Tag Archive for: Career Coaching

Breaking Free from Boreout: Empowering Your Career with Coaching

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Breaking Free from Boreout: Empowering Your Career with Coaching - Alexandra Humbel CoachingAlexandra Humbel Coaching

In the realm of work, burnout and boreout represent two distinct challenges that can leave us feeling depleted and unfulfilled. While burnout is commonly associated with overwhelming stress, its often-overlooked counterpart, boreout, is characterized by a lack of stimulation, disengagement, and a persistent sense of emptiness. If you find yourself caught in the doldrums of boreout, fear not! Coaching can be your guiding light towards a revitalized professional path.

Amidst the sea of monotony, coaching offers a valuable resource for individuals seeking to break free from boreout’s grip. Here’s why:

Gaining Clarity: A Beacon of Rediscovery

Boreout can leave you adrift, feeling disconnected from your professional purpose. But with a coach by your side, you embark on an exhilarating journey of self-exploration. Together, you’ll delve into your passions, values, and strengths, unveiling the hidden gems that truly motivate and inspire you. Through purposeful questions and transformative exercises, clarity will emerge, revealing a path brimming with renewed purpose and meaning.

Rediscovering Engagement: Igniting the Flame Within

Rekindling the fire of enthusiasm is a powerful antidote to boreout’s numbing effects. With a coach as your ally, you’ll rediscover the exhilaration of work that aligns with your unique talents and interests. Whether it involves injecting fresh challenges into your current role or embarking on a quest for an alternative career path, your coach will guide you towards opportunities that reignite your passion and restore a sense of engagement. Together, you’ll navigate uncharted territories and unlock a world of possibilities.

Goal Setting and Accountability: Charting a Course Towards Fulfilment

Overcoming boreout requires purposeful action and a plan tailored to your aspirations. Your coach will help you set goals, breaking them down into actionable steps that bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. With unwavering support and accountability, they’ll guide you through the transformational process of finding greater fulfillment and purpose in your professional life. Together, you’ll celebrate milestones achieved and witness the blossoming of your potential.

Skill Development: Nurturing Growth and Unleashing Potential

Boreout often stems from a hunger for growth and development. Your coach will help identify areas where you can enhance your skills and craft a personalized development plan, including courses, workshops, and experiences that expand your knowledge and empower you to embrace new challenges. Step by step, you’ll cultivate the expertise needed to reignite your passion for work and forge a fulfilling path ahead.

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: Harnessing Inner Strength

Boreout can breed self-doubt and a negative mindset, but together with your coach, you’ll challenge and conquer these limiting beliefs. They’ll guide you in reframing your thoughts, fostering a resilient and empowering perspective. With newfound confidence, you’ll embrace untapped possibilities and seize opportunities that align with your true potential. Your coach will be your unwavering ally, supporting you every step of the way.

Support and Encouragement: A Safe Haven for Your Journey

In the face of boreout, having someone who understands and provides unwavering support can make all the difference. Your coach creates a safe space where you can express your frustrations, vent your feelings, and process emotions without judgment

 

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When “Good Enough” Isn’t Enough: 7 Signs You Need a Career Reset

7 Tell-Tale Signs You Need a Career Transition - By Alexandra HumbelAlexandra Humbel Coaching

You may be surprised to hear that most of my clients don’t feel the urge to change careers because they hate what they’re doing. Work is good. Pay is good. The position is generally satisfying. From the outside, everything looks enviable. There seems to be no reason to disrupt the status quo.

And yet — like them — you may feel it deep down, even though things are going smoothly.

Here are some signals that should make you curious.

1. You introduce yourself with a conversational version of your CV.
When asked who you are and what you do, you deliver a polished, well-rehearsed loop. You mask your boredom with a cheerful tone. But something feels… off.

2. You consume stories about people who reinvented themselves.
You avidly read about those who succeeded in another field, or built a different life. Your rational self says it’s too late, too risky, too complicated — and that you lack the required skills. Still, you keep documenting the topic. Avidly.

