Tips For Work And Life With Andrew Lacivita

Last month I celebrated my 59th. It had me reflecting on the biggest influences that rerouted my path, especially the books that shaped my mindset, my career, my health, and even my view of the universe. These aren’t just books I enjoyed. They are turning points that literally changed how I live. Some helped me become a better teacher, others taught me discipline and financial independence, and a few opened up my sense of purpose. Here’s the list in the same order I cover them, with a personal note on why each mattered to me. Mindset, Self-Discovery Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, Richard Carlson I stumbled into this book in 1997 after literally knocking over a stack of them in Barnes & Noble. It sparked my lifelong love of self-help. Its short chapters and practical reminders taught me to let go of stress and focus on what actually matters, which helped me lead my teams (and my life) with a clearer head. You’ll See It When You Believe It, Wayne Dyer This is the book I’ve re-read more than any other, somet

It was 3:08 in the morning. May of last year. I was in my office already a lofty 8 minutes into my day. Headphones on, speaking (uh, reading) into a microphone… and yelling at ducks. Yes, ducks. As I tried to record a passage for The Zebra Code audiobook, those feathered freeloaders on my backyard lake quacked like it was their job. I must’ve sounded like a lunatic, hollering “Come on! I need 75 quiet minutes!” But here’s the truth… I wasn’t just recording an audiobook. I was chasing a big goal that was important to me. Writing a book is one thing. Giving voice to it, putting myself on record, was something else entirely. Big goals aren’t really about the thing you achieve. They’re about who you become in the pursuit. (In this case, hopefully, not a total lunatic.

When you walk into an interview, you know the tough ones are coming.

You’ve got the skills. You’ve done the prep. But the moment you walk into the room (or log into Zoom), it’s like you’re playing a different game. Everything seemed fine when you were doing the work and sailing through the projects. But to articulate that to someone who doesn’t know you…ugh. In these cases, your words matter. Your tone matters. And don’t even get me started on your posture, your facial expressions, and even how you listen. If you’ve ever walked away from an interview thinking, I wish they’d seen the real me, this week’s lesson is for you. I’m breaking down the exact verbal and nonverbal moves that top candidates use to win over interviewers both in-person and on-screen. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to project confidence and warmth the second the conversation starts. The posture, gestures, and micro-expressions that build trust. How to use your voice to emphasize your value (without sounding rehearsed). Why “active listening” is your secret weapon in any interview format. Whether you’re acro

We’ve all been there. You say something. You think it makes sense. But the reaction you get? Confused. Unmoved. Maybe even tuned out. Ugh. Communication isn’t about what you say. It’s about what the other person hears and, more importantly, how they feel and act because of it. If you’re not getting the results you want from your conversations, whether in meetings, emails, presentations, or even casual exchanges, there’s a reason. This week, I’m sharing 2 simple ways to instantly improve your communication skills. These aren’t gimmicks or tricks. They’re straightforward changes you can make right away to: ✅ Be clearer. ✅ Get buy-in faster. ✅ Avoid misinterpretations. ✅ Sound more thoughtful, credible, and composed. Communication is THE SKILL that connects your value to the world. If you want to influence, lead, or be remembered, this is where you start. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewal

If you’ve ever thought I want to build wealth, but I’m not sure where to start. You’re not alone. Good news! You don’t need to read 100 finance books. You just need the right ones. In this week’s lesson, I’m sharing 5 powerful books that’ll help you build wealth and maximize your earning power. These aren’t just theory-packed reads. They are the exact books I’d recommend if you asked me, “What should I read to take control of my finances and income?” I run over a great book I think anyone and everyone should read to understand general investment strategy. I hit a (very) surprisingly entertaining (and hugely helpful) guide that breaks down investing in its simplest form. Of course, you know me. I love mindset and psychology, so I tossed in a couple that separate spenders from wealth builders. And, now list regarding wealth-building would be complete if I didn’t toss in the #1 book, IMHO, that’ll help you improve your professional skills. Your skills directly affect your salary and income and overall earning po

You’ve probably heard the phrase “don’t sweat the small stuff.” Well, I’m here to tell you to do the exact opposite. If you want to perform at the highest level, if you want to grow in your role, get promoted, or become a standout in your field, you better sweat the small stuff.  Because that’s where mastery lives.  This week, I’m sharing one of the most important performance lessons I can give you.  Whether I’m talking about writing emails, managing a team, speaking with clients, or building a long-term financial future, the people who succeed are the ones who obsess (productively) over the right things.  In this talk, I’ll walk you through: Why greatness lives in the details (with stories to prove it). How top performers think differently about their craft. A powerful health and wealth analogy that might just change how you approach your career. You’ll come away with a better approach for how to improve your day-to-day work and make long-term progress in your profession and finances.  Just 8:46 and one of

Do you ever feel like you don’t have much to offer?  Like your experience is ordinary? Obvious? Nothing special? If so, you’re not alone. But you are wrong. Today, I’m sharing one of the most important messages I can give you… Your story has value. It matters. It can help someone. The problem is, most people undervalue their experiences because they’re consider their experiences in terms of what it means to them…as opposed to what those experiences can mean to someone else! They think, Everyone already knows this. But they don’t.  There’s a huge difference between living a story and sharing it in a way that educates, inspires, and connects.  Join me today and you’ll learn:  ✅ Why your personal story is your greatest asset.✅ How to reshape experiences into meaningful, teachable moments.✅ The 7-step structure to turn any experience into a story that resonates.✅ A pivotal story from my own early career.  Let’s do this! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these oth

There’s a career skill no one taught you in school. It’s not on your resume. It’s rarely on a job description. But it’s the difference between being heard and being trusted. Between managing and truly leading.  Empathy.  And here’s the kicker…  Most people think they have it. But very few understand what it actually is or how to build it.  Today’s lesson is one of my most personal. I’ll walk you through the three types of empathy (yes, there are three), show you how to practice them, and share a story that changed how I live and love (this WILL bring a smile to your face).  If you want to deepen your relationships, earn trust faster, and elevate your career, this one’s for you. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books

This week’s a special one. I’m going back to one of the most important lessons I’ve ever taught.  Self-awareness. Not the generic, “journal your feelings” kind. I’m talking about a powerful, real-world framework that shows you where your life is out of alignment.  Most people define self-awareness as “knowing yourself.”But there are actually two types: Internal self-awareness: How well do you know who you are? External self-awareness: Do you understand how others perceive you?  Both matter. A lot.  And most people aren’t nearly as accurate as they think. That misalignment causes stress. Bad decisions. Unfulfilling jobs. Relationships that drain instead of energize. In today’s lesson, I walk you through the six pillars of self-awareness.  It’s THE practical way to measure whether your life, work, thoughts, goals, and habits are aligned with the person you say you want to be.  This isn’t theory. It’s a diagnostic.And it’s going to help you course-correct in a powerful way.  If your inner and outer life feel

Have you ever tried to start your day with the best intentions only to have your attention hijacked by email pings, barking dogs, or that mysterious ice maker noise in the kitchen? Yeah. Same.  In today’s lesson, I’m teaching one of the most underrated (yet powerful) skills for career and life success: how to train your focus like a muscle.  And I’m not talking about downloading some shiny productivity app.  I’m talking about something deeper and more effective…

Want to think like a high achiever? I’ve coached thousands of professionals and one pattern is unmistakable. High achievers think differently. It’s not about having more time, money, or luck. It’s about how they frame challenges, filter distractions, and focus their energy. That’s what today’s podcast is all about.

Question for ya… When the interviewer asks you to “tell me about a time when…,” do you: A) Launch into a timeline of tasks you completed? B) Rattle off a list of responsibilities? C) Sound like your own resume? (Oy to the vey.) If so, don’t worry. You’re not alone. But you are probably leaving value on the table. Here is a capital “T” truth… Most people report work history. Few, if any, tell real stories. Almost no one uses those stories to sell who they truly are. But that’s exactly what interview storytelling should be. This week’s podcast is one of the most important lessons I can give you on how to elevate your interview game and position yourself as THE standout candidate. Excitement alert: You will squeal with glee if you’ve ever wondered I’m just a cog in the wheel and my background feels narrow. I’m not sure how to sound valuable or impactful. What you’ll learn alert:The real purpose of storytelling in interviews (big hint: it’s not just to explain what you did). Why sounding “too junior” is a storyt

I know it’s tempting. A recruiter emails you with your job offer. You want to reply quickly. Clear things up. Maybe even negotiate. But email is the worst place to have that conversation. Why? Have you ever heard of Albert Mehrabian? He developed “The Mehrabian Rule.” Catchy, yes. But more importantly, true. His rule is also known as the 7-38-55 rule. It suggests, that in communication, the impact of any message is divided into pieces. 7% from the words spoken (or, in your inclination, written). 38% from the tone of your voice. 55% from your body language. Now, I realize you might not have my 9 semesters of higher math I needed to endure at THE Iowa State University to get my rarely-used Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, so let me help you with the calculation. That’s 93% of your communication power not at your disposal in an email. When it comes to negotiating your salary, tone, timing, and tactics matter. Plus, the real-time going round-and-round and back-and-forth is somewhat necessary. You ba

Ever felt cornered when a recruiter asks, “What’s your expected salary?” Only you and about a bajillion other job seekers. I’m a little sick and tired of silly recruiters cornering you about this. It’s TOO EARLY in the process to be doing this nonsense. Why do people not show each other their “balance sheets” on the first date, amiright?!?! Even so, your matchmaker Coach here wants you to handle the pressure with grace and simultaneously avoid lowballing or highballing yourself. Here’s the script and I included the backdoors and escape hatches too. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, T

Lisa asked me a great question the other day. “Coach, how do I know which story to tell in a job interview?” Here’s what I told her. If you want to win the interview, there’s one thing to focus on. Function. As in, what they actually need you to do. Not who you are. Not how nice you seem.What. You. Can. Do. See, you get hired for WHAT you can do. You get fired for WHO you are. So, here’s a quick video to you dial in your focus during the interview. In this shortie (well, Coach Andy’s version of shortie), I walk through: What to look for in the job description. How to reverse-engineer your stories. And how to match what you say to the work they need done. Because if they don’t believe you can do the thing… You don’t get the thing. Hope this helps you dial in and dial up your next interview! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiu

Worried your age is playing villain in your job search? Lemme tell about Jayme. She joined my Job Search Coaching Program when she was 74. Got a job with Verizon by beating out literally 10s of thousands of people. She says so right here in the over 50 section (but I’m wondering if I should create an over 70 section).

Have you ever had a recruiter reach out, spark your interest, and then disappear without a trace? You’re not alone. Just ask JF. (7 times within 3 weeks. Ouch.) In just 4 minutes and 19 seconds, I break down why this happens and what it really means. Here’s the thing: Recruiters aren’t bad people. They’re not trying to mess with you. But the system? It’s messy. Understanding the real reasons behind the ghosting can save you from unnecessary frustration and help you better navigate your job search. Give today’s show a listen to reclaim your peace of mind! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, Linke

Happy Sunday. I know many people are at church right now praying and healing and doing a bunch of other beneficial acts.  Need some healing from your job search? Have you ever heard of the “wild horse effect?” Story goes the horses in the African savanna tend to get bitten by bats. The bats draw a miniscule amount of blood, but the horses, because of the minor irritation, go crazy, run around, get exhausted, and basically realize their downfall. All from a tiny little bite that is the equivalent of pinch. I don’t think you need a neon sign to get the analogy, but to give you a scoot, the employers are the bats. I’ve got a little something today to heal those bites so you don’t start running around stressed and exhausted… If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouT

If you’ve recently been laid off—or just want to be prepared in case it happens—I’ve got you covered today with a step-by-step recovery plan. It’s the final piece in my 3-part layoff series and I’m walking you through 10 critical moves to bounce back faster, stronger, and smarter than before. (If you missed parts 1 and 2, catch the Top 7 Reasons for Layoffs and Questions to Ask to Avoid Them and Layoff-Proof Your Career: 10 Proven Strategies to Secure Your Job.) In today’s comeback session, I covered how to: Quickly gather the right materials from your employer before access is cut. Craft a compelling layoff story that builds confidence and credibility. Take control of your finances and daily routine during the transition. Build a proactive job search plan that gets results Stay visible, sharp, and in demand—even if you’re out of work.  A layoff can feel like a punch to the gut, but it doesn’t have to derail your career. With the right actions, you can turn this setback into a powerful setup for your next b