freedom he was craving.
• As a result, he could not spend as much quality time with his partner and kids, and could not develop his passion to play drums as much as he desired. He wanted to be part of a band, but could not carve out enough time because of his commute and work situation.

AFTER

Following my guidance through the Roadmap to the Career You Love program and listening to his own true voice, the perfect work/life situation progressively unfolded for him. Read his email below.

Hi Isabelle-

I thought I would take a minute to update you on my career since I went through your program last year. In short, I have made some subtle and not so subtle adjustments of my work role which has enabled a much better actualization of my true self!

My career “success story” is more subtle than other case studies but has worked wonderfully. I thought it would be good for you to have as a reference in the event others have a similar experience as mine. I think I was expecting a big change over night which is not how things played out but I ended up in a great work-life balance situation over time. Patience and listening to one’s true voice is the key!

I am still at the same company and working in the solar industry. I was able to transition my role to “Product Management” which actually plays wonderfully into my “Improviser” tendencies. It also does not involve managing people directly which I actually quite like because it facilitates my need to feel “free”. This is typical of product management roles where it involves collaborating (something I do well) with all parts of the organization but does not involve managing others peoples time. Better yet, I requested flexible hours (up to 50%) and work from home a majority of the time. The net result is having the security of a formal “job” but the flexibility of working for myself and dictating my own schedule.

My ability to negotiate this outcome was a direct result of the authentic-self work we did. I was very comfortable negotiation for this situation because I knew it would work better for me and so was able to convince my boss (the CEO) as well. But that’s not the best part…. With my more flexible schedule I was invited to join a band. The universe delivered that one up right on cue!. My band has already recorded an album which is streaming on applemusic and spotify. We even did a little tour to Southern California a few weeks ago.

So, although I did not quit my corporate job and join the circus I was able to sculpt my career to what works best for me in a very non-traditional way.Simply knowing what I wanted and listening to my authentic self changed everything.

Thank you so much for your help. I hope this story will help someone else who may be struggling with what “success” looks like.

Best Wishes!

Adam Detrick

Here is his band: The Reverbivores. Adam is the guy on the right. You can find him on Spotify and Apple Music or use the link. Enjoy!

Are you ready to find your perfect work-life situation?

If so, I would love to see how I can support you.

>>> Apply for a Complimentary “Find the Career You Absolutely Love” Breakthrough Session. <<<

Or share this email with people you know (relatives, friends, co-workers) who could benefit from it.

To your brilliance,

Isabelle

P.S. What will it take for you to be a success story? — and if you are already a success story or on your way to one, please share with me. I want to hear and cheer you on!

The post (Client Success Story) I got emotional reading his email… appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

Woohooo!! What a joy to receive this email! (see the full email below)

Every month, I teach my highly acclaimed workshop Career Shift: Find Work You Love at General Assembly in downtown San Francisco.

I’ve taught it now 40+ times for 4 years to 600+ students. 

WOW!

Realizing that I’ve impacted hundreds of people through this class means a lot!

I often receive emails, notes, and words from my students about the transformational impact the exercises we do in the class have had on their career trajectory.

Last week, I received an email that made me really happy.

I want to share it with you to inspire you and to help you see what is possible for you or for the people in your life.

One of the attendees of my August class landed EXACTLY the work that he visualized during one of the exercises we did during the evening.

See his email below (posted and anonymized with his permission)

He even invited me to attend his celebration party! How fun!

—–

“Hi Isabelle,

I thought you would like to know that I have landed finally, and the outcome is fantastic. And you will be excited to hear that I basically landed in exactly the kind of place where my “flow” exercise guided me, despite all my doubts that it would materialize as such.

I will be working on microsatellites at […] starting this week! I’m looking forward to getting back into space systems engineering, biking to the office, and experiencing the thrill of startup life. It seems like a really great fit for me with lots of potential. No dogs are allowed in the office, but everything else sounds amazing. 😀

Thanks again for being on my team, and reminding me that good career outcomes are possible too.

Hope things are well with you!

Cheers,

B.”

—

Know that this is possible for you too or for people in your life (relatives, friends, coworkers).

YES, IT IS.

What is one step you are going to take before the end of the year towards the career of your dreams? 

2019 is around the corner.

How would that feel to start 2019 knowing that you are actively taking steps toward the work you love?

Isabelle

P.S. If you are already doing the work you love, please do me a favor and share this email with people you know who need this inspiration and reminder. I bet you know people who would benefit from some inspiration.

The post He landed his dream career and invited me to attend his celebration party! appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

If you’re in a job you hate and you’re looking to make a career shift, do NOT look for a quick fix.

Ditch the traditional career counseling that doesn’t go deep. They give quick fixes. They tell you what jobs you should do. 

But their approach doesn’t work. People end up stuck in jobs that aren’t a match, over and over again.

You deserve so much more than that.

That’s why my program, Roadmap To A Career You Love, is different. Very different. 

I don’t want to see you get stuck in that vicious cycle. Which is why I use an approach that is more effective and authentic.

Click here for more details about my program and to apply.

Check it out…

My program, “Roadmap To A Career You Love,” goes beyond the limitations of traditional career counseling. 

In my program, you will get permission to explore your true dreams and passions. We will build upon your unique values and strengths.

I don’t give you answers.

