When success looks good on paper but feels exhausting, it may be time to rethink what success really means. Elle Ballard, founder of Women of the World Network, joins Mary Ann Faremouth for an honest conversation about burnout, inner alignment, and the power of slowing down. Elle shares why pausing, asking better questions, and reconnecting with yourself can open the door to a more fulfilling career and life.

As a Career Consultant probing the psychology of success in the New Work World, I recently reflected on the words of Dorothy in the classic film, The Wizard of Oz. She says, “There is no place like home.” At the opening of the film, we find Dorothy in the midst of a tumultuous tornado, where she has been swept into a foreign place with the only familiar thing by her side, her little dog, Toto. As the film goes on, we see that Dorothy’s main quest is to find her way back home, and her journey to get there is truly filled with unfamiliar things, people, and events. 

As we move further into the new year, remember that meaningful career progress rarely happens by accident. What often looks like luck or magic from the outside is usually the result of intention, preparation, and consistent effort behind the scenes. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Magic is believing in yourself. If you can do that, you can make anything happen.”

The new year is always a time of deep reflection for me. I try to find meaning in where I’ve been, where I am now, and where I want to go. This year’s reflection began as I cleaned my guest room after holiday company left. There, a statue that sits on a side table caught my eye, as well as a book that sits open beside it.

What actually fuels long-term growth in your career and personal life? In this episode of Career Can Do, Mary Ann is joined by Monnica Rose, Board President of Women of Visionary Influence, to talk about purpose, mentorship, and the role of community in helping women thrive. Monnica shares insights on why authenticity matters more than perfection, how visibility builds confidence, and why meaningful connections often shape the most powerful career shifts. It’s a timely conversation for anyone reflecting on their next chapter and how they want to grow into it.

As you move through 2026, keep these powerful lessons from the Blue Zones in mind as you create your personal and professional success plan. Building strong community connections, maintaining healthy physical and mental habits, and grounding your work in a meaningful purpose can help make this year one of your best yet. I still fondly remember my grandmother, Mimi, planting seeds in her backyard garden to grow the healthiest crops for her meals. Now is the time to plant your own seeds in the garden of life, nurturing habits that will yield a bountiful harvest in the New Work World.

Many people are asking how they can move into 2026 with a positive plan, perhaps get a new job or expand in the one they are in to move forward with their lives and have meaningful experiences. 

“All I want for Christmas is a job,” a client who’d been out of work for quite some time remarked recently. “How do I make that happen?” 

What do you do when the job you were sure was your “dream job” suddenly ends? That’s the spot Ashley Jablow found herself in, and she joins Chris Sandland on this episode of Career Can Do to talk about how that moment knocked the wind out of her and also ended up opening an entirely new path. Today, she runs Wayfinders Collective, but the journey there definitely wasn’t a straight line.

For nearly 45 years, I've worked as a national recruiter and consultant, helping people not only advance in their careers but align with their purpose and live their best lives. Over the years, I've seen how much the world has changed and how many of us are striving to overcome challenges and move forward. So when a candidate who owned a restaurant recently asked me about changing his career path to move into the corporate arena, I thought of lessons that have shaped me — and that I believe can help all of us during these changing times.