Ever feel like you're trapped in a never-ending game of Whac-A-Mole, but instead of moles, it's unread emails, bedtime stories that turn into snooze-fests, and the alarming realization that your parents are aging faster than your iPhone updates? And let's not even start on the job descriptions that seem to morph overnight thanks to our good friend, AI. It's like living in a chaotic blender where you're the smoothie. Feeling lost yet? You’re not alone.

In this whirlwind of modern life, reclaiming your life purpose isn't just a nice idea—it's essential. My journey led me to the mindfulness framework of the enneagram. This ancient tool has done wonders for me, my colleagues, and countless others in finding clarity, stability, and growth. And no, it’s not just about putting people into nine neat little boxes. It’s about understanding how we can all fit together to make this crazy puzzle called life work.

Unveiling the New Enneagram Test: a Modern Twist

My dive into the enneagram bega...

You have already achieved a lot in your life, and yet, in your heart of hearts, you know you are still underbeing.

The reason you know you are still underbeing is that you have an idea or long-term vision you have been thinking about for a while. This idea is something that would make you feel incredibly fulfilled, and if you don’t do this in your lifetime, you will feel a bit of regret.

The problem right now is that you’re truly busy with your current job, your family, and some big projects, so you can’t focus 100% on your dream yet. You’re momentarily tapped out.

It’s not too late, but…

It’s not too late for you to make this long term vision a reality, but in a few years, it will be too late.

In today’s video I explain that there is a simple solution to this conundrum.

You are in this situation for a real reason–getting from point A to point B for your vision is hard. 

However, you are wasting more time and energy than you realize on efforts that are not further...

Every year I ask founding members, advisors and panelists for Strengths in Numbers to share a selfie—or a fun photo loving life this year.

These photos always inspire me and underline how much bigger and better life gets when we focus on our strengths. 

This year’s collection is no exception.

There’s a story behind every photo—and I hope these highlights capture even a fraction of how people are contributing their greatest talents in life and building life-affirming organizations.

Our highlights include that:

She got certified in scuba diving.

He doubled his income in one year.

He submitted a patent for his invention—his intellectual property.

She got published for the first time.

She took her whole family to Paris.

He rolled out digital transformation and design thinking for the whole enterprise.

She got paid thousands to speak on the big keynote stage for LinkedIn.

He finally found the exact business partner he had always hoped for.

She found the love of her life and the...

Focusing only on my strengths seemed restrictive to me before I interviewed dozens of people for The Career Within You.

There was an element of scarcity in my thinking. I was overly concerned about how I might be judged at work if I didn't act like the stereotypical business leader.

It didn’t occur to me that focusing on my strengths might make my world bigger and better… but that’s exactly what happened!

Putting a strengths practice first adds more to your life.

What most people get wrong

It’s natural to assume that positioning yourself in a niche way around your strengths will narrow your leadership opportunities, making your life smaller and your work less profitable. You think you might be valued less because you’re implying to your boss, co-workers or customers that you don't fit into what they want from you. At least, that’s what I used to think.

But since I started practicing what I preach in my book, The Career Within You, I’ve had more fun, more free time, more joy and m...

If you’re blowing off New Year’s Resolutions after Christmas, stay with me here!

You might be thinking, “Nothing you say is going to change my mind, Ingrid. I just don't do them…and I’m not even going to think about the long view of my life until at least January.”

If so, check out this week’s blog anyway. It will get you fired up for the New Year…

But if, on the other hand, you’re heading into Christmas anticipating making some big changes in the new year, and you’re feeling a bit nervous, I hope this blog post helps you stay inspired to keep going!

10 Things I Love About Taking the Long View At Christmas 

1. Recharging your energy

This is a tiring time of year. There are 101 things to still get done this week before you can fully relax. But at some point you will be able to sit down, enjoy the holidays and possibly even get away to a new environment. By the end of this holiday season you will have recharged a bit and have the energy to take a longer view of your l...

When I first started following my own strengths practice, I found it challenging to find the time to sit down, write down my vision and map out critical milestones leading towards them.

As a business leader at a large company, of course I put goals in writing and measured progress all the time for my employer. Following this practice for my employer vs. for me were two different matters.

Demands on my time came from everywhere. It was like I had a sign on me that said, “Look at her, she can take care of it!'', attracting more commitments that would take away my focus from my most heartfelt aspirations. 

This of course included life outside of work—important commitments for family, friends, home, health and other communities.

If you’re incredibly busy, not 100% clear about how you are going to realize your big dream (or are thinking about being more intentional about it in 2023) and you’re finding it tough to make time for it, you’re not alone.

And, as I explain here in this week’s...