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Category Archives: Changing Your Life

January 26, 2022 7 Ways to Rejuvenate WITHOUT Taking a Vacation

You’re worn thin. You’ve been busy juggling several different work projects with family life and other commitments. You haven’t taken quality time for yourself in ages. In short…you’re EXHAUSTED. What to do? How can you rest, rejuvenate, and forge ahead?

In past blog posts, I’ve talked about the merits of taking a break (a long break, if possible!), but not everyone has the luxury of being able to pack up and go on vacation whenever they’re feeling worn out. If that’s you, you might try taking some “mini breaks.” These brief moments away can help renew your energy and fortify you so you can face the stressors of work, relationships, or simply everyday life.

Keep in mind: when you take these mini breaks, it’s best to do so completely. Turn your phone to airplane mode, schedule “you time” on the calendar, and step away as much as possible. Otherwise, you’ll never fully relax…and that pretty much defeats the purpose!

Here are 7 ideas for ways to rejuvenate without taking a full-on vacation:

1. Set aside a “favorite things” day

What do you enjoy doing more than anything? Do you like to read? Watch movies? Wander through gardens, conservatories, or the woods? Visit museums? Enjoy good food and/or good company?

Pick some of your favorite things and plan a day around them! This mini vacation is all about YOU. Grab brunch in the morning, catch up on your reading list, go to a basketball game or a movie–whatever makes you happy.

Don’t forget to plan ahead! If you have responsibilities (young kids, work commitments, etc.) make sure they are taken care of so you don’t have to divide your attention during your “favorite things” day.

2. Designate a “slow cooking” night

If you enjoy cooking, make an effort to set aside one night each week to fully immerse yourself in “slow cooking.” Instead of rushing to put dinner on the table, luxuriate in planning a menu, prepping your dishes, cooking, and enjoying the fruits of your labors. If you don’t love cooking, have a nice night out instead. In many cultures outside the US, food is savored and enjoyed, rather than rushed through. Rediscover the pleasure in eating a nice meal.

3. Try an unplugged workout

When you go to the gym or take a walk outside, are you tempted to check your phone and reply to emails? Do you constantly see notifications coming in?

These little distractions take away from what could be very healthy, and potentially relaxing, activities. Instead of letting your phone derail your active time, turn it to airplane mode and listen to music or an audiobook you’ve downloaded. If you need to keep limited notifications on, try your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” function and only let priority phone numbers get through. That way, when you work out you can truly immerse yourself in the activity.

4. Have an art night

Do you enjoy photography? Painting? Woodworking? If you have an artistic hobby that you haven’t indulged in a while, set aside some time for it! You might even decide to have a weekly art night, dedicated to your hobby.

5. Take a spa day

There’s nothing quite like a spa day when it comes to self-care. Indulge yourself with a massage, haircut, facial, or whatever you need to help you feel more relaxed and rejuvenated. If you’re on a budget, make it a DIY spa day with an at-home facial, a bath with Epsom salts, scented candles, etc. On the other hand, if you’re able to spend some extra cash, consider going to an all-inclusive spa where you can relax and spend the night (there’s something to be said about being away from your own home and the mounds of responsibilities that await you there!).

6. Catch up on your reading list

Do you have a mountain of to-read books you’ve been meaning to get to? Take a long afternoon to enjoy a hot beverage or a glass of wine, and curl up with a good book. Take a “book afternoon” whenever you need to–whenever you’re feeling tired and need a cozy getaway.

7. Have a slow morning

Whenever you need it, set aside a day to have a late morning. Block off time on your calendar (just as you would if you had a doctor or dentist appointment), and clock into work around noon. Use your slow morning to sleep in, practice yoga or meditate, read a newspaper or book over a cup of coffee, or perhaps grab brunch at your favorite breakfast joint. It’s amazing what a relaxed morning can do for productivity!

If you find yourself feeling burnt out, but can’t spring for a real vacation, try some of these mini breaks! Spending intentional time relaxing and unwinding can work wonders for your energy and productivity.

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. 

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January 19, 2022 How Bad Could It Be? (Combat worrywart tendencies)

Are you a worrier? Do you tend to dwell on something and envision the worst possible outcomes? There is something to be said for preparing for the worst; however, constant worrying and catastrophizing can also lead to anxiousness, constant fear, and difficulty finding enjoyment or joy.

How can you combat your worrywart tendencies?

Psychiatrist Katherine Pannel recommends a thought exercise. If you’re faced with an uncertain situation, picture the very worst outcome, then shift your thinking and imagine the very best outcome. After that, consider the most likely outcome, which will probably land somewhere in the middle of the two scenarios. This exercise helps you to refocus and “redirect your thoughts to a more realistic, comfortable place.”

