Whistle While You Work: Recent Episodes
Reboot Global
The weekly podcast where we share practical tips, strategies, inspiration and motivation to help you find joy in the job you’re doing and find the work you were born to do. Learn more at https://www.reboot.global/
Not quite sky-diving, jumping off buildings or racing fast cars, more like working at such a frenetic pace we get bored when things slow down.
Why are we all so stressed, desperately seeking "busy" and so easily annoyed these days?
Emma and Sheryl don't have all the answers but here are our humble opinions.
It's been a whole 9 months since Emma and Sheryl have done one of these storytime-style episodes.
We've come through an intense period of work (separately :) and have also managed to get some rest (separately).
What did we learn and have we managed to rediscover the path?
Richard Loftus is a highly experienced Marketing Director and diversity champion within the Arts and Entertainment sectors.
Join this live chat where we explore why The Arts are still perceived as lacking when it comes to diversity, and the positive steps that are being taken towards inclusion.
Fellow bookworm Emma Vandore joins me to talk about the power of book clubs in creating safe spaces for inclusive conversations 📚
We'll be covering
1/ why a DE&I Book Club is a powerful tool for fostering inclusion
2/ how to set up a book club
3/ which books to start with
4/ the pros and cons of fiction vs non-fiction
5/ how to get your leadership team(s) involved
Everyone has them but does that mean they're always worth sharing?
Freedom of thought and expression are protected human rights but are there boundaries we need to observe?
Are the opinions of some people more important than others?
To what extent does a private school education help you get your foot in the door and make it easier to climb the ladder.
I'm excited to be joined by educator, Eric Sterling as we discuss the pros and cons of private vs state school education and how we can best equip young people for the world of work, regardless of background.
Spain has recently approved a bill that would give 3 days leave per month for menstrual leave.
Add that to maternity leave and potential leave for menopause-related issues and you might be left wondering whether it's right that females, or those 'assigned female at birth' (AFAB), are paid less than males.
Is the gender pay gap in fact fair?
We discuss.
4-day work-week is still a hot topic but how's your remote working going?
Belinda Simpson heads up HR at BusinessMobiles(dot)com where they have enabled their business to work fully remote 👀
After the pandemic, they just didn't see the need to bring people back into the office, or mandate days when everyone had to come in.
Check out the replay of this Linkedin Live chat to see why they did it and how it's going.
Being yourself and being vulnerable is all well and good but is there a line that shouldn't be crossed? Is there such a thing as over-sharing at work? What should we keep private and how much of ourselves should we shamelessly share?
Listen to the replay of me and Sal Naseem in this fascinating Linkedin Live.
Religion and politics are two things we're told to avoid bringing up. Yet freedom of religious and political beliefs are fundamental human rights which are protected in most societies, including in the workplace.
So what does that mean when we're at work?
For people whose beliefs are a core part of their identity - whether about politics, religion, the environment, social justice, or veganism - are we allowed to express these freely at work or are there lines that shouldn't be crossed?
How do we show up authentically at work if we cannot express our deepest of beliefs?
How do we stop code-switching when it comes to expressing our religion at work?
15% of employees surveyed on the 4-day work-week trial said NO AMOUNT OF MONEY WOULD MAKE THEM GO BACK TO A 5 DAY WEEK
Is the 4-day week here to stay?
Sainsbury's now adds to the list of companies giving it a go.
Could a 4-day week work at your organisation?
I've read the reports and unpacked the findings so that you don't have to.
In this 30-minute Linkedin Live chat I cover:
Why 5 out of 61 companies are not yet convinced?
What type of companies took part in the trial?
What type of roles were included/excluded?
Did everyone take the same day off?
Is this the future or just a fad?
Recording of Emma and Sheryl in this live chat about whether gender equality has gone too far? What do you think? Has it gone too far or not far enough?
Spoiler alert: we don't necessarily share the same perspective.
If you enjoy listening to us on the Whistle While You Work podcast then the live chats are a chance to get involved in the convo.
Trigger Warning: Weight loss, diets, obesity
None of us would ever body-shame someone else. We even believe that we don't judge others regarding weight. But why is it that we don't extend the same no-judgement kindness to ourselves?
In some fluke of coincidence, Emma and Sheryl stepped on the scales this weekend and saw numbers that were higher than they had ever seen before.
Which tipped them into a mild panic and a commitment to lower the number.
But why? We discuss the social conditioning and internal dissonance that leads to our pursuit of the perfect body.
If you're fed up of talking about women's rights, abortion and Roe v Wade then this week's podcast isn't for you ;-)
We also go down the rabbit hole of male circumcision so if you're a tad bit squeamish on that front, you might want to skip it as well.
Apart from that, just a regular chat-cum-rant about the evolution of women's rights and how all approach these tricky topics differently.
Books mentioned in the podcast include:
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Politics And Religion
We Can Do Better Than This
Inspired by Emma's decision to cut a mini-break short and head home, we're talking about the discomfort we sometimes feel at leaving things early.
Whether it's leaving a party, a relationship or a job, why do we sometimes find it difficult to leave?
Leaving can cause discomfort, both for the person leaving and others. This sometimes leads to us not being brave enough to make those difficult decisions and remove ourselves from situations that no longer work.
But before you throw in the towel how do you know whether it's just a minor bump in the road or whether it really is the final straw.
Tune in to join in the conversation and let us know what you think.
...You'll regret it later...
... Don't leave it too long...
... You're being selfish...
...Have you considered adoption...
...Why not?...
These are just some of the responses that follow when women are asked if they want children and follow it up with a "no, thank you".
But why is it that women get asked and men don't? Why is it that women are even asked at all?
Why aren't women who decide TO have children asked why they have CHOSEN to have children?
All this and more in today's discussion.
This episode was either going to be about holidays or funerals.
We're not shying away from difficult topics on this season of the podcast.
We want to talk about what is front and centre - things that bring joy but also things that cause us pain, even if only temporarily, and how we deal with them.
So with the recent loss of Emma's cat Edna, who turned up this week in a 'shake n vac' style tube (beautiful), and Sheryl's funeral-arranging skills being tested yet again with a family funeral to attend the next day, it seemed befitting to talk about loss and endings.
If you're going through a loss of any kind - change in job, loss of your sense of identity, the ending of a relationship - you might find you identify with some of today's conversations and find it a source of comfort.
Please do reach out if we can help you in any way, although we can't promise we'll organise a funer for you.
The books we mention in today's podcast are:
The Book About Getting Older by Dr Lucy Pollock
Ancestors by Alice Roberts https://amzn.to/3txvli8
It's been almost a year since we last recorded a podcast and it feels great to be back.
What have we been up to? Why haven't we been recording?
We'll fill you in on what's been keeping us busy this past 12 months and share what's coming up on this season of the podcast.
We talk about everything from work-life and grief to 'And Just Like That' and Mental Health.
Stay tuned for more episodes with guests, interesting topics and longer conversations.
We hear the phrase all the time but is there ever a situation where we draw the line that means we will not agree to disagree?
This is what we mull over in this week's episode.
In an increasingly polarised society, why is it so hard for people to agree (to disagree) and how do we draw the boundaries around those things that we cannot compromise on - like homophobia, racism, misogyny, ableism?
We talk about key takeaways from The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt as well as delving briefly into politics.
We'd love to know what you think so get in touch at https://www.reboot.global/
What does your career path look like?
Is there a clear line of sight where it's obvious how you get to the top or are you taking sideways moves and facing lots of crossroads and dead ends?
Or... are you jumping between seemingly disconnected passions and interests? Like hopping between lily pads
Tune in to hear about the challenges of each approach and how you can get clarity for your next move.
One way of finding out if you're moving in the right direction is to take time out and join us on retreat. If you're looking for some clarity or just some downtime and would like to know more, please get in touch.
How do you know when it's time to knuckle down on your current path or move on and try something else?
In this episode we talk about how to know when to call time on relationships, jobs, friendships...
In our work in particular, how do you know whether your level of dissatisfaction is 'normal' and just every day, 'typically British' moaning or whether it is a result of deep-rooted unhappiness that needs to be addressed?
How does one go about getting simplicity in their lives?
For some people, it's saying no and sticking to firm boundaries. For other people it's living a slower pace of life and for others it's having less physical stuff - decluttering their way to minalism.
What does simplicity bring to our lives?
In this episode we talk about decluttering, stuff, minimalism and how it brings the clarity to know when we need to push through and when we need to rest.
Oh, and now that lockdown restrictions are lifting we're planning our next retreat!!!
Watch this space for the dates.
https://www.reboot.global/
Award-winning author Grace Marshall joins us to talk about the inspiration behind her latest book, Struggle.
Why are we all in such a rush to move on from discomfort? Why do we only want to see and share the showreels of our work and our lives, the happy endings, the triumphs, and the overcoming? What can we learn about the process of struggle?
Grace, who is a self-styled 'productivity ninja' and 'recovering perfectionist' shares her thoughts on why there is so much more to gain from moments of struggle. Indeed, it's where the 'magic' happens.
We talk about all of this and more, including the beautiful and effortless writing style Grace uses to put her points across so eloquently.
Head over to Amazon to get hold of the book that has already reached number one in its Amazon categories on the day of release!
Connect with Grace to find out about the work she does with teams and individuals:
https://gracemarshall.com/
https://twitter.com/gracemarshall
https://www.instagram.com/gracemarshallninja/
In this episode full of laughs and realness we discussed what it means to be lucky.
Are we born lucky or is it a function of how hard we work, how much we truly believe in manifestations, or how open we are to the abundance from the universe?
Of course, we don't have the answer for sure but we share our thoughts with you in the hope that it will get you thinking and feeling more confident in your ability to create your own good fortune and ease in your life.
To connect with Emma or Sheryl and find out more about their retreats and coaching, visit: https://www.reboot.global/
Join this lively chat with Dawn Morton-Young, founder of Employee Angels where we talk about what the last 12 months have taught us about the future of work and the progress, or lack of, on D&I matters.
We discuss how flexibility suddenly became possible for so many employees, even though working from home is not so rosy for everyone.
And with the Hampton-Alexander review, we talk about whether real progress has been made in gender balance and bemoan the lack of women of colour in the upper echelons.
Dawn is an HR Consultant, Career coach and founder of Employee Angels, the first employee-focussed consultancy offering employment law and HR advice.
You can contact Dawn and find out more about her work here:
https://www.employeeangels.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/employeeangels/
info@employeeangels.co.uk
As one of us recently discovered, Imposter syndrome can strike at any time.
Whether you're starting a new job, have a recent promotion, or are asked to step up to do something different, that nagging voice tells you you're not up to it and will be found out at any moment.
We talk about what, when, how, and why imposter syndrome shows up, as well as 'Expert' syndrome. That thing where, particularly on social media, but often in work meetings, people pretend to know more than they do.
Listen to the end where we share practical tips for keeping imposter syndrome at bay.
If you're facing your own imposter-fuelled demons and want real life help, get in touch with Emma or Sheryl to find out about our coaching.
https://www.reboot.global/
Why does this lockdown feel so much harder?
Join us to get our thoughts and coping strategies as we talk about lockdown 3.0 and more.
Will the pandemic change the way we live, work and consume or is this just a blip? Will people take the opportunity to build back better and 'bin off' some of the things that weren't working in life.
All this and more.
To connect with Emma and Sheryl, learn out more about our coaching and retreats, and book a free consultation, you can find us here:
https://www.reboot.global/
Realising he was in an unfulfilling job that where the only thing keeping him there was the office banter was what eventually made Chris Brown decide he needed to make a change.
For many people, like Chris, who have a strong calling to do something different, they have vivid moments of clarity when they know they can't keep doing the same thing. They HAVE to make a change.
That moment came for Chris when, after 5 years of being in a safe, steady office job, he was in a meeting discussing pensions, looked around the office and thought, "Is this it?"
He decided then that he needed to make a change, retrained as a personal trainer and hasn't looked back.
Check out this amazing interview about finding the work you were born to do.
To find out more about Chris, you can find him here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sf_fitness_chris_brown/?hl=en
email: chrisbrown.2k10@live.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/browncnew16
Listen to this funny and insightful chat about getting bored with jobs, finding out what your value is and leaving employers that don't value what you offer.
Viren Mistry is a marketing, social media, SEO, web, branding - you name it he's done it! So far most of his job stories ended with...."that happened... and so I quit".
Well worth a listen if you get itchy feet every couple of years and feel like you need a new challenge.
You can connect with Sheryl Miller and Emma Howard on Linkedin.
With the monumental change that 2020 brought to how we work, live and interact it's easy to forget to set boundaries until we realise we're living our lives on other people's terms and crowding out our own needs.
In this episode, we talk about the importance of drawing lines around work when you're working from home and the things we will or will not tolerate.
We also discuss how we navigate boundaries that affect the wishes and needs of other people and the challenges that brings.
Oh how we've missed you!
In this episode we explain why we haven't recorded for a couple of months - frankly 2020 was a beast of a year and towards the end of it we started to flag and were busy settling into new life routines.
We also talk about our one-word intentions for the new year and the routines we're employing in yet another lockdown, in order to stay on a level.
Now that we're back, get ready for a weekly dose of guests, conversation, laughter and the occasional f-bomb.
Our first returning guest - Mayokun Mac Alonge is back with Emma and Sheryl to talk about how companies have responded to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of the killing of George Floyd (and others) and the global protests.
Mac is founder and CEO at The Equal Group, a data-driven diversity & inclusion consultancy based in the UK.
We discuss several prominent corporate board moves - the resignations of Alexis Ohanian (Reddit), Karen Parkin (Adidas) and the stepping down of Dame Louise Martin from Birmingham's 2022 Commonwealth Games board.
Have companies done enough? What should they be doing and what, in particular, is the role of HR. Listen in for some honest and upfront convo.
To find our more about The Equal Group or connect with Mac go to:
https://theequalgroup.com/
Twitter and Instagram @theequalgroup
When you've been in the same place for a while things can get stale.
Not so for Kristen who has taken the bull by the horns at every and made sure that each role, each step, and each opportunity not only worked for her employer but also worked for her.
Kristen is the Senior Director of Staff Development & Talent Acquisition at Robert Half International and has enjoyed a long and happy career.
In this episode we talk about what a long career can look like when you truly find work you love, which aligns with who you are and what your values are.
We also talk about how COVID has changed the world of work forever.
You can connect with Kristen here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-mcnamara-4609459/
You can find out more about Reboot - our coaching, retreats and online courses - here:
https://www.reboot.global/
This is the episode we had been wanting to have for a while...
Shakil Butt is both a qualified accountant and a HR professional - combing both Sheryl and Emma's areas of expertise. He is also a CIPD Board member.
In this episode we talk about why and how Shakil moved from Finance to HR and the evolving role of HR, particularly in the wake of recent Black Lives Matter conversations.
A fascinating episode that will spark further debate. In fact, we can't wait to have Shakil on again soon.
You can connect with Shakil here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shakil-butt-hr-hero-for-hire/
We continue to focus on diversity and authenticity in conversation with Mac Alonge, founder of The Equal Group.
With a firm foundation in data-driven interventions, The Equal Group offers sustainable and practical solutions to approach diversity and inclusion in a way that delivers real results.
In this episode we talk about why data is important, as well as the authenticity of leaders in driving real change for equality in organisations.
You can find our more about Mac and The Equal Group here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayokunalonge/
https://theequalgroup.com/
https://twitter.com/theequalgroup
https://www.instagram.com/theequalgroup/
In this episode we talk about how we're feeling coming out of the lockdown with COVID still very much a feature.
We've all been in such a different routine and environment, how have you found settling back into some sort of 'normal' routine? What's your new reality?
We also talk about the importance of getting away from it all, which is why we're so excited to be re-launching our next retreat of 2020.
In August we will be holding a retreat in our lovely Market Harborough venue.
For more on our retreats and coaching, connect with us at https://www.reboot.global/
As lockdown restrictions are being eased in UK we talk about how it feels to be returning to some sort of normal.
Where are your fears? Are you feeling optimistic? Are you pleased to be closer to your normal routine?
We mull over the changes that are affecting us personally as a society, at work and in business. In particular, how does the fact that location is less relevant affect the job market and going for your next role.
We also talk about the joy of being able to schedule our next retreat - yay! We'll definitely need it! 14th August is the date so put it in your diary and get in touch to find out more or book on. Find out more here https://www.reboot.global/
Alastair Lechler has a background in recruitment.
Finding candidates a 'good home' where they could be themselves and also be a good fit with the organisations they were placed in was always his objective.
Seeking an escape from the rat race north of the border, Alastair realised the importance of getting away from it all and the benefits of reconnecting with nature.
Alastair founded Reboot Adventures as a place for reflection, tackling burn out, team building and development. Not to be confused with Reboot Global, which is the name of our self-discovery retreats led by Emma and Sheryl.
Listen in to hear the inspiring story of Alastair's journey.
To find out more about Alastair's Reboot, connect here:
https://www.rebootadventures.com/
https://www.instagram.com/reboot_adventures/
https://www.facebook.com/ReBootAdventures/
Meet the founder of recruitment agency Nikky Lyle Creative.
She has built not one but two recruitment agencies form scratch in the past few years it's easy to see why. She does what she loves.
A Graphic Designer by profession she has always enjoyed matching creatives with the right opportunities.
After noticing that many creatives also have passion projects on the side, she got involved in the world of side-hustles, judging the D&AD award where she is now president judge and mentor.
She recently formed The Good Gang and is about to launch Side Hustle School - an accessible program for those wanting to explore their passion.
You can connect with Nikky here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolalyle/
https://www.instagram.com/the.goodgang/
https://www.instagram.com/nikkylylecreative/
If you want to connect with Sheryl or Emma for business coaching or career support, head over to our website https://www.reboot.global/.
In this episode, the start of a new series, we talked to Lizzie, a D&I specialist who works for a global organisation.
We talk about how line managers, teams and colleagues can talk openly about race. We also ask questions about race and colour that some may have been afraid to ask and give practical advice on how to broach those topics.
Diversity & Inclusion is not just the responsibility of HR or the D&I lead but they play a key tole. In the light of recent challenges, we discuss the strategies and changes we need to see in D&I training, education and initiatives.
If you are a line manager who would like to know more about how to have difficult or challenging conversations, please get in touch with Emma, who has a new series of resources coming out especially for line managers.
You can contact Emma here:
hello@reboot.global
https://www.reboot.global/
In this episode we discuss thoughts on authentic leadership and how this has changed over the course of lockdown.
Where do you look for leadership and how is this different if you are an employee vs an entrepreneur?
Are some leaders better equipped for dealing with crises and others less so? Is this excusable, understandable or forgivable in these strange times?
How do we encourage everyone in an organisation to look to themselves for the leadership skills that will get them through this and future challenges?
To find out more about our retreats and coaching, including the F-Word 10 day Reboot tackling Fear, head over to https://www.reboot.global/
Thoughts are starting to turn to how life will be when the lockdown restrictions are lifted, kids go back to school and people 'go back' to work etc.
Some people are fearful, some people are excited to get back into their 'normal' routine and some people have quit their jobs in the hope of doing something completely different.
Companies have been 'forced' into 'allowing' people to work from home in roles that previously were deemed to be fully office-based. Expectations of employees in particular have shifted so how do we ensure we settle back into an existence that works for us, where we don't 'de-prioritise' the things that are important to us.
We talk about how to feel the fear and still be hopeful for the future.
Here are the resources we mention:
The F-Word 1- Day Reboot - free online 10 day support - daily activities and coaching videos.
You Are A Badass - online book club
Ikigai - book on finding meaning and the secret to a long and happy life
We loved chatting with Dan Hoff-Rodrigues about his inspiration for setting up his own recruitment firm.
Not content with just running a new company he's also working with local businesses and schools to promote progression in digital and leave a strong legacy across the city.
You can connect with Dan here:
https://www.cx-squared.com/
https://twitter.com/dan_techrecruit
Mel Riley has been a counsellor for 15 years, having left corporate life a long time ago.
She is a psychotherapist who works with families and young people.
Check out this fascinating and insightful conversation on fear. We know we are in lockdown but why is fear at an all-time high?
And what coping strategies can we use for regaining and control and taking care of ourselves.
To get in touch with Mel, head over to https://www.meljriley.co.uk/ or find her on LinkedIn.
Join the F-Word 10 Day Reboot, where we're supporting you to face your fears with daily emails, coaching videos and online support, all for FREE.
In this, one of our favourite lockdown episodes so far, we talk to Clair Stevenson who runs her own business, Upwrite.
She provides copywriting, content creation and social media management for clients and is now teaching others to do the same. If you'd like to find out more about Claire's exclusive course on how to set up your own copywriting and social media business, then click this link to find out more. Registration closes Fri 8th May 2020.
Dissatisfied with working for a company where she didn't fit in, with a 3-hour daily commute, she took a leap of faith and started out on her own.
What was the worst thing that could happen? Nothing. Even a job stacking shelves was preferable to staying where she was.
Check out this episode for some insight and inspiration into how to find work you love.
The COVID-19 lockdown/quarantine has brought about higher than normal levels of suffering and anxiety.
So it's only natural that emotions are running high. But how do we avoid swinging between the extremes of toxic positivity and toxic negativity?
We discuss why so many environments, like social media, and especially corporate spaces are so 'overly' positive, to the extent that the truth is often swept under the carpet. There is a difference between optimism and toxic positivity.
And then we discuss how the media - news channels and press are often negative out of all proportion.
The answer is for each of us to find our own happy medium - what works for us. Allow ourselves the time and space to feel real feelings while keeping an optimistic sense of perspective.
If you want to connect with us and find out more about our coaching and retreats, head over to https://www.reboot.global/
The lockdown period has been extended and understandably this has caused some of us to have a bit of a wobble emotionally.
Whilst most of us could face 3 weeks of things feeling very different, we're now being asked to live in this alternative reality for another 3 (at least)!!!! And this has some of us sad, spooked, sulking or seriously hacked off, which is all completely normal.
We revisit why and how we are feeling and share the coping mechanisms that help us deal with the uncertainty of this unprecedented situation.
We'd love to hear from you so if you'd like to connect, head over to the website and book some time with us.
Today we talk to Edward Clark who is a mortgage broker with a passion for ethical and sustainable finance.
We talk about Edward's early years, introduction to finance and why he decided to create a business which aims to do things differently in an industry which is typically associated with greed and disregard for integrity.
In fact it was this early exposure to life as a Finance Analyst in the city that led to Edward turning his back on traditional definitions of 'success'. With a passion for modular homes, Edward has an interesting perspective on the future of sustainable property development and financing.
If you are looking for mortgage or financial advice from someone who thinks differently, then you can contact Edward's contact details here.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn are funny places to hang out at the best of times.
Social media has the ability to lift us up, makes us laugh, makes us sad, makes us angry.
This period of lockdown has brought funny memes and innovation aplenty, as well as ranty posts about those breaching social distances.
in this episode, we discuss everything with Suzie Speaks. Suzie is an award-winning blogger and social media manager, now working with JC Social Media, who are one of Birmingham's most successful home-grown businesses.
Who's getting it right and who's getting it wrong? Which platforms are supportive and which platforms are hostile. And how are people and companies 'showing up'?
