Now What?® Coaching

Category: Quotes to Live By

  • The September Advantage: Get On The Bus

    The September Advantage: Get On The Bus

    Another summer is in the books! I hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend. . .

    Because now it’s time to go back to school.

    Whether you’re growing a coaching practice or searching for your next big role, the pace likely slowed down this summer, and let’s be honest, so did the income. Not for everyone, but if you’re looking at your bottom line and feeling anxious, you’re not alone. I heard from many clients that things were slow.

    I know the headlines aren’t exactly comforting right now. The economy feels shaky, the job market is awry, and you might be wondering where the heck we’re headed.

    But here’s what I want you to remember:​
    The lull of the past few months was seasonal.
    A summer slowdown happens every year.

    Right now, you have a major advantage, if you’re willing to take it.

    Specifically, I call it the September advantage – that unique burst of collective energy that comes with a fresh start. You just had time to rest (even a little). Now you’ve got a clear runway ahead . . . until the holidays hit.

    Presently, we have two solid months to make some serious progress, so treat this like your own personal breakthrough semester and plan to ace it.

    Even if you weren’t the kid who looked forward to a new school year, think back to the last time you started something new and exciting with a beginner’s mindset, such as trying out a new fitness class or exploring a new country for the first time.

    Clear your desk. Buy yourself a few office supplies – some nice pens, a new journal, a fall-scented candle – and put on your thinking cap.

    Just like students reviewing their new syllabi, I want you to take a look at your work through fresh eyes:​
    ​What do you want to learn?
    How do you want to grow?​
    ​What skill, system, or shortfall needs your attention?​
    ​What’s one area you know you’ve been avoiding that could change everything if you focused on it now?

    Maybe you need to practice your sales conversations to improve your conversions, or streamline your systems and optimize operations. Perhaps you should be working on deepening your relationships, or finally showing up for the visibility you’ve been avoiding.

    It’s time to tap into that back-to-school energy. The holidays will be here before you know it.

    Pick ONE specific thing that’s been lagging. Then give it everything you’ve got with a deadline of Halloween.

    Don’t wait for Q4. ​
    ​Don’t tell yourself it’s too late for this year.​
    ​Don’t let the doomsdayers break your spirit.

    The bus is here. The door is closing. This is your moment to jump on.

  • Honoring PEOPLE Month

    Honoring PEOPLE Month

    If this year has felt like . . . a lot . . . you’re not imagining it.

    For many of us, 2025 has been heavy – personally, professionally, and collectively. The world feels a little topsy-turvy. Maybe you’ve found yourself wrestling with questions you didn’t expect to face this year:
    What do I stand for?
    What matters most?
    How do I stay grounded when the ground itself keeps shifting?

    We’ve watched conflicts unfold on global stages and at kitchen tables. We’ve seen friendships dissolve, business partnerships break down, families go no-contact, and workplaces and households fracture under the weight of unspoken tension.

    In my work as a coach (and in my everyday life), I’ve witnessed people trying to make sense of disconnection and disillusionment. It’s hard, and it hurts. Because under all the questions about morality, truth, identity, and power, we’re just people.

    And people are complicated – beautifully, maddeningly, gloriously complicated.

    Which brings me to one of my favorite ways to connect, escape, learn and grow: The theater. If you’ve been around a while, you know where I’m going (and where I went last week). “C’mon, Annie, let’s go to the movies!” 😉

    As a lifelong musical theater nerd, I’ve been counting down to the new release, Wicked: For Good. Let me tell you, without spoiling a thing, the artistry, the symbolism, and the message – it delivers!

    At its core, Wicked: For Good is a story about perception, power, and the bonds between us. It’s about how the stories we tell and the ones we inherit shape our understanding of good, evil, truth, and self.

    But more than anything, it’s about people. Messy, magical, flawed, and formative people.

    In this film, we hear the now iconic ballad “For Good” anew, stirring up the kind of moment that cracks your heart open and fills it at the same time:

    🎶 “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”✨

    That line has been playing on repeat in my mind and in my heart lately. Not just because it’s beautiful, but because it’s true.

    Honoring People Month by Laura Berman FortgangEvery single person who’s crossed your path has shaped you. Sometimes it’s clearly for the better, sometimes not so much. But always for some good, for growth, and for your becoming. People help to make us who we are.

    That’s why I’m inviting you to join me in honoring December as PEOPLE Month.

    Not in a sentimental, gloss-it-over kind of way. But in a real, courageous, meaningful way.

