Ever smiled through a team meeting while mentally planning your escape to a remote cottage in Wales? Or replied “No worries!” to a Friday 5pm request while quietly Googling “how to become a llama farmer”?
This episode is not about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about real optimism - the kind that doesn’t require vision boards, scented candles, or toxic positivity. Just one honest check-in, one tiny shift, and one decision to climb above the line.
If you’ve ever felt flat, burnt out, or stuck smiling through the madness, this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways
- Optimism isn’t personality — it’s strategy.
- Burnout doesn't always look like collapse. Sometimes it looks like “fine.”
- Real resilience comes from reflection, not denial.
- Protecting your spark is leadership, not laziness.
- You don’t have to feel great to move — you just need to move with intention.
Sound Bites
- “Optimism doesn’t always wear sparkles. Sometimes it just says: let’s give it another go.”
- “You don’t have to collapse to justify recovery.”
- “Forced positivity is about as comforting as a soggy sandwich.”
- “You can’t reframe if you don’t reflect.”
- “Even the best jobs have parts you’d happily launch into the sun.”
Quickfire Career Moves You'll Learn
- Catch & Reframe Below-the-Line Thinking – Shift from spiralling to strategy.
- Give Someone a Boost – Optimism is contagious; be the spark.
- Switch to a ‘What Now’ Lens – Focus on what’s possible, not what’s perfect.
- Create a Recovery Ritual – Build a non-negotiable habit to protect your flame.
Tools + Extras
- What Would Caro Do? Advice for guilt-ridden burnout and asking for what you need
- Career Quote Crime: “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day…” gets the takedown it deserves
- Bonus Tool: The Flamekeeper Prompt List: 20 bold reflection prompts to help you reconnect, reframe, and refuel (no toxic positivity required)
- Research from Martin Seligman + optimism’s link to actual longevity (yes, really)
🎧 Listen now to stop faking the flame and learn how to fuel it for real.
Ready to make your next bold move? Grab the free Bold Move Audit and join the insider crew.
Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at caroline@inspireyourgenius.com - I read them all.
