Your Time With James Sweetman

Episode 108 Redefining Work Life Balance

This week I’m exploring what work life balance means today. No longer do we have the physical environment as a distinguishing factor as technology means we can carry our work and networks around with us.

In metaphysics, balance is a point between opposing forces, but I don’t like the idea of work and life being in opposition. Equally, what’s the point in having work and personal life balanced, if you are not feeling fulfilled. For me, it’s simply about balance and overall quality of life.

It’s also about forging a path through competing tensions, the commitments you have to others, and the commitments you have to yourself and your family. As I explore what balance might look like, or more importantly, feel like, I also share tips and distinctions and as usual pose plenty of questions for you to reflect upon.

Episode 107 The test of a good people manager

Effective people managers know that they only achieve with and through their teams. They don’t view staff as tenants of roles, they view their teams as sets of diverse individuals, each with their own unique blend of motivations and skills.

So what’s the mindset and approach required to harness that potential? This week, I’m sharing 9 questions that I view as the test of a good people manager. I also explore reasons why some managers struggle in this area.

Episode 106 Boosting Self-Confidence

This week I’m exploring a topic that surfaces again and again with clients I work with and that’s self-confidence. It might be that you are seeking the confidence to make some career or life changes, or you’ve got an interview coming up and you don’t want to be consumed by nerves, or maybe at work, you want to feel more confident presenting or speaking up at meetings.

If we are honest, most of us would like to feel more confident in at least some situations, I know I would. Tune in to discover 15 practices that will boost your levels of self-confidence and find out more about my video masterclass on the topic.

Episode 105 Do you need a rest?

Are you tired? Are you tired of being tired? We’ve all been through so much, especially in the last year. Keeping the show on the road, juggling work and personal life commitments can be exhausting.

Recently, I came across a short Ted Talk by Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith all about rest, the 7 different types of rest, and how rest is different from sleep. Inspired by her talk and my own research and reflection, this week I speak about the different types of rest we all need, as well as the practices I’ve developed to ensure I put the ‘rest’ into ‘restoration.’ 

Episode 104 Managing nerves as a presenter

This week, in the second of two episodes on the topic of Presentation Skills I’m sharing tips and insights on managing those presentation nerves.

As a professional speaker, I still have to manage my own nerves and I’ll take you through techniques that work for me. I also explore the main causes of nervousness because if we can deal with the cause, the symptoms will dissipate.

If you present as part of your role, or you simply want to leave that all too familiar stomach-churning nervousness behind, then be sure to catch this episode.

Episode 103 What it takes to be a great presenter

As well as being a business & personal coach and author, I’m also a professional speaker. Professional in that I’m paid to speak to audiences. I also work with clients both 1-2-1 and in group workshops on the topic of presentations skills.

This week, I’m drawing on my experience to share 10 ways to boost your impact as a presenter. So, if you harbour aspirations of developing your speaking career, or simply wish to enhance your presentation skills, be sure to tune in.

Episode 102 Tap into your creativity

It’s easy to think that creativity is the reserve of artists, writers or musicians, something we put down with the toys of childhood, but we would be wrong. To be human is to be creative.

So whether creativity is a familiar friend or a dormant skill waiting to be resurrected, in this week’s episode I share 8 ways to help you tap into your creativity.

Episode 101 In conversation with Chris Flack

For many people, Covid 19 has irreversibly restructured working life. Whilst flexible working arrangements promote greater autonomy it also brings new challenges. This week, I’m joined by Chris Flack the co-founder of Unplug (www.unplughq.com) a behaviour change consultancy that supports individuals and organisations to work smarter in an always-connected world.

We chat about digital well-being, managing screen time and task switching. With The Right to Disconnect Bill and the Working from Home Bill before the Dail, Chris shares his views on work design and the challenges facing organisations.

Episode 100 Celebrating the 100th episode

It’s the 100^th episode! In this celebratory episode, the tables are turned and Marian Byrne who joined me last week returns to ask me some of the questions I typically ask my guests. You’ll get to learn a little more about me, from my sources of inspiration and favourite quotes to the failures and setbacks I’ve experienced.

I let you into my creative process and I also share what has been my key take-away from producing over 40 hours of content across the last 99 episodes.

Episode 99 In conversation with Marian Byrne

This week, I’m thrilled to be joined by Marian Byrne, one of Ireland’s leading coaches, trainers and facilitators. Drawing on her 20 years of experience, Marian shares many tips and insights from coping with weariness and the different types of rest we all need, to dealing with and instigating change.

As Marian says we can change by choice, by force or by being forced to make a choice. I hope you will choose to tune into our wisdom rich conversation and enjoy it as much as I did.