    Let’s take time to acknowledge:
    Friends who walked beside us (or away from us).
    Clients who challenged and stretched us.
    Colleagues who reminded us of our talents and strengths.
    Unexpected mentors and everyday teachers.
    Family relationships that ended (for now or forever), but left gifts in their wake.
    People who hurt us, and the ways we’ve grown since.

    This is a season of gratitude, giving, and gathering, as well as one of reckoning, one of facing and taking accountability for our own errors, judgments, and human ways.

    Whether you’re celebrating holidays, wrapping up projects, or simply trying to end the year with a little more clarity than you started, carry this with you:

    🎶 “So much of me is made of what I learned from you.“✨

    As you move through the rest of this month, show up with kindness.
    Offer compassion.
    Speak a little more gently.
    See people.     Really see them, especially when it’s hard.

    Because in the end, relationships are what change us.
    That change is not weakness; it’s wisdom.

    Here’s to all the people who’ve shaped us.
    May we keep growing, learning, and becoming . . . for good.

  • Grace Under Fire (When the Pressure’s On)

    Grace Under Fire (When the Pressure’s On)

    Lately, I’ve been having a familiar conversation with clients over and over again.

    They’re stepping into new roles, new markets, and new strategies, and they’re feeling the heat.

    They’re hopping on sales calls for the first time, making high-stakes presentations, testing new offers, and launching new things – all in this wildly unpredictable world.

    The pressure is real.

    The truth is, we’re not operating in the same reality we were a year ago. The job market has shifted. Business as usual is gone. With AI disruption, chaotic leadership, and a volatile economy, the ground keeps moving under our feet.

    We have to approach our work – and ourselves – differently to meet the moment, and do it with grace under fire.

    Trying something new always comes with risk. The offer could flop, the meeting could go sideways, and the prospect, on the verge of signing that big contract you poured everything into, could ghost you.

    But avoiding that risk by playing it safe keeps you stuck. Cozy, sure. But stuck.

    While we know the biggest wins come from stepping up and making bold moves, fear can still hijack the system. It’s human. The moment something gets hot, we pull back,  panic, overthink, and we shut down.

    Here’s what I tell my clients:

    When the pressure’s on, pause.
    Breathe. Calm your nervous system. Get out of fight-or-flight mode so you can think clearly.

    Then, assess your reality.
    What’s real, and what’s just fear talking? Are you reacting to facts, or to a story you’re telling yourself?

    Next, check your intentions.
    Are you staying on mission, or veering off course because you’re uncomfortable? Stick with your purpose. That’s where the power is.

    Finally, act with focus.
    Not perfection. Focus. What’s the next right move, not the flawless one? Do that.

    Grace under fire doesn’t mean you’re emotionless. It means you’re purposeful. It means you lead with intention, even when the heat is on.

    And yes – people are watching. In high-pressure moments, your response matters. It defines outcomes, shapes reputations, and opens (or closes) doors.

    Here’s my challenge to you: The next time the pressure builds, pause. Breathe. Choose what’s next with clarity.

  • Why is Everyone Acting Like Nothing’s Happening?

    Why is Everyone Acting Like Nothing’s Happening?

    Why is everyone acting like nothing’s happening?

    Let me guess: You’ve been wondering the same thing. I’m beginning to think I should add this to my FAQs.

    My clients, colleagues, and friends are looking around at the world – headlines filled with war, rollbacks on rights, disorienting shifts in leadership, and everyday tragedies – and wondering how they’re supposed to just go on . . . like, business as usual.

    They’re grieving. They’re angry. They feel powerless.

    If that sounds like you, you’re not crazy. It is surreal. Our identities, our sense of freedom and justice, the progress and safety many of us thought were secure – it’s all being shaken. Meanwhile, life doesn’t stop. There are bills to pay, kids to raise, goals to meet, and dreams that still matter.

    How do you live, work, and lead through times like this?

    Here’s my answer: You learn to be of two minds.

    You can feel heartbreak and joy. Despair and laughter. Being of two minds isn’t denial; it’s integration. It’s what allows us to stay human, even when the world feels inhumane.

    Here’s how to start:

    1. Practice full presence. Step away from the chaos and drop into a moment: Your breath, gazing up at the leaves on a tree, the sound of laughter. That’s what keeps you grounded.
    2. Limit your exposure. Stay informed, but constant news and social media will fry your nervous system. Give yourself windows of peace and distraction.
    3. Make meaning. Host a dinner. Hug your friend. Take your elderly neighbor a plate of food. Reconnect with what reminds you of who you are.
    4. Take action. Write to your reps. Volunteer. Give to communities on the front lines. Start where you are. Do what you can.

