Hard Work Wasn't a Problem. It Was Proof of Value
When Important Work Still Feels Like a Slog
You're making progress. Real progress.
Your male colleagues are starting to value your contributions more.
You can see the shift happening.
But here's what you didn't expect: it still feels exhausting.
It still feels like you're pushing a boulder uphill every single day.
You thought by now it would feel easier.
The Annoyance That Wouldn't Quit
That's where Adrienne was.
Well-respected in her field.
Making real headway.
But every interaction with her male peers still triggered annoyance.
Not because she wasn't succeeding.
Because the work she was doing mattered deeply to her, and to them?
Not so much.
She'd made great progress.
She knew that. But it still felt like a slog.
She came to our session wanting to move from reacting in annoyance to observing and responding with an inner calm.
Less about changing their reactions which she couldn't control anyway!
More about improving her own responses to challenging work that drained her.
The Moment Everything Shifted
Then something clicked for her.
If this work was so important, yet no one had made much progress before - what did that actually mean?
Adrienne rolled her eyes and laughed.
"That it's hard work! If it was straightforward, someone would have fixed these issues before!"
She smiled. Lightbulb moment.
Sometimes the challenges you're facing exist precisely because the work is important.
Important work is challenging by necessity.
After all, 'easy' gets done quickly, and by anyone!
Finding Her Truth
From there, we could explore a more personal narrative.
A more positive one.
The tough work she was doing fed directly into her deep values.
That's why it mattered!
That's why she kept going.
She needed a way to remind herself of this when things got hard.
"I need to remind myself," she said reflectively, "no one ever originally thought this type of project important. So I'm treading on unexplored ground. It would help if I reminded myself I'm a type of pioneer."
The work she was doing was hard.
But that's exactly what made it worthwhile.
As long as she could remind herself of that, she knew she'd be okay.
This reframe shifted how she thought about every future interaction.
The slog wasn't a sign she was failing.
It was proof she was doing work that mattered.
Ready to Reframe Your Challenges?
Email me at suzanne@doylemorris.com for a complimentary chemistry call.
We'll explore your biggest challenges and whether a 12-month coaching partnership makes sense for you.
Or download the 'Women in Tech Promotion Playbook: 5 Strategic Steps to Advance Your Career without Burning Out'.
Most of my clients are employer-funded.
Yes, your company will likely pay for this, and we can talk through how to increase the likelihood that will happen for you.
Alternatively, I also have payment plans if you are investing in yourself.
Learn more about what Executive Coaching with Dr. Doyle-Morris could do for you.
Welcome to my Blog
I'm Dr Suzanne Doyle‑Morris and I support professional women working in STEM.
Whether you’re seeking your next promotion, aiming for leadership, or simply looking to make your mark, this blog is created for you.
It's written for the ambitious woman in STEM ready to advance and succeed on her own terms.
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Your roadmap to advancement with balance.
The Women in Tech Promotion Playbook is a practical, evidence-based guide.
It's designed solely for ambitious women in STEM who want to advance their careers without burning out.
Drawing on over 25 years of coaching, research and consultancy, I outline five strategic steps that help women move from being overworked and under-recognised to confident, visible leaders.
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The Women in Tech Promotion Playbook
Your roadmap to advancement with balance
The Women in Tech Promotion Playbook is a practical, evidence-based guide designed for ambitious women in STEM who want to advance their careers without burning out. Drawing on over 25 years of coaching and research, I outline five strategic steps that help women move from being overworked and under recognised to confident, visible leaders.
