My top 5 career hacks this International Women's Day: Naomi Simson

Early in my career, I treated every task as urgent and ran flat out. What I learned the hard way is that resilience isn’t about speed – it’s about endurance. Constant motion leads to burnout, not breakthroughs.

Tip: Reframe rest as a strategy, not a weakness. Build thinking time into your calendar and protect it. Reflection, recovery and space to breathe are where clarity and better decisions come from.

Bias, politics and systemic issues are real – but spending all your energy on what you can’t control puts you in a powerless position.

Tip: Draw a circle on a piece of paper. Inside, write down all the things you can directly control (your effort, your attitude, your skills). Outside, write the things you can't. Pour 90% of your energy into what’s inside that circle. This simple shift moves you from frustration to agency.

Hard work doesn’t always speak for itself. If people can’t see your impact, they can’t value it.

Tip: Take 10 minutes each week to document your wins – three concrete ways you added value. This builds confidence and gives you evidence for performance conversations, promotions and pay reviews.

Influence is often more effective than force. Understanding another person’s pressures and priorities can be a strategic advantage.

Tip: Before a difficult conversation, ask: What does this look like from their perspective? You don’t need to agree – but empathy helps you frame your message in a way that’s more likely to land.

In high-pressure moments, reacting quickly can undermine your impact.

Tip: Take a breath and say, “Let me take a moment to consider this.” That pause creates control, clarity and a stronger response.

A fulfilling career is a long-term project. This International Women’s Day, let’s commit to running our own race – with intention, resilience and strategies that help us not just finish, but thrive.

Read this article in full on Naomi’s blog. Reproduced with permission.