#WorkMomSays 2025 has been exhausting for just about everyone. In this episode, Lori Jo Vest breaks down the challenges workers faced this year—layoffs, inflation, mounting pressure, and nonstop change—and how simple shifts can set you up for a brighter 2026. From building consistency and boundaries to reflecting on wins and supporting each other, Lori shares honest, actionable strategies for finding resilience when times are tough.  If you’re looking to reset and recharge for the new year, this episode offers practical advice and encouragement to help you move forward with more confidence and less burnout. Themes discussed in this episode Coping with exhaustion and anxiety in a changing work environment Why consistency matters more than hustle The importance of boundaries and self-care Building and nurturing business friendships Using reflection, mantras, and rest to reset for the new year Episode Highlights Time-stamped inflection points from the show 00:12 — 2025’s tough realities: burnout, layoffs, and financial stress 02:20 — How consistency (not hustle) leads to real, sustainable change 04:11 — Boundary-setting in the workplace as a buffer against burnout 05:27 — Building business friendships as an essential support network 09:26 — End-of-year reflection ritual: listing your accomplishments to spark optimism Top Quotes 02:01 – “Consistency beats hustle. We all think we’ve got to get up at, you know, 6 a.m. and get moving. And you see the TikTok videos of the guy that’s up at 4 a.m. and he’s out the door by 5:15 and he’s already worked out and, oh my God, just thinking about it makes me tired.” 04:26 – “I watched our team at the agency that I run set some boundaries, and it was fantastic. Not, you know, not asking, ‘Can I have time off,’ but saying, ‘I need this time off,’ or, you know, ‘I need this flexibility,’ and that has helped us alleviate some of that burnout by paying attention to the boundaries that you have power over.” 05:52 – “And that kind of support, you can’t buy that. You have to build it. So make it a point in 2026 to build some relationships, to make three new business friends that you’ve gone out to lunch with four times or something over the course of the year, to really get to know them and add them to your network.” 14:20 – “You’re not behind. You’re exactly where you need to be. Chin up. Keep going. You’ll make mistakes. Grit will get you through. Rest matters.” Transcript 00:12Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of Work Mom Says, Don’t Be an Idiot. I am going to talk to you tonight about 2025—let’s wrap up this year—and then ways to ease into 2026. Because, let’s be real, we need to talk about 2025 before we can do anything with the future. It has been exhausting. If you’re out of a job, it’s been really difficult in the job market. If you have a job, you’re being expected to do more with less. You may have a coworker that got laid off, and you’re the one left standing, and you are expected to do both of those jobs, or at least take a big portion of that work without more money. Companies are keeping wages low, but prices and inflation are up, so it’s really hard, and things aren’t happening quickly. Matter of fact, they seem to be in a holding pattern. 01:16There’s mixed news about the economy—in, you know, as of December 2025 when we’re recording this, it’s the 22nd right before Christmas—and a lot of us are really burned out. We’re working hard because, again, there’s job loss all around us, and we see our friends who have been disemployed and are struggling. So we feel burned out. There’s lots of pressure on us at work, there’s pressure on us at home, there’s pressure on us financially. It’s not been great. 01:49However, there are some t

#WorkMomSays Adulting with ADHD is a candid look at navigating life after a late ADHD diagnosis. Lori and guest LJ Gamble discuss the emotional rollercoaster of discovering ADHD as an adult, common misconceptions, and practical strategies for working with—not against—your brain’s wiring. The conversation offers insights and resources for anyone who suspects they might have ADHD or wants to better understand its impact. Themes discussed in this episode The emotional stages of finding out you have ADHD as an adult, from relief to regret to acceptance. How ADHD symptoms show up beyond childhood hyperactivity—affecting focus, impulsivity, emotions, and even money habits. Why high-functioning, high-performing adults often go undiagnosed, and what unique challenges they face. Tools, resources, and everyday hacks for thriving with ADHD: therapy, coaching, medication, accountability partners, books, and digital supports. Episode Highlights Time-stamped inflection points from the show 00:12 – Lori & LJ Discover Their Adult ADHD: Lori opens up about receiving her ADHD diagnosis in her late 50s, while LJ shares her experience with childhood diagnosis and how both reframed years of quirks and self-judgment. 05:07 – Impact on Relationships & Emotions: They explore how ADHD affects relationships—especially emotional sensitivity, rejection dysphoria, and the untrue belief that ADHD is just for hyperactive kids. 15:00 – LJ’s Stages of Adult Diagnosis: LJ explains her “What the F*ck to Thriving” stages: relief, regret, anger, grief, and how acceptance leads to hope and practical change. 22:33 – Coping and Thriving Strategies: Real-life solutions such as therapy, coaching, medication, accountability buddies, and task-management hacks like using timers and tiny commitments.34:47 – Finding Resources: Lori and LJ recommend helpful books (“ADHD for Dummies,” “CBT for Dummies”), the ADDitude Magazine, and tips for getting affordable support or self-help if therapy isn’t accessible. Top Quotes 08:14 – “For the ADHD mind, non-preferred tasks feel like the end of the world. For us, it feels like you’re telling me to push a boulder up a mountain by myself.” 15:20 – “When you get that diagnosis, the first thing you feel is relief, because it’s like, you no longer have to carry the weight of how you spoke to yourself.” 20:49 – “ADHD, anxiety, and depression is like…you know they have the triple dipper at Chili’s? That’s what that is.” 29:37 – “Once you accept that’s not a flaw, it’s not a defect. Now you get to learn: I am this new person, and I’m learning all these new things about myself and my brain.” 41:04 – “If you are high functioning, high performing…there are a lot of really good books out there that you can kind of band-aid yourself up with.” Transcript 00:12 LORI: Hello everybody. Welcome to this episode of Work Mom Says, Don’t Be an Idiot. I’m your host, Lori, and today we are going to talk about adulting with ADHD. It is hilarious when you discover that you’ve had ADHD your whole life, and you discover that as an adult. It changes everything you knew about yourself. It changes all the judgments you’ve made about how you behave and the quirky little issues that you have. I personally was diagnosed with ADHD in my late 50s, which is hilarious, because a lot of us with ADHD are very high functioning, but we can be labeled as distracted, disorganized, or just too much, and that happens a lot. So my guest today is LJ Gamble. I have known LJ for a few years, and I always laugh because we both have the initials LJ. She uses hers as her name, and I have them, but people call me that all the time. It’s so funny. It’s just a fun little, little quirky thing we have.  LJ: LJ and LJ. LORI: Yes, LJ and LJ. So, LJ… I’ve known LJ as a coach, but she is also a therapist, right? You have been a therapist? You’re trained? 

