Blog
Blog for Career Happiness
Learnings, teachings and tips for anyone looking to creating a professional life driven by passion and purpose.
How to be productive at work
The Anxiety Version Eisenhower Matrix by Liz Fossilien made me laugh. 🙃
Ever find yourself spending hours on tasks that aren’t even urgent? (Guilty! 👋) I remember diving deep into research for something I already knew—like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)—only to realize I could have finished an hour earlier. Then panic hits because I’m close to important deadlines.
Here are some classic and useful productivity hacks to avoid that spiral:
📌 Eisenhower Matrix - Prioritize with purpose.
📌 Pareto Principle - Focus on the 20% that yields 80% of results.
📌 Agile Methods - Quick check-ins, reviews, and retros.
📌 ALPEN Day Planning - Outline your day in detail.
📌 GTD Method - Capture, clarify, and act.
📌 Pomodoro Technique - Work in focused bursts.
📌 Time Blocking - Divide your day into segments dedicated to specific tasks.
📌 Eat That Frog - Tackle the most challenging or unpleasant task first thing in the morning.
And remember: More important than just setting goals is building structures and systems. It’s a lot less frustrating in the long run. 😊
Contact me to learn more about how you can be more productive and manage your work to be efficient and happy.
Photo Credit: https://www.fosslien.com/liz-fosslien-funny-eisenhower-matrix
AVGS means free Coaching with me in Germany!
Jobcoaching with me can get paid by the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter. Ask me for Details.
Are you looking for a job in germany?
With a little bit of luck you can get 100% of the costs paid by the employment agency or job center.
With the AVGS (Activation and Placement Voucher) - this is uncomplicated and without any financial burden for you. All you have to do is email your consultant and ask for an AVGS to be issued.
And once you have an AVGS, all you have to do is find the right coach.
You know you can always contact me to discuss your situation and see if I can help you. Just PM me.
Another way to find the right coach or coaches for you is this website: https://avgs-gutschein.de/unsere-coaches/niv-nowbakht/
Next to mine, you will find many coach profiles of professional coaches.
Congratulations on this successful website Beratungsgesellschaft Willkomm mbh
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👋 Hi, I'm Niv Now. I help you to land a job in germany. I help you to create your next position within the company. Regardless where you are, I help you to move forward towards a fulfilling and successful career.
Do the free Assessment now!
Jobopenings in Germany 02/24
Jobsearching in Germany?
I got you covered with jobopenings from my network
Do you have
- any questions how to apply?
- open positions to share?
Contact me.
Head of People (german speaking)
deepset - remote - full time - germany
https://lnkd.in/eQqiDNHH
Senior Performance Marketing Manager (german speaking)
neuefische GmbH - School and Pool for Digital Talent · Hamburg, Germany
https://lnkd.in/eNZUtJNv
Senior Specialist People & Culture (m/w/d) (german speaking)
neuefische GmbH - School and Pool for Digital Talent · Hamburg, Germany
https://lnkd.in/eCkjVchb
Marketing & Communications Expert – Fokus: Content & Social Media
Exxeta · Berlin, Germany (german speaking)
https://lnkd.in/e2YbqSbc
Partnerships & Sales Manager
Working Student for Partnership and Sales
Junior Project Assistant for Programmes
Impact Hub Berlin
https://lnkd.in/eCYaktyF
EIT Health:
Senior Programme Coordinator (m/f/d)
New Investment Opportunities Manager (m/f/d)
Hybrid Full-time Associate
Technical Business Analyst and Platform Manager (m/f/d)
Transversal Processes Manager (m/f/d)
Partnership Manager PMO (m/f/d)
Venture Portfolio Manager (m/f/d)
EIT Health · Munich, Bavaria, Germany ·
https://lnkd.in/eE4vzKXy
EIT Raw Materials:
HEI Policy and Alliances Manager (m/f/d) remote post
Finance Manager (m/f/d)
Access to Finance Admin Specialist (m/f/d) remote job
HEI Community of Practice Manager (m/f/d) remote post
HEI Policy and Alliances Manager (m/f/d) remote post
Working student (m/f/d) to support Education team
EIT RawMaterials · Berlin, Germany
https://lnkd.in/eQEhmACy
Senior Full-Stack Engineer
CHAPTR · Germany - remote
https://lnkd.in/e-2jP9Nt
Policy & Market Specialist (f/m/d)
KAYA · Berlin, Germany ·
https://lnkd.in/e8RexgmJ
Finding Purpose and Connection: My Journey to a Fulfilling Career and Life
Happy at We Work in Capetown.
