Author: morschles
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How I Train Myself to Fall in Love With My Job (Again and Again)
Before I even sign a contract, I ask myself a question: “Can I fall in love with this job?” Not just the title or the mission โ but the people, the rhythm, the vibe. It’s a question I learned to ask the hard way. In my early career, I chased roles that looked great on…
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When the Work You Love Starts to Hurt
Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Sometimes it just looks like you, but with the light dimmed. For me, it started with headaches. The kind you wake up with in the morning and carry with you into every meeting. Then came the cynicism. Which, if you know me, is very unlike me. I used to…
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Designing a Life I Love: A Sabbatical Check-In
Three months ago, I left my director role at Google to take a deliberate pause.I had a planโa structure built around three pillars that mattered deeply to me: I was excited, a little scared, and mostly curiousโwhat would actually happen when the plan met reality? Now, a quarter into this sabbatical year, I wanted to…
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When Was the Last Time You Started Something Completely New?
This weekend, I assisted in a Co-Active Coaching Fundamentals course. It brought me back to a timeโless than two years agoโwhen I sat in that very same course, not as an assistant, but as a student. I didnโt know then just how much of a turning point it would become. Back then, I was just…
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Empower Your Career: When to Choose a Mentor or Coach
My journey as a mentor began years ago, working primarily with women and young entrepreneurs. There was something deeply fulfilling about sharing my experiences and knowledge, watching these talented individuals navigate challenges I had faced before. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting numerous professionals as they built their businesses and advanced their…
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Wanderlust as a Career Catalyst: How Traveling Can Redefine Your Professional Journey
In the relentless pursuit of career success, I’ve found myself all too often trapped in a cycle of expectations – corporate ladders to climb, societal pressures to conform, and predefined paths that can slowly suffocate my true potential. But as an avid traveler, I’ve discovered that the key to unlocking my most authentic professional self…
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๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป.
Last week, I gave a talk titled โ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐จ๐โ, focusing on the impact we can make on our careers and on the world when we come together. Among other things, we discussed the people who shape our careersโmentors, sponsors, and peers who lift us up. After the talk, one question kept coming up…
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The Way Out Is In
The Emotion Escape Route “I just can’t deal with this anger. I need it to GO AWAY.” Have you ever found yourself desperately trying to escape uncomfortable emotions? That tightness in your chest during a high-stakes meeting. The knot in your stomach before delivering difficult feedback. The racing thoughts that keep you up at 3…
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Together We Rise: Navigating Layoffs
Layoffs are never easy. Iโve been through severalโsometimes as the one impacted, and sometimes as the leader delivering the news. Layoffs hit hard. One moment, you’re deep in your work, the next, you’re packing up and wondering, What now? I know this feeling all too well. After years in the startup world, Iโve been on…
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The Mindful Leader: Buddhist Teachings for Modern Businesses
In my previous post, “The Sabbatical Less Traveled: From Google Director to Buddhist Student”, I shared my transformative experience at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Today, I want to share some of my learnings, and explore how Buddhist practices and principles can revolutionize modern leadership. While many discuss Buddhism’s personal benefits, its potential for transforming business…
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The Sabbatical Less Traveled: From Google Director to Buddhist Student
As I shared in my previous post about leaving Google, many people approached me eager to hear more about my sabbatical year. Today, I want to share the transformative experience of learning and practicing Buddhism at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. A Dream Fulfilled While I’d taken Buddhist courses and weekend retreats before, this was my…
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The Mentor Within: A Simple Question That Changes Everything
Recently, during a coaching session with a new client facing a significant career challenge, I introduced them to a tool so simple it almost feels like magic. As we explored their struggles and aspirations, I asked, โWhat would you tell yourself if you were your own mentor?โ The impact was immediate. My client paused, leaned…
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Why I Left My Director Role at Google: A Case for Intentional Career Breaks
The Difficult Decision My path to this sabbatical wasn’t conventional. As a Director at Google with a passion for coaching and helping people grow, I found myself at a critical crossroads. My current workplace didn’t offer a sabbatical option, which meant making the bold decision to resign and design a year of intentional personal and…
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Navigating Career Pivots: The Jungle Gym Approach
As career coaches, we often work with clients who are contemplating a major career move. One client, in particular, was considering a shift into a new field she was deeply passionate about. However, she was unsure if this move would necessarily advance her career in the direction she ultimately wanted to go. Through our discussions,…
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A Coaching Journey Guided by Buddhist Wisdom
As I’ve deepened my meditation practice over the past few years, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to the wisdom of Buddhist teachings. The insights I’ve gained through regular contemplation have profoundly shaped how I approach my life and work. This growing interest in Buddhism led me to recently enroll in advanced courses on the subject.…
Mor Schlesinger 