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Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jan 86 min read
Air Travel is Worse Than Ever—Here’s What Needs to Change
I remember when air travel used to feel special. Not just tolerable— special . I looked forward to flying. There was a sense of ritual to...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 30, 20246 min read
Best of 2024: Growth, Achievements, and Learnings
2024 has been a year of remarkable growth, thoughtful reflection, and lessons that will shape the years ahead. It’s been a journey of...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 12, 20245 min read
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...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 4, 20244 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 27, 20245 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 7, 20245 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 9, 20246 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 2, 20245 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 8, 20245 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 28, 20246 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 13, 20243 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 30, 20245 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 25, 20244 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...
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