Going to our children's high school football games is a special tradition for our family. We're not big football fans, but we rarely miss a game to support our daughter, who proudly sings the national anthem at every home game. Besides, there’s something magical about being there together—the band, the cheering, the music pulsing through the crowd, and sharing those moments in the crisp evening breeze.

Last night’s game was a rollercoaster. Our team was just a few yards away from the end zone, and everyone was on the edge of their seats in anticipation. The atmosphere was electric, a touchdown seemed inevitable. But in a surprising twist, they didn’t make it and opted for a field goal instead—what seemed like a sure three points. But even that went awry as the ball bounced off the goalpost, eliciting a collective gasp of disbelief from the crowd.

From hope to disappointment, and then another round of it, the crowd's enthusiasm visibly waned. I found...

Thanh and I were talking about coaching the other day. We commented that it seems like everywhere you turn there is another coaching company. People everywhere are promoting themselves as coaches. What amazes me is that many of those promoting how you and I need them as a coach have never been coached themselves. They see the need for you and me but not them. That seems a little, well more than a little hypocritical, don’t you think?

Thanh and I come at it from a different perspective. We have personally benefited from coaching in years past and both of us are currently being coached. We believe it can help others because we know it’s helped us. So for us it’s not some glitzy advertisement we responded to so we could make big money. It’s a mission to help others help themselves to enjoy a fulfilling life of purpose.

My sister introduced me to coaching more than 10 years ago. I read a book she gave me then set it aside. Sitting in first class next to Marshall...

Not long ago, while on a business trip, I woke up in my hotel room feeling unusually dizzy. Initially, I dismissed it, assuming a bit of rest would make it go away. However, the dizziness only worsened, escalating to a sensation of spinning uncontrollably, as if I were plunging off a cliff. Alone and scared, I eventually called an ambulance. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life.

At the hospital, the initial fear was that I had suffered a stroke during sleep. Tests were conducted as neurologists observed my eyes spinning and my inability to recall the date, month, or year. After ruling out a stroke, they concluded that I had experienced a vertigo episode—a condition where displaced crystals in the inner ear create the illusion of falling, leaving you feeling completely out of control.

Reflecting on that episode, I learned some valuable lessons:

Lesson 1: Life Can Change in an Instant.
The night before, I was thriving—learning, working, and confident in...

Have you ever heard the saying, "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence"? These words were once spoken by Helen Keller, a truly remarkable soul who overcame incredible odds of being both blind and deaf to achieve greatness.

In 1880, Helen Keller's life took an unexpected turn when she was left both deaf and blind after an illness in her infancy. Yet, she refused to let these challenges define her. With the unwavering support of her devoted teacher, Anne Sullivan, Helen defied all expectations, learning to communicate and even graduating from college. She went on to become the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

 One of the most incredible moments in her journey happened when she was just 7 years old. Anne led her to a water pump, where she experienced water flowing over one hand while Anne spelled out "water" on her other hand using the manual alphabet. It was in that moment that Helen made...

This morning, as I went out for my walk, the rain started pouring down. Memories of my childhood in Vietnam flooded back.  As a tropical country, it rains a lot in Vietnam.  Back then, rain meant more than just a change in weather; it meant a halt to the bustling city life, where bicycles and motorcycles were the primary mode of transportation. But since moving to the US, I've noticed a stark contrast. Here, cars dominate the roads, and rain fails to disrupt the constant motion of life. It seems everyone is caught up in a relentless pursuit, wearing busyness as a badge of honor.

Ask around, and you'll hear the same refrain: "I've been so busy," or "It's been non-stop." I, too, fell into this trap, equating busyness with self-worth. During one of my meditation retreats, after a nun found me buying a stack of mindfulness books from her bookstore, she told me: “Thanh, stop reading, and start living. Go to the garden and sit. Just be.”

There’s a lesson to be...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 23

Navigating Tough Times: The Power of Self-Coaching

In the journey of life, we all encounter rough patches, moments where the weight of challenges feels almost unbearable. During these trying times, it's natural to feel disheartened and overwhelmed. Yet, amidst the darkness, there exists a beacon of hope—the ability to self-coach.

Imagine your closest friend confiding in you about their struggles. What would you say to uplift their spirits and reignite their courage? Here are five empowering messages you might share:

You're Not Alone: Remind yourself that you are not isolated in your struggles. Countless...

During our careers, regardless of our roles or the companies we work for, we inevitably encounter difficult individuals whom we must navigate. Difficult people at work are individuals who consistently exhibit challenging behaviors that hinder productivity and create a negative work environment. These individuals may display traits such as aggression, stubbornness, or a lack of cooperation, making it difficult for us to effectively collaborate and achieve common goals.

In my experience, dealing with difficult individuals has been challenging, but I have found a few helpful strategies.

First, I go back to my core values, which include love and courage. For example, I once encountered a loud and confrontational customer while working at his house. Initially, I was unsure how to handle his aggressive behavior, but because I have a deep love for my team, I found the courage to confront him, calmly address the situation, and try to defuse it. In that moment, I also reminded myself of...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 22

Expressing thoughts and emotions about job loss can be challenging, especially after experiencing it firsthand. In the past months, I've been focusing on sharing insights about coping with job loss and maintaining a positive outlook. My expertise lies in engineering, leadership and personal development coaching, rather than career counseling. However, the prevalent job losses among my close circle, including myself, have prompted me to delve into this topic. Losing a job, regardless of mental preparedness, can be emotionally devastating, especially when one has invested their heart and soul into their work. 

...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 21

Preparing for an interview can be nerve-wracking, but with the right preparation, you can feel confident and ready to impress. Here are the top 5 most commonly asked interview questions and the best ways to answer them:

1. Can you tell me about yourself? Start with your recent experience and work your way backwards, emphasizing skills and past experiences that are relevant to the job you are seeking.

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Focus on a few key strengths that are applicable to the position and offer examples of how they have benefited you in previous roles. For weaknesses, choose one that you have...

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 20

In the context of a job loss recovery, the HERO journey can be an empowering framework to navigate through the challenges and emerge stronger. H stands for Healing; E stands for Empowering; R stands for Resourcing; and O stands for Overcoming.

Let's explore how each aspect of the HERO journey applies to the process of job loss recovery.

Healing

Acknowledge Emotions: Allow yourself to grieve the loss of the job and acknowledge any feelings of shock, anger, or sadness.

Self-Care: Focus on self-care to maintain physical and emotional well-being. Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

Seek Support:...