#WorkMomSays grit isn’t just for tough times—it’s the key to lasting success. In this episode, Lori shares firsthand stories and practical strategies for growing your grit, even when you’re tired, discouraged, or tempted to quit. Discover the difference between motivation and perseverance, how to connect with your purpose, and why consistency and resilience matter more than talent. Get actionable steps to develop your own grit plan, learn from failures, and see how a growth mindset can turn setbacks into powerful comebacks. Themes discussed in this episode Grit as perseverance and passion—not just toughness The power of purpose (“know your why”) for fueling perseverance Consistency: building habits and showing up even when you don’t feel like it Resilience: learning and bouncing back from failure How a growth mindset helps you turn setbacks into personal progress Episode Highlights Time-stamped inflection points from the show 00:12 – Lori defines grit as key for entrepreneurs and career success, explaining it’s more than just being tough. 01:52 – Lori shares a personal low point and reflects on how grit kept her moving forward despite tough times and temptation to quit. 04:41 – Explains the importance of knowing your purpose and future self as a first step in building grit. 05:17 – Shares her experience with showing up consistently—how hiring a trainer and sticking to a workout schedule developed lasting habits. 07:26 – Discusses resilience and growth mindset: how failing, recovering, and learning from mistakes are critical for building grit. Top Quotes 02:51 – “Grit is what happens when commitment lasts longer than motivation. Motivation is fun, but motivation wears off. Grit is that part of you that doesn’t stop, and even when things get hard, you keep going.” 04:17 – “So one of the things that they say right off the bat to develop grit and stick-to-itiveness is to know your ‘why.’ Purpose fuels perseverance.” 05:30 – “You can’t binge grit. You can build it through boring reps, that’s what I would say.” 15:15 – “Developing grit is not glamorous. It’s sweaty, it’s lonely, it’s unfiltered, but I personally believe it is the foundation for every great success story.” Transcript 00:12Hello everyone, I’m Lori Jo Vest. Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of Work Mom Says, Don’t Be an Idiot. Today, we are going to talk about how to develop grit even when you’re really tired of trying. We were on a call the other day with a bunch of entrepreneurs, and what came up was grit as being something that’s really, really important if you’re going to have your own business. I would say it’s also really, really important to career success. And it’s not about being tough. I mean, people think grit—they think of the old westerns and, you know, you’ve got to be tough. And that’s not what it is. 00:57What it is—is when you are willing to keep going even when things are really difficult, even when your motivation is just kaput and nobody’s paying any attention to what you’re doing. And I feel like I’ve had an opportunity to seriously develop some grit with this digital marketing shop that we own. My husband and I run it, and I was going through a period of time where it just felt really, really hard. Now, we’re bootstrapping. We do not have oodles of money sitting in the bank account letting us lose money on this business, or letting us just kind of play with this business. This business pays our bills, and that means that you have to keep going, even when you don’t feel like it. And most business owners, you know, especially in the early stages, that’s what’s simply true for us. And so there are times when you j

#WorkMomSays you don’t have to stay miserable, even in a job you hate. In this episode, Lori shares candid advice and firsthand stories about finding purpose, resilience, and even gratitude in difficult work situations. Learn how to reframe what’s draining you, focus on what you can actually control, and leverage the experience to build your career and personal growth, even when quitting isn’t yet an option. Themes discussed in this episode How to shift your mindset and reframe the parts of your job that bother you Strategies for managing frustration and finding things to appreciate, even in tough environments Identifying when a job is beyond saving and how to build your exit strategy Using gratitude, skill-building, and small wins to turn a bad job into a stepping stone The importance of documenting your progress, celebrating accomplishments, and planning your next move Episode Highlights Time-stamped inflection points from the show 01:42 – Lori shares a real-life “I hate my job” story and what she did for relief and perspective 04:45 – Discovering that you have control over your mindset, even when you can’t control co-workers or a boss 06:13 – Identifying the true source of your job misery, weighing negatives against positives, and focusing on what you can control 07:31 – Lori’s “three thing gratitude list” as a simple trick for feeling better fast, even at work 10:43 – The “paycheck plus progress” approach, documenting your wins and using your current job as a bridge to something better Top Quotes 04:47 – “No matter what happens, you have control of your mindset and you have control of what you choose to see.” 05:43 – “You are not stuck. If you’re in a really icky job right now, you are not stuck. Small changes in how you look at things can make a huge difference.” 08:24 – “You don’t have to love your job, but you can find things about your job, your co-workers, and your environment, your paycheck, that you like.” 13:01 – “Reframe, turn your focus toward the things that you love and minimize the things that you hate. Are they really that important? Or can you let them go and then use where you are to get where you’re going?” Transcript 00:12Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest. Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of Work Mom Says, Don’t Be an Idiot. Today we are going to talk about how to love the job you hate. Now, that sounds crazy, right, but what I have to say is there are moments when you will hate your job, and even jobs that I liked, there have been moments when I hate them. So sometimes you may outgrow your job. You may get a new boss that is just not a good fit. Have a new co-worker that makes you miserable. Sometimes you really don’t want to be there, and quitting isn’t an option. And when that happens, maybe you, you know, could start looking for a job, but you can’t just quit. You’ve got to stay and if you hate it, your performance will suffer, and actually your attitude will suffer, your entire experience, your joy will suffer. So you don’t want to keep hating that job when you could actually figure out ways that you can get through it without too much drama. 01:20So in this episode, we’re going to talk about some strategies you can use to shift your mindset, reframe what you see at your current job, and turn that kind of job into an experience that is good for you, that helps you build your skills. And I know it sounds crazy, but it’s it’s true, it can be done. 01:42And I’ll tell you a story. I had a position with a great big production studio in Metro Detroit, back in the oh gosh, it was 95 to 2000 and it was a really pretty big company for the industry that we were in. There were about 200 people. And there were som

In this episode of #WorkMomSays: Don’t Be an Idiot, Lori Jo Vest sits down with Detroit artist and creative director Trae Isaac—a multi-disciplinary creator known for murals, fine art, wearable designs, and now, app development. Trae shares his remarkable journey, from amateur boxing to the loss of his brother and mother as a teenager, to building a career rooted in creativity, resilience, and community. He opens up about how art has become both a healing practice and a profession, and why he sees himself as a “creative tailor,” creating work that fits communities, businesses, and cultural needs. Themes discussed in this episode How the discipline of boxing shaped Trae’s mindset as an artist Why continuous learning is the key to resilience and growth The story behind one of Trae’s most challenging mural projects The importance of community for emerging artists How following childhood passions can point you toward your purpose Trae’s leap into app design through the Apple Developer Academy Connect with Trae: TraeIsaac.com Socials: @TraeIsaac on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube Episode Highlights Time-stamped inflection points from the show 0:12 – Meet Lori & Trae – Lori introduces Trae Isaac, a Detroit-based artist whose work spans fine art, murals, and product design.2:13 – Becoming a Creative Tailor Trae shares how he approaches art like a tailor—customizing his work to reflect communities, organizations, and cultural values.5:00 – The Discipline of Practice How boxing taught Trae the importance of repetition, discipline, and being addicted to progress.7:35 – Growing Up in Detroit Trae talks about his close-knit family, his grandfather’s boxing legacy, and the values instilled in him as a child.12:09 – Loss and Resilience The deaths of his brother and mother shaped Trae’s journey, pushing him from boxing into art as a new form of healing and expression.17:39 – Boxing Lessons for Life How the ability to “lock in” during a fight translated into resilience, recovery, and focus in art and life.19:24 – Building a Career in Art From painting clothes in high school to earning mural commissions, Trae explains his path to becoming a full-time artist.21:13 – The Five Ps The mantra that drives his work: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.22:25 – The Godfrey Hotel Mural Story Behind the scenes of one of Trae’s most challenging projects, including negotiating unexpected costs and conquering a fear of heights.30:13 – Finding Your Purpose Advice for young people: follow your passions from childhood, explore continuously, and don’t be afraid to pivot.35:00 – From Murals to Mobile Apps Trae shares his latest leap—joining Apple’s Developer Academy to learn coding and app design.40:00 – Marketing MindsetLori points out Trae’s natural gift for self-promotion and authentic storytelling.42:47 – Looking AheadWhere Trae wants to take his career next—and an invitation to reconnect in a year to talk about his new apps. Transcript [0:00] Lori Jo Vest – Welcome to Work Mom Says: Don’t Be an Idiot. I’m Lori Jo Vest, and I’m here to help you learn to play the emotional contact sport of business—so you can experience a whole lot less drama and a whole lot more success.Today, I’m so fortunate to have my guest, Trae Isaac. Trae is an artist—and I don’t even know how to fully explain who he is. I met him on Facebook of all places, and then I just had to bring it into real life, because I have so much respect for him as an artist and for how he moves through the world. I wanted to share him with you because I know he’s got wisdom that can help you move toward your own goals. [1:23] Trae Isaac – Thank you for having me. Thank you for the love, the appreciation, all the good energy and feedback. It’s all genuine, and I’m grateful.[1:40] Lori Jo VestFair warning—I like to “mom” people sometimes, so if I do that, just forgive me.[1:46] Trae IsaacIt’s all good. I accept

