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Tag Archives: Margaret Smith Minneapolis career coach

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 17, 2024 Learning to Be Kinder to Yourself

If you’re reading this today, know that you are more than you realize. You are smarter, you shine brighter, and you touch more people’s lives than you know.

Far too often, we do not recognize our own self worth. Many of us are our own worst critics. Even if we accomplish something great, we tend to pick apart our performance, looking at the blemishes instead of the bright spots. But what does this achieve? Sure, it’s helpful to learn from mistakes, but it is absolutely NOT helpful to put ourselves down, be overly critical, or tell ourselves we’re not good enough or capable enough.

An article by Psychology Today discusses our tendency to be tough on ourselves, saying, “Often we self-criticize on autopilot and need to wake up and realize the damage we are doing.” Absolutely.

Start paying attention to that little voice that tends to run through your head. Is it usually negative or self-deprecating? Do you often tell yourself that you can’t do something, or that you’re not accomplished enough to do something? Do you have difficulties accepting compliments or recognizing a job well done? I call this little negative voice your “gremlins,” those self-saboteurs that make you doubt yourself and your abilities.

How do you banish these gremlins? How can you become kinder and more forgiving to yourself?

This involves a fundamental change in perspective, and THAT does not happen overnight. If you’ve been putting yourself down for a long time, it’s going to take a while to lift yourself up. And you’ll probably have good days and bad days along the way–days when you feel confident and brilliant, and other days when your impostor syndrome is strong and you doubt yourself at every turn.

But this shift in perspective is not impossible. Try starting with any of these suggestions:

  • Remind yourself that no one is perfect (and holding that impossible standard is not healthy or realistic).
  • Recognize your achievements (think about something you’ve accomplished recently and give yourself a pat on the back)
  • Accept compliments (simply say, “Thank you” instead of shrugging off the compliment)
  • Treat yourself how you strive to treat others (Would you constantly criticize a friend? Would you repeatedly put down your co-workers? Probably not! So, don’t do this to yourself.)
  • Learn to let go (Everyone makes mistakes and it doesn’t help to fixate on them. To move on, try journaling about the situation, go on a long walk, talk about it with a trusted listener, throw yourself into a healthy distraction, such as painting, exercise, cooking, or whatever engages and energizes you.)
  • Stop comparing yourself with others. (People often put their best face forward, especially when it comes to social media. Stop comparing yourself to impossible standards and place your focus on self-growth and affirmation.)

Most of us would benefit from being a little kinder to ourselves. This isn’t an act of hubris, but an act of genuine care and compassion. Yes, we need to learn from our mistakes, but we do not need to beat ourselves up in the process. Be more forgiving and patient with yourself, and make a conscious effort to banish those gremlins. Your life will be better for it.

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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August 9, 2023 Navigating Change: Tips for Staying Agile in a Dynamic Environment

Over the years, workplaces have undergone significant changes. As technology, society’s wants/needs, and preferences or styles change, so does the business landscape. And as the workplace changes, so do people’s roles, responsibilities, and expectations. If you’ve had a sixty-year career, it’s possible you began your profession with a typewriter, hand-delivered memos, and in-person meetings and then, in the 1990s and ‘00s, had to shift to typing on a computer and tele-conferencing. After that, you may have had to shift again to working remotely, communicating through email and Slack, and meeting over Zoom. And that’s just one small example of all the changes the workplace has undergone.

With businesses always on the move, the workforce has had to be highly adaptive and agile. Employees have had to modify the way they communicate, problem solve, and process information. In some cases, they have to undergo additional training to prepare for new technology, new roles, or new operations. It can all be overwhelming and exhausting.

How can you stay on top of your game and stay agile in an ever-changing environment? Here are a few tips:

Embrace change.

The first step to staying agile is to accept that change is an inevitable part of any organization. Instead of resisting it, embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Be open to new ideas, new technologies, and new ways of doing things. If change is going to happen anyway, it’s best to roll with the punches and be willing to learn and grow.

Stay informed.

To navigate change successfully, you need to stay informed about what’s happening within your organization and your industry. Attend conferences, read industry publications, and network with your colleagues. If your workplace offers any relevant training, be sure to sign up if you can (or request additional training if it isn’t offered). This will help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices.

Be proactive.

Don’t wait until change happens to start adapting. Anticipate change and take preemptive steps to prepare for it. Identify potential challenges, develop contingency plans, and seek out additional classes or resources to help you stay ahead of the curve.

Collaborate.

Change affects everyone in an organization, so it’s important to collaborate with your colleagues to ensure a smooth transition. Work together to identify potential solutions, share information and best practices, and provide support to one another. Having a support system can be incredibly valuable during times of transition, and if everyone is experiencing the same struggles, that might mean the new system/technology/operation is flawed and can, potentially, be changed.

Take care of yourself.

Change can be stressful, so it’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Take all the normal steps to look out for your wellbeing—get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. You may also want to pause throughout the day to recharge and process what you’re going through. Journaling can also be a useful tool for processing new information.

As you navigate the ever-changing landscape of the modern workplace, remember that you are not alone. Change can be daunting, but staying agile is all about embracing the new, collaborating, and taking care of yourself. With the right mindset and tools, you can thrive and grow, no matter what changes come your way. So, keep an open mind, stay connected, and remember to take care of yourself. Here’s to a successful journey navigating 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. 

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