Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

Migrate, Hibernate, Tolerate

I will do almost anything to avoid an uncomfortable emotion or feeling. Eat, drink, sleep, read, talk to someone, watch TV. Pick a fight with my husband about something trivial. Dive into an easy and not necessary project. Here’s how not being able to tolerate discomfort hurts us: 

  1. You’re ignoring your body’s signs that something is wrong, or at the very least needs attention. 

  2. You’re much more likely to fall prey to numbing activities that aren’t great for you (excessive eating, drinking, etc.) and definitely don’t help you process feelings.

  3. Avoiding discomfort only leads to a greater degree of discomfort once you’re finally forced to face it. Which you will. 

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

Take Time to Process Big Changes

As the New Year begins and you’ve taken some time to reflect on the past year, ask yourself how you’re honoring and processing any changes that did take place. 

I’ve found that if I don’t stop and process change, the emotions that come with that change blindside me when I least expect it. Even if it’s a good change, it’s still important to recognize and accept what that means, and there are scary or bad feelings that can come from good change – change, after all, is generally a bit uncomfortable.

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

Reflection Perfection

The beginning of a year can be a natural time to reflect on how the last year has gone for you. I am personally learning to be better about reflecting; it doesn’t come naturally to me. I like to keep powering forward without processing what’s happened. But I’ve learned in recent years that reflecting can truly help you to gain insight, slow down, and make positive changes.

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

Set Yourself Up For Success in the New Year

Set Yourself Up for Success in 2025


As established, I’m a sucker for a January reset. I suspect that most coaches feel the same way – it’s like OUR holiday. I like marking transitions with something that feels tangible (fireworks are great for this). It helps me stop and take in the change, something I’m not great at without a little help (fireworks preferred). 


Let’s ease in with a temperature check. Sit with yourself and ask: “how am I entering this year?” Are you rested and full of energy? Excited about what’s to come? Or exhausted, burned out, and crabby? Picture the smiley/frowny face pain scale they show you when you’re at the doctor’s office and truly check in with yourself. Where are you on the scale? 

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

What are you leaving behind in 2024?

What are you leaving behind in 2024? Take five minutes to think about something you don’t want to bring with you into the new year, then build a strategy for how to leave it behind. Fuel your professional growth as a leader by not dwelling on the past and focusing on the future.

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

Here we go…

Today I announced on LinkedIn that I am officially leaving my full time job and going into this coaching and consulting business full time. If it’s on LinkedIn, it’s real, right?

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

Nail Your Annual Review

Proactively prepare for your annual review with my Quarterly Check-In Guide, which helps you assess yourself and ensure you're on track to meet goals at the end of each quarter.

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

Are you limiting yourself?

Sometimes, the limiting factor is you and some very old beliefs about yourself that don't have to be true. What are you holding yourself back from because of a limiting belief? Read on for three tips on how to recognize and reframe your self-limitation.

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

Onboard Yourself: Announcing my Supervisor Meeting Guide

Set yourself up for success in your new role by downloading this guide of questions to ask your supervisor during the first few months. Onboarding processes can be woefully incomplete —  take charge and get the answers you need to do your best.

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

Be Your Own Mirror: Self Reflection Works (really)

Are you someone who takes the time to reflect and process? Or are you like me, always charging full steam ahead paying very little attention to how you’re feeling about anything?

I’m a recent convert to the process of reflection, which is proven to boost growth and productivity. I can attest that reflection can absolutely help you make better informed decisions about your work and your life.

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

Do You Feel Valued at Work?

Feeling unvalued hurts. You’re not excited to come to work when no one seems to care about the work you’re doing–why would you be? 

This can trigger self doubt. “Maybe I’m not doing enough,” you start to think. “Should I even be at this table?” You might beat yourself up for “needing” to feel valued - your boss is busy and doesn’t have time for that stuff, stop worrying about it. 

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

For the Coach Curious

Coaching changed my life by helping me define my core values, explore my leadership stye, and manage my stress - I’d love to help you do the same.

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

Tips to Manage Overwhelm

It comes up suddenly. That choking feeling, the panic, sinking into hyper-multitasking. We’re all feeling it more and more - in 2022 over one third of US residents reported that they are completely overwhelmed by stress each day, with those aged 18-44 feeling it the most.

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Ellen Whitlock Baker Ellen Whitlock Baker

It’s OK to Cry at Work

Have you ever slipped quietly into a bathroom or an office or unused conference room with no windows and a door that locks (oddly specific because that’s my preferred place) and cried? 

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