I recall a day in November, when I walked home in the pouring rain, feeling completely burnt out from working almost round the clock.
I realized that this was neither healthy nor good for me.
I asked myself, "Why am I doing this to myself?"
The answer that came to me was that I needed to make money, but that left me feeling disconnected from my heart and the joy of creating.
I believe we often blind ourselves with paychecks and forget that we have a choice to live a purposeful life. My purpose is to enjoy life while making the world a better place using my unique skills through coaching. Practically that means I help to improve careers, be better at networking, and be happy in the new world of work.
For me, success means being there for myself and others. I became conscious of the fact that I was often there for others more than I was for myself. Back in that day in november, I promised myself that I would take care of myself and take a vacation.
Today I am standing in a wework in Capetown, feeling more connected to my "why" than ever before. Helping others find joy and connection in the new world of work brings me joy. And it is my privilege, honor and pleasure to do so.
It’s not all sunshine and there are ups and downs. Especially being self-employed.
But I am successful. I am there for myself and others. Finally.
Get in touch when you want to find your way and define what success really means to you.
Niv, your Coach for Career Happiness
The Dunning Kruger effect - explained
Tooltip #1
Let’s talk about the Dunning-Kruger effect, but don't worry, I won't make it boring. This fancy term describes how people with low competence think they're the bee's knees, while the competent ones doubt their abilities. It's like the more you know, the more you realize you don't know. But wait, it gets better. There's this graph that shows your confidence level as you develop your skills.
At the tippy top, let’s call it "mount stupid", you're feeling like a rockstar right before you come crashing down to the valley of despair. That's where most people throw in the towel when learning something new.
Make it stand out
But if you're resilient or have a good coach and keep pushing through, you'll eventually start climbing up the slope of enlightenment until you reach the plateau of sustainability. This is where you can specialize and become a real pro in your field. Unfortunately, the "mount stupid" crowd tends to be the loudest and can make it hard to see who's really skilled out there.
So, the lesson here is to keep at it and don't let your confidence be based on a false sense of competence. 😄
And remember, just because someone's talking the talk, it doesn't mean they can walk the walk!
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👋 Hi, I'm Niv Now. I help you to be happy and adaptive in the New World of Work. I help you to find out what you want and create your next position within or without the company. Regardless where you are i help you to network your way forward. DM me for help on how to make a career that works for you.
Have a great week
🌟 Happy Monday to you all! 🌟
A good start to the week is important and small gestures, can have a big impact.
I have made it a sport to wish at least 20 people a good start to the week every Monday. This way, I bring joy to others and am more motivated myself, as my focus automatically turns to a good start to the week.
Of course, you can go even deeper and you should if you can.
Here are five questions that will help you email someone to wish them a fantastic start to the week:
1️⃣ How can you acknowledge the previous week's accomplishments and express appreciation for the work that has been done?
2️⃣ How can you motivate them to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead of the team?
3️⃣ Is there a specific goal or project being worked on? Ask about progress and offer support.
4️⃣ What positive affirmations or encouraging quotes might inspire?
5️⃣ Can you offer a small gesture of kindness or support?
For example, sharing a helpful article or recommending a book or podcast that really helps?
The simple act of reaching out and showing genuine appreciation can have a profound impact on your day and week. So why not start the week with appreciation?
Wishing you a week filled with joy and success! ✨
The first 90 days -let’s go!
