As I sat in the airport waiting for my flight to the UK last August, a sadness washed over me. I had just said goodbye to my best friend while she was getting ready to leave Dubai. For good. While thinking about her, I realised
Feeling stuck? Don’t worry. Most of us have felt stuck at some point in our lives. While it’s easy to question ourselves, and go down a spiral of self-doubt and self-blame. You might find comfort in knowing – it’s not necessarily your fault. Parents. Friends.
“I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs online and not got a single interview. I don’t know what else to do!” Sound familiar? Looking for a new job can be challenging. And when you’re applying for jobs online and getting no response, it can be particularly
Most of us have experienced procrastination at some point. Putting something off right until the last minute. Or avoiding it entirely. Always choosing to do something easier, more comfortable or more pleasurable instead. I will happily admit I procrastinated recently. Over making my first LinkedIn video. Being
Most of us grew up believing life has a set path. Go to school. Go to college. Get a job. Climb the corporate ladder. Reach the top. Retire at 65. Corporate life was the norm and for many, expected. However, we’ve now moved into a new era.
We’ve all been there. Those times where we need to make a ‘big’ decision. Whether or not to quit our jobs. Start a business. Get married. Get divorced. Buy a house. Move to a new city or country. A decision so big the fear of
Many professionals dream of being leaders. Being able to create change. Make an impact. To inspire and motivate teams to all move in one direction for “the greater good”. To potentially achieve what nobody else has achieved before. But with such accomplishment comes great responsibility.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, we now spend nearly 50% of our waking hours working. 8.56 hours a day during the week. And an additional 5.48 hours on a weekend. And for many, it’s much more than this. Considering we spend so much of
When I ask my clients what is the purpose of job interviews, 9 times out of 10 they will reply, “To show the employer I can do the job.”. While partly true, this isn’t the real purpose of job interviews. An employer can see from your CV whether
According to the WHO, the average life expectancy of a human being in a developed country is 76.8 years. I am currently 36.6 years old. So if these stats are correct, I have approximately 40.2 years left before I cark it. Now I don’t know
People’s attitudes towards career have dramatically changed over the last 20 years. It used to be the case that working for a leading multinational company was the ultimate career goal. Now, with significant advances in technology, e-commerce and social media, there has been a dramatic shift.
Personal development is fundamental to both success and happiness. If you want to achieve more, you need to become more. And if you want to be happy and fulfilled, research has shown you must continuously meet your need for growth. If personal development isn’t on
In my article last week, I wrote about the tell-tale signs you’re approaching burnout. Whether you’re approaching burnout or simply overwhelmingly demotivated, it is natural to question if you should quit your job. And the temptation to throw in the towel and walk away can be hard to
Overthinking is like cancer to the mind. Thoughts that should be fleeting become stuck. Growing in size and severity. Seemingly multiplying and being played on repeat, circling the mind again and again. Starving the brain of time, energy and space to think of anything else.
