Lily asks
Tell me about a challenge you faced recently and how you handled it.
How to build your answer
Tell a story: four moves, about a minute.
- 1Set the sceneWhen and where. “A few months ago, I…”
- 2What happenedTwo or three moments, in order.
- 3How it feltYour reaction. “I was mortified.”
- 4How it endedThe ending, or what you'd do now.
Lily's answer, three ways
The same story, from easy to advanced. Tap a highlighted phrase to learn it.
Easy
Lily's voice note
Last month I had a really busy week. I had a big deadline at work on the Friday, and my friend was moving flat on the same day. I'd promised to help her months ago, so I couldn't say no. At first I tried to do everything, and I was running around like crazy. I was so tired I couldn't think. Then I stopped and thought, okay, what really matters? I talked to my manager, and she gave me an extra day for the report. So I helped my friend move on Friday, and I finished the work on Monday. It was fine in the end. People are usually nicer than you think. And my friend bought me pizza, so it was worth it.
Phrases to borrow
run around like crazy
/ˈrʌn əˈraʊnd ˈlaɪk ˈkreɪzi/
be extremely busy, hurrying everywhere
I've been running around like crazy all day.
be worth it
/biː ˈwɜːθ ɪt/
the effort or cost was good value
The walk was long, but the view was worth it.
Natural
Lily's voice note
Last month I had a big report due at work on a Friday, and that was the same day my friend was moving flat. I'd promised months ago to help her, and I didn't want to let her down. At first I tried to do both, working late every night, and I was exhausted. Then I made myself take a step back and think about what really mattered. So I went to my manager to ask for help, and she gave me an extra day. I helped my friend move on the Friday and chipped away at it over the weekend. I finished the report on Monday, no problem. And my friend bought me pizza to say thanks, which was lovely.
Phrases to borrow
take a step back
/ˈteɪk ə ˈstep ˈbæk/
stop for a moment and think about a situation calmly
When I'm angry, I try to take a step back.
ask for help
/ɑːsk fə ˈhelp/
say you need someone to help you
Don't be shy, just ask for help if you need it.
chip away at something
/ˈtʃɪp əˈweɪ ət ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
to work on a big job slowly, a little bit at a time
I'm chipping away at my emails after the holiday.
Advanced
Lily's voice note
Last month was a bit of a nightmare. I had a big report due on a Friday, right when work was at its busiest, and that same Friday I'd promised to help my friend move flat. I'd said yes months ago, so I couldn't let her down. For a few days I was running on empty, working till midnight and still getting nowhere. By Wednesday I'd hit a wall, and I was snapping at everyone. So I swallowed my pride and told my manager I needed an extra day. She was lovely about it, much nicer than I'd feared. I spent Friday carrying boxes up three flights of stairs, finished the report on Monday, and my friend paid me back in pizza. Fair trade, I'd say.
Phrases to borrow
at its busiest
/ət ɪts ˈbɪziɪst/
when something is the most busy
The station's at its busiest around eight.
run on empty
/ˈrʌn ɒn ˈempti/
keep going with almost no energy left
I've been running on empty since the baby arrived.
hit a wall
/hɪt ə ˈwɔːl/
suddenly feel you can't continue
I hit a wall halfway through the marathon.
swallow your pride
/ˈswɒləʊ jɔː ˈpraɪd/
do something even though it feels embarrassing
I swallowed my pride and asked for directions.
Your turn: answer Lily
Tell me about a challenge you faced recently and how you handled it.
Answer out loud, in your own words. Try one phrase you just borrowed.
Feelings & wellbeing
take a step back
stop for a moment and think about a situation calmly
“When I'm angry, I try to take a step back.”
heytardy