Shows
Your Time With James SweetmanEpisode 178 A New Year tonicI've always loved the idea of starting afresh and January is a great time to refocus on what’s important. In this special New Year episode, I share 10 powerful and slightly unusual questions to help you set some meaningful intentions and goals for the year ahead. We all know the adage, ask and you shall receive, well this episode is all about helping you fine-tune your asks. If you’re more interested in manifestation than iron-clad motivation, inspiration rather than discipline, co-creating as opposed to striving, then this is the episode for you.
2025-01-0124 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 177 Closing out the yearIn this week’s episode, the last in the current series, I share 20 powerful questions that have the themes of gratitude and completion running through them. Contemplating these questions has become something of a ritual for me and this year, not only do I pose the questions, I also share my own answers to them. My invitation to you is to grab a pen and notebook, and perhaps a mug of something warm, and gift yourself an opportunity to reflect on the last 12 months, to savour on the highs and take the learning from the lows.
2024-12-0436 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 176 Book Review 2024Back by popular demand, this week’s episode is my annual book review where I get to indulge in my love of reading and wax lyrical about the books that stood out for me over the last 12 months. There should be something for everyone - biographies, new novels, classics, and self-help. I also speak about a book with a strong family connection, a true crime book written by my brother!
2024-11-2741 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 175 How I manage my mental healthThis week I'm sharing the habits and rituals I practice that help me to manage my well-being and mental health. There is no doubt the world is going through challenging and stressful times and we all need ways to help us manage our fears and sense of overwhelm. I hope by sharing my self-care routine that you will be inspired to take a proactive approach to your own wellness and mental health.
2024-11-2032 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 174 Lost and FoundThis week, I’m offering some suggestions to help you during those times when you feel lost or stuck. They’re my go-to insights and strategies, what I reach for when I feel directionless, demotivated and distracted. I explore themes including getting curious as to what change is trying to take place, how clarity is not certainty, but the quality of our seeing and how unexpressed creativity will always erode our well-being.
2024-11-1319 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 173 Managing nerves before a big presentationThis week I’m looking head on at the challenge that is front and centre for most people tasked with delivering a presentation and that is managing their nerves. Even if you’re an experienced presenter, there will be times when anxiousness and fear kicks in, as they do for me. So if you want to feel more confident at the top of the room, then this week’s episode is for you. I share many practical tips and strategies, including a game-changing insight that transformed my own impactfulness as a presenter.
2024-11-0630 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 172 Patience - the forgotten virtueToday more than ever, patience is a forgotten virtue. When so much is accessible by the touch of a button, instant gratification has replaced the slow burn of anticipation. Decisions driven by immediate benefits rather than consideration of future consequences impact our lives at an individual and global level. This week, I explore the different causes of impatience, and offer some tips for dealing with frustration when things don’t go your way, or when the world is simply not working to your preferred timescale.
2024-10-3025 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 171 The moments of truth that shape your leadership brandThis week, I’m exploring the synergy between two related business topics – personal or leadership branding and moments of truth. If you think about your leadership brand as the mechanism through which you market yourself to others, moments of truth are those instances when customers or colleagues form an impression of you, for good or for bad. I’ll take you through the steps that will help you to create your brand blueprint. A critical moment of truth is when a client or colleague hears that you value them, I explore this and the other moments of truth that build...
2024-10-2330 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 170 The midlife chrysalisThe word most associated with midlife is crisis, but this week I suggest a new word – chrysalis. I delve into the challenges and opportunities of midlife and how we can see our middle years as something more than a crisis to navigate. I speak about the ‘U-Curve of Happiness,’ make the case for pro-aging and how mid-life gives us an opportunity to explore an encore career, a chance to harness our experience and align our profession with our passions.
2024-10-1622 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 169 Burnout or bored-out?We’ve all heard about burnout, but what about bored-out? Bored-out gets far less attention than it’s workaholic cousin and because some of the symptoms are the same, it can be misdiagnosed. I explore the difference between your core work and phantom work, the politics, the red tape of bureaucracy and the personality management that drains the spirit. Whilst the behaviours that lead to burn out are applauded in organisations, to admit feeling bored is taboo. I also speak about how you may love what you do, but can still get bored by it.
2024-10-0926 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 168 Am I successful yet?Many people struggle to enjoy their accomplishments or to find lasting satisfaction in their successes. If you’re dragging yourself along, with so-called success always seeming to be just out of reach, then this episode is for you.
Success in one area of life, does not guarantee satisfaction in life. I suggest that it’s time for us to redefine success and we start by viewing success and satisfaction as independent variables. Remember success is a measure that is decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure decided by you.
2024-10-0225 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 167 Curing the disease to pleaseAre you a people pleaser? It’s nice to be nice and we will do kind and thoughtful things for many reasons, but that’s not the same as people pleasing which is defined as ‘striving to please others in order to gain their approval, or to avoid criticism or conflict, whilst sacrificing your own needs and wants in the process.’ This week, I’m taking a deep dive into the ‘disease to please’. I explore the causes, the symptoms and the cure, including 9 practical ways to overcome the ingrained habit of excessive people pleasing.
2024-09-2527 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 166 Reframing pain - in conversation with Paul RockIn the first of a new series of episodes, I’m delighted to be joined by Paul Rock. Paul is a musculoskeletal physical therapist who specialises in pain management. I started working with Paul a few months ago for back pain and I’ve found his work and approach not just worthwhile, but eye opening. His holistic approach prompted me to question many of the unconscious rules I’d established for myself, rules I’d built up around my sense of identity – who I am, what I can do and what I can’t. He has quite literally turned my perspecti...
