Skip to content

UXL Blog

“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Changing Your Life

July 8, 2026 5 Small Acts of Kindness in the Workplace

In the workplace, like so many other spaces in our lives, we can choose to be bad-tempered and short with others…or we can choose to be kind. Even if your co-workers or boss can occasionally make you exasperated or annoyed, you can decide to turn things around and respond with kindness and understanding. In fact, this is perhaps the best time to respond this way. Far too often, bad tempers build on each other, which can escalate a situation.

We can also lead with kindness, setting a friendly tone with others right off the bat. Leading by example can be powerful, and if you make an intentional effort to be considerate and understanding, others will hopefully follow suit. 

Acting with kindness does not have to involve grand gestures, and it doesn’t even need to be a high-effort endeavor. Instead, you can incorporate kindness into your everyday actions—the way you respond, talk to, and/or include others. These efforts not only create a more welcoming environment, they also can improve the company’s bottom line by increasing productivity and reducing turnover. On the other hand, according to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Ostracism, incivility, harassment, and bullying have direct negative significant effects on job productivity” and lead to higher job burnout.

To start amplifying kindness in the workplace, I suggest starting with these 5 small acts of kindness.

1. Acknowledge Others

It may seem like a small thing, but the simple act of acknowledging someone you pass in the hallway or giving a sincere greeting to each of your colleagues in a Zoom meeting (provided it’s not a meeting with dozens of people!) can make a significant impact. No one likes to feel invisible. Giving someone a warm greeting and adding a remark like, “It’s nice to see you today” can make that person feel welcomed and valued.

2. Ask Meaningful Questions

How often do you meet with a co-worker and automatically ask that tired, old question, “How are you?” Instead, try asking something a bit more specific—something that indicates you care about the person across from you and you pay attention to them. You might ask something like the following:

“How was your weekend? Were you able to take out your sailboat?”

“How is your house project going? Are you still able to use your kitchen while it’s under construction?

Or, you might ask “How are you?” and follow it up with something like: “I heard you were sick last week; hopefully you’re feeling better?”

3. Welcome all voices

If only one or two people ever speak up during most meetings, that quickly sends the message that the rest of the team is not valued. Make your meetings more welcoming by inviting others to share their thoughts, ideas, and opinions. This might mean intentionally reaching out to certain people and saying something like, “This seems like it would affect your department, Violet. What do you think about implementing this change?” In short, pay attention and make sure everyone’s voice is represented.

4. Cut the gossip

Unless you’re committed to positive gossip (which I discuss in a past post), it’s a good idea to keep office gossip to a minimum. Few things can erode trust and create a toxic environment quicker than talking about others behind their backs. Just don’t do it. And if others attempt to gossip to you, shut it down quickly with a comment such as, “I have no opinion on the matter. Could we get back to talking about X?”

5. Listen

No one likes to feel like they are talking to a brick wall. Convey to others that they are welcomed and worthy by genuinely listening to what they have to say. Absorb what they’re telling you without judgement, ask good questions, and follow up or take action if necessary. Active listening is a sign of respect and it helps foster a more friendly office environment.

Start making kindness a central part of your daily work, and start becoming the change you’d like to see take place. Just a few small actions could make an enormous difference in making others feel more welcomed, amplifying positivity, and facilitating a hospitable work environment.

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.

Tags: , , , , ,

May 20, 2026 Overcoming Self-Criticism (Be Kind to Yourself)

Overcoming Self-Criticism; a blog post by life coach Margaret Smith

If you’re reading this today, know that you are more than you realize. You are smarter, you shine brighter, and you touch more people’s lives than you know.

Far too often, we do not recognize our own self-worth. Many of us are our own worst critics. Even if we accomplish something great, we tend to pick apart our performance, looking at the blemishes instead of the bright spots. But what does this achieve? Sure, it’s helpful to learn from mistakes, but it is absolutely NOT helpful to put ourselves down, be overly critical, or tell ourselves we’re not good enough or capable enough.

An article by Psychology Today discusses our tendency to be tough on ourselves, saying, “Often we self-criticize on autopilot and need to wake up and realize the damage we are doing.” Absolutely.

