In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore the common complaints we all have about work—and how to respond to them in ways that are realistic. From endless meetings, to never having time to think, they unpack why certain complaints come up so often and how to take small, doable steps forward. They share practical tactics like "co-working meetings," “to-think” lists, and a forgiving approach to navigating the inevitable frustrations of work life—so you can focus less on moaning and more on momentum.
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and intro to the episode
01:00 Why we all complain (and why that’s okay sometimes)
03:00 Common complaints: too many meetings, too much to do, not enough time to think
08:58 Complaint #1: Too many meetings
10:30 Imperfect solutions: Shorter meetings, co-working time, reclaiming your calendar
15:48 Complaint #2: Too much to do
17:00 Zoom in/zoom out to clarify what matters most
19:00 Good enough is great: Adjusting your effort with intention
21:45 Complaint #3: No time to think
23:00 The “To Think” list and first thoughts method
25:00 Using voice notes and self-explaining for fast clarity
26:30 Complaint #4: Senior people are slowing me down
28:00 Reframing communication: work with—not against—bottlenecks
🎯 What You’ll Learn
- Why it’s helpful to turn your work complaints into first-person statements
- How “imperfect” solutions can be more useful than perfect plans
- Practical ideas to manage meetings, workload, and thinking time
- Ways to reduce bottlenecks and collaborate better with others
📚 Resources Mentioned
https://reclaim.ai/ – tool to block time for focus and reflection
When Good Enough Is Great Episode: https://www.amazingif.com/listen/when-good-enough-is-great/
For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com
More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:
📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/
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📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/
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