What happens when life pushes you toward a major change? Whether you’re facing a career transition, burnout, a difficult workplace environment, or simply feeling stuck, the next chapter of your life may be closer than you think.
In this episode of Giants Helping Giants, Lois Wyant sits down with executive coach Laura Aziz to discuss how people can navigate life transitions with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. Laura shares her journey from healthcare consulting and public health into executive coaching and explains how she helps clients move from feeling overwhelmed and uncertain to creating meaningful change.
Laura introduces the concept of “saboteurs” — the hidden thought patterns that can keep us stuck, overcommitted, overwhelmed, or afraid to move forward. She explains why people struggle with boundaries, how perfectionism and people-pleasing affect success, and practical ways to regain control of your time, energy, and mindset.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How to identify when it’s time for a life or career pivot
• Why clarity is the foundation of successful change
• The power of the Ikigai framework for discovering purpose
• How to say no without damaging relationships
• Common self-sabotaging behaviors that lead to burnout
• Why self-awareness is the first step toward transformation
• How coaching helps bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your next step, this conversation will provide practical tools and encouragement to help you move forward.
Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who may need encouragement during a season of change.
#PersonalGrowth #CareerTransition #Mindset #Leadership #SelfAwareness #ExecutiveCoaching #GiantsHelpingGiants
00:00 Introduction: Life pivots, change, and hidden saboteurs
00:32 Meet Laura Aziz: From Egypt to executive coaching
01:20 Why Laura transitioned from healthcare consulting to coaching
02:05 Signs it may be time for a career or life change
02:35 When change is forced: layoffs, mergers, and difficult workplaces
03:17 Navigating challenging relationships with coworkers and peers
05:12 The first step to any successful transition: clarity
05:53 Brain dumps, self-reflection, and discovering what truly interests you
06:32 Turning passions into income opportunities
07:06 Understanding the Ikigai framework for purpose and fulfillment
08:48 Setting boundaries to protect your time and energy
09:10 Working hard versus being overworked
10:17 Recognizing when your boundaries are being crossed
10:46 Using communication to resolve workplace conflict
11:23 Becoming the CEO of your day and your life
12:11 How to say “No” without damaging relationships
13:25 Why protecting your weekends matters
14:04 What are saboteurs and how do they affect your life?
14:50 The inner judge: the saboteur everyone has
15:45 The people-pleaser saboteur and burnout risk
16:50 Recognizing warning signs before burnout occurs
17:15 Real-life example of saying yes to everything
18:18 Learning to assess before committing
19:10 Do we all have the same saboteurs?
19:39 Self-awareness as the key to overcoming self-sabotage
19:56 The controller and perfectionist tendencies explained
21:02 Why labels can keep us stuck
21:44 Practicing self-compassion and resilience
22:38 Building emotional strength and balance
23:14 How the free saboteur assessment works
23:34 What happens during a first coaching session?
24:56 Defining success before creating a plan
25:30 Coaching as a bridge from where you are to where you want to be
26:16 Laura’s vision for her mastermind workshops
26:52 Creating a 90-day plan for life and business change
27:57 Who should attend Laura’s workshops and coaching programs?
28:31 Final thoughts: Trust your strengths and keep moving forward
29:02 Episode wrap-up and next steps
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/0rFFLLIZahE
https://www.lauraaziz.com (speaker website)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraaziz
https://www.facebook.com/laura.aziz2
lauraaziz@gmail.com
