Why this practice?
Thinking aloud isn’t for everyone—silence can increase inclusivity.
What is it?
Written or quiet brainstorming before discussion.
How to use it
Share prompts before meetings.
Allow quiet reflection first.
Gather ideas via chat or doc.
Closing thought
Silence is not absence, it’s space.
Why this practice?
Exploration prevents stagnation and sparks new ideas (IDEO Design Thinking).
What is it?
A dedicated day for research, inspiration and low-stakes exploration.
How to use it
Pick one theme: AI, remote work, creative careers…
Watch 2 videos, read 1 article, talk to 1 person.
Write down what surprised or energised you.
Closing thought
Your next career chapter might begin with curiosity.
Why this practice?
Trying small experiments helps reduce risk and uncover hidden potential (Design Thinking Career Playbook).
What is it?
A list of low-risk activities to explore new roles or skills.
How to use it
Examples: volunteer for a new project, attend a new webinar, interview someone in another field.
Choose one per month.
Closing thought
You don’t need a full leap. Just one small experiment.
Why this practice?
Thinking about legacy sharpens intention and focus (Stanford Life Design Lab).
What is it?
Exploring the impact you want your work to leave behind.
How to use it
Ask: “What do I want people to remember about how I worked?”
Write freely for 10 minutes.
Turn insight into a daily anchor.
Closing thought
You’re writing your legacy already make it count.
Why this practice?
Working just outside your comfort zone builds capacity and confidence (Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development).
What is it?
The skill, challenge or behaviour that stretches you — but doesn’t break you.
How to use it
Ask: “What’s one thing I avoid but secretly want to try?”
Plan a low-stakes experiment.
Track what you learn.
Closing thought
Your next level isn’t far, it’s just slightly uncomfortable.
Why this practice?
Experimenting with values can spark fresh insight on what drives and drains you (Harvard Business Review).
What is it?
Spending a week acting as if a different value guided your decisions.
How to use it
Choose a value you admire but don’t often practise (e.g., “boldness”, “simplicity”).
Let it shape key choices or actions that week.
Reflect: What felt different?
Closing thought
Sometimes we grow by trying on new values, like shoes.
Why this practice?
Curiosity fuels growth, resilience, and learning agility (Harvard Business Review).
What is it?
A personal inventory of what fascinates or energises you right now.
How to use it
Set a timer for 10 minutes.
Write down any ideas, industries, or roles that spark interest.
Explore one each month.
Closing thought
Your career path often begins where your curiosity leads.
Why this practice?
Career changes often come in midlife (HBR, 2022).
What is it?
Imagining next chapters not tied to your CV.
How to use it
Ask: “If not this, then what?”
Research 2 new fields or roles.
Closing thought
Second acts often start with curiosity.
Why this practice?
Intentional pauses fuel transformation (Petriglieri, 2019).
What is it?
Time off not to escape, but to evolve.
How to use it
Plan time to learn, reflect, explore.
Document what you uncover.
Closing thought
Growth often needs space, not speed.
Why this practice?
Prototyping lowers the risk of big changes (Design Thinking).
What is it?
A short experiment to test a new role, field or project.
How to use it
Try: volunteering, shadowing, mock projects.
Keep it time-limited.
Closing thought
Test before you leap.