It’s Sunday June 25th 2017. I’m sitting on the porch of the small cottage I am renting for the next three days in Bali. The sky is grey. Fog is rising over the hills. The rain is pouring down. And it is glorious. Listening to
In my previous article “10 Most Harmful Thoughts Stopping Your Success and Happiness”, I wrote one of the most dangerous thoughts we have is “what will other people think?”. This thought is responsible for 87% of people choosing a career that looks or sounds good
Burnout is, by definition, a state of persistent exhaustion. Mental, physical and emotional exhaustion. Normally occurring after a long period of stress. For many, this can ultimately lead to either extreme feelings of overwhelm or depression. It was November last year when I experienced burnout
Having lived in Dubai for almost 10 years, I have had the pleasure of experiencing Ramadan 9 times. I will admit in the beginning I didn’t really understand it. To me, it was simply a month of not being allowed to eat or drink in
Thanks to the evolution of social media, the lives of the rich (and famous) are out there for all to see. Many great leaders, who were once out of sight, are now openly sharing their stories of wealth and success. Inspiring more and more people
Looking for a job should be exciting. But for many it’s extremely stressful. Particularly if you’ve just lost your job or are desperate to leave a job you hate. I’ve written before about my own experiences of being made redundant and how I dealt with it. It was
I’ve written a few times about when I felt most stuck in my life. The year was 2011 and I was 30. I was working in agency-side recruitment in sales – which I hated. And I was in a relationship with a man who, while
My parents are great people. I love them dearly and, as an adult, I have a great relationship with both of them. While they are great people, they weren’t always great parents. And I will admit during my teens and early twenties a part of
Not many people know I had clinical depression from the age of 17 to 23. I had a hormonal injection which left me crying every single day for an entire year. Unfortunately, even though the hormonal effects subsided, the negative thinking patterns and lack of
It’s funny what you remember from your childhood years. Particularly when you go back and think about how confident you used to be. I have memories of being 5 years old in the school playground, always assuming a leadership role in whatever game we had
Money is one of the biggest sources of stress for many people. In fact, a recent study by the APA (American Psychological Association) found that 72% of Americans stated they were stressed about money at some point throughout the month. Making it the No. 1
Bad habits. We all have them. Behaviours we do that we know on a conscious level don’t serve us. But on a subconscious level absolutely meet our needs. You have the obviously bad ones. The ones that have a recognised negative impact your physical or
My theme for February has been overcoming challenges. I’ve written several articles covering some common challenges we often face. How to deal with job loss. How to stop being a slave to technology for better work-life balance. How to manage your emotions at work. There
Many years ago, I went through a break-up. We’d been together 6 years. Longer than some of the married couples we knew. Without going into detail, I can say it was an emotional time. And I will readily confess – I didn’t cope with it
I remember one evening about 18 months ago, I was working on my laptop in front of the TV when my mobile started to ring. It was a number I didn’t recognise, but I picked it up anyway. The caller was a gentleman who wanted
(Warning – this is the longest post I have ever written. Probably because it is has come from my core. I genuinely hope you take the time to read all of it. I think it will be worth it.) It was May 2006 when I
The pursuit of happiness. A mission which most of us are on. Many people believe it is our circumstances that determine our happiness and success. However, Anthony Robbins has firmly stated success is 80% psychology and 20% mechanics. Meaning if you don’t have the life
The start of a new year can be quite daunting for some. People are talking about their New Year’s Resolutions and goals for 2017. Around the office, socially and at home. Many seemingly hungry, focused and determined. For those who have no idea about what
Do you ever feel like sometimes you’re just existing? Going through the motions of daily life – getting up, going to work, coming home, watching Netflix, going to bed? Living each day as if on autopilot? If the answer is yes, you’re not alone. Sad
If you find it difficult to fall asleep because your brain won’t switch off, you’re not alone. Excessive thinking at night is one of the most common causes of insomnia. More often than not, it’s a sign of stress. Your mind is on high alert,
It often surprises me when I meet someone who looks great on paper, but falls flat as a pancake in a job interview. How can someone who can articulate themselves so well on their CV, fail to do so well face-to-face? I started to analyse
Most people aren’t aware thinking can be addictive. When we’re not actively engaging in the world around us, thinking can give us a feeling of importance and significance. If we’re not thinking about ourselves and our lives, who else will? If our problems weren’t important
Parenting. Possibly the most wonderfully rewarding and heart-wrenchingly challenging role a person will ever have. As if being fully responsible for another human’s life isn’t enough, parents then have to teach their children how to be happy and successful in an uncertain world. And if
