The Inner Compass by Betty Chan
Here, we slow things down on purpose. I share insights from inside the coaching room, practical tools you can use right away, and invitations to talks and events that dig into the real, nuanced shifts that make our days meaningful. Think of it as your weekly permission slip to pause, breathe, and build a life that feels like yours—not just one you’re keeping up with.
Therapy is helping you –– here’s what it can’t do alone.
When Coaching Meets Therapy "I’m already processing so much in therapy. How is coaching different… and do I really need both?" If you’ve asked yourself this, you’re in good company. A lot of thoughtful, self-aware people wonder the same thing before we work together. Many of my clients are leaders, high-performers, or caregivers who feel stretched thin. They want things to change, but the thought of adding one more thing to their schedule feels… a lot. But here’s what I’ve seen: therapy and...
What if saving isn’t the only way to feel safe right now?
When “I can’t afford it” is only part of the truth… “I’m coming out of grad school and feel like my savings are starting at ground zero.” “I’m planning to save up for my sabbatical, so I’m not sure if I can start now.” I occasionally hear these honest shares on my discovery calls. The person across from me wants support through their transition, but they’re also in a season of rebuilding. They’re thinking, “Right now, I have to be careful where my resources go.” And that makes complete sense....
The day my client stopped chasing approval
Hey Reader, I often get asked what actually happens in authenticity coaching. Every now and then, I like to share a glimpse inside a real session (with details changed for privacy). My hope is that these stories help you see what’s possible—and maybe help you decide if this kind of coaching is what you’ve been needing too. Let’s step inside my coaching room. Recently, a client came in buzzing with anger. He’d just met with a big-name industry leader, someone he thought could help him take the...
When small stressors feel much big
Hey Reader, Your Weekly Authenticity Check-In 🌱 is here—a quick tip you can read in under a minute and carry with you all week. This month, we're focusing on how to bring authenticity into work boundaries and decision-making. Tip #4: Skipping rest → smaller capacity. When you don’t allow yourself to rest, your nervous system stays stuck in survival mode. From there, small stressors feel big and the energy you need for creativity and wise choices isn’t available. I've heard my clients (from...
Not the right time—or exactly the right time?
Is now the "right time" for coaching? I’m moving apartments soon…maybe I'll wait till I can take time off." "I have my wedding coming up… I think I’ll start coaching after I’m done." Many of my clients reach out in seasons that already feel full—sometimes even overflowing—with change. It’s not that you don’t want the support. It’s that you wonder if adding one more thing will tip you over the edge. That’s a valid concern. You’ve got a lot moving right now. And the last thing you need is...
You don’t need a full reset
Hey Reader, Do you feel this constant pressure to maintain the so-called perfection in your life? Does every hiccup feel like a crack on the surface of what you expect your life to look like by now? Perhaps you're questioning your career, but everyone is always telling you that you have the perfect job so you think it’s just a you-problem and you shouldn’t rock the boat. Maybe you're contemplating a breakup, but your parents will be disappointed, so you keep telling yourself you’ll make it...
Slowing down ≠ falling behind
Hey Reader, Do you ever tell yourself you can’t slow down? Maybe you say it because you’re scared of falling behind. Or because every time you try to rest, you’re hit with a mountain of things you need to take care of first. Or because you believe slowing down means risking everything you’ve worked for. But here’s the truth I see in my clients, again and again: Moving fast isn't always the same as moving forward. Recently, a client came into his session feeling completely maxed out. As a...
The best turns in life aren’t always planned.
Who we say we're not. For the longest time, I thought I wasn't an athletic person. Why would I? I never played sports growing up, I don't have a disciplined diet, and I constantly felt out of place in a gym. But here’s the twist: I’ve been boxing for 12 years, so when do I stop telling people "I'm not athletic?" Boxing is my haven. I fell in love with it because of how empowered I felt when I threw my first punch. It helped me understand where my power came from and how it flowed through my...
Is hustling holding you back?
Hey Reader, Are you wearing your hustle like a badge of honor? Late nights, early mornings, PTO days that aren’t really PTO, answering “just one more email” while dinner gets cold. We all do it. Here's what I've learned: hustling becomes a pattern that makes us feel productive, needed, and valuable. But beneath the surface, something is quietly happening: Self-abandonment dressed up as success. When overextending yourself becomes your identity, when every ounce of energy is poured into work...
You’re Not Lost. You’re in Between.
You’re not lost. You’re in between. Hey Reader, It’s been a minute since I’ve checked in with you. I’ve been figuring out my response to a world where layoffs are rising, jobs feel uncertain, and more folks are turning to entrepreneurship…and I’m sensing that so many of us are here: In transition. In reflection. In between. I have a nickname for this phase of change: The demolition stage. It’s what happens when you finally decide to make a big move—quit your job, set a boundary, show up more...
Here, we slow things down on purpose. I share insights from inside the coaching room, practical tools you can use right away, and invitations to talks and events that dig into the real, nuanced shifts that make our days meaningful. Think of it as your weekly permission slip to pause, breathe, and build a life that feels like yours—not just one you’re keeping up with.