Change Work Life

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!#073 - Jennifer Fisher of Worldstrides Higher Education and Jen Loving Sales describes the steps you can take to get better in a job where you don’t feel like you’re performing as well as you might.What you'll learn[1:16] What Worldstrides does and the type of study abroad programmes Jennifer works on.[2:05] How Jennifer found her interest in sales and a passion for helping people to achieve their goals.[4:14] Why Jennifer decided to leave the job she loved at Chronicle to go and work for Worldstrides.[06:23] How long it took Jennifer to feel comfortable and confident in her role as a salesperson.[07:58] Why it can be worth sticking with a career even if you’re not  immediately successful at it.[10:20] How Jennifer improved herself and became successful in the role she was in.[11:42] How roleplaying with colleagues can help you overcome problems and improve your performance.[16:16] The importance of listening to the views of people who have more experience than yourself, and how much difference a mentor can make.[17:18] What you get out of acting as a mentor for someone else.[18:10] Why you should never shy away from asking others for help.[20:39] How your responsibilities change as you become more senior in a business and the ways a coach can help you manage your increased seniority.[22:14] How to know when you’re at a point in your career where an external coach will be of use.[25:26] How to go about selecting a coach that is the right fit for you.[28:36] The best ways to measure success when working with a new coach.[30:50] How Jennifer has managed to increase travel sales even during COVID times.[34:00] What Jennifer wants to work on and improve on in the future.For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:https://changeworklife.com/how-to-get-better-at-your-job-and-access-the-help-you-need/Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!Take me to the exercises!Also, make sure to join the Change Work Life Facebook group and check out all the resources mentioned by our guests on the Change Work Life Resources page.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!#072 - Mastertalk founder Brenden Kumarasamy explains how you can improve your presentations, and why becoming a great communicator will help more than your public speaking skills.What you'll learn[01:08] Brenden introduces Mastertalk.[02:19] How Brenden got into public speaking and presenting.[05:12] The fear of public speaking and how you can overcome it.[05:42] Why confidence is key to effective public speaking.[06:07] Using a belief system to solidify your speaking style.[08:18] How to practice your presentation skills.[10:25] How to prepare for giving presentations in the workplace.[11:10] How practicing improvisation can help eliminate your fear of public speaking.[13:48] Learning techniques to help your workplace presentations.[16:56] How thinking of a presentation as a jigsaw puzzle can help you plan the content.[20:02] How repetition is key to improving your presentations.[21:38] The importance of time-stamped feedback for presentation analysis.[24:35] How presenting multiple times helps you master your content.[26:41] How to figure out the key idea that you want the audience to take away.[28:12] Defending your key idea through tools that are comfortable to you.[30:25] Understanding why you want to be a better communicator.[30:18] How to stop using “filler” words while presenting.[33:36] How to maintain engagement when presenting virtually rather than in-person.For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:https://changeworklife.com/how-to-give-a-knock-out-presentation/Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!Take me to the exercises!Also, make sure to join the Change Work Life Facebook group and check out all the resources mentioned by our guests on the Change Work Life Resources page.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!#071 - Community engagement leader Lianna Etkind discusses the benefits of a shorter working week and how you can go about working fewer days and taking longer weekends.What you'll learn[01.28] Lianna introduces herself and what she does for work.[03:14] How Lianna became involved with community organising.[03:52] How time is critical for those who want to participate in democracy and make political change.[05:06] Lianna explains how she started working a shorter week.[05:59] How our work culture exacerbates gender discrimination and mental health issues.[07:18] The benefits of a shorter working week.[09:50] The different models of flexible working.[12:20] Overcoming the financial barrier to working shorter hours.[13:46] How living a more frugal and simple life can make you happier.[16:14] Negotiating flexible working hours instead of a pay rise.[17:17] How flexible working could be an option for people nearing retirement.[19:00] The importance of showing that flexible working is possible as part of the evolution of our work culture.[21:36] How the approach to shorter working weeks can differ depending on sector.[23:10] How working flexibly in busy and unpredictable workplaces can interact with a shorter working week.[25:40] Figuring out the best way to make a flexible working request at work.[26:00] How flexible working helps diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.[28:22] Legal rights to request flexible working.[31:38] What steps to take if you want to work shorter weeks.[32:44] Online resources to research flexible working.[37:10] How automation in the workplace is gaining momentum and what the results could be.For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:https://changeworklife.com/how-to-have-a-shorter-working-week/Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!Take me to the exercises!Also, make sure to join the Change Work Life Facebook group and check out all the resources mentioned by our guests on the Change Work Life Resources page.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!#070 - Founder of Evacuate The Office, Jay Bahadur, explains how by using various tools and techniques to tap into the hidden job market, you can systematise the way you make a change to your career path.What you'll learn[01:16] Jay explains his job within the digital health market and the innovative products he works with.[03:05] Jay explains why he went into pharmacy and why he mentally checked out out of the career path.[03:58] How fear can keep you in a job or career that isn’t for you.[05:27] How being around people that follow the “deferred life plan” can make it difficult to see other options.[07:13] Jay discusses the point at which he realised he needed to change his path to help his mental health.