Ten gifts to help you change (your career)
Because - you know - it's that time of year, and why NOT buy yourself something genuinely useful?
I used to have a colleague who started her Christmas shopping at the end of September. She started thinking about experiences and physical gifts to give to her loved ones. She got organised and started buying it all, early. She had a special corner of her house dedicated to collecting the gifts.
Yes, I’ll leave you in awe at that. Like I was.
Having never achieved such a feat of organised-ness (if that were a word), and guessing that you and your loved ones may still be scrambling around for last-minute gifts, I thought I’d give you a little list of things and experiences that you *may* be able to slip onto your wish list (or may be able to download/buy/do for yourself - because there’s nothing we love more than being kind to ourselves. Right?).
Gift 1: Meditations for Mortals (starting at £8.30)
Are you feeling overwhelmed with all the things you would LIKE to learn about, implement, do something with, improve on?
The thing is, there is SO MUCH written in the world, so much to learn, so much to read. It’s impossible to read it all, let alone absorb it and make it your own.
So that’s NOT what Oliver Burkeman is suggesting. Instead, once a day, read one chapter of this book, is what he’s saying. Let it wash over you. Take from it what resonates. Take tiny little steps to start making some changes in your life.
Gentle. Enjoyable. Do-able.
(Found on Amazon for £8.99 and on World of Books (second hand) starting at £8.30).
Gift 2: Your ten favourite blogs on career change (FREE!)
You get my newsletter in your mailbox every Friday (thank you - I never take your support and interest for granted!).
But what you may not know is that ALL my newsletters-blogs are being written on Substack. You can see the entire back catalogue of newsletters (plus a whole load of short reviews of books I’ve read) here: https://tineketammes.substack.com
There’s also a feature called Notes on Substack. Basically the equivalent of ‘posts’ on other social media channels.
Over the 10 days leading up to Christmas (and yes, it WAS 12, but then I miscounted, so now it’s twelve 🙄), I will use those Notes to re-publish some ‘golden oldies’, newsletters posted in the past, that help you to start changing your career. (I’ve started on Monday 15 December).
You can find the notes here: Tineke’s Substack notes
Ten daily gifts for your career (change)! I’d LOVE to see you there!
Gift 3: The Artist’s Way at Work (from £4.30)
You - by now - may be well aware of my love and gratitude to The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron’s book on unlocking your creativity. It’s why - once a year - I run a 12 week programme on applying the learning from this book. You can sign up to the waiting list for the 2026 group here: The Artist’s Way Group.
But did you know that there are a number of spin-off books, in which you can apply the learning from The Artist’s Way. At work (for instance)? (But also For Retirement).
I’ve just finished The Artist’s Way at Work, and would highly recommend it for a more work-related way of unlocking your creativity, generating ideas and be more successful at work.
(Found on Amazon for £16.51 and on World of Books (second hand) starting at £4.30).
Gift 4: The Dance of Anger (from £3.80)
I said it to someone the other day: I believe that 80% of our workplace issues would be solved if we were able to manage our emotions better. Including anger and frustration.
If there was ever a book on emotions I’d like to recommend to you it’s this one: The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner. Forty years old, but still going strong.
I believe that anger shows you direction. It shows you what you WANT. Anger is direction AND fuel. You can USE your anger to bring about change. Including in your career. Which is exactly what this book suggests you do: change things, so you don’t get stuck in the dance of anger.
It’s one of my Top 6 books that shaped my life, and is still helping me - and others - now.
(Found on Amazon for £7.99 and on World of Books (second hand) starting at £3.90).
Gift 5: Smashing it! poster (FREE)
Didn’t 2025 go FAST! If you look back at 2025, what achievements can you remember? What did you do? How did you FEEL? Remember it - or not?
You’ll be well prepared for 2026 if you download this Smashing It! poster for 2026 now. You can do that here: Smashing It! poster
Gift 6: Something creative (as expensive or cheap as you want it to be)
OK, yes, that’s not really very concrete, is it? The thing is: I believe firmly in the power of creativity. In doing something creative. Doing something with your hands.
So yes, what I’m asking you is: What is that for you? Is it a calligraphy set, with which you can pick up your love for lettering? Some music books (and your musical instrument nearby, so that you can start playing again)? A packet of dry clay? Pencils and pens and a sketchbook?
Slip it on your wish list and make it happen! Do something you enjoy. Do something that gets you in ‘flow’. See what happens when you do this regularly, what thoughts start popping into your head.
THAT’s the power of creativity. Of BEING creative.
Gift 7: FREE holiday coaching session (FREE)
Do you want to start 2026 fresh, with some new inspiration, a few avenues to explore, some new ideas? Do you want to make 2026 the year when you (finally) start to make changes to your career and design your next chapter?
This holiday season I’m offering a limited number of FREE coaching sessions.
Bookable now for a slot between 27 December and 4 January, give yourself the gift of dedicated time to think, to be heard, to move beyond barriers, to move forward.
Book your Seasonal Coaching session here:
Gift 8: Go for a walk with a friend (FREE)
Sounds easy, right? We always talk easier when facing the same direction. Walking is KNOWN to help you be more creative. Talking to a friend is just plain nice.
So when was the last time you went for a walk with a friend? When was the last time you created that time for yourself?
Yes, agreed, organising that NOW would be a GREAT gift to yourself!
Gift 9: Buy yourself a nice journal and some lovely pens (under £10)
Who - I ask you - doesn’t love stationery? (Rhetorical question).
Using your journal for writing down your inner thoughts, for reflecting, for writing down that to-do list that’s singing around in the back of your head, is one of the most fireproof ways of starting to unlock your most inner thoughts and - yes - your creativity.
So, here is your permission. To buy some new stationery: a good notebook, some great pens, felt tips if you feel that way inclined (and want to start your visual journaling journey). And start writing/drawing/doodling.
Gift 10: Visual coaching session - Tell YOUR career story (now with a 20% discount!)
Sometimes you’ve got to look back to look forward. It’s EXACTLY what we’re doing in my Tell Your Story visual coaching session, in which you TELL your story and I DRAW it.
What you can get out of these sessions? How about:
Clarity - on your themes and your career direction
Pride and confidence - in telling your story and talking about your accomplishments
Legacy - capturing your career (and life) story and the lessons you learned along the way
So, why not gift yourself (or someone else) the gift of literally SEEING all your accomplishments, of SEEING yourself and what you’re great at, of re-acquainting yourself with what you LOVE and what’s IMPORTANT to you.
You can book YOUR 90 minute visual coaching session here:
(Book it before 31 December and you can get it with a 20% discount if you use this discount code: TellYourStory2025 on checkout).
And then there’s this:
Bye bye, Career Freedom newsletter!
(But welcome to The Freedom Sketchbook!)
Right. Well, I will just come right out with it. This is the last Career Freedom newsletter.
Not just of this year (although that too).
But because - from January - I’m renaming the Career Freedom newsletter. It’ll be called The Freedom Sketchbook.
‘Why?’, I hear you ask.
There are a number of reasons.
First of all, I named my newsletter after my career change private coaching programme, which is called the Career Freedom programme.
Except, what I’ve come to realise over the last year or so is that I help you do MORE than just changing your career.
I help you to unlock your creativity, so that you can get in touch with who you really are and what you want to do, you can get ideas about what’s next and you can create a vision for the next chapter. In your career, yes, but also in your life!
I help you actually SEE your strengths and values, your accomplishments and (career) themes in my Visual Coaching sessions (more of this to come in the new year).
Also, like one of my clients said: ‘Tineke is my career AND life coach’. (Because your work and your life are not two separate things, but are interlinked in one beautiful, delicate dance).
And then there is the creativity part. The fact that I love making my little drawings to support this newsletter. That I use drawings to explain things in pictures, which would take me in excess of 1,000 words (being not exactly concise in my writing, I’m sure you’ll agree).
Crucially, ALL of it aimed at helping you to feel FREE in your life. To design your life and career as if nothing can stop you from doing so.
So yes, from January you’ll be getting the Freedom SKETCH-book in your inbox. Yes, still with my wordy ramblings about all things women’s careers, leadership, mindset and designing your next chapter. Occasionally about books (I love books), and most definitely with little doodles and drawings. Perhaps looking a teeny-weensy bit different (although I’m not preparing a full rebrand).
Also, for 2026 I will pause paid subscriptions, whilst I settle into this new format. I’d LOVE for you to invite others who might benefit from my writing, who enjoy thinking and reading about all the above, who are interested in unlocking THEIR creativity and designing their next steps.
Meanwhile, enjoy the gifts above, make sure you check out the ‘golden oldies’ newsletters about career change, which I will be sharing in the Substack notes over the festive season.
I wish you all a great time over the coming weeks and I’ll see you in the new year!
Tineke X
🔴🟡🟠
Tineke Tammes is a Creative Career & Life Guide for Midlife Women | I help you redesign your next chapter with storytelling, strategy and courage
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