Andrew’s Podcast: 50 WAYS TO SUCCEED AT WORK

TREASURY OF CONTACTS—developing this vital career asset

In episode 41 I talk about your "Treasury of Contacts: developing this Vital Career Asset," I delve into the importance of building a robust network of professional relationships.
I use insights from Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, and his approach to creating a valuable network that has significantly contributed to his entrepreneurial success.
I discuss how to develop your contact treasury, emphasizing the quality of relationships over quantity--learn how to deepen existing connections and widen your network with meaningful contacts.
Discover strategies for maintaining and nurturing these relationships to support your career development and overall well-being.
I also cover the evolution of contact management systems.
Finally, we highlight the ongoing effort required to build and sustain a valuable network.
Join me for next week's insightful episode 41 in Series 3, 50 Ways to Succeed at Work
 

WRITE LIKE IT MATTERS--deliver quality writing and make it a career strength.

In today's episode, "Write Like It Matters," I review the critical role of effective communication in the workplace.
Discover how honing your writing skills can significantly impact your career growth, regardless of your job role.
Explore the importance of quality writing and how it shapes how others perceive you.
Learn how to craft well-structured documents, avoid jargon, and tailor your writing to meet your audience's needs.
I also share insights on proofreading, using writing tools like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor, and adopting best practices for clear and concise communication.
Delve into the top 10 writing tips to ensure you deliver your best quality work. From using the active voice to adding visual elements and sharing sources, these guidelines will help you create professional, high-impact written communications.
Don't miss this episode on elevating your career through quality writing. Check out my book, Happiness at Work, for more compelling advice and stories. Available on Amazon or at myhappinessatwork.com.
 

KINDNESS--do the unexpected, support colleagues and build your reputation

Today's episode is Kindness: Do the Unexpected, Support Colleagues, and Build Your Reputation.
Work stress, deadlines, and competition often influence workplace behaviour.
Many colleagues may be fighting invisible battles, such as mental health issues, family challenges, personal hardships, and work fatigue.
Acknowledging these struggles during casual conversations can help create a compassionate workplace where everyone feels understood and valued.
Workplace kindness is more than a positive attitude; it's about creating an environment where empathy has value and compassion turns into real action.
Kindness fosters a harmonious and productive environment, contributing to a positive atmosphere and personal benefits. Acts of kindness create a culture of generosity that benefits everyone, forming a reinforcing cycle of goodwill.
Mounting research shows the hidden benefits of kindness, which resonate in the workplace.
Acts of kindness can contribute to better health, reduced stress, and overall well-being. Small actions of kindness raise morale and promote teamwork. For instance, even buying a cup of coffee for a co-worker can be a kind gesture.
Kindness at work is a significant predictor of happiness, often more so than income. Feeling valued is one of the most critical contributors to workplace happiness.
Doing purposeful work is directly linked to happiness. Kindness builds happiness and well-being, with job postings often listing it as an essential organizational value.
Here are some practical actions to show kindness at work: help co-workers when they need it, greet colleagues with a smile, acknowledge efforts and achievements, express gratitude regularly, bring treats to work, ask about interests, and listen actively.
Random acts of kindness can have a significant impact, and you're only limited by your imagination.
Kindness is a powerful tool for building stronger relationships and improving well-being. Small acts of kindness can have a more significant impact than you might expect. Use the power of kindness at work to help others and build your reputation.
Check out my book, Happiness at Work, available at Amazon or at myhappinessatwork.com. There's also an audio version if you prefer listening. Join me next week for another unmissable episode in Series 3. Bye for now.

PROCRASTINATION--master this damaging career virus

 I'd like you to meet Lisa, a talented graphic designer whose perfectionism causes her to delay client projects, leading to missed deadlines and lost clients. Her story highlights the adverse effects of procrastination on her career and well-being.
Next, we meet David, a sales executive at a tech firm. He finds follow-up tasks tedious and often delays them, which negatively impacts his sales performance and raises concerns about his commitment and competence.
Then there's Emma, a project manager overwhelmed by responsibilities. Her tendency to delay action results in decreased team productivity and missed deadlines, affecting her career progression.
Procrastination is like a hidden virus with symptoms including missed opportunities, damaged reputations, increased stress, and health issues.
But it can be managed with practical strategies like breaking down tasks, setting achievable goals, and using tools like the Pomodoro technique. Even successful people like J.K. Rowling, Bill Clinton, and Frank Lloyd Wright have overcome procrastination with specific strategies.
You can hear other episodes at the 50ways.site, where nearly 100 titles await. If you have questions, feel free to reach out. Also, check out my book, Happiness at Work, for more stories and advice. Join me next week for another unmissable episode in Series 3. 

