Tag Archives: Margaret Smith minneapolis
January 7, 2026 Learning to Love Your Current Role
When I was ramping up the career coaching side of my business in 2011, the atmosphere was much different than it is today. As a nation, we had made our way through and out of the Great Recession, and companies were once again enthusiastic about hiring. Additionally, the younger members of the workforce were approaching it with a different mentality than past generations, knowing that the best way to climb the ladder (in terms of both position and pay) was to change jobs periodically. They were no longer being rewarded for staying in one place, and they knew it. So, job hopping became the norm.
Today, however, things have slowed considerably and the job numbers (when they’re released) look dismal. Economic growth is shrinking, and the “AI bubble” that is helping to keep the economy afloat is expected to pop at any time. In this environment, employers are more cautious about hiring, and employees are more reluctant to leave their current jobs (knowing that finding another one may be extremely difficult).
So, what do you do in this situation if you’re discontent with your job? One approach is to stay put for now and make the best of your circumstances. Of course, if your job and/or boss are absolutely terrible, you might want to plan your exit, BUT if you’re simply dealing with a few less-than-ideal aspects of your job, you could try staying and shaping your professional future within your current role. Here are four approaches you could take:
Set Clear Boundaries
The workplace can quickly become toxic if bosses or co-workers overstep your boundaries. Do you feel pressured to reply to emails after hours? Are you frequently asked to do tasks outside your professional scope? Do you feel pressured to pick up others’ slack? All of these are signs that your boundaries are being crossed.
To prevent this, practice tactfully saying “No.”
“That’s outside of my scope, so I think this would be better suited to someone in the IT department.”
“I have too much on my plate right now to take that on by the deadline.”
And if the problem has to do with after-hours calls or emails, simply do not respond until normal business hours. When you establish that this is the norm, you empower others to do the same.
Switch/Redefine Your Role
If you’re discontent with your current work, you may want to explore your options within the organization. Is there latitude to take on a different set of tasks than the ones you’re currently doing? Could you reshape your role? Or, perhaps, move to a different department within the organization? Before abandoning the entire company, it’s a good idea to look internally for other options.
Befriend Colleagues
You don’t have to be best friends with your work colleagues, but it is incredibly helpful to be friendly with each other. Having work friends or allies can help you in numerous ways. You can talk over problems you’re experiencing, you can support and uplift each other, you can ask each other questions about projects or tasks, etc. Even if you work remotely, it’s possible to make work friends by simply being a little more open, vulnerable (without oversharing), and friendly. Ask others about their lives and share a little about yours. Swap some stories and laughs. Simply put: don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and be yourself.
Take Advantage of Opportunities
Whether education training, office book clubs, ERGs, or volunteer opportunities, it can be motivating to become more deeply involved in your workplace. Additionally, some of the offerings could help you learn valuable new skills that could be carried over to a new job in the future. In nearly every role, you have the power to shape it—and improve it—in some way, no matter how small. Consider your position and what you can do this week (or today!) to make that happen.
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.
Tags: learning to love current role, loving the workplace, loving your work, making place for yourself at work, margaret smith career coach, Margaret Smith minneapolis
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Changing Your Life, Thrive at Work
July 9, 2025 5 Ways to Become More Optimistic
It isn’t always easy to be an optimist. Sometimes life, and the world around us, seems grim and difficult. We’re bombarded with bad news, tough circumstances, and dire predictions. We go through hard situations like health scares, financial difficulty, and loss. But through it all, some people manage to stay optimistic.
When it’s easy to be cynical or downtrodden, the optimist resolutely seeks the good. While some might think this is related to blissful ignorance or weakness, my opinion is that optimists are brave and resilient. They dare to see the brighter side. To dream. To hope.
How can you develop and hone your optimism? How can you start seeing the silver linings in storm clouds? Let’s talk about five ways to let your sunny side loose!
1. Pause Before Reacting
When life throws a nasty curveball your way, your automatic reaction may be to lash out, become angry, or start complaining about how life can be so unfair. If you feel these types of reactions coming on, I encourage you to pause. Take a step back and a few studying breaths, and approach the situation with a level head. Optimism may not be your default state (which is true of many people!) but you have the power to get into a frame of mind where you can adapt it.
2. Seek the Good
It may not feel natural at first, but it is possible to find a little bit of good in nearly every situation. For example, a colleague of mine was recently in a terrible cycling accident and had to have emergency shoulder surgery. While the situation was far from optimal, she was grateful that she was wearing a helmet and did not hit her head. Additionally, she was thankful that two kind strangers stopped after her crash to help her get the medical attention she needed. Though her recovery will be long, she recognizes that things could be a lot worse.
