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Making Working Remotely Work for You

7/25/2020

A recent HBR article by Michele Benton looked into the realities of corporate work arrangements and how organizations use this ‘perk’ to attract talented employees. But when the rubber meets the road, few employees are ever truly able to take advantage of the programs, making them what Benton calls an “empty gesture” that ultimately leads to career demise.

As recent events have proven, alternative work programs are necessary. And, the past four months have shown that many people are productive at home, meeting deadlines, accomplishing projects, and attending meetings.

It still remains to be seen if this pathway will remain in place once offices are allowed to reopen and employees are expected to be on-site. If you are one on many who benefit from alternative work environments, HBR offers a four-step plan on how to create your alternative work proposal.

Living in Ease

6/27/2020

There is a difference between living an easy life and living in ease.

Easy means without problems or difficulty. A life devoid of adversity.

Living in ease is striking a balance between effort and the effortless. It is following the rhythmic flow of life. Living in ease is a choice rather than an unrealistic ideal.

We all experience challenging times, periods when we have to stand firm, overcome, work hard, push through. But even during these seasons, we can choose ease.

As humans, we often unconsciously seek out the most arduous path. Our ego thrives off external approval from others. We want to win. We want to be right. We want to impress.

There is nothing wrong with diligence, working hard, competing or having others express their appreciation of us. But when we always live in this place, we move away from our own authenticity and instead focus primarily on pleasing others. This ultimately leaves us feeling overworked, overwhelmed, stressed and unfulfilled.

White Space at Work

5/23/2020

White space is a strategic pause taken between activities. -Juliet Funt

Juliet Funt is the CEO of WhiteSpace at Work and she offers some great advice on how to manage productivity especially given that many of us are now working from home (WFH).

She suggests for those who don't have a dedicated workspace in their home to create what she calls a functional, removable and repeatable work-from-home environment. This could be a laptop, cell phone, and notepad along with a photograph or plant. Each of these things can be easily set up and put away but they offer a structure that encourages getting into a mode of productivity when needed and also removes work from view during 'down time'.

With stress running high, Funt also suggests making an appointment each day with the things that are concerning you. Take ten minutes in which you give yourself permission to worry, ruminate and feel. This dedicated time helps minimize worry throughout the day, allowing you to focus on work and other immediate tasks.

Hugs

4/25/2020

You can't wrap love in a box, but you can wrap a person in a hug.

Social distancing. Two words that are now indelible parts of our nomenclature.

Although social separation is very important for all of us to engage in right now for the health of our nation, as social creatures, humans thrive on touch. Our emotional, mental and physical wellbeing is nourished when we connect with others. And hugs are one of the best ways to make us feel connected to someone else.

Studies show that adults and children alike need between three and five hugs a day. And now more than ever, those hugs are vital and mostly virtual.

The Importance of Silence

3/28/2020

Our days are filled with noise.

Talking. Television. Traffic. Alarms. Phones. Texts. Music. Sirens. Barking dogs. Loud noise. Background noise. We are so accustomed to noise that some of us even need the whir of a fan or a white noise machine to help us sleep.

Noise is all around us, all the time. So much so that when its truly quiet, it is almost unnerving.

There’s been much research around how loud noises are harmful to hearing as well as how noise serves to disrupt focus and productivity, decrease our ability to solve problems, and results in reduced recall in both adults and children.

But there are also studies that indicate just how vital silence is to our brains.

The Emotions of Procrastination

2/22/2020

We all know someone who is a master procrastinator, the person whose mantra should be, “I have not yet begun to procrastinate.” That someone might even be us.

The classic theory about people who frequently postpone projects, errands, or any variety of things is that they simply don’t have a grasp on managing their time.

But a new school of thought on procrastination is emerging.

Psychologists are discovering that putting things off is much more of an emotional response than a lack of managing time.

The things we avoid doing are ones that evoke negative emotions that we don’t want to feel.

Boredom
Fear of failure

Why Did the Coffee Spill?

1/25/2020

As we enter into a new year and a new decade, consider this analogy for what lies ahead.

You are holding a cup of coffee when someone bumps into you, causing the coffee to spill.

Why did the coffee spill?

Many of us would respond, “Because someone bumped into me.”

The answer is: Because there was coffee in your cup.

If there had been tea, water, milk, soda or any other liquid in the cup, that is what would have spilled out.

Whatever is inside the cup is what will overflow.

10 Things to Quit in 2020

12/21/2019

The New Year symbolizes a fresh start, with many people making resolutions. Often these are things like losing weight, getting fit or eating healthier. These are all great resolutions, but we wanted to pose ten other possibilities that can make an enormous impact on your wellbeing, relationships, career and overall happiness.

Here is a list of ten things to quit in the year ahead. Whether you pick one or work on all of them, these are resolutions that will make life so much better.

1. Trying to please everyone
2. Fearing change

4 Qualities of Top-Notch Employees

11/23/2019

Many of us believe that our education and technical prowess make us employable. Sure, those things may get our resume read more closely and even get us in the door of a company.

When surveyed, CEOs listed four primary characteristics of an invaluable employee:

1. Adaptability: These people are ready and willing to change, to learn from experience and be flexible as the need arises. They are open to new ideas, new situations, new solutions and are more resilient and able to connect with their colleagues even in the midst of uncertainty.

2. Able to receive constructive feedback: Individuals who are able to hear constructive feedback from their leaders and peers and use that information to improve are highly valued. They view feedback as a growth opportunity and don't take criticism personally.

Living in Limbo

10/19/2019

“Let go. You may not know what comes next but know that whatever it is…you will be okay.” -Unknown

Limbo is uncomfortable. It is that awkward state of “in between,” the place set smack in the middle of where you are and where you will be.

Whatever the reason for it, limbo finds all of us at various times in life. This in between state of being, especially if it lingers, can foster frustration, uncertainty, worry, stress, anxiety, fear, and a lack of fulfillment.

From limbo often sprout thoughts of, “What’s the point?” and “Why bother?” We put our life on hold in anticipation of the impending change whose occurrence and timeframe are ethereal.

When we are in limbo, opportunities go unclaimed.

Relationships go undiscovered or sometimes unnurtured.

Adventure and happiness may slip by.

All in anticipation of waiting for that something to happen “soon.”

We’ve all been there. And it can be hard to let go and know that whatever happens, we will be okay.

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