Listen in for tips from Suzie and if you'd like to get in touch for blog sponsorship or PR, please contact Suzie here
So we're 3 weeks in...
In today's podcast we talk about the new or old habits we've developed over the last few weeks and the things we might want to change going forwards.
Routine is a comfort but sometimes we need to change things up and now is as good a time as ever.
We discuss changing or ditching the schedule altogether, moments of reflection, making time for feelings, making big life decisions and all sorts of fun stuff!
Connect Sheryl or Emma on Linkedin or head over to https://www.reboot.global/ where you can book a 1-2-1 and find out more about our retreats and coaching.
In this week's episode, we interviewed Scott Alford about his new and exciting podcast which is all about unpacking feelings with various special guests each week.
At times we all struggle to express and tell about feelings but this is even more of a challenge for men because of the lack of 'space' for these conversations and an unclear narrative about the role of men in society.
Scott is a consultant and executive coach who has worked with leaders and teams to create high-performing teams.
You can check out his new podcast here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/988924/3297232
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five people we spend most time with.
In this episode, we talk about how to ensure we 'stay safe' by connecting with the right people at this time. Has this lockdown meant that you are spending time with different people?
Who are you speaking to on a daily basis? Who are you face-timing with regularly and who are you having group calls with? Has this period made you reevaluate who you spend time with and how are you getting on with your lockdown 'buddies'? Which of your friendships are struggling in this testing time?
We discuss these questions and more.
Some of the resources we recommend:
1) Jubilee Media - connecting with people who have different views to you https://www.youtube.com/user/jubileeProject
2) Option B: Building Resilience - Online Book Club https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/option-b-virtual-book-club-lean-in-circle-tickets-101521292920
Connect with us as https://www.reboot.global/ where you can schedule a free consultation or find out more about our (virtual and real life :) retreats and coaching.
Fear is one of the most powerful emotions. But why? What is it good for?
In this episode, we discuss the role that fear plays in our lives and why it controls so much of our decision making, actions and behaviour.
Fear is our reaction to the threat of danger - real or perceived. We also fear the unknown and with increased uncertainty of our current times, so how do we handle that?
Some strategies we use to cope with fear include waiting it out, analysing the issue, taking strength from others.
Join us for more discussion on fear, resilience and facing adversity in our Option B book club this Thurs 9 April 2020.
Welcome along to the first of our bi-weekly podcasts.
The Coronavirus / COVID19 pandemic has disrupted life as we know it on a global scale.
Whether you're working from home or unable to work due to business shutdown, your regular schedule will no doubt have changed.
We share our coping strategies and thoughts on the pressure to be productive.
Book a call with either Sheryl or Emma at https://www.reboot.global/
We all know those colleagues who down tools, or start taking way more sick-days as soon as they've handed their notice in. It's very easy to 'check out' once you know that you're not going to be there past the end of next month.
So how do you keep your motivation and stay productive, but also not end up over-committing or working yourself into the ground to get everything finished before you go.
There's a great saying 'Be nice to those you meet on the way up because you will meet them on the way down' In a work sense, often circles are very small and reputations can follow you so it's important to get it right, even if you're leaving.
And then, how do you fight the feelings of being overwhelmed and out of your depth to make that great impression in your new job? The American president gets 100 days, you get 90. We talk about the different strategies and techniques you can use for your first few months in order to add value to your new colleagues and the organisation that has been blessed to have you working for them.
If you would like a free consultation to discuss your career goals, head over to https://www.reboot.global
Saroj was a retreat guest on our first UK retreat in November 2019 in the beautiful setting that is Arundel, West Sussex.
We talk to Saroj about what led to her wanting to go on a retreat, her experience of being at the retreat how it has changed her life since the retreat.
'Your Retreat Your Way' is the strapline we use to describe the fact that you can do as much or as little as you want. But what does this look like in reality and do people feel pressure to take part in all of the walks, yoga, group discussions and more?
And how did she find the one-on-one coaching, both in terms of practical work and business advice, but also the 'woo-woo' elements that Emma brings. What does that combination look like and does it work?
Check out the website for the latest dates and to see the schedule for a typical retreat day https://www.reboot.global/retreat
If finding your ideal job or becoming an interim, contractor or freelancer is something you want to do, how do you go about it?
In Part 1, we talked about using recruitment agencies vs applying direct and how you can position yourself for the right job. We also talked about networking, LinkedIn and how to use it to help with your job search and tips for creating an All-Star LinkedIn profile.
In Part 2 we talk about how to position your CV and how to nail that interview - difference between contractor and permanent employee CV's, how to ace the interview, explaining what competency based questions are, and the questions you should be asking the interviewer to make sure it's the right company and job for you.
Both Emma and Sheryl have seen hundreds of CVs and interviewed hundreds of applicants, including apprentices, graduates all the way up to Director level.
If you'd like a chat about your CV or career goals, head over to https://www.reboot.global and book in a free consultation.
If finding your ideal job or becoming an interim, contractor or freelancer is something you want to do, how do you go about it?
We talk about using recruitment agencies vs applying direct and how you can position yourself for the right job.
Love them or loathe them, many industries and job types rely heavily on recruitment consultants so how can you find the right one and work with them in a way that works for you.
Emma has worked in resourcing and recruitment consultancy for many years and shares her experience of working with candidates and how to get the best out of the relationship.
We talk about LinkedIn, how to use it to help with your job search and tips for creating an All-Star LinkedIn profile.
Networking is also a great way to find new opportunities so how do you do this in a way that is genuine, useful, doesn't consume all of your time and you go into it with the right mindset.
In the next episode we talk about the CV - difference between contractor and permanent employee CV's how to ace the interview.
If you'd like a chat about your CV or career goals, head over to https://www.reboot.global and book in a free consultation.
Most of us were shook by this weekend's news. Caroline Flack's death and the apparent pressure that was heaped on by a lack of empathy, lack of kindness, trial by media and social media have made us all think.
We couldn't not talk about it this week.
We don't have all of the answers but we discuss what kindness means, how to be kind in the workplace, the role that we all play on social media and in our consumption of salacious stories in the media.
Leah is a 22 year old property investor who has built a development and interiors brand called LCM Home and manages a growing portfolio of conversion projects and investment properties.
Even before gaining her business degree, Leah knew she wanted to get into property, create an entrepreneur lifestyle and become her own boss.
She now has a Youtube channel with several thousand followers, where she shares her property knowledge and motivates other young people to follow their passion.
Being a creative, Leah always wanted to work in a way that was more suited to her natural preferences, doing work that she would enjoy, which would bring out the best of her talents.
You can find Leah at:
Instagram: Leah_Miller and _LCMhome
Youtube: LeahMiller
2There's that great saying 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions'.
We set a raft of ambitious goals that we really want to achieve, but then before you know it, we're getting in our own way. Or worse, we're allowing other people to get in our way.
Why do we sabotage ourselves? What are the inner voices we listen to and how can we keep calm and carry on regardless?
In this episode, we talk about how to spot when you're self-sabotaging and how to deal with friends nd family that ae not as supportive as we might need.
An inspiring and fascinating interview with Lauren Miller who is a freelance costume designer in film and TV. Recent credits include Sky One's Bulletproof (starring Noel Clarke and Ashley Walters), Honour for ITV (starring Keely Hawes) and Sky Kids' The Athena, starring Ella Balinska which was nominated for a BAFTA. You can see Lauren's showreel here https://www.stylingbylauren.com/
Finding your passion was once something we all strived for.
Then it all seemed a bit 'too' difficult and finding your passion went right out of fashion. It started to be seen as a luxury, something you'd be lucky to get but highly unlikely to bring in enough money to pay the bills.
Lauren always knew she wanted to work in fashion. From making clothes with her Barbie dolls out of tights(!) and shoes out of blu-tack she was destined for a design job.
Lauren had, what some would consider, to be amazing jobs on the way, such as PR and buying for major high street fashion retailers. Yet, she knew these weren't her passion.
She persevered until she landed costume design opportunities in low budget short films, working her way up to film sets featuring major Hollywood A-listers.
Now as a full time, self-employed costume designer she is doing exactly what she loves, working on film sets around the world. Lauren talks through her journey and how she realised it was exactly what she wanted to do.
There are so many quotes about change, some of them more helpful than others.
- Change is the only constant
- Change is inevitable
- Change or Die
That last one's a bit extreme, we think.
There are times in our life when we get itchy feet. We feel like something needs to change but maybe we're not sure. We don't want to flit our way through our lives but at the same time we feel as though something is not quite right.
And then there are times when we know we need to make some nigh changes. Perhaps we are desperate to make a career shift, move countries, or leave a destructive relationship.
In this week's episode we talk about how to know when it's time to make a change.
When we start a New Year we feel as though we can turn over a new leaf, conquer any challenge and become the most unstoppable version of ourselves. There literally ain't no mountain high enough.
We go all guns blazing and then somewhere between week one and week two we start to flag. Instead of going for a run every day, we start to go every other day. Instead of meditating every morning, we decide we'll do it in the evenings, but then we excuse ourselves because we've had a few late nights out. And our #veganuary #dryjanuary health plans go out of the window when someone inconveniently has a birthday celebration in January at an all-you-can-eat steak house.
So how do you keep the momentum going? In this episode we talk about breaking down the grand plans from the vision board and the different methods we use to make them more manageable. We also talk about the importance of balance and not overloading oneself so that the goals simply aren't achievable.