3. Plans Instead of Pity
When something bad happens to you, it is natural to have a little self-pity. That’s fine, but don’t let yourself wallow for too long. Instead, start thinking about what you can do to improve the situation. What steps can you take? What plans can you make to move forward in a positive way? Shift your mindset from, “Why did this happen to me?” to “How can I make the best of this?” Focusing on plans instead of pity will help you maintain an optimistic outlook.
4. Surround Yourself with Positivity
The people you spend time with have a big impact on your mindset. If you’re constantly around pessimistic, cynical, or complaining individuals, it can start to drag your own outlook down. Make an effort to connect with optimistic, upbeat people who inspire you and bring you joy.
5. Practice Gratitude
Make it a daily habit to reflect on things you are grateful for, no matter how small. This shifts your focus to the positive aspects of life, rather than dwelling on the negative. Keep a gratitude journal, share what you’re thankful for with loved ones, or simply take a few moments each day to appreciate the good in your life. The more you train your brain to seek out the positives, the more naturally optimistic your outlook will become.
Developing and maintaining an optimistic mindset takes practice, but it’s a valuable skill that can enrich your life in countless ways. When you choose to focus on the bright side, you open yourself up to new possibilities and the ability to weather life’s storms with greater resilience. Embrace these strategies and make optimism a cornerstone of your daily life. With time and dedication, you can cultivate a more positive, hopeful perspective that will serve you well both personally and professionally.
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: be more positive, become more optimistic, develop optimism, Margaret Smith life coach, Margaret Smith minneapolis
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Changing Your Life, Goals
October 2, 2024 Letting Go of Perfection: Embracing Trial and Error
Many of us are terrified to fail. Whether we’re taking on a new project, giving a presentation, starting a new hobby, or making a major transition, the fear of failure can stop us in our tracks and prevent us from fully taking on the endeavor. But what would happen if we didn’t worry so much about failure? What if we embraced the idea that trial and error is just fine?
How Trial and Error Spurs Innovation
By letting go of the fear of failure, we open ourselves to new possibilities and opportunities for growth. We free ourselves to go out on a limb, get creative, or take paths we might not normally take. This is how innovation and growth happen—when our comfort zones are stretched and we’re willing to explore the unknown.
Embracing trial and error allows us to experiment, learn, and refine our approach. Even if we don’t get it right the first time, each attempt provides valuable feedback and brings us closer to our goal. By letting go of the need for perfection, we can focus on the journey and find joy in the process.
Ultimately, trial and error is not only a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, but also a way to spur innovation, find creative solutions, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. By being open to failure and embracing the learning process, we can unlock new avenues for success and discover unexpected breakthroughs.
What Happens When You Fail?
Failure is a natural part of the human existence, and most of the time we can bounce back from these minor setbacks. Unless you are a NASA scientist or a surgeon, you likely have some room for error! If a presentation is flat or your idea flops, it is usually possible to use these moments as learning experiences. Rather than viewing a failure as an excuse to give up, try reframing it as an opportunity—a chance to grow, learn, and rethink the road ahead.
When you adopt this type of “opportunity thinking,” you can start to see failures as stepping stones rather than roadblocks. Each misstep provides valuable feedback and a chance to refine your approach. By embracing this mindset, you can turn failures into fuel for growth and use them to propel you forward, rather than letting them hold you back. With a willingness to experiment and learn from your mistakes, you open the door to new discoveries and breakthroughs that may have been inaccessible had you played it safe.
When my coaching and speaking business was brand new, I was willing to take on all types of projects, clients, and assignments, even if I suspected they were not the best fit. This allowed me a chance to experiment, to figure out where I thrived and where I fell short. Furthermore, it gave me the opportunity to build my skills, gain experience, and better understand my ideal clients and offerings. While some of those early projects were not a perfect match, they provided invaluable lessons that ultimately helped me refine my business and find greater success. By embracing trial and error, I was able to iterate, improve, and discover new avenues for growth that may have remained hidden had I played it safe from the start.
Keep in mind, mistakes and missteps are not signs of weakness, but rather opportunities to learn and improve. When we approach life with a willingness to experiment and try new things, we cultivate a mindset of curiosity and resilience that can serve us well in all aspects of our lives. Instead of fearing the unknown, let’s approach it with curiosity and a willingness to experiment, secure in the knowledge that even our missteps can lead us to greater achievements.
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: benefits of trial and error, embrace trial and error, let go of perfection, margaret smith career coach, Margaret Smith minneapolis, perfectionist tendencies
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Changing Your Life, Thrive at Work
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