WELL BEING--stay well and support your mental health

In today's fast-paced work environment, maintaining mental health can be a challenging task. From meeting tight deadlines to handling increasing workloads, the pressure can lead to stress and burnout.
Social upheavals such as wars and climate disasters add to the strain, prompting organizations to prioritize mental health initiatives focused on sleep, nutrition, and overall well-being.
The podcast reviews practical steps to create a healthier work-life balance, such as setting strict boundaries between work and personal time.
Discover how taking regular breaks, managing your time effectively, and creating an ergonomic workspace can significantly enhance your productivity and mental clarity.
Through real-life examples, like Sonia's improved productivity by setting a 6pm work cut-off and Blake's success with project management tools, I show the benefits of adopting healthier work habits.
I also explore how building positive relationships with colleagues and practicing mindfulness can reduce work-related anxiety.
Finally, I stress the importance of seeking professional help when needed. Expert support through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can provide valuable strategies to manage stress and improve overall well-being, as shown by Linda's experience as a teacher.
For more episodes and resources, visit 50ways.site and check out my book, Happiness at Work, available on Amazon and at myhappinessatwork.com. See you next week for another unmissable episode in Series 3. 

BALL JUGGLER--unraveling the paradox of multi-tasking

Hello, I'm Andrew, and this is Series 3 of the weekly podcast, 50 Ways to Succeed at Work. These podcasts build confidence and know-how, helping you achieve happiness at work. By the way, that's also the title of my book, available at Amazon and from the book's website, My Happiness at Work.
Now for today's episode in Series 3. This is episode 36, titled Ball Juggler--unraveling the paradox of multi-tasking. This morning, Jess is finalizing a report for his manager. He also answers a flood of calls from needy colleagues, prepares for a team session this afternoon, and jots down some notes for next week's client presentation.
Due to his diligent approach, Jess completes all of these tasks within the deadlines on his current to-do list. But which activities do you guess Jess does well, and which fall just short of the standard he likes to achieve?
In a work environment like Jess's, there's considerable pressure to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. From managing projects to responding to emails, attending meetings, and handling client requests, it often feels like he's working to keep several balls in the air. This skill is a critical factor in his success at work. But how crucial is it to be a skilled ball juggler?
Multi-tasking holds a paradox at its heart. The more tasks you manage simultaneously, the more productive you theoretically become. However, there's solid evidence that doing several things simultaneously, or switching back and forth, produces poor results.
Our brains are more designed to focus on one thing at a time. This constant switching increases brain strain, making it harder to focus intensely on any one task, leading to a shallower understanding and reduced creativity.
Another concern with being a ball juggler at work is that you're more liable to make errors. Constantly shifting gears can be mentally exhausting.
Over time, this stress can lead to burnout and decreased well-being. Each time we switch tasks, we pay a cognitive price for refocusing. These switching costs add up and damage overall performance.
To unravel the paradox of multi-tasking, it's best to block out chunks of time rather than attempt to do them in combination with others.
Or you can divide tasks into particular ones that can be manipulated to navigate this paradox effectively. Solving the paradox is not about doing more tasks simultaneously. It's about doing the right ones with intention and focus.
Here are some tips for aspiring jugglers: Aim to reduce your cognitive load, group similar tasks together, fight attention fragmentation, and reduce strain from constant context switching.
Watch out for signs of stress and burnout. Create a to-do list and prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance. Try mindfulness to help you stay present in the moment.
And my final thoughts on this? Being a ball juggler isn't about circus tricks. It's about unravelling the paradox of multitasking. Embrace juggling to demonstrate your capability, adaptability, and efficiency.
And remember, it's not about how many balls you juggle, but how well you keep them in motion.
You've been listening to an episode of Series 3 of my weekly podcast, 50 Ways to Succeed at Work. You can hear the other podcasts at the 50ways.site.  Also, check out my book, Happiness at Work. Join me next week for another unmissable episode in Series 3. Bye for now.