Congratulations on landing the job! The first 30 days are critical for understanding the organization, its culture, and your role. Research extensively, interact with stakeholders, and get to know your colleagues. The next 30 days involve planning and strategizing, setting realistic targets, and seeking learning opportunities. Be active in completing tasks and fostering collaboration. In the final 30 days, solidify your position by embracing new challenges and accepting feedback. Self-reflection is vital to growth. With the right approach, you'll become a valuable asset to the organization. Let me be your career coach for an impactful journey.
So, you have cracked the job. Congratulations!
No matter whether this is your first job or not, you will get to enjoy some days after joining when you will not have any considerable workload. This is the time people enjoy, and celebrate their new job. However, the sooner you liberate yourself from the myth that now you can relax after days of preparation and anxiety, the better it is for you. The challenges of seeking a job and sustaining it are completely different and to win the game, you must be prepared for both.
The first few months are crucial to understanding your new organization, position, and job role to get a clearer picture of yourself in the next 5 years. So that you won’t be overwhelmed with too many things in these first few months, here are some heads-ups for you.
The first 30 days - Time to Understand Your Organization and Your Job Role
These initial 30 days are crucial. You must utilize this period to know the organization, the culture that ripples through it, and your exact job role.
First thing first; do extensive research on the company (Go through the website, social channels, mission, vision, services/products, footprints, and clientele). This will help you get a clear idea of the organization you are a part of now and also enhance your opportunities and confidence to be a valuable contributor to it.
Second, understand and interact with all stakeholders. This is important to define your role in the organization. Needless to say that the designation doesn’t speak everything about your job role. It varies in different organizations. To sustain in the company, you must have a clear conception of your role and responsibilities, expectations of the company, and the process. This is high time to ask questions to clarify your doubts.
Third, get to know the work culture by knowing your colleagues and team members. There is no one-man army in an organization and for successful teamwork, you should be an active participant in team meetings, gatherings, social events etc. Remember that networking plays a key role to mark your presence in a company.
Days 31 -60 - Learning and Contributing to Achieve Organizational Goals
Now that you are equipped with the basics, you are eligible for the next step. These second 30 days are important to plan and strategize your work. This will determine your next 90 days’ activity.
By understanding the organizational goal you must create a plan with the help of your team lead. Make a plan with realistic targets, clear expectations and sort them according to priority. This type of transparent planning will not only make your work easy but also make your impression noteworthy.
Look for training programs or mentors so that you don’t miss any learning opportunities. If you add new skills and technologies to your expertise, you can add value to the company and that’s what a company looks for in a candidate.
Play an active role in completing your tasks, ideate new ways of looking at a project, and enhance collaboration with the team. All these will lead to manifesting your positive attitude towards holistic success.
Days 61-90 - Bringing up Yourself as an Emerging Star
The last 30 days of the initial 90 days are the most crucial time when the company will be looking at your potential to be an asset.
It is high time to buckle up and solidify your position in the company. Apart from working on your forte, you can:
➔ Be open to take on new challenges. Working in your comfort zone is the easy way but to stand out of the crowd, you must explore more. Be brutally honest while evaluating yourself. Trust your potential and take up new challenges. Consider those as learning curves and give your best to prove yourself. This will establish your strong sense of commitment to the job role.
➔ Being confident doesn’t mean shutting yourself down from feedback. You must understand that in the learning curves, there must be feedback and all of those may not be appraising. Keep your spirit high and work on the loopholes to produce something better next time.
While concluding I can say that after these crucial 90 days, retrospecting is a must. This span of 90 days will teach you a lot of things that you can utilize in the future. You will learn about your abilities, your potential, your limits, and weaknesses as well.
I believe that self-evaluation is a pillar of growth and with the right approach and zeal to grow, you can prove yourself as a valuable asset to the organization and pen down a lot of success stories together.
I am your coach for career happiness. Let me help you make your journey of the first 90 days in an organization even more impactful. Book your appointment and reshape your career in the best way.
Deciding Between Career Coaching and Therapy: How to Achieve Career Happiness
Are you wondering whether you should consult a career coach or seek therapy? In this article, we'll explore the differences between these two approaches and help you determine which one is right for you.
Whats the differences between career coaching and therapy?
