Alignment is the cornerstone of brilliance
We are on a mission to change that – to help people discover their ‘life work’, the true essence of who they are and what fuels their fire.
Through this program, we aim to guide people to that moment of realization; when they see their dreams are within reach, know the path to get there, and feel supported to take each step with clarity and self-trust.
The Curriculum for Individuals
Life/Work Design is an immersive, story-led process that takes you far beyond traditional career planning. You will stop living your life restricted by ‘shoulds’ and expectations that don’t belong to you, and uncover your truest strengths, reigniting your buried passions, and naming what you really want from your life and work.
Through our proven method, you’ll gain the clarity, courage, and self-trust to design a future that excites you, and create a step-by-step plan to make it real. This is transformation in action: moving from “I can’t” to “I know what I want and what I need to do now.”
The program unfolds over a 4-day in-person intensive, with dedicated 1:1 guidance before and after to embed your insights and turn them into lasting change. By the end, you won’t just see what’s possible — you’ll be equipped and ready to create it.
The Curriculum for Companies
We help build organizations people are proud to work for, and leaders who are resourced to bring out the best in their teams. This matters more than many businesses realise. At the heart of every organisation’s value is its people. Yet, they’re too often undertrained and overlooked.
87% of business leaders say they have skills gaps. Nearly half of workers haven’t had any training in the past five years. That’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a risk. Now imagine being one of the brave few who choose differently. Who invest in alignment, capability, and clarity, at every level. The Life/Work Design process helps you do exactly that, in a way that’s deeply human and operationally effective—tailored to your cultural reality, not forced into a framework.
This is a program that tells your people ‘we really care about you.’
Core Differentiators
Story-driven self-discovery
Life/Work Design uses your personal story as the primary tool for reflection and insight, not a personality test or generic framework. It’s deeply human, revealing, and personal.
The bridge between the personal and professional
This isn’t just career coaching; it’s an entire paradigm shift. Participants reconnect with what drives them on the deepest level and then redesign their work and how they want their entire lives to look so it completely reflects their vision and aligns with their innate skills and passions.
Take decisive action
We guide individuals and companies through a practical, structured process that leads to clarity, informed decisions, and a tangible plan with a set of clear actions to take to achieve it.
Facilitated with compassion, rigor, and lived expertise
Our approach is emotionally intelligent and insight-rich, holding space for transformation while also helping people get unstuck and take action.
Designed to scale without diluting the depth
While rooted in deep and 1:1 support, the program has been built to train future facilitators without losing its power and integrity.
Core Outcomes
Radical clarity on what matters most
Leave knowing exactly who you are, what you want, and the values, strengths, and story that drive you with the insight and self-trust to navigate your next steps with purpose.
A Life/Work blueprint you can act on
Build a future framework that integrates your passions, strengths, and big, bold vision. This isn’t just about a job change — it’s about designing a life that fuels you, grounded in tangible ‘I can make this happen’ opportunities and data.
Clear, confident language for your story
Find the words and the conviction to share your journey and direction, whether you’re pitching, transitioning, or leading with courage.
The courage to pivot, lead, or leap
Step into what’s next with clarity and confidence, ready to move through fear and take the steps to achieve your dream, no matter how big and audacious it may seem.
A lasting shift in self-perception
See yourself not as stuck, but as someone with vision, agency, and a path that’s truly your own — and the plan to make it real.
Our Founder
Life \ Work Design founding partner, author, sought-after mentor, speaker, and coach Nella Barkley has been unlocking personal and professional potential for thousands of people, Fortune 500 companies, startups, and non-profits for half a century and counting. Known as much for her expertise as her unbound enthusiasm for life, Nella Barkley has helped generations of individuals, families, and companies prosper and flourish.
Upcoming Courses
Schedule for upcoming Life\Work Design Courses:
March 11th – 14th
Charleston, SC
July 15th – 18th
Black Mountain, NC