Breaking Through: Transforming Challenges into Purpose
On the Breaking Beliefs podcast, I talked with Alreen Haeggquist, founder of a law firm that champions women's rights. Our conversation reveals how personal growth and professional success work together to create positive change. As the host of Breaking Beliefs and creator of the B³ Method®, I love exploring how we can bring our whole selves to our work while making a real difference.
Breaking Free from Old Patterns
Alreen grew up in an immigrant household where traditional beliefs shaped how women were expected to live and work. These family rules said women should serve others rather than lead. Today, many of us carry similar beliefs from our past into our careers, often without realizing it. These old patterns can hold us back from reaching our full potential.
Through her journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a powerful voice for familial rights, Alreen learned something vital: seeing our patterns clearly is the first step to changing them. Her story shows how we can turn difficult experiences into strengths that make us better at our work.
When Change Begins
Alreen shared how she first approached therapy thinking she could solve everything in four quick sessions. Like many driven professionals, she wanted to tackle personal growth like a business project with a clear timeline and end date.
What she learned—and what I've seen time and again working with business leaders—is that real change doesn't follow a neat schedule. It starts with understanding our reactions and triggers, especially in high-pressure work situations.
One of the biggest lessons from Alreen's story is that change often begins when we least expect it. For her, becoming a mother sparked a deep need to address past challenges. This mirrors what many professionals experience—sometimes it takes a new role, a career shift, or a personal milestone to show us where we need to grow.
Leading with Awareness
As a trial lawyer, Alreen uses three simple but powerful steps when things get tense in the courtroom:
She notices physical signs (like a racing heart)
She takes a breath before responding
She remembers why her work matters
This approach helps her turn challenging moments into opportunities to be a stronger advocate for her clients. It shows how understanding our emotions makes us better at our jobs.
The beauty of this method is that it works in any professional setting. Whether you're leading a team meeting, handling a difficult client conversation, or making an important presentation, these same steps can help you stay grounded and effective.
Finding Work-Life Harmony
Alreen's way of balancing work and life fits perfectly with the B³ Method®. Instead of trying to make everything perfect all the time, she accepts that different times need different focus. She uses meditation and mindfulness to stay grounded while handling tough professional challenges.
The goal is to create harmony between your work and personal life. For example, Alreen shared how she schedules short breaks throughout her day to reset and refocus. These small pauses help her stay present and make better decisions in and out of the courtroom.
The Power of Daily Practices
One thing that stood out in our conversation was how simple daily practices can lead to significant changes. Alreen starts each morning with meditation, even if it's just for a few minutes. This helps her:
Start the day with a clear mind
Handle stress better
Make decisions from a place of calm
Connect more deeply with her clients and team
You don't need to meditate to find your own grounding practice. It might be taking a walk, journaling, or simply sitting quietly with your morning coffee. The key is finding what works for you and making it a regular part of your day.
How Growth Spreads
One of the best parts of Alreen's story is how working on her own growth made her better at helping others. By healing her wounds, she became stronger at supporting her clients and making real changes in her field. This proves something I strongly believe in: when we work on ourselves, we naturally become better leaders and team members.
When you bring your whole self to work—including your challenges and growth experiences—you create spaces where others feel safe to do the same. All of this can lead to stronger teams, better communication, and more innovative solutions to problems.
Starting Your Own Journey
Think about these questions as you move forward in your career:
What old beliefs might be holding you back at work?
How could your challenges help you understand others better?
Where could taking a pause help you grow stronger?
What small practice could you start today to support your growth?
Alreen puts it simply: "There's no time like the present." Your path to becoming a more connected professional starts with one step—whether that's asking for help, trying meditation, or just taking time to think about where you are now.
Creating Lasting Change
In my years of working with all kinds of professionals, I've seen that lasting success comes when our inner growth matches our outer work. It's about bringing our whole selves to what we do. This means:
Being honest about our challenges
Staying open to learning and growth
Supporting others on their journeys
Celebrating small wins along the way
Want support in creating positive change in your work life? Visit BusinessBalanceBliss.com for helpful resources to guide you on your professional growth and personal fulfillment journey.
"You have to take one step to get yourself in there. You'll find people to help you, resources to help you, and a community to help you on this journey." - Alreen Haeggquist