Tag Archives: margaret smith career coach
July 7, 2021 8 Ways to Show a Co-Worker Appreciation
Work relationships are important, and yet, how often do we truly offer others our thanks and appreciation? Oftentimes, we take for granted the little things people do to make our lives a bit easier. And then there are the big things–the time a co-worker stepped up and covered your work when you had an emergency, the co-worker who took on extra work so the team would succeed.
How can you show your super star co-workers your gratitude? It’s not always as easy as showing appreciation to a friend, a significant other, or your child. Relationships with co-workers are (usually) different, even if you consider them friends. Even so, there are several ways to recognize a co-worker’s good deeds.
Here are 10 ideas:
1. Send a hand-written thank you card
A thank you card is a simple, classic gesture that I’ve used many times. Be sure to make note of something specific your co-worker did and don’t just give a generic “thank you.”
2. Give a car wash punch card
This is a practical gift that almost anyone could use. Especially appropriate for the co-worker who does a lot of driving.
3. Recognize them during a team meeting
Unless your co-worker doesn’t like being singled out, it can be fun and uplifting to be recognized in a team meeting. Keep your statements brief and, if you’re not running the meeting, make sure to get permission for your shout-out.
4. Treat them to lunch
Express your thanks by taking your co-worker to their favorite lunch spot. Be sure to let them know why you’re treating them and make it clear that the tab is on you!
5. Recommend them for a reward
If your workplace gives annual rewards, consider nominating one of your co-workers. Unless the co-worker asks, there’s no need to let them know you were the one who nominated them. After all, this is about them, not you!
6. Fill in your boss
Send you boss an email to let them know about the stellar work your co-worker is doing. Be sure to mention specific instances when your colleague truly shined or went the extra mile.
7. Offer to help
A simple offer to help a co-worker can convey your appreciation for them. Don’t make a big deal about helping. Just help.
8. Say thank you
Really. It’s as easy as it sounds and it doesn’t happen often enough. Simply giving someone a sincere ‘thank you” can be powerful, especially if the “thank you” is followed up with a specific reason for showing your appreciation. For example, “Thank you, Sam, for working late yesterday and making sure our sales figures matched the spreadsheets. I appreciate it.”
No matter how you choose to show your gratitude, it’s important to DO IT. Your appreciation can make a big difference in someone’s day.
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.
Tags: co-worker gratitude, margaret smith career coach, Margaret Smith Twin Cities, simple office thank you, thank a co-worker, ways to show co-worker appreciation, workplace gratitude
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- Posted under Better Business, Communication, Teamwork
June 16, 2021 The Case for Acting NOW
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”
Chinese proverb
What have you been meaning to do that you’ve put off?
Think about that question for a minute. I’ll wait.
You might have multiple things you’re putting off.
You might even want to make a list…
Have you thought of a thing (or seven) you’ve been putting off? Why do you suppose you haven’t acted? What’s holding you back?
It’s human nature to put off what is uncomfortable or potentially difficult. Why have a tough conversation if you don’t have to? Why clean the attic if you can ignore it? Why start writing your memoir when you could be spending the evening relaxing on the couch?
We also tend to put things off that seem low-priority. Cleaning the desk in my office? I can put it off. Joining the gym? That can wait until next month.
Another reason we might put something off is if we think it will eventually take care of itself. If you meant to apologize to a friend for missing her party, you might put it off and put it off until…everyone has forgotten about it, right?
Another example: If you’re part of a team at work and you don’t feel like tackling a certain aspect of your project, you could put if off until someone else caves and does it for you.
As you’ve read through all these scenarios, you may have noticed something they have in common:
They are all problematic or potentially problematic.
If we put off a difficult conversation, the current situation might continue to get worse.
If we continue to delay working on a special project, that project will never be completed.
If we fail to clean the work desk, items will inevitably continue piling up until we can’t find anything, we feel completely scattered, and we lose valuable time and productivity searching for items we need.
If we don’t apologize for a past wrong, we risk creating a misunderstanding or losing a friend. Plus, it’s an opportunity to clear the air and acknowledge the mistake.
If we delay acting because we think someone else will eventually cover for us, that’s a recipe for creating grudges! Others will view you in a poor light and think you’re lazy or irresponsible when, really, you might have averted the crisis by expressing your discomfort with the task and requesting a new assignment.
Even though acting NOW might be uncomfortable or inconvenient sometimes, it is almost always worth it. If you’re putting something off, take a step back and ask yourself WHY. What barriers do you perceive? What’s holding you back? If you’re worried about the outcome of a particularly tricky task/conversation/action, that’s okay. It’s normal to delay action in the face of worry. But you’re stronger than that. It’s time to break through the barriers that are holding you back and ACT.
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.
Tags: act now despite discomfort, case for acting now, don't put things off, margaret smith career coach, Margaret Smith life coach, now is the time, take action now
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Changing Your Life
June 2, 2021 Using Your WORRY as a Motivator!
“I’ve had a lot of worries in my life. Most of which never happened.”
Mark Twain
“Worrying only means you suffer twice”
Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Worrying is part of the human existence. We worry about our children, our relationships, our work performance. We worry about finances and health. We worry about the future. This tendency to worry is part of what makes us human. It’s natural to fret about the wellbeing of ourselves and those around us. However, if we worry too much, it can become debilitating.
What percentage of your day is spent fussing about the future or dwelling on past events? If you’re like most people, it’s probably quite a lot. And, here’s the thing: worrying about something doesn’t help the outcome in the least. We can’t improve a work project by fretting about it. We can’t fix something harmful that we did or said through worry.
If worrying doesn’t solve anything, why is it a human emotion in the first place?
The possible answer is that worrying can prompt us to act. It isn’t useful on its own, BUT it can act as a catalyst—a bit of fire under our shoes.
Worried about your upcoming presentation?
Let that be motivation to thoroughly prepare and practice.
Worried about your current physical health?
Let your worry drive you to go to the gym and eat a healthier diet.
Worried about finances?
Use that emotion to create a better savings plan and spend a smaller portion of your income.
Worried you offended someone?
Leverage that worry by 1) apologizing and 2) learning from your mistake and vowing to not say or do the same thing again.
The above examples have one important thing in common: they all involve action. If you’re going to fret anyway, let your emotions be a motivator. Don’t stew in your misery; act instead!
We could all use a little less worry in our lives. It doesn’t do to sit and dwell on either the past or the future. BUT, if you do find worry surfacing in your life, know that you don’t have to let it consume you. Instead, use it as a catalyst to take action, forge ahead, and make positive, meaningful change.
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.
Tags: leverage your worry, margaret smith career coach, margaret smith leadership, using worry as driver, worry and work, worry as a motivator
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Changing Your Life, Goals