Maybe you've recently been laid off and are feeling overwhelmed. Or perhaps you're struggling in your leadership role at work and are experiencing burnout. These situations can feel like existential crises, and it's often hard to know exactly what's going on. It's important to distinguish between being overwhelmed and being depressed, and getting a clear overview can be helpful in these situations.
That's why, as a career coach, I offer a 360 degree assessment before we even start coaching. This helps us determine if therapy might be a better fit for you. If it is, I'm happy to provide you with information on how to get the help you need.
But if therapy isn't necessary, career coaching could be the answer. So, what's the difference between the two? And how can they help you achieve career happiness?
Career coaching, and coaching in general, is designed to help you progress from 0 to 10. Therapy, on the other hand, helps you get back on track by bringing you from -10 to 0. In other words, therapy helps you address general issues in your life, while coaching helps you achieve specific goals.
As a career happiness coach, my focus is on helping you find joy and resilience in your career. My job is to support you in finding the right direction and moving forward, not to push you down a path that doesn't serve you.
Therapy can also be helpful in addressing career-related issues, but it tends to focus more on healing and may involve a deeper examination of past traumas. It can be done individually or in a group setting, and may use techniques such as cognitive behavior therapy or depth psychology.
How do i decide between career coaching and therapy?
Ultimately, the decision between career coaching and therapy will depend on your specific needs and goals. If you're ready to commit to working towards a concrete career-related goal and feel capable of managing sessions on your own, career coaching may be the right choice for you. But if you feel like you need more support in addressing broader life issues, therapy could be a better fit.
Conclusion
No matter which option you choose, it's important to remember that we all need support at times. So, if you're considering either career coaching or therapy, I congratulate you on taking the first step towards achieving career happiness. After all, life is too short to be stuck in a job that doesn't fulfill you.
I'm here to help you find the right path, whether through career coaching or therapy. Contact me today to learn more and schedule your 360 degree assessment."
The great resignation is not over. Can Coaching help?
How a Career Coach can help you to keep your workforce - if it makes sense.
Is your company suffering from the great resignation?
With the rise in resignations, many are struggling to answer.
In a post by my favorite networking expert, Keith Ferrari, I read that "the number of layoffs in the US. increased to nearly 57 million from January 2021 to February 2022. Though the numbers went down a bit, there are still many who are quitting or are willing to quit.
Ok, problem identified, now how can you deal with your shrinking workforce?
My advice is to listen to your employees or hire a coach to do it for you.
In the last two years, about a handful of clients in good positions have approached me and said things like:
"I'm about to get a promotion, but I don't really want it. I don't know what I want."
"I make 200,000 euros, which is great, but I can't take the obvious aimlessness anymore. I'm going to quit."
"I want to build something that makes a difference and makes the world a better place."
"I've worked like this for 20 years, I have 20 years left, and I want them to be meaningful.
How I helped these clients:
Deep listening and understanding what they really want and believe in.
Helping to create a plan for how to integrate that - not by quitting, but within the company if it was possible.
Helping them to design and propose their new job
Helping them to learn the skills needed for their future positions.
The result:
The majority of clients stayed with the company.
All clients were able to create a perspective that worked for them and became happier.
All clients were able to create a plan how to learn new skills fast
The world of work is changing, act accordingly.
I am here to help, quickly, efficiently and reliably.
Get in touch now to realize your employees' full potential instead of watching them go.
Your career happiness coach,
Niv Now
Read more at Statista: https://www.statista.com/chart/26186/number-of-people-quitting-their-jobs-in-the-united-states/
Read more at HBR: https://hbr.org/2022/06/the-great-resignation-stems-from-a-great-exploration
Should you hire a Career Coach? Read this to find out.
Find out if hiring a Career Coach makes sense.
In today's fast-paced and rapidly changing world of work, it can be challenging to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace. Whether you're a recent graduate just starting out in your career, an experienced professional looking to make a change, or a leader trying to guide your team through uncertainty, you may need support and guidance.
This is where a Career Coach can help. A Career Coach is a professional trained to help individuals develop and improve their careers. They can provide you with the tools, insights, and support you need to achieve your goals and succeed in the new world of work.
