In Our Apa Era

By Sana CurrimbhoySociety & Culture

In Our Apa Era episodes

August 10, 2024 In Our Apa Era: Imposter Syndrome
Episode nine: The apas feel like imposters
Podcast episode 9: Imposter Syndrome

Summary & key points
This episode explores the concept of Imposter Syndrome, what we define it to be and how we have seen it play out based on personal experiences
Imposter Syndrome can often manifest when you feel you’re not good enough or feeling like a fraud

It often plays out for high achievers and in the
work place it can also play out when we think about DE&I and the experience of Ethnically Diverse colleagues
Imposter syndrome can be felt in moments and not necessarily all the time
Some ways to overcome imposter syndrome:
-Building an inclusive culture in the workplace
that allows you to be your whole self (celebrate multi cultural events & team building activities)
-Having diverse workplaces surrounded by diverse
colleagues
-Formal training in the workplace around imposter
syndrome; talking and demystifying the topic of imposter syndrome
-Life experience, dealing with and overcoming challenging
circumstances which can build confidence
-Having a true passion in your subject matter
-Knowing that you don’t have to know everything
about a particular subject
-Watching others around you and seeing how they respond
-Realising it’s alright if things go wrong
-Getting constructive feedback and using that to evolve
-Giving yourself credit for what you’ve owned and how far you’ve come

Quotes to remember
“One day the veil falls and you feel like an imposter"
“Have the confidence of an average white man”
27 min
August 02, 2024 In Our Apa Era: Productivity & Learning
Episode eight: The apas learn something new
Podcast episode 8: Productivity & Learning

Summary & key points
This episode explores the concept of learning in the workplace and outside of the workplace
We review the learning process looking at popular frameworks of learning (e.g. 70:20:10)

Learning is key in order to help you achieve your goals and for re-skilling or moving to a new job
The podcast helps you look at how to make this
part of your routine and how to optimise your day for those bite sized learning moments

Remember that sharing, reinforcing what you’re learning and creating a community around it is key to making that learning stick

Quotes to remember:
“Subconscious learning as opposed to conscious learning”
“Who you surround yourself with will help you get to your goals”

“Storytelling is one of the best techniques to learn something new”
“Take the time to build curiosity, so you can really get into (what it is you want to learn) and this is what will help you learn”
“Take it in small bits, this is what will change your behaviour”

“Learning is a behavioural change”

“Talk about what you’ve learned with your friends so that it stays with you”
19 min
July 26, 2024 In Our Apa Era: Productivity & Goal Setting II
Episode seven: The apas set goals part 2
Podcast episode 7: Productivity & Goal Setting 2
Summary & key points
This episode continues to explore the concept of goal setting with some helpful tips on how to set achievable goals for yourself (both in work and in your personal life)

Two very different personal stories to bring this to life (couple goal setting + nutrition goal setting)

Tips on goal setting:
Goals you set should not be unrealistic that
don’t set you up to fail
Writing things down to help you achieve the goal
Once you’ve made a conscious decision and ‘life happens’ it doesn’t mean that you’ve failed or fallen off the wagon- don’t beat yourself up or be hard on yourself

Having someone to keep you accountable is a great way to help you achieve your goal
Quotes to remember:
“Stick to what you know and enhance it, harnessing what works for you”

“There is an efficient way to get what you want and still have fun with it”

“When you’re down be down, think about small wins, set yourself small targets you can achieve”
22 min
July 24, 2024 In Our Apa Era: Productivity & Goal Setting I
Episode six: The apas set goals

Podcast episode 6: Productivity & Goal Setting 1
Summary & key points
This episode explores the concept of goal setting with some helpful tips on how to set achievable goals for yourself (both in work and in your personal life)

The theory of goal setting from an HR and work lens is explored (e.g. linked to performance management), alongside the importance of goal setting

Top tips for setting and sticking to your
goals:
Have few and simple goals so that you can easily achieve them which you can update each quarter

SMART goals – a great framework to set clear goals both at work and for your own personal goals

Being purposeful of the goal being set; reflecting and challenging yourself on why you are choosing that goal can help set the right goal and go after the right things

Having a coach or someone to speak to or even self reflection time can help with setting the right goals

The best way to commit to your goals is by writing things down

Manifesting your goals and continue to affirm your commitment
Be aware of self talk; it is a very powerful tool – used positively it can get you where you want to go, or you self pity or think negatively it could shake your confidence, bring you down and not let you achieve your goal

Quotes to remember
“It all starts from being able to visualise and think where you want to go and then knowing the steps it takes to get there, without goal setting this can get really overwhelming”

“We sometimes struggle with understanding our goals in a way that we can then either write them down or visualise them in a clear way”

“Understand the journey to get there (to achieving your goal) and all the variables and moving parts to get you there”
“Writing things down helps you achieve things”

“If you bring something to your awareness you will see it everywhere”

“Everything you say to yourself is a direct order”

