Tips for Work and Life with Andrew LaCivita

Last week, we spent five full days together building and fine-tuning your résumé. You now have a marketing document that’s designed to get you noticed. But here’s the #1 mistake most job seekers make right now… they slow down. They assume the holidays are dead time. They think no one’s hiring until January. They coast into the new year. That couldn’t be further from the truth. November through February is THE BEST time of year to land a new role. Companies evaluate their budgets. They make sure to spend the current year’s budget so they don’t lose it. They prepare next year’s budgets and identify the resources. Then, they hurry to start recruiting because people aren’t teleported on January 2. They panic because employees who didn’t get the promotions or raises leave. And then they have more seats to fill. All these employee mobility spikes mean opportunities for you. But only if you’re in the game!  If you step off the gas now, you’re handing those jobs to someone else. That’s what I cover in today’s podcast… If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my four books related to career development, interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

Last month I celebrated my 59th. It had me reflecting on the biggest influences that rerouted my path, especially the books that shaped my mindset, my career, my health, and even my view of the universe. These aren’t just books I enjoyed. They are turning points that literally changed how I live. Some helped me become a better teacher, others taught me discipline and financial independence, and a few opened up my sense of purpose. Here’s the list in the same order I cover them, with a personal note on why each mattered to me. Mindset, Self-Discovery Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, Richard Carlson I stumbled into this book in 1997 after literally knocking over a stack of them in Barnes & Noble. It sparked my lifelong love of self-help. Its short chapters and practical reminders taught me to let go of stress and focus on what actually matters, which helped me lead my teams (and my life) with a clearer head. You’ll See It When You Believe It, Wayne Dyer This is the book I’ve re-read more than any other, sometimes daily for weeks at a time. Dyer’s lessons on manifestation and the “seven attachments” helped me release ego, control, and the need to be right, which created more peace and focus in every area of my life. Stumbling on Happiness, Daniel Gilbert Gilbert proves we’re never as happy or as sad as we think we’ll be, because we can’t fully predict our future selves. This freed me from chasing perfection and helped me embrace the journey, knowing joy comes more from growth than from reaching the finish line. Storytelling, Career Transformation Made to Stick, Chip and Dan Heath A dearly-departed friend gifted me this book in December 2007, and it completely changed how I thought about communication. Its framework for making ideas memorable became the foundation of my Interview Intervention methodology, and eventually the blueprint for the storytelling systems I still teach today. Interview Intervention, Yours Truly I wrote this book in just five weeks at the end of 2011, and it completely transformed my career. For the first time, I captured years of coaching into a system anyone could use, and that was the first official step that turned me from recruiter to teacher to author. Choice, Goals, Perspective  This Is Water, David Foster Wallace This slim book, adapted from a 2005 commencement speech, is one of the most powerful I’ve read. Wallace’s simple but profound message, that you can choose what to think about, has reshaped how I approach daily life, teaching me to stay present and compassionate in the middle of life’s noise. It also served at the stimulation for the next book on this list. Out of Reach But in Sight, Me Again Born from a keynote I gave to scholarship students, I turned the speech into a book. Capturing timeless lessons on setting and pursuing goals, it later evolved into my Goal Setting Masterclass and proved how small steps can inspire big transformations. Wealth, Health The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas Stanley and William Danko At 30, this book confirmed that wealth is built through discipline, not high income. It cemented my lifelong approach of living below my means, investing early, and building habits that would later help me achieve financial independence and peace of mind. Good Energy, Casey Means Of the 70+ health books I’ve read, this one had the most immediate impact on my life. Understanding metabolic health and cutting refined sugars, refined grains, and seed oils gave me more energy, clarity, and resilience than I thought possible. I’ve felt sharper and healthier ever since. My Life’s Work, Beyond  The Zebra Code, The New Me This is my most ambitious book, and easily the toughest project I’ve ever taken on. It demanded every ounce of experience, discipline, and creativity I had, but it also gave me the chance to share the full methodology I believe can help any professional thrive. Journey of Souls, Michael Newton This book opened my mind to ideas about past and future lives, whether you take them literally or not. It gave me a new lens for thinking about purpose, why I might be wired the way I am, and how being open to bigger questions can deepen the way you live today. These aren’t just books on a shelf. They’re turning points in my story. Please add any of these to your own shelf that speak to you. Maybe they can be turning points in your story too! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my four books related to career development, interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