3. You’re on autopilot.
You go through the motions because you’ve mastered your job. But you’re not fully there anymore. You’re coasting more than you care to admit.

4. The retirement question lingers.
You catch yourself wondering whether you’ll do this until retirement. The thought has become part of the mental furniture. It doesn’t go away. It quietly unsettles you.

5. Other people’s passion surprises you.
You hear someone speak enthusiastically about the very job you’re doing — and you’re intrigued. You used to feel that way. Once.

6. “What if…?” keeps visiting you.
What if you were doing something else? Living differently? Waking up with another agenda? These inner conversations scare you — and make you feel intensely alive at the same time.

7. You fix the surface, avoid the core.
You focus on small optimizations — health tweaks, home projects, marginal work improvements — while sidestepping the deeper question:
Why are you doing what you are doing?

If you recognize yourself in some of these signs, it may be time to sit with that question.

There is no wrong answer. Money, status, convenience, and security are valid reasons to stay. But what else needs to be heard? Who is the person you would like to become? How far are you from that version of yourself? Where would you be in a year if things unfolded as you truly wished? What are you ready to say yes to — and what are you ready to say no to? How would it feel to remain exactly where you are for another year? Another five?

Every life-changing decision starts with listening — really listening — to your true feelings. It requires the courage to face the confusion and the conflicting demands that will inevitably surface. The moment you begin questioning the status quo of your life and work, you may already be in transition.

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Behind the Scenes at Thierry Mugler: Leadership Lessons From the Fashion World

Alexandra Humbel - Career Transition CoachAlexandra Humbel

In the picture, this was me around 2000, fully immersed in a corporate career in the fashion industry that I thought I would never leave. The recent passing of the immensely talented Thierry Mugler brought me back to that time, when I served as Director of Public Relations for the company he had created. It was an intense chapter of my life — rich in learning, challenges, and inspiration.

In this photo, I appear calm and confident — the kind of confidence Thierry Mugler wanted for his female clients. His perfectly tailored jackets, elegant with a sharp, sensual edge, had the power to instantly elevate a woman’s presence. That was certainly the effect they had on me — and on the many clients who felt something close to devotion toward him. As Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

This role marked a major step in my career: leading the most strategic department of a highly regarded Parisian Maison de Couture. During those two intense years, I had the opportunity to refine my leadership skills in a complex and demanding environment. Here are a few insights I carry with me to this day.

1. Leading people who are more skilled than you

In previous roles, I had been the undisputed expert in my field. I hired junior team members and trained them until they could manage projects independently.

At Thierry Mugler, I stepped into a team of highly skilled, autonomous professionals who did not need me to tell them what to do. When preparing for Paris Fashion Week, they orchestrated flawlessly choreographed shows from A to Z — casting models, negotiating venues, coordinating logistics, technical teams, music, dressers, hair, and makeup — all the way to showtime. Backstage: 100 people. In the audience: 250 top journalists and international TV crews. All delivered on budget and with remarkable agility, despite last-minute creative changes from the designer.

I was deeply impressed.

So I focused on what I could uniquely bring: strengthening international media exposure and optimizing global PR strategy. But you don’t lead experts by trying to out-expert them. My role was to create the conditions for their excellence — helping them grow and feel valued, navigate conflicts, and represent them at the executive level when needed.

2. Stay curious about change — especially when you resist it

As the company underwent significant structural changes, I found myself caught between two realities. The CEO relied on me to communicate decisions and help the team adapt. At the same time, our daily work was directly impacted by choices that, in the short term, compromised performance.

When we relocated offices and showrooms, we risked losing proximity to journalists and stylists who regularly pulled pieces for editorial shoots. I remained loyal to leadership and committed to implementation — but internally, I struggled. I did not hide my doubts very well.

