As the clock ticks closer to 2025, it's the perfect moment to look ahead and dream big. Here’s the advice I’m giving myself for the upcoming year. Perhaps some of it will apply to you too.
Getting Going is the Tough Part
Self-improvement is on everyone’s mind at the moment. We’re inundated with articles on how to get fitter, how to achieve our goals, and how to make this year your best year ever. We’re certainly not short of advice and inspiration. It’s all around us.
I’ve only got one suggestion to make - to simply get going. No matter what your ambition is, just start small.
Sometimes, It's Good to be Boring
The Joys of Imperfection
How to Develop Grit
I discovered the whole topic of ‘Grit’ by watching this short TED talk by Angela Duckworth a few years ago. I found it really enlightening and encouraging. The big takeout was that what really distinguishes the best and worst performers in life is how gritty they are. Not talent. Not IQ. Grit.
Lessons From the Stoics
I first came across Stoicism when I started listening to the ‘Tim Ferris Show’ podcast a couple of years ago. He often referenced the Stoics during interviews with many of his guests. It became a theme. I then stumbled across the work of Ryan Holiday who champions the writings of the Stoics via his social media channels and books.
Finding Your Purpose
How To Inspire Others
Over the past couple of years, I’ve heard so many inspirational stories. Mainly throughout the pandemic, but more recently during the invasion of Ukraine. This has led me to think more deeply about what it means to be inspirational. To deconstruct the actions of inspirational people. So we can all learn their lessons.
I feel that it boils down to five key behaviours.
How To Bring Your Authentic Identity to the Workplace
Last week I wrote about how to uncover your authentic identity at work. The real, honest and truthful version of yourself. This week I want to provide a few more tips on how you and your team can bring this to the workplace more effectively.
How to Uncover Your Authentic Identity At Work
Happiness and success at work starts with being confident in expressing your ‘authentic identity’. The real you. The unfiltered, open and genuine version of yourself. It means feeling relaxed and comfortable in the way you show up in the workplace. It means using this to shape your decisions and your ideas.
60 Life Lessons At 60
Why Conflict in a Team is a Good Thing
Following on from my previous post about building trust in a team, I wanted to talk about team conflict. I’m someone who naturally shies away from conflict and doesn’t enjoy getting involved in arguments. I’ve also felt that the best teams are harmonious. Where everyone agrees with each other.
Back to School
So, it’s the 1st of September and the Summer has officially ended. The sun is getting weaker, there’s a chill in the air and the days are shortening. To me, it feels like a new beginning. Much more so than the 1st of January. It feels like the start of a new school year. So, my suggestion is to take the time to start afresh as if you’re heading back to school. Here’s what works for me.
How to Express Your Authentic Identity at Work
Should You Follow Your Passion in Your Career?
I had always believed in following your passion at work. Doing what you love and getting paid for it. This for me was the ideal scenario. Occasionally I’d fantasise about my dream job. This usually involved food or sport.
It was a seductive vision. Make a career out of your passion. It’s the passport to true happiness.
Keep Showing Up
‘Keep showing up’.
These were last words spoken by Elizabeth Gilbert in one of my favourite Ted Talks. She was speaking about creativity. She implored us to stay present and work at your craft so that ‘your elusive creative genius’ will make an appearance.
10 Things I've Learnt About Achieving Goals
In our personal and professional life goal setting is easy. We find it easy to imagine the life we want to lead. A life where we’re happier, fitter, richer and more successful. Achieving goals is much harder. Unsurprisingly, New Year’s Resolutions usually end in failure. Goals help us grow, but we can get so much better at setting and achieving them.
Client vs Agency? The Marketer's Career Dilemma
How to Give and Receive Feedback
Over the past few months I’ve learnt a lot about feedback. I’ve been giving lots of feedback on presentations delivered to me as part of an ongoing training programme.
Plus, whilst training to become an accredited coach, I’ve received lots of feedback on my own coaching approach.
Here’s my key lessons.
Coaching vs Mentoring vs Teaching vs Counselling
Supporting others in this difficult time is essential. So, when your friends or co-workers ask for your help, how do you react? Most people just dive into offering solutions. Instead, learn to hold back, listen and figure out what kind of help they really need. Spend time immersing yourself in their problem.
Broadly, there are then 5 potential approaches you could take.