Overnight Success Stories

The Great Post-Holiday Reset

By Laura Berman Fortgang on January 12, 2025

We’ve all hit the ground running this week, back to work, ready to take on the new year with gusto … right? Okay, maybe not.

The holidays are a welcome break from business as usual. But let’s face it, the season’s festivities rarely offer much respite. Even if you had a chance to do a little hibernating, rolling out of bed and into the swing of things can be tough.

With the merriment over and the downtime behind us, you may even find yourself with a case of the post-holiday blues.

But we have stuff to do — obstacles to tackle, dreams to chase, and goals to achieve in 2025. It’s time to go after what you’re here to do!

We can’t let the winter doldrums sabotage our plans.

Here’s what I don’t recommend: New Year’s resolutions. As a coach, I can tell you they don’t work. Artificial fluff. Temporary distractions.

Instead, I suggest you do this:

1. Pick a “back to normal” date. Accept that being back to work doesn’t mean being back to normal. When are you really going to kick things off? Be honest (and gentle) with yourself.
2. Keep the party going. Add some festivities for this month. Gather with friends, go see a show, or take a little day trip. Give yourself something to look forward to in January.
3. Face your finances. Did the holiday magic go over budget or add some debt? Don’t let it weigh on you; put a plan in place to tackle it.
4. Get some sun. Even if it’s cold outside, the Vitamin D will do you good. Pick up an artificial sunlight lamp if you have to. I keep mine right on my desk.
5. Move your body. You don’t need to hit the overcrowded gym this month or do anything extreme. Make it fun.
6. Connect with people. Loneliness can get the best of us in the winter if we let it, but we’re social animals (even you introverts!) Make the effort to get together with friends and loved ones and meet new people.
7. Give yourself grace. Acknowledge the post-holiday winter blues if you have them, and remember that this is temporary. Spring will be here before you know it.

In other words, the key to a good post-holiday reset is good self-care. You’ve got this! I look forward to seeing what you accomplish this year.

Which Wolf Will Win?

By Laura Berman Fortgang on November 17, 2024

Which Wolf Will Win?

We’ve all been dealing with the news of what’s happening in the world around us lately, and it hasn’t always been easy.

Some are pleased, devastated, celebrating, sulking, some victorious, defeated, encouraged, and some are weary.

Very few are indifferent. We’re swimming in a sea of duality.

We have light, we have dark. Good, bad. Love, fear. The push and pull feels like it’s spinning us in circles, not knowing where to turn.

How do we get through this?

I suggest learning to hold both. Accept duality.

The conversations I’ve been hearing remind me of a lesson shared in a Native American parable, perfect for this moment — a story attributed to the Cherokee people called “The Two Wolves.”

A grandfather tells his grandson of two wolves existing within him.

One wolf is filled with negative emotions — anger and hate, wishing harm upon his enemies.

The other wolf represents the positive — joy, serenity, and doing no harm.

The young listener asked the elder which wolf wins.

His answer: “The one I feed.”

The way forward is to decide which wolf to feed.

Will you head toward the light? Will you embrace your community and do what’s right?

Duality will always exist. We can all make our best attempt to carry both: darkness and light, good and evil, fear and love.

Whatever the situation, whether you’re reveling in great news or reeling from a kick in the gut, try embracing duality and deciding which wolf to feed.

You don’t have to betray your values; look deeply within.

What’s next for each of us?

As for me, I’m pretty quiet right now weighing how to continue to feed joy and to strive to spread love in everything I do.

Why It’s Time to Unmask

By Laura Berman Fortgang on November 10, 2024

Want to know one of the best ways (by far!) to improve your life, career, and business?

Stop faking it.

Stop putting on an act. Pretending to be someone you’re not isn’t working as well as you think . . .

We’ve been conditioned to believe people will like us better if they perceive us a certain way — successful, rich, sophisticated, charismatic, funny.

Sometimes we think the only way they’ll accept, hire, or promote us is if we share the same interests, hold the same beliefs, and agree on the topic at hand, so we go along with whatever it is to get along. People choose everything from clothing and hairstyles to cars and hobbies just to fit in.

We bend, twist and wear a mask — all in an effort to show up as the most well-received version of ourselves. And the most frightening thing about this mask . . . is taking it off!

Unmasking is shedding your protective gear, making the real you more vulnerable to judgment, criticism, and disapproval.

If the idea of showing up as your true authentic self terrifies you, you’re not alone. Letting your guard down and letting people see you as you can be scary. What if you get rejected? Ignored? Laughed at? Ostracized?

The fear is real, and it isn’t something that typically resolves on its own. If you’re struggling to show up authentically, try —

Journaling about it; put your feelings down on paper.

Talking about it with someone you trust; open up and connect.

Working with a therapist to get to the bottom of what’s holding YOU back.

Dropping the mask isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.

When you live as your authentic self in everything you do, life is less stressful. You’ll realize you were just wasting tons of time and effort putting on an act.

Only you can be you. YOU is what enhances your personal brand like nothing else.

Things like wearing bold, colorful glasses, having a nose ring, and stepping on stage to speak in sneakers are ME. Keeping it real and saying what needs to be said is ME. Showing up as my authentic self boosts my confidence and helps me stand out. What’s YOU?

Be seen, Heard, and the person that the world needs.

You were designed perfectly just the way you are, and your contributions to the world matter. We’re all waiting to experience more of YOU!

Are You Playing to Win or Playing Not to Lose?

By Laura Berman Fortgang on November 3, 2024

I’m working with a C-suite executive at a mid-sized company, and the organization is going through some changes. Given his position, my client is privy to what’s happening and savvy enough to see the writing on the wall — what’s coming down the pike doesn’t look good, and his days may be numbered.

