Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes.  Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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Do you find yourself constantly putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own at work? Whether it’s your boss, your team, or your colleagues, prioritizing others can feel like kindness—but unchecked, it leads to burnout, resentment, and exhaustion.

This week’s Joy at Work Experiment is all about shifting that pattern, even just a little. Instead of giving from an empty cup, I want you to choose one small thing that refuels you—something that strengthens, relaxes, or simply lightens your week. It doesn’t have to be big, but it does have to be yours.

 Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes.  Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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Talking about death is never easy, but avoiding it only makes things harder when the time comes. That’s why I invited my friend and marketing consultant Liz Orgill to share insights from her training as an end-of-life doula. 

Whether you're caring for aging parents, supporting a loved one through their final months, or simply want to be more prepared, this conversation offers both practical steps and emotional guidance to help you navigate this inevitable part of life with more clarity and confidence.

Liz shares the key areas to consider—physical, emotional, financial, and relational—and how small but intentional actions can ease both your loved one’s experience and your own. She also highlights why understanding your own relationship with death can change how you show up for others and yourself.

✔ The essential conversations to have with loved ones before it’s too late

✔ How to advocate for your parent’s end-of-life wishes (especially if they want to stay at home)

✔ The emotional and sensory experiences of dying—and how to create comfort

✔ Why checking in with yourself daily is crucial if you're caring for someone else

✔ How prioritizing rest and reflection helps you handle life’s hardest moments

This is an episode filled with warmth, wisdom, and practical insights to help you feel more prepared for the inevitable transitions we all face.

  Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes.  Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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This week, we’re tackling procrastination—specifically, those dull, soul-draining tasks you keep putting off. You know the ones. Instead of suffering through them alone, I want you to steal a brilliant strategy from Elizabeth, a high-achieving professional who found a way to trick her brain into getting things done. The trick? Misery Loves Company.

[00:30] The Reality of Task Management

[01:41] Embracing Human Flaws

[02:31] Meet Elizabeth: A Procrastination Case Study

[04:24] Your Joy at Work Experiment - Misery Loves Company

   Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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Color isn’t just about style—it’s a powerful tool for joy, confidence, and energy. In this episode, Emma Shoe, a former shoe designer turned personal stylist, shares how color psychology can transform your wardrobe, workspace, and mindset. From a life-changing technicolor jacket to the surprising effects of Baker-Miller Pink in prisons, Emma reveals how small shifts in color can boost happiness and even career success. Whether you're stuck in a sea of black or looking to refresh your space, Emma’s insights will inspire you to embrace joy through color in every part of your life.

[00:00] Unleashing Joy through Colour with Emma Shoe

[00:32] The Power of Colour Psychology

[01:14] Transformative Stories: Colour in the Workplace

[03:43] The Impact of Colour in Your Environment

[04:24] The Fascinating Story of Baker Miller Pink

[05:47] The Impact of Black in Fashion

[08:16] Incorporating Colour into Your Life

  Here’s the hard truth, unless something changes by this time next year, you're likely to find yourself in exactly the same place. 

Sound terrifying? Then this week’s experiment is made for you.

Creating some space and time alone to just think, is the first step in designing work that feels better, freer, and more satisfying for you. 

You might not agree about the transformational power of thinking time,  but in my experience, creating space to think about your possible future isn't a luxury, it's a necessity.  Thinking time helps you uncover what truly matters to you.  It helps you clarify specifically what needs to change for you.  And it helps you figure out the steps that will take you where you want to go. 

By carving out even 30 short minutes this week, you're not just dreaming aimlessly, you're prioritizing your future self, your future mental health, and your future joy potential. Because the only way to create your better future is to eke out a little space for it. Starting now. 

[00:30] The Importance of Thinking Time

[02:42] The Joy at Work Experiment: Finding Time to Think

[03:07] Guiding Questions for Reflection

[04:17] Conclusion: Prioritizing Your Future Self

[04:56] Additional Resources: Life Satisfaction Assessment

   Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of grief with Dipti Tait, author, hypnotherapist, and psychotherapist. 

We discuss how grief is not only tied to death but can also stem from life changes such as marriage, childbirth, or job loss. 

Dipti introduces the concept of 'dwell time,' explaining how grief often lingers beneath the surface before emerging. 