[09:04] How mass applying for jobs can be counter-productive. [09:41] Taking action in your career plan and finding your work and lifestyle balance.[10:30] How questioning yourself can help you figure out what you want out of life.[12:37] How Jay worked through negative self-talk and doubts expressed by others.[13:41] How to change your attitude to overcome the “sunk-cost fallacy”.[15:36] How landing a role through mass applications encouraged Jay to work on his self-questioning.[16:47] How focused company and industry research can help overcome a lack of experience.[18:13] Informational interviewing and the benefits of connecting with people in other industries.[19:25] Identifying and researching the people within industries that you want to talk to. [19:53] Sending cold emails to industry professionals that you want to connect with and how they can benefit you in finding jobs.[22:18] How hyper-targeting and personalising cold emails can result in more positive responses.[23:41] How Jay came up with his system of cold emailing.[24:34] How tracking analytics can enable you to make your emails more concise and tailored.[26:13] Preparing for informational interviews so you can add value when following up.[27:11] How analysing the results of networking phone calls can open doors.[30:01] Jay explains how he now feels energised in his job and what the future holds in his career path.For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:https://changeworklife.com/creating-a-successful-system-to-change-your-career-path/Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!Take me to the exercises!Also, make sure to join the Change Work Life Facebook group and check out all the resources mentioned by our guests on the Change Work Life Resources page.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!#069 - Life and business coach Eric Twiggs shares his tips and tricks for how you can take back control of your time and make sure you’re on the right track to achieve your goals.What you'll learn[02:05] How a tragedy helped Eric learn about the value of time.[04:11] Eric’s realisation that he needed something to change.[05.23] Eric talks about his own self-doubt and procrastination before starting his business.[06:26] How Toastmasters International sparked Eric’s energy in delivering speeches.[07:09] How perfectionism can be an obstacle to progress.[07:44] The definition of procrastination and the psychology behind it.[09:16] What is task aversion and how outsourcing and delegating tasks can help.[11:50] Tips for managing tasks you don’t like and how to self-motivate.[14:17] Why getting other people involved can help with your accountability.[15:16] How to deal with the negative voice in your head when you’re moving towards your purpose.[16:21] How to overcome your fear of failure by focusing on the process.[18:13] Figuring out your next steps by thinking aspirationally.[19:10] Fear of success and the “Be, Do, Have” formula.[21:22] Why we should always be evolving to become the best version of ourselves.[21:48] Learning to accept risk to combat the fear of the unknown.[23:41] When “being busy” becomes an excuse to procrastinate.[24:00] Using awareness to gain control and stop avoiding the task at hand.[26:41] Learning the difference between creative avoidance and productivity.[28:13] Why breaking down your goals will allow you to gain clarity.[29:06] Using the “Twigg’s Top 5” method to move you closer to your goals.[30:54] Using zero-based thinking to cut down on activities you don’t want to be involved in.[33:20] Learning balance and sacrifice when saying yes and no.[34:07] How to start thinking of procrastination as a habit and not as part of your identity.For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:https://changeworklife.com/how-to-stop-procrastinating-and-get-things-done/Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!Take me to the exercises!Also, make sure to join the Change Work Life Facebook group and check out all the resources mentioned by our guests on the Change Work Life Resources page.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!#068 - Accountant, business-owner and dog behaviourist, Emma Austin explains how to combine a genuine understanding of what drives you with an analytical mindset to help you find what you really love, and what is both fulfilling and right for you.What you'll learn[6:20] The need to get a job which is compatible with your other commitments, such as childcare.[7:09] The importance of identifying what you want your job to do for you and the criteria it needs to match.[9:22] Why you need to make sure you are doing something which interests and challenges you and how to incorporate this into your life.[11:35] How specialising can give you a competitive edge.[13:49] The process of planning and transitioning from employee to business owner.[14:48] How client demand can force you to expand beyond your original niche.[16:19] How you can treat a particular stage of your career as a project rather than something you’ll do for a lifetime.[18:00] How coaching can help you find out what it is you love doing.[19:41] Taking the time to transition to a new career and exploring the different possibilities.[25:01] How previous experience and knowledge can still be relevant and useful in a new career.[27:02] The factors to consider before deciding whether to take on staff and expand a business.[28:51] The difficulties of drawing boundaries in “helping” professions.[30:34] Why a decision to change career isn’t necessarily an intellectual one.For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:https://changeworklife.com/matching-your-career-to-your-circumstances-and-finding-out-what-drives-you/Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!Take me to the exercises!Also, make sure to join the Change Work Life Facebook group and check out all the resources mentioned by our guests on the Change Work Life Resources page.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!#067 - Serial entrepreneur Ray Blakney explains how the 2009 swine flu crisis forced him to adapt his business and how his experience can help us navigate the coronavirus pandemic.What you'll learn[01:18] Ray introduces himself and explains current projects.[06:16] What to do when you realise early in your career that you are on a path not suited to you, even if you’re in a well-paid comfortable job.[07:50] How to find out whether there’s an alternative for you to the 9-5 job.[09:20] How joining the US Peace Corps enabled Ray to learn about other cultures and make lives better.[10:08] How to get off the hamster wheel and why a worst-case scenario might not be that bad. [12:19] What the early stages of starting a business looked like for Ray.