"Burnout is about resentment"Marissa MayerI could never wrap my head around the above quote.How could burnout and resentment be linked?But now I get it.The resentment stems from the perceived lack of choice.When the boss rings you out of hours you feel that there is no other option but to answer.When someone lumps a big fat … Continue reading Burnout is about resentment →

That writer over there he listens exclusively to Led Zeppelin for 25 minutes exactly and then he starts writing.Sheila sitting beside you, she goes to the library picks out a book and uses the first she sees as her prompt.Whether as Bertie, takes a cold shower, says a prayer to the gods of writing and … Continue reading Writing placebos →

If every cloud has a silver lining then unforeseen circumstances can highlight the robustness of a system. If there is one tiny crash on the motorway does that mean 4 hours of standstill traffic and thousands of drivers affected? If one pilot calls in sick is the flight cancelled? How about a stewardess? If a … Continue reading Robust test →

The first hour at the beach is all about set up. You're concerned with finding the right spot, who's watching you getting changed, are the valuables well hidden and are the towels sufficiently pinned down?The second hour is all about reminders. Reminders to hang out the laundry before you go to sleep and pick up … Continue reading Peaceful Lethargy →

"Ok so whenever some starts a sentence with 'knock knock' it's a joke?" "Yes! Or if there is laughter after a comment." The two sit and continue to observe. "Ok, so that was a joke there!" "No, that wasn't a joke" "But there was laughter after!" "Yes, but that wasn't real laughter." "There's different kinds … Continue reading Nervous laughter →

In an attempt to improve my vocabulary I placed a dictionary beside my bed. I envisaged opening the book every night and joyfully expanding my grasp of the English language at a leisurely non-committal pace. It's been a month now and I've opened the dictionary maybe twice (if I'm being generous to myself). At this … Continue reading Bedside Dictionary →

I think companies only making an effort to retain employees when they hand in their notice is too little, too late. Why? Because so much effort goes into a job hunt! It's not a decision to be taken lightly. These days some companies require 6 rounds of interviews before offering a position. Most job hunts … Continue reading Retaining daily →

Finding the right fit isn't exclusive to tailors. I think any creative will attest to a stage of trying on options looking for the one that 'feels right'. That's far too vague, come on now Tom! Does the following sound familiar? I'm going to replace 'told' with 'informed' because 'informed' just feels more right. Or … Continue reading Finding the right fit →

One thing I find admirable about creative individuals is their ability to create a career for themselves. Take the Wright brothers for example. They didn't reply to a job advert for Aeronautical Engineers. They created the job title Aeronautical Engineer. There was no such position before them. Or to come at it from another angle, … Continue reading Career creation →

There is a point on the spectrum when selfish behaviour becomes wise, necessary and required. We need not inform the divas and narcissists about this subtle transition but we should definitely enlighten the overworked aboard the freight train to Burnout Central. There comes a point when it benefits the patients more for the exhausted doctor … Continue reading Selfish turned wise →