2024-09-181h 01Your Time With James SweetmanEpisode 165 Harnessing the power of not knowingThis week, in the last in the current series, I’m posing the question - what if your effectiveness as a leader expands from not knowing? I look at the
dangers of managers thinking they know it all and why delighting in the unknown is the secret sauce of leadership. I also share 12 tips for harnessing the power of not knowing, including suspending our desire to be the smartest person in the room and accepting that confusion is part of the process of unlearning.
2024-06-0532 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 164 Are you in the home stretch of your career?At what point do we accept that we are no longer climbing a career ladder, but on the final rung? When does the finishing line of our working lives first come into view? At what point do we shift down the gears of ambition? These are some of the questions I’m pondering this week. Over the last 20 years I’ve helped countless clients navigate a career transition, often from roles where they’ve achieved success, to roles they find more fulfilling. I explore the concept of encore careers, a second act that tends to be more aligned with our pa...
2024-05-2926 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 163 The shackles of perfectionismI’m James and I’m a recovering perfectionist. That’s the declaration I’m making upfront this week. Perfectionism can be a point of pride, but under the surface of high achievement often lurks a need to control and ultimately low self-esteem. We can endeavour to do our best and set high standards, but we can also sacrifice too much at the altar of perfectionism. This week, I look at the different types of perfectionism, how and why perfectionism takes hold, as well as the symptoms of perfectionism. I also share 11 ways to loosen the shackles of perfectionism. The perf...
2024-05-2237 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 162 My cancer journeyThis week I’m stepping outside my comfort zone, because I’m speaking about a personal topic – my journey with cancer. Thankfully, earlier this month, I received some great news, all my tests were clear and my consultant doesn’t need to see me again for a year. Over the last 7 years, I’ve attended hospital for tests, operations and treatments every few months, so it’s such a relief to be able to forget about something that has occupied part of my mind for so long. Now that I have a little perspective, I talk about the highs and lows and...
2024-05-1535 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 161 The neuroscience of well-being - in conversation with James ParnellThis week I’m joined by James Parnell to chat about the neuroscience of well-being. Amongst his many qualifications, James is a mental fitness coach, is an expert in the area of applied neuroscience and brain health and he’s the founder of The Wellbeing Gym. James shares many tips, techniques and insightful acronyms, including ‘PROMISE,’ a way to achieve balance across the different dimensions of well-being. He takes us through the characteristics of the lifestyles that support longevity, ways to quieten a busy mind and even what’s required for a daily ‘dose’ of happiness. It’s a fascinating and...
2024-05-0854 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 160 Am I addicted to self-improvement?This week I’m pondering the question – am I addicted to self-improvement? It might sound like an odd question for someone who has worked full time in the personal development industry for the last twenty years, but too much of anything is not so good, and there is a dark side to self-help, one that presupposes that who you are isn’t enough. I’ll take you through some of the warning signs that suggest your self-improvement may have become self-defeating. I’ll share with you the antidote for over reliance on self-improvement too. This week’s episode is a reminder t...
2024-05-0122 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 159 How to present confidently to senior managersAs someone who has worked as a professional motivational speaker for 20 years, and who has delivered countless presentation skills workshops, this week I’ll show you how to present confidently to senior managers. In addition to best practices around opening strongly, handling questions and using visuals, because delivering presentations is also about self-belief, exercising courage and moving beyond the limitations we place on ourselves, I share some self-management techniques, also known as ways to keep those presentation nerves in check.
2024-04-2429 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 158 The 6 different types of courage - how many do you recognise?What role does courage play in your life? There are six different types of courage and this week, I’ll take you through each one, so you can see how many you recognise. I also look at why being brave is not the same as being courageous. Courage is often associated with grand acts of heroism, but in reality, courage is more nuanced and deeply personal. Courage underpins so many facets of our lives. It’s the quality at the heart of all change, it’s a vital leadership trait and it’s found on the starting line of every go...
2024-04-1720 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 157 Self-Confidence & Worthiness - the key to enhancing bothMost of us operate a belief that goes something like -one day when I achieve enough, earn enough, am successful enough, slim enough, spiritual enough, loving enough, qualified enough, or selfless enough then I will feel worthy. On my podcast this week, to that limiting belief I’m saying, enough. I’m delving into the topic of worthiness. I’ll take you through what has been a gamechanger for me when it comes to self-worthiness and why, if you wish to enhance your self-confidence and feelings of worthiness, that it is vital to understand the difference between the two.
2024-04-1020 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 156 The life draining power of habitsThis week I’m exploring the topic of habits and how even well-intentioned habits can be the hidden cause of boredom in our lives. Just as organisations apply kaizen techniques to enhance productivity, we can personalise that drive for continuous improvement in our quest for greater prosperity, or success. But life is not an assembly plant and we are not machines. So this week, I posing the question is your over-routinized life draining your spirit? I would have to answer yes, so I’m also sharing what I’m doing about it.
2024-04-0317 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 155 When life gives you lemons!We all know the adage - when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. That’s the theory, but in reality, sometimes life just punches you in the guts. I’m currently experiencing just such a time. In fact, over the last few years it seems that I’ve had so many lemons thrown at me that I could open a lemonade factory! On this week’s episode I speak about how I cope with life’s curveballs and how I try to manage my well-being during challenging times. I hope you find these insights and tips helpful when life gives...
2024-03-2723 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 154 In conversation with Jack KavanaghI’m starting this new series of episodes with an inspirational guest, Jack Kavanagh. In 2012, Jack suffered a life changing spinal cord injury leaving him with 15% muscle function. In the years since, Jack has challenged the perceived limitations of his situation. I was honoured to chat with Jack about his story. Jack poses some insightful questions to reflect upon, including how am I showing up for myself and for others and do I respect the person I see in the mirror. I also love his analogy about how small keys can open big doors. This episode is packed with ge...