Instead, I help you get in touch with your inner compass so you are empowered to make decisions about your career and your life that align with your authentic self. This is the path to true fulfillment.

I would be honored to support you in finding your unique roadmap to a career you love. Join us?

Click here for details and to apply.

To your brilliance,

Isabelle

P.S. doors close on Wednesday, October 17… so be sure to get your application in now.

The post Just say NO to the quick fix… a new approach to career counseling appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

Well, I want to dive deeper into one of the BIGGEST costs I’ve heard so many times from the hundreds of people I’ve interviewed over the past 5 years.

It is the cost on your PHYSICAL HEALTH.

Yep, staying in work you hate is making you sick. 

Not sure?

Well, I collected for you real words from real people over the hundreds of interviews I’ve done, in English and in French. (notes from an interview in the pic)

I can’t sleep at night.

I wake up in the middle of the night. 

I get really anxious.

j’ai les nerfs a fleur de peau.

J’ai des crises d’anxiete.

I have high blood pressure.

I have panic attacks.

My mind is racing.

I am physically drained.

I am tired.

I have no energy.

I am exhausted.

Je suis tendu.

I am sick to my stomach.

I am gaining weight.

I eat to compensate from my stress.

I feel stress in my body.

I have a pain in my right shoulder.

Can you relate to any of these?

Or maybe you have other symptoms?

What are the physical symptoms you are suffering from as a result of work?

Not sure if they are related to work?

Well, I’m not saying that every single physical symptom you suffer from is the result of not liking your work.

However, I know that staying 5 days per week in work you hate is impacting negatively your health.

This is REAL.

Yes, staying in work you hate is making you sick!

Is that what you want?

If not, what are you going to do about it?

Today? This week?

Well, I can help.

I can help you feel alive, energized, and recharged at work and outside of work.

This is why I created my Roadmap To A Career You Love group program.

so that you:

• Wake up excited to go to work.
• Have a career you love that’s meaningful and fulfilling.
• Have a career that is good for your health.

This group program is open for a limited amount of time and I run it only twice a year.

So, don’t miss it!

>> Click here for the details and how to apply.

To your vibrant health doing work that energizes you,

Isabelle

P.S. Your health matters… this is time to take care of it!

Discover the work you love that is good for your body, mind, heart, and soul!

The post This is making you sick appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

Well, I want to dive deeper into one of the BIGGEST costs I’ve heard so many times from the hundreds of people I’ve interviewed over the past 5 years.

It is the cost on your PHYSICAL HEALTH.

Yep, staying in work you hate is making you sick. 

Not sure?

Well, I collected for you real words from real people over the hundreds of interviews I’ve done, in English and in French. (notes from an interview in the pic)

I can’t sleep at night.

I wake up in the middle of the night. 

I get really anxious.

j’ai les nerfs a fleur de peau.

J’ai des crises d’anxiete.

I have high blood pressure.

I have panic attacks.

My mind is racing.

I am physically drained.

I am tired.

I have no energy.

I am exhausted.

Je suis tendu.

I am sick to my stomach.

I am gaining weight.

I eat to compensate from my stress.

I feel stress in my body.

I have a pain in my right shoulder.

Can you relate to any of these?

Or maybe you have other symptoms?

What are the physical symptoms you are suffering from as a result of work?

Not sure if they are related to work?

Well, I’m not saying that every single physical symptom you suffer from is the result of not liking your work.

However, I know that staying 5 days per week in work you hate is impacting negatively your health.

This is REAL.

Yes, staying in work you hate is making you sick!

Is that what you want?

If not, what are you going to do about it?

Today? This week?

Well, I can help.

I can help you feel alive, energized, and recharged at work and outside of work.

This is why I created my Roadmap To A Career You Love group program.

so that you:

• Wake up excited to go to work.
• Have a career you love that’s meaningful and fulfilling.
• Have a career that is good for your health.

This group program is open for a limited amount of time and I run it only twice a year.

So, don’t miss it!

>> Click here for the details and how to apply.

To your vibrant health doing work that energizes you,

Isabelle

P.S. Your health matters… this is time to take care of it!

Discover the work you love that is good for your body, mind, heart, and soul!

The post This is making you sick appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.

Yep.

That’s right.

Let’s do the math.

In days:

• 5 days out of 7 days per week
• 240 days out of 365 days/year (if you take 4 weeks of vacation/year; this is often less in North America)
• 2,400 days out of  3,650 days for 10 years

In hours:

• 8 hours/day (minimum; it may be even more)
• 56 hours per week
• 1,920 hours per year
• 19,200 hours for 10 years.

Wow.

Imagine if you hate your work, or feel bored and unmotivated….

This is the TIME you spent unhappy and unfulfilled in your life.

It’s like being married to someone you hate, day after day, year after year.

How would that feel?

Would you stay married to someone you hate for 10, 20, 30 years?

Would you?

Probably not.

Why does work should be any different?

Why should you waste your life in work you hate for years and even decades?

Ponder that.

It does not have to be that way. 

This is why I created the program Roadmap To A Career You Love.

So that you can find work you love and that gets you excited to get out of bed every morning.

I run this group program only twice a year and it is open for enrollment now for a limited period of time.

>>> Get more information and apply for your free discovery call with me!

Isabelle

P.S. Isn’t it time to live the life and work you want?

Take one step today.

The post Would you stay married to someone you hate? appeared first on Brilliant Seeds.