The Career Optimum Podcast: Work to Live: Recent Episodes
Joe Rosenlicht
We all deserve to do work that matches our interests, plays to our strengths, honors our values, and feeds our soul. I'm your host, Joe Rosenlicht, and I'm on a mission to help you find joy and meaning in your professional life, as I've done for others as a career coach. Sometimes I'll be flying solo, and other times some trusted colleagues will join me in conversation, but always covering important and timely career topics. Join me, as there's no better time than now to be living your best professional life!
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: https://careeroptimum.com/2023/04/17/rethinking-the-to-do-list-effectiveness-vs-efficiency/
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-holiday-parties/
and my Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/careeroptimum/
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-being-step-to-the-front-of-the-line/
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/2022/12/30/your-2023-playbook/ for your own customizable copy of the 2023 Playbook.
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.zendesk.com/blog/icebreaker-alternatives/
https://www.thoughtco.com/ice-breaker-the-name-game-31381
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220517-the-death-of-mandatory-fun-in-the-office
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 great information, as well as some of the challenges and opportunities (and a few tips) for those thinking about, on the verge of, or currently in retirement. For more about Emily's coaching, check out her website and LinkedIn profile.
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://careeroptimum.com/2022/05/12/the-tug-of-war-between-rto-wfh/
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 her work, Instagram, Twitter, and website!
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/
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/
Whether you've already returned to the office after an extended work-from-home stint, about to return in the near future, or have never left, it's important to focus on self-care and to maintain a consistent routine. In this podcast, I offer a few tips to help reach that goal.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2021/09/30/back-in-the-office-6-tips-to-help-maintain-self-care/
It's World Mental Health Day. So it's only fitting that I talk about meditation and its wide range of benefits. For one thing, it has helped remind me that it's all about the response: the way I respond to situations impacts my well-being and happiness.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2021/10/10/its-all-about-the-response/
It was great to talk with my friend (and fellow introvert) Stephen Beattie, who shared details of his recent job search, the motivation behind it, as well as a few helpful tips for others who are also thinking about making a change. Have a listen!
One of the challenges for introverts is being in the limelight, especially at work. I know it is for me. But this is one of those times when stretching beyond our comfort zone and trying what does not come naturally might just pay dividends.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2021/04/14/pay-attention-to-the-i-in-introvert/
I had the pleasure of chatting recently with John Sporing, who runs A Life Well Drunk, a global wine tour company. John wasn't always self-employed (in fact, he spent about 25 years working for the federal government), but as we hear in this episode, he always had the entrepreneurial spirit. He shares the process he went through to being his own boss, and offers some advice for others thinking about doing the same. For more about John's company, visit alifewelldrunk.com.
There is a growing appetite for work flexibility among many workers across many industries. How is this trend affecting employee retention and turnover? And are organizations reacting in a smart way?
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2021/07/21/how-organizations-can-retain-their-employees-in-the-age-of-covid/
What happens when our personal work values are at odds with our employer's values? If that's the case, we definitely have options, some more viable than others.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2021/07/08/ride-the-waves-but-dont-roll-over/
My friend and former colleague, Beth Mueller, and I sat down for a conversation to talk about some of today's hot-button issues, including work flexibility and work-life balance. Beth, a Partner and Co-Founder at Socium Fund Services, reflects on the challenges and opportunities during her time working from home due to the pandemic. She also offers some input for organizations looking to craft a hybrid work policy for their employees.
For many of us, remote work isn’t just about our near-term desire for scheduling flexibility. For many of us, including me, it's more about it being a bridge to a better quality of life in the longer-term. It means something different to everyone. And what career stage we're in can have an impact as well.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2021/07/05/what-does-work-flexibility-mean-to-you/
I recently had the good fortune to have a conversation with Mackenzie Lowenthal, a friend and fellow career services professional, to reflect on the past fifteen months or so as the world turned upside down as a result of Covid. We share what it's been like, the ups and downs (mostly ups!), and what the world might look like going forward, in terms of work-life balance and flexibility.
From the early months of the pandemic (Spring 2020), I spoke with my friend, Leonid, who I know from DC, and who has since relocated to Sitges, Spain. In this episode, we compare and contrast the pandemic between Spain and the US, and how we've dealt with it, not only on an individual level, but also from a national perspective.
In this episode, we explore the very interesting experiences of two couples who live through and work through the introvert-extrovert dynamic during the early months of the pandemic lockdown.
A new type of Covid-related job interview question seems to be emerging. Here's my take on it, and how I would respond if asked.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://careeroptimum.com/2021/06/19/so-what-new-skills-have-you-gained-this-pandemic-2/
What is "good enough" in terms of professional development during a pandemic? What does it mean to be "productively unproductive"? I'll explore these questions and more during this episode!
Hello and welcome to my first episode! Just a quick introduction about how I'm writing my next chapter, and how my work as a career coach might help youin your career journey!