2024-03-2052 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 153 Overcoming OverthinkingIn the final episode of this series, I’m exploring a topic that I’ve been working on personally and that’s overthinking. In particular, I share 8 strategies we can use to stop us falling into the bottomless pit of worrying excessively about the future, or ruminating on the past. When I realised that overthinking was the source of my exhaustion, I researched ways that would help me to quieten my mind and I’m sharing them with you this week. So, if like me, you struggle to switch off, find yourself rehashing past events, or analysing a situation to the p...
2024-01-1730 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 152 Reflections on 20 years in businessThis week I’m marking a milestone. Twenty years ago this month, I jumped from the corporate career ladder and set up my own coaching and training business. I’ve been looking back and reflecting on what I wish I’d known back then. This week, I’m sharing 7 lessons I’ve learned, many the hard way. Despite a financial crisis, a pandemic and many personal challenges, I’m still standing and I’m as passionate now about what I do, as I was back in January 2004.
2024-01-1031 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 151 Intention, Attention, No TensionI’m kicking off the New Year with a special episode titled ‘Intention, Attention, No Tension.’ If you’re like me and don’t buy into all the ‘New Year, New You’ hype, or the old 'strive until you arrive' approach to goal-setting and resolutions, then this is the episode for you. I share the questions that I reflect upon at this time of year and give many examples of how the intention, attention, no tension approach has worked for me and my clients. So if you’re more interested in manifestation than motivation, inspiration than efforting, co-creating as opposed to doing...
2024-01-0337 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 150 The best gift of all - A Christmas ReflectionEmotions are amplified at Christmas and for many people it’s a stressful and challenging time. So this week, I’ve created a moment of calm, a reflection piece, words and music to help quieten the mind and soothe the soul. If you get overwhelmed by everything that clamours for your attention at this time of year, if you’re carrying the loss of a loved one, or if you simply want a moment of respite in the midst of the busyness, then I’d like to think you’ll find this episode worthwhile. This week also marks the 150th episode...
2023-12-2013 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 149 Book Review 2023This week, I’m speaking about my favourite books of 2023, so this is an episode for the books lovers. I’ve narrowed down everything I’ve read over the last 12 months to my top 10 books. There should be something for everyone, from insightful biographies of figures I admire, page turning novels and of course some personal development books that generated plenty of ‘aha’ moments.
2023-12-1347 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 148 Oh wow! The importance of aweThis week’s I’m focusing on a topic that is gaining more traction when it comes to general well-being and that’s awe. It’s a tiny word, but a vast concept. Awe is a deep, rich feeling, that I believe we all crave. We want to feel the wonder of the world, not the weight of it. I speak about how awe benefits us, the humility, compassion and creativity it stimulates, as well as the ways we can open ourselves to experiencing more awe in our lives. I also share my experiences of awe, those moments that stopped...
2023-12-0629 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 147 My journey through burnoutThis week, the tables have been turned as Nichola Flood, aka the Queen of Health, interviews me about my experiences of burnout. This conversation was first broadcast on Nichola's YouTube Channel (where you can see us as well as listen to us!) In our open and honest chat, I speak about my health challenges, the symptoms of exhaustion I experienced and how I’m navigating a path forward.
2023-11-2943 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 146 How do I know if it’s time to change jobs?How do I know it’s time to change jobs? It’s a question most of us have asked ourselves at some point. This week I’ll take you through the different motivations for changing jobs, the push and pull factors, criteria to consider and the pitfalls to avoid. I also pose some coaching questions to help you gain clarity on your specific situation.
2023-11-2231 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 145 Five minutes for meThere are 1440 minutes in the day, and this week I’m ensuring that we take just 5 minutes for ourselves. This is a new type of episode for me, as it’s a reflection piece, a combination of words and music that hopefully encourages some introspection. Most of us are busy managing responsibilities and juggling commitments that we rarely have a chance to pause, reflect and remind ourselves of how far we’ve come and what’s truly important.
2023-11-1507 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 144 The 5 disciplines of the ruthlessly efficient!A conversation with a man with 100K unanswered emails and a woman who realised she couldn’t be in two places at once, were the joint inspiration for this episode on time management. We all know the fundamentals of effective organisational skills, so this week I’m focusing on 5 key distinctions that make all the difference when it comes to being focused, proactive and productive. These tips gives us an enhanced sense of control over our workflow and are a counterbalance to feelings of overwhelm, which for me, makes organisational skills a key part of my self-care routine.
2023-11-0826 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 143 What am I shedding?This is the time of year when trees shed their leaves. It prompted me to think, what can I shed? In this week’s episode, I suggest 5 areas where we can contemplate what we can drop, including goals or ambitions that no longer serve us, as well as habits and routines that may be beyond their sell-by date. By pondering the question – what I can shed, or drop we are aligning with the cycle of nature.
2023-11-0118 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 142 Why my sabbatical wasn’t enoughThis week, in the first in a new series, I speak about how taking an extended sabbatical wasn’t enough. Yes, I need physical rest, but burnout is not the same as tiredness. I share how overthinking was the root cause of my exhaustion and how I learned that you cannot skip any of the of stages of change, including that sense of feeling lost. I also speak about how our lives transform when we are courageous enough to bring our values front and centre. I close with some reflections on the spirit of adventure, something we all crave dee...
2023-10-2523 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 141 An alternative approach to the New YearIf, like me, you don’t buy into the ‘New Year, New You’ hype, then this is the episode for you. I believe that we are all perfectly ourselves whilst still works in progress. So in this special episode at the start of 2023, I share the questions that I reflect upon at this time of year including - What have I been resisting? How can I nourish my soul? How can I exercise my creativity? In 2023, let’s focus on the inner work and allow our ‘doing’ to be a natural bi-product of our well-being.
