 We all want ease and flow. Always!
But, whether we’re changing jobs, moving into a new career, or transitioning into retirement…unexpected hiccups and hurdles get in the way! Like an erratic boss, a sudden reorganization, new back-to-work policies, or the departure of a trusted colleague. To name just a few. I’m hiking in Corsica and Sardinia. Several hurdles have interrupted our ease and flow. Like lost luggage, twisted ankles, strong winds and a cancelled ferry. To name a few. But our guides at Wilderness Travel have made it much easier to enjoy the wooded trails, rocky boulders and blue sea. Not sure what we’d do without them. If you’re transitioning into something new, having a Professional Certified Coach can make it much easier. Be in touch with me here or on LinkedIn if you’d like some help with the hiccups and hurdles that may be coming your way.
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 This wasn’t Star Wars. This was a recent article by Dylan Gottlieb about how law firms had turned into white-collar sweatshops.
And it featured me, which was a surprise. “The judge could scarcely believe the figures. Reviewing the request for legal fees by Skadden, the New York-based law firm, the US District Court Judge Leonard Sand ‘shuddered to think’ that any one lawyer could work so relentlessly. Margaret Enloe, a second-year associate, had logged 78.5 billable hours working for a client over a five-day stretch. After a 17-hour day, she had trudged back to the office the next morning – and gone on to bill 24 hours straight. Enloe shrugged off the judge’s disbelief. ‘I’m a fairly high-energy-level person,’ she said. ‘I worked more than one 24-hour day when I was at Skadden.’” Reading this reference to my life as a junior litigation associate, I barely recognize myself, though I do recall those years. After Skadden, a firm I appreciated for many reasons despite the long hours, I joined the legal department of Coopers & Lybrand which merged in '98 with PW to become PwC. During my 25+years there, I saw it all including big lawsuits, SEC investigations, mediations, and trials in federal and state courts around the country. The work afforded me an opportunity to work with countless capable professionals in the firm and at many law firms. Lived experience is the best teacher. I’m now an executive and transition coach, guiding attorneys and other professionals to design lives that work for them. My own life is a rich mix of work, travel, sports, and time with family and friends. The full Gottlieb article — “White-collar sweatshops…How did law firms and other professional workplaces become places of such crushing and soulless work?” — is a fascinating historical perspective on the life of lawyers. Should you prefer audio to text, it’s a 32-minute listen. Lawyers, what do you think? Does this ring true for your experience? there are many opportunities for growth, learning and fulfillment. Some known. Some undesirable. Some out of reach. Some better than others.
We live much longer than earlier generations so just biding our time, waiting to fall off our perch, isn't a great idea. To complicate matters further, options and information are boundless. As we consider the future, fears, indecision and unknowns often rear up and have to be overcome, if not downright tackled. At a conference yesterday hosted by Erica Baird and KAREN WAGNER, co-founders of Lustre, Sally Susman offered up a framework for considering potential opportunities in retirement. Maybe not a framework for those eager to relax, play golf and spend time with friends and family, which is fine. But, for others considering what's next, here's Susman's framework for considering potential opportunities: 🔷 Does the prospect cause me to feel energized or does it sap my energies? 🔷 Is it consistent with the way I see myself in the future? 🔷 Will I be building new muscles? 🔷 Will I meet the kind of people I want to know and spend time with? 🔷 Will I be making a positive difference? Nothing rewards like purpose. If you're approaching or pondering retirement but aren't sure what you want to do, or do about it, it's a good time to speak with a Professional Certified Coach. Connect with me here or on LinkedIn for a free, confidential coaching conversation. You too can retire with attitude!  My second child was born on March 13, 1993, in the middle of a blizzard. I was in labor and needed to get to the hospital. But, cars and buses were barely moving. Hailing a taxi was impossible. Uber and Lyft didn't exist.
It took a while but we managed to get a Lincoln Town Car - delivering organs to the hospital - to pick us up at our apartment. The car made its way slowly across the city to New York Hospital as visions of having my baby in the back seat felt very real. I was definitely scared. But, with a sigh of relief, we made it, and our "Blizzard Baby," Laura McIntyre, was born at 3:03PM. Apart from having a good driver with a heavy car and "can-do" attitude, three things kept this situation from becoming my nightmare, all of which have helped me through other difficult situations: 🔷 I took deep breaths to stay calm 🔷 I remained focused on next steps versus "woe is me" 🔷 I didn’t catastrophize Strange and unexpected things happen all the time. Like a blizzard in March. The question is how we react to them. If you find yourself frequently yelling, agitated, anxious, or scared when unexpected things happen, maybe it’s time to talk to a Professional Certified Coach. Please connect with me here or on LinkedIn for a free, confidential, coaching consultation.  Fifteen years ago, in Utah, I fell at an indoor rock climbing gym.