It was 3:08 in the morning. May of last year. I was in my office already a lofty 8 minutes into my day. Headphones on, speaking (uh, reading) into a microphone… and yelling at ducks. Yes, ducks. As I tried to record a passage for The Zebra Code audiobook, those feathered freeloaders on my backyard lake quacked like it was their job. I must’ve sounded like a lunatic, hollering “Come on! I need 75 quiet minutes!” But here’s the truth… I wasn’t just recording an audiobook. I was chasing a big goal that was important to me. Writing a book is one thing. Giving voice to it, putting myself on record, was something else entirely. Big goals aren’t really about the thing you achieve. They’re about who you become in the pursuit. (In this case, hopefully, not a total lunatic. 🤣) They stretch your patience, your creativity, your confidence, and yes… even your relationships with ducks. This week’s video is all about this truth. What really happens to you when you work toward a massive goal (and why the transformation almost never looks the way you expect)? If you’ve ever set an ambitious goal, whether career-related, personal, or financial, you’ll see yourself in this. And if you haven’t yet? It might just give you the push to start. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my four books related to career development, interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

Navigating tough job interviews doesn’t have to be daunting! Learn the six challenging questions designed to test your problem-solving and leadership skills. Discover a handy CAR technique to craft tailored responses that resonate with employers. With word-for-word examples, you’ll be ready to showcase your value without hesitation. Mastering these questions can make the entire interview feel like a breeze, giving you the confidence to shine!

Ready to ace your job interviews? Discover how to project confidence and warmth from the moment you start speaking. Learn the importance of posture, gestures, and micro-expressions in building trust with interviewers. Master the art of using your voice to emphasize your unique value without sounding rehearsed. Uncover the power of active listening as your secret weapon, whether in person or on video. Get equipped with the tools to ensure you shine as the top candidate every time!

Unlock the secrets of effective communication! Discover how to ensure your message resonates by focusing on what the listener hears and feels. Simple techniques like the 'intent check' can enhance clarity and prevent misinterpretations. Learn to sound more composed and credible, which can lead to quicker buy-in during conversations. Whether in emails or meetings, improving your communication skills can profoundly impact your career and relationships. Elevate your conversations and be remembered for your influence!

Discover the five must-read books that can transform your approach to building wealth! Dive into an entertaining guide that simplifies investing and explore powerful reads that focus on mindset shifts separating spenders from wealth builders. Enhance your professional skills to maximize your earning potential and make smarter financial decisions. These essential reads are accessible to everyone, making it easier than ever to take control of your finances and secure your future!

Sweating the small stuff can be a game-changer for career performance. Mastery is found in the details, influencing everything from email writing to team management. The discussion also draws intriguing parallels between health and financial fitness, emphasizing that excellence requires attention to minute aspects. Additionally, smart investment behaviors are vital for wealth accumulation, showing that consistent savings can lead to significant financial success. Tune in for insights that can elevate both your work and financial strategies.

Discover the hidden value of your personal story and how it can impact others. Learn why your experiences matter, even if they seem ordinary. The discussion highlights the importance of reshaping your narrative into meaningful moments that educate and inspire. Explore a simple 7-step structure to craft stories that resonate with audiences. Plus, enjoy personal anecdotes that illustrate these principles in action. Embrace the power of storytelling to connect and motivate in your career and life.

Discover the career skill that’s often overlooked: empathy. Learn about the three types of empathy and how they can transform your relationships, making you a better leader. Explore the hilarious ups and downs of cohabitation, emphasizing the need for understanding each partner’s needs. Delve into how empathy intertwines with focus and self-awareness, enhancing your decision-making and reducing stress in both personal and professional settings. This enlightening discussion will bring a smile to your face and elevate your career.