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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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January 3, 2024 Seeing the forest…

Image by Joe from Pixabay

The beginning of the year is one of those rare times that is conducive to raising our heads and taking a bird’s-eye view of the year ahead. Normally, many of us tend to keep our heads down and march forward, one foot in front of the other, doing whatever daily work and tasks come our way. This way of living may seem a bit passive (or can even seem like “survival mode”), but many of us are too busy–or think we’re too busy–to do anything else.

However, focusing on the trees instead of the forest can get us into trouble and may actually be costing us valuable time and resources. We might not be working efficiently, for instance, or we may be heading down the wrong path entirely. Additionally, we may miss opportunities for creativity and innovation if we’re so focused on the daily “grind.”

I suggest taking a step back and thinking about the forest.

“Forest thinking” means seeing the big picture and considering all the many options that lay at your feet. This type of thinking inevitably involves reflection, which may not seem terribly appealing to some. Reflection, however, can be whatever you want it to be. It can involve journaling, talking out your ideas with a good listener, or taking a long walk and thinking about your options. It could also involve creating a vision board or a Pinterest board (if you’re a more visual person), or drawing a mind map.

The goal of forest thinking is really twofold:

  1. It helps you identify where you are. What are you current struggles? What’s going well? What would you like to change?
  2. It helps you identify where you’d like to go. What options are available to you? (and are you sure you’re not thinking too small?) What would your ideal year look like? How can you make that happen? Does a major change or changes need to happen? What are your personal goals? What are your dreams/aspirations?

As you consider these questions, do not put limits on yourself. Dare to dream! You deserve a great year ahead, and it’s okay to think big or consider making a major change (such as a career shift). This month, I challenge you to take a step back, reflect in whatever way suits you, and start seeing the forest ahead.

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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December 27, 2023 Holiday Reflection

We’ve done it, friends. We’ve reached the end of another holidays season and another year, and we’re marching forward into the next year. If you’re like many people I know, this year has been filled with ups and downs, peaks and valleys. You’ve learned some tough life lessons, but you have also had moments of joy, satisfaction, and victory. The trick is, clinging to those “peak” moments and letting the valley moments slide away.

You might call this “selective reflection.” Make an effort to sit down (perhaps with a favorite warm beverage!) and spend some time quietly thinking about your accomplishments and positive moments. You could also choose to do this with a journal, jotting down your thoughts about the year. If you go the journaling route, remember this is just for YOU, so there’s no need for perfect grammar or even full sentences. Just write whatever comes to mind.

For me, this last year has had its challenges, but it has also contained several bright and shining moments. I welcomed a little grandson into the world this year, I had a chance to spend quality time with loved ones, I traveled to Iceland with friends, I spent time with family on both the east and west coasts. The list goes on.

When I focus on all the positive, uplifting, and joyful events that occurred this past year, the bad “stuff” seems to melt away. And that’s powerful. When you choose to concentrate on blessings, the difficult moments seem bearable (even if you’re grappling with difficulties right now).

I challenge you to set a positive tone for the New Year. Infuse yourself with positivity and gratitude, and march boldly forward. Don’t forget, you probably had plenty of support and love this past year, and it is always a good idea to reach out to your loved ones and thank them for their positive presence. Demonstrate your gratitude through a phone call, a hand-written card, a meaningful gift—however you see fit to recognize the special individuals in your life.

What will the New Year bring for you? What changes—large or small—do you anticipate in the year ahead? I would love to hear from you.

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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