The Speaking Up Podcast

The year-end stress is real, folks! And there many things that can contribute to it – at home you might have the pressure of hosting social events, from cooking and decorations to buying the perfect gifts, while at work there's the seasonal stress as people take time off, deadlines loom and, if you run your own business, you might be trying to wrap up your admin before the end of the year.

In this episode, I share my top six strategies for coping with year-end stress, including:

• Check in with yourself.
• Ask for help.
• Take a break!

Whatever is causing your year-end stress, it's time to tackle it head on, because you deserve to enjoy the holiday season – you've earned it!

Here are the highlights from this episode:

(00:46) Year-end stress is real

(02:27) My top six strategies

(05:30) Prolonged stress can have long-term consequences

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

I consider myself an optimistic person, but even I don't always make time to sit down and count my blessings... but I should, and so should you!

If we take the opportunity in our day to think about what we're grateful for, it might just pick us up out of a slump and turn our day around. Research has shown that practicing gratitude can have a real positive impact on your life.

So in this episode in I share with you five strategies for cultivating a ritual of counting your blessings, including:

• Before you go to sleep, write down three things you're grateful for.
• Say thank you to someone who has made a difference in your life.
• Enjoy the simple pleasure in life.

Stepping back and taking stock of the good in your life can really help you get into a positive, productive mindset.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

(00:46) Counting your blessings is a pick me up

(03:59) Make it an everyday ritual

(06:04) The butterfly effect

(07:47) Be in the present

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

When I was an entry level junior at the bottom of the career ladder, everyone liked me, and I'm sure you remember those days too! But as you begin to progress and take more senior positions, that popularity may be compromised.

We all wish we could be both respected and liked at work, but is often tricky and, given the choice, wouldn't you rather be respected as a boss than liked?

In this episode I explain why being the push-over boss may not always be a good thing, and run through some questions you can ask yourself if you're not sure, including:

• So your employees listen when you speak?
• Do they meet the deadlines you set?
• Do you let boundaries get blurred?

Remember, you cannot please everyone all the time. As a boss and a leader, you cannot be liked by everyone, and that's ok! Focus on winning the respect of your peers, and the rest will follow.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

(00:46) You can't have both

(02:53) You need to set boundaries

(06:11) Do you act like a leader?

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

Do you remember a time, before the pandemic, when meetings were held face-to-face? When working from home was the exception, not the rule? And when you couldn't attend a meeting in your slacks or PJs?

We are now living in an age of virtual meetings, where Zoom (or your conferencing platform of choice) is the norm, so it's important to make the best impression!

In this episode, I share some top tips to avoid the dreaded resting Zoom face, including:

• Look engaged – a concentration face can look like resting Zoom face!
• Look up at the camera rather than down.
• Avoid the eye-rolls as your meeting may be recorded.

So when you're having Zoom meetings, ask yourself what small tweaks you can make to improve how you present your virtual self.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

(00:46) Business on the top, casual on the bottom

(02:14) My checklist to avoid resting Zoom face

(03:58) Take a screenshot and 'screen test' yourself

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

Can you believe The Speaking Up Podcast has reached 100 episodes?!

I am so grateful to all of you for listening and sharing this show, as we continue to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals around the world to level up their careers. Thanks to you, we have reached the top 3% globally of all podcasts. The Speaking Up podcast also ranked #1 in the top Listener Charts on #Goodpods in Indie Careers, Careers and the Indie Business charts.

So, in this special anniversary episode, I'm sharing some of the best bits from the podcast so far, including:

• How to beat imposter syndrome.

• Dealing with toxicity in the workplace.
• Using empathy as a superpower.

If this is the first time you have heard the podcast, do go back and check out some of the previous episode, and remember to follow & subscribe on whatever app you get your podcasts from.

Please also remember to leave a review, because this really helps others find us and benefit from the podcast too.

Now here's to the next 100!

E x

Here are the highlights from this episode:

(01:32) Ep 087: Empathy is a Superpower to Use at Work

(05:22) Ep 003: How to Beat Imposter Syndrome

(11:33) Ep 011: Body Awareness and Why It Matters

(14:31) Ep 009: Are You Surrounded by Toxic People?