2023-01-0437 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 140 Reflection questions to close the yearIn this special episode, I share my thoughts on what makes Christmas meaningful as well as some self-care tips for this time of year. At the heart of this episode I share 18 self-reflection questions, a great way to close out the year. These are ideal to ponder curled up with a journal and a cuppa, or to discuss with a friend or family member. Wishing you all a wonderful and wonder-filled Christmas.
2022-12-2034 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 139 In conversation with Gerry DuffyThis week, I’m delighted to be joined by international speaker and author Gerry Duffy. In the past 12 years Gerry has delivered over 2,000 presentations at conferences and workshops in Ireland and overseas. His sporting CV has seen him complete many extreme endurance challenges, including running 32 marathons on 32 consecutive days. He is an expert on corporate performance, effective leadership, goal-setting and presentation skills. We kick off our chat discussing how Gerry went from having a pathological fear of public speaking to his work as a professional speaker. Our conversation soon goes deeper as we explore the broader topics of performance, gr...
2022-11-2352 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 138 Words to Inspire - celebrating the launch of my new bookThis week, I’m celebrating the launch of my new book Words to Inspire. As it says on the back over – ‘this book serves as a calming reminder of the resilience, wisdom and courage that we possess when we slow down.’ Words to Inspire comprises over 60 short chapters on themes that have become part of modern day living. From feeling stuck to coping with change, dealing with challenging people and learning how to be less tough on ourselves. As well as sharing some extracts from Words to Inspire, I also speak about what goes into the process of creating a book...
2022-11-1630 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 137 Leveraging your personal brandPersonal branding is how we market ourselves to others. It’s not about being someone other than who you are, it’s a mechanism by which you can leverage your authentic self. Personal branding is relevant when attending an interview, delivering a presentation, and is also important from a career development perspective, and of course if you run your own business. This week I look at factors that impact our brand, how it ties in with the customer service theory of 'moments of truth' and I also share reflection questions that will help you take ownership of your personal brand.
2022-11-0930 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 136 10 ways to feel more confidentIf we are honest, most of us would like to feel more self-confident in at least some situations. It might be at an interview, delivering a presentation, attending a big meeting, or just trying something new. Over the years I’ve gathered many confidence boosting strategies and this week I’m sharing 10 of these tried and tested tips and distinctions.
When we’ve been through challenging times, it’s natural that our confidence levels will take a hit. So this week’s episode is all about rebuilding our self-confidence by harnessing techniques that engage our mind, body and spirit
2022-11-0225 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 135 The many faces of modern leadershipThis week I’m revisiting the broad topic of leadership focussing in particular on the qualities and mindset a modern leader must possess to be effective in their role. As I often say, today’s leaders have to be equal parts accountant, visionary, counsellor and coach, so how do we balance these seemingly diverse roles? I look at how to navigate the path between the rational mind and empathetic heart, the hard realities of the balance sheet and people engagement. In these days of authentic leadership and where we wish to bring our whole or best selves to work, I al...
2022-10-2626 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 134 Do you have a book in you?Most people say they have a book in them, or that they’d love to write a book. With my sixth book Word to Inspire out soon, this week I’m sharing my experiences on what it takes to write a book.
One of the biggest hurdles all writers and creatives face is dealing with resistance, those limiting beliefs usually wrapped around our perceived lack of worthiness. Wearing my coaching hat, I also explore ways of managing this.
If your ambition is to write a book, or even to get more proficient at writing articles or b...
2022-10-1930 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 133 Nothing to fear but fear itself“Nothing to fear but fear itself.” Those famous words spoken by President Roosevelt are the inspiration for this week’s episode. Watching the news it’s easy to believe that we have more to fear today than ever before. In our own lives, many of our decisions and behaviours are motivated by fear - the fear of not being good enough, or the fear of letting others down. This week, I’ll take you through some of the less obvious ways fear influences our thoughts and actions. We’ll also look at how our minds and bodies react when we feel unde...
2022-10-1234 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 132 In conversation with Susan MaxwellThis week I’m joined by Susan Maxwell. Susan is a great example of someone who is managing a portfolio career, combining her interests in different areas from the travel industry, to well-being and even writing. In the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic, like many people and businesses, she had to instigate change and just over a year ago she launched her latest business venture, The Ruby Sue Collection. We had a great chat discussing risk-taking, entrepreneurship, her business and sources of inspiration.
2022-10-0535 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 131 ’Making a Difference’ interviewed by Michael DalyThe tables are turned this week as I'm sharing an interview recently broadcast on Phoenix FM. I sat down with host Michael Daly on his weekly radio programme 'Making a Difference.' He asked me about the people who have influenced me, my career journey and the source of my motivations. It was a deeply personal and meaningful conversation as I speak too about my late Dad, whose anniversary it happens to be this week. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
2022-09-2855 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 130 - ’Dare to be a Revolutionary Leader’ with Charley SwordsThis week I’m joined by Charley Swords, leadership consultant, trainer and mentor to discuss her book ‘Dare to be a Revolutionary Leader.’ Charley’s book is the most comprehensive guide to modern leadership I’ve read in ages and I was delighted to delve into many of the themes she expounds, from starting with self-leadership to emphasising why ‘people are the solution.’ I also ask Charley for her views on leadership capability and the essential skills leaders require today, whether we are a constituency of one, or managing a large organisation. I loved our conversation, learned loads and I think you wil...
