Category Archives: Advice from a Life Coach
October 22, 2025 Why Open Yourself to Others’ Perspectives?
As we grow older, we might get wiser…or we might become more set in our ways! Sometimes, our openness and curiosity diminish, and we find ourselves with set preferences and perspectives. That can lead to shutting down others or making snap judgments about another’s ideas, behaviors, or points of view. And we might not even realize we’re doing it.
The Harm in Rigid Thinking
Being set in your ways limits you. You close yourself off to whole worlds of thinking, and you erroneously believe that your way is the “only” way or the “right” way. This can be damaging in any office setting, no matter the industry. And this can be doubly damaging if you are in a leadership position (either formally or as an informal team leader). Companies can never reach their full potential if ideas and perspectives are limited. Creativity and innovation is how you open new doors, reach new markets, and stay relevant.
Companies and leaders that live by “it’s always been done this way” are too inflexible to deal with any major changes. And the truth is, change is inevitable. Whether a company is dealing with a pandemic, changing market tastes, new technology, or any other foundation-shaking change, it’s necessary to roll with the punches, rethink the current system, and try new approaches.
Embracing Other Perspectives
This is why it’s so crucial to open yourself to others’ viewpoints and voices. When we make snap judgments, we close doors. When we’re uncomfortable with someone’s ideas, perspective, or even the way they are saying something, we might think or say things like:
“That will never work”
“No one will go for that”
“This isn’t in the spirit of the company” (Or: “this doesn’t embrace the company’s culture”)
“We don’t do things that way”
When you catch yourself closing to others’ ideas or making immediate judgments, it’s a good idea to pause. Acknowledge your bias or discomfort. Then, ask yourself, “What if…”
“What if this idea does have merit?”
“What if others agree, and I just haven’t realized it?”
“What if it’s time to reshape company culture?”
“What if the company can start modifying its approaches and try something new?”
The other important element in opening yourself to alternative perspectives is becoming an attentive listener. Instead of immediately coming up with a response, take the time to truly listen, absorb what is being said, and genuinely consider it.
Workplaces function best when everyone participates. When you promote a true “marketplace” of ideas, you open the door to all kinds of creative solutions, innovations, and new opportunities. As a leader, you play an important role in establishing the kind of open and welcoming atmosphere that considers new ideas, listens to everyone’s thoughts, and isn’t afraid to depart from the “same old” way of doing things. Start making an effort to open doors for others, instead of keeping them closed and locked.
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.
Tags: alternate viewpoints, better ideas and creativity, consider others POVs, margaret smith career coach, margaret smith leadership, open yourself to others perspectives, value others perspectives
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Communication, Teamwork
August 20, 2025 Summer Slump? Here’s How to Re-energize
Different people respond to the summer months in different ways. They might energize and invigorate you, motivating you in all areas of your life. Or…you might slip into vacation mode and have trouble concentrating on your work or mustering the energy to tackle your to-do list. If you fall into the latter category, I have some ideas to help pull you from your summer slump.
Limit Distractions
When you’d rather be riding your bike, relaxing at the beach, barbecuing outdoors, or doing anything else besides working, it’s easy to become distracted. Help pull your concentration back to your work by closing all games and social media sites on your laptop, putting your phone in airplane mode, or installing an app that limits your social media or internet browsing time. Cutting distractions will help you be more present and limit the temptation to procrastinate.
Set Timers
When you’re having trouble getting motivated, try setting a timer and working on one project for 15 or 20 minutes. No stopping, no splitting your attention between multiple projects or screens. Just one project for the designated amount of time. Then, take a break (or keep working if you’re still motivated). After your break, set another timer and keep going. It’s incredible how a definite endpoint can help a task feel much more manageable.
Use Fun to Propel You
There’s no need to deprive yourself of summertime fun. In fact, you can use it to motivate you. Tell yourself, “If I answer X number of emails, I can go get ice cream after work.” OR: “If I finish analyzing the data on this spreadsheet, I’ll reward myself with a trip to the lake this weekend.” There’s nothing wrong with a shameless self-bribe!
