Understanding Career Dynamics

There is a silent cost of staying in a job that doesn't work for you. Your Career Deserves Better. Life is too short for a job that dims your light. The cost of staying in the wrong role isn't just professional stagnation—it's becoming someone you don't recognize in the mirror. ⚠️ The Alarming Reality of Today's Workplace Recent research paints a concerning picture about our work environments: ➡️ According to a 2024 SHRM study, 44% of American employees report feeling burned out at work, with 45% feeling "emotionally drained" and 51% feeling "used up" at the end of each workday. [1] ➡️ A shocking 82% of white-collar workers surveyed by DHR Global in 2024 reported experiencing burnout, ranging from "slight" to "extreme." [2] Workers who feel burned out are nearly 3 times more likely to be actively searching for another job (45% vs. 16% of those not reporting burnout). [3] ➡️ According to MIT Sloan Management Review, a toxic workplace culture is over 10 times more likely to contribute to an employee quitting than compensation issues. [4] ➡️ Employees who feel included and psychologically safe at work are 50% less likely to experience burnout. [5] The Three Non-Negotiable Exit Signs Through coaching thousands of professionals through career transitions, I've identified these three warning signs that should never be ignored: 1. When survival becomes the goal (not growth) - A workplace that doesn't encourage development leaves you stagnant and increasingly disengaged. 2. When burnout infiltrates your personal life - True burnout isn't just feeling tired at work—it's when work stress begins affecting your physical health, relationships, and mental wellbeing. 3. When toxicity starts changing who you are - From gaslighting to constant negativity, toxic environments force you to adapt in ways that can fundamentally alter your personality and values. Your career should be a catalyst for your best self, not an obstacle to it. Staying too long in the wrong environment doesn't demonstrate loyalty or resilience—it shows a willingness to sacrifice your wellbeing. What was your wake-up call to make a change? Share below. 🔺 If this message resonated, I’m building something that goes much deeper. It’s called the 30-Day Influence Mastery Program. A step-by-step system to help you communicate with clarity, lead with confidence, and move people to action. You can join the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/gKmAPrHQ I’d love for you to be part of it. #CareerGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipAdvice #CareerTransition Sources: SHRM's Employee Mental Health in 2024 Research Series, May 2024 DHR Global Survey of knowledge workers in North America, Asia, and Europe, 2024 SHRM Research, 2024 MIT Sloan Management Review Report on Great Resignation, 2021 Boston Consulting Group Study "Four Keys to Boosting Inclusion and Beating Burnout," 2024

The ultimate power move in music isn't a chart-topping hit—it's re-recording your entire catalog. When Taylor Swift's masters were sold against her wishes, she didn't just complain—she headed back to the studio. "When something says (Taylor's Version)," she explained, "that means I own it." Four albums in, her strategy has paid off spectacularly. Music copyright is multi-layered: composition rights (melody/lyrics), master recording rights (the actual audio), and performance rights (for public playback). Artists often control some but not all—which is why re-recording creates new masters they can fully own. Crucially, Swift retained her publishing rights for her early albums, making the re-recording strategy feasible in the first place. Swift isn't the first to play this card. JoJo re-recorded her early albums after a label dispute left them unavailable on streaming services. Def Leppard created "forgeries" of their hits to gain leverage in digital royalty negotiations. Frank Sinatra founded his own record label and re-recorded his classics for creative freedom. The financial impact is staggering—Swift's re-recordings consistently outperform the originals. Red (Taylor's Version) broke Spotify's record for most-streamed album in a day by a female artist, effectively devaluing the original masters. This strategy has contributed significantly to Swift becoming a billionaire in 2023—largely through music revenue, a rare achievement in the industry. Meanwhile, music catalogs have become hot investment properties, with over $5 billion spent on acquisitions in 2021 alone. Investors view music rights as stable assets that generate reliable returns. The industry has noticed. Labels are now extending re-recording restriction periods from 5-7 years to 10-30 years in new contracts. Musicians should consider strategic pushback: leveraging existing fanbase data in negotiations, pushing for shorter contract terms, and seeking reversion clauses that return masters after a certain period. If full ownership isn't possible, joint ownership structures with labels offer an alternative—even partial control provides a seat at the table for future decisions. As Brendan Brown of Wheatus, who re-recorded "Teenage Dirtbag," bluntly advised: "Never give away your publishing or your masters... there's no excuse not to hoard your s*** and keep it under your bed." If you could see any artist reclaim their back catalog through re-recordings, who would it be and which album deserves the "(Artist's Version)" treatment first? #IPidity #copyright #WorldIPday #MastersOfTheirDomain P.S. Interested in how IP supports investment in the music industry? Tune in to WIPO's IP Finance Dialogue on May 13. We'll be discussing ongoing research we're conducting on this topic. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eD9cXSak