Start paying attention to that little voice that tends to run through your head. Is it usually negative or self-deprecating? Do you often tell yourself that you can’t do something, or that you’re not accomplished enough to do something? Do you have difficulties accepting compliments or recognizing a job well done? I call this little negative voice your “gremlins,” those self-saboteurs that make you doubt yourself and your abilities.

How do you banish these gremlins? How can you become kinder and more forgiving to yourself?

This involves a fundamental change in perspective, and THAT does not happen overnight. If you’ve been putting yourself down for a long time, it’s going to take a while to lift yourself up. And you’ll probably have good days and bad days along the way–days when you feel confident and brilliant, and other days when your impostor syndrome is strong and you doubt yourself at every turn.

But this shift in perspective is not impossible. Try starting with any of these suggestions:

  • Remind yourself that no one is perfect (and holding that impossible standard is not healthy or realistic).
  • Recognize your achievements (Think about something you’ve accomplished recently and give yourself a pat on the back.)
  • Accept compliments (Simply say, “Thank you” instead of shrugging off the compliment.)
  • Treat yourself how you strive to treat others (Would you constantly criticize a friend? Would you repeatedly put down your co-workers? Probably not! So, don’t do this to yourself.)
  • Learn to let go (Everyone makes mistakes and it doesn’t help to fixate on them. To move on, try journaling about the situation, go on a long walk, talk about it with a trusted listener, throw yourself into a healthy distraction, such as painting, exercise, cooking, or whatever engages and energizes you.)
  • Stop comparing yourself with others. (People often put their best face forward, especially when it comes to social media. Stop comparing yourself to impossible standards and place your focus on self-growth and affirmation.)

Most of us would benefit from being a little kinder to ourselves. This isn’t an act of hubris, but an act of genuine care and compassion. Yes, we need to learn from our mistakes, but we do not need to beat ourselves up in the process. Be more forgiving and patient with yourself, and make a conscious effort to banish those gremlins. Your life will be better for it.

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.

Tags: , , , , ,

May 6, 2026 Stressed? You Might Need an Intentional Break

Man sitting with head in hands on a leather coach with blurred section to the left of the frame

Life can get to be a lot. We juggle work with family commitments, volunteering, household chores, and trips to the gym. We get sucked into the little dramas happening all around us, as well as the big national (and international) issues that crop up. For some, escaping means turning to their phone and scrolling (and scrolling and scrolling) through social media. But that’s not a true escape. In fact, social media can make you feel even worse than you already do.

How can you alleviate all this pressure and stress? How can you truly take a step back from life’s chaos?

I suggest taking an intentional break.

An intentional break is different than mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or watching TV. Instead, it involves purposefully stepping away from work or tasks to recharge your mind and body. It could be a short walk outside, a mindfulness meditation session, or even a brief chat with a colleague. Or it could involve something more sustained, such as a weekend getaway, vacation, or even a sabbatical.

These types of breaks of breaks are vital for your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. They allow you to temporarily tune out the noise, gain some perspective, and have a chance to reflect. You might discover during this downtime that something you’re currently doing (whether minor or major) is the wrong choice and it’s time to course correct. Or you might realize that you’ve been neglecting the things that are most important in your life (your health, your family, the hobbies and activities that uplift you and bring you joy).

Even if you don’t have a “grand epiphany” while engaging in your break, this time is still valuable. It can help you rejuvenate, relax, and reset your nervous system. We are not built to go, go, go without stopping, and prolonged breaks are part of the natural “pulse” of being human.

Some ideas for short-term meaningful breaks include:

  • Going on a walk or hike
  • Meditating or practicing yoga
  • Finding a quiet space to read a book
  • Nature watching (or people watching) from your window
  • Gardening (or browsing a garden center)
  • Strolling through a conservatory, zoo, or museum

Some ideas for longer-term breaks include:

  • Planning a road trip
  • Booking a stay at a cozy cabin
  • Engaging in a long-term meditation or yoga practice
  • Going on an international vacation
  • Taking a sabbatical
  • Pursuing a new hobby or re-engaging with an old one
  • Attending a silent retreat

There is no right way to take an intentional break. Do whatever fits with your circumstances and interests. And if you don’t think you have time for this type of break, keep in mind that taking the occasional break is essential for your health and can help you refocus and move forward with greater intention and energy.

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.

Tags: , , , , ,