Across North America and around the world, the difficult news keeps coming. I think we’ve been carrying the weight for so long that we’ve stopped noticing how heavy it’s become.
Perhaps you’re snapping at family, feeling impatient at work, or finding everyday tasks harder than before.
I’m noticing something similar in my client work: people want to move forward, but uncertainty makes the next step feel frightening.
It seems like all we hear is bad news, but there’s lots of good things going on too – we just have to make a point to notice them more.
What might help?
Make the future smaller.
You don’t have to figure out the whole year. Ask yourself: “What’s one small step I can take this week toward something that matters to me?”
Notice what’s still possible.
Make room for the hard things, and also notice a kindness, a small win, or a challenge you’ve navigated before. These count, too. Again, there’s lots of positives out there – make a special effort to look for them.
Let someone walk beside you.
Talk honestly with someone you trust. Connection can help us find perspective and possibilities we struggle to see alone.
You don’t have to force yourself to feel hopeful before taking a step. Sometimes, hope grows as we move.
What’s one small thing you’re looking forward to – or could give yourself to look forward to, this week?
https://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.png00Kathy Parkshttps://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.pngKathy Parks2026-11-08 02:33:062026-11-08 02:33:06If you’ve lost some hope this year, you’re not alone.
Especially when your work comes naturally and you don’t give it much thought. You solve problems before they escalate, you bring clarity to messy projects, you’re the person colleagues turn to when something needs fixing.
But when an interviewer asks, “What makes you the right person for this role?”
You say: “I’m hardworking, reliable, and a team player.”
Generic, typical to all interviewees. Those qualities matter, but they don’t show someone what you can really do. How you are different from everyone else.
The challenge is translating your experience into evidence another person can understand, plus tangible results they will value.
(in the olden days we used to call it the STAR method – Situation, Task, Action & Result)
Now it’s as easy as – start with these three questions:
→ What problem did I help solve?
→ What did I personally do?
→ What changed because of my contribution?
Then replace a general claim with a specific example.
“I’m a strong communicator” becomes:
“I helped two teams agree on priorities so we could move a stalled project forward. That resulted in the project finishing early and under budget.”
“I’m good at improving processes” becomes:
“I simplified our onboarding checklist, making it easier for new hires to find answers without waiting for a manager. Which saved the company time and money because of the better processes.”
You don’t need a dramatic achievement or an impressive percentage.
You need a clear connection between your actions and their value. And if you can tie a dollar amount to it, even better.
If you’re preparing for an interview, write down three moments when your work made something easier, clearer, faster, or more effective. Use those stories to explain your strengths.
And choose the one or two most relevant to the employer’s problem.
That gives the interviewer something concrete to remember, and a reason to keep listening.
What’s one thing you do well that you tend to undersell? You can’t assume the interviewer knows how good you are. This is your time to shine.
What is your story that is dying to be told?
https://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.png00Kathy Parkshttps://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.pngKathy Parks2026-10-25 01:54:392026-10-25 01:54:39You can be great at your job—and still struggle to explain why someone should hire you.
We can be incredibly hard on ourselves sometimes – especially with our self talk that can be so negative – we sure wouldn’t talk to a good friend that way!
And yet, we do it to ourselves all the time.
Many of these stories that we tell ourselves have been with us for years. Some started when we were very young, perhaps from something we didn’t understand or misinterpreted at the time. But over the years, those stories grew. We found examples to reinforce them, and eventually they became something we just accepted as true.
I’m not smart enough, good enough, (thin enough?). I’m terrible at math, I’m not leadership material (You fill in the blanks).
And now, years later, we may not even remember where the story came from. But it’s still there, always holding us back, and often sadly, we don’t even notice it sabotaging us.
So here’s a question I often ask my coaching clients:
Is that really true?
Maybe it was true once. Maybe that story even helped protect you at some point in your life.
But is it helping you now? Or is it keeping you from seeing what you’re really capable of?
What would happen if you challenged that story? Or even just put it aside for a while?
Who would you be without it?
Sometimes we get so caught up in our own heads that we can’t see what’s right in front of us.
Maybe it’s time to stop letting an old story define who you are today.
And start writing one that reflects who you’ve become.
What’s one story you’re ready to let go of?
https://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.png00Kathy Parkshttps://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.pngKathy Parks2026-10-13 20:54:432026-10-13 20:54:43What’s one story you’ve been telling yourself that is no longer serving you?
Prune, release and let go.
