Embracing Your Strengths: The Key to Unsticking Your Career

In a recent enlightening session with Charlotte Blair, author of "Career Unstuck," a profound insight emerged that could be a game-changer for many of us trapped in career limbo: the power of identifying and harnessing your strengths. This article delves into this insight, punctuated with wisdom from Charlotte herself, and invites you to explore the replay of this transformative discussion.

Understanding Your Core Strengths

"On a scale of one to ten, how much do you love your job?" Charlotte poses this simple yet powerful question. It's a moment of introspection, asking us to evaluate not just our job satisfaction but to dig deeper into what fuels our professional joy. As Charlotte explains, "Often it's sad how low that number is for people. But understanding your strengths can change that."

The Journey to Self-Discovery

Charlotte's approach is deeply rooted in self-awareness. "Discovering your strengths isn't just about skills," she says. "It's about understanding what makes you uniquely you at work." This journey of self-discovery is crucial. It’s about recognizing that what you're inherently good at can become your professional superpower.

The Misconception About Weaknesses

There's a common trap here – focusing too much on our weaknesses. Charlotte advises against this, emphasizing, "Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses." The idea is to leverage what you're naturally good at to create a fulfilling career path, rather than being bogged down by areas where you don't excel.

Applying Strengths to Career Growth

How do you use this self-knowledge for career advancement? Charlotte's answer is straightforward yet impactful: "Align your job role with your strengths." She stresses the importance of finding roles that not only challenge you but also allow you to use your best qualities daily.

When Strength Meets Opportunity

Charlotte shares success stories from her coaching experience, where individuals transformed their careers by aligning them with their strengths. "It's like watching someone find their true north," she comments. This alignment often leads to not just job satisfaction but also to excelling in one’s field.

Overcoming The Fear of Change

A significant barrier to career change is fear. Charlotte tackles this head-on, encouraging a mindset shift. "What if it does work? Imagine the possibilities then," she says. It's about embracing the potential for success rather than being paralyzed by the fear of failure.

Starting Small, Dreaming Big

You don't have to leap into the unknown all at once. Charlotte suggests starting small: "Take one step towards a job or project that resonates with your strengths." These small steps can lead to significant career transformations over time.

The Future Awaits

As our session with Charlotte Blair concluded, one thing was clear – understanding and utilizing your strengths is not just a strategy but a pathway to a fulfilling career. If her insights resonate with you, there's more where that came from.

Catch the Replay

Dive deeper into Charlotte's wealth of knowledge by watching the replay of our session. There, you'll find more gems on career growth, overcoming stagnation, and harnessing your true potential. It's not just a session; it's a stepping stone to the career you deserve.

Watch the replay now and take the first step towards a career that's not just a job, but a reflection of your best self.

The Surprising Power of Micro-Moves in Your Workday

Did you know that a simple change in your daily routine could significantly boost your health and productivity? It's not about rigorous gym sessions or drastic lifestyle overhauls. Instead, it’s about tiny, consistent changes that can make a huge difference. This eye-opening concept was beautifully highlighted in our recent show with Lizzie Williamson, author of "The Active Workday Advantage."

Sitting is the New Smoking

In her engaging conversation, Lizzie revealed a startling statistic: "If you sit for longer than 90 minutes at a time consistently, you're twice as likely to die earlier than someone who sits for less than 90 minutes at a time," she shared. This fact alone is a wake-up call for many of us trapped in the cycle of prolonged sitting due to our work routines.

The Magic of Micro-Moves

Lizzie’s solution? Micro-moves. These are small, simple activities you can do right at your desk. They are designed not just to combat the ill effects of sitting but to energise and rejuvenate your body and mind. As Lizzie explains, “It's a little stretch in your chair, a little bit of movement, which I'm sure we'll get to soon. These little movements get our vehicle, our body, and our brain back on track.”

The Ripple Effect of Movement

The beauty of these micro-moves lies in their ripple effect. Lizzie’s personal journey resonates deeply here. She narrates how starting with just one plie in her kitchen led her on a path to recovery from postnatal depression. “That little moment at my kitchen bench felt really good... it's created this ripple effect,” she reflects.

An Active Workplace Culture

Moreover, these small steps towards an active lifestyle have the potential to transform workplace culture. Lizzie envisions a future where “workplaces recognise that these tools that we have available for movement... are going to help their people be more productive, be more energised and be happier.” It's about creating an environment where physical activity is woven into the fabric of our workday.

Take the First Step

Lizzie’s insights are not just informative but empowering. By incorporating micro-moves into your routine, you can take control of your health and well-being, even within the constraints of a busy work schedule.

Where to start?

So, are you ready to make a change in your workday routine for the better? Check the snackable moment below

Want to watch the full replay?

