Synopsis
Listen in every Tuesday to this bite-sized podcast for ambitious jet setting introverts. I will be talking about running a business and traveling while being an introvert.Feel free to contact me with questions at janice@thecareerintrovert.com
Episodes
-
Career Conversations with Scot McKay
07/11/2023 Duration: 20minScot McKay has shared bad jokes with North Korean military officers, sipped coffee at Pablo Escobar’s home (served by his maid), survived a shark attack while surfing, held his breath as the pride of lions walked by his tent, and blitzed through California canyons with his knee on the double-yellow line at 140 mph. Yet somehow, he has also been referred to as the “sane one” on Twitter by Scott Adams, of all people.But despite once being mobbed by the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, being able to back a 30′ travel trailer into its slot on the first try, and that time he beat the World Champion at his own sport (no details provided), he’s still the most objective and down-to-earth dating expert out there.He’s also the most fluff-free fountainhead of original content in his field, if only because that’s what seventeen years of immersive geekery on the subject does for someone.Scot’s wife Emily is his “proof of concept”, given that she’s just as sweet as she is smokin’ hot and still gets carded at
-
Coping Strategies for Interacting with Difficult People
31/10/2023 Duration: 05minTopic: Dealing with People You Don't Like- Introduction to the topic- Acknowledging that it's normal to not like everyone- Importance of treating people with respect and humilityTopic: Strategies for Dealing with People You Don't Like- Accepting that you won't like everyone- Letting go of the idea that everyone has to like you- Identifying something you do like about the person- Focusing on the things you like to make interactions easier- Using the things you like about the person to engage them in conversation- Practicing assuming positivity instead of negativity- Ignoring negative thoughts to avoid draining interactions- Being cognizant of managing energy as an introvert- Reflecting on personal reasons for not liking someone- Differentiating between genuinely negative traits and personal preferences- Considering if there's something else going on that impacts the dislikeTopic: Making Encounters Easier and Conserving Energy- Recognizing that you will encounter people you don't like in various situations- Imp
-
The Power of the Done List
24/10/2023 Duration: 05minPrimary Topic: The concept of "done lists" as an alternative to-do lists- To-do lists - Negative impact of to-do lists- The never-ending nature of to-do lists- The lack of dopamine stimulation from to-do listsPrimary Topic: The importance of recognizing and acknowledging accomplishments- The need to realize and appreciate what has been accomplished- Writing down everything that has been done- The positive impact of acknowledging accomplishments- Increased self-awareness and behavior modificationPrimary Topic: Optimizing time management based on the analysis of accomplishments- Analyzing the time spent on different tasks- Patterns and insights from analyzing accomplishments- Adjusting time allocation for different tasks- Increasing conscientiousness and accountability- Achieving the desired goals through behavior modificationPrimary Topic: Identifying areas for improvement and making necessary changes- Realizing time spent on tasks that are not enjoyable- Identifying unexpected time allocations (e.g. emails, i
-
Surviving the Holiday Season
17/10/2023 Duration: 05min"The Holiday Season for Introverts: 'It is only September, and yet I'm planning how to get through the next sort of 4 month season, including January.'"— Janice Chaka [00:00:01 → 00:01:01]"The Festive Season: What does the festive season look like for you? Maybe you're working all the way through. I definitely had a job, previously, which I kind of really enjoyed, that it was the quiet season. I still had to work all the way through because payroll. Everyone still needs to get paid, but everything else died down. And it was a great time for me to organize things, and it was a great time me to clean things up and to prepare for the new year."— Janice Chaka [00:01:16 → 00:01:39]Finding Balance and Prioritizing: "Knowing in advance when your days off are going to be and knowing that maybe I can only do 1 social activity during that time and prioritizing, maybe in advance. Like, who is it that you wanna spend that time with? And there some people who will energize you when you spend time with them and some will d
-
Unpacking the Importance of Fire Preparedness
10/10/2023 Duration: 05minPrimary Topic: Lack of awareness about fire safety- Lack of familiarity with fire drills- Lack of knowledge about fire alarm sounds and protocols- Comparison of fire drills in school and corporate environmentsPrimary Topic: Personal experience with a fire alarm- Awakening to a faint fire alarm sound- Uncertainty about the nature of the alarm- Observing external surroundings to assess the situation- Gathering essential items for evacuationPrimary Topic: Response to fire alarm- Forgetting to check the door for heat before opening- Encountering another person who also heard the alarm- Choosing between taking the elevator or stairs- Low number of people evacuating the hotel- Observing others without essential itemsPrimary Topic: Importance of preparedness- Planning ahead when booking a hotel- Knowing emergency procedures and evacuation routes- Ensuring essential items are accessible during an emergency- Advice on having a "get out bag"Primary Topic: Conclusion and key takeaways- Reiterating the need for awareness
-
Career Conversations with Wayne Turmel
