Understand Your Stress

The number one cause of burnout? Stress. Research shows us stress makes us stupider (13 IQ points dumber, to be exact) Another way stress keeps itself in business is by making us believe getting stressed is a good way to get activated and get stuff done. The problem?  Our bodies/minds were NOT made to be […]

Process Your Stress

When you get stressed out, do you find yourself swirling around—agitated and stuck? Stress and burnout experts tell us something called “completing the stress cycle” is an effective way to stop the spinning. Here are three meaningful steps that can work wonders. Exercise Physical exertion is the best way for our bodies to metabolize stress […]

Stress is Lousy Fuel

I had a big project due for a big corporate client. I was (understandably) irritated with my family for having needs like hunger and thirst, and for requiring a licensed driver (me) to transport them to the things I made them attend. I was exhausted (understandably) because my racing mind interrupted my sleep. I was […]

Some notes on your body and weight

When I invite clients to define success, I ask them to define what matters TO THEM. I invite them to ignore what the world tells them they should focus on, and instead, look inside to their own internal wisdom and values to define success for themselves.  Then, I ask them to break down the question […]

More Brain Training

I’m not going to lie.  What I’m about to say is a little counter-cultural. But, it’s essential getting our brains to help us thrive.  It’s time to stop trying to SCARE yourself into success. Most of us are conditioned to use fear as our catalyst to launch decisions and actions. “I’d better get going on […]

This is your brain on success

For a few decades, researchers have been studying the way mentally healthy people thrive. I love this field of science, called Positive Psychology because it helps us understand how humans operate at their best using their character strengths and values.  In her book, “Mindset: The Psychology of Success,” Stanford professor Carol Dweck coined the term […]

Understanding Burnout

Stacy, a dermatologist, came to me exhausted. No matter how much she slept, she couldn’t shake her fatigue. She was frustrated and negative about everyone (and just about everything) at work. To top it off, her boss had recently pulled her aside to say her work wasn’t up to par.  I knew immediately she was […]

Busy vs Productive

While corporate culture aggrandizes workaholism, research shows being a workaholic is not correlated to high performance.  Workaholicism is a disease— not a badge of honor.  Many of us who aren’t full-blown workaholics are still pretty addicted to being busy—or at least a little terrified of NOT being busy. We associate being busy with being worthy […]

Jill’s definition of success (and how it applies to you)

Here is my definition of success: “Achieving what matters to me in a balanced and sustainable way.” NOTE: For more on the balanced and sustainable stuff, please check out my articles on stress in this IDEAS section. For now, I’ll just say if you’re working yourself to death in pursuit of what matters to you, […]

Who is defining your success

“Are you successful?” I asked my client Kelly, an attorney from a large law firm.   “Who knows?” she retorted. “How am I supposed to know what you mean by successful?” She was wildly uncomfortable with my question.  Did I mean the number of hours she billed? (Tons.) The prestige of her firm? (High.) How did […]