Work That Fulfills

Navigating workplace challenges as an undiagnosed autistic person can be difficult. Now, imagine navigating those challenges as an autistic woman in perimenopause. It's a unique experience that often goes unseen and unsupported. I didn't know I was autistic. I didn't know I was masking. I didn't know I was in perimenopause. I thought I was weak, sensitive, or broken. I didn't know that the challenges I faced in the workplace were amplified by my neurodivergence and hormonal changes. I didn't have children to reflect autistic traits back to me, so I didn't even know I was neurodiverse. Add in fibroids, a mid-40s hysterectomy, and the fun of perimenopause, and you've got a perfect storm of confusion and overwhelm. If you're an employer, take the time to understand the unique challenges that autistic women in perimenopause face. Create a workplace that is inclusive and supportive of all neurotypes and life stages.

Are you still following outdated work paradigms like overworking and stress? I used to follow the paradigm of business and work that my mom and grandma taught me: -overcommit -overwork -stress -always on the go -sacrificing quality of life for dollars. I’ve been able to shed anxiety, harness a more resilient and authentic confidence, and develop deeper connection with my purpose and creativity. I want to stress (pun intended) that I am here to work collaboratively with you - not tell you what to do and provide guidance and expertise when necessary. Ready to get started!?

Workplace relationships are the bedrock of a positive organizational culture. From the water cooler to the boardroom, the way we interact with our colleagues can make or break our work experience. Here are a few key points to remember: 1. Communication is key: Be clear, concise, and open in your communication with others. Listen actively and seek to understand before being understood. 2. Cultivate trust: Trust is the foundation of any good relationship. Be honest, reliable, and empathetic in your interactions with others. 3. Set boundaries: It's important to set boundaries in the workplace to protect your time and energy. Learn to say no when you need to and prioritize your own well-being. 4. Be a team player: Work collaboratively with your colleagues and be willing to pitch in and help when needed. A positive attitude and a spirit of cooperation go a long way. 5. Resolve conflicts constructively: Conflict is inevitable in any workplace, but the way it's handled can make a big difference. Approach conflicts with a problem-solving mindset and work towards a resolution that is mutually beneficial. By focusing on building positive relationships with your colleagues, you not only contribute to a healthy work environment, but you also set yourself up for success in your career.

The UX of YOU: Inner Leadership Mastery Does your workday feel crappy? Do you push yourself only to fear you'll be discovered as a fraud? Do you feel guilty when you rest? Have you ever snapped at a coworker? Do you dislike who you are as a manager? If you were able to unpack the fuel behind these thoughts and reactions, do you know what would happen instead? You'd confidently share your creative ideas and accomplishments in a way that connects with others instead of sending you into a performance panic. You'd enjoy times of rest because you know you earned it, deserve it, and you're a safe and wonderful person for NOT working your ass off. Instead of burning out, you'd feel rejuvenated and excited for the next challenge. You'd trust yourself as a leader and mentor. Stressful situations wouldn't feel so threatening. You'd have the emotional and mental space to be authentic, empathetic, and effectively think outside of the box. Join The UX of YOU, a leadership coaching program that does just that. PPS: Want your company to sponsor your career development? Send me a DM and I'll share the proposal that has successfully landed thousands of career development money. Win over your boss with an easy template and secure your spot in UX of YOU (for free!).

Have you ever felt a sudden rush of emotion that seemed to come out of nowhere? Maybe it was a moment of anger that felt disproportionate to the situation. Or an intense sadness that washed over you unexpectedly. These intense emotions can be confusing, but they usually stem from a very real place: your inner child. Your inner child is the part of you that stores all of the memories and experiences from your childhood. It's the part of you that holds onto the joy and wonder of being young, but also the part that holds onto any pain or trauma you may have experienced. When something in your present-day life triggers those old emotions, your inner child can come to the surface in a powerful way. As an Internal Family Systems Practitioner, I help people connect with their inner child and work through the emotions that are holding them back. One of the first steps in this process is simply acknowledging that your inner child is there. Once you can recognize when your inner child is speaking through your emotions, you can start to address their needs directly. This might involve: - Comforting your inner child when they're feeling scared or hurt - Setting boundaries to protect your inner child from being re-injured - Rediscovering the joy and creativity of your inner child By tending to the needs of your inner child, you can start to heal old wounds and live a more emotionally balanced life. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your emotions, take some time to connect with your inner child. You might be surprised by how much they have to teach you.

Do you ever feel like you're at war with yourself? In my work as an Internal Family Systems Practitioner, I've learned that we all have different parts of ourselves that drive our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These parts can be conflicting - like the "inner critic" that tells you that you're not good enough, or the "inner child" that just wants to be loved and accepted. The key to finding peace is to recognize and work with these parts, rather than trying to suppress or ignore them. By using the Internal Family Systems model, I help my clients to: 1. Understand their different parts 2. Identify the roles that these parts play 3. Connect with their core self - the calm, compassionate, and confident part of them that can lead the system This approach can be incredibly powerful in both personal and professional settings. By learning to lead from your core self, you can: - Improve your relationships - Make clearer decisions - Manage stress more effectively - And so much more If you're interested in learning more about how coaching can help or how IFS can be applied in your life, feel free to reach out.