03/10/2023 Duration: 30minFor over 25 years, Wayne Turmel has been obsessed with how people communicate (or don't) at work. He's the author of 15 books and has spoken at conferences and clients around the world.Link to websitehttps://kevineikenberry.com/team/about-wayne-turmel/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayneturmel/"The Misconceptions of Introverts: 'Because we often get told, you know, when you start, describe the traits of an introvert and you get, You know, quiet, keeps to themselves, never bothers anybody. Basically, the same descriptions they use for serial killers.'"— Wayne Turmel [00:01:48 → 00:02:03]Viral Topic: Scariest Moments in Early CareerQuote: "The probably true answer in terms of the scariest thing is very early on in my career. This is how early on it was. We had just rolled out email to the organization, like we were trend trending leaders. And our instructors wanted access to laptops so that we could do PowerPoint presentations and answer email when we were on the road. And You would have
-
Answering Questions from Extroverts
26/09/2023 Duration: 05minPrimary Topic: Questions from Extroverts- Question: Do you feel like you're missing out on social activities? - Response: Depends on what social activities mean to the individual - Explanation: Social activities can vary from large group events to one-on-one interactions - Question: Are introverts just shy? - Response: Introverts can be shy, but shyness is not exclusive to introverts - Explanation: Introverts choose when to interact, not out of obligation - Question: Do introverts need to change or become more extroverted? - Response: No, there is nothing wrong with introverts as they are - Explanation: Introverts have different needs and energy sources - Question: Why are introverts so quiet? - Response: Introverts may be listening, observing, or uninterested in the conversation - Explanation: "So quiet" is subjective and compared to what or whom - Question: Do introverts get lonely being alone so much? - Response: There is a distinction between alone time and loneliness - Explanation: Introver
-
Building Your Brand for Job Hunting Success
19/09/2023 Duration: 05minThe Importance of Having a Brand: "Whether you like it or not, people have thoughts about you and that is part of your brand...a brand is how you differentiate yourself from other humans."— Janice Chaka [00:00:19 → 00:00:26]Crafting a Personal Brand as an Introvert: "Crafting a compelling and authentic personal brand as an introvert can help you stand out from the competition. It highlights your unique strengths, skills, personality traits, making it easier for potential employers or people that you know to see what makes you a valuable candidate."— Janice Chaka [00:01:05 → 00:01:23]The Importance of Creating a Personal Brand: "Creating a personal brand allows you to showcase your unique abilities. It could be deep thinking, it could be attention to detail, it could be empathy. Emphasizing these strengths demonstrates how you can bring your own fresh perspective and valuable contributions to potential employers."— Janice Chaka [00:02:02 → 00:02:27]Building a Professional Network: "Part of building a brand is
-
Behind the Scenes of a Successful Speaking Gig: Nurturing a Positive Relationship with Tech
12/09/2023 Duration: 05min"The Importance of Speaker Preparation: 'And all the speakers had been told in advance that they had to go to tech check, which was separate from what I was doing the day before they were speaking.'"— Janice Chaka [00:00:39 → 00:00:46]Importance of Adaptability for Speakers: "And so here's the thing, if you are going to be a speaker at that event, do you care how many times you've done it before? Each stage is different. All tech is different. How people set things up is different. What how the, tables and chairs might be set up is different? Who runs your Q and A is different? You might have been on stage 1000 and 1000 of times, but I'm sure that even Taylor Swift could tell you that are all stages are the same."— Janice Chaka [00:01:04 → 00:01:37]"The Key to a Successful Presentation: Following Instructions and Not Pissing Off Your Tech Team" : "It's not only about your slides. Things that can make or break you on stage, are following instructions, and not pissing off your tech team."— Janice Chaka [00:02:0
-
Career Conversations with Sucheta Rawal
05/09/2023 Duration: 21minSucheta Rawal is a former investment banker turned food and travel expert with a mission to raiseawareness of the world through meaningful travel and cultural understanding. Drawing from her own experience of traveling to 100+ countries across 7 continents, Sucheta speaks to entrepreneurs on how to breaksocial norms, follow their passion, be change makers, and travel sustainably. Her passion for travel shines through in her ventures. She founded Go Eat Give, a nonprofit that promotes cross-cultural understanding through travel, food, and volunteerism. She has also authored 'Beato Goes To,' a series of children’s illustrated books on travel thatinspire young readers to learn about different countries and cultures.Social media linkshttps://www.facebook.com/sucheta.rawalhttps://www.instagram.com/suchetarawal/https://www.linkedin.com/in/suchetarawal/https://twitter.com/suchetarawalLink to websitehttps://suchetarawal.com/
-
Intentional Action by Prioritizing You for Professional Growth
29/08/2023 Duration: 05minIn this episode of "The Traveling Introvert," host Janice Chaka explores the reasons why introverts often delay investing in themselves professionally and the potential consequences that arise from this hesitation. Janice discusses how many introverts struggle with self-confidence, fear of judgment, and a tendency to prioritize the needs of others over their own growth and development. This selfless mindset often leads to delayed investments in personal and professional growth, which can result in missed career opportunities, stagnation, and reduced job satisfaction. Janice emphasizes the importance of consistently investing in oneself and offers strategies for overcoming barriers and prioritizing self-care. She also addresses common reasons people back out of investing in themselves, such as self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and encourages listeners to do the necessary inner work to overcome these challenges.
