Why Some People Can Stop Smoking or Drinking Overnight

Why do some people quit smoking or drinking almost overnight, while others struggle for years? A growing body of research suggests that behavior change is not always driven by willpower, motivation, or habit formation alone. Sometimes the key factor is identity. In this Substack article, I explore the psychology of identity and behavior change, including research showing that people are more likely to engage in behaviors that align with their self-concept, even after accounting for motivation and intentions. Some of the most powerful behavior changes happen when we stop asking, "How do I change this habit?" and start asking, "Who am I becoming?" Read the full piece here.

How to Recognize a Belief in Your Own Self-Talk (Before It Starts Running Everything)

There’s a voice in your head that has been with you for years. It wakes up when you do, follows you through your day, and occasionally offers running commentary on everything from your performance at work to your ability to assemble flat-pack furniture. It narrates your life whether you like it or not. Most of the time, it sounds so reasonable that you assume it’s reporting facts. It isn’t. One of the most useful skills you can develop, particularly if you are trying to change anything about your behavior, performance, or direction in life, is learning to recognize when that voice is expressing a belief rather than stating reality. Read the full piece here.

The Real Reason Job Interviews Make You Nervous

A client recently told me that she wanted to find a new job. She had years of experience, a strong track record, and was more than qualified for the positions she was considering. Yet she had been talking about starting her job search for months without taking any meaningful action. Her CV remained untouched. Applications were never submitted. Networking conversations were postponed. When I asked what was stopping her, she said, “I’m just not very good at interviews." Read the full piece here.

If You’re a Woman in Your 50s and You're Not Reskilling, You’re Taking a Bigger Risk Than You Think

We call it responsible to fund our children’s education or bolster retirement savings. But when a 54-year-old woman considers spending serious money on her own retraining or career pivot, it suddenly feels indulgent. In an economy reshaped by AI and longer working lives, underinvesting in your earning power may be the real gamble. The question isn’t whether you can afford to invest in yourself. It’s whether you can afford not to. Read the full piece here.

Why Even Successful Women Struggle to Ask for What Their Work Is Worth: Five Practical Ways to Begin Shifting this Pattern

Many women moving into consultancy don’t struggle because they lack expertise. They struggle because asking to be paid brings up something deeper. I see this pattern again and again in highly capable women with decades of experience and I lived it myself when I transitioned into independent work. The hesitation around fees, the over-explaining, the discomfort often has roots far earlier than midlife. I unpack why this happens and share practical ways to start shifting it so charging for your work can feel clear, grounded, and professional again. Read the full piece here.