Shows
IT Stress ReliefSkills on the Rise - Mastering IT in 2025In this episode, Gena explores the essential skills that IT professionals need to develop by 2025, as highlighted by LinkedIn News UK. She emphasises the importance of both technical and soft skills, such as effective communication and stress management, in navigating the rapidly evolving IT landscape. Gena covers ten key skills, including technical documentation, AI literacy, incident response, and data governance, while providing actionable tips on how to cultivate these abilities.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
As the IT landscape evolves, professionals need to focus on both technical skills (like AI literacy and incident response) and soft skills (such...2025-07-1411 min
IT Stress ReliefOvercoming Imposter SyndromeIn this episode, Gina, delves into the pervasive issue of Imposter Syndrome that affects many in the tech industry. She discusses how the fast-paced nature of IT can breed self-doubt, highlighting the different ways men and women experience this phenomenon. Gina shares personal anecdotes and examples from her coaching practice to illustrate the challenges faced by IT professionals, including the tendency for women to undervalue their skills and for men to mask their insecurities with overconfidence. The episode also explores effective strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, such as hypnotherapy and coaching, which can help rewire negative self-beliefs and build...2025-07-0713 minIT Stress ReliefConfidence and AssertivenessIn this episode, Gina explores the importance of confidence and assertiveness for IT professionals. She discusses common challenges like speaking up in meetings and handling difficult conversations, and explains how skills such as hypnotherapy, coaching, and business psychology can help.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Many IT professionals believe that being confident or assertive is something you’re born with, but the episode emphasises these are skills you can develop—just like coding or problem-solving.
Even if you’re a brilliant developer, lacking confidence and assertiveness can hold you back from promotions, recognition, and having your ideas...2025-06-3011 min
IT Stress ReliefMindful Mornings: Setting the Tone for a Productive Day in ITGena explores the importance of starting your mornings mindfully to foster a productive and stress-free day, in this helpful routine-focused episode. She discusses how the emotional tone set in the morning can significantly impact your entire day, emphasising the detrimental effects of rushing and distractions. Gina shares practical techniques for creating a mindful morning routine, including practising gratitude, journaling for clarity, incorporating movement, and engaging in mindful breathing or meditation. KEY TAKEAWAYS Starting your day mindfully sets a positive emotional tone, helping to improve focus, mood, and productivity while reducing stress. Taking a...2025-06-2312 min
IT Stress ReliefElke Wallace on Mastering Your Mind Matters and Stress Management TechniquesIn this episode, Gena interviews Elke Wallace, founder of Mastering Your Mind Matters and host of the Exploring Brain and Mind podcast. Elke shares her journey as a Performance Enhancement Specialist with expertise in various psychological techniques. She delves into the impact of chronic stress on IT professionals, highlighting the symptoms of burnout and the importance of maintaining brain health through proper nutrition, hydration, and movement. KEY TAKEAWAYS Chronic stress can lead to anxiety-like symptoms, reduced immune function, and cognitive issues such as brain fog and decreased concentration. IT professionals, in particular, may experience these e...2025-06-1651 min
IT Stress ReliefBreaking Free from the Procrastination Trap: Real-World Solutions for IT ProfessionalsIn today's episode, Gena investigates the pervasive issue of procrastination faced by IT professionals and software developers. She explores the underlying connections between procrastination, stress, anxiety, and burnout, emphasising that it's not merely a sign of laziness but often a response to overwhelming tasks and perfectionism. Gena shares personal anecdotes and real-world examples to illustrate how procrastination can lead to increased pressure and diminished performance. KEY TAKEAWAYS Procrastination is not merely a sign of laziness; it is often linked to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Recognising this connection can help individuals approach their procrastination with more...2025-06-1614 min
IT Stress ReliefBetterment Burnout: The Importance of Fun and Leisure in the Pursuit of Self-ImprovementIn this episode, Gena delves into the concept of "betterment burnout," a phenomenon experienced by high achievers who feel exhausted from the relentless pursuit of self-improvement. Gina shares her personal experiences with burnout and emphasises the importance of self-compassion, enjoyable leisure activities, and mindfulness as effective strategies to combat this issue. She highlights how treating oneself with kindness can enhance motivation and reduce stress, while engaging in fun activities can recharge the mind and boost creativity. KEY TAKEAWAYS Betterment burnout is the exhaustion that comes from constantly striving for self-improvement in various aspects of life, l...2025-06-1620 min
IT Stress ReliefThe Cost of Poor Time Management: Protecting Your Career and Personal Life in ITIn this episode, Gena delves into the critical skill of time management for IT professionals. She discusses the challenges faced in the tech industry, such as tight deadlines, constant distractions, and the risk of burnout due to poor time management. Gino introduces several effective productivity frameworks, including the Pomodoro technique, time blocking, and the Eisenhower matrix, to help listeners take control of their time. KEY TAKEAWAYS Effective time management is crucial for IT professionals due to heavy workloads, cognitive overload, and the risk of burnout. Poor time management can lead to missed deadlines, decreased performance, a...2025-06-1615 min
IT Stress ReliefThe Always-On Culture: Why IT Professionals Need to Prioritise Boundaries for Mental Well-BeingToday, Gena considers the critical yet often overlooked topic of setting boundaries for IT professionals. She discusses the pervasive "always-on" culture in the IT industry, where the expectation to be constantly available can lead to significant stress and burnout. Gena also shares personal experiences and research findings that highlight the importance of establishing clear work-life boundaries to protect mental health and improve overall well-being. KEY TAKEAWAYS Establishing clear work-life boundaries is crucial for reducing stress and preventing burnout, especially in the IT industry, where the expectation to be constantly available is prevalent. Define...2025-06-1616 min
IT Stress ReliefGena's Practical Techniques for Stress Relief and Well-BeingIn this very first episode of IT Stress Relief, your host, Gena Frangina, delves into the pervasive issue of stress in the tech industry. As an IT professional and business psychologist, she highlights alarming statistics that reveal the extent of stress, anxiety, and burnout among IT workers, emphasising the importance of effective stress management. Gena shares practical strategies for achieving a sustainable work-life balance, including setting boundaries, managing time effectively, and practising stress relief techniques like mindfulness and exercise. KEY TAKEAWAYS Stress, depression, and anxiety accounted for 51% of all work-related ill health cases in the U...2025-06-1618 min