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Category Archives: Thrive at Work

January 24, 2024 Escape Your Winter Rut!

Image by kinkate from Pixabay

This can be an odd time of year. The holidays are long over (with all the togetherness and cheer that tends to come with them), and we’re now forging ahead into the new year. By now, your new year’s resolutions might be growing a bit stale, and your motivation might be slipping. It’s too early to think about spring, or your next summer vacation. It’s just…mid-winter.

If you’re finding yourself in a rut, or a mid-winter slump, that’s okay! It’s normal. Millions of Americans experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is characterized by difficulties concentrating, listlessness, low motivation, and other symptoms that are reminiscent of depression. And even if you do not suffer from SAD, you might find yourself in a bit of a lull during the winter months.

What can you do? How can you pull yourself out of this rut and move forward with renewed energy and spirit? I suggest trying any of the following:

Plan a Fun Event

It is said that planning a vacation can give a person just as much (if not more) joy than actually going on the vacation. So get planning! You might start planning for a beach holiday, a long cabin weekend, a friends’ night out, a dinner party–anything to help get the wheels turning and your planning muscles in gear. Even if the event is months down the road, it’s nice to have something to look forward to–a special treat to help break up the monotony.

Work in Sprints

If you need to temporarily boost your productivity, try working in sprints. This involves setting a timer for a few minutes (try 15 or 20 minutes at first) and working on ONE project for the allotted time. Don’t multitask! Don’t attempt to tackle several different projects. Just close out of social media and any other distractions, and do your sprint. When the time is up, do something different for a while and then try another sprint. You might be amazed by how much you can accomplish.

Move!

Part of your winter lethargy may come from not moving around much. In warm weather, we are more inclined to go outside, take a walk, go on a bike ride, or any number of activities that keep us active and engaged. This doesn’t necessarily come as naturally in the winter, so you may have to make a concerted effort to fit in some physical activity, be it outdoors (skiing, snowshoeing) or indoors (a gym workout, yoga). It is well known that exercise can help boost your energy and keep you sharp, so get moving!

Embrace the Season

Year after year, the Scandinavian countries are found to be among the happiest in the world. Despite long, bitterly cold winters, the Scandinavian people find ways to get cozy and embrace the winter season. The Danish word “hygge” is a concept that essentially means getting comfortable and cozy, and having good cheer. You, too, can embrace hygge! Buy a new winter sweater and some blankets, prepare warm winter beverages, take a sauna (in MN, it is possible to rent a mobile sauna or buy some time in a stationary sauna), invite friends over for a dinner party, watch a favorite movie…the list goes on!

Refocus

Sometimes, we need to take a few quiet minutes to refocus and replan for the path ahead. It’s possible your new year’s resolution isn’t working out, and it would be beneficial to tweak it somewhat. Or, your current work might not be going as planned. Instead of pressing ahead, I recommend taking the time to think about the big picture (remember Forest Thinking?) and re-strategize. Plan some concrete goals for yourself, break them into realistic pieces, and don’t forget to reward yourself along the way. A simple refocus can help get you back on track and renew your energy.

If you’re feeling caught in a mid-winter slump, it is usually possible to pull yourself out. Try some of these strategies, be kind to yourself, and keep going. And if you truly need some additional support, do not be afraid to seek the help you need. This could come in the form of a mentor, a good friend, a licensed therapist, or a trusted co-worker. We’re all in this together and, undoubtedly, spring will come again.

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 10, 2024 The Power of Collaboration

Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

If you’re like many people I know, you take on a lot by yourself. Whether work projects or home projects, you tend to put your head down and plow forward with your work. But that may not be the best approach, and it may not be sustainable for your mental and physical health. Sometimes, it’s better to collaborate.

Collaboration might seem like a lot of extra work when you can simply do something yourself.

However, there are many reasons to collaborate. It can…

  • Foster creativity and innovation
  • Help you get out of a rut
  • Distribute the workload more evenly
  • Aid you in thinking outside the box
  • Energize and motivate yourself (and others)
  • Help capitalize on individuals’ strengths

The list goes on. Alternatively, when you choose to do everything yourself, you may end up heading down the wrong path (or a path that might have been better if you had asked for input), or things might end up taking longer because you do not have sufficient expertise or experience (but someone else might). Besides, collaboration can be fun!

