Is your career feeling disconnected from your purpose? You were encouraged to work hard and shoot for the stars—you got there and wondered: "Am I happy?" The pressure to excel in your career and be fully present in your personal life can take a toll. Hard work alone isn't enough anymore. You are feeling the weight of it all. Have you lost the joy that used to fuel your work? Now you quest for meaning, a renewed identity, and personal fulfillment—not just money, because you realize that money...
2 days ago • 2 min read
A few years ago, a therapist friend asked me: “What does a better life look like to you?” I paused. My answer, delivered with a quiet conviction that surprised even myself, was this: “My biggest regret—I was not prioritizing myself. I want to prioritize me, more." For years, I'd worn my dedication like a badge of honor. I was taught to nurture careers, to foster growth, to be the unwavering support for the organization and the people. And I excelled at it. I prided myself on being the leader...
16 days ago • 4 min read
Is your current career bringing you the fulfillment you desire? Many women contemplate a career change to achieve better work-life balance, yet often hesitate to take the leap. I understand firsthand how easy it is to feel trapped in a job that no longer brings fulfillment, or worse, actively hinders our personal life. Unhelpful beliefs, self-doubt, and fear of change can hold us back and keep us stuck in jobs that no longer serve us. I've personally navigated three career transitions, each...
30 days ago • 5 min read
This week I received shocking news. A friend—a fellow professional woman—is diagnosed with stage 4 non-smoker lung cancer. It's already in her brain, and she just had brain surgery. The even more painful truth? The pain is now radiating through her shoulders and spine, and there's a terrifying possibility of it spreading further. And the speed of it all? Just a month. The weight of that news settled in, a sobering reflection on life and death, health and well-being. Beneath all the...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Do you push relentlessly, achieving significant milestones, yet struggle to truly acknowledge your successes? Are your days overwhelmingly dedicated to work, often sacrificing personal time and self-care? Does work-life balance feel like impossible? Does the idea of taking a vacation, a day off, or even a short break stir feelings of guilt? If these questions resonate deeply, it's likely you are navigating the world as an overachiever. Research shows that overachievers often share these...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Have you experienced that nagging feeling of "not good enough" creeping in as you navigate your career growth? The pressure to advance, the endless scroll of seemingly perfect careers and lives on social media? You compare yourself with other people's careers and lives, you feel you're falling short in the social comparison game. If this resonates, you're in the right place. We, as driven professionals, often find ourselves measured against unspoken societal standards. It's a natural human...
2 months ago • 4 min read
If you are a professional Asian woman like me, picture this... You're standing in front of your mirror, rehearsing how to ask for that promotion. Your accomplishments speak volumes – stellar projects delivered, teams led successfully, innovations implemented. Yet, something holds you back... This feeling, this hesitation, is often compounded for Asian women in America, whose career experiences are uniquely shaped by the complex interplay of gender, performance, and cultural biases. The "Women...
3 months ago • 4 min read
"Happy people are those who sleep less and hustle." I recently encountered this comment on social media, and I can't help but wonder: was it meant sarcastically, or does it genuinely reflect that person's reality? From years immersed in Silicon Valley's tech culture, I know the allure—and the potential pitfalls—of the 'hustle' mentality, often painting a picture of relentless, fear-fueled effort. But let's pause and truly ask ourselves: what are we striving for? Is this constant state of...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Does that inner critic ever feel relentless? And those moments of feeling like you're stumbling, maybe even failing, that you keep bottled up? You're not the only one. Self-doubt has been a familiar feeling for me too. But we can manage our self-doubt, minimizing its impact on our determination to take actions to achieve our goals. This post delves into five emotional challenges I've personally navigated recently and the insights and actions I've taken to overcome the negative feelings. By...
3 months ago • 5 min read