#489 Four Work Complaints Everyone Has - And Realistic Ways to Take Back Control

Squiggly Careers

In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore the common complaints we all have about work—and how to respond to them in ways that are realistic. From endless meetings, to never having time to think, they unpack why certain complaints come up so often and how to take small, doable steps forward. They share practical tactics like "co-working meetings," “to-think” lists, and a forgiving approach to navigating the inevitable frustrations of work life—so you can focus less on moaning and more on momentum.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and intro to the episode

01:00 Why we all complain (and why that’s okay sometimes)

03:00 Common complaints: too many meetings, too much to do, not enough time to think

08:58 Complaint #1: Too many meetings

10:30 Imperfect solutions: Shorter meetings, co-working time, reclaiming your calendar

15:48 Complaint #2: Too much to do

17:00 Zoom in/zoom out to clarify what matters most

19:00 Good enough is great: Adjusting your effort with intention

21:45 Complaint #3: No time to think

23:00 The “To Think” list and first thoughts method

25:00 Using voice notes and self-explaining for fast clarity

26:30 Complaint #4: Senior people are slowing me down

28:00 Reframing communication: work with—not against—bottlenecks

🎯 What You’ll Learn

- Why it’s helpful to turn your work complaints into first-person statements

- How “imperfect” solutions can be more useful than perfect plans

- Practical ideas to manage meetings, workload, and thinking time

- Ways to reduce bottlenecks and collaborate better with others

📚 Resources Mentioned

https://reclaim.ai/ – tool to block time for focus and reflection

When Good Enough Is Great Episode: https://www.amazingif.com/listen/when-good-enough-is-great/

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