“You want the voice in your head to be your cheerleader… not the other way around… it’s too easy to give in to the negative voice"
21 min
July 12, 2024 In Our Apa Era: Productivity & Wellbeing
Episode five: The apas talk women's wellbeing

Summary & key points
This episode explores the concept of executing against drive (using the resources you have) as one definition of productivity

Life coach pro tip: looking at your life aspects
as different circles and then do an assessment of where you are today, colouring in each circle so you can understand where to focus your energy best

This episode also looks at the concept of thinking seasonally and utilising your energy based on what comes naturally for you and your body

Breaking the taboo particularly in the workplace
about women’s wellbeing & have the right conversations curated for the workplace

The importance of having open conversations with your self, with your colleagues to share what you need & your non-negotiations in order to succeed and be productive

Quotes to remember:
“Life isn’t just all about those big moments when drive naturally executes itself”

“Be able to give yourself time to know what season you are going through”

“This approach takes self awareness to the next level”

“Productivity is a combination of mind, body, soul”
24 min
June 28, 2024 In Our Apa Era: Origin II
Episode three: Your host Sana's story

Summary & Key Points
This episode takes a deeper look at migrating to the UK via the route of studying at for an undergraduate degree and then getting a job right after university
Sana’s experience covers studying a liberal arts degree and then moving to a corporate job after university & navigating your first career post university

Challenges include figuring out your career independently at age 21, managing the switch between studying into working and sticking with a discipline for 10 years which overtime has become a passion
Key concepts include how long to stay in a role and job and the benefits of sticking with a role to learn and master it before you move onto a different role
Another idea explored is that of personal drive and where
that comes from. In this case it began as an internal need in comparison to peers and the pressure we put on ourselves to hold ourselves to a high standard. Overtime this concept of personal drive has changed and become more organic and based on enjoyment of work, creating something unique and leaving a personal mark on the world

Quotes to remember
“It’s hard at the age of 17 to know what you’re studying and then picking a subject you cant change”
“Study what you enjoy at undergraduate level”
“Mock interviews are essential to securing that first job”
“After 10 years working, in the last 3 years I properly work up and enjoyed what I was doing”
21 min
June 19, 2024 In Our Apa Era: Origin I
Episode two: Your host Mahnoor’s story
Summary & key points
This episode looks at Mahnoor’s experience of migrating to the UK from Pakistan in her 30s, in a post Covid era, and moving for her master’s degree, navigating this change while also going through big life changes

The episode explores the concept of moving from
a state of being ‘comfortable’ and safe to moving into and navigating challenge

This is also a great example of not having a straightforward career trajectory and managing simultaneous careers at the same time

Top tips to help set you up for success:
Having a goal and timeline was very important to make the change a reality

Maintaining a practical mind-set, making good use of the resources at your disposal
Strong drive to succeed and do as much of this as you can on your own
Prioritize and plan what to go after

Use your network to test your ideas, your friends and peers can help you understand your strengths
Being clear about what you want to go after, narrowing down options linked to what could give you a career based on your experience and interests
Commit to your chosen path; once you choose something give it your all and see it through

Be pragmatic and have a back up plan, think of this as a second career you can pursue alongside your first
Understand yourself and see different aspects of
your personality as your strength, if you have anxiety for example think about how it can be used to help you by helping you plan better and be more prepared
Keep disciplined, build habits that will get you to where you want to be

Quotes to remember
“Stability is a concept”
“(on drive) Its like a fire in my belly… I cant
sit still if I feel like I’m not moving or going somewhere or doing something”
“We all carved our own path from what we had”
“It wasn’t luck that got me here, it was hard work and planning”
“Anxiety is like a super power; when I enter a room I’ve thought about the 10 things that could go wrong and also the 10 things that can go right”
“Wellbeing brought me here… it made me more me… instilled habits that brought me here”
22 min
June 14, 2024 In Our Apa Era: Pilot
Episode one: The Rise of the Apas
Summary & key points
This episode introduces your hosts and the
podcast itself
Mahnoor is a fitness instructor and a wellbeing
coach. Sana is a HR professional offering career guidance and coaching
Wellbeing specialist and an HR specialist come
together to provide you with a unique holisitic approach to navigating life
(professional and personal)
What is an ‘apa’ and what does this concept mean
for us and this podcast?
The podcast will use stories to explore concepts
relating to life and work
This is a podcast for all experiences and all
different types of careers, whether you are someone who’s not sure about how your diverse experiences come together or if you’re someone who has had a career in one field this podcast looks at both experiences and offers guidance and support along the way.

Quotes to remember
“your apa is someone who makes mistakes and
someone who you can learn from”
“help someone who could have been me”
“there is no straight shot career and there is
no concept of ‘going back’”
11 min

About In Our Apa Era

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A wellbeing specialist and an HR specialist come together to provide you with a unique holisitic approach to navigating life (professional and personal)

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In Our Apa Era

In Our Apa Era episodes

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