5 practical ideas to help you manage your work with less overwhelm and more confidence

A THOUGHT FROM JENNIFER

When my kids were in elementary school, their teachers introduced the concept of a "growth mindset." It involved reframing negative self-talk, like changing "I can't do this" to "I can't do this yet" or "I'm working on this."

One specific tip was: Instead of saying “I HAVE to,” say: “I GET to.” When I read that, I rolled my eyes and snickered. “Oh sure… I get to do laundry.” But the joke was on me. During my next load of laundry, I tried out the new phrase with dripping sarcasm. And to my surprise, I actually had a slight mental shift. I realized, “Wait a minute. I have laundry. Which means… I have clothes. And so does my family. We’re clothed. We’re warm in the winter. So, sure… clothes have to be washed, but.. we have clothes!”

The same perspective shift came as I was washing dishes—my most-hated chore! As I handled each dish, memories flooded back, like who I bought it with or who gave it to us as a wedding gift.

I was floored.

This simple shift—changing one tiny phrase from “have to” to "get to"—altered my mindset entirely. It reminded me that there is joy to be found in the midst of hard things; we don’t have to squelch them or ignore them. The joys are actually there, but sometimes we don’t see them until we look at the situation through a lens of gratitude.

My 2023 has included struggles and less-than-joyful times, but I’m not letting them weigh me down because I get to make mistakes at work (in the safety of a team that I adore and am, quite frankly, in awe of). I get to write so. many. emails. and slack DMs…. (to people I’m collaborating with across hundreds and thousands of miles!). I get to learn to run a business while running a business.

And yes, I still get to do laundry (for a family I prayed for for decades), and vacuum up after a dog (the sweetest creature we never would have met without my daughter's influence), and pay bills (for a house we live in and utilities that provide us with heat, air conditioning, and running water).

As this year closes, I hope you can look back on it (and to the chore list ahead!) with gratitude for where you are and what you GET TO do. ❤️

On the journey with you,

POINT TO PONDER

What’s one thing you look forward to in 2024?

WORK SMARTER

Plan To Ease Back Into Work
By Jennifer Hamel, PMP

Preparing for time off work can be stressful, but returning can be even harder—especially if you don't make space to process things like: What happened while I was out? Are the priorities I set before I left still valid? What is most helpful to focus on today? etc.

You can dramatically reduce your re-entry stress with a little planning before you take time off!

1. Block off the first work day back on your calendar to focus on ramping back up.

   • If you can’t block the whole day, go for at least the first half.

   • Avoid meetings that first day back, if possible.

2. Write agendas for the meetings you’ll have the week you return.

   • If you’re not running the meeting or can’t get that detailed right now, at least note your goals for each one somewhere handy for when the meeting begins. These will serve as quick refreshers for what you want to get out of the time.

3. Take a fresh opportunity to incorporate things that are important to you into your schedule (e.g., exercise, walking, a hobby). See more good tips in this article, “Stop Overworking After Vacation”.

By preparing ahead of time, you’ll pave a smoother path for your return, which can reduce the feeling of burnout upon re-entry. Believe me, your future self will thank you!

A RESOURCE WE LOVE

Cultivate Habits For Change

By Carolyn Wildermuth, Communications Director

Thinking about “doing better” at something next year? Like getting in better shape or reading more books or something work related? Instead of stopping at making resolutions or setting goals, build systems into your life that will become sustainable habits that will lead to true change.

With straightforward simplicity Atomic Habits by James Clear can help you do just that. Clear's principles seem simple (often obvious), but in my lifetime I’ve noticed that most of us don’t put simple ideas like this into practice. So, our goals stay wishes, or if we attain them we often lose the motivation to continue.

Reading this book while reflecting on some important habits I’ve cultivated over the years, has me saying, “Amen! Amen! Amen!,” again and again.

BRAIN BREAK

Word Up!

By Liz Presutti, PMP

I was an English major in college, so this is just the type of nerdy fun I enjoy!
 

Several weeks ago, I discovered Merriam Webster Dictionary's website features a "Word of the Day." I've been visiting the site most days since then, and the words have either been completely new to me or ones I haven't thought about in a long time.
 

After I learn the day's word, I try to casually slip it into conversation in a meeting or during dinnertime with my family. I don't want to brag, but I'm pretty sure I seem a lot smarter than I did three weeks ago!🤓
 

Let me encourage you to pause after reading this email and take your brain break. Check out the "Word of the Day" and have fun trying to use it before the day is done.

Your friends and fans,

P.S. If someone forwarded this to you and you'd like to get it in your inbox, enter your email and click Subscribe below!