So why should you consider hiring a Career Coach?
First of all, a Career Coach can provide you with a fresh perspective on your career. They are not invested in the day-to-day details of your job, and they can provide an objective and unbiased view of your situation. This can be particularly helpful if you're feeling stuck or unsure of how to move forward in your career.
A Career Coach can also help you to identify and overcome any obstacles or challenges you may be facing. They can help you develop strategies to overcome common barriers such as lack of motivation, confidence, or difficulty communicating effectively with others.
Another benefit of working with a Career Coach is that they can help you to develop new skills and improve your existing ones. Whether you're looking to improve your communication skills, build your emotional intelligence, or learn how to be more adaptable and resilient, a Career Coach can provide you with the support and guidance you need to achieve your goals.
In addition, a Career Coach can help you to build your network and connect with other professionals in your field. They can provide you with introductions to potential mentors, clients, or collaborators, and help you to build the relationships you need to succeed.
But it's important to remember that a Career Coach is not a magician. They cannot fix your career overnight, and they cannot solve all your problems. They can only provide the tools, insights, and support you need to improve yourself and your career.
Its up to you…
…to take advantage of these resources and put in the work to achieve your goals. But with the right support and guidance, you can overcome any obstacles and find success in the new world of work.
So if you're feeling stuck or unsure of how to move forward in your career, consider hiring a Career Coach. With their support and guidance, you can develop the skills and strategies you need to succeed in the modern workplace.
Still unsure? Book a free 30 minute career assessment with me and find out where you stand and how our work could benefit you!
Yours happily,
Niv
(Re)discover Your Career Flow: What Do (Really) You Want?
I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna
I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig ah
Career: What is that supposed to mean?
According to the dictionary, the definition is "an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person's life and with opportunities for progress".
And what about career happiness?
A happy career sounds like the perfect match. Just like the perfect love: everybody wants it, yet it seems unreachable.
But how is career happiness defined? And more importantly, by whom?
Is it defined by the 4,000 ads that are weighing you down each day on (social) media, telling you what you are supposed to think is a good life? Or is it defined through your peers or boss? What do you need to be happy? Do you need to be extremely determined night and day to get the approval of your boss?
How about an alternative to that?
Yes, take your own thoughts into consideration: What is it that you really want?
When I was going through my own coaching, I remember vividly how my coach asked me: “What do you really want?” He asked me this question again and again for one hour straight. I answered: “Not this, not that. Not this, not that.”
He stayed on it as a good coach would. In the end, we got to a place where I started to gain clarity.
Later he asked me to write an application for the job I really wanted to do. When I sent it to him, I did not know it would be almost exactly like my job is today!
So here's something you can do in your journey toward career happiness:
Get clear on what's really important to you
You can do that on your own, in a coaching session, or join for the event here. Be sure to focus and not BS yourself. That’s not always easy but worth it, that’s why others should help.
Understand yourself and what’s truly important to you
What kind of journey do you want? Try this simple exercise: Just remember the most pleasant and rewarding situations in your career so far. What happened? What did you do? What brought you there? What did it look like? What steps did you take to get there?
Are you ready to improve your career happiness?
Let's (re)discover your career flow together by realizing what drives you and reflecting on what's important to you. Book a free 30-min session to discuss your coaching journey!
5 Things You Need to Start Job Hunting the Right Way
COVID-19 has placed many challenges upon the job market. How can you prepare yourself to land your dream job?
Whether you are looking for new career opportunities or job hunting for the first time, an intimidating scenario awaits you. But it doesn't have to be this way!
With the right amount of preparation and a healthy dose of confidence, you can make sure your job-hunting mission will lead you to your dream job - or at least to get a few more interviews!
So what do you need to prepare yourself for job-hunting?
First things first: you don't have to do everything at once. Take your time trying out these tips to see what works best for you. Ready to find out what 5 steps you should follow to improve and prepare yourself for your job-hunting adventure?
