The hottest Career Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Facing your fears when they're valid | #53

The Pole • 79 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Career
  1. Facing your fears, even when they are valid, is crucial for personal and professional growth. It's important to confront fears creatively and develop a plan to mitigate risks.
  2. Reflect on past mistakes to learn and improve. Identify patterns and focus on building expertise and confidence.
  3. Articulate and address your fears to move forward effectively. Consider efficacy, effectiveness, efficiency in your pursuits and tackle any doubts or uncertainties.

Losing my Religion, 2e

KCKlatt’s Substack • 2 HN points • 22 Sep 24
🚌 Education Career
  1. Navigating academic life can create a lot of confusion, especially when you see a gap between the ideals of research and the reality of how things operate. It can feel frustrating when the focus is more on getting published than on genuine discoveries.
  2. The pressure to publish often leads to questionable practices in research, which can hurt the integrity of the work. Many people in academia are just trying to survive in a system that doesn’t set them up for real success.
  3. Finding a supportive environment in academia is tough, and it's important to constantly question what the true mission of academic work is. Many academics feel like they’re in a game where they have to compete rather than collaborate.

The DIY writing residency

quite useless • 452 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
📚 Literature Career
  1. Persistence in writing is important, but flexibility and adaptation are key.
  2. Consider finding your own way to create the ideal writing environment instead of traditional residency programs.
  3. Choosing a well-paying job unrelated to your passion can provide stability and the freedom to pursue your creative endeavors without being solely dependent on them.
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Reiko Okuyama, Commercial Artist

Animation Obsessive • 1614 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Career
  1. Reiko Okuyama was a legendary Japanese animator who played a significant role in the early days of modern Japanese animation.
  2. Okuyama's career spanned years and she contributed to Studio Gh...
  3. To learn more about Reiko Okuyama and her artistry, consider subscribing to Animation Obsessive for a 7-day free trial.

Grounding your story

Sunday Letters • 219 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Career
  1. Engineers can have many interests and skills, not just coding, which makes them versatile. It's okay to be like a 'paladin' who does many things well, even if it takes longer to master everything.
  2. Balancing different skills means you might not be the best in just one area, but you can excel in roles that need different perspectives, which is valuable.
  3. It's important to clearly define how you see yourself and communicate that to others. Having a simple and grounded story helps people understand your unique blend of skills.

note to (past)self

Working Assumptions • 176 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Career
  1. Starting a job at a startup can be thrilling with its fast-paced environment and growing community.
  2. Becoming a manager can bring new challenges and self-doubt, impacting personal life decisions.
  3. Stepping away from a successful career to pursue new beginnings can be scary, but empowering with the right mindset.

The creative path

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 26 May 24
🎭️ Culture Career
  1. Creatives often have non-traditional career paths that can be confusing to those in standard jobs. Success for a creative person can look very different than for someone in a typical career.
  2. Even those who seem successful in creative fields, like acting or music, often struggle financially. Many still have to work other jobs to support themselves, even if they are getting regular work.
  3. Having a supportive network, like family and friends, can be crucial for creatives. It's important to have people who believe in your dreams and help you navigate the ups and downs.

How to Interview Like a Pro

Perspectives • 11 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
💼 Business Career
  1. Interviewing is a distinct skill separate from doing the job, so practice how you communicate and structure answers until you can clearly show your fit.
  2. Prepare a small bank of adaptable stories that prove failure, leadership, influence, and impact, and tailor those stories to what each company values.
  3. Focus on what the interviewer actually hears—connect first, show judgment, pause to collect your thoughts when needed, and help them imagine you already owning the problem.

Call out the unsaid

Sriram Krishnan Substack • 294 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
💼 Business Career
  1. Speaking up about unspoken thoughts is important in a group setting.
  2. Being honest and courageous can earn you respect and push organizations forward.
  3. Encouraging open communication in a team can lead to a more comfortable work environment.

Software Developer Influencers: The Modern Snake Oil Salesmen

Based Meditations • 278 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Career
  1. Becoming a software developer is highly appealing due to the potential for high salaries and the option to work from home
  2. Influencers in the software development space often oversimplify the requirements and challenges of breaking into the industry
  3. Having a degree, building a strong portfolio, and understanding the nuanced demands of the software industry are crucial for success

Make Friends at Work

Perspectives • 5 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Career
  1. Work can be a place to build deep, lasting community; coworkers often become friends and teammates who matter beyond the job.
  2. Friendships at work grow through small, regular acts: be generous, invest in coffee or quick check‑ins, and let people see you as a whole person.
  3. Tend relationships over time and be the person who convenes — stay in touch after people move on, celebrate them, and organize get‑togethers to create lasting support and opportunities.

