👋 Hey Geist Collective!

I’ve got to be honest: I didn’t publish last week.

Between public holidays, the intensity of my full-time role at pplwise, and trying to keep up with coaching, content, and everything else, I hit a wall.

I kept telling myself, “I’ll get it out tomorrow.” But tomorrow kept moving. And in the end, I needed a pause.

So today, I’m writing not to present a perfectly packaged set of tactics, but to share what it looks like to keep showing up imperfectly.

If you’re juggling too much, feeling stretched, or frustrated by your own limits—this one’s for you.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

We’re all told to be consistent. But what really matters is your ability to return, to recommit when life gets chaotic.

👉 Quick Action: If you’ve broken a streak posting, exercising, journaling, restart without guilt. You don’t need to make up for lost time. You just need to begin again.

Coming back after a pause can feel heavy. Here’s how to ease in:

👉 Quick Win: Choose your “one thing” for the week. That’s enough.

In 2025, a significant wave of layoffs is affecting companies across various industries, including tech, finance, retail, energy, and media. These reductions reflect strategic restructuring, cost-cutting, and shifts in business models influenced by technological advancements, especially artificial intelligence. Prominent companies implementing substantial layoffs include Meta, which continues to streamline its workforce, and UPS, planning a 20,000-job reduction amid automation and decreased Amazon business volume. Financial firms like Morgan Stanley and BlackRock are cutting thousands of jobs to align with strategic efficiencies. Tech firms including Microsoft, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Block, and Workday are laying off hundreds to thousands of employees, often due to performance evaluations or AI adoption. Source

This book is about escaping the pressure to be instantly productive and learning to play the strategic, sustainable career game.

It’s a reminder that long-term thinking is the ultimate edge and that small, deliberate steps now create major impact later.

👉 Check it out here (Affiliate link)

Transparency: If you buy through this link, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I'll always tell you when a link helps support Careergeist.

Reflectly: A self-coaching journal powered by AI and daily prompts.

It helps you:

👉 Explore Reflectly (I am not affiliated with them and do not earn when you sign up)

Note: While Reflectly offers a free version with robust features, they also provide premium plans with additional functionalities.

Each week, we'll debunk a common career myth.

This Week's Myth: "Consistency means showing up every single time."

Truth: Real consistency allows for pauses. It’s about rhythm, not rigidity.

👉 Quick Action: Redefine what “showing up” looks like for you right now. Maybe it’s smaller, but still brave.

I always say: hit reply and tell me your #1 career challenge. One reader did just that:

If you're in the same boat, still searching, still showing up, it’s not a failure. It’s persistence.

Here’s one thing that helps: Choose one tiny win this week. A conversation. An updated bullet point on your CV. A message sent.

Small forward movement is still movement.

What’s something that helped you bounce back from a slow season? Reply and let me know, I’d love to feature your answer in the next issue.

And here are two more things you can try:

And for those who are searching for a job, I am currently looking for (German speaking):

Should I always post jobs?

I'd genuinely love to hear from you:

Reply to this email and let me know. Brutally honest feedback encouraged. I promise, I’ll take it better than your manager takes feedback from you.

You're here because you're committed to your growth

You opened this because you’re serious.

Now take one step forward—implement just one thing today.

Cheers,
Sven Bunkus
Editor-in-Chief, Careergeist