Though it’s easy for extroverts such as myself to promote collaboration (I definitely embrace “sunshine yellow” in the Insights Discovery program), it can work well for everyone. The key is to be open to collaborating. Go into it with the understanding that others may approach a problem or task differently than you, and that’s okay. It’s important to let go some of your control and see what happens when others take the wheel. This is how big ideas and innovations happen–when everyone feels free to put forth their ideas.

How can you set up a successful collaboration?

  • Invite several people to the table (everyone who makes sense to invite)
  • Make the goal clear (and address any questions)
  • Establish the parameters (Is this a brainstorming session? Is anything off limits? What time frame do you have? Etc.)
  • Establish an open line of communication
  • Make sure everyone has a role and is clear on their responsibilities
  • Check in regularly
  • Listen and be open to ideas, and encourage others to do the same
  • Make sure all voices are heard

We can walk farther when we walk together. Even if collaboration does not necessarily come naturally to you, I encourage you to give it a try. Engage others, establish your parameters, and take off! You may be surprised by the possibilities that open up and the results you achieve.

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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October 25, 2023 5 Common Career Fears and How to Avoid Them

Even seasoned, experienced leaders feel fear. Fear is a natural part of taking healthy risks, growing, and striving to achieve your goals. In my experience, the best leaders do not gloss over their fears or pretend they don’t exist. Rather, they acknowledge their fears and strategize how to overcome them.

In this article, let’s talk about 5 different fears many of us experience in the workplace, and how to overcome them.

Fear of Failure

One of the most common career fears is the fear of failure. This fear can be paralyzing and can prevent us from taking risks and exploring new opportunities. To avoid falling into this trap, it’s important to shift your mindset and embrace failure as a learning experience. If you do happen to fail, what’s the worst that could happen? If “the worst” does happen, how might you recover from it? And what opportunities might you gain from experiencing failure? With the right attitude, failure can always be reframed as an opportunity for growth and development.

Impostor Syndrome

Impostor syndrome has been a hot topic for a while, and for good reason. This commonly held fear revolves around the belief that you are not qualified or deserving of your successes, and that you will eventually be exposed as a fraud. Many high-achieving individuals experience this fear, and it can hold them back from reaching their full potential. To overcome impostor syndrome, it’s important to pause and recognize your achievements AND give yourself credit for your hard work. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who can provide perspective and remind you of your capabilities.

Fear of Making Waves

In the workplace, many people fear speaking up and making waves. They worry about the potential consequences of rocking the boat or challenging the status quo. However, staying silent can hinder career growth, prevent positive change, and make you feel untrue to yourself and your values. To overcome this fear, it’s important to cultivate assertiveness and effective communication skills. Practice expressing your opinions and ideas in a respectful and constructive manner. Remember, your voice matters and your insights can contribute to the success of your team or organization.

Fear of Rejection

The fear of rejection stems from the fear of being judged or not accepted by others. To overcome this fear, it’s important to build resilience and develop a growth mindset. Remember that rejection is not a reflection of your worth or abilities—it really has more to do with the other person than it does with you. If you do experience rejection, don’t look at it as a stop sign, but as a speed bump. Reassess, re-strategize, and keep going.

Fear of Change

Many individuals stay firmly rooted in their comfort zones, even if it means missing out on potential growth opportunities. However, change is inevitable in our fast-paced world, and embracing it is crucial for personal and professional development. To overcome the fear of change, focus on the potential benefits and opportunities that change can bring. Be open-minded, flexible, and willing to adapt to new circumstances. Remember, true growth happens outside of your comfort zone.

Fear is a natural part of the human experience, especially when it comes to our careers. By taking intentional steps to acknowledge and address our fears head-on, we can overcome them and unlock our true potential. Keep in mind, even great leaders are not exempt from experiencing fear. However, they’ve learned to get comfortable with stepping outside their comfort zones—that’s the only way to truly grow and face challenges with confidence and dignity.

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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