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

A THOUGHT FROM JENNIFER

Hello!

Time again for some collective thoughts from your friends and fans at Way Forth Collective.

This time of year always feels a little tricky. If you’re in the northern hemisphere: vacations are abounding, team capacity ebbs and flows, and work feels like it’s either feast or famine because of it. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, you’re chugging through winter, and… you’re likely to have colleagues up north who are taking their summer vacations and throwing off your nicely laid plans!

We feel it too!

We can’t control those external variables for you, but we can share how we navigate those waters ourselves.

This month’s email includes practical tips we’ve learned by trudging through these seasons, and we utilize them regularly. And of course… we’re including a much needed brain break at the end. 😌

If you’ve hit any questions related to project management, please email us at info@yourwayforth.com.

Chances are we’re been in your shoes, and we could address them in future emails, blogs, or social posts.

Achieving your goals doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We can help.

On the journey with you,

WORK SMARTER

Simplify Recurring Meetings with a Rolling Agenda

Contributor: Liz Presutti

Last month we shared about the power of holding short recurring meetings.

Building on that idea, one of our team's favorite ways to work smarter is by using a rolling agenda for recurring meetings. A rolling agenda is a single running document that you keep adding to week-to-week rather than starting new documents for each week's meeting agenda, notes, and action items.

Your rolling agenda doesn't need to be fancy. A Google Doc or a Box Note will do the job! The two most important aspects of a rolling agenda are that:

1. It's clearly organized by adding the most recent meeting to the top, and

2. Everyone on your team knows how to easily access the document. 

If you're the person scheduling a meeting, be sure to include a link to your rolling agenda in the meeting invite so that everyone can prepare for the meeting and add items they need to discuss. Pinning it in the relevant Slack channel works too!

Want to learn more? Check out our free rolling agenda template.

SAVE TIME

Use AI to Break Through Roadblocks Quickly

Contributor: Jennifer Hamel

You know those moments when projects seem to be running smoothly, everyone has what they need, and—overall—you’re on a pretty good track toward the deadline?

And you know how, right when you’re in that beautiful moment... someone points out a critical and time-sensitive roadblock? Sure, you’re grateful they pointed it out, but it also makes you want to punch a brick wall? Yeah… that happens. A lot.

In those moments, project leaders have to build a response to pause, ponder, and pivot—PRONTO!

One thing we’ve been using to pivot quickly is generative AI tools. When used strategically, they have helped us lead projects more efficiently and effectively while maintaining personal responsibility in the project.

Read the full article for one example of how we’re using AI tools to save time and keep projects moving.

A RESOURCE WE LOVE

In the Blink of an Eye

Contributor: Carolyn Wildermuth

Last week I needed to tweak something on our company’s website on Wix, but I didn't know how. My coworker did, so she quickly captured the steps using the Tango app. Within minutes she sent me a “Tango” of the process. I opened the link and clicked “Guide Me”, which opened Wix and walked me step by step through the screens highlighting each button I needed to press.

It was brilliant! I learned what I needed to know in the blink of an eye. I didn’t have to waste time fumbling around to figure it out myself or get frustrated Googling it. And, now we have the procedure documented so anyone on staff can do it.

Our operations team is using Tango to document staff onboarding and other internal procedures. And our project team is using it to help each other get things done. (Try this Tango example I created to see how it works. You need an account to try the "Guide Me" feature.)

We give Tango a hearty two thumbs up! Let us know if you try it.

BRAIN BREAK

Putting the Team First

Teamwork is a high value at Way Forth. We work in teams to provide our clients with the most successful outcomes. And, we always do our best to make sure we have our team members’ backs.

That’s why this story from the European Team Track Championships in Poland warmed our hearts. With her country facing disqualification unless a team member participated in the event, Belgian shotputter, Jolien Boumkwo, stepped in to run the 100 meter hurdles. (Both of the team’s hurdlers were injured.) Boumkwo had no prior experience running hurdles, but that didn’t stop her from running with courage and determination. Take a minute to read the article and watch her inspiring effort.

Your friends,

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