Remember that in order for anything to grow and flourish, the right seeds need to be planted in the right soil. Be determined to make this season of Spring one that allows you to grow and expand personally and professionally while also contributing to others so they may enjoy growth in their own garden of life.

This spring, let us remember that Lent offers more than just symbolic reflection; it offers a blueprint for renewal. Just as nature sheds the old to make room for the new, Lent challenges us to release what no longer nurtures our growth. By turning to one another for support like the sunflowers in legend, enthusiastically self-sowing like the forget-me-not, seeking the balance of the vernal equinox, and choosing to pause within the space between stimulus and response, we participate in our own sacred spring cleaning. In doing so, we honor the true spirit of Lent, not as a season of deprivation, but as preparation for transformation, renewal, and new beginnings in the New Work World and beyond.

You can reel in your own “big catch” in the New Work World and have your own exciting fishing expedition if you change up your journey and sail your own career boat in a new direction. Sometimes when we are looking for one thing, we can find something different and much better by shifting our thinking and mindset. Maybe with that new great job, a trip to Hawaii can be on your bucket list in the near future to celebrate your success.

Be open to a new journey in the New Work World. When you combine a solid plan of action and a positive mindset, knowing what you want and how you are going to achieve it, your ability to create it makes all the difference in your success.

We have to put forth a conscious and deliberate effort to change how we think to create our own new reality. We must envision that new mindset in order to create it. It has been shown that when we mentally imagine what that New Work World might look like for us, we are then able to see ourselves in a much better position where we can thrive economically and personally. This is where we can move our own personal mountains and envision what is on the other side of all the changes, allowing us to become more productive and deliberate individuals in the New Work World. We are not limited by the challenges when we seek ways to overcome those obstacles by changing our mindset.

The song “What’s Love Got to Do with It” truly has far-reaching meaning beyond the traditional view of love. Use your personal growth and self-love to become your best self, so you can make a valuable contribution to your work and to the world at large.

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.

I recently had an opportunity to hold a “Lunch and Learn” training at Walsh College in Troy, Michigan. It was great to go back to a city near my hometown of Detroit to meet the wonderful folks at the Career Services Division of this college and be a part of their student training. I was truly impressed by how this school goes above and beyond to assist its students with career opportunities in the New Work World. It was also terrific to be able to visit with my family and friends and drive around so many places that have contributed to making my life so special.

What happens when the world changes faster than the people leading it? In this episode of Career Can Do, Mary Ann Faremouth talks with Dr. Donald McNeeley - CEO, professor, and longtime voice in the steel industry - about what great leadership really looks like when everything around you is shifting. With his trademark mix of humor and hard-earned wisdom, Dr. McNeeley breaks down why every leader needs a “North Star,” how to navigate major transitions without losing your footing, and why small mistakes can sometimes teach the biggest lessons.

Recently, I had a visit from my granddaughter dressed up like a ballerina after her ballet class. She’s an amazing child, and in a metaphorical way, she reminded me of the different dances we all have had to do the past several years. With it being the last quarter of the year at this writing, I, like many of us, am thinking about how to plan our steps forward in the New Year. My recent book, "Revolutionary Results," contains a chapter titled “Finding Your North Star.” I’ve outlined it below as a helpful guide during these changing times. 

Recently I was driving to Mass, and the sign in front of the church really grabbed me:

“TRY SOME OF THESE 4-LETTER WORDS: LOVE, HELP, GIVE, CARE.”

I smiled, thinking how so many things these days — overall but especially in the recruiting sector in what I call the New Work World — perhaps bring different four-letter words to mind. But then I got to thinking that if we implemented the mindset that the words on the sign mentioned, perhaps better days could be in our future. And then I thought about trees and how they bend!

Have you ever had something that you felt was a symbol of meaningful change for you? For me that symbol has always been a dragonfly. It seems whenever I am pondering the outcome of a situation or unsure about moving forward in a particular area, a dragonfly appears. And because this symbol always seems to produce some kind of important change or outcome for me, I have done some study of them.

What does it really take to shine in a job interview? According to Ramon Santillan, it’s not about memorizing canned answers or trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about learning how to tell your story in a way that makes sense to the person on the other side of the table. Ramon is the founder of Persuasive Interview, and in this episode of Career Can Do he talks with host Chris Sandland about the unique challenges and strengths of neurodiverse candidates.