#WorkMomSays you must be present to win. In this episode, Lori Jo Vest shares why “showing up” in your career and your life isn’t just a cliché. It’s the foundation of success. From overcoming career challenges to building life-changing networks, Lori illustrates how being present, getting uncomfortable, and stepping into new spaces will open doors and forge the relationships and confidence that accelerate your professional journey. Themes discussed in this episode The importance of showing up and being visible in your career and community How discomfort and self-doubt are natural but invaluable for growth Building your network beyond your own company and why it’s key to advancement Practical strategies for networking, joining associations, and volunteering The unique impact young professionals can make by simply being present Episode Highlights Time-stamped inflection points from the show 00:44 – Lessons from a breast cancer survivor: show up, dress up, and speak up 02:06 – The value of getting comfortable being uncomfortable, from jobs to meetings 03:57 – Lori’s experience joining an intimidating accountability group that transformed her confidence 06:13 – Why networking, industry events, and association involvement matter—even if you feel like an outsider 07:22 – The power of industry communities, volunteering, and creating connections outside your company 09:51 – Why young professionals stand out simply by showing up in real-world spaces 10:17 – Practical tips for “tag-team” networking and showing up, even if you’re nervous Top Quotes 03:23 – “If you don’t show up in those places where there are other successful people, you will not become one of them.” 05:32 – “Even when that little voice in your head is telling you, ‘Oh, you don’t belong here’ … say thank you for sharing and let it go.” 06:37 – “You will be able to push yourself out of your comfort zone, make some solid connections, because that’s another way you grow your career.” 10:50 – “If you are willing to be present, it’s inevitable that you will win.” Transcript 00:12Hello. I’m Lori Jo Vest, also known as Work Mom and I so appreciate you joining me for another episode of Work Mom Says: Don’t Be An Idiot! Today, we’re going to talk about “you must be present to win.” I heard that phrase the other day, and it just really stuck with me that if you want to be successful in your career and in your life, you have to show up. And showing up means a lot of different things. So we’re going to start with a couple of stories. 00:44I have a dear friend that I’ve known for years that she got breast cancer. And she got breast cancer when she was transitioning from one job to another. She was unable to work the new job during treatment, she lost her job, she lost her insurance, it was a really difficult time. Fast forward 10 or 15 years, and her charitable organization that she formed to help women financially during treatment and men, they also help men, but to help people during breast cancer treatment is national, and when she talks to groups, I mean, I’ve nominated her for some different awards. I’ve seen her speak at different events, and what she always says is, you need to show up, dress up, and speak up. And if you can do all three of those things, it might be in a different order—it might be dress up, show up and speak up, I think maybe that’s it—but those are the things that are really important, and that’s what has led her to the success she has today. She has a national organization that helps hundreds of women every year get through breast cancer treatment by paying their mortgages, their bills, their car payments. It’s just amazing. 02:06So part of what I notice with some of the young people that are in my sphere is that it can feel difficult to show up with your full self in new situations, like at th

#WorkMomSays if you’re not speaking up, you’re missing out. In this episode Lori dives into why being silent in the workplace can quietly sabotage your career. She discusses the importance of contributing your ideas, even when it feels uncomfortable, and shares the dangers of letting louder—but not necessarily more qualified—voices dominate the room. Lori tells the true story of standing up to the CEO when no one else would, and outlines practical strategies you can use to speak up more confidently in meetings—even if you’re shy or introverted. Themes discussed in this episode The risk of staying quiet: why silence rarely serves you or your team Overcoming the fear of speaking up and the myth of perfection The power of showing up, voicing your thoughts, and being present Language you can use to share controversial or dissenting opinions constructively How speaking up can lead to growth, leadership, and new opportunities Episode Highlights Time-stamped inflection points from the show 00:12 – Introduction to speaking up, even when it’s uncomfortable, and why it matters for your success. 01:04 – How quieter, smarter voices often stay silent while less qualified ones get ahead. 02:19 – Lori shares a real-world example of voicing dissent to a CEO and the mixed results. 05:33 – Learning to share your viewpoint: “It’s about showing up and contributing.” 06:54 – Tips for constructive language when you need to disagree or add a new angle. 09:21 – How speaking up gets easier with practice—and why good leaders want your input. 11:06 – Action step: raise your hand and try speaking up at your next meeting. Top Quotes 01:50 – “Your silence doesn’t serve you and it doesn’t serve your team.” 05:39 – “If you really know and have an opinion on something you really need to share, share it.” 06:29 – “It’s not about having the perfect answer. It’s about showing up.” 11:29 – “Get used to being uncomfortable, because that’s where the gold is.” Transcript 00:12Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest. Welcome to this episode of Work Mom Says, Don’t Be an Idiot. I am here to help you play the emotional contact sport of business in a way that lets you experience a lot less drama and a whole lot more success. So today, we’re going to talk about something that can totally shift your career. You may not realize it, but if you’re not speaking up, you’re missing out. Even if you’re 100% comfortable kind of sitting in the background and not wanting to say anything, and that works for you, it’s not going to work for your career. You need to speak up, be present, share your wisdom—even when you’re not totally comfortable doing so. It’s something that you’ll want to learn to get comfortable doing, and the only way to get comfortable is to practice. 01:04So why this matters: one of the biggest things that you’ll run into at the office is people who have egos that are much bigger than their talent, and those people love to speak up. But the reality is people who don’t have those egos may have an even more important voice in the room. Too many really smart people stay quiet out of fear, afraid of people thinking that they’re dumb, afraid of making a fool of themselves, afraid of being wrong. And less qualified people that know a lot less than you do are out there just talking up a storm, getting all kinds of things and making bank because they are not quiet. Your silence doesn’t serve you and it doesn’t serve your team. It doesn’t serve your boss. Your employer wants your thoughts. They want to know what you think, because they hired you based on your talent and your skills, so even when you’re not sure. And so let’s talk about what happens when you’re in a room and they ask a question and you don’

