Squiggly Careers

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Sometimes your career can feel unclear, uncertain, or hard to navigate — especially in a squiggly world where linear paths don’t really exist. If you’re feeling stuck, unsure of your next step, or craving more direction, these simple clarity-creating strategies will help you find focus, feel more in control, and move forward with confidence.

Episode 519

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🎯 What You’ll Learn

• How to clear mental clutter by getting thoughts out of your head

• A simple prioritisation technique—the Bird and the Worm—that helps you balance long-term goals with short-term actions

• Why sharing your thinking with someone else (or with AI) can unlock fresh insight and reduce overwhelm

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected]

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz

📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/

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Sometimes work (and life) can feel full-on — especially at this time of year when deadlines, expectations and emotions all seem to intensify. Whether your mind is racing before a meeting, you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate, or emotions are getting in the way of what you want to say, these simple and science-backed breathing practices can help you reset, refocus and respond with more calm and clarity.

Episode 518

🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster:

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🎯 What You’ll Learn

• How your breath affects stress, energy, clarity and emotional control at work

• Three practical “when–then–why” breathing techniques for real situations (racing mind, overwhelm and emotional moments)

• How to use AI to personalise quick breathing resets you can use between meetings or on the move

📚 Resources Mentioned:

Breathe In Breathe Out by Stuart Sanderman - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breathe-Out-practical-management-improved/dp/0008543275#:~:text=Since%20tragic%20loss%20brought%20him,way%20you%20think%20and%20feel.

Breathpod - https://www.breathpod.com/

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/breath-book

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected]

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz

📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/

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🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F

Sometimes work can feel messy, complicated, or simply “a lot”. Whether you’re drowning in tasks, unsure where to begin, or struggling to make sense of something hard, these small-but-mighty strategies help you pause, prioritise and move forward with more confidence.

Episode 517

🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster:

🇺🇸PRH US - https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn

🇬🇧 Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• How to clear mental clutter by getting thoughts out of your head

• A simple prioritisation technique—the Bird and the Worm—that helps you balance long-term goals with short-term actions

• Why sharing your thinking with someone else (or with AI) can unlock fresh insight and reduce overwhelm

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected]

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz

📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/

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🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F

This week, Helen and Sarah revisit insights from three podcast guests—Amy Gallo, Celeste Headlee, and Dr. Sunita Sah—to tackle a topic many of us shy away from: difficult conversations.

From team conflicts and moments of defensiveness to speaking up when something feels off, these everyday challenges can shape how we collaborate, grow, and thrive.

In this episode, you’ll learn practical strategies to handle tension with ease: turning irritation into curiosity, using affirmations to stay grounded, and recognising the early “tension signals” that signal it’s time to speak up. You’ll learn how to navigate disagreements without defensiveness, communicate with confidence, and act in alignment with your values—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Episode 516

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📚 Resources Mentioned

Getting Along by Amy Gallo - https://bit.ly/43XtfdJ

Celeste Headlee’s TEDx talk: 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation - https://youtu.be/R1vskiVDwl4?si=3PFsc2v2v1xK9fy_

Dr. Sunita Sah’s Defy: The Power of No In A World That Demands Yes - https://bit.ly/3KfPuF7

How to Preempt Team Conflict — Harvard Business Review - https://hbr.org/2016/06/how-to-preempt-team-conflict

Previous Squiggly Careers interviews with:

Amy Gallo - https://youtu.be/iO7Q1g7u0SY?si=Pm5srmx-7AgkjIaP

Celeste Headlee - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC9kT476GL4

Dr. Sunita Sah - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ELoznhCWtk5vlONAlY3wC?si=z6i8C1JOT_21aQ0HeNiZzQ

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In this Squiggly Career Shortcut, Helen shares five simple, everyday ideas that can have a big impact on your development—no long courses or huge time commitments needed. These micro-habits take just minutes but build confidence, clarity, and resilience over time.

Episode 515

🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster:

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🎯 What You’ll Learn

• How tiny, everyday habits build long-term career confidence

• Why reflecting on successes boosts resilience and motivation

• Simple ways to make learning easier, more consistent, and more collaborative

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected]

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz

📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/

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🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F

This week on the Squiggly Careers podcast, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from Dr. Zach Mercurio’s book The Power of Mattering. They talk about how mattering goes beyond belonging, why it boosts motivation and wellbeing, and what happens when we feel invisible or replaceable at work. From personal reflections on high and low mattering moments to practical ways to help others feel noticed, affirmed, and needed, Helen and Sarah bring this idea to life with real-world examples. You’ll learn how small actions — from giving meaningful feedback to showing appreciation — can make a big difference to how people feel, perform, and connect at work.

Episode 514

🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster:

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⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:30 What is mattering? Feeling valued and valuable

04:39 Mattering vs belonging — what’s the difference?

