Hello Reader,

Here's what I've been talking about with clients this week...

1. My Therapist’s Secret to Midlife

Source: Cup of Jo​

Midlife brings unexpected challenges as reality diverges from youthful dreams, but embracing contradictions offers profound wisdom, according to writer Abigail Rasminsky’s therapist revelation that transforms disappointment into acceptance.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace opposing truths: Midlife means reconciling how you thought life would unfold versus reality—holding gratitude alongside grief, satisfaction beside disappointment, without forcing resolution between them.

• Release perfectionist narratives: Rasminsky planned five life certainties at 22; only one materialized. Yet unexpected outcomes—like deepened mother-daughter bonds and newfound community—created equally meaningful experiences worth celebrating.

• Find liberation through acceptance: Simple wisdom like “You’ll miss him when he’s gone, and you won’t miss him when he’s gone, and both are okay” demonstrates how acknowledging complexity eliminates pressure to feel one “correct” way.

2. Why Career Education Should Include Conversations About Failure

Source: CareerWise​

Career education traditionally emphasizes success strategies but overlooks a crucial element: failure. Asritha Swaminadhan argues that preparing students for real-world careers requires honest discussions about setbacks, systemic barriers, and non-linear paths.

Key Takeaways:

• Failure builds essential resilience - By normalizing setbacks as learning experiences rather than permanent roadblocks, educators empower students to develop the adaptability and self-compassion needed for inevitable career challenges

• Career paths demand flexibility - Most professionals experience major shifts, industry changes, and unexpected detours throughout their working lives, making linear career planning obsolete and potentially harmful to student expectations

• Systemic awareness creates empowerment - Acknowledging that failures often stem from inequitable systems rather than individual shortcomings helps students understand complex realities while maintaining confidence in their capabilities

3. Chronological Resume Format: Writing Guide And Examples

Source: Arielle Executive​

Executive-focused professionals need the right resume format to showcase their career progression effectively. The chronological resume format remains a reliable standard for experienced candidates, presenting recent roles first and working backward to demonstrate career advancement.

Key Takeaways:

• Clear Career Narrative: The reverse-chronological structure immediately highlights your most relevant, recent achievements - making it simple for executives and hiring managers to assess your trajectory and current capabilities

• Strategic Structure Matters: Five essential sections create impact: header with LinkedIn URL, compelling 3-6 paragraph profile showcasing unique value, quantified key assets, detailed work experience, and supplementary credentials - while avoiding generic phrases and referee listings

• Know Your Fit: This format excels for professionals with 3+ years of consistent employment history but should be avoided by those with significant career gaps (2+ years) who benefit more from functional formats