First Children’s Book Publishing Story

This month, a tenured Senior engineer client reached a milestone outside of tech: the publication of her first children’s storybook!

“I don’t even have 10-15 mins in a day to think about my career,” she said in session 1. 

As a mother of two young children, she was battling severe anxiety and panic attacks after a string of short job stints at unsupportive workplaces and interview burnout. Quitting this job wasn’t an option, but her career felt uncertain. She had written children’s stories before, but “never did anything about it.”

We began by creating emotional distance from her job. We then surfaced her unique strengths and explored related roles in which she could thrive. She left that first session in tears—because she finally felt hope.

From there, I coached her to prioritize effectively. As she documented her work and knowledge, her team gained visibility into her heavy workload and valuable contributions. This reduced her mental strain, and both her career and personal life felt lighter.

Then came the surprise: by session 6, her manuscript was finished—and she had hired an illustrator. “I want my name on this book,” she said. By session 10, she was preparing her KDP account to publish.

But this wasn’t only about a book—it was about reclaiming her voice.

Through our coaching, she didn’t just regain control of her career—she reshaped the story she was telling herself about what was possible. The result: less anxiety, more confidence at work, and the courage to bring her creative dreams to life.

And that’s what I love most about this work: career coaching at its best isn’t just about promotions or interviews. It’s about reshaping how you show up in both career and life.