Building a Portfolio Career: Design a Work Life on Your Terms
Recently, I’ve noticed a significant increase in people reaching out to work with me, eager to make a major shift in how they structure...
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Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 44 min read
Why the “Perfect Day” Routine is Overrated (and What Actually Works)
You’ve heard the hype. Wake up at 4 a.m., and you’ll float out of bed feeling like a feather, totally ready to conquer the world....
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 275 min read
Work, Art, and Amore: Leadership Lessons from the Streets of Rome
I recently spent four unforgettable days in Rome with my book club, where we soaked up art, history, and pasta in every possible form....
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 75 min read
My 40th Birthday, Lisbon, The Food Temple and Rediscovering Purpose and Passion in Leadership
I just celebrated my 40th birthday with a group of close friends in Lisbon, and it was all the things I had hoped it would be (and...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 96 min read
Investing in Your Own Growth: The Best Decision You'll Ever Make as a Leader
Remember when we were kids? We'd fearlessly dive into new adventures—whether crafting a messy art project, learning an instrument, or...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 25 min read
Getting Comfortable with Rejection: Rethinking the Power of “No”
With my birthday just around the corner, I’ve been planning a getaway to Lisbon, one of my favorite cities, with a few close friends....
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jul 85 min read
Friendships, Work, and the Wheel of Life: A Journey Towards Connection
I am spending most of the summer in Turkey again this year. We just arrived a couple of days ago, and it feels great to be back....
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 286 min read
The End of the 9-5: Embracing a Flexible Work Future
The traditional 9-5, five-days-a-week corporate office environment is a relic of the past, and I, for one, am never going back. This...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 133 min read
Conquering Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs): Strategies for a Positive Mindset
In the landscape of our minds, there's a constant battle between positive affirmations and negative intrusions, the latter often referred...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 305 min read
Embracing the Learner Mindset: Lessons from my First time Skiing
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you're the novice among experts? That's exactly how I felt on my recent family ski...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 254 min read
Choosing Excellence over Mediocrity
Recently, I had the honor of speaking to over 50+ bright students at a prestigious university in Turkey. Amidst their insightful queries...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 14, 20238 min read
The Career Kaleidoscope & the Art of Portfolio Diversification (a.k.a. Musings on Portfolio Careers)
My upbringing was in a household that lived and breathed the virtues of a stable job, consistency, and diligent work - principles deeply...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 19, 20237 min read
Roots and Routes: Musings on the Concept of 'Home'
I've been thinking a lot about the concept of 'home' and what it signifies, as of late. A Turkish language podcast called 'Bir Gidene...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 2, 20237 min read
Embracing the Learning Rollercoaster: From Frustration to Mastery
Picture this: You're eager to learn, but feel like you're hitting a wall. Growth? Yes, please—but oh, the dread of starting from scratch....
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 10, 20235 min read
The Asshole Genius: Exploring the Myth of the Artistic Temperament
Good (and appropriate) song to listen to while reading this article I recently joined a book club, which was a new experience for me....
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 22, 20236 min read
The Go-Go-Go Mindset and Productivity Anxiety
I am writing these lines from a lovely spot in Copenhagen - 20G Cafe, where I paused to take a little break, enjoy a delicious breakfast,...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 11, 202311 min read
What to Look for in a Child Care Center
Last week, I wrote about how to receive feedback triggered by a child care center’s refusal to receive and engage with parental feedback...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 2, 20239 min read
Pizza or Pasta? How to Turn Constructive Customer Feedback into an Opportunity to Grow and Thrive
Recently, I noticed some red flags at my daughter’s childcare center - more of some of the worrisome signs that had already presented...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Feb 11, 20236 min read
Harese and Ambition: How much is too much?
The camel, a strong animal who can walk in the desert for days without food, water or rest has a weak spot for a particular desert...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Feb 4, 20239 min read
What’s in a job? Work and Identity Dynamics
Career enmeshment is where the lines between people's personal and professional lives become blurred.
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