Dipti offers practical advice on how to support others dealing with grief, emphasizing the importance of what not to say. By understanding and labeling grief accurately, we can be kinder to ourselves and navigate these challenging moments more effectively.

[00:00] Understanding Grief in Midlife with Dipti Tait

[00:19] Meet Dipti Tait: Author and Grief Expert

[01:35] Different Forms of Grief

[05:48] Practical Advice for Dealing with Grief

[09:19] What Not to Say to Someone Grieving

In our working society, true listening is a rarely spotted talent in many workplaces.  Yet, in our uber-competitive world, it has the power to differentiate you from your colleagues, make a standout impression on your boss, and deepen personal relationships with colleagues. It's the ultimate free tool for connection and personal growth.

Poor listening can lead to feelings of disconnection, frustration, and a lack of belonging, as illustrated by a client's experience. Conversely, being a great listener can stand out to bosses and deepen relationships. 

I share practical tactics to elevate your listening skills and challenge you to put them to the test in this week's experiment: in your next conversation, focus entirely on the other person and observe the transformative effects. 

[00:30] The Cost of Poor Listening

[01:52] The Power of True Listening

[02:33] Practical Tactics for Better Listening

[04:17] This Week's Joy at Work Experiment - Be An Active Listener

   Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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In this episode, I'm joined by Sinead Sharkey Steenson to discuss how men can support women during perimenopause and menopause in the workplace (and at home). 

We delve into the importance of involving men in these conversations, offering them tools and insights to better understand and support their female colleagues. 

Sinead also shares her experience leading men-only sessions to help demystify menopause and encourage supportive interactions. Additionally, the episode provides resources for further learning, including books, podcasts, and organizations committed to addressing menopause in a constructive manner.

[00:00]  Why men need to join the menopause conversation with Sinead Sharkey-Steenson

[01:17] The Importance of Men in Menopause Conversations

[02:08] Men's Role in Supporting Women

[04:37] Men-Only Sessions: Creating a Safe Space

[07:39] Resources for Men to Learn More

All of the resources mentioned in this episode are available on our website.

   Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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I read the book Deep Work by Cal Newport some years ago and it hit me like a brick. It connected a few dots of thoughts that had been floating around my mind for years and it changed the way I structured my work week forever.  It felt like I'd found a magic wand that had been missing in my work life forever. 

Deep Work is the antidote to the kind of shallow, time frittering, needle stuck in place work that many professionals drown in daily.  Deep work is focused, distraction free, and high impact. It's the kind of work that shifts the needle on your biggest priorities and unlocks creative, innovative problem-solving. 

So, if you're someone who's ever glanced at a clock or at your watch at 5pm and thought Wait, what the heck did I actually do today? This Joy at Work experiment is for you. 

[00:00] Making Time for Deep Work - A Joy At Work Experiment

[00:29] The Concept of Deep Work by Cal Newport

[01:50] The Three Enemies of Deep Work

[02:51] Implementing Deep Work - A Joy At Work Experiment

[04:32 ]Personal Success and Encouragement to Try Deep Work

   Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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When I was growing up in Northern Ireland, women would whisper the phrase, “the change”, when talking about perimenopause and menopause. 

Thank goodness the conversation has evolved since then.  Yet, until very recently, no one was talking about how it impacts our joy at work.

Today we delve into the impact of perimenopause and menopause on women in the workplace with leadership expert Sinead Sharkey-Steenson. We discuss the physical, emotional, and mental challenges women face and how these can manifest in professional settings. 

Sinead shares practical advice on recognizing symptoms, the importance of medical consultation, and stress management techniques. She also highlights organizational strategies to support female employees through awareness sessions, flexible working conditions, and open conversations. She gives actionable steps for individuals to reduce workplace stress, such as setting boundaries, recharging energy, and practicing focused breathing.

[00:00] Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Menopause

[00:26] Meet Sinead Sharkey-Steenson

[00:58] Understanding How Menopause Impacts Women in the Workplace

[01:53] Emotional and Mental Challenges

[03:49] Physical Symptoms and Stigma

[04:49] Organizational Support and Awareness of Menopause

[08:00] Practical Tips for Individuals

[09:05] The Three B's: Boundaries, Battery, and Breath