While many are too ashamed to admit it, the number of people experiencing low self-esteem in the workplace is significant. People with low self-esteem often spend a large part of their day comparing themselves to others in the office. They perceive themselves and worry others
Looking at the most successful people in the world, it would be quite natural to ask, “What is it they have that other people don’t?”. At this point, some people might say they had a privileged upbringing, with access to the best education and social/business
(Originally written by Zeta Yarwood, Career Coach and Life Coach, for Khaleej Times Online http://www.khaleejtimes.com/20160923/8458/no-title) The invention of the internet has created quite the juxtaposition for job seekers today. The dramatic increase in accessibility to jobs worldwide has also meant an exponential increase in applications
Have you ever noticed how some people instantly make friends everywhere they go? Almost as if they have some amazing magnetic power, irresistible to any human within a 20-mile radius. While most assume these people were born with this unique characteristic that makes them ultra-likeable,
How successful you are, both in your career and at home, is hugely dependent on how productive you are. It’s your productivity that will determine the results you get and what you achieve. This will determine how much and how quickly you keep moving forward
Most people go through a period of demotivation at work or in their career at some point. It’s normal. Gallup’s most recent statistics indicate that nearly 70% of people are not engaged at work. So if you’re worried you’re the only one, you’re not. Not
It has been proposed by a number of psychologists and behaviour theorists that 97% of our behaviour is subconscious. This means that 97% of the time we are on autopilot – reacting, making decisions and behaving out of habit rather than conscious thought. These could
To make the most effective use of LinkedIn, it’s important to understand what LinkedIn is. LinkedIn at its core is simply a tool. A tool that essentially allows you to do two key things. First, it gives you a platform on which you can market
Networking. We all know we should be doing it. But similar to going to the gym or starting a diet, it’s something that many of us dread rather than get excited about. As a result it’s something we avoid like the plague. Or we partake in it, but
The relationship between sleep and cognitive function (concentration, memory, learning, reasoning etc.) has been at the heart of much psychological research for over a century. Google Scholar alone lists more than 3 million studies investigating the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function, dated as
The average recruiter spends between 5 and 7 seconds looking at a CV. Yes, you read that correctly. 5 to 7 seconds. If during that time they like what they see, they might spend another 30 – 90 seconds reading it in more detail. What does
“Start as you mean to go on!”. A saying that, while over 200 years old, is still used as a mantra by many of the world’s most successful people today. But why? Research has shown that starting your day in the best possible way not
Speak to a large number of professionals about their career goals and career advancement and promotion will be top of their list. For some it’s about reward and recognition. For others it’s about learning, growth or having new challenges. Whatever your reason, if you’re hungry
The summer can often be a frustratingly slow time for active job seekers. As hiring managers and key decision-makers go on vacation during July and August, the recruitment process can almost grind to a halt in some companies. While the slow-down might seem like a
Success and fulfilment come when all aspects of our lives are in balance. We are able to look at our careers, relationships, hobbies, finances, personal development, physical environment, social lives, spirituality and/or religion, emotional well-being and health and say, “I am happy in every area”.
The pursuit of happiness. A quest that almost everyone in the world is on. But with very few of us having ever been given a map, it’s no surprise it often feels like we’re on a never-ending journey to a non-existent land. If the education
Do you sometimes wish you were more confident? Don’t worry. You are not alone. Over 65% of people have experienced a lack of confidence at some point in their lives. It is often believed that some individuals are born with confidence and as a result are naturally
Statistics have shown an average of 60% of professionals dream about making a career change. Sadly, less than 10% actually go through with it. The biggest obstacle standing in their way? Fear. Fear is an emotion induced by perceived danger or threat. To overcome fear,
(This blog post was written exclusively for Al Arabiya English, the world’s most visited Arab news website.) A huge 65% of my clients reach out to me because they feel stuck in a job or career they no longer enjoy. One common factor that often
(This blog post was written exclusively for Al Arabiya English, the world’s most visited Arab news website.) According to Gallup’s most recent statistics, only 34% of working professionals are fully engaged and motivated at work. This means a huge 66% of professionals are, on some
(Written exclusively by Zeta Yarwood for Al Arabiya online news publication – the world’s most viewed Arab website.) Is there another global recession on the way in 2016? This was the question on everyone’s mind when I recently ran a career coaching workshop for jobseekers in Dubai. The truth
In January 2016 I went through a fairly significant period of change in my life. Multiple changes that were, for the best part, unplanned and unexpected. Emotions were raw. There was the added pressure of time. To say it was challenging would be an understatement.