[15:50] Search engine optimisation (SEO) – what it is and how it helps people to find you.[19:38] How Mexican swine flu and a ban on foreign travel forced Ray to adapt his business.[21:10] How many entrepreneurs start their businesses by identifying a need which no-one else is addressing.[22:47] Why starting small and avoiding external investment can help you establish a sustainable business which meets your needs.[25:36] Why you shouldn’t limit yourself to your existing market or customers if you want to adapt to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.[26:34] How to expand your offering and serve more people online.[28:40] The value of having diverse multiple sources of income.[32:00] How to start by identifying and researching a need for a business to satisfy.[41:50] How not to be intimidated by the success of others and define your own success.For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:https://changeworklife.com/how-to-adapt-during-a-global-crisis/Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!Take me to the exercises!Also, make sure to join the Change Work Life Facebook group and check out all the resources mentioned by our guests on the Change Work Life Resources page.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!#066 - International speaker and founder of Rediscover Your Play Jeff Harry explains how adopting a child-like mindset and embracing play at work can help you overcome challenges and find fulfillment.What you'll learn[1:38] How to use the concept of play to practice having hard conversations in a way that creates a safe place for everybody.[2:34] How a movie about toys in his childhood set the trajectory of Jeff’s career and led him to Rediscover your Play.[5:19] The benefits of allowing yourself to be in flow at work and when solving a problem.[6:56] Jeff explains how he trains people to feel how to be that toxic person in the office and then practice how to deal with them.[9:34] The process of learning how to address your inner self that allows you to deal with a toxic person and eventually change the dynamic of the organisation.[12:36] How to find your “zone of genius” by embracing your weird and curiosity.[16:25] How COVID times have enabled people to rediscover that they are their own expert.[17:33] The process of adopting a childlike mindset by being open to saying yes over and over again.[21:18] How your friends can help you work out what puts you into a state of “flow”.[25:34] How to prime your mind to look for positivity and opportunity with a play-oriented mindset.[29:36] Why your brain is designed to emphasise negative bias and how to catch those negative thoughts.[31:25] The techniques to identify your inner critic, name it, disassociate with it and then embrace your inner superhero.[35:02] The many ways you can embrace your play and figure how to play even in uncertain times.[37:12] Being willing to let your nonsense come through and embrace play.For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:https://changeworklife.com/66Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!Take me to the exercises!Also, make sure to join the Change Work Life Facebook group and check out all the resources mentioned by our guests on the Change Work Life Resources page.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!#065 - FidlLeaf co-founder, web developer, and musician Adam Alton explains how he single-handedly taught himself computer programming, built a career in web development, and decided to found an online personal wellbeing platform.What you'll learn[0:47] Adam explains the concept behind online wellbeing and personal development platform FidLeaf and his role in it.[2:24] He narrates his background in music and how the necessity of building a website for his band led him to website creation.[7:54] He explains how he started to build websites and how he developed his knowledge through readily available resources.[13:52] The similarities between music composition and computer programming.[16:00] How Adam built up his own skills and experience before landing his first job as a web developer without specific qualifications.[21:55] Why there will be a demand for computer programming skills for many years yet.[28:00] Adam’s realisation that he had outgrown his position and wanted to found his own company.[30:36] Adam explains how he met his FidLeaf co-founder and worked to create a minimum viable product to take to the market.[33:28] Adam’s goal of growing the company and helping people rather than positioning it for a future sale.[34:45] How Adam and his co-founder regulate their relationship and how they’re now dealing with the critical stage at which FidlLeaf is now at.[36:13] The vision and goals of the FidlLeaf platform in its first year of existence.For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:https://changeworklife.com/65Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!Take me to the exercises!Also, make sure to join the Change Work Life Facebook group and check out all the resources mentioned by our guests on the Change Work Life Resources page.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!#064 - Startup Playground Podcast host and creator Elvis Metrins explains his interest in entrepreneurship and how he’s using the podcast platform to explore opportunities for himself and discover his direction.What you'll learn[1:10] Why Elvis started podcasting, its power in telling people’s stories and his need to understand entrepreneurship.[4:03] He explains how a lack of passion and creativity in the hospitality industry led him to leave to find growth elsewhere.[6:01] Elvis’s personal journey of finding his path whilst helping entrepreneurs reach their goals.[8:39] The importance of leveraging relationships and creating human connections through virtual events with entrepreneurs and passionate career people.[15:17] Elvis’s expectation that his virtual events for entrepreneurs will grow his audience and expand his podcast reach.[17:08] Elvis considers the ways in which he might turn his podcast into a business. [23:37] Elvis’s ambitions to host physical and virtual events.[26:47] Elvis mentions his growth strategy for the next year and how he would like to revive the power of radio.[31:06] Finding what you love and dedicating your life to doing it.For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:https://changeworklife.com/64Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!Take me to the exercises!Also, make sure to join the Change Work Life Facebook group and check out all the resources mentioned by our guests on the Change Work Life Resources page.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.