Table of Contents

• 9 to 5 Dilemma – A reader shares: “I’m always the one people come to when things go sideways…”

• Stop saying you're hard working. Say this instead

  • What job loss grief actually looks like: reflections from the Chloe Nassau session

    • Dollyism

Tools That Might Help (No, You Can’t Fix Burnout By Just Trying Harder)

1. Redraw your “Zone of Ownership”:

Ask yourself:

• What’s actually mine to own?

• What have I taken on because it felt easier than pushing back?

• Where am I stepping in before anyone even asks?

Try writing it down in two columns: Mine vs. Not Mine to Fix. You might be surprised by what shows up.

2. Pause the preemptive helping
You don’t have to jump in to prove your value. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is:

• “What part of this are you still figuring out?”

• “Would you like support, or just space to process?”

Let people rise. You’re not stealing growth opportunities, you’re making room for them

3. Track your invisible labor
For one week, take note:

• What are you being asked to do?

• What are you doing automatically, without acknowledgment?

• What’s going above and beyond—and is it being recognized?

You can’t advocate for different boundaries if you don’t know where they’re already being crossed

4. Start repositioning your brand...gently
Try shifting from “I can help with that” to:

• “Here’s what I’ve streamlined to make this easier for the team next time this comes up.”

• “Here’s a recurring issue I’m seeing, and a recommendation on how to address it.”

That’s the language of strategy. That’s what gets remembered.

 Worth Reading…

You don’t need to prove you’re reliable by doing the emotional heavy lifting for everyone else.
You don’t have to shrink or say yes to be seen.
You don’t have to fix it all to be worthy of more.

Take a breath. Take your time. Take up space.
Leadership doesn't always look like more effort. Sometimes it looks like letting go.

Quick Poll…

Stop Saying You’re Hardworking. Say This Instead.

Let’s talk about something that shows up on so many resumes and LinkedIn profiles...

“I’m a hardworking, results-driven team player who’s passionate about making an impact.”

And while I know they mean well... that sentence could belong to literally anyone.

When hiring teams read “hardworking” or “results-driven,” they don’t get curious... they glaze over. These phrases are filler. They don’t tell us anything about how you work, what results you’ve delivered, or what makes you different.

Here’s what to say instead:

When you’re writing your resume or introducing yourself, swap vague traits for specific actions and outcomes.

If you’ve ever said “I wear a lot of hats,” this is where you show us what those hats did.

Try this mini exercise:

Pick one phrase from your resume or LinkedIn profile that feels a little “meh.” Then ask yourself:

Even a ballpark estimate or anecdote is more compelling than a buzzword.

Your voice matters. So does your clarity.

This is about being understood. When you share your impact clearly, you help hiring teams see your value faster. That’s not bragging. That’s self-advocacy.

And in this job market, clarity is your competitive edge.

This week, I hosted a conversation with grief coach, Chloe Nassau to talk about what really happens when work ends.

💬 One participant said:
“I didn’t just lose a job. I lost the version of myself that felt secure.”

And that’s it. That’s what no one talks about.

And when that’s gone?
It can feel like you’re floating and expected to “get back out there” before you’ve even caught your breath.

Here’s what came up in our session:

 So what do you do with all of that?

You give yourself room.

You focus on agency over action — choosing what’s right for you, not what looks good on paper.
You reconnect with the parts of yourself that existed before the title, the org chart, or the office.

Here are a few gentle reflection questions Chloe and I shared in the session:

• What did I lose when I lost that role?

• What parts of me felt most alive in that job? Can they exist elsewhere?

• What do I want to carry forward—and what do I want to leave behind?

🤍 You’re allowed to take your time.

Grief doesn’t follow a productivity timeline.
You don’t need to explain or justify where you’re at.

You are not behind. You are between.

And this in-between space? It’s uncomfortable, but it’s also full of possibility.

If you’re in that space now, I see you. And if you want to be in community with others who are navigating the same, I’ve got more support coming your way soon.

Don’t Be a Stranger!

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