We’re not taught at school how to think about our careers, or even the importance of taking the time to get to know ourselves.To me, this is a foundational skill that is overlooked until we’re out in the workforce feeling overwhelmed trying to balance our passion and what makes us feel connected alongside the practical components of our career, like financial stability.This intersection is what I like to refer to as the career sweet spot.The intersection between passion and practicality that works for you.If you’re feeling disconnected in your current role, unsure of your next steps or if you feel like you’ve been self-sabotaging and making things harder than they need to be in your career and need a path to feel good again, I’ve got you covered.In this week's episode of The Aligned Achiever Podcast, I’m sharing with you the 6 core elements that are required for you to build a roadmap that directs you towards your unique career sweet spot and the 5 steps you can take to step out of the confusion and overwhelm and dealing with your inner critic.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/106During the podcast I mentioned Magic Mind and how it's been helping me to boost my energy. If you're interested in giving it a try head on over to https://www.magicmind.com/siobhan to secure your special discount with the coupon code: SIOBHAN20.
Is the goal to always be productive?Always being “on” and maximising our productivity sounds good in theory. Like it’s the right strategy that will get you closer to your end goal faster. The reality is very different though.We’re human. We need rest. Our brains have a finite attention span and ability to focus.With that in mind, it’s important for all of us to be aware of what season we’re in. Whether that’s growth, a bit more work/life integration or reinvention. In this way we can ensure that we’re getting the rest we need and being purposefully productive.In this week's episode of The Aligned Achiever Podcast, I’m running through a playbook so that you can manage your stress and optimise your energy by beginning with understanding the season of life that you’re in.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/105During the podcast I mentioned Magic Mind and how it's been helping me to boost my energy. If you're interested in giving it a try head on over to https://www.magicmind.com/siobhan to secure your special discount with the coupon code: SIOBHAN20.
If you’re like many of my clients, then I know you have the endurance to keep on pushing through, but I also know that pushing too hard for too long can come back to bite you in the form of burnout.I don’t want that for you, and I’m sure that’s not the outcome you want either.If you’ve been finding yourself juggling a million and one balls in the air, and you’re starting to drop one here or there or maybe you’re at the point that you’re struggling to keep any of them in the air - then you’re not alone.There are reasons that this is happening to you and there are ways that you can reflect and uncover what it is that is holding you back from achieving the life you want - without having to constantly feel overwhelmed and on the edge.These reasons often come from our subconscious programming, and things that we’ve internalised from society about what reasonable expectations are or what success looks like. Ready to uncover yours?In this week's episode of The Aligned Achiever Podcast, I share the 3 ways that I see high-achieving women making work and life way harder than it needs to be so that you can start to get on the front foot in your life.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/104
In a world where hustle culture is glorified and even rewarded, burnout has become an all too familiar companion for many people.It’s easy to feel trapped in our beliefs that we're failing, if we're not enough.We run a real risk of burning ourselves out if we don’t take a step back to ask whether the standards or expectations we are putting on ourselves are realistic. Burnout is a silent societal epidemic that we need to address because it robs us of our passion, energy and joy, leaving us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and disillusioned. Burnout is so much more than simply feeling tired or stressed. It can have serious consequences on our physical, mental and emotional health even if we don’t realise it during the moment.In this week's episode, I discuss the five reasons why we need to address burnout and the actions you can start putting in place today to help you thrive in a culture of overworking.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/103
International Women’s Day is upon us this week and this year’s theme is focused on inspiring inclusion. According to the IWD website “When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment.”Whilst it’s great that we celebrate International Women's Day and the progress made, I believe that it is just as important for us to reflect on the challenges that persist for women in achieving a sense of inclusion within workplaces. After all, it is one thing to feel inspired through these conversations and another to turn these initiatives into practical applications that truly support women to feel a sense of belonging and value in their workplace. And to do this, we need to start by addressing the foundational and fundamental challenge that women are facing which is the silent epidemic of burnout.I believe it’s important to consider the role that diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging play within organisations in fostering a better sense of wellbeing for women which, in turn, results in increased retention rates and performance. In this week's episode, we’ll explore the relationship between burnout and inclusion. I address why burnout is not just a matter of personal well-being, but a crucial step towards fostering a more inclusive workplace and society for women. In particular, I dive into the 3 reasons why we need to look at burnout if we’re to inspire inclusion for women in the workplace.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/102
