Tag Archives: Margaret Smith Twin Cities
April 29, 2020 Making a Positive Difference (in the time of COVID)
I know. Things are difficult right now for many families. Millions are unemployed or underemployed, the stock market is volatile, fear is rampant, and many are struggling to make ends meet. That’s the reality…but do you really have to dwell on the reality every day? Do you have to spend hour upon hour watching the news, combing through social media, or reading the headlines?
No, you do not.
That doesn’t mean you should stuff your fingers in your ears and go, “La la la,” until things are back to normal. What it does mean is that you are allowed to take a break from bad news and frightening statistics. You are allowed to stay optimistic and look on the bright side (we will get through this).
One of the best ways to stop yourself from falling into a “woe is me” state of mind is to focus on others. Even if the COVID crisis has negatively impacted you, there’s always someone who is worse off than yourself. There’s always someone who is homeless, sick, or wondering where their next meal will come from. There’s always someone who is too weak or frail to mow their own lawn or weed their garden. You have an opportunity to help these people, and by helping them, you can also distract yourself from your own personal plight.
Do you have an elderly neighbor who needs help picking up groceries or doing yardwork? Volunteer your time and services (making sure you stay six feet away from your neighbor, of course).
Are nearby indie bookstores struggling to keep their doors open amid the quarantine? Consider ordering a few books from their online shop to keep them afloat (and keep you entertained!).
Are local restaurants suffering? Make an effort to order takeout from them at least once per week.
Do you know of any couples who are completely out of work right now? If you have money to spare, you might consider purchasing them a restaurant gift card (for takeout, of course!) or a gift card for groceries.
Do you know of an elderly person or someone who lives alone who might be feeling isolated during this time? Write them a letter or send flowers.
These small gestures can make a world of difference. By reaching out and putting your time and energy into volunteerism, you will not only improve someone else world, you will put yourself in a better frame of mind. And that’s a win-win if I ever heard of one!
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.
NOW LIVE: CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.
Tags: helping others during COVID, leadership coach Margaret Smith, Margaret Smith Twin Cities, positive difference COVID, positive difference quarantine, positivity
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Changing Your Life
April 22, 2020 Introducing G.L.A.D. (plus a word challenge!)
If there ever was a time for an acronym like GLAD, it’s right now. These four letters signify a positive outlook and a forward-thinking mindset. Though some may have different interpretations, I have seen this acronym stand for the following words:
G = Generosity
Even if you’re going through a hard time right now, what are you able to share? It doesn’t have to be a monetary gift; it could be as simple as writing positive messages with sidewalk chalk or putting a teddy bear in your window for children to find in a scavenger hunt.
L = Letting go
What is truly important in your life? What are the things you have control over and the things you can NOT change? Focus on what you CAN do right now (practicing shelter-in-place, social distancing, safe shopping practices, working as best you can from home, etc.) instead of what you can’t (other people, the status of your job, etc.).
A = Attitude
Do you need to adjust your mindset? You have the power to see the good in anything, even a prolonged quarantine. Think about the family dinners you now get to enjoy, the friends you can connect with over video chat (something we were not able to do only a few years ago!), and the money you’re saving by not going out to eat or attending expensive events. Figure out how to make isolation time YOUR time.
D = Different
The corona virus pandemic is changing the world. Things are, and will continue to be, forever different. Embrace the differences! Perhaps employers will be more open to occasional work-from-home days. Maybe you will continue to connect with friends through virtual chats. Maybe your family will continue to find comfort in each other’s company.
Word Challenge:
Now that I’ve given you a few words that represent GLAD, I challenge you to think of other words that might represent G, L, A, and D. Gratitude comes to mind, as does learning, adapting, diligence, and listening.
Pick a few of your favorite words and write about how you will make them a part of your life. How will you become more grateful? What will you do to be a better listener for your spouse, friends, co-workers, or children? How will you dedicate your time to learning something new?
Even though these are unprecedented times, we are all in this together. Keep in mind the “A” of my GLAD acronym, and let your positive attitude dictate how you will spend your days.
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.
NOW LIVE: CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.
Tags: changing mindset, embracing positivity, Generosity during COVID, GLAD acronym, GLAD word challenge, Margaret Smith life coach, Margaret Smith Twin Cities, positive attitude
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Changing Your Life
March 4, 2020 Forget the Ladder! Modern Career Paths Are Like a Lattice.
At one time, it was fairly common for a person to spend their entire career at the same company, working their way up the rungs of the organizational ladder. Today, things aren’t nearly so neat and tidy, and career paths are not nearly so straight (or even vertical). Instead of a ladder, many modern workers’ careers resemble a lattice.
How can a career trajectory resemble a lattice?
A lattice fans out in many different directions. It climbs, but not necessarily in a straight line. Similarly, a person might take on a variety of different roles in a number of different industries. They might learn various skills along the way, each one building up their expertise and knowledge base.
This type of “climbing” creates a more well-rounded person—someone who has dipped their toes into many different waters and has developed skills in numerous areas. The latticed career path also inevitably makes people more adaptable—they’ve had to learn the ins and outs of a variety of different workplaces and roles.
If so many modern employees move in a lattice style, how is it possible to map out one’s career? Is it even plausible?
Absolutely. You just have to adjust your thinking. Instead of visualizing your career as “climbing the ladder,” think instead about the different skills you’d like to learn, experiences you’d like to have, and goals you’d like to attain. How will you get there? What training do you need? What roles and responsibilities do you need to fill? These different skillsets and experiences are offshoots of your lattice.
If you’re having trouble with this visual, you can also think about your career path like a tree. While the whole entity goes up, some of the branches are more horizontal than vertical. These branches are the different career detours you might take. You might, for instance, take the time to earn your MBA, learn how to code, or take a class in public speaking. While these little detours may deviate from your main career, they make you more well-rounded and valuable in the end.
In my next post, I’ll discuss how to lay out your non-linear career goals (moving like a lattice or a tree!) in more detail. In the meantime, simply recognize that your trajectory may not be straight, but that doesn’t mean you’re not moving forward and picking up valuable skills and lessons along the way.
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.
NOW LIVE: CHECK OUT MARGARET’S NEW ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.
Tags: climb company lattice, climb the lattice not ladder, climbing ladder outdated, margaret smith career coach, Margaret Smith Twin Cities, modern career path as lattice, promotions like lattices
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- Posted under Goals, Thrive at Work
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