2022-09-2100 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 129 The Big WhyThis week I’m asking some ‘Big Why’ questions. So often we are focused on what we do and how we do it and the ‘why’ is easily forgotten. In this episode, I’m turning the dial from productivity to purpose. If you’ve every contemplated the 'big why' questions, such as 'why do I do what I do?', or 'why am I here?', then this is an episode for you. I also speak about why the adage of following your bliss is not always helpful especially when the idea of bliss is a foreign concept.
2022-09-1417 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 128 What I learned from taking a sabbaticalI’m kicking off this new series with my reflections on having taken a ‘practical sabbatical’ over the last few months. I speak about how imposter syndrome and other limiting assumptions surfaced when I was not distracted by the busyness of work. How I went back to basics, delved into my motivations and even sought ways to fall in love with my business again. As well as a time of renewal, it was also a reunion, a time to reconnect with parts of myself that I’d discarded or forgotten. I also share some exciting news, something I couldn’t have pre...
2022-09-0727 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 127 Why I’m pressing pauseThis week I’m sharing how after a few weeks of contemplation, I’m pressing pause on several aspects of my business including my weekly podcast. I’ve had to put my hand up and concede that I need a rest.
In this very personal episode, my final one before I take what I’m calling a practical sabbatical, I share the question that prompted this reassessment. We’ve all been through so much and sometimes a pause is needed, not just to reassess direction, but to take a breath to rebalance and resource ourselves.
If you’re...
2021-10-2721 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 126 What are you investing in?What are you investing in? We don’t just invest money, we invest our time and energy too. This week I look at 6 different aspects of life including physical and mental health, relationships, career, and future security, and ask how am I investing my time, energy, and resources.
I focus on the idea of investing in our dreams and look at the challenges we have to navigate, especially the voice of the inner saboteur. I also recount a story about how I invested in my dream of running my own business and the unexpected dividends I reaped wh...
2021-10-1327 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 125 Celebrating the 200th edition of my community ezine Next StepsThis week on my podcast I’m taking a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the 200th edition of my monthly community ezine Next Steps. Over the last 17 years, I’ve written and distributed my newsletter to my clients and contacts every month for 200 consecutive months. That’s over 600 articles and book reviews. It’s said consistency is key with any marketing initiative, so I certainly adhered to that!
Expanding on the theme of recognising achievements, this week I delve into why it is important to celebrate successes and why we can be reluctant to do so. Also having ta...
2021-10-0626 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 124 ListeningFor those of us blessed with good hearing listening is a primary sense, it’s how we interpret the audible environment. There are times when we can be very bad listeners. Poor listening skills are the number one marker of poor leadership and poor communication skills.
All conflict and complaints arise because someone doesn’t feel listened to or understood. Attentive listening shows that we care, it’s the simplest way to recognise and appreciate others. It’s what makes a good friend.
This week, in addition to some practical listening tips, I explain why listenin...
2021-09-2925 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 123 Self-care is not just pamperingSelf-care is more than pampering or shopping, everything that is marketed under the banner of ‘I deserve it.’ In this week’s episode, I’ll be looking at the tough love side of self-love and how self-care is finding a way to be gentle with our precious heart in the midst of life’s challenges and messiness.
It’s an area many of us can struggle with, myself included. Whilst cosseting and pampering is balm for the mind, body, and soul, it’s a small part of self-care and sometimes can distract from the real work of caring for the
2021-09-2214 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 122 In conversation with Bernie RogersThis week I’m joined by Bernie Rogers an experienced, coach, trainer, and facilitator. Bernie ran the NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) courses I attended in the past. We speak about how we personally benefited from NLP and how NLP tools and techniques underpin so much of our work with clients.
I was fascinated when Bernie spoke about mBit (multiple brain integration techniques) and how to align the wisdom of the head, heart, and gut, something that is very new in the personal development world. For more about Bernie and the NLP and mBit courses she runs, check ou...
2021-09-1551 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 121 Fear of Returning to the Office (FORTO)We’ve all heard the adage about not wishing you spent more time in the office as you lie on your deathbed. With offices reopening this autumn, the sentiment is relevant for many people.
For some, it’s Sunday night syndrome multiplied by ten, like that dread of the new school year we had as children. For others, it’s ‘JORTO’ the joy of returning to the office. In this week’s episode, I’ll be exploring some of the issues we are all grappling with as we navigate this uncharted territory. I also share triage self-care tips for those...
2021-09-0827 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 120 ‘How I start my day’Over the years I’ve developed a morning routine that sets me up for the day ahead. In this week’s episode, (the last for two weeks as I take a summer holiday) I share the menu of options I use to allow me to go into the day as the best of myself.
In today’s busy, noisy, fearful world we all want to respond to events not react to them, to feel proactive, grounded, aligned, and in control of how we engage with the world. My morning routine is my handrail for doing this. I’m not rig...
2021-08-1829 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 119 A Summer RechargeThe theme this week aligns with one of my key intentions with my podcast, which is to present you with an opportunity to pause, reflect and connect with your inner wisdom.
This week’s episode is built around 6 questions. They are an invitation for your to take a trip down memory lane, to acknowledge how far you’ve come, and to reconnect with your sources of inspiration.
From favorite journeys, gifts received and goals achieved there’s plenty of food for thought. I’ll be sharing my responses to the questions too. If you journal, this wee...
2021-08-1130 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 118 Signs that you are doing okMost of us are fully paid up members of the tough on ourselves club, so this week I’m suggesting that you are probably doing better than you give yourself credit for. So often we run the pattern that there is something wrong with us that needs to be fixed, but remember we can be both perfectly ourselves and still be works in progress.
This week’s episode is a reality check, a time to take stock and to acknowledge how far you’ve come. I share 15 signs that you are doing fairly ok. I close with a shor...