-
Resisting Conformity and Celebrating Strengths as and Introvert
22/08/2023 Duration: 05minIn this episode of "The Traveling Introvert" podcast, host Janice Chaka discusses the impact of external expectations and societal pressure on introverts' stress levels. Challenging the negative stereotype of introversion, Janice emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and celebrating individuality to resist societal pressure. Strategies for navigating these pressures and prioritizing personal wellbeing are explored, such as speaking up about boundaries and needs, setting aside time for focused work, and building a supportive network. The Impact of Societal Pressure on Introverts: "As introverts we very often face expectations from society and culture to be more outgoing or assertive or socially active, whatever those things might mean to the person saying them. This pressure can lead to increased stress levels as we often feel the need to conform to those extrovert leaning norms."— Janice Chaka [00:00:00 → 00:01:28]Reducing Stress: "Building a support network of like minded individuals ... can provide v
-
Managing Energy: Strategies for Introverts to Prevent Burnout
15/08/2023 Duration: 05minIn this episode of "The Traveling Introvert" podcast, host Janice explores the significance of finding the right balance between social interactions and alone time to prevent burnout in introverts. Janice emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in recognizing personal limits and understanding energy levels. She encourages introspection and reflection on past experiences to identify strategies that work best for each individual. Janice highlights the importance of prioritizing self-care and engaging in activities that bring joy and rejuvenation. Setting clear boundaries and communicating them effectively is crucial for maintaining mental well-being. By finding the right balance and understanding energy dynamics, introverts can prevent chronic burnout and thrive in their personal and professional lives.- Importance of finding the right balance between alone time and social interactions - Recognizing personal limits and understanding energy levels - Differentiating between energizing and draining social in
-
The Power of Recharging: Managing Energy for Introverts
08/08/2023 Duration: 05minIn this episode of "The Traveling Introvert" we explore the importance of energy management for introverts. Janice talks about how external factors can affect energy levels and lead to feelings of exhaustion and lack of concentration. Janice emphasizes the need for introverts to prioritize self-care and set clear boundaries to protect their energy. She suggests cultivating healthy habits, practicing stress management techniques, and allocating time wisely. The episode highlights the significance of regular evaluation and adjustment of energy management practices to maintain optimal energy levels and enhance overall well-being.- Introduction: The challenges introverts face in managing energy - Consequences of unmanaged energy: feeling rundown, lack of concentration, procrastination - Importance of energy management for introverts - Reflecting on energy levels and identifying patterns - Setting boundaries and saying no to protect energy - The impact of insufficient recharging on work-life balance - The effects
-
Career Conversations with DuVäl Reynolds
01/08/2023 Duration: 23min"On this episode of The Traveling Introvert, our host Janice Chaka sits down with guest DuVäl for an insightful conversation about career and introversion. DuVäl highlights the importance of setting aside time to be alone and recenter oneself, even in the context of being married and having a dog. They explain how their spouse is understanding and supportive of their need for personal space. DuVäl also shares how they use time blocking to maintain control over their schedule, preferring structure over spontaneity. These strategies not only help with introversion but also benefit their business.DuVäl also discusses their journey as an entrepreneur and expresses a wish to have started their business sooner. They believe their business is thriving, thanks in part to the systems and processes they have put in place to manage energy and relationships. They even share their approach to communication, including moving conversations to email to create more space and sending small gifts to show appreciation without re
-
The Continuous Process: Developing Good Habits for Critical Thinking