Watch the full replay of our enlightening conversation with Lizzie Williamson and start your journey towards a healthier, more active work life. Let this be the moment you choose to move! Click here 

Navigating the Grey Area of Drinking: A Deep Dive with Sarah Rusbatch

In a thought-provoking snackable moment of our show, Sarah Rusbatch, author of "Beyond Booze: How to Create a Life You Love, Alcohol-Free", introduced a concept that sparked a significant amount of interest and debate: Grey Area Drinking. This topic, often overlooked in discussions about alcohol consumption, offers a fresh and somewhat controversial perspective on how we view drinking habits.

Understanding Grey Area Drinking

Grey Area Drinking exists between the extremes of complete sobriety and severe alcohol dependency. It's a space where many might find themselves questioning their relationship with alcohol. Are you drinking more than you intended? Do you use alcohol as a stress reliever or a mood enhancer? These are some signs that you might be in this grey area.

The Controversy and Importance

The concept challenges the binary perception of alcoholism and non-alcoholism. It recognises that the spectrum of alcohol use is vast and varied. This notion can be controversial as it implies that even moderate drinking, often socially acceptable and normalised, could be problematic. This perspective forces us to reconsider cultural attitudes towards alcohol and its ubiquitous

presence in our social and personal lives.

The Impact of Grey Area Drinking

What makes grey area drinking particularly insidious is its subtlety. It often doesn't present immediate, dramatic consequences, allowing it to fly under the radar of concern. However, its long-term effects can be profound, affecting mental health, relationships, and quality of life. This type of drinking can be a slippery slope, leading to increased tolerance and dependency without the drinker even realising it.

The Societal Implications

Sarah Rusbatch's insights on grey area drinking also touch upon the societal implications. How does society view and handle moderate drinking? Are we too complacent about the role of alcohol in our social rituals and stress relief? These questions challenge the norm, stirring a debate on the need for a broader awareness of alcohol's impact.

Moving Beyond the Grey Area

The journey out of grey area drinking begins with awareness and acknowledgment. It’s about recognizing the subtle ways alcohol may be affecting your life and questioning whether it aligns with your values and goals. Sarah advocates for a mindful approach to drinking, encouraging individuals to reassess their relationship with alcohol and explore the benefits of reduced or absent alcohol consumption.

A Call to Reflect and Act

For those intrigued or even slightly unsettled by the concept of grey area drinking, our episode with Sarah Rusbatch is an unmissable watch. It's not just an exploration of a controversial topic; it's a call to introspection and potential action. If you find yourself in this grey area, or know someone who might, this episode offers valuable insights and starting points for a healthier relationship with alcohol.

Join us in this engaging and potentially life-altering conversation. Watch the replay here and start your journey towards understanding and possibly redefining your relationship with alcohol.

5 Tips to get more of what YOU want in 2024

Contribution by Sam Trattles, CEO and Negotiation Strategist

Here’s to a brand new year of opportunities! As we ease our way into 2024, it's the time to consider what we want to be celebrating in December this year. But sometimes what we want in January gets lost somewhere on the way to December – how about making this year a little different!

In this blog post, we'll explore five tips that will help you to get more of what you want in 2024.

1. Reflect on 2023 achievements

Take some time to consider the things you did and didn’t get last year. Don’t over think it, step through these few questions: what did you get, what did you go after, what did you talk about and not action, what did you miss out on, what are you disappointed that you didn’t get, what do you regret?

2. Get clear on what you want

Ok, with your reflections in mind, it’s time to get laser focused on what you want from the year ahead. Consider this - if everyone was going to say yes to anything you asked for this year – what would you be asking for?

Once you have a BIG list of ideas, define which of these is really going to make an impact on your happiness this year.

3. You will need to negotiate to get this.

Regardless of if you're aiming for a salary raise, closing a deal with a client, or navigating personal relationships, negotiating is an essential part of it. So negotiating is really something to get on board with when we’re talking about achieving your goals. Why? Because negotiating can help you unlock how you can make more money, save more money and create more harmony, in work and life. What’s not to love?  

Take time to consider the aspects of negotiating that you feel confident about, and which you find challenging – then determine what you’ll do about making some adjustments to this. PS I’m happy to help with this one 😉

4. Create your action plan

It’s now time to lay out your action plan - write down the negotiations you’ll have to have this year, in order to achieve your goals. Next, put them in order of easiest to the trickiest. You’ll start with the easiest one, so you build your confidence, which will help when you get to the trickiest of your negotiations. Now, set a timeline to take action on each of these, and go for it!

5. Celebrate the heck out of your progress

Every time you give a negotiation a go, take the time to reflect on the experience - what went well, what did you learn, and what will you do differently next time. AND regardless of the outcome - what are you going to celebrate? We don’t always get what we want, but if we don’t even try, there’ll be nothing to celebrate – so be proud of yourself for each time you ask for what you want (and deserve).

As you embark on your 2024 adventures, know that getting more of what you want is possible. Working you way through these 5 steps will help turn your aspirations into reality.

Here's to a year filled with growth, achievement, and getting more of what you want (through negotiating)!