Job-Hunting Step #1: Networking & Community
This is where you should start for sure! Polish up your LinkedIn and Xing profiles (don't forget to follow me!) and your website if that's relevant for your job. Then, start reaching out: who are the people on your network that could possibly know about new opportunities? Who can give you feedback on your skills and CV? Get in touch. Also, connect to other supporters in the field you want to go to. And maybe add me on LinkedIn too? Let me know who you are and where you want to go.
Remember: networking can be fun and efficient!
Extra tip: Please make it personal! You should always leave a welcoming message when reaching out on LinkedIn.
Job-Hunting Step #2: Self-management
This step is about taking back control over how and when you are working on your new career. Again: You don't have to do everything at once, of course! If you are planning to change careers or simply finding a new opportunity, schedule specific times for your CV improvement, networking sessions, and searching for new jobs. This helps to stay on track.
Self-manage your time, so you don't feel overwhelmed or unmotivated. Especially if you are working from home, self-management will improve your productivity in general. Build your own system using tools like Notion or Clickup.
Extra tip: It’s important to create a flow that works for you! Notice what is happening when you are at your most focused and productive self. How can you repeat those situations?
Job-Hunting Step #3: Vision
What do you want, exactly? This might sound like an obvious question when, in fact, it can be really difficult to answer - especially when we are job-hunting.
Be precise: how is the life you want in detail? And how does your dream job fit in it?
The more you keep your vision in check, the more you will focus on spending your energy on the right job vacancies.
Extra tip: Don't spread yourself too thin. Concentrate your power on the jobs you really want!
Job-Hunting Step #4: Persistence
Hearing a 'no' and being rejected are some of the toughest parts of the job-hunting process. Don't beat yourself up over it - the important lesson here is to keep trying and building up some resilience. Be persistent and keep on applying: every no might lead your closer to the right yes. To stay motivated, it helps to give yourself constructive feedback and learn along the way.
Also, put into perspective that the times we are looking for jobs are constantly getting longer. So wherever you want to go, make sure you have what you need where you are. Take good care of yourself.
Job-Hunting Step #5: Self-love
Hey, you are taking a new path here: looking for a new job and/or changing careers can be challenging. Are you congratulating yourself on it? You should!
You have taken the first step towards a brand new journey. It won't always be easy, but you have gathered the courage and confidence to do it, so well done. Give yourself some self-love! It will also keep you strong throughout your journey.
And of course, if you need more help in your quest for career happiness, don't hesitate to get in touch. Book a free 30-min session to find out how coaching could help in your job hunting journey.
Niv Then, Niv Now
Seven years ago, I was not happy with my career path. Here's how I found the courage to change
Today, I'm a career coach. I am so glad about what I do - it's fun, but it wasn't always like that.
Seven years ago, I was not happy.
Like many others, I lacked passion for the work I was doing and didn't allow myself to be the real me. I needed confidence that I could build a career that would make me happy.
I vividly remember the day I quit. After gathering all my courage, I took a leap of faith and quit, even without knowing what to do next.
I was proud - and still am - for taking the step to move out of a comfort zone that didn't allow me to perform at my highest. And at the same time, I was afraid of the future and the unknown.
Here's what I used to think, and maybe you resonate:
I kept comparing myself with others, thinking that success and happiness were not for me.
To make a living of pursuing my passion felt unthinkable.
I used to think I needed to fit in - then someone else would value me.
Back then, I was not in my power, like many others every day. I lacked purpose and courage.
But then I realised there was much more to come. And I decided to start my own journey to create a work and life relationship where I would blossom in.
It's a paradox: It started with quitting.
This decision made me realise that I am a powerful creator of my own destiny. I chose to become a career coach and business consultant. I now live and share my courage, which is also the meaning of my Persian name: Niv.
And I never regretted it.
Are you ready to find your courage as well?
Together we will explore your full potential and connect your mind to your heart for creating a life driven by passion and purpose. As a Coach for Career Happiness, I am here to guide you on your journey within.
Ready to give it a try? Book your free 30-min chat now!
Start your journey
Try a coaching session for free and see if it’s right for you.
There’s no commitment, pressure, or obligation.