Most of us have a running to-do list of “things” to get done. Not only at work but in our personal lives too. The mental load is real! For me, as someone who works mostly from home, I’m a huge fan of maximising my time and making the most of any trips “out”. If I have a meeting in town, I’ll try to run an errand beforehand or go to that special supermarket to pick up that one item I can only get there on the way back home. Sometimes, I put things off my to-do list for longer than I want to admit. And the emotional and mental load of the task ends up draining my energy. Have you ever put something off your to-do list for longer than you want to admit? (Please tell me I’m not alone in this!) For the longest time, I put off (re)organising my kids bedroom and play area. For some reason I was stuck in pinterest paralysis, analysing what the best wardrobe and toy configuration was…that is until I came across Nassim Secci from The Happy Space Co. Even when I discovered her, I secretly stalked her Instagram for the longest time before finally deciding to invest in supporting myself to get the job done…. This week on the podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nassim to hear more about her journey from high flying corporate lawyer to starting her own professional home organising business, right here in Hong Kong where she and her team help busy professionals streamline and organise their physical spaces whilst create calm and ease in their mental spaces. I asked Nassim on the podcast because her story of how she navigated her transition from litigation and international arbitration to reassessing her direction to found her own business, is a wonderful example of how to navigate a career transition for yourself. All of our paths will be different but I hope you enjoy Nassim’s candid telling of her journey and how she discovered her path to aligned achievement. For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/101
Join me in celebrating 100 episodes of the Aligned Achiever Podcast!I’m taking you behind the scenes of what inspired this podcast and my top reflections and learnings from this journey as an introvert and “quiet” person.In my 10 years of coaching women, I’ve found a common thread: many of us experience invisible forces that take hold of our thinking without us realising that the narrative we tell ourselves is often derived from societal expectations regarding what the rules are, what success looks like, what we “have” to do and what we “should” do.The Aligned Achiever Podcast was created because I wanted to speak to these topics in a way that is relatable to the season that you’re currently in and to be able to reach more women and help them navigate their careers.In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast I’m sharing with you what I’ve learnt from 100 episodes of the podcast, why I want you to pursue your own growth edges and identify the invisible forces at play that I see women grappling with without realising it.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/100
You can always start again.As this episode goes live it is officially the Lunar New Year and for me, mindset wise, the Lunar New Year feels more like the official start to my year than January 1st.Reflecting on the year so far, reminded me that there is no arbitrary date that we have to wait for in order to make a change in our lives or career, regardless of the size of the change. But I do know that navigating reinvention and transition can be a challenge.So if the last month or so hasn’t really gone to plan, or if you’ve been navigating a difficult season in your personal or professional life, I’m inviting you to begin again with the Lunar New Year.In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast I’m sharing with you the five levels of behaviour change that will help you to create the change that is weighing on your mind so that you can embrace your identity to achieve the desired results.Wishing you all a very joy-filled, healthy and resilient Year of the Dragon ahead!For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/99
It can be challenging to know how to find the time and energy to continue to show up to work in the face of difficult personal circumstances.This was something that came up for many of the participants in my recent Work / Life Design course.This could be changes in relationships, children being sick, an aging parent, or grief and loss.Regardless of what’s going on in your personal life, we’re often still required to perform at work, but we don’t always have the tools we need to be able to show up, perform and even achieve our career goals at the same time.In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast I’m sharing with you the 3 core tools that will not only guide you through the hardest stuff, but also empower you to achieve professional triumphs if that’s what you’re looking for despite the adversity.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/98
I’ve seen a theme recently with my clients as well as in my own life, and that is wanting to control and be able to influence our outcomes in life.Whilst we can’t actually control all aspects of our lives, there are some ways that you can gain a sense of calm and control especially in your career.The juggling act of having a career and a personal life can feel like complete chaos at times, and being able to find a sense of calm to navigate those hectic periods is key to feeling like you’re still moving forward in a way that is sustainable for you.In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast we’re exploring some practical strategies that you can put into place as a professional, career woman to reclaim control, bring a greater sense of balance and make sure you’re prioritising the things that will help you bring calm back into your life.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/97
The other day I was catching up with some girlfriends on all things motherhood, work, partners, health…the works! During our call we were talking about what we wanted to do differently in 2024.What I realised from that call was that I’m in a unique and lucky position to be able to talk with many incredible women about the same topic. From coaching sessions with clients I’ve personally had some really big realisations and takeaways about women, work and leadership that I probably wouldn’t have learnt otherwise. I narrowed down the top down the top 3 revelations from coaching powerful women over on the podcast this week. I’m sharing them with you so that you can feel less alone and unpack your best next steps to work through any challenges that keep you feeling stuck. In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast I’m sharing 3 of the most surprising revelations that I’ve had from coaching powerful women to provide you with some guidance of where you can begin on your own journey.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/96
As I was reviewing my lessons from 2023 and thinking about what I want to do the same/and differently in 2024, I realised how much of my goals are still driven by the notion that achieving more, in less time is “better.”If you asked me if I believe “more in less time is better” I would say “no - not necessarily” but so much of my goals last year were driven by that narrative. Which if I’m honest made me feel like I didn’t do enough. Quicker and faster does not equal “better” and that narrative drives us to set unrealistic standards that lead to beating ourselves up and pushing ourselves towards burnout.In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast I’m sharing why I believe in playing the long game when it comes to moving forward in your career and prioritising your long-term goals over getting quick results.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/95