07:42 The data: 4 in 10 people feel invisible at work

10:07 High and low mattering moments in your career

17:00 The 3 ingredients of mattering

18:44 Noticing others in meetings

22:35 Affirmation vs recognition

27:36 Making people feel needed

33:41 The mattering spectrum: meaningless, mattering, enmeshment

35:27 How to increase mattering for yourself and others

🎯 What You’ll Learn

- How to understand the psychology of mattering at work

- The difference between belonging and mattering

- Three simple ways to help others feel valued and valuable

- How to create a stronger sense of purpose and performance in your team

📚 Resources Mentioned

The Power of Mattering by Dr. Zach Mercurio

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected]

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz

📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/

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🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F

When people describe their week at work in one word, pretty much 90% of people use the word busy. By swapping this vague default for a more specific and honest word, you can understand your week more clearly, make better choices, and create more meaningful momentum in your squiggly career. From feeling overwhelmed to making progress, Sarah shows how “naming it to tame it” helps you turn how you feel into useful actions.

Episode 513

🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster:

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⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Squiggly Shortcuts

00:13 Why “busy” isn’t helping

01:01 Name it to tame it

02:14 Finding your one-word check-in

03:06 Tools for clarity and prioritisation

04:14 How language shapes your working week

🎯 What You’ll Learn

- Why “busy” blocks clarity, reflection, and progress

- How choosing a more specific word helps you coach yourself

- Practical prompts to turn overwhelm or confusion into action

- Ways to build better weeks through intentional language

🎧 To learn more listen to Episode 29 on How to Manage Stress: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5JahChD4u1yHlnD6d3Rx2t?si=BLIvThjOQLupOHgsTQsIFg

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected]

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz

📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/

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🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F

This week, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, who writes about the seven types of rest that everyone needs.

Rest is far more than sleep — it’s a set of rituals that help you restore energy, creativity, and motivation in your squiggly career. From physical and mental rest to creative, emotional, and social rest, Helen and Sarah share how to identify your biggest “rest gaps” and design routines that actually work for you.

You’ll also hear how Helen used AI to create a personalised rest profile (with some surprising insights) and how you can try the same coaching prompt to find your own rest reset.

Episode 512

🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster:

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⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:10 The 7 Types of Rest explained

04:40 Physical and mental rest

05:43 Sensory and creative rest

06:33 Emotional and social rest

07:05 Spiritual rest

09:05 Coach yourself: Rest bests & rest gaps

20:39 Who can help you close your rest gap?

24:40 Using AI to create a personalised rest profile

28:55 Practical rest rituals you can start this week

30:39 Team idea: A “Reflections on Rest” session

🎯 What You’ll Learn

- The 7 types of rest and how to recognise which you need most

- How to build small, sustainable rest rituals into your week

- Ways to use AI to personalise your rest strategy

- How to support rest across your team

📚 Resources Mentioned

Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity* by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith.

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected]

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz

📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/

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🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F

In this Squiggly Shortcut, Helen shares five practical ideas to help you become a speed learner at work — so you can keep growing, adapting, and learning even when time is tight. From instant inspiration to everyday experiments, these quick and simple strategies will help you learn faster, stay curious, and build learning into your day-to-day routine.

Episode 511

🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster:

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⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Squiggly Shortcuts

00:24 The difference between speed and slow learning

01:15 Idea 1

02:05 Idea 2

02:55 Idea 3

03:45 Idea 4

04:30 Idea 5

05:15 Where to learn more

🎯 What You’ll Learn

- How to learn faster without feeling overwhelmed

- Why reflection and feedback accelerate your growth

- Practical ways to build learning into your workday

📚 Resources Mentioned

Superhuman AI - superhuman.com

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected]

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz

📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/

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🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F

This week on the Squiggly Careers podcast, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from a sweet source — the marshmallow experiment — to explore how the science of delayed gratification applies to our work and career choices.

Inspired by the famous psychology study, they unpack what it means to make one marshmallow versus two marshmallow decisions — the everyday trade-offs between instant satisfaction and long-term success. From replying to emails and saying yes to everything, to applying for jobs and building relationships, Helen and Sarah share real-life examples of how to recognise and reframe your choices for greater impact.

You’ll learn how to spot your own marshmallow moments, connect them to what motivates you most, and choose progress over quick wins (at least some of the time!).

Episode 510

🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster:

PRH US - https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn

Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

03:53 The Marshmallow Experiment explained

05:43 Why delayed gratification matters for squiggly careers

06:43 The shiny object trap — instant wins vs. long-term goals

08:13 One vs. Two Marshmallow choices at work

10:53 Email decisions — control vs. quality

16:23 Saying yes vs. saying no — and why “no” can lead to more impact

24:03 Career choices — applying vs. creating opportunities

29:03 Building relationships and the “giant marshmallow” payoff

30:53 How to spot your marshmallow moments

🎯 What You’ll Learn

- How to apply the concept of delayed gratification to your career

- Why awareness of short-term vs. long-term trade-offs boosts progress

- How to make intentional choices that lead to more impact

- Ways to balance quick wins with meaningful goals

📚 Resources Mentioned

The Marshmallow Test by Walter Mischel https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marshmallow-Test-Understanding-Self-control-Master/dp/0552168866

Delayed Gratification article by James Clear https://jamesclear.com/delayed-gratification

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected]

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz

📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices