I hope you're enjoying a hot July! ☀️

With the first half of 2023 already behind us, it's the ideal moment to pause for a mid-year reflection.

Below is the structure I use for a comprehensive, yet digestible reflection on the first half of the year:

1. Name three events from the past six months that you're celebrating and explain why. 
2. Identify three challenges you faced in the past six months and share the lessons you learnt from them.
3. Outline three objectives you're aiming to achieve in the upcoming six months.

Give yourself an hour to reflect on these questions and jot down your responses.

Sharing your reflections with a partner, colleague, or friend is a valuable exercise - let them question your answers to uncover deeper insights. And if you feel like it, feel free to respond to this email with your reflection. How is that for an additional layer of accountability?

If you are interested, I am sharing a glimpse into my answers to each of the above questions:

🥳 I celebrate my move to New York City, a significant achievement, as it involved shifting my entire life and business to another continent. Truthfully, I've never taken a moment to fully appreciate that so now I am celebrating my courage and determination that made this possible.

🫠 I struggled with establishing a routine with so many changes happening around me. However, I learned the importance of pausing (and celebrating!), allowing things to settle before rushing forward.

🎯 One of my key objectives for the coming months is launching a podcast. That's right! This project has been simmering for a while, and I'm excited to see it taking shape and soon reaching the world.

This month's...

Favourite Career Resources:

📚 Book: "Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World" by David Epstein. The author debunks the idea that success is best achieved through hyperspecialization. Instead, the concept of having a broad spectrum of skills and interests and taking your time to figure them out. If you ever felt like you were not an expert and felt pressure to be one, you should check it out.

🎬 Video: One of the best TED Talks I've seen by psychologists Shawn Achor: 'The happy secret to better work'. It feels like watching stand-up comedy but with an insightful message on how happiness impacts productivity. I'm trying to implement the five daily habits mentioned in the talk into my routine and so far it feels great.

Top Career Development Tips:

✍️ Career development prompt: Reflect on your work-life balance and overall well-being. Are you happy with the current state of your career, or do you need to make adjustments to align with your values and priorities? What steps can you take to strike a balance that supports both your professional and personal fulfilment?

🤓 Interview tip: if you've ever talked with me about interviews (or been interviewed by me 😉), you've already heard what I'm about to say but I still feel it needs to be repeated. An interview is NOT a test. It's a two-way conversation for assessing mutual fit. Not only whether you are perfect for the job but also whether the job is perfect for YOU (at a given moment).

🏃‍♀️ Food for thought: Your Career is a Marathon, Not a Sprint. It's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of quick advancement, promotions and achievements, but remember that a fulfilling career is a long-term game. Take time to enjoy your journey and celebrate the milestones along the way.

Skill Spotlight: Adaptability

🧬 The work environment is ever-changing, and adaptability is key to thriving in such circumstances. Be open to new ideas, techniques, and perspectives. Change is a constant, so be prepared to evolve with it. How adaptable are you?

Quote of the month:

“The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it's a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Use your natural powers to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems, make art, think deeply.”

From Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Thank you for reading this newsletter.  I hope you found it valuable!

Wishing you a wonderful August,

Joanna x

As we navigate through our professional and personal lives, we're pretty much always on journeys of learning and mastery. And as we progress in acquiring and mastering new skills, we reach different levels of competence. The 'Four Stages of Competence' provides a psychological framework that maps out this growth:

1. Unconscious Incompetence: The stage where we're unaware of our skill deficits. We don't know what we don't know.

2. Conscious Incompetence: Here, we recognize our skill gaps. It's a call to action to learn more.

3. Conscious Competence: At this stage, we've acquired the skill but need deliberate practice. Mastery requires conscious effort.

4. Unconscious Competence: The pinnacle, where the skill becomes second nature and we can perform it with ease.

Using this framework, let's reflect:

• Pick an Area of Growth: Reflect on an area in your profession where you've seen growth.

• Recognize the Progress: Which stage did you start at, and where are you now?

• Appreciate the Learnings: What insights did each stage offer you?

• Foresee the Next Chapter: What's the next step in your growth?

For me, there are so many skills on the entrepreneurship journey that I aim to master. The journey is full of learnings, challenges, and successes. In theory, I know exactly how to build a successful business but in practice, there is much more to it. That's conscious incompetence at its finest. This stage is hard because we want to reach the next level so badly. We are fully aware there is a lot to learn. Perseverance and maintaining an 'enjoy the journey' mindset are crucial, reminding us that each step brings invaluable lessons. 

What skill are you currently working on and where do you stand on the competence ladder? 

I would love to hear your stories and reflections. Just hit the reply button to get back to me.

Favorite Career Resources This Month:

🎬 Video: Check out Simon Sinek's classic TED Talk, "Start With Why". He explores the motivation behind successful companies and leaders, emphasizing the importance of purpose.

📚 Book: "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth. This interesting read dives into why passion and sustained persistence are the keys to long-term success. A great complement to this month's theme. Grab your copy here.

Top Career Development Tips This Month:

✍️ Career development prompt

Think of the last time you received constructive feedback. How did you handle it, and how did it influence your actions? This exercise can provide insights into your professional growth and response to challenges.

💡 Food for thought: Job titles vs Impact

We often identify ourselves by our job titles or roles. But what if we were to define them by the impact we make or the problems we solve? How would that shift in perspective change your view of your current position or future aspirations?

⛏️ Skill Spotlight: Conflict Resolution

In any professional setting, conflicts are inevitable. How we manage them can set the stage for growth or stagnation. Would a workshop on this topic be of interest to you or your organization? Let me know!

Quote of the month:

"Opportunities don't happen. You create them." Chris Grosser

Thank you for reading this newsletter.  I hope you found it valuable!

Wishing you a happy and cozy November.

Joanna