Your Time With James Sweetman

Episode 71 Changing Career – The Lessons I learned’

In the last in the series of episodes marking my 20 year anniversary of resigning from my corporate job, I’m focusing on the lessons learned, the nuggets of wisdom I wish I’d known back then.

If you are contemplating changing career or seeking the courage to follow your passion, then be sure to tune in. We usually have habits of thinking, embedded beliefs when it comes to work, and like software, sometimes our mindset needs an upgrade.

So as well as lessons learned, in this episode I also share questions to stimulate your own thinking and perhaps give you some ammunition to instigate your own career evolution or revolution.”

Episode 70 How I knew I’d discovered my passion

In the follow up to last week’s episode where I shared my story of escaping the corporate rat race, I speak about how I discovered the world of life coaching and why I knew it was my calling.

Setting up any new business is never easy, even when you are following your passion. I take you through the highs and lows of those early years. I also share some tips and insights that I wish I’d known back then. If you’re at a crossroads and are seeking some inspiration to make a career change, I think you will find my story to be a worthwhile listen.

Episode 69 How I found the courage to change career

Twenty years ago this week, I resigned from my secure, salaried role as Customer Services Manager in an Insurance Company. I jumped from the career ladder I’d worked so hard to climb, into the unknown. Why? Because I was desperately unhappy and had reached the point where something had to change.

 

In this week’s episode, I share the story of my career and how I found the courage to make long-overdue changes. So many people want to live from a place of greater authenticity, to be truer to themselves. If you’re one such seeker be sure to tune into this episode where I speak about this critical turning point in my life.

Episode 68 Olympic lessons

Like so many people I’ve missed watching sport. If this was a normal year I’d now be enthralled with the Tokyo Olympics.

 

I’ve always been a big fan of the Olympics and Paralympics. Athletes at the top of their game and the excitement of world-class competition. Wearing my personal development and leadership hats there are many lessons we can learn from the Olympics.

 

In the absence of sporting action, in this week’s episode, I share five of them in an effort to kindle that Olympic spirit.

Episode 67 How to be easier on yourself

Most of us are so tough on ourselves, we are our own harshest critics, our own worst enemies.

 

In this week’s episode, I share 7 ‘reality checks,’ 7 truths that remind us how to be a little more gentle towards ourselves, to give ourselves the occasional break. In other words, we are exploring ways to be more self-compassionate.

Episode 66 Coping with messy change

At a time when there is so much change and turmoil in our world, our old ways of coping with change may no longer be enough. The ripple effects of the Covid 19 crisis means this uncertainty and upheaval will continue. So, in this week’s episode, I explore what doesn’t work when facing change, as well as sharing some new approaches to help navigate a path forward.

Episode 65 There’s more to life than busyness

Busy being busy is a habit many of us have picked up. We equate being busy with being productive, but that is not always the case.

The Covid 19 lockdown has reminded me that there is more to life than busyness. In this week’s episode, I share strategies to counter-balance the habit of busyness and if you are like me and can struggle to switch off, I’ve also included an exercise that will broaden your perspective and remind you of what’s truly important.

Episode 64 Putting the ‘Self’ in Self Confidence’

Putting the ‘self’ into self-confidence means honouring what we want and what works for us and not focusing as much on how others might be judging us. It’s also about forging a new balance between honesty and modesty, as we take ownership of all our great qualities.

It’s difficult to make the leap from a perceived lack of confidence straight into self-confidence. You need a strategy to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you would like to be. In this week’s episode, I share two strategies that have worked for me and my clients.

Episode 63 What I know at 50

Last weekend I celebrated a milestone birthday. The big 50. I believe life is always teaching me, so in this week’s episode I share 50 thoughtful gems of wisdom I’ve learned many the hard way. Some are quotes that guide and inspire me, others are insights forged by life’s tests, some I’d even classify as ‘aha moments.

Episode 62 Rob Cullen – A weight loss journey

Rob Cullen and his wife Yvonne lost an incredible 13 stone in weight between them. In this week’s episode, Rob shares the practical tips that worked for them. What I love about Rob and Yvonne’s inspirational weight loss journey and lifestyle changes is that it’s full of common-sense ideas. Knowing your why, habit stacking and investing just 1% of your time in your own well-being were just some of the insights I took from our conversation.