#WorkMomSays taking your Paid Time Off (PTO) is essential for personal and professional well-being. In this episode, Lori Jo Vest addresses the myth that the office can’t survive without you and emphasizes the importance of stepping away from work. She shares her journey of overcoming the fear of taking time off and highlights the benefits of truly disconnecting. Discover how using your PTO can enhance creativity, improve health, and prevent burnout. Learn effective strategies for planning and taking your time off without anxiety, and understand why making PTO a non-negotiable part of your work life is a strategic decision for a balanced and fulfilling career. Themes discussed in this episode The necessity of using PTO for personal health and productivity Overcoming the fear of taking time off in a demanding work culture The benefits of taking breaks for creativity and mental clarity Strategies to successfully unplug and make the most out of your PTO Episode Highlights Time-stamped inflection points from the show 00:40 – Lori reveals her own struggles with not taking PTO despite encouraging her team to do so. 01:57 – Lori’s personal experience of finally taking time off after five years and realizing the sky didn’t fall. 04:41 – Reasons professionals avoid PTO and why these fears are largely unfounded. 06:50 – A reality check: You are valuable but not irreplaceable, and that’s okay. 10:31 – Strategies for using PTO effectively without anxiety, including setting boundaries and planning ahead. Top Quotes 04:13 – “PTO should be non-negotiable, and there’s a reason for it.” 07:03 – “You are valuable to your employer, but you are not irreplaceable, and that’s okay.” 08:03 – “When you don’t take that time off, you’re essentially gifting your employer free labor.” 13:06 – “Taking your paid time off is not slacking. It’s strategic.” Transcript 00:12Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest. Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of “Work Mom Says: Don’t Be an Idiot!” This episode is for young professionals who think the office will crumble down without them. We’re calling it, “You’re Not That Essential. Use Your PTO.” PTO stands for paid time off, and if you have it, you need to take it. 00:40And I’ll tell you what I think is really funny. I need this reminder just as much. I was talking to my team about what the next episode should be about, and what came up was “use your time off.” My team that works for me at the digital ad agency that I run with my husband, they know how important I think it is for them to take their PTO. But when it came to me, when they brought that up, I actually said that would mean I’m a hypocrite because I don’t take my time off. Now, my time off isn’t paid as the owner. It’s a whole different thing going on here. 01:17But what I discovered is that my own fears of being away from my desk or not plugged into our company and what was happening and how I could contribute—I had a lot of fear around that. What if something fell apart while I was gone? But the reality is, it’s really funny, is that I could take a week off, and because we work at home and weren’t going anywhere, if I needed to step in and take care of something, it takes five minutes. It’s not a big deal. 01:57So before recording this episode, I forced myself to take my five days off. I hadn’t taken five days off in about five years. So how did I do? I did okay. I worked probably most days for just a few minutes, checking in on emails, answering questions, making sure things were flowing like they should, right? I probably shouldn’t have even done that, but baby steps, baby steps. 02:29And as the owner of a company,

#WorkMomSays that enthusiasm is a secret weapon in career success. In this episode, Lori delves into how genuine enthusiasm can differentiate you from others in the workplace, enhance your energy, and positively impact your career trajectory. Learn practical strategies for maintaining and boosting enthusiasm, recognize what might be draining it, and harness the science of positive energy to become more effective and noticeable in your professional life. Themes discussed in this episode The critical role of enthusiasm in professional success Strategies to maintain and boost enthusiasm at work Recognizing and mitigating factors that diminish enthusiasm Leveraging positive energy in personal interactions and meetings Episode Highlights Time-stamped inflection points from the show 00:12 – Introduction to the concept of enthusiasm as a key differentiator in career success. 01:38 – The importance of bringing energy into spaces and communication projects to stand out. 03:47 – Examples of how to demonstrate genuine enthusiasm in the workplace. 06:40 – The science of energy: How positive energy and enthusiasm can influence others. 08:36 – Common factors that kill enthusiasm and how to combat them with micro-breaks and reframing techniques. 10:49 – Practical tips to boost enthusiasm, including daily learning goals and volunteering for new projects. Top Quotes 00:31 – “Enthusiasm differentiates the seriously successful from the people who just slog through their days.” 03:22 – “Multitasking throws your enthusiasm off. You cannot have enthusiasm for something you’re not paying attention to.” 13:01 – “Volunteer for something that’s slightly outside of your comfort zone… build the plane while you’re flying it.” 13:53 – “You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to be enthusiastic, but you need to care.” Transcript 00:12LORI: Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest, aka Work Mom, and I am so happy to be here today with you. I want to talk about something that’s really important to your career success, and what that is is how enthusiasm is a secret weapon. Enthusiasm is something that differentiates the seriously successful from the people who just slog through their days. There’s a lot to be said for it. So we’re going to dig into a couple things: reasons that you may be losing yours, how to beef it back up, and why it’s so important. 00:48So, do you ever wonder why some people just light up a room? You know, they walk in and everybody perks up, and they talk to everybody, and they greet everybody, and they’ve just got a really great positive energy. And some other people just kind of slither in, or wander in and sit down and don’t say anything. That’s the difference between having enthusiasm and not having enthusiasm. I’m not talking about cheesy, over-the-top, loud, obnoxious, fake stuff. None of that. I’m talking about genuine interest in other people, genuine commitment to being a positive person in the workspace. Those kinds of things are what are going to help you with enthusiasm. 01:38We have the ability to bring energy with us into spaces and communication projects, even on the hard days. When you can do that, you will differentiate yourself from the vast majority of people. And the reason is, these days, we’re looking at quiet quitting. People are frustrated, prices are high. You know, there’s a lot of crazy things happening in the world, and people are just kind of on edge. If you can be the one that’s consistently positive and brings that positive energy, it’s huge. I mean, it’s absolutely amazing, the difference in how people perceive you. 02:21So a lot of things happened during the pandemic that brought us into a place of lack of communication

#WorkMomSays that the best career advice focuses on continuous learning, building strong relationships, and taking action even when you’re not ready. In this episode, Lori shares three powerful pieces of advice that can significantly impact your career growth. Learn how to adapt to change, leverage your network, and overcome self-doubt to achieve professional success. Themes discussed in this episode The importance of continuous learning for career development Building and maintaining strong professional relationships Taking proactive steps and embracing opportunities before feeling fully prepared Episode Highlights Time-stamped inflection points from the show 00:13 – Introduction and overview of the three key pieces of career advice. 01:03 – Learning how to learn: Emphasizing the need for continuous skill development, especially in fast-changing environments. 03:58 – Relationships are everything: How networking and building strong connections can open doors and provide opportunities. 05:34 – Take action before you’re ready: Encouraging proactive behavior and embracing opportunities despite self-doubt. Top Quotes 03:07 – “Learning to learn, becoming a lifelong learner, is really important to long-term success.” 04:47 – “Your network will open more doors than your resume.” 06:39 – “Get the job and then figure out how to do it. You’ll learn faster on the job than studying or taking a course.” 07:52 – “None of us are ever ready. And a great piece of advice that I tell people is don’t be fooled. Nobody really knows what they’re doing. We are all just making it up as we go along.” Transcript 00:13Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest. Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of Work Mom Says “Don’t Be An Idiot!” So I was thinking about what to record today, and what came to mind is what would be the best three pieces of career advice I could give to anybody right now that would change their career trajectory? And here’s what I came up with. It’s so true. It’s just these are the things that helped me grow in my career and that helped most people grow in their careers. So focus on learning how to learn, building strong relationships, and taking action before you feel ready. And let’s dig into this a little bit deeper. 01:03Learning how to learn. Things are changing constantly. AI is everywhere. There are all kinds of skills that will help you in your career. Everything from writing to reading a lot, learning how to digest complex information. You need to continue to learn in order to elevate your skill set and your performance. So I’ll give you a couple of examples. 01:32When AI first started, this was probably three and a half years ago that we first started hearing about it. And I run a small digital marketing shop, and we got a project that involved writing SEO copy descriptions, product descriptions for 4,000 different luxury carpets. That’s a lot of copy. And so we knew in order to hit the client’s budget targets that we would need to bring in some kind of an AI tool. That’s what they suggested. We’d never done that before. There was a really early one called Jasper. And what we did was we would go into this tool, enter in the colors, the pattern, the materials, some adjectives. After we entered that information into the tool, it would spit back, you know, different angles on that copy. And that was the hardest thing about it. When you have to write repetitively, it can be really challenging to come up with different angles. And Jasper did that. It didn’t always do it well. And it came up with some really crazy things. At one point, it suggested that this 8 by 10, you know, beautiful Persian rug would be something that you would bring with you to parties so that

