Tag Archives: Margaret Smith minneapolis
May 6, 2026 Stressed? You Might Need an Intentional Break
Life can get to be a lot. We juggle work with family commitments, volunteering, household chores, and trips to the gym. We get sucked into the little dramas happening all around us, as well as the big national (and international) issues that crop up. For some, escaping means turning to their phone and scrolling (and scrolling and scrolling) through social media. But that’s not a true escape. In fact, social media can make you feel even worse than you already do.
How can you alleviate all this pressure and stress? How can you truly take a step back from life’s chaos?
I suggest taking an intentional break.
An intentional break is different than mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or watching TV. Instead, it involves purposefully stepping away from work or tasks to recharge your mind and body. It could be a short walk outside, a mindfulness meditation session, or even a brief chat with a colleague. Or it could involve something more sustained, such as a weekend getaway, vacation, or even a sabbatical.
These types of breaks of breaks are vital for your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. They allow you to temporarily tune out the noise, gain some perspective, and have a chance to reflect. You might discover during this downtime that something you’re currently doing (whether minor or major) is the wrong choice and it’s time to course correct. Or you might realize that you’ve been neglecting the things that are most important in your life (your health, your family, the hobbies and activities that uplift you and bring you joy).
Even if you don’t have a “grand epiphany” while engaging in your break, this time is still valuable. It can help you rejuvenate, relax, and reset your nervous system. We are not built to go, go, go without stopping, and prolonged breaks are part of the natural “pulse” of being human.
Some ideas for short-term meaningful breaks include:
- Going on a walk or hike
- Meditating or practicing yoga
- Finding a quiet space to read a book
- Nature watching (or people watching) from your window
- Gardening (or browsing a garden center)
- Strolling through a conservatory, zoo, or museum
Some ideas for longer-term breaks include:
- Planning a road trip
- Booking a stay at a cozy cabin
- Engaging in a long-term meditation or yoga practice
- Going on an international vacation
- Taking a sabbatical
- Pursuing a new hobby or re-engaging with an old one
- Attending a silent retreat
There is no right way to take an intentional break. Do whatever fits with your circumstances and interests. And if you don’t think you have time for this type of break, keep in mind that taking the occasional break is essential for your health and can help you refocus and move forward with greater intention and energy.
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: alleviate stress with breaks, intentional breaks, margaret smith career coach, Margaret Smith minneapolis, take a meaningful break, taking an intentional break
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Changing Your Life
February 4, 2026 Empathy As a Superpower
Empathy is a term that is used frequently and not always in a positive manner. It is sometimes viewed as weak or wishy-washy. And some people even see it as political. In truth, empathy is not a sign of weakness but of strength. And it isn’t political, or religious, or only meant for a certain segment of the population. Rather, it is deeply human and more necessary than ever.
It’s important to note that empathy is not the same as sympathy. Sympathy relates to feeling sorry for another, or even pitying them. Empathy is more about understanding. It’s about expanding your horizons to see another’s perspective. It’s about being curious and open enough to want to understand. This innate curiosity helps people of all backgrounds and beliefs work together, live side by side, and cooperate.
Because no two people are alike, empathy can, indeed, be a superpower. It’s a way to reach others, negotiate, and have productive dialogues. When there’s a need for creativity or brainstorming solutions, it’s a way of gathering different ideas and making sense of them. That’s because empathy goes hand-in-hand with solution seeking. It is essentially the opposite of combativeness or stubbornness.
In my experience, empathetic leaders are often skilled at bringing out the best in their teams. These individuals understand the importance of truly listening—soaking in both what someone is saying and the context or subtext related to what is being said. For example, if a team member is adamant about gearing a product toward working parents, an empathetic leader might think about what they know about that team member. Maybe they are a single mother who faces numerous everyday challenges. As such, their passion makes sense, and the empathetic leader will know they are speaking from experience. Likely, this person is not the only one who is facing similar struggles, and it is probably smart to consider their perspective when developing products or solutions.
Empathy is useful in all different contexts, both within and outside of the workplace. It’s a simple fact that everyone wants to be understood and listened to. Because of this, an empathetic person makes a good conversation partner by giving others the space to express themselves and explain their perspective. That doesn’t mean being a pushover, and it doesn’t mean an empathetic person doesn’t have their own opinions and beliefs. It simply means that they are open to listening and understanding.
In a world where things are often portrayed as black and white, empathy is a courageous but necessary choice. Without it, we would constantly be at loggerheads with others, stuck in a single perspective. That’s not productive, and it only creates animosity and hard feelings. Rather, let’s make an effort to choose empathy and start really listening to what others have to say. That can make all the difference.
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: active empathy, empathy as superpower, empathy at work, Margaret Smith life coach, Margaret Smith minneapolis, need for empathy
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Communication, Current Events
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
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