Over the past month, I attended several different women’s groups, and strangely enough, the speakers all seemed to have a similar message: Sometimes we need to let go of what is no longer serving us to free up more time for what does. For what is really important.
I finally heard it enough times that it hit me. This is what I’ve been talking to my clients about all year.
Apparently, I needed to hear it a few more times myself!
It was a bit of an epiphany (and I haven’t had many of those lately!) but once I started looking at what I could release, it felt like a real weight had lifted.
As we head into the final push of the year, I think there’s a question worth asking:
How much capacity do you really have?
And maybe even more importantly, what is taking up too much space in your head?
Sometimes clearing your mind is even more valuable than clearing your schedule. In fact, one often leads to the other.
We don’t have to control everything, and we don’t have to volunteer for everything.
And we don’t always have to jump in because we know we’re right—or because we know we can fix something. Especially when no one actually asked us to fix it! Sometimes the best thing we can do is step back, step out, or simply let it go.
It’s not always easy, but I’m discovering that it can be incredibly liberating.
And when we release the things that are draining our energy, we create more room for the people, work, and experiences that really matter.
Who knew?
So, what could you prune, release, or let go of before the end of the year?
https://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.png00Kathy Parkshttps://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.pngKathy Parks2026-10-04 22:35:442026-10-04 22:37:54I’m Finally Taking My Own Advice!
Here’s one job-search strategy I wish more people would use – it’s not new or revolutionary, but so many don’t do it. And it can separate you from all the noise out there and the hundreds of applications a hiring manager receives.
Stop just applying for jobs & start talking to people.
It sounds so obvious that I’m a bit reluctant to mention it to my clients. But I still see talented, experienced professionals spending hours submitting application after application – and then waiting for a response that very often doesn’t come.
There’s another step that can make a difference. When you find a role you’re genuinely interested in, do a little detective work. Find the hiring manager, someone on the team, or a person in your network connected to the company. (And there’s lots of ways you can easily do that)
Then reach out – start a conversation.
Introduce yourself. Mention the role. Share briefly why it caught your attention and what you could bring to it. Is there a need or problem that the Organization has that you can help solve? (It really helps if you have done your homework and can show your knowledge about the Org.)
Keep it short, personal and most importantly, human.
Because your goal isn’t to ask a stranger to get you a job – it’s to start building a relationship so you can stop being just another résumé in a very crowded applicant pool (that they may not even see!)
A thoughtful message can show initiative, genuine interest and confidence – and it gives someone a reason to connect your name with the application that they now pull out of their big pile. And maybe even move it to the top of the pile!
Apply for the job for sure, but don’t stop there. A job search isn’t only about submitting applications – it’s about creating conversations & relationships before you get into the room (and to help you get into the room!).
If everything else you are doing isn’t working – try this and see if it helps. If they don’t reply back, nicely sent them a note again – people are busy. But they absolutely appreciate the effort of someone trying to stand out and be seen – if it saves them time, even better.
And sometimes one conversation is all you need to get noticed.
https://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.png00Kathy Parkshttps://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.pngKathy Parks2026-09-27 17:16:502026-09-27 17:16:50One Great Job Search Strategy (hint: it’s not rocket science or even new!)
I believe it is sad when people do not live up to their fullest potential.
It’s a shame – and a waste of how they could have contributed to themselves, their work, their families, and the world. And I care because it means they’ve unknowingly denied themselves of a potentially richer, fuller and happier life.
But what does “living up to your fullest potential” actually mean? And why would someone want to do it anyway?
Potential does not have to mean achieving more simply for the sake of achievement. It can mean recognizing what you are capable of and deciding what you want to do with it. It can mean finding work that allows you to contribute in a way that matters to you.
As a coach I see that people do not always believe in themselves or see what their real potential is. Maybe they have lived small or simply gone along, not expecting very much.
Maybe they are afraid to make the effort, put themselves out there, and perhaps fail.
Or maybe no one else has expected them to become who they really are. No one has noticed what they might be capable of—or taken the time to see it. And that is sad, too – sometimes just a little light shined on them is all they need.
Or, perhaps another person does see the potential in someone but doesn’t know how to bring it out. Seeing possibility in someone is not the same as helping that person recognize it for themselves.
If you have a sense that something is missing from your work or your life, perhaps it is time to stop and think about what else might be out there.
What have you always wanted to do?
What would make you much happier than what you are doing now?
What do you have to contribute that the world might need?
You may not know the answers yet. You may have spent years going along with a path you did not consciously choose. You may have forgotten what you once wanted or stopped expecting that it could be possible.
But that does not mean the potential is gone.
