Happier At Work®

How can you overcome "analysis paralysis" and empower yourself with self-leadership?

In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I sat down with Araceli Higueras, a seasoned coach and business professional, to delve into the world of decision-making and self-leadership. Ara shares her unique approach to circumventing "analysis paralysis" by encouraging individuals to evolve their thought processes, rather than seeking exhaustive information before acting. We explore the pivotal role of values in decision-making and how fostering personal connections, trust, and creative autonomy can lead to greater happiness at work.

Throughout our discussion, Ara emphasises respecting the multifaceted nature of life and career ambitions. She introduces techniques to help individuals discover what they truly want, facilitating workshops that are rich in group learning and accountability. 

This episode offers an enlightening perspective on self-empowerment and the transformative power of aligning professional ventures with personal fulfillment.

The main points include:

• Strategies to combat "analysis paralysis" by adjusting thought processes over gathering excessive information.
• The significance of personal connections, trust, autonomy, and creative input in achieving workplace happiness.
• Respecting individual career goals and understanding the different phases in one's career journey.
• Techniques to uncover personal career aspirations through reflection and values exercises.
• Benefits of group workshops that focus on self-awareness, networking, and strategic goal setting.
• The importance of lifelong learning and integrating new skills, as personal growth contributes to career satisfaction.
• Encouragement for broadening career perspectives to include lateral moves and personal ventures.
• Ara's balanced approach to exploring multiple income streams and integrating career with personal life.

Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you!

Connect with Ara

This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Maggie Jackson.

The main points include:

• Understanding the two main types of uncertainty: aleatory (external) and epistemic (internal).
• How uncertainty, dubbed "wisdom in motion," can enhance focus and receptiveness.
• Embracing uncertainty for strategic advantage in high-stakes situations.
• Encouraging a questioning mindset within teams to drive innovation.
• Improving tolerance for uncertainty through simple, everyday exercises.
• Leadership strategies for leveraging uncertainty productively.
• Highlighting the significance of individual differences in tolerance for uncertainty.

Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you!

Connect with Maggie

Are you ready to harness the power of uncertainty for success?

In this captivating episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I had a thought-provoking conversation with Maggie Jackson, an accomplished journalist and author. Maggie delves into her exploration of uncertainty, offering a compelling perspective on how embracing the unknown can lead to growth and innovation both in the workplace and beyond. With her insights, she challenges conventional wisdom and highlights the dynamic advantages of uncertainty as a driver for cognitive improvement, strategic flexibility, and progressive leadership.

Maggie distinguishes between different types of uncertainty and explains how leaders and teams can leverage this often misunderstood concept to enhance decision-making, communication, and adaptability. She provides both theoretical insights and practical examples, revealing that uncertainty, when wielded effectively, fosters a collaborative environment that is ripe for creativity and productivity.

The main points include:

• Understanding the two main types of uncertainty: aleatory (external) and epistemic (internal).
• How uncertainty, dubbed "wisdom in motion," can enhance focus and receptiveness.
• Embracing uncertainty for strategic advantage in high-stakes situations.
• Encouraging a questioning mindset within teams to drive innovation.
• Improving tolerance for uncertainty through simple, everyday exercises.
• Leadership strategies for leveraging uncertainty productively.
• Highlighting the significance of individual differences in tolerance for uncertainty.

Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you!

Connect with Maggie

In this latest solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve deep into the challenges of career management and development. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, I discuss everything from feeling bored and unchallenged to dealing with toxic bosses and mismatches in your career.

If you're seeking ways to overcome career stagnation and engage more passionately with your work, this episode is definitely for you.

I talk about personal stories and practical strategies to help you identify the root causes of career stagnation and suggest steps you can take to reignite your career momentum. With a focus on understanding your own values, strengths, and goals, this episode is a timely guide for anyone considering a career refresh as the new year approaches.

The main points:

• Understanding the feelings and signs of being stuck in your career.
• Strategies for reassessing your values, skills, and alignment with your role.
• Exploring options for pivoting within or outside your current organisation.
• The importance of investing in yourself through skills development, coaching, or mentorship.
• Building a supportive network to discover new opportunities and gain insights.
• Taking small, low-risk steps to build confidence and momentum.
• Creating an actionable career plan to set clear goals and commit to your professional journey.

Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you!

Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:

This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Cherylanne Skolnicki.

The main points include:

• The correlation between personality types and emotional barriers like guilt, FOMO, judgment, and control.
• The concept of reframing "have to do" tasks as "get to do" ones for empowerment.
• The metaphor of daily tasks as a "conveyor belt" and the power of choosing them as a "buffet."
• The significance of self-awareness in aligning life choices with personal values.
• The need to manage emotions to maintain momentum and prevent being overwhelmed.
• Emphasising balance as a mix of tasks rather than merely achieving work-life equilibrium.
• The courage required to articulate and pursue one's authentic desires free from societal expectations.

Do you have any feedback or thoughts on this discussion? If so, please connect with Aoife via the links below and let her know. Aoife would love to hear from you!

Connect with Cherylanne