Since my last post, I’ve received multiple messages from people in my network eager to dive into the freelancing world. I can't help but notice the appeal it holds for many. The idea of working remotely, setting your own hours, and being your own boss? Sounds like the dream, right? Spoiler alert: freelancing isn't as glamorous as it seems. Now, I'm not here to rain on anyone's parade, but I do think it's essential to peel back the curtain and reveal what freelancing is really like. 📅 The much-coveted 'Flexibility': While it's true you get to choose your working hours, this flexibility often turns into a double-edged sword. Clients may hail from different time zones, requiring you to adapt to odd working hours. And weekends? Those can easily become workdays when a project deadline looms or a client requests last-minute changes. The inconsistency in workload also makes it hard to 'switch off,' leading to burnout if you're not careful. 🎩 Chief Everything Officer (CEO): If you're freelancing, you're not just the talent; you are the sales team, marketer, accountant, customer service rep, IT helpdesk and everything in between. You're basically running a one-person business, and that involves a lot more than just being good at your craft. You don't just get to do the 'fun' part of your job; you're responsible for everything - whether it’s invoicing, chasing payments, or juggling client demands. 💵 Show me the Money: Unlike a steady paycheck, freelancing income is anything but predictable. One month you’d be swamped with projects, raking in more than you ever did in your 9-to-5. And the next, you’d be hitting refresh on your inbox hoping for a new client inquiry. In addition to this, non-payment or delayed payments are not unheard of. In fact, a survey by Freelancers Union revealed that 58% of freelancers have faced non-payment at some point in their careers. And oh, did someone mention benefits? Or rather, the lack thereof? Unlike a regular job, where you have health insurance not just for yourself but your dependents as well, paid leaves, and a plethora of other benefits, freelancers arrange all of this themselves. 💡 Is Freelancing for You? Despite these challenges, freelancing can be incredibly rewarding for those who are up for it. The freedom, the autonomy, and the sheer joy of doing something you're passionate about can be unbeatable. So, before you take the plunge, you should know that freelancing is a career choice that deserves just as much consideration, preparation, and seriousness as any other. Would love to hear your thoughts on this. If you are a freelancer or have freelanced, how has your experience been? And if you’re considering freelancing, what questions do you have? #careerchoices #freelancer #workanniversary

Burnout doesn’t always show up as exhaustion. Sometimes, it looks like: → Feeling trapped in expectations you can’t escape. → Anxiety at the thought of stopping, even for a moment. → A creeping sense of detachment from everything and everyone. → Pushing through—even when your mind and body are screaming, "Please, no more." Two years ago, a client watched her husband break under the pressure of it all. - Being a new dad, and the main provider. - Relentless client demands. - The expectations of being a Partner in a Magic Circle firm. A job he didn't enjoy. He suffered a complete mental health collapse. He hasn't been back to work since. A sign of burnout that nobody talks about? The fear of stopping, or taking time off. Rest helps exhaustion. For burnout, rest can increase anxiety if deeper issues aren’t addressed. Burnout is not about managing energy. It's managing the fear of not meeting expectations. It requires psychotherapeutic intervention. If this feels or sounds like you - don't let the fear of being unable to provide for yourself and/or your family leave you unable to provide at all. Please reach out to a mental health professional and seek help. Thoughts? #burnout #mentalhealth #careers

Many senior leaders I speak with share a common frustration: despite their accomplishments, they feel completely drained by their work. The instinct is often to lean on quick fixes like long weekends, exercise, even extended vacations. While these can provide temporary relief, they don’t solve the real issue. Because the truth is: if your role is no longer aligned with your strengths, values, or vision, no amount of “self-care” will restore your energy. It’s like patching a deeper issue with surface-level solutions. What actually creates change at the executive level is clarity. Clarity around the type of work that energizes you, the leadership challenges that excite you, and the values you want reflected in your organization. Clarity around what season of life you’re in and what you want your career to enable outside of work. Once that clarity is in place, decisions about your next move become easier and opportunities that once felt out of reach start to align naturally. I’ve seen leaders go from burnout to balance, not by “working harder” or taking more breaks, but by making intentional career choices that match who they are today. The result? Renewed energy, meaningful impact, and often, a step up in both responsibility and compensation. If you’re feeling exhausted despite all your efforts to “manage the stress,” maybe it’s not your resilience that needs fixing. It’s the alignment of your work.