I used to dread New Year. It was just another reminder of everything I hadn’t achieved the previous year. Even though I would swear at the start of each year that THIS was the year. The year everything was going to change. I’d figure out
Job-searching can be quite a stressful process, and often disheartening at times. Sending your CV again and again, and not getting a positive response, if any, can be particularly demotivating for any job-seeker. If you’re not getting any response, particularly from online applications, it will
As a career coach, I often get asked “Should I be using a recruitment agency?”. And as an ex-recruiter, it’s always a funny one for me to answer. To know when to use recruitment agencies, you need to have a basic understanding of how they
Job seekers: have you ever noticed how some people, regardless of their experience or qualifications, seem to be able to get any job they want? And once they do, within minutes they’ve been promoted and are quickly making their way up that corporate ladder? In
With more and more highly qualified professionals entering the market, it’s never been more important to be one step ahead of your competitors. Being able to answer interview questions in a unique way and making that great first impression are crucial to landing the job
Most people at some point in their lives question whether or not they have chosen the right career path. They might be experiencing extreme stress, lack of motivation, depression or even just that niggling feeling they are meant to be doing something else. Quite often
We all face challenges in our career at some point. We don’t get the job we want. We don’t get that promotion. Sometimes we often feel like we’re ‘stuck’. But what if you are the one standing in the way of your own success? Here
Only 13% of people worldwide feel satisfied in their jobs, according to Gallup’s 2013 study. With a number that low, it begs the question – why? While there could be several reasons, many people know deep down that, instead of following their heart, they chose
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is currently a hot topic and one that global leaders and HR Directors are taking seriously. For many it’s an essential requirement when it comes to recruiting and promoting employees. So what is so important about emotional intelligence? Is it something we need
What’s the difference between leadership and management? This is a question that continues to spark debate from company meeting rooms to leadership seminars worldwide. It used to be believed that anyone in a management position was effectively a leader. However, most experts now agree that
Effective communication. The fundamental component to any success story. Whether it’s having a successful career or a successful marriage. Successful relationships with co-workers, customers, friends and family. Being a successful leader or manager. It all essentially comes down to one thing. How effectively you communicate. If
Any people make a mistake in assuming that career success is simply a matter of working hard and getting the job done. As long as you commit to this, your boss will promote you and the path to success will be clear, right? Unfortunately not.
With the demands of modern day living, preparing for a job interview can seem like an impossible task. Family, home or work commitments already consume most of your day, and even just the thought of trying to find a spare 3 hours to prepare for
Job interviews. We’ve all been there. “You have 45 minutes to impress us. Go!” The pressure to suddenly ‘perform’ can get the better of even the most experienced of interviewees. But what if you were actually ruining your chances of interview success before even walking
If you’re struggling to find a job, it could be because you’re making this one fatal mistake: You don’t have a proper, effective Job Search Strategy in place Sending your CV to every company, job portal and recruitment agency known to man is not an effective
Research has shown a whopping 87% of people don’t feel satisfied at work, with many saying they’re stuck in a job they hate. With a figure this high, it’s not surprising so many people have bought into the belief that job satisfaction is a myth.
Global employment rates continue to be unpredictable, but one thing is clear. The competition for jobs remains fierce. Job-seekers in struggling economies face desperate competition due to lack of available jobs. Job-seekers in growing or recovering economies face competition from the significant influx of over-seas
Whether it’s a nightmare boss. A drama-queen friend. An angry neighbour. Screaming kids. Or a pushy mum. Dealing with difficult people can test anyone’s resolve. While sometimes it is quite tempting to scream and air your frustrations, this might not be the most conducive form
Many professionals, if not most, have aspirations of becoming a great leader. But do you actually have what it takes? Here are some useful questions to help you figure out whether or not you are ready for leadership. 1) What does leadership mean to you?
So it’s your first day in your new job. You might be quite excited, ready to get your teeth stuck in and show them what you can do. Or you might be super-nervous and having flashbacks of your first day at school, praying this time
We’ve all experienced anxiety. Whether it’s before a job interview, a big presentation, a client pitch, a board meeting or asking your girlfriend’s 6ft5, ex-rugby playing Dad with arms the size of both your legs put together for her hand in marriage. Anxiety is a natural
Many people find it difficult to recognise the value they offer to current or future employers. It’s something I see surprisingly frequently when coaching. Some are too modest. Others have trouble in simply identifying their talents. This usually impacts their self-esteem and stops them from
