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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Thrive at Work

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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October 18, 2023 Success in 40 Hours: Becoming an Efficient Achiever

Self-made millionaire Barbara Corcoran doesn’t believe in the “grind.” Even though tons of entrepreneurs talk about outworking the competition, Corcoran has never adopted a “work before everything else” mentality. She takes breaks and goes on vacation. She pays attention to her family and her personal wellbeing. Her success comes from working smarter and more efficiently, not harder.

It’s hard to argue with this mentality. According to a World Health Organization and the Internal Labor Organization report (summarized in a CNBC article), those who tend to work long hours are more likely to suffer from ischemic heart disease and stroke. Additionally, productivity tends to plunge after working 50 hours per week or longer. These are convincing arguments to slow down a bit, refocus, and figure out how to work “smarter, not harder.”

But how do you achieve this coveted efficiency? How do we achieve success in a 40-hour work week when our careers and personal lives seem to demand SO much of our time? While there’s no golden ticket, you can begin working smarter (not harder) by following any of the following 4 tips:

Set Clear Priorities

If our main priorities are not crystal clear, it’s easy to become distracted by day-to-day “fires” that need your attention. When that happens, it feels like our wheels are turning, but we’re going nowhere. Instead, take the time to clearly define your priorities and develop a plan to achieve them. When you keep your main priorities top-of-mind, it’s easier to say “no” to projects and requests that do not fit within your goals.

Eliminate Time-Wasting Activities

Take a close look at your daily routine and identify any activities that don’t contribute to your productivity. (Corcoran suggests asking yourself, “How could I do even better tomorrow?”) Unproductive activities could include excessive social media scrolling, unnecessary meetings, or spending too much time on unimportant tasks. Some ideas to cut these activities include turning off notifications, closing extra tabs, declining (if appropriate) to attend unnecessary meetings, and finding a quiet space where you can concentrate. By eliminating time-wasting activities, you’ll free up more time to focus on what truly matters.

Delegate and Outsource

Recognize that you can’t do it all on your own. Delegate tasks to others who have the expertise and capacity to handle them. This allows you to focus on your core responsibilities and maximize your efficiency. Additionally, consider outsourcing certain tasks or projects to external professionals or services to further streamline your workload. Another idea is to automate repetitive tasks, taking advantage of technology to save time and increase efficiency.

Take Regular Breaks

In a recent interview, Corcoran said, “I don’t agree that you should work your buns off to get rich.” Contrary to popular belief, taking regular breaks can actually improve productivity. Allow yourself short breaks throughout the day to recharge and refresh your mind and body. This could include going for a short walk, doing a quick exercise routine, or simply taking a few minutes to relax and clear your thoughts. By giving yourself these breaks, you will prevent burnout and maintain focus and energy throughout the day.

Achieving success in a 40-hour work week requires working smarter, not harder. By implementing intentional strategies, you can work more efficiently and achieve success without sacrificing your well-being. Remember, success is not about the grind, but about developing a plan, working more efficiently, and (ultimately) finding balance.

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 4, 2023 Changing Your Work Approach with the Seasons (to Achieve Success)

In the upper Midwest, we’re currently making the shift to colder weather, shorter days, and (all too soon) snowfall. During this time of year, our animal instincts are telling us to prepare for the lean months ahead—a time when it’s okay to slow down, bundle up, and stay indoors. And maybe the hibernating bears and migrating geese are onto something! Studies have shown that people endure more depression and anxiety in the winter, have greater difficulty breathing, experience a drop in energy levels, and more. So, maybe it IS a good idea to start operating a little differently to prepare for the tough winter months ahead.

One thing you can do is adopt a “winter mentality” in relation to work. To set yourself up for success, consider adapting to the changing seasons by trying any of the following four tactics:

Slow Down

The winter months are the perfect time to take the advice of working “smarter not harder.” To do this, it’s a good idea to take a step back and think about your current responsibilities AND your typical work day. What are your current priorities? What are your biggest time sinks? Are you dealing with any inefficiencies? Do you often find yourself doing work that is low priority (or should be someone else’s priority?).

Once you’ve identified these areas, look for opportunities to streamline your work process. Can you delegate tasks to others? Can you automate certain repetitive tasks? Can you eliminate any unnecessary steps in your workflow? By slowing down and evaluating your work approach, you can make changes that will increase efficiency and productivity during the winter months.

Stay Organized

With the potential for increased workload and additional holiday responsibilities, staying organized is crucial during the winter season. Take time to declutter your workspace, both physical and digital. Create a system for prioritizing tasks and deadlines. Utilize tools such as calendars, to-do lists, and project management software to keep track of your responsibilities. By staying organized, you can minimize stress and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks.

Listen To Your Body

Just like hibernating critters intuitively know when to slow down and seek shelter, so, too, is it wise to listen to your body. Our bodies are constantly sending us messages (“I’m hungry,” “I feel tense and stressed,” “I ache”) that can signal when we need to make a change. If you’re feeling exhausted, gloomy, or lethargic, it’s a good idea to take notice and respond accordingly. Take a few days off, see if you can lighten your work load, or indulge in some self-care (a massage, soaking in a hot tub, or taking a long walk in nature). Pay attention to your body’s needs and give yourself the care and rest you require to thrive during the winter months.

Adapt Your Schedule

The change in seasons can also warrant a change in your daily schedule. Consider shifting your work hours to align with the daylight hours. If you find yourself feeling more energized and productive in the morning, try starting your workday earlier. Alternatively, if you struggle with motivation in the morning and feel more alert in the evening, consider adjusting your schedule accordingly. By aligning your work schedule with your natural energy patterns, you can optimize your productivity and well-being.

We naturally tend to operate differently in the winter, and that inclination can be applied to the workplace as well. This winter, make an intentional effort to adjust your work approach (and life approach) to fit your needs. Doing so can help prevent the burnout and lethargy so many of us grapple with during the winter months. Listen to your body, slow down when needed, and focus on working at a sustainable pace. You’ve got this!

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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