HEURISTIC HERO--solve problems, make better choices, build your career

Today's episode, "Heuristic Hero – Solve Problems, Make Better Choices, Build Your Career," dives into the power of heuristics in the workplace.
Learn how Jai, an IT support expert, uses heuristics to resolve issues efficiently and how these mental shortcuts can enhance your decision-making skills, simplify complex problems, and boost your productivity.
Discover the different types of heuristics, such as availability, representativeness, anchoring, recognition, and affect heuristics, and see how successful figures like Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk have applied them to their careers.
Understand the benefits and potential downsides of relying on heuristics and how to use them strategically for better outcomes at work.
Join me in exploring how heuristics can be a game-changer in your career, leading to better judgment, adaptability, and success. Don't miss this enlightening episode of Series 3 of 50 Ways to Succeed at Work. For more episodes, visit 50ways.site, and check out my book for even more insights and practical advice.
See you next week for another unmissable episode in Series 3. Bye for now.

SLEEP, THE REAL THING--accept no substitutes!

This insightful episode of 50 Ways to Succeed at Work, series 3, dives into the hidden connection between sleep quality and job performance.
I highlight the potent examples of prolific French writer Balzac and Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, to exhibit divers and impactful sleeping patterns.
I delve into scientific research regarding the links between sleep, focus, attention, and workplace performance. The evidence shows that a well-rested individual is more competent in handling complex tasks and staying energized.
I further emphasise the risks of sleep deprivation that result in mistakes and slower reaction times, detrimental especially for professionals in high-stakes fields like the medical industry, emergency services, and critical office environments.
The episode also includes the role of emotional well-being, supported by employers' increasing initiatives that encourage better sleep habits to improve productivity and establish happier, healthier work environments.
The highlighted case studies of Google and General Mills show the benefits of integrating wellness programs into their organisations.
Additionally, the episode warn you about sleep deprivation and its significant impact on the workplace, citing insomnia rates among adults in the US and the UK.
I next lay out actionable strategies for optimizing sleep, introducing the concept of the 'body clock', durational napping at work, and ways to create sleep-conducive environments to enhance overall sleep quality.
I end the episode reiterating how a well-rested individual greatly contributes to a better work environment and ultimately improves performance. I urge you to embrace healthy sleep habits to empower your carer and your life. 
Check out my book Happiness at Work, its at the book's web site and on Amazon.

THE SLOPPINESS TRAP- how to avoid it on your way to success

 
 

IS YOUR JOB A WRITE-OFF OR WORTH SAVING?

In this episode (32, Series 3) of "50 Ways to Succeed at Work," I delve into whether your job is a write-off or worth saving.
The episode features a compelling case study of Malcolm Lee, who found himself in a situation where he felt his job was trivial and damaging his mental health. His journey of re-evaluating his career and his purpose could serve as a valuable guide for those facing similar challenges.
I offer a practical tool for self-evaluation using four insightful questions. It underscores the importance of finding meaning and purpose in our jobs and how this clarity can be a powerful source of energy in our work lives.
There are plenty of cues in the episode on counteracting a mundane work life with positivity. The importance of countering negativity, taking a news break, shifting your perspective are some of the ways for re-engaging with one's job.
Reflecting on what drives you, what your values are, what you're good at, and the influence you wish to have can also aid in job salvage.
I stress the importance of exploring opportunities outside your job, seeking contributions to your team or organization along with expressing gratitude towards your colleagues.
The episode culminates in advice against making rash decisions and urges you to stay positive during decision-making to make the most out of your existing circumstances.
Listen to more podcasts from the "50 Ways to Succeed at Work" series, available on the 50ways.site, also available in my book, "Happiness at Work", packed with great stories, advice and suggestions at Amazon or the book's website, myhappinessatwork.com.
Join me next week for another enlightening episode.