With hindsight, I realize I could have stayed curious longer. Being right in the short term is not always the most constructive stance. Sometimes the wiser move is to leave space for possible positive outcomes to emerge.

Curiosity is not denial. It is allowing time for new dynamics to settle.

More importantly, instead of trying to shield my team from inevitable change, I could have empowered them more actively to co-create solutions.

3. Never underestimate culture — but don’t lose yourself in it

Working for a designer I admired was an extraordinary privilege. Beauty and artistic vision were everywhere — from iconic Haute Couture creations to the futuristic universe surrounding the brand. Thierry Mugler himself was fascinating: cultured, intelligent, magnetic. Journalists, often rushed, would linger longer than planned just to listen to him speak.

Yet I was not prepared for a Maison with such a strong, unspoken culture. Much of it was implicit. It took time to decipher the codes: the intricate communication patterns, the invisible support systems, the subtle dynamics of power.

The pace was driven by passion and urgency — often with little regard for conventional working hours. I invested enormous energy in adapting. But as the mother of two young children, the long hours and emotional intensity gradually weighed on my personal life.

That chapter taught me something essential: culture can elevate you — and it can consume you if you are not attentive to your own boundaries.

Looking back, I feel deep gratitude for having had the chance to “touch the stars” — the emblem of Angel, the iconic perfume by Thierry Mugler.

I am grateful for the growth, the stretch, the lessons, and the privilege of witnessing genius up close.

That chapter shaped me — as a leader, and as a human being.

 

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If You’re Considering a Career Change, Read This First

If you’re standing at the edge of a career change, you’re likely feeling a mix of excitement and quiet fear. Something in you knows it’s time — and yet everything familiar is pulling you back.

Career transitions rarely fail because of a lack of talent or courage. They stall because of invisible beliefs, inherited rules, and well-intentioned voices that make change feel irresponsible, unrealistic, or selfish.

Before you take your next step, pause to see more clearly. These reflections are the things I wish more people knew before embarking on a new professional chapter. They won’t tell you what to do, but they may help you trust why you’re doing it.

1. The only approval you need is yours

Beautifully expressed by Amanda Gorman, the need for approval is one of the most common hurdles that may stop you in your momentum. The minute you share bold, ambitious dreams for yourself, you will see a number of red flags raised around you. Well-intentioned, loving people in your life will instantly reject the idea that you may get lost in ambitious and risky projects. They want you safe, and the status quo is largely safer than… anything else. Red flags will come from all directions. Colleagues or friends may sense an unavowable pang of jealousy at your renewed aliveness. Don’t take it personally, it’s about them, not you. 

2. Big dreams don’t make you a dreamer

The biggest red flag, though, is in yourself. It is cultural. People with dreams are dreamers. Dreamers are no achievers. This idea was drilled in your subconscious at an early stage, and you will find it on your way to a new career. Don’t buy the simplification. Rather, engage in honest exploration: What is really important to you? What does your future, the one you crave, look like, taste like? What is your own definition of success, from now on? Does it encompass every aspect of your life? Does it bring value to you and the people around you? What would be the markers of your future success? The more aware you are of what you really want and why, the more enticing your vision is, the better. As the genius dream architect Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it”.

3. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity

How many times lately have you heard yourself say something like, “She was lucky to get this job”? By default, we tend to attribute positive, unexpected events to luck — whatever that word really means. Yet abundant scientific literature suggests that “lucky” people have their own way of attracting luck. They do so in two essential ways: they put as many chances as possible on their side, and they keep their senses wide open to allow meaningful coincidences to occur.

If you want to share a strong business idea with a highly sought-after person, for instance, you may want to make sure your idea truly brings value to them. You refine it, rehearse your pitch until it becomes clear and compelling, gather as much insight as possible about where and how this person might be accessible — and then you let go. Because if your idea is genuinely good, it will find its way into the world. With or without that person.