Another way to stop worrying so much is to focus on preparations.

When you know you’ve put in the leg work and are thoroughly prepared, there’s less cause for worry. Tell yourself that you’ve done everything you can, and the outcome will be what it will be.

When I’m preparing for a presentation or an important meeting, I try to allow myself time to A) prepare the material B) practice and C) anticipate possible questions. Ideally, when you practice it should be out loud, in front of a mirror or with a friend or family member. When you’re anticipating possible questions, think about the things people are likely to ask AND anticipate any follow-up questions to those initial questions. When you’re prepared, you tend to feel more confident and less worried. You’ve done what you can, and the rest is out of your hands.

Lastly, if you’d like to stop worrying so much it’s important to accept your imperfections.

Recognize that you are not perfect, and you don’t have to be. Nobody is! If you make a mistake, it’s okay (truly). Pick yourself, attend to any necessary damage control, and try again. Many of us have unrealistic expectations for ourselves (we would probably never treat others the way we sometimes treat ourselves!), and that isn’t healthy. Instead, be kind to yourself, recognize you’re an imperfect human being, and simply try your best.

Let’s combat worrywart tendencies once and for all! Most of the time, things are not as bad as you fear them to be.

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. 

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January 12, 2022 3 Keys To a Successful Transition

Are you one of several million people who has recently left your job? Or, are you thinking about making a career change? Or are you, perhaps, hoping to switch roles or responsibilities in your current workplace? Whatever the case, it’s crucial to start thinking about and preparing for the transition ahead. Smooth transitions are usually not accidental. They take a good deal of reflection, forethought, strategy, and adaptability. Today, I’d like to discuss three keys to a successful transition.

Before we dig in, I need to give credit where credit is due. Dr. Jean Davidson, an experienced coach and consultant, is the originator of the “Three Keys” concept. She founded Davidson Consulting and Coaching in 2004, and has helped many individuals and teams step into the best versions of themselves. Dr. Davidson’s eBook, 3 Keys to Finding Hidden Treasures in a Difficult Transition, discusses transitions from a unique angle, and in this blog post I’m going to paraphrase some of that information. (If you find this information helpful, I highly encourage you to download Dr. Davidson’s complimentary eBook from her website!)

Let’s dig in to the “3 Keys.”

1. Notice where you are in the journey

There is power in observation. It pays to slow down, reflect, and think about where you are in your transition journey. Do you think you’re close to the beginning of your journey? Toward the end? Or somewhere in the middle? What roadblocks are you facing now, and which ones do you anticipate in the future?

This intentional reflecting is important, as it helps us identify our current state, where we’d like to go, and what might be standing in the way of us getting there.

2. Look for treasures and use them

Though you might not realize it in the moment, there are valuable lessons to be learned during a transition. Oftentimes, we’re too busy trying to get through the transition that we don’t absorb the life lessons and wisdom we gain from experiencing it. And this attitude makes sense—transitions can be difficult and uncomfortable. The last thing most of us want to do is dwell on them!

But that’s precisely where you’ll find the lessons, the “treasures,” buried in the folds of uncertainty and stress. What types of lessons?

Perhaps you’ve learned about your personal resiliency. Maybe you’ve shifted to a career that pays less but grants you more time off, thus teaching you how to appreciate personal time. Or maybe your transition has taught you something about your support network—those important family members and friends who have your back (and, conversely, maybe you’ve learned who doesn’t have your back and who you might need to distance yourself from).

All of these lessons are true treasures. We simply have to look for them. (Dr. Davidson goes into more detail on how to do this in her eBook.)

3. Identify what to let go of

As you move forward in your transition journey, you will likely discover that some things no longer serve you. Some of your habits, tendencies, attitudes, or even relationships may no longer fit into this new chapter of your life. Reflect on your new path forward and consider what you need to leave behind. Some of your decisions about what to reject might be relatively easy (ditching your habit of overworking, for instance, or ridding yourself of the tendency to be too much of a people pleaser). But other decisions may be more difficult (Do you let go of that harmful friendship, or do you attempt to repair it? Are you really ready to put an end to certain bad habits?).

I challenge you to be frank and honest with yourself. What do you need, going forward? And what will inhibit your progress or, worse, drag you back to square one? Cut the things from your life that will only weigh you down—the self-expectations, the harmful relationships, the toxic beliefs, the bad habits.

After you determine what to let go of in your life, follow through! Make a plan for how to rid yourself of these things and take action. Communication and honesty will go a long way in this process.

Transitions can be tough, but they can also open new doors and provide an opportunity for you to reinvent or rejuvenate yourself. Take your time, learn from your journey, and let go of anything that is harmful or holding you back. Walk forward on your new path with clarity and confidence.

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. 

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