If you would like to know more about how to embrace negotiating, get in touch with Sam Trattles and the team at Other Side of the Table. And to support your 2024 planning grab a copy of the FREE More in 2024 Negotiation Planner HERE

The 21-Day Habit Formation Myth: Unraveling the Truth with Dr. Gina Cleo

It's a commonly held belief that it takes just 21 days to form a new habit. However, in our recent Cuppa with Dr. Gina Cleo, the acclaimed author and habit-change expert, this notion was thoroughly debunked. During her appearance on Open Book, which you can watch in full here, Dr. Cleo shared her extensive research and insights, challenging this widespread misconception.

Origins of the 21-Day Myth

The origin of the 21-day myth traces back to a study in the 1960s by a surgeon who observed his patients adjusting to new facial features. He noted that it took about three weeks for them to get accustomed to their new appearance, leading to the premature conclusion that habit formation takes a similar timeframe. This theory, however, lacks generalizability and fails to account for the complexities of human behavior and neuroplasticity.

Reality of Habit Formation

Dr. Gina Cleo emphasised that habit formation is far from a one-size-fits-all process. Her research shows that the time it takes to form a new habit can vary significantly, ranging from as little as three weeks to as long as a year. The average time for a new habit to take root is approximately 66 days, but this can vary widely depending on the individual and the complexity of the habit.

Implementing Sustainable Habits

Beyond just understanding the timeframe, Dr. Cleo's research highlights the importance of setting realistic and achievable goals. Focusing on 'micro habits', or smaller, manageable steps towards a larger goal, can significantly increase the likelihood of long-term success. This approach allows for gradual progress and helps prevent the feelings of overwhelm that can come with trying to make too many changes at once.

Invitation to Learn More

Dr. Gina Cleo's insights into habit formation are not only eye-opening but also immensely practical. For anyone looking to make lasting changes in their life, understanding the true nature of habit formation is crucial.

To dive deeper into this topic and explore more of Dr. Cleo's transformative approaches to habit change, don't miss the replay of her enlightening session on Open Book. Her expertise offers invaluable guidance for anyone looking to break free from old patterns and embark on a journey of personal growth and self-improvement.

👉 Watch the replay now here and start your journey towards effective and sustainable habit formation today!

Weekly Sip: The Real Deal on Words and Our 2024

Hey there! Grab your favourite cuppa, and let's dive into something that's seriously underrated yet massively impactful: the words we use to talk about ourselves. It's 2024, folks – time to get real about this.

Words: They're No Joke!

Picture this: Your words are like your daily coffee. What you brew is what you taste. Keep telling yourself "I'm not good enough," and that's the bitter cup you're drinking every day. But switch it up to "I'm getting better every day," and bam – you've got yourself a smoother blend.

Robyn Moore's Epic Take

Remember when Robyn Moore swung by Cuppa? She nailed it with her no-nonsense, yet super relatable advice on this stuff. Robyn was like, "Listen, what you say about yourself isn't just chit-chat. It's powerful." She mixed humor with hard truths, showing us how our casual self-talk can be a game changer.

2024: The Year of Talking Awesome

Okay, 2024 is here, and it's our shot at doing things differently. Let's ditch the formal self-help jargon and keep it straight. We're talking about tweaking those little phrases we tell ourselves daily. It's not about pretending everything's perfect. It's about shifting the lens a bit – seeing challenges as chances to grow, not just giant roadblocks.

Real Talk Conclusion

So, as we roll into this new year, let's make a pact. Let's pick our words like we pick our coffee – something that lifts us up, not drags us down. Inspired by Robyn's wise words, let's remember that changing how we talk to ourselves can genuinely change our game.

Here's to a 2024 filled with words that empower us. Cheers to that! 🍵

Take a moment to watch of the snackable moment with Robyn by clicking the video below 

BETSY WESTCOTT | Australians Living With Financial Stress

Recently Cuppa Financial guru appeared on the 'Shares For Beginners' podcast with Philip Muscatello sharing some incredible insights to support you during this challenging time.

Find out more about what they discussed here: https://www.sharesforbeginners.com/blog/financial-stress-betsy-westcott

Also don't forget we have created the Dealing with Financial Stress course which you can check out here: https://cuppa.tv/pages/dealing-with-financial-stress 

We are so excited to have you hear at the 'Weekly Sip' community board. When you join the weekly sip you get access to free content and conversations. To be able to access any of our free shows or to engage on the community platform we recommend joining our community by clicking here

This time of year can bring about a lot of additional stress when it comes to festive finances, especially this year with the cost of living crisis that many of us are experiencing.

We've teamed up with our finance in residence and Cuppa course host, Betsy Westcott to bring you a quick guide on mastering holiday budgeting this festive season.

Please share this with anyone who you think may benefit from watching it. 🙏

PS: Need more support? Check out our 'Dealing with Financial Stress' self-study course co-hosted by David Koch and Betsy, which is available for as little as $99 for 3 months access. For more information, click here: https://cuppa.tv/pages/dealing-with-financial-stress

#dealingwithfinancialstress #financialstress #financeandeconomy #financegoals #costoflivingcrisis #costofliving