It was a bad accident that never should have happened. I broke my back, shattered a heel, and damaged some nerves, among other things. But, I was lucky. And, I knew it. 🙏🏼No severed spinal column 🙏🏼Excellent hospital care and surgeons at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City and Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC 🙏🏼Good insurance 🙏🏼Good attitude 🙏🏼Good support from friends, family and colleagues Recently, after a minor fall in Belize, I went back to my foot doctor at HSS. He checked the x-ray, said I was ok and advised me to be patient as things healed. I was patient for a while and am now out on the slopes in Vermont, testing things out with fresh powder. Just grateful to be here. If you’re recovering from an accident and thoughts keep you focused on mistakes versus allowing your mind and body to heal, maybe a conversation with a Professional Certified Coach would be helpful. Reach out to me here or on LinkedIn for a free, confidential coaching conversation.  Much has been said about...
🏈 Bad Bunny and his half-time show 🏈 the NFL 🏈 the lackluster Super Bowl game If all the comments were captured in print form, they'd easily fill the Santa Clara football stadium. But, the Super Bowl, with its extravagances and flaws, is an occasion to share with friends and family, to root for a team, cheer for a touchdown, eat food and comment on commercials. Last night, as in past years, family and friends came over for the game. We were democrats and republicans. Many of us never watch football during the regular season. Most of us would normally not be in the same room, let alone share dinner, laughter and enthusiasm. But, it works on Super Bowl Sunday! It's a gift, it's unusual, it's relaxing. Some of us wear my Giants' football helmet signed by Bill Parcels, Phil Sims, Lawrence Taylor and, yes, Joe Namath! It's easy to put on. Hard to take off! I'm grateful for this annual American event. And, I enjoyed the Bad Bunny half-time show! Just sayin'  Different Strokes for Different Folks It's winter and it's cold out there!
As in our careers, jobs, and personal lives, we handle the cold differently, either because we can, want to or have to. Some of us stay indoors. Some venture out "to play." Some shovel sidewalks. Some protest ICE. Some go to warmer climates. Yes, it's different strokes for different folks. No one thing is right. We make our choices and hopefully don't second guess ourselves. If you're second-guessing your choices, maybe it's time to speak to a Professional Certified Coach. Please connect with me on LinkedIn or here on my website for a free, confidential coaching conversation. #SNOW #ICE #CHOICES Where’s your anchor?As Kalem threw the anchor into the sea before we snorkeled, I realized that having an "anchor" - and maybe more than one - is important. Anchors are always… ⚓️ 🚩 steady and sturdy ⚓️ 🚩 make us feel safe ⚓️ 🚩 there for us without strings attached An anchor can be your favorite aunt, a friend, a colleague, a mentor, a doctor… It can even be an inanimate object. Maybe a rose garden, a lakeside home, or an old car. As my snorkeling vacation in Belize comes to an end, I’m thinking about the anchors which will get me through this year. They include my husband, friends from PwC and the Hudson Institute of Coaching, my home in NYC and the American flag. We all need an anchor - perhaps now more than ever. If you have one, let us know. Let them know! If you don’t have an anchor, maybe it’s time to speak with a Professional Certified Coach. Please connect with me on LinkedIn or at margaretenloe.com for a free and confidential consultation.  Things Can Go Downhill Very Quickly!Everyone says “Happy New Year!”
It’s traditional, friendly and a wish for things to go well. Nothing wrong with that. I’ve said it countless times in the past week. But we all know that a lot of things, both in our control and out of our control, often conspire to keep our New Year from being happy. In fact, things can go downhill very quickly. This year, I made sure the year would start off “happy,” at least on a personal level, and went on a short adventure with my husband and two daughters. No pressing work, no blaring headlines, no snow to shovel. All that said, I do hope 2026 is a good one for you, wherever you may be or whatever you may be doing. If it feels impossible or a huge burden, maybe a call with a Professional Certified Coach would make sense. Connect with me on LinkedIn or at margaretenloe.com for a free consultation.  Here, but only briefly…
Children are born and spend years at home. Then, without fail, they grow up and go their own way. We see them frequently, or maybe sporadically. New relationships develop, work obligations grow and schedules become harder to juggle. But, one of the great joys of the holidays is when our grown children, nieces and nephews, come home. I was fortunate to have all three of our children home for Thanksgiving - a first in many years. I was grateful! Thank you Andrew, Laura and Sarah Jane for being here with us. |
Margaret EnloeI'm an executive coach who works with clients on leadership and transition challenges, including retiring with enthusiasm and ease. Blog Categories
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