Gopal, what does Growth Look like? Over the weekend, a former colleague reached out to me. He was contemplating a career shift to independent consulting and asked me this seemingly simple yet profound question. This question immediately reminded me of a starkly different scenario: my father-in-law's cancer diagnosis, where "growth" had a daunting, negative connotation. Yet, thinking about it further, growth also represents the transformative journey from a tiny seed into a flourishing tree. In corporate life, we often gauge growth by promotions, salary increases, and title changes. However, these milestones don't fully capture the essence of what personal and professional growth can truly encompass. This realization is more evident when comparing the structured corporate ladder to the fluid, dynamic world of freelancing or consulting. For those pondering a shift to freelancing or even those mid-journeys, here’s a more personal, holistic way to plan for sustainable growth: ➡ Define What Growth Means to You: Financial Success: Is boosting your income a priority? 💰 Skill Enhancement: Are you looking to acquire new skills or master new technologies? 💻 Life Balance: Do you need flexibility to meld work with personal life? ⚖️ Purpose and Passion: Are you searching for work that resonates with your values? ❤️ ➡Continuous Learning: The work landscape is perpetually evolving. Staying relevant means committing to lifelong learning, whether through formal courses, self-study, or on-the-job experiences. 📘 ➡Networking is Key: In consulting, your network can define your net worth. Cultivating strong, genuine connections can unlock doors to opportunities that mesh with your vision of growth. 🤝 ➡Embrace Change and Challenges: The freelance path is riddled with highs and lows. Viewing challenges as chances to adapt and excel is crucial for resilience. 🚀 ➡ Personal Branding: As a freelancer, you are your own brand ambassador. A strong personal brand is imperative. 🎤 Planning for growth in a freelancing or consulting career involves a thoughtful blend of personal and professional aspirations. It's about forging a path that isn't just about survival but thriving on your own terms. Unlike the corporate world, there are no set milestones here—instead, you're given a vast canvas to paint your own version of success. So, whether you're at the beginning of your freelancing journey or you're an experienced consultant, remember that you have the power to shape your growth in any direction you desire. How will you define and pursue growth in your freelance career? #growth #personalbrand #lifestories #careershifts

Burnout often feels like a dead end. But what if it's not? What if it's the beginning of an exciting new chapter? I've spent over 30 years in the medical field. I've seen burnout from every angle. I've faced it myself. But here's what many don't realize: Burnout isn't just a barrier. → It's a signal. ↳ A powerful one. It tells you something needs to change. And that's where the opportunity lies. Here's how burnout can become your launchpad: ✅ SelfReflection → Burnout forces you to evaluate what truly matters. → It’s a chance to reassess your values and align them with your career. Skill Inventory → Identify the skills you love using. → Recognize those you want to develop. → This clarity can guide you to new career paths. ✅ Networking → Burnout can open doors to new communities and support networks. → Engage with peers who have made similar transitions. → Learn from their experiences. ✅ Vision Planning → Use this moment to envision your ideal worklife balance. → Set achievable goals that align with this vision. ✅ Action Steps → Map out small, actionable steps. → Each step should move you closer to your new career path. Burnout is not the end. It's a call to action. Embrace it. Use it as a catalyst for change. Remember: The career you dream of is on the other side of burnout. Take the leap and transform it into the career shift you never knew you needed. What steps will you take today to turn burnout into a breakthrough? Share your thoughts below. 🔔 Follow me, Dr. Heath Jolliff, for more tips ♻️ Share with your network to help them

I burned out in 2019. Don't be like me. Knowing when to stop can change your life: 1) Awareness: Recognize the signs of burnout. Listen to your body and mind. 2) Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your current path. Is it fulfilling? 3) Acceptance: Understand that it's okay to change direction. It's not failure. 4) Prioritization: Identify what truly matters to you. Focus on those aspects. 5) Planning: Create a plan for change. Set clear, achievable goals. 6) Support: Seek support from trusted individuals. Don't go through it alone. 7) Action: Take the first step. Small actions lead to big changes. 8) Adaptability: Be ready to adjust your plan. Flexibility is key. 9) Rest: Allow yourself to rest. Recovery is essential for long-term success. 10) Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness to stay present. It helps in making better decisions. 11) Boundaries: Set boundaries to protect your time and energy. 12) Gratitude: Appreciate the journey. Every step, even the hard ones, is valuable. Knowing when to stop and make a change is a powerful skill. Let's master it together, and we'll thrive.