25/07/2023 Duration: 05minTopics covered in this audio session:1. The importance of curiosity in critical thinking- Embrace curiosity and let it guide your thoughts- Question the status quo and challenge assumptions2. Seeking deeper understanding and diverse perspectives- Ask meaningful questions- Seek diverse perspectives for discoveries3. Being open to changing perspectives- Responding to compelling evidence- Value of evidence-based reasoning4. Responding to claims about introversion- Engaging in conversations to understand beliefs- Providing supportive information5. Developing good habits for critical thinking- Continuous process and sound judgment- Examining evidence, implications, and biases- Stepping back and gaining clarity6. Building a sturdy bridge analogy- Reliable evidence, research, and logical arguments7. Reacting to a situation in a Facebook group- Importance of self-understanding and daily choices- Avoiding reactive responses8. Contact information and website- Janice's website: thecareintrovert.com- Assistance in buildi
-
Mastering Nonverbal Communication: Boosting Confidence and Building Rapport
18/07/2023 Duration: 05minEpisode Topics:1. The Importance of Direct Interaction: - Facing the audience or person during communication.2. Building Rapport through Mirroring: - Mirroring body language for connection. - Mirroring voice to create similarity and safety.3. Matching Tone for Effective Communication: - Speaking at the same pace to communicate effectively. - Matching the tone of measured speakers.4. The Role of Self-Awareness: - Significance of self-awareness in communication and confidence.5. Nonverbal Communication Elements: - Body language, eye contact, and empathy.6. Enhancing Nonverbal Communication Skills: - Practice and self-awareness as essential for improvement.7. Nonverbal Communication Techniques for Confidence: - Learning and practicing nonverbal communication skills.8. Your Face and Expressions: - Using facial expressions to convey sincerity, authenticity, and active listening. - Micro expressions and their role in revealing true emotions.9. Effective Hand Gestures and Body Alignment: - Pr
-
Saying No to Say Yes: The Importance of Boundaries at Work
11/07/2023 Duration: 05minOn this episode of The Traveling Introvert, we dive into the workplace worries people face, specifically those in leadership positions. Leaders shouldn't feel like they need to be an expert on everything, and how saying no and setting boundaries can lead to success. There's a common pressure to say yes to everything, but this can lead to a lack of time for deep work and potential failure. Personal productivity levels vary, and it's important to evaluate time availability before taking on unnecessary meetings and projects. Tune in to hear more about why saying no can be the key to becoming a successful leader.Topic: Pressure to be an expert and compete with co-workers- Discouraging the need to be an expert on everything- Advice to not compete with co-workers- Leaders should not be the only expert in a teamTopic: Importance of setting boundaries- Saying yes to everything can lead to overwhelm and low quality work- Preventing burnout by setting boundaries- Evaluating time availability before saying yes to proje
-
Career Conversations with Mike Lin
04/07/2023 Duration: 25minMike Lin began his career as a website designer in 1995. He was initially exposed to desktop publishing through his work designing concert posters as a college concert promoter. Lin preferred to work independently and utilize his introverted personality to think through projects alone. His introverted nature proved helpful in his tech career, allowing him to think deeply and work diligently.Topics Covered in the Podcast Episode:1. The Benefits of Exercising for Mental Health- Exercise as one of the best things to do for mental health, especially when depressed- Personal experience with Orange Theory Fitness studio in San Francisco- Founder of Orange Theory Fitness, Ellen Latham, agrees that exercise is helpful for mental health- Release of dopamine from exercise found to be more effective than past medication for depression2. Career in Technology- Early employee at LinkedIn- Details about work experience and roles held- Started a t-shirt company called Tshirtsmatter.com- LinkedIn profile and Linktree account
-
Mindful Procrastination: Tips for Minimizing Stress and Boosting Creativity
27/06/2023 Duration: 05minOn this episode of The Traveling Introvert, we explore a topic that many of us may be guilty of: procrastination. While often seen as a negative trait, intentional procrastination can actually lead to increased creativity and problem-solving skills. The link between procrastination and creativity is rooted in the incubation period, a time when the brain is in a relaxed state and works on a problem in the background. I share practical strategies on how to use procrastination to your advantage, such as taking regular breaks, switching between tasks, and setting specific times for procrastination breaks. I also discuss the downsides of unplanned procrastination, such as stress and decreased productivity. Tune in to discover how to become a master of the art of procrastination and tap into its benefits.Podcast Episode: The Benefits of Procrastination in Enhancing Creativity- Intentional procrastination as a tool for unlocking creativity- Strategies that can help listeners become a master of the art of procrastina