(20:21) Ep 024: Stop Being Intimidated, Assertiveness is NOT a Dirty Word

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

What do you want to be when you grow up?

It's a daunting question, which many of us find difficult to answer. But have you ever truly sat down and given your long-term plans the consideration they deserve?

In this episode I help you think about how you can put your five year plan together using my six essential tips, including:

• Nothing is written in stone!
• Dream big.
• Map your goals and break them down.

If you use the six-step strategy I lay out in this podcast, you will have your five-year plan drafted in no time, and then you can start levelling up your career and life!

Here are the highlights from this episode:

(00:46) Don't let another year pass

(02:48) Take the fear out of your five-year plan

(04:48) Find your 'why'

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

Most of us probably never think about our listening style but, as the saying goes, we have one mouth and two ears for a reason.

Listening is an important part of engaging with and understanding our friends and colleagues, and you won't get very far in business if you do not understand what type of listener you are.

So whether you're a critical listener or a relational one, understanding your style and sharpening your listening skills are vital to career success. In this episode I share some ways you can do this, such as:

• Ask yourself 'why am I listening to this?'
• Who is the conversation really about?
• How can I help?

Whatever type of listener you are, become great at it and you will build strong relationships in both business and life. Because it is only when you learn how to listen that you will truly know what someone is saying.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

(00:46) Can you hear me now?

(02:30) Harvard Business School's four listener types

(03:42) 4 ways to improve your listening skills

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

In a perfect world, everything will go to plan. Schedules will be kept, nothing will break, and everything will remain perfectly within our control.

But this isn't a perfect world. So what do you do when those unexpected curveballs come flying at you?

In this episode I share some helpful steps you can take to ride the wave of unpredictability and take back some control during those moments when you have the least, including:

• Accept that a curveball-free life is impossible!
• Reach out to co-workers when you need help.
• Learn from every curveball.

If you expect the unexpected, you will be prepared to not only cope with the curveballs, but turn them into valuable experiences.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

(00:46) This is no perfect world

(03:23) 8 steps you can take to deal with life's curveballs

(05:46) It's all about mindset

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

Hate may be a strong word, but sometimes work can feel so stressful, unfulfilling or overwhelming that you just think "I really hate my job!" - but the good news is you are not alone!

It could be you feel underpaid for what you do, or perhaps you lack stability and financial security. There are many reasons why people choose to move on, so if you're feeling no job satisfaction it might be the right time for you too.

In this episode I give you some top things to consider if you're in a bad place with your current job, such as:

• Voice your concerns with your manager.

• Ask for a transfer.
• Is it the job, or the commute?

It's important to understand why you are feeling the way you are, so whether you stick or twist with your career, you can be confident that it's the best decision for you.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

(00:46) A majority of employees are dissatisfied

(02:46) What can you do to find more job satisfaction?

(05:26) We spend far too many hours at work to hate it

Also mentioned in this episode:

Episode 9: Are You Surrounded by Toxic People?

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q

Do you define yourself by your job title?

You have worked hard to get where you are and you're proud of the talents and skills you have, I completely get it! But you are more than just a job title – you are a friend, a parent, a volunteer; you have hobbies, interests and activities. All of these things are part of your identity too.

In this episode I ask you some tough questions, including:

• Are you missing out on family events?

• What would you do if your job disappeared tomorrow?
• If you lost your job, would you lose personal happiness?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then you need to take some steps today, and start using the strategies I share with you in this podcast, to untangle your identity from your paycheck.

Here are the highlights from this episode:

(00:46) You are not your job

(02:48) Enmeshment

(04:58) How to regain your identity

Connect with Elizabeth:

Web: https://www.elizabethkoraca.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethkoraca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethkoraca/

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeakinguppodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethKoraca/

Twitter: Elizabeth Koraca (@ElizabethKoraca) / Twitter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGl8fu0OF8KEFHKz312rl9Q