2023 in numbers

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Wrapping things up for the holiday season

I’ve spent more time talking about burnout this year than ever before.

Combine…

• A challenging economy
• Rapidly advancing technology
• Continued adaptation to new ways of working

…and you have the conditions for heightened stress, anxiety and a feeling that it’s difficult to do your best work.

One good thing about discussing this so much, though, is that it’s become easier to spot the signs of burnout in myself.

That’s partly why I’m wrapping the newsletter and LinkedIn up earlier than usual this year. The other reason is the time of year. Many of you reading are in the US and about to celebrate Thanksgiving. The rest of you have Christmas and other holidays on the horizon. So, now seems like an appropriate time to pause and reflect.

And that’s been the theme of my year - reflection.

I’ve got much better at reminding myself to stop and reflect on what I’ve done, what I’ve been doing and what’s to come. It’s become a healthy habit, which has many benefits, including spotting those burnout signs!

With that in mind, here’s my brief summary of 2023 in numbers (rounded up and down a little for neatness!):

10,000+ people who’ve read and listened to me.

1000s of hours of conversations with 100s of people, some new connections, some old, and some rekindled after many years.

100+ podcast episodes that I’ve hosted or featured on.

40 newsletters

30 speaking engagements - keynotes, panels, event hosting and fireside chats

10 guest articles, interviews and posts

3 great kids to keep me chipper on the more difficult days.

1 fabulously supportive wife who reminds me to celebrate the successes.

1 bestselling book on entrepreneurship and careers.

1 custom GPT chatbot trained on the ideas I’ve written and spoken about.

1 MVP on its’ way this month, combining everything I’ve learned to help people track their career journey.

Thanks as ever for reading and for your support, and I’ll see you back here in 2024.

Ollie

P.S.

I mentioned my custom GPT chatbot above. I’ve created the Work/Life Copilot to help you navigate your career journey. Check it out HERE

P.P.S.

I’m not completely disappearing over the next 6 weeks. I’ll still be speaking at a couple of events, working with some great clients on the new product’s beta test, and publishing the year’s final podcast series focused on Work/Life Flywheel. You can hear an episode every working day over 5 weeks HERE.

P.P.P.S.

Here are 10 of my favourite podcast interviews of the year to leave you with:

Ollie & Rory Sutherland discuss the future of work & careers

Maya Grossman - Become the CEO of your career

Julia Hobsbawm - The Nowhere Office

Marcus Buckingham - Love + Work

Reasons for Optimism with Tom Goodwin

The Pull of Community with David Spinks

Finding Meaningful Work with Bruce Feiler

Rethinking Work Culture with Bruce Daisley

Why work isn't working (and what to do about it) with Jennifer Moss

Designing a Meaningful Life (my conversation on Christopher Lochhead ???????????? 's show)