Your Jumpstart Coach

Hi, friends,

For a long time, I believed meaningful work had to be done solo—that doing it alone somehow proved something.

These past few years gently (and joyfully) changed my mind.

Between this lovely Insider community, podcast discussions, writing Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Letting Go, co-facilitating workshops with partners, collaborating with friends, and creating the In Season planner alongside Heather and my dad… one reality kept showing up: Work is better together, and connection fuels what’s possible.

So as we head into February—the month of connection—I’ve been reflecting on how much richer this season feels when we’re not doing it alone.

Collaboration is very much In Season 💙

CAREER TALK 💼
Human Connection in the Age of AI

AI keeps coming up in conversations I’m having about career change and job searching.

Yes, AI is incredible at saving time—for both job seekers and recruiters. But it’s also created a strange reality:

Resumes and cover letters are starting to sound the same
Applications are less likely to be read by a human
“Hitting submit” is rarely enough
This is why relationships still matter.. and dare I say... maybe more than ever.

Think about what happens when someone leaves a team. Before a job is posted, people look around and ask: “Who do you know who might be a good fit?”

When you’ve cultivated real connections, people think of you before the role ever hits a job board.

So… how do you actually do that?

Here are a few simple, human ways to cultivate connection:

Use AI to prepare, but show up as yourself. Let AI help you brainstorm thoughts… then add your voice, your story. That human layer is what makes you memorable.
Stay in touch without an agenda. A quick “thinking of you” message, sharing an article, or congratulating someone goes a long way. Connection doesn’t always have to be transactional.
Reconnect before you need something. Reach out to former colleagues or collaborators with curiosity. Those relationships compound over time.
Talk to people, not just platforms. Informational conversations (even short ones) help you understand what’s really happening behind the scenes—and often surface opportunities that aren’t posted.
Be someone who thinks of others, too. Make introductions. Share opportunities. Be generous with what you know. That energy will come back around. ✨

NOURISH TO FLOURISH 🌸
A Sweet Valentine’s Month Treat (My Version of Thin Mints!)

February feels like the perfect excuse for a little chocolate moment... and this one is meant to be shared.

This is my low-effort, high-delight version of Thin Mints: sweet, salty, minty, delish.

How to make them:

Melt your favorite chocolate
Stir in a small splash of peppermint extract (a little goes a long way)
Dip Ritz crackers into the melted chocolate
Place on parchment paper
Gently press a candy heart on top (because February)
Let them set on the counter until cooled
That’s it. Perfect for sharing with friends ... because sometimes connection looks like chocolate-covered crackers passed around the break room 😉

Happy Valentine’s 💖

Thank you for being part of this exclusive community for heart-based professionals; I’m so grateful for you. ❀

Until next time,

—Noel Chan