#WorkMomSays one of the best ways to make yourself an asset in the workplace is by being the calm in the storm. In this episode, learn how to stay level-headed during stressful professional situations and avoid getting lost in your emotions. Themes discussed in this episode Observe, don’t absorb Personal experiences of being the calm in the storm and making yourself an asset Identifying anxiety-inducing work environments vs one-off stressful situations Immediately move into problem-solving mode Episode Highlights Timestamped inflection points from the show 02:30 – Observe, don’t absorb: Instead of internalizing the stress and negative emotions during a crazy work situation, take a step back and look at the bigger picture before you respond.04:00 – Stressful workplace vs stressful situation: If you’re under constant stress and unable to function at work, it might be time to find a new job06:00 – Personal story of keeping calm in chaos: Work Mom shares a crazy work story from her video production days when she stayed calm and solved a huge problem without a freakout.08:30 – Mindset shift: If you can get into a problem-solving mindset, there’s no room for drama and chaos because you’re in action already. Top Quotes 00:45 – “Staying calm under pressure when things are nuts is really important to both your productivity and your mental well-being.”04:00 – “How important is it really that you respond right now? In most cases, you have at least a few minutes. Do you have enough time to step away and take a few deep breaths? It’s surprising how breathing techniques can help you feel calmer immediately.”05:45 – It can be really difficult working for someone who is constantly chaotic and pushing fast and moving fast if that’s not who you are. And if that causes you a lot of anxiety, it may not be a good fit for you.08:30 – Once you move into that problem-solving mode, you’re in action, and it’s a lot harder to be stressed out and freaking out if you are in action toward a solution. Transcript 00:00Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest. Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of Work Mom Says. Today we are going to talk about keeping your calm when everyone around you is freaking out. It happens. Things go haywire sometimes. And you can’t let overwhelming or overwrought emotions get in the way of figuring out what happened and how to fix it or figuring out just how to get through the situation if it’s just going to be a difficult one. And that will happen as well. So what I want to talk about is what have you ever felt? Get rid of that. Staying calm under pressure when things are nuts is really important to both your productivity and your mental well-being. Both of those things are really important to your success. And if you can practice staying calm and growing your emotional intelligence, you will have a skill that you can use for the rest of your life. 01:00And I’ll give you an example. When someone comes at you, let’s say you’ve got an angry client or an angry coworker, and they’re full on coming at you loud, angry. What do you do? Give that a second of thought. What do you do? Do you go into fight, flight, freeze? That’s naturally what our brains want us to do when we feel unsafe or attacked. We’ve got a little tiny part of our brain back here about the size of an almond called the amygdala. And it tells us, you know, it’s basically the center of our trauma response. 02:00So when something happens, how do you react? And if you react with anger under stress, that’s not good. If you react with fear under stress, that’s not good either. Anxiety, not good. Flight, running away, or what they call freeze, where you just don’t confront it. None of those are good responses to stressful situations at work. What is, is a strategic minds

#WorkMomSays that knowing when and how to give notice is essential for a smooth career transition. In this episode, learn the importance of providing a two week notice in professional environments and when immediate departure from a toxic workplace is justified. Discover insights on maintaining professionalism, recognizing red flags, and the impact of leaving a job gracefully or abruptly. Themes discussed in this episode The importance of professionalism when leaving a job When to offer a two-week notice and the benefits of doing so Identifying and responding to toxic work environments Personal experiences and lessons learned in career transitions Episode Highlights Timestamped inflection points from the show 00:12 – Introduction to the episode: Lori discusses the key considerations when giving notice and the importance of maintaining professionalism. 02:10 – Why a two-week notice is beneficial: Lori shares insights on how a formal notice period can leave a positive impression. 02:40 – Personal story from an advertising career: Lori recounts an experience with a seemingly promising job that turned out to be problematic due to unprofessional behavior. 05:05 – Red flags at a new workplace: Inappropriate conduct and lack of boundaries at a digital shop. 07:25 – The value of bridges unburned: A former employer reached out with a job offer after Lori’s professional departure. 09:02 – When not to give notice: In certain toxic environments, immediate exit is sometimes necessary to protect one’s well-being. Top Quotes 4:07 – “So my first day on the job, she told me, hey by the way, I’m in a relationship with the owner. And I just immediately knew that was probably not a good sign.” 5:05 – “Well, then he asked me to do his social media and we had a couple of meetings and I started taking some stabs at what I thought might be appropriate. And his first piece of criticism he began with: if I was the client and you were the agency, I would fire you.” 7:25 – “Since I had given a really great two week notice…my phone rang and it was that agency saying, hey, can you come back?” 9:21 – “And if you’re working in a place that’s kind of a toxic shit show and the owner may be using the staff as his dating pool or you know, you’ve got drinking all day long or you’ve got sexism or racism or inappropriate behavior, don’t worry about two weeks because in a lot of cases people that support that kind of behavior at the office will make those last two weeks a living hell for you.” Links Connect with me on LinkedIn. Order my book! Transcript 00:12 Hello, everybody. Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of Work Mom Says “Don’t Be An Idiot!” I’m Lori Jo Vest, and today I want to talk about giving notice from an employer. When it’s time to go, you have made your decision, and you’re giving notice. Do you always have to give a two week notice? No.  Depending on where you’re employed, how your employer treats you, if they are a very professionally run organization, a two week notice is totally appropriate and I would actually recommend it in those situations. If you like your job, but you were simply leaving to look for the opportunity to get a promotion or more money or maybe you were moving. In those situations where you don’t want to burn a bridge, a two week notice is a really good thing. When you give a two week notice, you get to take those two weeks and make it easier for your employer to fill the position with the next person. I’ve actually offered—depending on, you know, what size the company is and where you fit in that corporate structure—I’ve actually offered to find my replacement and I’ve done that at several places because that really does put you in a