The real sign of burnout isn’t exhaustion. It isn’t the long hours either. 👉 It’s when you start living life in countdown mode. Every. Single. Day. Which was something I used to do a lot when I was still at Wall Street. Because back then, I was the Queen of Counting Down. Counting down: ⏰ Until my lunch break - returning to my desk only at 1.59pm ⏰ Until 7pm - when I would leave the office (having already packed my bags at 6pm!) ⏰ Until the weekend - which would always vanish in a blink The days felt painfully long. The months, frustratingly short. Back then, I used to think that it was because I was just overworked. The burnout was inevitable! Yet the truth wasn’t in the hours. I wasn’t being that overworked. I did have a weekend, a life, and even great colleagues and bosses to work with back then! Instead, the burnout came because of misalignment. Because I was spending all my working hours doing work that I didn’t enjoy. I’ll explain in another way: Think about the last time you were in the ‘flow zone’. Maybe you were painting, coding or writing. (Or for me - coaching!) You blink, and it’s 8pm. The entire floor is dark, everyone has gone home. You never once, throughout the day, took a peek at the clock. Because in moments like that when you’re in the zone? You’ve found career alignment. That thing that you could do for 10-12 hours a day, and feel energized even when the clock hits 11pm. That's the difference between misalignment and flow: ❌ Misaligned work: "Ugh, can I just get out of here?"  ✅ Aligned work: "Oh wow, the day's over? I could keep going..." No luxury vacation can fix this fundamental mismatch. You’re just putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. So if you’re tired of living in a countdown, here’s where I would start: Step 1. Recognise the real problem  Your burnout isn't a time-management issue; it's an energy-alignment issue. Stop treating symptoms (with vacations) and start addressing the root cause. Step 2. Audit your “flow” triggers What activities make you lose track of time? Your energy is giving you valuable data about what your ideal work looks like. Step 3. Stop romanticizing the struggle  Constantly feeling drained isn't a badge of honor. Life is too short to spend 40+ hours a week counting down the clock. Step 4. Invest in a solution, not just an escape A vacation gives you a week of relief. Finding aligned work gives you a lifetime of engagement. The solution to burnout isn’t always to work less. It’s to find work that feels less like a countdown and more like a calling. P/S: I know it’s easier said than done. If you’d like help figuring it out, DM me 'BURNOUT' to get started.

Here's what I wish someone had told me before I left my job to start freelancing: I’m in my third month of freelancing, and there’s so much to consider before taking the leap! 1. Secure your first client before leaving your job: Focus intensely on finding paying clients. Working with one client before leaving your job can answer critical questions: Do I enjoy freelancing? Are people willing to pay for my skills and services? Do I prefer job stability? Will I miss having a team? 2. Start saving now: Despite the glamorous portrayals on LinkedIn, acquiring clients, converting them, and getting paid isn’t always straightforward. It can be stressful and time-consuming. Start saving so you can sustain yourself until you secure consistent clients. 3. Prepare for fear and self-doubt: Unlike a job where responsibilities are shared, freelancing puts everything on your shoulders. It's natural to doubt yourself—this hit me like a truck in my first month. The good news? It gets easier with time! 4. Personal branding is key: As someone who used to be reserved online, I didn't fully anticipate needing to build my personal brand and post more frequently. It felt daunting at first but has opened unexpected doors. Considering leaving your 9-5 job for freelancing? One thing that really helped me decide was making a pros and cons list for each option. It gave me a visual of my choices and guided me to make the best decision for myself at the time! #freelancingtips #freelancelife #careergrowth #selfemployment #jobtransition #careerchange #personalbranding #professionaldevelopment #decisionmaking #prosandcons #selfemploymentjourney #socialmediamanager