Beautifully Opinionated

moontower: a stoner dad explains options trading to his kids • 137 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
💰 Finance Career
  1. Moontower.ai is gearing up for private demos with professionals before opening the beta to the waitlist.
  2. Hosting financial literacy sessions for kids can be engaging and informative, like a 'Kiyosaki without the brainworms' approach.
  3. Exploring the history and challenges of mean-variance analysis provides insights into investment strategies and decision-making processes.

Navigating Burnout in Tech

Notes in the Margins • 39 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Career
  1. The tech industry faces challenges like layoffs, declining funding, and AI impact, influencing mental health of professionals
  2. Tech workers experiencing burnout exhibit symptoms like questioning work value, detachment, and physical health issues
  3. Coaching provides personalized support, career clarity, and skill development to help tech professionals navigate challenges and make informed decisions

The Success Trap

Fish Food for Thought • 30 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
💼 Business Career
  1. Success often feels like freedom but quietly narrows your options; the more you specialize and optimize, the harder it becomes to change course.
  2. The 'success trap' happens when you reward exploitation over exploration, so companies and people stop experimenting and become vulnerable to disruption.
  3. Avoid it by deliberately preserving optionality: make time for experiments, rotate roles, learn new skills, and treat success as stewardship that must be renewed.

Time to ChatGPT/Gemini/Claude/Grok Oneself.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 24 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Career
  1. Using AI tools can help you better understand yourself. You can ask it personal questions like your worth or analyze your past appraisals to get insight.
  2. Having deep conversations with other people can reveal a lot. You can ask about their most impactful experiences and compare their answers to what AI might say.
  3. It's important to think about how AI will change jobs and industries. Asking challenging questions to yourself, others, and AI can help you adapt and prepare for the future.

An Inventor's Quest for the NHL Pt. 39

An Engineering Self-Study • 945 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🎾 Sports Career
  1. The inventor had a change of heart about going back to a 'normal' job.
  2. During job interviews, the inventor realized the desire for creative freedom and experimental work.
  3. The inventor is now seeking funding to continue pursuing the dream of creating innovative hockey equipment.

Best of April in Asia-Pacific

kalanis • 216 implied HN points • 12 May 23
💼 Business Career
  1. The rise of hardtech corporate VCs in China signals a shift in the tech unicorn landscape.
  2. China's potential to surpass Japan in auto exports showcases the country's rapid economic growth.
  3. India's emergence as a major economic power signifies a shift in global wealth and influence.

On a Personal Note

Sarah's Newsletter • 319 implied HN points • 20 Dec 22
💼 Business Career
  1. The author is relocating to Vermont, excited about being closer to snow for ski season and connecting with local communities.
  2. The author's startup, Versionable, is currently taking a back seat as they focus on settling into new changes and exploring different angles to address marketing challenges.
  3. The author is embarking on a new role as the Growth Lead at Prefect, highlighting their interest in ambitious team goals and a UI-first experience in data tooling space.

What if Taylor Swift Never Moved to Nashville?

The New Urban Order • 99 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Career
  1. Taylor Swift's decision to move to Nashville at a young age had a significant impact on her career.
  2. The concept of moving to big cities for career opportunities has become less popular recently, with more people opting for remote work and online platforms for launching products.
  3. Industries that were once centralized in big cities are now becoming more dispersed, with cities like Austin, Miami, and Seattle attracting entrepreneurs.

Take control of your life from the toughest foe

Penelope Trunk's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Career
  1. Emotional control is crucial, especially in challenging situations like health scares or relationship discussions.
  2. Reflecting on what you would do without any limitations can provide clarity on your true interests and priorities.
  3. Maintaining a focus on your special interests and negotiating for what is important to you can help you gain a sense of control in your life.

The Missing Ingredient in Your Ambitious Goals: Macro Focus

The Caring Techie Newsletter • 17 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
💼 Business Career
  1. Macro focus means choosing the right long-term battles and committing to them for months or years, so you manage your career trajectory instead of just your daily to-do list.
  2. Five common patterns stop people from achieving macro focus — unclear goals, juggling too many priorities, not doing enough, doubting the plan, and quitting too soon — and each has a clear fix like getting specific, picking one primary focus, scaling effort, trusting a documented plan, and setting realistic timelines.
  3. Macro focus is a skill you can build by defining what success looks like, making concrete weekly commitments, using checkpoints and external support, and then sticking with the plan long enough for results to compound.