#WorkMomSays that resilience is a critical skill for personal and professional success. In this episode, learn how to maintain composure through life’s ups and downs by developing resilience. Discover strategies for managing emotions, building a support network, and learning continuously so you can handle challenges with a calm and steady approach. Themes discussed in this episode Understanding resilience and its importance in the workplace Strategies for emotional regulation and self-care Building a strong support network for professional and personal growth Continuous learning and shifting mindset to handle setbacks Practical techniques for reframing challenges as opportunities Episode Highlights Timestamped inflection points from the show 00:20 – Introduction to resilience: Understanding resilience as a skill to quickly regain composure after facing disruptions. 01:25 – Early career experience and a story of resilience: An example of staying calm during a company financial crisis. 05:07 – Defining resilience in a professional context: How managing emotions and adapting to challenges is key. 7:54 – Self-care as a foundation for resilience: The importance of physical and mental well-being to maintain composure. 09:00 – Emotional regulation as part of resilience: Managing mood and emotions effectively in the workplace. 11:10 – Building a support network: Creating a system of mentors and friends to navigate workplace challenges. 12:14 – Continuous learning and mindset shifts: The importance of learning about resilience and reframing challenges as opportunities. Links Connect with me on LinkedIn. Order my book! Transcript 00:12 Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest. Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of Work Mom Says “Don’t Be An Idiot!” Today we’re going to talk about how to grow your resilience. Resilience is a really important skill. And basically what it means is that when something happens, good, bad or otherwise, you are able to quickly get back to your normal setting.  For example, if you are on the phone, you hear something terrible happened. When you get off the phone, maybe you have a client meeting. Resilience means that you can take some deep breaths, put that aside, get to it later, and face the next thing you encounter from that strong foundation of calm and stability.  Because resilience is- it’s one of those things that if you can be the calm in the storm—that would be another way I would define it—if you can be the calm in the storm when crazy things are happening, when things are chaotic, you’ll be the one that people rely on when things go crazy, because they’ll know you’ll be the one that’ll be, you know, steady and stable. And, you know, I’ll give you a quick story. 01:25 I’ve told this one before, but you may not have heard it if you didn’t catch the episode. Early in my career, I worked for a company that was a television production studio. I was recruited into this organization. And at the time I remember thinking, ‘If they hired a recruiter, recruiters are expensive, so they must have a lot of money. This must be a really solid company.’ And they hired me for marketing. They hired a gentleman named Tom for sales. And Tom felt so strongly about this company and its possible success that he moved his wife from Chicago to Metro Detroit. She was six months pregnant. She had a really good job at Bloomingdale’s.  And about I’d say two months after the hirings and—you know, Tom and I were settling into our jobs and there were about 20 other people at the company. It was a small company, but we were doing great, you know, great work for big organizations, for automotive companies like Ford, lots of great things were happening—and we found out that the major financial backer, the silent pa

WorkMomSays that transforming seemingly temporary roles into fulfilling careers requires adaptability and a proactive approach. In this episode, Lori Jo Vest chats with Kyle Elsasser, who shares his journey from taking a bridge job out of necessity to creating a thriving career path. Themes discussed in this episode Adapting to bridge jobs and finding growth opportunities Navigating post-college career challenges in a pandemic world Importance of customer experience in career advancement Embracing commission-based roles Addressing workplace challenges with empathy Episode Highlights Timestamped inflection points from the show 00:50 – Guest introduction: Kyle Elsasser shares his journey from a pandemic graduate to a flourishing career in the automotive industry. 03:01 – From entry-level to expertise: Kyle discusses the transition from an express lane service advisor to his current role. 04:59 – Finding the value in seemingly temporary roles: How Kyle transformed his ‘bridge job’ into a fulfilling career. 22:55 – Handling conflict with customers: Building empathy and tackling problems collaboratively. 28:59 – Advice for recent graduates and early career professionals: Making the most of your current job while seeking new opportunities. Top Quotes 5:38 – “I decided I wasn’t just going to use it as something to do for a few months. I decided I actually might as well do something with it.” 15:47 – “Being yourself at the office is different than being your best self at the office.” 17:09 – “…when you’re being paid to work, it’s not just your performance in your job, it’s not just your work product that is the- should be the result of that. It should also be your work persona.” 30:21 – “Even if it’s really hellish, focus on what you’re learning. When you start to get antsy, look back. Are you still learning?” Links Connect with me on LinkedIn. Order my book! Transcript 00:12 LORI: Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest. Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of Work Mom Says “Don’t Be an Idiot!” Today we’re going to talk about making the best of where you are. There are times when you’re in a position that you didn’t really expect to have to take. You may have a job that is less than you feel you deserve. You may feel that you are too experienced for your job or should be making more money. All kinds of things can happen. However, sometimes you have to stick with that job that you’re not so happy with for a little bit longer than you’d like. So our guest today is Kyle Elsasser. Say hi, Kyle. KYLE: Hello. 00:57 LORI: A 26 year old University of Michigan grad. He graduated in 2020 during the pandemic and things were extremely difficult and the place that he thought he was going to go right after college, that position evaporated. So he ended up taking what I would call a bridge job, meaning you take that job while you wait for something bigger and better to come along. Right, Kyle? KYLE: Yeah, that was the plan. LORI: Tell us about what happened when you first graduated. KYLE: I had an internship with Mopar. I had a whole- everything lined up, you know, getting an interview set up for the second, third week of March of 2020. That was quote unquote, a formality to go move out of state and start a new job as a district manager. Covid happened, said, oh, we’ll just wait a few weeks, we’ll wait a couple months. And here we are, five years later. LORI: Yea, no kidding. So what was your first position? What did you find out there and how did you find it? KYLE: Well, again it was- I was originally intending to go work for Mopar, which is the service and parts division of FCA or Stellantis Chrysler. Ended up taking a job as an express lane service advisor at a Chrysler dealer that my uncle was the general ma

WorkMomSays that actively seeking ways to increase your value to your employer and exploring opportunities beyond your current position are key to making more money in 2025. In this episode, discover strategic steps you can take to earn a higher income. Themes discussed in this episode Taking on more responsibility to earn a raise Recognizing and overcoming barriers to promotion Exploring side gigs and commission-based opportunities Strategies for career advancement Episode Highlights Timestamped inflection points from the show 00:23 – Making more money in 2025: The importance of increasing your value beyond your current role and making yourself indispensable. 1:19 – It’s about performance, not time: Longevity alone doesn’t guarantee a raise; taking on more responsibility and making your boss’s job easier is crucial. 2:35 – Barriers to promotion: A personal story highlights the importance of developing essential skills like client communication. 5:05 – Exploring side gigs: Consider opportunities such as selling products on platforms like Etsy or taking on seasonal retail work. 6:30 – Commission-based roles: Finding commission opportunities can lead to higher earnings, especially for those initially hesitant about performance-based pay. 8:02 – Increasing your income: Evaluate your job performance, consider changing positions, monetize hobbies, or seek commission roles if feeling financially stuck. Top Quotes 3:35 – “Your current employer knows your strengths, but they also know your weaknesses, and that can be a problem.” 6:04 – “If you have an interest outside of what you do day to day, that you would enjoy something like that, feel free to add that to your roster. A lot of those kinds of positions, it’s commission based.” 7:06 – “I would advise that if you want to make good money, find a position that allows you to get compensated for bringing in business or for encouraging customers to make a purchase…” 8:12 – “Consider whether you’re doing enough at your current position. Consider whether it’s an appropriate time for you to move to a new position. Consider if you have a hobby or a passion you can monetize. Consider if you could take a job that offered commission.” Links Connect with me on LinkedIn. Order my book! Transcript 00:12 Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest, also known as Work Mom. Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of Work Mom Says “Don’t Be an Idiot!” I am so happy you’re here. Today we are going to talk about what you should be doing in 2025 if you want to make more money.  A couple of things to talk about. In a lot of cases when people are earlier in their careers, they may not understand that it’s really, really important that if you want to get a raise, you have to make yourself more valuable beyond the position you’re currently holding.  Business owners and corporations have specific budgets for specific positions based on profitability and operations expenses, etc, etc. And if you can take the salary that you have and the job that you have to the very highest level, so you get to the top of that budget range and the top of the performance range, then you can talk to your boss about getting a raise or a promotion. 1:19 One of the things that I hear people say, as I’ve been doing this job for two years now, “I should get a raise.” It’s not a matter of time. It’s not about time. It’s about more responsibility. It’s about making your boss’s job easier, maybe being that one size fits all person that can volunteer to take on pop up projects. Those are the things that make you valuable to your boss in your current position, and it’s a great way to get a raise, is to just always be on, always have goals, always look toward getting the next promotion in how you perform your current position- yo

