Andy McAleese

How a Jar of Awesome Could Help Keep Your Imposter Syndrome Under Control

Imposter syndrome wields enormous power when you aren't clear on your successes or proven abilities. It presents you with flawed evidence when taken at face value. Left unchecked, it can leave you paralysed, unable to progress and depriving the world of all you have to give. No more. It's time

I Was Crippled With Phone Anxiety. 3 Techniques I Use to Be More At Ease Making a Call

I suffered terribly from phone anxiety when I was younger. * my dad had to phone pretending to be me to arrange an interview for my Saturday job * I wrote convoluted "what-if?" scripts before making a call, feeling that I needed to be prepared for every eventuality * I would repeatedly dial

3 Steps That Could Help You Challenge Your Negative Thoughts and Build Confidence

My inner critic had created a suffocatingly negative view of the world for me. My world became smaller. Every question was an attempt to find me out as a fraud. I would be filled with self-doubt and avoid new opportunities. Three things helped me break free and start to discover

If You Struggle to Accept Compliments or Gratitude, Try These 3 Tips

I've always found it difficult to accept compliments or gratitude from people. I would often reject, deflect or downplay it as I would feel uncomfortable with the attention or praise. My typical responses would look like this: * Nice meal: "Oh, it wasn't quite how I wanted it to turn out"

Before Sharing Your Mental Health Story, Consider These 3 Things From Brené Brown

Sharing a mental health story can be powerful, but it's important to consider the reasons behind it first.

The One Thing I Say to Myself to Push Past Fear of Judgement and Publish My Work Online With Confidence

I have fears of negative judgement when writing online. When this happens, I have one phrase I use that gives me confidence to publish.

As a Leader, How Are You Influencing Your Team Without Realising It?

People look to leaders and are quick to see what is expected through the actions around them. What influence are you exerting without realising?

How Can Morning Pages Help You Silence Your Inner Critic?

Journalling using morning pages can help you to expose and manage your negative thoughts

Is Perfectionism Preventing You from Being Seen?

Perfectionism can hold us back. It's not about quality but about fear.

How crying at a management meeting improved my life

In June 2019, I broke down in tears in the middle of a management team meeting during a peer feedback discussion. I struggled for years with depression and anxiety, without knowing or having a diagnosis. Despite being successful, I had a deeply negative self-image and viewed my world through that

My Most Read Articles from 2021

As we approach the end of 2021, these are the most read articles on this blog and my thinking behind them.

It's More Important Than Ever To Talk About Our Mental Health

In these challenging times, it's important to talk about how we are feeling. How do we do this, especially when we may be working remotely?

3 Life Lessons I Learned From My Dad

My dad was a remarkable man and, in this article, I reflect on three of the lessons he left me with while I was growing up.

I "Should" Be Writing More

I've not been writing for almost a month. I've noticed the re-emergence of a word that is not helping me at all when it comes to writing or life more generally. That word is "should".

Mental Health Is a Winding Road

Mental health isn't a desination in itself. It's part of a winding road through life. There will be highs and lows, struggles and triumphs. Talking about mental health helps to equip us for this journey and to thrive.

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We Still Need To Talk About Mental Health At Work

There has been fantastic progress in recent years towards normalising mental health conversations at work. However, there is still stigma and fear, and it is vital that we continue to talk about this, especially in leadership positions.

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What is Catastrophising? 3 Ways to Manage Catastrophic Thinking

Catastrophic thinking can lead us to feel stressed or anxious about situations that are unlikely to happen. In this article I look at what catastrophizing is and how I reduce it.

You Need a Break - What Does Your Out-of-Office Message Say?

Taking a break is important. But email out-of-office messages often invite contact even when we are away.

What Does The Matrix Tell Us About Mental Health?

The 1999 film, The Matrix reminds me that our reality is shaped by our beliefs about ourselves. We have a choice, but we may need help to uncover this. The Matrix and making a choice > This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the

How Did My Depression Feel? A Poem About Wanting to Escape

In this post I share a poem I wrote about some of my experience with depression and dreams of escaping to a new life.

How Do I Feel About Returning to Normal After the Pandemic?

With the world opening up, I've felt uncertain about returning to "normal" life. I recently participated in an in-person webinar which caused me to re-think.

5 Tips for How to Reduce Your Phone Use

My phone is a constant distraction and here are 5 steps I've taken to help me reduce my use and tame my phone.

Taking a Break Inspired Me to Run Again

While on holiday in North Devon I re-connected with the outdoors and was reminded about how great exercise is for my well-being.

Lou Reed Perfect Day Lockdown Parody Music Video

My coronavirus lockdown version of Lou Read's Perfect Day.

How I use Journaling To Tame My Inner Critic

My inner critic and a feeling of imposter syndrome has dominated so many aspects of my life for many years. This started to change once I sought help for my struggles with depression and anxiety. For example, my inner critic has: * regularly woken me at night in a panic with