It may mean that you have not seen it clearly yet.
There is still time to stop, look at what is missing, and consider what might be possible for you.
It is never too late to live up to your potential!
https://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.png00Kathy Parkshttps://kpcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kp-logo-retina.pngKathy Parks2026-09-24 20:49:532026-09-24 20:49:53It’s Never too Late to Live Up to Your Potential
If you’ve lost some hope this year, you’re not alone.
/by Kathy ParksAcross North America and around the world, the difficult news keeps coming. I think we’ve been carrying the weight for so long that we’ve stopped noticing how heavy it’s become.
Perhaps you’re snapping at family, feeling impatient at work, or finding everyday tasks harder than before.
I’m noticing something similar in my client work: people want to move forward, but uncertainty makes the next step feel frightening.
It seems like all we hear is bad news, but there’s lots of good things going on too – we just have to make a point to notice them more.
What might help?
You don’t have to figure out the whole year. Ask yourself: “What’s one small step I can take this week toward something that matters to me?”
Make room for the hard things, and also notice a kindness, a small win, or a challenge you’ve navigated before. These count, too. Again, there’s lots of positives out there – make a special effort to look for them.
Talk honestly with someone you trust. Connection can help us find perspective and possibilities we struggle to see alone.
You don’t have to force yourself to feel hopeful before taking a step. Sometimes, hope grows as we move.
What’s one small thing you’re looking forward to – or could give yourself to look forward to, this week?
You can be great at your job—and still struggle to explain why someone should hire you.
/by Kathy ParksEspecially when your work comes naturally and you don’t give it much thought. You solve problems before they escalate, you bring clarity to messy projects, you’re the person colleagues turn to when something needs fixing.
But when an interviewer asks, “What makes you the right person for this role?”
You say: “I’m hardworking, reliable, and a team player.”
Generic, typical to all interviewees. Those qualities matter, but they don’t show someone what you can really do. How you are different from everyone else.
The challenge is translating your experience into evidence another person can understand, plus tangible results they will value.
(in the olden days we used to call it the STAR method – Situation, Task, Action & Result)
Now it’s as easy as – start with these three questions:
→ What problem did I help solve?
→ What did I personally do?
→ What changed because of my contribution?
Then replace a general claim with a specific example.
“I’m a strong communicator” becomes:
“I helped two teams agree on priorities so we could move a stalled project forward. That resulted in the project finishing early and under budget.”
“I’m good at improving processes” becomes:
“I simplified our onboarding checklist, making it easier for new hires to find answers without waiting for a manager. Which saved the company time and money because of the better processes.”
You don’t need a dramatic achievement or an impressive percentage.
You need a clear connection between your actions and their value. And if you can tie a dollar amount to it, even better.
If you’re preparing for an interview, write down three moments when your work made something easier, clearer, faster, or more effective. Use those stories to explain your strengths.
And choose the one or two most relevant to the employer’s problem.
That gives the interviewer something concrete to remember, and a reason to keep listening.
What’s one thing you do well that you tend to undersell? You can’t assume the interviewer knows how good you are. This is your time to shine.
What is your story that is dying to be told?
What’s one story you’ve been telling yourself that is no longer serving you?
/by Kathy ParksWe can be incredibly hard on ourselves sometimes – especially with our self talk that can be so negative – we sure wouldn’t talk to a good friend that way!
And yet, we do it to ourselves all the time.
Many of these stories that we tell ourselves have been with us for years. Some started when we were very young, perhaps from something we didn’t understand or misinterpreted at the time. But over the years, those stories grew. We found examples to reinforce them, and eventually they became something we just accepted as true.
I’m not smart enough, good enough, (thin enough?). I’m terrible at math, I’m not leadership material (You fill in the blanks).
And now, years later, we may not even remember where the story came from. But it’s still there, always holding us back, and often sadly, we don’t even notice it sabotaging us.
So here’s a question I often ask my coaching clients:
Is that really true?
Maybe it was true once. Maybe that story even helped protect you at some point in your life.
But is it helping you now? Or is it keeping you from seeing what you’re really capable of?
What would happen if you challenged that story? Or even just put it aside for a while?
Who would you be without it?
Sometimes we get so caught up in our own heads that we can’t see what’s right in front of us.
Maybe it’s time to stop letting an old story define who you are today.
And start writing one that reflects who you’ve become.
What’s one story you’re ready to let go of?
I’m Finally Taking My Own Advice!
/by Kathy ParksPrune, release and let go.