#WorkMomSays that the quality of your work – both who you are at work and your work product – determines your success. In this episode, learn just how important the quality of your presentation and relationships as well as your work output are when building a solid career. Themes discussed in this episode The quality of your professional presentation and behavior The importance of emotion or mood management The quality of your work output Getting the work done vs creating the best possible work Episode Highlights Timestamped inflection points from the show 2:30 – Presentation is everything: ALWAYS remember that you are being paid to behave on behalf of your employer, and that means representing your company with positivity and professionalism.5:30 – Mood management: Paying attention to your behavior at the office will help you grow past emotions so that your emotions are no longer controlling you. When it’s inappropriate to express them, you put them aside.8:30 – Improve quality of your work: Is your work accurate, is it thorough, and are you making the effort to produce quality work at all times?10:00 – Don’t just get it done: Meeting deadlines is important, but making sure your work is the best it can possibly be while meeting deadlines is way more important. Top Quotes 3:40 – “You are being paid to be there, and you’re also being paid to build productive, effective relationships with the team, and that’s something that a lot of people miss.”5:10 – “It’s really good for your humanity to be forced to be patient with people, to be forced to be compassionate, and that’s one of the things that paying attention to your behavior at the office will help you do. It will help you grow past emotions, so that your emotions are no longer controlling you. You control them, and when it’s inappropriate to express them, you put them aside.”6:15 – “Self-awareness will serve you really well in managing the quality of your behavior at work.”10:00 – “However, the best way to think of it is to make sure it is done and done well. And that takes a little bit longer. It takes more effort, it takes more focus. It takes proofing.”10:50 – “It’s a competition in some ways, not necessarily direct, but it can be a competition, and your behavior and how you present is one aspect of it, and your quality of your work is another.” Links Connect with me on LinkedIn. Order my book! Transcript 00:00Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest. Thank you so much for listening to this episode of Work Mom Says, Don’t Be an Idiot. I have been doing this podcast, I think, for three or four years now. I really love to share what helped me rise through the ranks in my career and helped me get to new levels of success regularly. So that’s what this podcast is about. I want to teach you how to play the emotional contact sport of business because it is an emotional contact sport. There are things that will stand in your way. There are emotions that you will have that will cause you to perhaps behave in a way that is not as productive as you should be if you want to succeed in your career. So there are a lot of things we can talk about, but today, I want to talk about the quality of your work and how and why that’s so important. There are so many people that come through companies that are early in their career that you can tell they just don’t get it. And by that, I mean they’re still in the college mindset, or they’re still in the mindset of, you know, I am myself everywhere I go, I behave the same way everywhere I go. 01:30While that may sound appealing and it may sound like the advice people are giving you when they say, be authentic, it’s really not. When you are in a work situation, you are being paid to act and behave on behalf of that company. So if you keep that in mind at

In this episode, Work Mom Lori Jo Vest discusses the importance of workplace politics and relationships. Her main piece of advice? Prioritize creating positive, connected relationships and exhibiting strategic behavior in the workplace. She offers many ways to play the emotional contact sport of business, from being cautious about joining companies with toxic politics to the importance of conflict resolution, emotional management, and building alliances with power players. Themes discussed in this episode Workplace politics involve unspoken dynamics, power structures, and power struggles Being strategic and intentional with your language, actions, and decisions is essential Build alliances with power players in the workplace Handle conflicts successfully to avoid burning bridges Collaborative conflict resolution–finding solutions together–is most effective Be authentic while also being strategic by bringing your best self to work Episode Highlights Timestamped inflection points from the show 00:28 – You must make connected, positive relationships a priority in the workplace02:42 – Be mindful of joining an organization where the leadership team has romantic relationships. It may indicate a toxic business culture.04:03 – When you go into a new company, find the power players and align with them by creating strategic relationships with them.06:10 – When emotions rise, step back so you can come back when you’re calm and manage the situation strategically. Links Connect with me on LinkedIn. Order my book! Transcript Hello. I’m Lori Jo Vest, also known as Work Mom, and I am here to talk to you today about workplace politics. There’s so much they don’t tell us when we start a new job or a new career, and politics is important. There’s a lot to be said for your relationships at the office, and those relationships will either serve you or hold you back. One of the things that I will say right up front is that it’s critical that you make connected, positive relationships a priority in the workplace. Anybody that you work with, even if you socialize with them as well, the positivity of that relationship, the level of connection that person feels with you, how well they feel they know you, how authentic you are. Can they trust you? Those factors are really critical to being successful in your job and in your career. So politics. What is it in the workplace? What does that even mean? It means basically the unspoken dynamics. Whenever you have a group of people working together, there will be a power structure. There will be power struggles. There will be people who truly believe that they know more than others. There are people who truly may know more than others who don’t think they know that much. There will be people with big egos who want to come in and take over because they know their way is the right way. There will be people who will be sideways with how they get things done and how they get their way. It’s really interesting. One of the most critical things you can do at the beginning of your career, throughout your career, and especially at the beginning of any new job, is to be very strategic in how you think and be intentional in what you do.So when you get into a situation in a meeting where it seems like you may be going in a direction that you know is not going to serve the client or the company or your job, do you say something, or don’t you? That depends on the strategic answer. Sometimes, in a meeting like that, you would say, “Hey, you know what, guys? I have a devil’s advocate perspective. I’d love to share,” and share your perspective. But there are other times when maybe you know that the people in charge don’t want to hear it, and it’s just going to backfire on you when you may choose not to do that.The power dynamics in a workplace are really importan