2021-08-0426 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 117 Interview Skills – Essential PreparationDid you know that on average we will attend 42 interviews over the course of our careers?
This week I’m delving into a topic that is a core part of my business and that’s interview skills coaching. If you have an interview on the horizon this week’s episode will cover all the basics of quality preparation. The themes of communication and influencing skills and promoting what you do are relevant in many other situations too, from sales and presentations to running effective meetings.
As I say to my clients, being offered the job, the co...
2021-07-2833 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 116 In conversation with Roly Miller of JobcareThis week I’m joined by Roly Miller who is eLearning & Digital Media Manager with Jobcare. Established in 1994 Jobcare is a charity that provides training, resource services and transitional work programmes to equip unemployed people with the skills to secure and sustain work. What I particularly admire about Jobcare is their ethos that ‘Working Matters,’ that everyone has the right to a form of employment, ensuring people are not left behind.
In addition to discussing the services Jobcare provide, Roly speaks about the unforeseen benefits people get from their free programmes. We chat about how they successfully pivoted their...
2021-07-2151 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 115 My conversation with Des CanningThis week I’m delighted to be joined by Des Canning, a counselor, and psychotherapist. I was a client of Des’s earlier this year and I’m a huge fan of his work.
In an open and frank conversation, we chat about how men can still be reluctant to discuss mental health and to reach out for assistance. I share some of the ways receiving counseling has benefited me. Des speaks about his journey from working in telecoms to following his passion and establishing his own counseling practice.
Other themes of our conversation include, how we...
2021-07-1455 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 114 The Disciplines of High PerformanceInspired by all the great sport on TV, and with the Olympics just around the corner, this week I’m exploring the topic of high performance. What does it mean, how do we recognise it and how do we attain it.
I define high performance as achieving above and beyond expected results in a sustainable way over the long term. In this episode I’ll take you through what I refer to as the 7 disciples of high performance, including the mindset as well as the personal qualities that all high performers draw upon, irrespective of their field of e...
2021-07-0721 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 113 Are you a corporate mystic?Are you a corporate mystic? That’s the question I’m posing this week. The word mystic might conjure up a guru living in a cave, or even Yoda from Star Wars. For me, a corporate mystic is an enlightened leader, someone who is comfortable harnessing the wisdom of both head and heart and who inspires and is inspiring.
Integrity is a value espoused in every organisation, but integrity is not just the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, it’s also the state of being whole and undivided. So this week I’m explorin...
2021-06-3019 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 112 My conversation with Georgina DurcanI’m joined this week by Georgina Durcan an Intuitive Therapist who is affectionately known as the ‘Soul Whisperer.’ In her work, Georgina points the way for her clients to come home to who they truly are. I so enjoyed our conversation and I think you will too. Georgina shared her story, how a breakdown led to a breakthrough, and to her own soul calling.
She also speaks about how she helps her clients connect with their internal guidance system, a practice that always leads to our highest good and greatest joy.
She tells us about...
2021-06-2352 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 111 Overcoming Imposter SyndromeImposter syndrome, that sense of not being good enough, feeling like a fraud, and having the fear of being found out, is the topic I’m delving into this week. If we are honest, it’s something we can all relate to.
I believe that imposter syndrome is part of our human make-up, it’s in our DNA, so we can’t remove it, but we can learn to diminish it, so it doesn’t prevent us from reaching for our potential and living the truest expression of ourselves.
So in this episode, as well as sharing...
2021-06-1631 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 110 My conversation with Eileen HopkinsThis week I’m delighted to be joined by Eileen Hopkins an experienced Psychotherapist, Life, Career & Public Speaking Coach and Certified Trainer. Having worked in nursing and nurse management for many years, Eileen has a passion for emotional health, self-care, resilience, personal development, pain management, education, and empowering change.
I so enjoyed our wide-ranging conversation where we explored topics including fear of change, compassionate inquiry, our experiences of psychotherapy and having the courage to be vulnerable. As an award-winning toastmaster, Eileen also shared some tips for speaking in public.
2021-06-0956 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 109 Reflect, reminisce, refuelAs well as sharing what I hope is thought-provoking, maybe even inspiring content and conversations, a key intention with my podcast is to give you an opportunity to take some time out of your busy schedule and reconnect with yourself and your inner wisdom.
This week’s episode is based around 5 questions that encourage us to pause, connect with a sense of gratitude, and maybe even have a little trip down memory lane. If you journal, this week’s episode will have you reaching for your pen and notebook.
2021-06-0224 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 108 Redefining Work Life BalanceThis week I’m exploring what work life balance means today. No longer do we have the physical environment as a distinguishing factor as technology means we can carry our work and networks around with us.
In metaphysics, balance is a point between opposing forces, but I don’t like the idea of work and life being in opposition. Equally, what’s the point in having work and personal life balanced, if you are not feeling fulfilled. For me, it’s simply about balance and overall quality of life.
It’s also about forging a path throu...
2021-05-2619 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 107 The test of a good people managerEffective people managers know that they only achieve with and through their teams. They don’t view staff as tenants of roles, they view their teams as sets of diverse individuals, each with their own unique blend of motivations and skills.
So what’s the mindset and approach required to harness that potential? This week, I’m sharing 9 questions that I view as the test of a good people manager. I also explore reasons why some managers struggle in this area.
2021-05-1925 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 106 Boosting Self-ConfidenceThis week I’m exploring a topic that surfaces again and again with clients I work with and that’s self-confidence. It might be that you are seeking the confidence to make some career or life changes, or you’ve got an interview coming up and you don’t want to be consumed by nerves, or maybe at work, you want to feel more confident presenting or speaking up at meetings.