Take a Meaningful Break
Sometimes, it’s best to fully remove yourself from work and responsibilities for a time if you want to truly re-energize yourself. Consider planning a getaway for a week or two, and leave your work behind. Give your team plenty of warning, set an email vacation responder, and make it clear that you won’t be answering work emails or phone calls while you’re away. It’s amazing how many “emergencies” can work themselves out.
If summer has got you feeling less than motivated to go to the office or tackle work projects, I hope you will take the time to try some or all of these strategies. Even with the sunshine and aromas of barbecue beckoning, it is possible to maintain your concentration, get energized, and propel yourself forward.
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.
Tags: Get energized in summer, Margaret Smith business coach, Margaret Smith life coach, overcome summertime procrastination, Summer Slump Re-energize, Summertime slump
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Goals, Thrive at Work
July 23, 2025 What is Collective Grief? (and how could it be affecting you)
Grief is a complex emotion. Although it is often associated with bereavement and death, it can crop up in several other ways. You can grieve a former job, a house or city where you used to live, or a former lifestyle you once had. The common thread is loss. To make matters more complicated, grief can be a collective experience.
What is Collective Grief?
Collective grief is a term used to describe the sentiment of loss as experienced by a group of people. The group can be quite large (i.e. an entire nation) or smaller (a family or community group). Collective grief is often associated with a major tragedy or difficulty—a natural disaster, war, financial turmoil, a pandemic, etc. This type of upheaval can result in a sense of loss, or the feeling that things will never be the same.
If you are an empathetic person, you do not necessarily have to experience a certain tragedy or its side effects firsthand to go through grief or loss. For example, you might mourn the loss of a city that was decimated by an earthquake, or you may grieve for the families of those who have been jailed or deported. This type of grief isn’t any less valid. It just means you’re human, and you care for your fellow human beings.
Collective grief can be powerful and long-lasting. Furthermore, it’s possible to experience this type of grief without even realizing it.
How Collective Grief Can Show Up in Your Life
When you’ve been affected by an event or a change, your behavior or outlook may be altered, whether subtly or overt. Here are five ways you might manifest collective grief in everyday life:
- Difficulty Concentrating
When you’re enduring grief, you may find your attention wandering or have difficulty focusing on tasks. This can be exacerbated during times of collective grief, as the weight of the situation can feel overwhelming.
- Increased Irritability
Grief can make you feel on edge, causing you to snap at loved ones or co-workers more easily. This short temper may be a way of coping with the underlying emotional turmoil. The important thing is to recognize when you’re behaving irrationally, so you can make a concerted effort to amend this behavior.
- Changes in Sleep or Appetite
You may find yourself sleeping more or less than usual, or experiencing a loss of appetite. These physiological changes are the body’s way of dealing with the stress of grief. Again, awareness is key. If you’re noticing changes in sleep or appetite, it’s a good idea to address these issues head on (possibly with the guidance and support of a professional).
- Decreased Productivity
During periods of collective grief, you may find it harder to complete tasks or maintain your usual level of productivity. This can stem from the emotional and mental drain that comes with processing widespread loss or upheaval. It’s important to be patient with yourself during these times.
- Feeling Hopeless or Downtrodden
When experiencing collective grief, you may find yourself feeling defeated or hopeless, as the magnitude of the situation can feel overwhelming. This sense of despair can make it difficult to see a path forward. It’s important to remember that these feelings are a natural response to loss and change, and that with time and self-compassion, they will eventually subside.
The experience of collective grief can be isolating, as the loss or upheaval may be felt by a large group, yet each person’s individual response can vary. It’s important to recognize that these feelings are a natural reaction and to seek support from others who may be going through a similar process. By acknowledging the collective nature of the grief, individuals can find solace in the shared experience and work towards healing together. Reaching out to a mental health professional or joining a support group can provide valuable tools for navigating the complexities of collective grief.
Tags: Collective grief and its effects, margaret smith career coach, Margaret Smith professional speaker, overcoming collective grief, recognizing affect of collective grief, what is collective grief
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Communication, Discussions
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