OK, this is a long post, but it's worth it 🥰 When I was a kid, I had my own room but I was too scared to use it or sleep in it. There was a HUGE window that faced the driveway and the street. I kept imagining a bad guy (Jack the Ripper, actually) breaking in through that window. Not sneaking in… but full-body smashing through the window chest first with the intent of finding me and getting me. I don’t even believe I had the most vivid imagination. 🤥🤪 But, I used to watch horror films with my mom. She loved them! I would snuggle next to her and eat popcorn. 🧟 When the extra scary scenes came up, the blanket my grandma hand-crocheted shielded my eyes. 😖😵💫 One day, I finally wanted to brave going into “my” bedroom to sleep. It must have been about 4th grade and I remember looking down the hall from the comfortable, safe bed that I shared with my mom. I stared down the hall for what felt like hours just contemplating if I was going to actually sleep in there that night. The first night, I couldn’t sleep at all! 😶🌫️ There was just enough street light glowing through the shades of that ENORMOUS window that I couldn’t even pretend to forget where I was. I was determined not to retreat though! I decided to move the bed away from the window… then the window would look smaller. My little 10-year-old muscles dragged the bed, frame and all, as far away from the window as I could. 🛌 Of course, I kept enough space to open the door so I could run if I had to! For the next week, the fear only dulled a little as my eyes adjusted to the dim new glow from the street light. To cope, I made a “U” shape with pillows on either side of me so I had something at my back and to hold. 🦹 Eventually, the window wasn’t so scary. And I spent a lot of time in that room playing and listening to music.👯♀️ Five years later, I was in the same house but it was a very different home. Many people moved in with us and “home” became a volatile, hostile, and unpredictable place. I’m not exaggerating when I say it felt dangerous every day. I was very young to be allowed to have a lock on my bedroom door. I don’t remember how or when my mom and I talked about it, but I know it was a no-brainer “yes” given the circumstances. For all of my teen years, I didn’t spend any time in the house EXCEPT for that bedroom… ...and the closest bathroom! 🙀😻 The room that had been terrifying became my sanctuary. 😶🌫️ 🤯 The window that was a threat to me became my safest option to come and go. I’ve shared this story because this is basically what my job is today. 🤩🤩 To help people in creative and technical fields grow beyond overwhelm to a place of solid and repeatable confidence. I especially love to work with imposter syndrome because there is an extra spark when they begin to thrive with less effort and more connection. 🤑

I've seen how imposter syndrome can stop talented people from reaching their full potential. Actually, I've experienced it first hand. By using the same tools that User Experience designers use to understand their customers, I was able to heal the emotional wounds that kept me stuck. I can show you how to do it too. In June, me and a few brave souls will collaborate in the month-long UX of YOU coaching program. If you join us, you'll learn how to apply powerful UX tools to yourself, your career, and your goals. You'll walk away with: - A deep understanding of your core motivations - A new perspective on your identity in the workplace - Strategies to recruit your inner critic to your vision - Ways to set boundaries and avoid burnout Sound too good to be true? It's not. I've seen these tools work wonders for all kinds of people, and I can't wait to share them with you. So, if you're ready to have the inner alignment that heals imposter syndrome and unlocks your full potential, reply in the comments here with #ux Better yet, DM me and I'll share a proven professional development request template that will get your boss to invest in you and pay for your spot! send me a DM.

UXers help companies deeply understand their customers so they can build the most useful and easy-to-understand products. In 2018, I hosted a state-wide UX mentorship and coaching program with a focus on women in tech, career changers, and all things related to confidence and authenticity in the workplace. Now as a Mental Health Professional, I've repurposed those amazing UX research tools to help individuals deeply understand themselves. In this workshop, you'll experience one of the powerful tools in The UX of YOU program. You should attend if you are ready to connect to your core motivations that shape your identity in your career. - Do you feel guilty or lazy when you want to rest? - Do you push yourself until you feel taken advantage of or burned out? - Does an inner critic treat you with contempt? - Do you ever feel like you are one or two mistakes away from being rejected? You'll walk away with a profound new point of view about who you are and a method to explore your emotional system. I realize this is a BIG promise! I've seen people blown away time after time. So join us, and put my big promise to the test.

I help you fix how you feel at work. - Do you push yourself only to fear you'll be discovered as a fraud? - Do you feel guilty when you rest? - Have you ever snapped at a coworker? - Do you dislike who you are as a manager? If you were able to unpack the fuel behind these thoughts and reactions, do you know what would happen instead? You'd confidently share your creative ideas and accomplishments in a way that connects with others instead of sending you into a performance panic. You'd enjoy times of rest because you know you earned it, deserve it, and you're a safe and wonderful person for NOT working your ass off. Instead of burning out, you'd feel rejuvenated and excited for the next challenge. You'd trust yourself as a leader and mentor. Stressful situations wouldn't feel so threatening. You'd have the emotional and mental space to be authentic, empathetic, and effectively think outside of the box. My leadership coaching program, The UX of YOU, does just that. In 10 weekly meetings, our small group of researchers, writers, designers, and product owners form the most intimate and healing bond. - Unpack the origins of today's worries that hold you back - Heal hurts and fears that block your creativity and connection with others - Reset your emotional map and vision - Align your intrinsic motivation and be an unstoppable force of clarity Since 2017, I've helped hundreds of people cultivate authentic confidence so they can recover from burnout, take on leadership roles, and even thrive in new industries. Sound interesting? Type #uxofyou in the comments and follow me on LinkedIn. 7,200+ people are already in the know. PS: Share with friends and colleagues. There are so many who deserve to thrive instead of spin their wheels. PPS: Want your company to sponsor your career development? Send me a DM and I'll share the proposal that won over many bosses to sponsor your spot in the UX of YOU program.