    As a coach (and an interfaith minister), I help clients hold both — the pain and the possibility. My job isn’t to fix the world. It’s to help you navigate it, to see things from new angles, to shift your inner narrative, and to create a plan that honors what matters to you most. Then, perhaps, we fix it, one person at a time.

    You can’t ignore grief, but you also don’t have to drown in it. There is a way forward. You deserve to find joy, even now.

  • Perfectionism: The Smart Person’s Trap

    Perfectionism: The Smart Person’s Trap

    Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot from clients who are wrestling with perfectionism. Some of them don’t even realize it’s at the root of what’s draining them. If you’ve ever felt like you need everything to be flawless to feel okay, welcome to the club.

    Here’s what I’ve learned over decades of coaching (and living) — Perfectionism is the ultimate lack of self-acceptance.

    It’s an inner need to have the outside world confirm that we’re “perfect” so we can feel worthy.

    Some might disagree with that definition, but in my experience, it holds up.

    Here’s the real kicker:

    Perfectionism works – at first! It gets you promotions, accolades, and a reputation for excellence. People admire your dedication and drive. You’re often the smartest person in the room.

    But it also takes a toll. Living with perfectionism is like staging a one-person Broadway production every single day – lights, camera, costume changes. Exhausting. Plus, you become your own harshest critic, way tougher than anyone else could be.

    Eventually, the show can’t go on. It’ll either fizzle out to disappointing reviews, or burnout, stress, and anxiety will become the perfectionist’s final bow.

    You’ll think you’ve lost your edge, but you’re actually on the verge of healing.

    If your high standards cause you to suffer, they’re too high. I know that might be a shocker. After all, those standards have become your identity, your validation, your way of being. But ask yourself: Is it worth the price?

    What is perfectionism costing me emotionally?
    What is it doing to my relationships?
    How is it affecting the work I care about most?

    If aiming for perfection is getting you rave reviews all around (especially from that human being in the mirror), keep it up.

    But if you’ve built a beautiful prison, brick by brick – outwardly impressive, inwardly miserable – it’s time to start dismantling it.

    Practice letting go. Let people screw up, let things be flawed, let the picture hang crooked on the wall. Feel the discomfort, and let it ride.

    What might happen if you let “good enough” be enough? Consider this: Perfectionism might actually be holding you back by slowing you down, keeping you small, making you harder to work with.

    If your pursuit of excellence is working, great. But if it’s making you miserable, it’s time to break out of the trap. Where can you loosen the lock, open the door, and let in some fresh air?

  • You Can’t Build Success on a House of Cards

    You Can’t Build Success on a House of Cards

    Lately, I’ve found that far too many of the people I talk to have been telling me they feel stuck. They’re overwhelmed by the economy, discouraged by the job market, or trying to grow a business without any traction.

    I have to say, it’s tough to hear. It sounds an awful lot like defeatism, which never does anyone any good.

    Don’t get me wrong; I’m not in denial! Nobody’s operating at “business as usual“ and seeing the same results these days. If you’re having a tougher time than usual, you’re certainly not alone.

    But the way I see it, that’s all the more reason to make a shift and evaluate your current situation. One of the key components to have in place is structure.

    Without structure, you’re building a house of cards. One small gust – bad news, a missed opportunity, a tough day – and the whole thing collapses.

    Whether you’re job hunting or running a business, structure isn’t optional. It’s the foundation that holds it all together, creating and conveying the kind of confidence that attracts opportunities.

    If you’re in a career transition, structure means having a consistent schedule, a straightforward process, and real accountability. Otherwise, it’s too easy to spiral into self-doubt or sit in front of your computer all day “researching” and calling it progress.

    If you’re trying to grow your coaching business, winging it won’t work anymore (even if it did in the past). You need a plan: Consistent outreach, clear offers, and systems to stay focused.

    Think like a seasoned architect or contractor: Start with the blueprint. Know what you’re building and why. Then, follow a process that’s organized, efficient, and rooted in your goals. That’s how you create something solid that can weather a storm.

    It doesn’t have to be perfect. But you need something concrete – a plan, a schedule, an edifice to shelter and support you.

    If structure is missing for you, it’s time to put it in place. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone.