On Your Marks – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, we’re all about finding what works for you.

We all know that one of the awesome things about the ACCA qualification is its flexibility. From how many exams you sit at a time to whether you do self-study, or learn with a provider, there are so many routes of entry that it’s rare for two people’s journeys to look exactly the same.

So this week, we sit down with Paul Kirkwood - ACCA UK’s Regional Head of Education and Learning. He takes us through the wide variety of options available to support you on your journey, as well as give some inside tips on what ACCA’s data shows makes a difference to exam results. Plus, we chat to Shaun Fenwick – he’s recently passed all his exams and is now a qualified ACCA accountant. He shares his journey - including some stops, starts, and resits - and gives some stellar advice on how to keep going when the going gets tough.

This is On Your Marks. Because you’ll never know until you try.

Hit follow now so you never miss an episode, and let us know what you think by leaving a rating or review.

For more information about ACCA exams, you can go to www. accaglobal.com/exams

To watch the video version of this podcast, head to www.accaglobal.com/onyourmarks

On Your Marks is a Fresh Air Production for ACCA. The Senior Producer is Eva Higginbotham, with support from Sarah Moore. The Executive Producer is Annie Day. The videographer is Yohan Forbes. The Sound Engineer is Basil Oxtoby. The Assistant Producer is Bukky Fadipe. The Marketing Manager is Nik Gandhi. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re kicking procrastination.

We’ve all been there. You’re settled down to do some revision, or write an important email, then the first thought creeps in… “What if I just checked my phone? Or… cleaned the kitchen? Or watched just half an episode of that new show…” And before you know it, 3 hours have gone by, you’re tired, and it’s too late to get started.

Procrastinating on tasks, even ones we care about, is a normal, if painful, part of life for most of us. So this week, we sit down with Dr Julia Ravey. She’s a neuroscientist, author, and self-confessed procrastinator. She’s an expert in understanding what’s happening in our brains when we put off tasks – from conflicts between the logical and emotional centres of our brains, to tricks for creating sustainable revision habits.

This is On Your Marks. Because you’ll never know until you try.

Hit follow now so you never miss an episode, and let us know what you think by leaving a rating or review.

For more information about ACCA exams, you can go to www. accaglobal.com/exams

To watch the video version of this podcast, head to www.accaglobal.com/onyourmarks

On Your Marks is a Fresh Air Production for ACCA. The Senior Producer is Eva Higginbotham, with support from Sarah Moore. The Executive Producer is Annie Day. The videographer is Yohan Forbes. The Sound Engineer is Basil Oxtoby. The Assistant Producer is Bukky Fadipe. The Marketing Manager is Nik Gandhi. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re talking relationships.

When we’re pushing towards a goal, or just generally having a tough time, many of us will instinctively turn to our friends, family, colleagues, or even pets for support. But… why? What is it about our relationships that can help pick us up when we’re feeling down? And why is nurturing those connections key to both our physical and mental health, and achieving our goals?

This week, we sit down with Dr Anna Machin. She’s an evolutionary anthropologist who’s spent her career studying the science of close human relationships. From the neurochemicals underlying your tightest friendships to the best social activities for your brain when facing down deadlines, we’re digging deep into how our connection with others helps us get where we want to be.  

This is On Your Marks. Because you’ll never know until you try.

Hit follow now so you never miss an episode, and let us know what you think by leaving a rating or review.

For more information about ACCA exams, you can go to www. accaglobal.com/exams

To watch the video version of this podcast, head to www.accaglobal.com/onyourmarks

On Your Marks is a Fresh Air Production for ACCA. The Senior Producer is Eva Higginbotham, with support from Sarah Moore. The Executive Producer is Annie Day. The videographer is Yohan Forbes. The Sound Engineer is Basil Oxtoby. The Assistant Producer is Bukky Fadipe. The Marketing Manager is Nik Gandhi. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re all about becoming more resilient.

Pushing on towards our goals is great, but, as we all know, life can have a way of messing with even the best laid plans. Whether it’s failing an exam you worked hard for, having to drop out of athletic training due to an injury, or just generally feeling down on your luck, we’ve all experienced loss or failure in some form or another.

So this week, we sit down with entrepreneur Josh Wintersgill to dig into the topic of resilience. From tips for facing up to failure to an honest look at coping when we’re feeling low, we’re chatting strategies to keep us all going when the going gets tough.

This is On Your Marks. Because you’ll never know until you try.

Hit follow now so you never miss an episode, and let us know what you think by leaving a rating or review.

For more information about ACCA exams, you can go to www. accaglobal.com/exams

To watch the video version of this podcast, head to www.accaglobal.com/onyourmarks

On Your Marks is a Fresh Air Production for ACCA. The Senior Producer is Eva Higginbotham, with support from Sarah Moore. The Executive Producer is Annie Day. The videographer is Yohan Forbes. The Sound Engineer is Basil Oxtoby. The Assistant Producer is Bukky Fadipe. The Marketing Manager is Nik Gandhi. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re talking goal setting.

Whether it’s picturing your first job as a qualified accountant or standing on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, it can feel really exciting to imagine a new future for ourselves. But, as many of us know, that excitement can quickly turn to fear when faced with the reality of the work needed to get there. 

So this week, we sit down with cognitive behavioural therapist Sarah D Rees to understand why some of us struggle with setting, and achieving, our goals. From breaking down big plans to calming your inner critic, and rewarding yourself along the journey, we’re looking at strategies to help keep us all on track – both practically, and emotionally, while working towards our objectives. 

This is On Your Marks. Because you’ll never know until you try.

Hit follow now so you never miss an episode, and let us know what you think by leaving a rating or review.

For more information about ACCA exams, you can go to www.accaglobal.com/exams

To watch the video version of this podcast, head to www.accaglobal.com/onyourmarks

On Your Marks is a Fresh Air Production for ACCA. The Senior Producer is Eva Higginbotham, with support from Sarah Moore. The Executive Producer is Annie Day. The videographer is Yohan Forbes. The Sound Engineer is Basil Oxtoby. The Assistant Producer is Bukky Fadipe. The Marketing Manager is Nik Gandhi. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re starting at the very beginning.

You’ve decided you have a goal – maybe you want to become an accountant, or pass your driving test, or run a marathon. Congrats!

So, why can it be so hard to start something new, even if we want to? What is it about fresh challenges that can either light us up or make us shy away? And what might help us take the first step?

This week, we sit down with five-board accredited life coach Michelle Elman. Known as the Queen of Boundaries, Michelle is an author, broadcaster, and public speaker, and all-round expert in helping people face their demons and rise to personal challenges.

From coping with pre-exam nerves to dealing with envy when people post their wins on social media, we’re looking at how we can clear the path ahead and get working on our goals.    

This is On Your Marks. Because you’ll never know until you try.

Hit follow now so you never miss an episode, and let us know what you think by leaving a rating or review.

For more information about ACCA exams, you can go to www.accaglobal.com/exams

To watch the video version of this podcast, head to www.accaglobal.com/onyourmarks

On Your Marks is a Fresh Air Production for ACCA. The Senior Producer is Eva Higginbotham, with support from Sarah Moore. The Executive Producer is Annie Day. The videographer is Yohan Forbes. The Sound Engineer is Basil Oxtoby. The Assistant Producer is Bukky Fadipe. The Marketing Manager is Nik Gandhi. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you putting off booking your first accountancy exam, or struggling to get back into studying after a failure? Wherever you’re at in your journey to qualification, On Your Marks explores techniques to help you tackle the process head on.

In this series from ACCA, we’re sitting down with experts to understand what can hold us back when we set out to achieve our goals – whether that’s preparing for exam season or training for a marathon.

From the importance of hanging out with your mates to the neuroscience of procrastination, we explore how to get yourself going when the going gets tough - including techniques for building resilience for when life doesn’t go our way.

This is On Your Marks. Because you’ll never know until you try.

Hit follow now so you never miss an episode, and let us know what you think by leaving a rating or review.

For more information about ACCA exams, you can go to www. accaglobal.com/exams

On Your Marks is a Fresh Air Production for ACCA. The Executive Producer is Annie Day, the Senior Producer is Eva Higginbotham, with support from Sarah Moore. The videographer is Yohan Forbes. The Sound Engineer is Basil Oxtoby.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by anxiety, struggle with your sleep, or question if you've been making the right career decisions?

In Season 2 of On Your Marks we'll be digging into more techniques to help us all feel our best while dealing with life's challenges - whether that's preparing for exams, planning our next job move, or coping with a big life change like becoming a parent. 

From managing your nutrition on a busy schedule to spotting leadership opportunities at work, we'll explore tips and tricks for putting our best foot forward, or simply getting through a tough day.  

Wherever you’re at in your journey towards qualification, On Your Marks is here to help you tackle the process head on - and we’re so delighted to be back for Season 2.

This is On Your Marks. Because you’ll never know until you try.

Hit follow now so you never miss an episode, and let us know what you think by leaving a rating or review.

For more information about ACCA exams, you can go to www. accaglobal.com/exams

On Your Marks is a Fresh Air Production for ACCA. The Senior Producer is Eva Higginbotham, with support from Sarah Moore. The Executive Producer is Annie Day. The videographer is Yohan Forbes. The Sound Engineer is Basil Oxtoby. The Assistant Producer is Lynnike Swerts. The Marketing Manager is Nik Gandhi. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re looking at anxiety.

Whether its last-minute jitters before an exam or a sense of panic when thinking about revision, we all know what it's like to feel anxious. But, what actually is anxiety? Is there any purpose to experiencing it, and how can we manage our fears so they don't get in the way of achieving our goals?

This week, we sit down with therapist and author Joshua Fletcher, also known online as Anxiety Josh. We dig into what's happening in the brain when we're feeling anxious, and techniques and strategies we can all use to help us feel more grounded when it's all getting too much.

This is On Your Marks. Because you’ll never know until you try.

Hit follow now so you never miss an episode, and let us know what you think by leaving a rating or review.

For more information about ACCA exams, you can go to www. accaglobal.com/exams

To watch the video version of this podcast, head to www.accaglobal.com/onyourmarks

On Your Marks is a Fresh Air Production for ACCA. The Senior Producer is Eva Higginbotham, with support from Sarah Moore. The Executive Producer is Annie Day. The videographer is Yohan Forbes. The Sound Engineer is Basil Oxtoby. The Assistant Producer is Lynnike Swerts. The Marketing Manager is Nik Gandhi. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether it's feeling sluggish after a heavy meal or dealing with a sudden dip in energy during a busy workday, we all know that food can influence how we feel. But, it turns out that what we eat can have a significant impact on our mental wellbeing, and the latest research shows that our gut has an important role to play.
 
This week, we sit down with nutritionist Dr Emily Prpa to explore the science of the gut-brain axis and the microbiome. We uncover the 5 pillars of gut health, and discuss strategies for adding gut-friendly ingredients to our meals - even during times of stress.
 
This is On Your Marks. Because what you'll never know until you try.
 
Hit follow now so you never miss an episode, and let us know what you think by leaving a rating or review.
 
For more information about ACCA exams, you can go to www. accaglobal.com/exams
 
To watch the video version of this podcast, head to www.accaglobal.com/onyourmarks
 
On Your Marks is a Fresh Air Production for ACCA. The Senior Producer is Eva Higginbotham, with support from Sarah Moore. The Executive Producer is Annie Day. The videographer is Yohan Forbes. The Sound Engineer is Basil Oxtoby. The Assistant Producer is Lynnike Swerts. The Marketing Manager is Nik Gandhi. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.