If we are honest, most of us would like to feel more confident in at least some situations, I know I would. Tune in to discover 15 practice...
2021-05-1229 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 105 Do you need a rest?Are you tired? Are you tired of being tired? We’ve all been through so much, especially in the last year. Keeping the show on the road, juggling work and personal life commitments can be exhausting.
Recently, I came across a short Ted Talk by Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith all about rest, the 7 different types of rest, and how rest is different from sleep. Inspired by her talk and my own research and reflection, this week I speak about the different types of rest we all need, as well as the practices I’ve developed to ensure I pu...
2021-05-0532 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 104 Managing nerves as a presenterThis week, in the second of two episodes on the topic of Presentation Skills I’m sharing tips and insights on managing those presentation nerves.
As a professional speaker, I still have to manage my own nerves and I’ll take you through techniques that work for me. I also explore the main causes of nervousness because if we can deal with the cause, the symptoms will dissipate.
If you present as part of your role, or you simply want to leave that all too familiar stomach-churning nervousness behind, then be sure to catch this epis...
2021-04-2827 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 103 What it takes to be a great presenterAs well as being a business & personal coach and author, I’m also a professional speaker. Professional in that I’m paid to speak to audiences. I also work with clients both 1-2-1 and in group workshops on the topic of presentations skills.
This week, I’m drawing on my experience to share 10 ways to boost your impact as a presenter. So, if you harbour aspirations of developing your speaking career, or simply wish to enhance your presentation skills, be sure to tune in.
2021-04-2129 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 102 Tap into your creativityIt’s easy to think that creativity is the reserve of artists, writers or musicians, something we put down with the toys of childhood, but we would be wrong. To be human is to be creative.
So whether creativity is a familiar friend or a dormant skill waiting to be resurrected, in this week’s episode I share 8 ways to help you tap into your creativity.
2021-04-1418 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 101 In conversation with Chris FlackFor many people, Covid 19 has irreversibly restructured working life. Whilst flexible working arrangements promote greater autonomy it also brings new challenges. This week, I’m joined by Chris Flack the co-founder of Unplug (www.unplughq.com) a behaviour change consultancy that supports individuals and organisations to work smarter in an always-connected world.
We chat about digital well-being, managing screen time and task switching. With The Right to Disconnect Bill and the Working from Home Bill before the Dail, Chris shares his views on work design and the challenges facing organisations.
2021-04-0745 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 100 Celebrating the 100th episodeIt’s the 100th episode! In this celebratory episode, the tables are turned and Marian Byrne who joined me last week returns to ask me some of the questions I typically ask my guests. You’ll get to learn a little more about me, from my sources of inspiration and favourite quotes to the failures and setbacks I’ve experienced.
I let you into my creative process and I also share what has been my key take-away from producing over 40 hours of content across the last 99 episodes.
2021-03-3135 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 99 In conversation with Marian ByrneThis week, I’m thrilled to be joined by Marian Byrne, one of Ireland’s leading coaches, trainers and facilitators. Drawing on her 20 years of experience, Marian shares many tips and insights from coping with weariness and the different types of rest we all need, to dealing with and instigating change.
As Marian says we can change by choice, by force or by being forced to make a choice. I hope you will choose to tune into our wisdom rich conversation and enjoy it as much as I did.
2021-03-2452 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 98 Do you feel fulfilled?Over the years I’ve worked with many people who others might classify as successful, but from their own perspective, they don’t feel as fulfilled as they would wish.
Drawing on my personal experiences and from my work in this area, I share what I view as the keys to fulfilment, particularly in a career or professional life context. I also pose plenty of questions to help you adapt the principles of fulfilment to your own situation.
2021-03-1720 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 97 Be a Better Strategic ThinkerFor some people strategic thinking is a key aspect of their role, for others, it’s a skill they want to enhance. During these times of change and challenge when we have been forced to reassess what we are doing, and how and why we are doing it, focussing on the bigger picture benefits us in both our work and personal lives.
This week I share my practical approach to strategic thinking as well as thought-provoking questions that will expand your perspective.
2021-03-1025 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 96 In conversation with Dr. Aidan HarneyThis week I’m delighted to be joined by Dr. Aidan Harney. With over 20 years’ experience in the area of leadership development, we discuss the psychology of leaders who are effective at working in highly complex environments.
Aidan shares the key findings of the research he carried out, as part of his PhD thesis, with managers and leaders in a range of industries in both the public and private sectors. During this time when there is pressure on leaders across society, I found our conversation both timely and insightful.
2021-03-0349 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 95 Knowing your worthThe vast majority of us run the programme of imposter syndrome, that familiar fear of not feeling worthy or good enough. As I often say, we run the gamut between waiting to be found and waiting to be found out.
In this week’s episode, I’m delving into the topic of knowing your worth. I share 5 ways to widen your perspective so you can take a more objective stance when it comes to assessing how you add value in your role.
2021-02-2420 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 94 Saying No guilt freeMost of us struggle to ‘say no.’ We run a cocktail of fears and beliefs preventing the word ‘no’ escaping our lips. This week I’m sharing 10 tips for saying no and not feeling guilty about it.
Of course, saying no is not about being rude or unhelpful, nor does it mean not doing your job. It’s really about appropriate assertiveness, being aware of how you manage your time and energy, and how you balance your commitment to others with your commitment to yourself.
2021-02-1724 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 93 In conversation with Nick WillamsThis week I’m joined from London by Nick Williams (www.iamnickwilliams.com) a gifted coach, speaker and the author of 19 books. Nick’s clients include BAFTA-winning producers, Olympians, CEOs and industry leaders. We explore the topic of thought-leadership, in particular, transforming lived experience into deliverable wisdom.