Trying to level up your personal and professional lives? Try putting an emphasis on growth in both areas, and you’ll grow your career success, too. In this episode, Lori Jo Vest shares ways you can become a lifelong learner and feed your mind with great information that will help you live a life you love. Themes discussed in this episode The value of being a lifelong learner Personal growth training programs – Incl. Landmark Education Talk therapy as a way to grow your emotional skills Putting a supportive community around yourself Using art, music and other endeavors to grow personally and professional Episode Highlights Timestamped inflection points from the show 1:01 – While growth may start as setting goals or making plans for your future, it can become a positive addiction to growing your skills and mastering your emotions2:21 – The impact of cultural and familial conditioning on one’s mindset and the importance of changing these beliefs9:49 – The benefits of therapy for emotional growth and managing difficult client relationships13:36 – Feeding your mind with quality literature, music, and other forms of intellectual stimulation16:20 – The importance of surrounding oneself with positive and supportive people Top Quotes 1:23 – I frequently say I’m addicted to personal growth. I am. I’m always looking to learn something new, to try something new, to jump in with both feet, with new technology, with new marketing tools, things like that, because it’s exciting. It’s interesting to live a life that has variety in it and that challenges you.3:38 – The Landmark Forum basically teaches you that there’s what happens in your life, and there’s the story you tell yourself about what happened, and your power lies in that story.11:16 – If you’re struggling with emotions, because sometimes it can be so challenging for us to unpack what it is in our heads that is causing us to be so angsty or to feel so much discomfort in a difficult client exchange. So therapy is a really great thing Links Connect with me on LinkedIn. Order my book! Transcript 00:00Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest, also known as Work Mom. Thank you so much for being here for this episode of Work Mom Says, Don’t Be an Idiot. Today, I want to talk about personal and professional growth and the value of becoming a lifelong learner. One of the things that I picked up in my thirties that I highly recommend is that you make a commitment to both your personal and your professional growth. If you want to hit the goals you’ve set for yourself, if you want to excel in life, if you want to experience new and different things, have challenging work, express your passions, make a difference in the world, all those things that so many of us aspire to, yet many do not. 01:00Taking a mindset of continuous learning and continuous personal and professional growth will serve you well. If you don’t have it yet, get started. And I can promise you that what starts out as goal setting or you know, maybe a chore can turn into kind of an addiction. And I personally, I frequently say I’m addicted to personal growth. I am, I’m always looking to learn something new, to try something new to jump in with both feet. with new technology with new marketing tools things like that because it’s exciting, it’s interesting to live a life that has variety in it and that challenges you. Focusing on that growth and developing a continuous growth mindset will be really helpful as you seek to either you know fly up the corporate ladder and become a C-level executive or maybe you want to become an entrepreneur or you want to become an independent you know millionaire there’s all kinds of ways to get there so if you have big goals get started by focusing on your personal professional growth. 02:00And

Work Mom Meets Career Dad Are you struggling to determine your career path? Career Dad and Work Mom are here to help! Career Dad Kerry Doyle joins us to talk about his work helping young people find their passion and career BEFORE dropping thousands of dollars on college OR if you just don’t feel like college is right for you. From networking to prioritizing your passions to the many ways to get to know an industry before you enter it, we cover a ton of ground. Themes discussed in this episode Normalizing career uncertainty The importance of self-discovery College isn’t always the right choice Ways to stay motivated in the career search Skill-building > job titles Handling rejection and career stress Featured Guest Expert Guest: Kerry Doyle, the Career Dad What He Does: He helps parents and teens explore their intended career path before wasting thousands of dollars on college tuition. He’s not anti-college, but he helps young people consider the many career avenues available since college isn’t the best choice for everybody. Connect: You can find him on LinkedIn and his website Episode Highlights Timestamped inflection points from the show 4:00 – Normalizing career uncertainty: Knowing your career calling in your twenties is VERY uncommon. It’s better to explore what you might be interested in to find the right fit rather than search for that perfect career.9:00 – College isn’t always the right choice: From trade schools to excellent jobs that don’t require degrees, there are tons of options out there. College may not be the right choice for you; it’s just a matter of doing your homework and exploring your options. Kerry can help you do that!10:00 – The importance of self-discovery: Strengthfinder assessments, career counselors, and talking to people in your intended industry are great ways to figure out the right career path for you.18:00 – Handling rejection and career stress: Consider rejections as learning experiences. Take the lessons learned, learn to pivot or shift directions, and keep it moving.23:00 – Skill-building > job titles: Entry-level jobs and jobs that aren’t your dream job can be the best option because they teach you tons of skills AND can get your foot in the door. Don’t turn down a job just because it isn’t perfect. Top Quotes 6:40 – Kerry: My advice is to look for that experience beforehand, before you make the investment. I’m not against college. Do some homework before college, something that you’re not used to doing. Get out of your comfort zone. And don’t assume that college is always the right choice.7:30 – Kerry: We’re responsible for our careers, our own lives. It’s not the teachers and parents anymore. It’s us.10:00 – Kerry: You can connect with them digitally, you know, through LinkedIn or something, but explore and get in conversations with people, go meet with them in person or through Zoom or something, and find out what it’s really like.12:00 – Kerry: There are a few reasons I wouldn’t put all my weight into the assessments. One, it’s a snapshot in time and our personalities and our interests change over time. It’s also based on theory. Yes, it’s based on statistics and behavior and surveys and other things, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to sync up with you.14:00 – Lori: A good career counselor is probably an even better option. Someone who can sit with you and ask you questions like, do you like to make things with your hands? Are you a woodworking kind of person as a hobby? Well, then maybe skilled trades would be a good place for you.18:00 – Kerry: You take those moments that are difficult and you look at them as learning experiences and say, okay, I need to strengthen that or maybe shift here, pivot here, whatever. But it’s all a data point.20:00 – Lori

It’s never too early to start building a solid career, so Work Mom is sharing a few key ways to jumpstart your career BEFORE you get into the workforce. From joining professional student organizations to being a continuous learner to finding a strong, intergenerational network of peers and mentors, there are tons of ways to start your career right now. Themes discussed in this episode Jumpstarting your career while still in college Professional student organizations get your foot in the door LinkedIn is your best friend Trade organizations expand your network The power of intergenerational networking Be a continuous learner Episode Highlights Timestamped inflection points from the show 1:00 – Getting involved = getting your foot in the door: Joining professional student organizations for your industry is a game-changer for finding internships, mentors, and opportunities. 1:45 – LinkedIn. LinkedIn. LinkedIn.: Start your LinkedIn account by your third year and connect with any adult you know. You never know who could connect you with your first opportunity. 4:00 – The power of intergenerational networking: When you form close connections with peers with decades of experience, you can ask them for advice or even a new opportunity when things go wrong. 6:30 – Reluctant networkers unite: If you’re introverted or just hate networking, check out our recent interview with the Reluctant Networker Greg Peters for his foolproof ways to get the most out of networking. 8:30 – Be a continuous learner: Learning about business etiquette, behavior, and mindset will get you far. From there, continue learning everything you can to elevate your skills, abilities, and emotional intelligence. Top Quotes 1:00 – When you get to campus, you should start looking into student trade organizations and get involved. It will have you meeting people who are in your field, your peers, and leaders in the industry. 2:00 – It’s not a bad idea to connect with your parents and your parents’ friends, uncles, or aunts. Anybody you know who’s an adult in business will help you grow your network on LinkedIn. 3:00 – “In the Women’s Ad Club, I found a group of women that, when things were going sideways, I could go to and say, “What do you guys do when this happens?” I mean, I was twenty-three, twenty-four years old, and some women in their fifties had great answers for me.” 6:00 – “When I got my pay cut, I got home, picked up the phone, and called a couple of my girlfriends…I was employed within two weeks, moved right into that new job, never got laid off, and recovered from that bit of early career trauma without a lot of muss and fuss because I knew people.” 8:30 – “When you’re a continuous learner, you’ll move more, you’ll learn more, you’ll meet more people. Your career will continue to elevate. You’ll elevate your skills, your abilities, and your emotional intelligence.“ Resources mentioned in this episode Connect with me on LinkedIn. Order my book! Transcript 00:00Hello, I’m Lori Jo Vest. Thank you so much for joining me for this episode of Work Mom Says, Don’t Be an Idiot. Today, we’re going to talk about things you can do while you’re still in college and immediately afterwards to really jumpstart your career. Most of us pick an industry. We try to get into it, but we pick the industry while we’re in college. So while you’re still in college, get some experience in your industry—a couple of things. If you’re not a club joiner, start joining those clubs. Most industries do have student chapters of their major trade organizations. There are ad clubs, if that’s your thing. There are manufacturing clubs, there are engineering clubs. Most of the universities and colleges will have organizations that are student chapters of nation