How Jimmy Carr reinvented himself

A Bit Gamey • 13 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
😂 Humor Career
  1. You can reinvent yourself at any age; be willing to become a beginner again and try new paths.
  2. Treat failures as feedback, not final answers. Test ideas quickly, learn from flops, and keep iterating until something works.
  3. Happiness is something you design by choosing how to spend your time and who to spend it with, and humour can help you carry pain and shrink problems.

How to find your Blue Ocean[Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 99 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
💼 Business Career
  1. The Blue Ocean Strategy helps you differentiate yourself in your career and business by finding a less competitive niche with high growth potential.
  2. Effortless at its core, the Blue Ocean Strategy offers the path of least resistance to success, but still requires hard work.
  3. To find your 'Blue Ocean,' look outside for unique ideas, seek diverse feedback, and explore different groups and communities for growth and innovation.

Work with the best people you can

Sunday Letters • 159 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Career
  1. Find and work with people who are really good at what they do. This helps you learn and grow faster.
  2. Being around high standards pushes you to improve your own skills and work quality.
  3. It might feel tough at times, but being stretched by others is a key part of building your career.

From Challenges to Opportunities: Insights into the Neurodiverse Experience in UX

UX Psychology • 99 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Career
  1. Neurodiversity refers to a natural variation in how people think, perceive, and learn, and includes conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.
  2. Neurodivergent individuals can struggle with employment due to sensory sensitivity, social difficulties, and executive functioning challenges, but with the right support, they can thrive professionally and bring unique value.
  3. In the field of UX, neurodiverse perspectives can offer diverse skills and innovation, but individual assessment and customized support are crucial for success as each person's strengths and challenges vary.

Did I Even Want to Be a CEO?

David Spinks' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
💼 Business Career
  1. Questioning career choices is normal. It's okay to wonder if you truly want the path you've been on, like becoming a CEO, or if it’s just something you felt you had to do.
  2. It's important to take breaks and prioritize your well-being. Stepping away from a high-pressure role can lead to personal growth and a better understanding of what you really want.
  3. Success doesn't always mean holding a high-status job. Finding joy and fulfillment in simple work or coaching can be just as valuable as traditional measures of success.

Publishing Amid the AI Deluge

Risk Musings • 458 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
📚 Literature Career
  1. During the pandemic, there was a surge in manuscript submissions to publishers.
  2. AI technology like ChatGPT is being used to generate online book content, affecting discoverability and quality.
  3. The future of novel-writing as a career is uncertain due to AI's impact on the industry, with potential polarization into superstars and hobbyists.

The Journey

Things I Didn't Learn in School • 117 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
💼 Business Career
  1. Schools and corporates emphasize mimicry over authentic expression.
  2. Corporate structures resemble authoritarian regimes, with loyalty being rewarded.
  3. Creating original work requires finding your unique voice and being true to it.

Navigating the Shadows

Rethinking Software • 149 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Career
  1. Shadow projects are personal work you do on your own time, outside of your usual tasks. They allow you to explore your interests and improve your skills without having to ask for permission.
  2. Working on shadow projects can help you fill gaps that your regular work might overlook. This makes your job more enjoyable while also providing value to your organization.
  3. There is some risk in doing shadow projects, as not all ideas will be accepted. However, they can lead to big opportunities and help you take control of your career.

The year of the leap

The Next Chapter • 6 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Career
  1. Took a big creative and professional leap by raising funds and making a debut short film while balancing a part-time day job and learning directing and acting skills.
  2. Chose Austin over Chicago to prioritize family and a fresh start, accepting uncertainty but committing to give the move a real shot.
  3. Focused on emotional and physical growth through therapy and EMDR to accept feedback and heal past hurts. The year also included strengthening the marriage, becoming independent at the gym, and planning better rest and tech boundaries for 2026.

Swimming from academe to your first industry role

The Recovering Academic • 79 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
💼 Business Career
  1. Networking plays a crucial role in transitioning from academia to industry, helping bridge the initial gap from the shore to the first island.
  2. Storytelling and human connection can be powerful tools in job interviews, emphasizing the importance of building relationships beyond just technical skills.
  3. AI presents both challenges and opportunities in fields like medicine, where it can assist in data processing and diagnostic accuracy, while also raising concerns about human connection and empathy in healthcare.

Sharing My Rejections

Opaque Hourglass • 79 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Career
  1. The author shares a personal story of rejection in their marriage and its impact on their life.
  2. The rejection prompted feelings of bitterness and led to self-destructive behavior like heavy drinking.
  3. Reflecting back, the author realizes the privilege they had and the importance of supporting their partner's independence.