We spend so much of our time at work on autopilot that we often miss what's right in front of us. In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore the art of noticing — how paying closer attention can unlock creativity, spark new ideas, and help you learn and lead in more meaningful ways. They share 9 simple and practical ways to start noticing more at work, from tuning into what’s left unsaid in meetings to spotting the tasks that never seem to get done.

00:00 Introduction

01:20 What is noticing?

03:57 Idea 1

05:04 Idea 2

07:15 Idea 3

10:35 Idea 4

12:36 Idea 5

15:37 Idea 6

18:42 Idea 7

22:27 Idea 8

26:33 Idea 9

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

📩 Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

🏃‍♂️ Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint2024

📮 Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

📚Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ www.amazingif.com/books/ http://www.amazingif.com/books/

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In a recent survey, many of our listeners told us that their biggest career worries are around learning new skills and staying relevant. But what skills really matter most for your future career? It’s a big question — and one that can feel overwhelming when you’re juggling a busy job and facing constant pressure to keep up and reskill. In this episode, Helen and Sarah share practical and reassuring ways to take ownership of your skill development, so you can navigate your squiggly career with confidence and control. You’ll learn how to identify the skills that matter most to you right now, which ones to invest in for your future self, how to stretch your strengths, and how to make space for learning — even when time feels tight.

00:00 What skills matter most for your future career?

03:32 Identify your skills

13:47 Learn skills from others

16:54 Stretch your strengths

19:10 How to find time to improve your skills

21:09 How to skill swap in your team

26:08 Find a skills sponsor



Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SquigglyCareers

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email: helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint2024

3. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Assertiveness isn’t a tick-box skill or a one-size-fits-all tone. In this episode, Helen and Sarah unpack 5 common “assertiveness watch-outs” — sneaky habits that can undermine your message without you even realising it. Whether you tend to over-explain, over-apologize, or overdo your energy, you’ll walk away with practical tools to lead more effectively.

00:00 What is assertiveness?

05:05 What's your assertiveness watch out?

07:30 Mistake 1 - Too much talking

09:17 Assertive statements

12:51 Mistake 2 - Over-caveating

15:40 Using 'I' statements

17:07 Mistake 3 - All about me

19:26 Directing conversations

21:17 Mistake 4 - Energy overloads

23:34 Mirroring enough

25:39 The robot risk

For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com

More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:

📩 Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/

🏃‍♂️ Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint2024

📮 Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction

📚Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ www.amazingif.com/books/ http://www.amazingif.com/books/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.