As writers and content creators, we also chat about creativity and over-coming inner resistance. I picked up many fascinating insights from Nick and I think you will too.
2021-02-1048 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 92 In conversation with Shirley O’NeillThis week I’m joined by Shirley O’Neill, who lectures on change and performance management in the UCD Professional Academy. We chat about coping with change and overcoming resistance to change, as well as the pertinent topics of performance management and staff engagement whilst working remotely.
Shirley was so generous with her tips and insights, personally, I learned a lot from our conversation.
2021-02-0344 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 91 I'm Stuck in the wrong career – Part 2In the follow up to last week’s episode, I’m delving deeper into the topic of career change. I’m sharing ways to change perspective on your current situation, as well as exercises and tips.
If you’re feeling stuck, find yourself in career transition and are seeking to make career changes this year, this is the episode for you.
2021-01-2726 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 90 I’m stuck in the wrong careerWe all have times when we feel ‘stuck in a rut.’ But there’s a difference between a lack of motivation, or feeling a little ‘blah,’ and knowing in your soul that you’ve spent too long in a job that’s no longer right for you.
This week, in the first of a two-part episode, I’m sharing tips and insights for people who find themselves at a career crossroads, or who are seeking to instigate change, so their working lives more accurately reflects who they are and what’s important to them.
2021-01-2025 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 89 Working From HomeThis week I’m exploring the topic of working from home or living at work as it is perhaps more accurately described. As someone who has worked from home for nearly 20 years, I share what I’ve learned, including the hidden pros and cons, as well as some suggestions for how to make working from home work for you.
2021-01-1316 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 88 Resolve, not resolutionsNormally, at the start of January, the focus is on a fresh start, or a ‘new you’ for the New Year. But as we continue to endure the Covid 19 crisis and another lockdown, for me, it’s a time for resolve, not resolutions.
In this week’s episode, the focus is on strategies for digging deep yet again. If you ‘switched off’ over Christmas, this episode is an opportunity for a ‘reboot.’
2021-01-0621 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 87 What’s important this ChristmasEven in a normal year, everything is amplified at Christmas and 2020 has been far from a normal year. The expectations of Christmas can be weighty, there’s even the pressure of having a ‘Happy Christmas.’
In this week’s episode, I share what Christmas means to me as well as tips and insights for a healthy dose of self-care at this time of the year.
2020-12-2323 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 86 What 2020 has taught meNow, on the cusp of the New Year and at least the psychological possibility of a fresh start, I’m looking back and asking - what do I know now that I didn’t know twelve months ago?
In a year of dark clouds, I’m searching for silver linings. So this week I’m sharing 20 lessons life has taught me in 2020, many the hard way.
2020-12-1617 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 85 In conversation with PM Summit co-founder Raymond PooleI’m joined this week by Raymond Poole, co-founder of the annual PM Summit. We chat about the impact Covid 19 has had on his business and how he has moved his annual conference, that takes place on 15th December, online (www.pmsummit.global.)
Our conversation turned personal as we speak honestly about how cancer gate-crashed our lives and how we are both dealing with the grief of losing our Dads within the last year.
2020-12-0937 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 84 In conversation with model & pro-age advocate Mary DunneThis week I’m joined by model, stylist and pro-age advocate Mary Dunne. In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss positive ageing and how she embarked on a new career in her sixties.
Mary’s approach to life is so inspiring. She shares her insights on wellness and beauty and looking and feeling good at any age.
2020-12-0247 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 83 My favourite books of 2020This week I’m talking about books, one of my great passions. I share with you my favourite reads of 2020, the biographies, novels and of course the personal development books too.
People often ask me what I’m reading and this episode is my long answer. If you are a book lover, or simply seeking some book recommendations, something to curl up with on a winter’s evening, then be sure to tune in.
2020-11-2531 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 82 What makes a good manager?Managers today feel pressure from below, from staff with big expectations, and from above, from senior managers who want them to be leaders. Whilst expertise and execution remain key management competencies, today, empathy is equally vital.
In this week’s episode, I explore the 7 skills and attributes that a modern manager needs to succeed in their role. If you are a team leader or manager, this is an episode not to be missed.
2020-11-1820 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 81 In conversation with Bibi BaskinThis week I’m joined by a very special guest, Bibi Baskin (www.bibibaskin.ie)
As a broadcaster, Bibi has presented more than 1000 TV shows and was the first woman in Ireland to have her own chat show. Long before The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel opened its doors, she converted a landmark building in Kerala, Southern India, transforming it into a renowned hotel.
Harnessing all her knowledge and experience she delivers talks and seminars on the many aspects of wellness. In an uplifting and wide-ranging conversation, Bibi shares what she considers to be at the hea...
2020-11-1140 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 80 Self-care – ways to take better care of youAs degrees of lockdown appears to be the norm for the foreseeable future, it’s more important than ever that we invest in our well-being. I’m calling this Self-Care 2.0, the 2020 upgrade!
This week I share a menu of options to help nourish the mind, body and spirit. I also speak about my challenges in putting my own health and wellbeing higher on my agenda. If you feel that you could give your own self-care a reboot this winter, then be sure to tune in.
2020-11-0424 minYour Time With James SweetmanEpisode 79 Delivering Great Online PresentationsIn recent month’s we’ve all had to become experts with Zoom and other online platforms, not just for meetings, but also for presentations. As someone who has specialised in delivering presentations from the top of the room, and who teaches presentation skills, I’ve had to adapt my own approach too.
The fundamentals of effective presentations remain the same, but there are new best practices to ensure you are ready for your close up. So this week I’m sharing 10 tips for delivering effective online presentations.
2020-10-2823 min