4. It is so cool to go back to school

A current cause of stress for career transitioners is the necessity to get extra training. Will you be able to learn as fast as you used to? Is your brain capable of memorizing new knowledge? How awkward will it feel to sit on a school bench at your age? What will your ex-colleagues think? How will you cope with homework, supervision, and exams?  Most likely, all of these fears will materialize. Yes, you will feel intellectually rusted. Yes, you will have to deploy your best efforts to catch up. Yes, it will feel awkward sometimes. Yes, some well-intentioned peer will ask what the hell do you expect, getting back to school at your age. And yes, homework sucks. But the reward is invaluable. Your decision to be a student again is a gift you offer to yourself and an investment in your future. The process is fun too. Learning has its own way to pump up your spirit and upgrade your self-image. 

5. You will never look back

Maybe the most important thing I have learned is that there is no way back. More accurately, there is no desire to go back to square one. You are a creature of movement, like all living creatures in this world. The journey towards a fulfilling second act of life is both bumpy and interesting. We talked about the inner reward of learning, and learning comes in many different ways. Questioning the status quo makes you more alive. Taking bold moves towards work and life that you love triggers renewed energy. And keep in mind that you might well become a source of inspiration for other people’s own journey into their own second act.

 

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Career Transition After 40: 5 Things I Wish I Had Known Earlier

Career Transitioning - Things I wish I'd known earlier - by Alexandra HumbelAlexandra Humbel

My mentor suggested that I write a post about the things I wish I had known earlier about career transition. I liked the idea and, based on my personal journey as well as my experience as a coach, I started with five essential points aimed at helping professionals get on the fast lane. 

1. You are not alone

Studies show that an increasing number of experienced professionals are undertaking a career change, and even more are considering it. Three-fifths of UK workers (60%) intend to make changes to their careers as a result of the Covid outbreak, an increase of seven percentage points since July 2020 (53%).*

So why does it feel weird and lonely? It is because nothing prepared you to handle one or several career changes in your life. Society tends to assign you a role, tied to a life cycle: In your junior years, you prove your competence. As you are getting experienced, you excel in your field. And then, what? You retire. While there is nothing wrong with linear career paths, it does not work for everyone. Probably not for you, if you are reading these lines. 

2. Your skills are transferable – All of them

My clients who crave a new career are taken aback by the thought that their expertise might be lost when they change jobs. It is natural to take pride in those skills you have mastered over time. The good news is, you take everything with you on the journey.  Those skills will manifest in creative ways, coming in handy to serve your goals while you are expanding in your new project. Interestingly, ancient or dormant skills will show up and prove valuable to handle new situations. Your brain creates new circuits while tapping into resources you did not remember you had. And this is particularly refreshing. 

 

3. It is OK to be lost in transition

Describing career transitions as uncomfortable is an understatement. More accurately: Everything which made you feel grounded in social status is gone. Welcome to unchartered territories, where nobody is waiting for you with your name on a sign. No driver, no limousine. It requires courage to leave the familiar in order to become a new version of yourself. Uncomfortable, scared, and excited all together, highs and lows are in order. But, as Maya Angelou said: “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” The butterfly is you.

4. Money and time are no excuses

“I will do a job I really love when I have enough time, or money” (or both). 

Does that sound familiar? Of course, these two factors are critical components of a decision, and critical metrics to monitor all along the way. Controlling your time and financial resources through a career transition will be essential to succeed. Be aware that the conservative, risk-averse part of you will always show up with these massive excuses that are the lack of (or the fear of lack of) time and or money. Or both. It is your call to let these fears be the master of you.

5. Nature is in constant change and so are you

“Nothing is absolute, everything changes, everything moves, everything evolves, everything flies and goes away”.

These lines written by the fascinating artist Frida Kahlo can be interpreted as words of regret and melancholy. Or, from another perspective, as the constant evolution of all things that allow rebirth, re-invention, possibilities, relief, reboot, rejuvenation, and creation. When looking back at your career, you may take pride in what you have achieved, and, simultaneously, realize that this pattern is no longer fulfilling you. You can cherish your past achievements and look forward to what you are going to do next. This is not a lack of consistency in your choices. It is about the inherent nature of all of us, to thrive in movement or shrink in stagnation.

