Built Not Born Podcast · 24 February 2024
Change in Work & Personal Lives
A conversation about embracing change in business and life, setting meaningful goals, adapting at work and making practical changes to health, habits and priorities.
Episode guide
About this episode
After a break from recording, Chris and Helen return to a subject that has become increasingly relevant in both their business and personal lives: change. Their recent planning, conversations with a business coach and a fresh look at what they actually want from the future have prompted them to question goals that had quietly slipped down the priority list.
The discussion looks at how ambitions can start to feel unrealistic when they are treated as one huge outcome rather than a series of smaller decisions. A long-held personal goal becomes an example of how quickly something can move from a genuine ambition to an idea that feels impossible, and how breaking it down can make the path forward feel more achievable.
They also talk about the relationship between change and time. The familiar phrase that there is not enough time is challenged through examples such as exercise, health and working routines. Their point is not that every priority can fit into every day, but that changing what receives attention can change what becomes possible.
Workplace change is another part of the conversation, particularly the relationship between employers and Gen Z. Rather than treating different expectations or communication styles as a problem for one side to solve, Chris and Helen argue for adaptation in both directions. They reflect on the effect of remote learning and reduced face-to-face interaction during the pandemic, as well as practical changes they have made in how their own team communicates.
The episode also considers the changes nobody actively chooses, from shifts in relationships and friendships to much bigger personal changes that cannot be controlled. Chris and Helen come back to the idea that growth requires some willingness to move beyond what is familiar, while recognising that change can still be uncomfortable, uncertain or frightening at the time.
Key takeaways
What you'll learn
- Change and growth are closely connected, and staying fixed in the same habits or assumptions can hold a business or individual back.
- Large goals can feel more realistic when they are broken into manageable steps and given a clear place in day-to-day priorities.
- Saying there is no time for something can sometimes be a question of priorities rather than a complete lack of time.
- Different generations in the workplace may need to adapt to one another, particularly around communication, soft skills and expectations.
- Health, exercise and working habits can be areas where relatively small changes support focus, energy and productivity.
- Some change is chosen and some is outside our control, but reflection can help uncover what has been learned or improved as a result.
Questions from this episode
Frequently asked questions
Why do Chris and Helen believe change is important in business?
They see change as closely linked to growth. Businesses and people have to adapt as circumstances, technology, expectations and goals develop, rather than relying on the same approach indefinitely.
How can a big personal or business goal feel more achievable?
The episode suggests breaking a large goal into smaller, manageable steps and looking at what needs to change in priorities or actions to move towards it.
What does the episode say about Gen Z in the workplace?
Chris and Helen discuss the need for employers and younger workers to meet in the middle. They highlight differences in communication and soft skills, while recognising the disruption younger people experienced during the pandemic and the value of adapting on both sides.
How do health and working habits connect to change?
The conversation links health, exercise and working routines with energy and productivity. It includes examples of making time for the gym and experimenting with a standing desk and walking treadmill during the working day.
Is all change something we can control?
No. The episode distinguishes between changes people choose to make and changes that happen outside their control. The hosts discuss trying to learn from both, even when the change is difficult at the time.