Latest Articles 

The Self-Help Loop Has You Trapped The self-help loop has you trapped like a hamster wheel. If another podcast, self-help book, online course, certification, planner, YouTube video, or productivity hack were going to fix your life…You would already be fixed. That sentence may feel uncomfortable to read, especially if you are someone deeply invested in growth. Someone who reads, learns, researches, journals, reflects, and genuinely wants more out of life. It’s uncomfortable fo

Many professionals believe burnout comes strictly from workload. But often, exhaustion comes from something deeper: unmanaged access. It starts slowly. An after-hours text. A request on your day off. A “quick favor.” An expectation that because you are capable, accommodating, or responsible, you should always be available. Over time, what begins as helping quietly becomes an obligation. This is what I call boundary creep. And it happens in workplaces every single day. Why Pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases NY Rangers T-Shirt: https://amzn.to/4nnZpHS Why Some Coaching Leaves You Feeling More Confused Than Clear There’s a conversation happening more frequently lately, especially among high-functioning professionals and women navigating burnout, leadership pressure, and career transitions. It usually sounds something like this: I tried coaching. I’ve done therapy. I left with more questions than answers. And hone

Confidence gets too much credit. “Just believe in yourself.” “Be confident.” “Think like a problem-solver.” It all sounds good. Clean. Simple. Almost comforting. Until your confidence has been completely knocked out of you. That’s the part we don’t talk about enough. Not everyone is starting from a place of belief. Some people start from exhaustion. From self-doubt that didn’t come out of nowhere. From experiences that slowly chipped away at who they thought they were. A toxi

Why are successful women often targeted online? Besides having to field cyber beggars and digital panhandlers, we also must block bottom-feeding scam artists. It seems the more visible successful women are, the more sophisticated catfishing scams become. A celebrity imposter tried to catfish me on Substack. That in and of itself is ironic. Substack is the social media of the intelligent. If Twitter used to be where the cool kids in high school hung out (till Musk took over),

Holy hot flashes, I am still menstruating at 58, bypassing specific milestones of societal expectations. You know, the beliefs that quietly decide when marriage and children must occur, while maintaining career stability. And somewhere in your early 50s…the “M” word. Menopause. But what happens when your body doesn’t follow the timeline? At 58, I am still cycling regularly. I’ve always followed the beat of my own drum…doing what I want instead of what society thinks I should

Grief. It does not always arrive once. But it always arrives. Sometimes it comes in waves, layering loss upon loss until the life you once knew no longer fits. That was my experience. In my latest Sip on This podcast episode, I share how grief, family loss, identity shifts, and painful transitions became the catalyst for my Second Act. Not as a polished lesson, but as my lived experience. This was not an easy story to tell. But I told it because I know grief changes people qu

Career reinvention begins with a subtle moment. It can be quiet at first. The energy is different when something begins to shift. It is difficult to recognize. You’re still showing up. You are still performing. You are still meeting expectations. But internally, something feels off. Like when you leave a room and then step back in, thinking you might have left something behind. But you didn’t. What once felt like progress now feels like repetition, and what once felt like suc

Employee turnover is expensive. Somewhere right now, a business owner is reviewing a resignation email or quietly calculating the cost of replacing someone who just isn’t performing. But here’s the real question: I s it cheaper to replace an employee — or develop them? The data tells a compelling story. The financial cost of rehiring is greater than the cost of investing in career coaching. Smart companies are choosing career development to help with retention over replacem

Stop Procrastinating. Schedule the Test. Download the Cosmetology Exam. You said this was the year. The year you finally take your state board. The year you stop doubting yourself. The year you step fully into your beauty career after passing your cosmetology exam. And yet… you’re waiting until next week. Well, next week is here. If you’re serious about passing your cosmetology state board exam, building confidence in your skills, or finally moving forward in the beauty indus

Feel the Shift? Why Clarity Must Come Before Change There comes a moment in life when something shifts internally. Nothing is dramatically wrong. Your life may look stable from the outside. But inside, something no longer fits. You feel restless. Unsettled. Quietly aware that you’ve outgrown something. This is what I call the beginning of a second act. And here’s what most people get wrong: They rush to change before they seek clarity. The Seduction of Immediate Action When d

Reading at least 10 pages daily from a self-help or nonfiction book has helped me with my life, relationships, and career coaching endeavors. It is also a valuable resource for my clients. Therefore, I want to share my book recommendations to help you in your life, relationship, or career journey.

Letting go of what no longer serves you isn’t selfish — it’s growth. When relationships, jobs, or identities stop nourishing you, redirecting energy back to yourself becomes the most powerful act of self-respect. Sip on this.

What Does It Really Mean to Act Wealthy? If you’ve ever explored manifestation or mindset work around money, you’ve likely heard the phrase: “Act like a wealthy person.” While listening to an astrology reader I follow on TikTok, she said the same thing in my horoscope reading. And then she asked, what does that even mean? Which, I thought was fabulously funny as I am listening to astrological, manifestation guidance, and she couldn’t assist. So, I did some research for read

How do you protect your peace when your drunk uncle or anti-Semitic aunt makes racist or otherwise offensive comments? The holidays are supposed to bring warmth, togetherness, and celebration. But for many people, they can also bring discomfort, tension, or emotional distress — especially when a family member lifts their head from their phone just long enough to insult every race, religion, ethnicity, and sexual identity. As a Relationship Coach , I often teach this: Your pe

Learn how to set Thanksgiving boundaries, protect your peace, and enjoy the holiday with confidence, clear communication, and self-care strategies.

Navigating through poor author self-esteem is a common topic that has surfaced in coaching sessions, something I have personally worked on, and see in writing groups. As a career coach and writer, I have a few suggestions to help you overcome low self-esteem as an author and create your best work. Poor Author Self-Esteem Defined An author’s self-esteem ties their belief in their worth and value to their competence as a writer. This can include how they evaluate their skil

People pleasing is a common trait that often emerges in coaching sessions, otherwise known as sociotropy, the clinical term used to describe a personality trait characterized by an excessive focus on the needs and wants of others at the expense of one’s own desires.

Have you ever walked into a room and doubted yourself, feeling like a fraud, believing you don’t belong with the professionals that surround you, and it is only a matter of time before they are on to you? Do you fear disappointing other people or dislike praise? These are a few symptoms of imposter syndrome. I’d be lying if I said those thoughts never entered my mind, irrespective of my confidence. What is Imposter Syndrome? Imposter syndrome is not pretending to be someone y

For career advice, advancement, or to learn how to coach instead of micromanage, schedule a free discovery call with Coaching with Ms. D.