 

 

 

*Aviva “How do we live” Report, 2021

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3 Reasons why Career your Transitions is Stalling (And How to Get Back on Tracks)

3 Common Reasons Why Your Career Transitioning Isn't WorkingAlexandra Humbel

Congratulations — you’ve decided to take charge of your future.

You have the experience, the skills, and the desire to move toward a new professional chapter. So why does everything suddenly feel harder than expected? Why are you feeling stuck, discouraged, or drained? What happened to the motivation that once felt unstoppable?

Career transitions rarely unfold in a straight line. In this article, I explore three common reasons why a career change can stall — and how to regain momentum.

1. Do you lack flexibility?

We rarely give enough credit to the power of having a plan — and sticking to it. I am a big believer in planning. That said, real life has a tendency to interfere.

Especially during a career transition, unexpected events are inevitable. Resistance shows up. Doors close. Opportunities shift. The key question becomes:
Is this a temporary hurdle — or a signal to reassess direction?

Life doesn’t pause while we redesign our careers.

Perhaps your partner receives an unexpected job offer abroad.
A promising lead falls through.
A baby arrives.
Health issues demand attention.
Or an unforeseen opportunity suddenly appears.

Whatever the situation, the challenge is to adapt without losing sight of your deeper intention.

When you are clear on your values — what truly matters to you — flexibility becomes easier. Your vision acts as a compass. You may adjust the route, but you don’t lose direction.

When you stay anchored in your why, you become less attached to the how. And this is often where new, unexpected opportunities emerge.

2. Are you feeling lonely?

Career transitions can be surprisingly lonely — even when your life is full.

You may have a supportive partner, family, and friends. You’ve shared your plans and received encouragement. Yet day after day, you find yourself alone with your laptop, navigating uncertainty and self-doubt.

Motivation has a limited lifespan. Discipline eventually gives way to anxiety.

This is normal — and it’s also a sign that you shouldn’t do this alone.

What helps enormously is connecting with people who understand what you are trying to build. Peer groups, professional communities, alumni networks, entrepreneur circles, training cohorts, mastermind groups — both online and in person — can radically shift your energy.

When you find your tribe:

  • You gain perspective and feedback

  • You exchange expertise and feel useful again

  • Your confidence grows through connection

  • Your network expands organically

  • You return to your project with renewed clarity

Career transitions thrive in community. Isolation weakens momentum.

3. Are you stuck in a mental pit?

You started out like a champion, tackling the first steps of your transition like the kick-ass professional you are. Then things started to slow down, hurdles began to accumulate, and your energy started lacking. Self-doubt and guilt are center-stage, draining your emotions and clouding your skies. Positive thinking doesn’t help when the fear of failure is running the show.

The first truth to keep in mind: A career transition always takes more time than expected. Resistance is what you meet most, starting with your own human inclination to cling to the status quo. A change of perspective is needed.

The prescription? Radical honesty and self-compassion. Radical honesty means taking a 360° look at your current reality — without judgment. Revisiting earlier decisions. Checking whether your goals still reflect who you are today. Acknowledging how far you’ve already come.

Self-compassion means recognizing that at this stage of life, you no longer need to prove that you can overachieve. You already did.

Now the invitation is to become a better achiever — one who values emotional and physical health as much as professional success.

Sometimes progress doesn’t mean choosing between “all or nothing.” It means creating transitional phases, parallel paths, or temporary arrangements that restore energy and open space for clarity.

A Final Thought

Career transitions are not linear. They are deeply human processes — shaped by values, identity, fear, desire, and timing. If your transition feels slow or confusing, it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It may simply mean you’re in the middle of redefining your second act.

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