We agreed that it’s time to start exploring other opportunities. And that’s when it became clear that his confidence was shaken.

“Maybe I should target VP roles,” he said. “Perhaps a senior director position at a bigger company makes sense. Should I step out of leadership and go into consulting? I think I should cast a wide net.”

Here we go again, I thought. I’m never surprised but always disappointed when this happens.

I’m sitting across from a brilliant, driven, highly-accomplished C-suite executive, and just because his employer is taking an unexpected turn, he’s suddenly questioning his status and worth.

So I asked him: “Are you playing to WIN? Or are you playing not to lose?”

It’s a powerful question. One of my coaches has asked me! What about you? Are you playing to WIN? Or are you playing not to lose?

Because let me tell you what I know for sure, as I did with him…

Volunteering to step down a few rungs on a ladder you’ve already climbed is playing not to lose.

Looking for a lower-level role through a lower-risk search is playing not to lose.

Taking a pay cut to avoid the competition is playing not to lose.

Playing not to lose is accepting less than you deserve, which is a guaranteed “L” by any meaningful measure.

Here’s how my client can play to win instead —
Leverage his C-suite experience to land an even better position.

That goes for you too —
If circumstances threaten to bring you down, aim higher.

Never sell yourself short. Kick it up a notch! Shoot for the ultimate. What do YOU want?

A job at a bigger organization with higher pay, excellent benefits, and more support.
A position that fosters growth and prepares you for the next level.
A seat at the table with more visibility and a chance to make a name for yourself.
An opportunity to make an impact and leave a legacy.
A role that values your expertise more than your time and presence, so you can prioritize life outside of work.

It’s up to you. What do you want to WIN? Challenge yourself to go after that.

Too many people mistake aiming lower for taking the easier route with less risk. But playing not to lose never wins.

Disrupting the Meritocracy of Adrenaline

By Laura Berman Fortgang on September 22, 2024

Anyone who spends a lot of time with ambitious people will tell you —

Adrenaline is one heckuva drug!

Sure, it’s all-natural and a perfectly normal hormone for your adrenals to produce, but it’s also quite addicting for some people.

Working short deadlines.
Staying super busy.
Running on stress.

It sometimes feels like a superpower! Like you’re getting ahead by giving yourself a huge advantage.

Operating under pressure can help you focus, heighten your abilities, and make you feel invincible — all thanks to a chemical influx to your brain.

But you probably know where I’m going with this . . .

Running on high adrenaline simply isn’t sustainable.

Relying on adrenaline eventually turns us into junkies, needing coffee, sugar, and all sorts of stimulants to keep from crashing throughout the day. Our performance starts to suffer, we make mistakes, and sooner or later, we either face the facts or hit a wall.

What I want for you is sustainable success, and here’s how you get there.

Be present.
Remember, silence is the natural organizer.
You have to create space in your life.

Of course, this may sound easier said than done, but the payoff is worth the effort. It will help you experience focus, efficiency, and heightened ability without the roller coaster of energy, damaging stress, and eventual crash.

Meditating, journaling, practicing yoga, exercising, and doing breathwork all give you the benefits of adrenaline without the negative side effects.

Become aware of your body.
Move consciously.
Pay attention to your breathing.

These actions get the other endorphins flowing, so you don’t have to rely solely on adrenaline.

I want you to feel refreshed, vibrant, and ready to take on your next challenge.

The Secret to Better Decision Making

By Laura Berman Fortgang on September 15, 2024

If you’re feeling stuck in your career or business, it’s usually because you’re having trouble deciding which move to make.

“Should I do this? Or should I do that?”

High achievers know that indecision is the enemy of progress; swift, confident decisions are the path to success. In my experience, to say good decision making is underrated is an understatement.

You might be thinking I’m going to tell you it’s time to brush up on your critical thinking. Well, think again! Or better yet, don’t think again . . .

While being analytical obviously has its merits and place, there’s more to good decision making than what makes logical sense.

Rather than relying solely on deductive reasoning, good decisions often come from paying close attention to how you feel. The left brain tends to use all the data it’s gathered to steer you in the safest direction, keeping you close to shore and far from where you want to be. Sometimes it’s better to go with your gut.

Here’s what I mean —

Last week, I was working with one of my entrepreneur clients, and she was trying to figure out her next move. She owns multiple businesses and was considering several lucrative opportunities on the table.

But nothing about her business excited her anymore. The spreadsheets were shouting at her to stay the course, but she could no longer see herself happy or fulfilled by remaining at the helm.

Logically, it makes sense for her to stick with it, especially through the uncertain economy. But energetically, she’d already abandoned ship. She decided to sell.

And let me tell you . . .

The relief she felt at that moment was palpable. Right away, I could see that a weight lifted and her energy shifted. Within minutes, she started to talk about what she really wanted to do next — in a future that looks bright and much more aligned with who she is now.

I’ve made similar moves in my own career — where the logical decision would’ve been to take the conventional, safer route, such as signing a big corporate coaching client contract. Instead, I tuned into the energy and recognized that move wasn’t right for me at that moment.

What happened next? Soon afterward, the publishing opportunities that exploded my career landed in my lap. I didn’t know this would happen; it wasn’t even on my radar. I simply felt that taking on that other commitment wasn’t right. If I’d gone the logical route, I would’ve missed the door I walked through toward the future I desired and the success I’ve enjoyed.

I followed the energy, not the logic.

Time and again, over the years, I’ve experienced and observed this:

Logic will stop you and energy will free you.

The next time you have a decision to make . . .

Don’t just dwell on the pros and cons or the possibility that you could be making a mistake. Instead, focus on how it feels.

Where’s the energy? Where is the excitement? There’s your answer.