The Career Optimum Podcast: Work to Live

For this episode, I created an Introvert Bingo Card, which covers how we as introverts typically respond to a variety of work/life situations. I brought on board Stephen Beattie-Romero, fellow introvert and Accounting Manager at the Knot, an online wedding and event vendor marketplace. Stephen and I have previously co-created and conducted workshops and podcast episodes centered around the life of...

Admitting to our mistakes (and we all make them) can be a tough thing to do, especially on the job when we're trying to put ourselves in the best light possible, and not get in trouble with the boss. To avoid this, some will try to BS their way out of it, which rarely turns out well. So what's the best course of action? In this episode I talk with Rich Madison, who holds a leadership posit...

As we head into the month of June, it's still not too late to talk about Mental Health Awareness Month (which took place in May). I started May traveling to Spain, and watching my favorite tennis player, Casper Ruud play in the Madrid Open, not only winning that quarterfinal match, but also going on to win the whole tournament! I also learned that he recently spoke up about the mental health c...

I recently volunteered at the Food Bank of Delaware . A gratifying experience, and the nice thing about volunteering is that it comes with a lot of benefits, on both a personal and professional level. My latest blog post takes us through those benefits, including the fact that it’s a great way to weather the storm of layoffs. Check out this link for some great volunteer opportunities! Also, be sur...

Ingenious corporate strategy, and an introvert's dream: some Sephora locations in Europe have color-coded their shopping baskets to accommodate different customer styles and temperaments. Take the red basket if you want a salesperson to assist you . Take the black basket to be left alone. Unfortunately, as far as I know, other stores haven't caught on. Check out my latest podcast episode and see i...

The holiday season is here, and that means it’s time to network, make new connections and strengthen existing ones! Huh? Really? Listen to my latest podcast episode to find out why this time of year might be the best time to do exactly that. Also, be sure to connect with me on Instagram  and subscribe to my blog  . And, book a consultation with me to learn more about career coaching, and what migh...

"Hope you're doing well" seems like a harmless enough way to start a business email. However, it has become way too overused, and because of that, it makes it feel disingenuous and insincere. What can we use instead? Listen to my podcast episode for a few suggestions on creating a more favorable first impression in your work emails. Part 1 in my series on effective business communication. Also......

The ocean’s waves come, and they go, just like life’s waves. They’re inevitable and unavoidable. How do you approach life’s waves? With resistance or acceptance? A trip to Munich a few years back got me thinking about how I respond to life’s challenges. Connect with me at careeroptimum.com and instagram.com/careeroptimum . Book a consultation  with me to learn more about career coaching, and what...

To quit or not to quit? This question has been batted back and forth by many employees for a very long time. Sometimes it's an easy decision, but often it's not. In this episode, I'm talking with Stephen Beattie, a Sr. Accountant at theknot.com, an online wedding planning portal to discuss some important considerations and helpful strategies when faced with this dilemma.

There's more to a to-do list than meets the eye. In this episode, I talk about the importance of knowing the different between effectiveness (working on the more meaningful tasks that may take more time and energy), and efficiency (completing the less time-consuming, everyday tasks), and the significance of looking at your to-do list through this lens. For more on this, check out my blog at: h...

Often, we stress about various life or work situations unnecessarily. Take a step back for about 48 hours, and then come back and see if what felt like a problem or issue 2 days ago, is still as important. You might be surprised. Check out this topic on my blog at: https://careeroptimum.com/2023/11/02/applying-the-important-48-hour-rule/

Another holiday season is here, and it's typically a challenging time for introverts (including me) to navigate, especially if faced with a string of party invites. In this episode, I'll offer some quick tips that will hopefully make it a little easier and keep our batteries charged. Also, check out my holiday blog post at: https://careeroptimum.com/2023/12/11/the-introverts-guide-to-holid...

Are there certain words that you use that hit you funny or make you cringe when you hear them come out of your mouth? And what word(s) can you replace them with that may have a more positive connotation? At the top of my list is the word, "should". Check out this topic on my blog: https://careeroptimum.com/2023/07/04/what-words-are-on-your-ditch-list/

It's not just about salary and benefits when considering a job offer these days. Employee well-being, including flexible work arrangements and mental health initiatives are central to many job applicants. To attract and retain top talent, organizations will need to recognize this shift in employee priorities. Check out this topic on my blog: https://careeroptimum.com/2022/06/12/employee-well-b...

When it comes to maximizing productivity, performance, and efficiency, and overall employee happiness, the better option is single-tasking. Here are a few tips to get started: https://www.inc.com/samira-far/5-monotasking-tips-that-will-save-your-brain-and-make-you-more-successful.html This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2022/03/26/single-tasking-is-not-selfish/

New year's resolutions are often unsustainable, so maybe a better approach is creating a playbook. Include in your 2023 Playbook whatever feels right in the moment. However, as the year progresses, circumstances and priorities may change. So it's a good idea to put the "3R" method into play: review, reassess, and if necessary re-calibrate. Check out my recent blog post at https://careeroptimum.com...

Icebreakers, team-building exercises, social gatherings: how can organizations get creative to make these things more inclusive and meaningful, feel less forced, and actually fun? I chat with fellow introvert, Stephen Beattie to discuss our experience with icebreakers and the rest, share thoughts on their future, as well as propose some alternatives. Meanwhile, a few links to peruse: https://www.z...

In this brief episode, I offer an unconventional definition of failure and assert that it can be a vital factor in achieving success! This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2022/11/13/re-framing-the-definition-of-success/

The pandemic has unintentionally created a seismic shift in the way people work (or don't work): terms like "The Great Resignation", "The Great Reshuffle" and "The Great Retirement" have made the rounds in the past couple of years. In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with fellow coach, Emily Rothberg. Among Emily's coaching niches is retirement coaching. She shares with us a lot of gre...

An intense and interesting tug-of-war is happening now in today's workforce: RTO vs. WFH. Who will win the battle between employers' desire to have their workers return to the office, and employees' preference for working from home? Will inflation rates play an important role in determining the outcome? And where do you stand on the issue? This episode is also available as a blog post: http://care...

Freelance work: it's something that many of us have at least thought about doing at some point in our professional lives, including my latest guest, Barbara Bellesi Zito, also the author of a soon-to-be released novel! In this episode, I chat with Barbara about her successful transition from working full-time in higher education to now working as a freelance writer for several outlets. Check out h...

In this episode, I had the good fortune to chat with Jen Coken, a comedian, coach, speaker, and Imposter Syndrome expert. Jen sheds light on what it means to struggle with Imposter Syndrome, something many of us have encountered at various stages of life. Check out her website , take her Imposter Syndrome quiz , and reach her via email at jen@jencoken.com.

My (hopefully) relatable story about how a rainy night in Paris helped open my mind to life's unexpected possibilities! This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2022/01/01/embracing-the-unknown-for-2022/

The new year is upon us with a fresh look at goals and intentions. Which do you want to pursue, and what do you want to let go of?  This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2021/12/30/goals-and-intentions-tips-for-a-great-2022/

Do what you hate? Sounds like crazy advice. But have a listen and see how this can actually be a good thing! This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2021/10/19/do-what-you-hate/