From Functioning to Flourishing

Artificial Intelligence

The Strengths Gap Fueling AI Burnout at Work

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on August 5, 2026

Regular AI users at work report more self-doubt, less use of their own strengths, and more burnout. Here's why, and a simple way to work with AI without losing yourself.

Regular AI users at work report more self-doubt, less use of their own strengths, and more burnout. Here's why, and a simple way to work with AI without losing yourself.

Self-Talk

When Change Makes You Doubt Yourself

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on July 20, 2026

When change is challenging, we tend to blame ourselves, but self-criticism wears us down more than the change itself. Kristin Neff offers 3 better tools to make change easier.

When change is challenging, we tend to blame ourselves, but self-criticism wears us down more than the change itself. Kristin Neff offers 3 better tools to make change easier.

Career

The Loss No One at Work Is Talking About

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on June 22, 2026

Are you carrying a heavy feeling at work that you can't quite name? It may not be burnout. It may be grief—and how you respond to it changes everything.

Are you carrying a heavy feeling at work that you can't quite name? It may not be burnout. It may be grief—and how you respond to it changes everything.

Burnout

Why You Can't Outrun Change Fatigue

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on May 8, 2026

If trying to push through workplace changes is leaving you exhausted, your body is telling you it’s time for a different strategy. Three small shifts can make all the difference.

If trying to push through workplace changes is leaving you exhausted, your body is telling you it’s time for a different strategy. Three small shifts can make all the difference.

Burnout

Are You Struggling to Keep Up With Change at Work?

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on April 6, 2026

Struggling to keep up with constant change at work? New research identifies four distinct experiences of change—and simple steps to help wherever you are.

Struggling to keep up with constant change at work? New research identifies four distinct experiences of change—and simple steps to help wherever you are.

Trust

Do You Find It Hard to Trust Others?

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on February 23, 2026

Feeling let down and stuck? What if trusting others starts with something only you can control?

Feeling let down and stuck? What if trusting others starts with something only you can control?

Neuroscience

What Your Nervous System Needs You to Know

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on January 26, 2026

"I'm fine" and "I'll take care of it" (even at capacity) can be nervous system signals. Decoding them makes hard moments easier to navigate.

"I'm fine" and "I'll take care of it" (even at capacity) can be nervous system signals. Decoding them makes hard moments easier to navigate.

Burnout

Why Your Brain Needs HEART to Navigate Change

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on November 11, 2025

Even well-planned changes can still leave people overwhelmed. Learn 5 brain-based necessities that reduce poor change management experiences by 17%.

Even well-planned changes can still leave people overwhelmed. Learn 5 brain-based necessities that reduce poor change management experiences by 17%.

Stress

How Self-Compassion Protects Against Quiet Cracking

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on November 4, 2025

New research shows that self-compassion reduces quietly cracking risk by 31 percent. Discover a simple practice to navigate overwhelming pressures without piling shame and stress on top.

New research shows that self-compassion reduces quietly cracking risk by 31 percent. Discover a simple practice to navigate overwhelming pressures without piling shame and stress on top.

Artificial Intelligence

The Hidden Cost of AI at Work: Your Self-Compassion

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on October 27, 2025

New research reveals a troubling trend: As workers adapt to AI tools, their self-compassion declines. Discover how to protect your well-being in this new technological landscape.

New research reveals a troubling trend: As workers adapt to AI tools, their self-compassion declines. Discover how to protect your well-being in this new technological landscape.

Leadership

How to Lead Change When Nothing Feels Certain

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on October 13, 2025

More than half of workplace changes fail because traditional approaches weren't built for today's chaos. Here's what actually works when you can't predict what's next anymore.

More than half of workplace changes fail because traditional approaches weren't built for today's chaos. Here's what actually works when you can't predict what's next anymore.

Motivation

Why Your Change Plans Keep Falling Apart

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on September 14, 2025

Why do your best change efforts fail? The answer isn't better planning—it's building three key capabilities that help you adapt as you go.

Why do your best change efforts fail? The answer isn't better planning—it's building three key capabilities that help you adapt as you go.

Workplace Dynamics

Are You Struggling Through Change Alone?

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on September 1, 2025

Struggling through a workplace change on your own? You're not alone. Discover why asking for help during uncertainty improves outcomes and strengthens relationships.

Struggling through a workplace change on your own? You're not alone. Discover why asking for help during uncertainty improves outcomes and strengthens relationships.

Burnout

Are You Quietly Cracking at Work?

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on August 18, 2025

New research reveals what's driving this hidden crisis affecting 55 percent of workers—and the evidence-based practices that help you navigate it.

New research reveals what's driving this hidden crisis affecting 55 percent of workers—and the evidence-based practices that help you navigate it.

Burnout

Why Change Often Drains Your Energy (and How to Get It Back)

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on July 30, 2025

Feeling drained by workplace change? Your brain's safety instincts may be working against you. Here are three simple practices to get your energy back.

Feeling drained by workplace change? Your brain's safety instincts may be working against you. Here are three simple practices to get your energy back.

Workplace Dynamics

When Change Feels Like Something Done to You

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on July 14, 2025

Going through the motions of change at work? You're getting all the stress without any of the benefits. Here's how to engage purposefully—even when it's not a change you wanted.

Going through the motions of change at work? You're getting all the stress without any of the benefits. Here's how to engage purposefully—even when it's not a change you wanted.

Workplace Dynamics

Why Your Brain Treats Every Change the Same (But Shouldn't)

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on June 24, 2025

You're not imagining it—some changes really are harder than others. Here's how to tell the difference before you waste energy on the wrong approach.

You're not imagining it—some changes really are harder than others. Here's how to tell the difference before you waste energy on the wrong approach.

Fear

Why Your Brain Resists Workplace Change

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on May 12, 2025

Your brain's threat response can hijack innovation. These five science-backed practices can restore psychological safety when everything feels uncertain.

Your brain's threat response can hijack innovation. These five science-backed practices can restore psychological safety when everything feels uncertain.

Career

Do You Feel Like You're About to Lose It at Work?

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on April 20, 2025

Overwhelmed, irritable, or on edge at work? You’re not the only one. Discover tiny, evidence-based nudges to steady yourself—and others—when emotions run high.

Overwhelmed, irritable, or on edge at work? You’re not the only one. Discover tiny, evidence-based nudges to steady yourself—and others—when emotions run high.

Motivation

How Some Teams Thrive Under Pressure

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on April 8, 2025

When workplace challenges mount, some teams crumble while others rise. Studies show three small psychological safety actions can transform potential breakdown into breakthroughs.

When workplace challenges mount, some teams crumble while others rise. Studies show three small psychological safety actions can transform potential breakdown into breakthroughs.