Have you been raring to jump into 2024, or are you feeling a little slower to start this year and get into your goals?Either way, you’re in the right place if you’re looking to do things differently in 2024.We live in a culture where achieving more, in less time is the ideal goal. The underlying assumption: Faster is better. But this underlying assumption can cause one of two things:Either we:a) Push hard out of the gate (only to fizzle out shortly after). Orb) Even if you’re one of those people who can push hard and keep going - it can be a slippery slope achieving goals whilst teetering on the edge of burnout. So many of my clients come to me when they’ve pushed too hard for too long only to feel exhausted. Their body is playing up and they physically can’t keep on going as they’ve operated before. I don’t want that for you because I know there is a better way…. to be able to achieve the goals that are important to you in your personal life and your career whilst having energy to be present to the journey (yes I know that sounds cliche). In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast we’re talking about how to achieve what really matters to you in 2024 without exhausting or sacrificing yourself to make it happen.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/94
There’s something about the new year that just feels so exciting.Truthfully, you can hit reset on your goals and intentions any time, but the global phenomenon of the new year, and businesses taking a bit of a break seems to make it a natural time to bookend your career and life goals and start again in the new year.It’s time to be done with the old way and find a new way of doing things that will set you up for real career success in 2024.In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast I’m sharing the 3 reasons behind why traditional goal setting hasn’t been working for you and the 4 steps to focus on with your 2024 goal setting.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/93
As we close out 2023, I want to share with you my thoughts on what I want for you as you begin to step into the new year….And most importantly support you with how you’re going to get this one thing I want for you.Spoiler alert: The one thing is all in the name of this podcast - which is all about aligned achievement.What’s the point in working on goals if they don’t really matter to you?In this final episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast for 2023 I’m taking a stand for you to create true and real aligned achievement in 2024 so that you can be really intentional about what you’re working towards and creating in your life.Whatever that may look like for you personally. Thank you so much for tuning in to The Aligned Achiever podcast this year, I can’t wait to share with you all of my plans for helping you to create success on your terms in 2024.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/92
The end of the year can be quite overwhelming.Amongst deadlines and social get togethers, we can also be thinking about what’s in store in the year ahead. When we’re reflecting on the year that’s just passed, it can cause us to question ourselves, our choices and our paths, and it brings up the question of, can I do things differently?In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast I’m delving into navigating the uncertainty that comes with career transitions and crossroads so that you are better equipped to explore your options and what really matters to you without adding to your stress and anxiety.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/91
We’ve now entered December, a time for most of us of to close out our projects, wrapping up plans, reflecting and getting ready for the holidays.I hope if you’re here, it’s because amongst all the closing down of the year you’re also thinking about planning for 2024, and I want to help get you started so that you can get through what is the end of a season for many of us and step into your new season.In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast I’m sharing the 5 questions that I’m asking myself this year as I map out both my life and career for next year so that you can do some reflection and support you to anchor into what will create aligned achievement for you next year.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/90
There’s been a theme with my clients recently around how to have difficult conversations and handle conflict at work.There are an endless number of reasons for conflict in the workplace, but some of the most common reasons that I hear are that people are feeling stretched, there’s less people on the team to get the job done and the big one is simply, stress.When there’s a feeling of stress and perhaps a bit overwhelmed in the workplace or your team, conflict becomes more “normal” in our day to day.In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast we explore 3 mindset frames to help get some perspective to navigate the difficult situation or time period and how you can navigate if the environment isn’t the right one for you to be in.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/89
The personal development space is rife with slogans about the power of gratitude. And it’s true, gratitude IS important in a world that has us seeking more and better “things” in life. The next promotion, a bigger house, a newer car, the latest iPhone.The desire for more can keep us in a state of lack and always wanting. The desire for more can make us feel like what we already have isn’t enough.And whilst this is true, there is also a shadow side to gratitude… The shadow side is that we can begin to push down some of what we truly want in order to be grateful for what we have now, leading to resentment, annoyance, or frustration in your life.In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast I’m discussing the difference between wanting more for personal growth and wanting more for ego-driven reasons and the 3 signs to know if gratitude is holding you back in your life or work.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/88
How do you deal with things, when everything around you feels like too much?Whether it’s the news, your busy schedule or navigating a difficult situation or period in your life, we often try to escape the uncomfortable feelings or the challenge that comes up in these moments rather than facing them head on.If you’re feeling like it’s time to let go of your less-than-healthy coping strategies through reconnecting with your body this is for you.In this episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast I share the need for self-compassion when the pressure on your nervous system begins to build and why I want you to go against what your brain is telling you to do so that you can overcome the disconnection.For all the show notes come on over to: https://siobhanbarnes.com/87
Haw-Yan Man
Very insightful podcast! Siobhan is very inspiring and her episodes guide the listener on their path to finding out what they truly want to do with career and all aspects of life. 5 stars!