Over the past month, I attended several different women’s groups, and strangely enough, the speakers all seemed to have a similar message: Sometimes we need to let go of what is no longer serving us to free up more time for what does. For what is really important.
I finally heard it enough times that it hit me. This is what I’ve been talking to my clients about all year.
Apparently, I needed to hear it a few more times myself!
It was a bit of an epiphany (and I haven’t had many of those lately!) but once I started looking at what I could release, it felt like a real weight had lifted.
As we head into the final push of the year, I think there’s a question worth asking:
How much capacity do you really have?
And maybe even more importantly, what is taking up too much space in your head?
Sometimes clearing your mind is even more valuable than clearing your schedule. In fact, one often leads to the other.
We don’t have to control everything, and we don’t have to volunteer for everything.
And we don’t always have to jump in because we know we’re right—or because we know we can fix something. Especially when no one actually asked us to fix it! Sometimes the best thing we can do is step back, step out, or simply let it go.
It’s not always easy, but I’m discovering that it can be incredibly liberating.
And when we release the things that are draining our energy, we create more room for the people, work, and experiences that really matter.
Who knew?
So, what could you prune, release, or let go of before the end of the year?
One Great Job Search Strategy (hint: it’s not rocket science or even new!)
/by Kathy ParksHere’s one job-search strategy I wish more people would use – it’s not new or revolutionary, but so many don’t do it. And it can separate you from all the noise out there and the hundreds of applications a hiring manager receives.
Stop just applying for jobs & start talking to people.
It sounds so obvious that I’m a bit reluctant to mention it to my clients. But I still see talented, experienced professionals spending hours submitting application after application – and then waiting for a response that very often doesn’t come.
There’s another step that can make a difference. When you find a role you’re genuinely interested in, do a little detective work. Find the hiring manager, someone on the team, or a person in your network connected to the company. (And there’s lots of ways you can easily do that)
Then reach out – start a conversation.
Introduce yourself. Mention the role. Share briefly why it caught your attention and what you could bring to it. Is there a need or problem that the Organization has that you can help solve? (It really helps if you have done your homework and can show your knowledge about the Org.)
Keep it short, personal and most importantly, human.
Because your goal isn’t to ask a stranger to get you a job – it’s to start building a relationship so you can stop being just another résumé in a very crowded applicant pool (that they may not even see!)
A thoughtful message can show initiative, genuine interest and confidence – and it gives someone a reason to connect your name with the application that they now pull out of their big pile. And maybe even move it to the top of the pile!
Apply for the job for sure, but don’t stop there. A job search isn’t only about submitting applications – it’s about creating conversations & relationships before you get into the room (and to help you get into the room!).
If everything else you are doing isn’t working – try this and see if it helps. If they don’t reply back, nicely sent them a note again – people are busy. But they absolutely appreciate the effort of someone trying to stand out and be seen – if it saves them time, even better.
And sometimes one conversation is all you need to get noticed.
It’s Never too Late to Live Up to Your Potential
/by Kathy ParksI believe it is sad when people do not live up to their fullest potential.
It’s a shame – and a waste of how they could have contributed to themselves, their work, their families, and the world. And I care because it means they’ve unknowingly denied themselves of a potentially richer, fuller and happier life.
But what does “living up to your fullest potential” actually mean? And why would someone want to do it anyway?
Potential does not have to mean achieving more simply for the sake of achievement. It can mean recognizing what you are capable of and deciding what you want to do with it. It can mean finding work that allows you to contribute in a way that matters to you.
As a coach I see that people do not always believe in themselves or see what their real potential is. Maybe they have lived small or simply gone along, not expecting very much.
Maybe they are afraid to make the effort, put themselves out there, and perhaps fail.
Or maybe no one else has expected them to become who they really are. No one has noticed what they might be capable of—or taken the time to see it. And that is sad, too – sometimes just a little light shined on them is all they need.
Or, perhaps another person does see the potential in someone but doesn’t know how to bring it out. Seeing possibility in someone is not the same as helping that person recognize it for themselves.
If you have a sense that something is missing from your work or your life, perhaps it is time to stop and think about what else might be out there.
What have you always wanted to do?
What would make you much happier than what you are doing now?
What do you have to contribute that the world might need?
You may not know the answers yet. You may have spent years going along with a path you did not consciously choose. You may have forgotten what you once wanted or stopped expecting that it could be possible.
But that does not mean the potential is gone.
It may mean that you have not seen it clearly yet.
There is still time to stop, look at what is missing, and consider what might be possible for you.
It is never too late to live up to your potential!