Please remember we are not qualified or regulated financial advisors and none of the information should be taken as advice or recommendation.
No matter how much or how little we make, most people don't like talking about money. This is more pronounced in certain cultures than others.
In the UK it's sometimes even seen as impolite or vulgar to talk about money or ask people what they earn. So how do we ever get a grip of our finances if we can't talk about our challenges? Add to that the fact that money issues are one of the biggest causes of relationship breakdown.
In this episode, we talk about why people find it difficult to talk about money and some of the tools and techniques that have helped us get over our money hangups.
We also talk about the money management system called the six jars. You can find out more about that here.
It's that time of the year when everyone wants to figure out how to become their most fabulous selves. The amazing job, the perfect relationship, the beach body and the bulging bank account all feel within reach as the wave of New Year magic blows over us.
So we set New Year resolutions of how we're going to transform into the best version of ourselves we've ever been. Well, this is what usually happens. Until recently.
More of us have started ditching the traditional resolutions - give up this, give up that - in favour of a different way of starting off the New Year.
One way of setting a different type of resolution is to decide to add new and positive habits, rather than focusing on what we need to deny ourselves to improve.
Another way, which is gaining in popularity is to set intentions of how you want to BE this year, rather than the things you need to DO. The movement around setting your intentions as One Word, which you can find in the book One Word That Will Change Your Life by Dan Britton, Jimmy Page, and Jon Gordon has inspired a whole generation to think differently about setting goals.
We share our one-word intentions and also talk about vision boards. But not just creating vision boards. How do you then go about achieving what is on the vision boards? We talk about how we like to organise ourselves and the tips, tools and techniques we use to take action.
As we approach another holiday, how do we find balance in our health habits to enjoy the season, be sociable and still be measured in our eating and drinking, so that we don't feel the need to then starve or deprive ourselves?
In the Western World, many of us eat more than we physically need to over Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays. Why is it ok to binge on chocolate and cheese at 8am in the morning for the best part of December? And then we often set New Year's resolutions to go on faddy diets, restrict certain food groups or start new exercise regimes.
In this episode, Emma and Sheryl share some of the healthy habits they have been 'trying on' over 2019 and discuss ways that we can go into 2020 without the self-flagellation that usually comes from setting unrealistic and extreme health goals.
We also talk about alcohol and drinking and whether it will become as socially unacceptable as smoking. Perhaps unlikely in our lifetime but not an impossible reality. The adverse effects of alcohol are still under-estimated in a society where anxiety and depression are on the increase, even though alcohol is a depressant (amongst other things). Mornings of regret following office parties is also another reason to cut back on the drink.
We can foster healthier habits by changing our relationship with food and drink just by being more mindful and introducing new, healthy choices. This all goes into the mix of getting us better equipped for our life's work, ready to be our better selves in the New Year.
It's that time of year! End of year performance appraisals, personal development plans. Objective setting, goal setting and if you're lucky, a bonus conversation.
How do you make sure that the end of year review serves your needs to get you closer to your big dreams?
And what if you're a freelancer, contractor or Interim, with no-one to force you to do an annual appraisal? How do you celebrate your successes and set yourself some goals to challenge and grow yourself next year?
In this episode we talk vision boards, aspirations, goals and goal setting. We also discuss how important it is for employees, freelancers, business owners and entrepreneurs to completely be themselves moving into the New Year, being clear on who we are and bringing our authentic selves to work.
In this episode, we break down our UK retreat staring with our Nov 2019 launch.
What does a typical retreat day look like? How much yoga is there? Do I need to be a bona fide yogi? Are all of the activities mandatory? What do you do in the group sessions? How early does the day start? How good is the vegan food? - let's hope it's more than falafels and lettuce leaves. What are the coaching sessions like? Exactly how much woo woo is there?
The jury is in and the guests have given us feedback from the first retreat, so what was it that made our short time together so special? What changed for people? What were the results? What did we learn? What is it that creates the transformative magic of retreats.
For those wanting to join us on a retreat, check out www.reboot.global
We talk about the importance of speaking to people before they sign up for retreats to make sure we get the group dynamic just right.
In this first episode we share the story behind why the podcast is called 'Whistle While You Work' and talk about the whole life system that underpins what we do.
Making a living is a really important part of our everyday happiness and too many people accept being unhappy in their work as the norm. But there is more to life than work...
Whether you are a professional, freelancer or entrepreneur there is more to life than working and money, there is family, friends, fun - the things that bring emotional connection and go to the heart of what makes us human.
Beyond our current work and our close emotional bonds, there is making a difference to society and making room for personal growth.
And then there's the 'simple' matter of understanding what really drives us, our purpose and who we are at our core.
These layers all contribute to our happiness and sense of fulfilment, and they evolve constantly as we grow, learn and as our life stages change. It is a continual journey of self discovery.