Tag: professional development

RHM015 – Breaking out of a rut

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In this solo episode, we tackle the age-old issue of falling into a rut. Whether at work or in our professional lives, we are bound to encounter ‘valleys’. Today we talk about how to recognize those moments and steps to take to work your way out. Check out the full episode here.

Here are some suggestions for getting back on track when you find yourself in a rut:

  1. Vision mapping – I use vision maps to help me remain focused throughout the year. You can create one by breaking your life into ‘buckets’ – things like career, family, friends, finances, spirituality, health and travel. Then you assign smaller goals in each of those areas. I keep the map in plain sight so I’m constantly reminded of where I would like to be by the end of this year, and I can redirect my energy to getting there. You can be as detailed as you like, the point is to create a visual representation of where you want to be.
  1. Set mini-goals – With any rut, the common feeling is that you aren’t making progress, and when you start to feel that way it can take a lot of energy to get back on track. I believe in setting small goals because it’s more likely that we’ll see results if we have manageable goals to reach.
  1. Shake up your routine – Do something different after work – if you always come home, throw on your comfy clothes and spend several hours watching tv, try going for a walk, or a long drive. A small shift in your day-to-day activities can help you get re-energized.
  1. Get back to what makes you happy – We don’t often hear that we should be completely selfish, but sometimes we need to be.  Look for those activities that bring you joy and energy, because those are the activities that will yank you out of a rut and encourage you to keep going.

My book recommendation for this week’s episode is Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. Rhimes shares the power of making small decisions to open herself up to the things that caused her fear and how her life changed as a result. It’s a quick read and I definitely encourage you to check it out if you haven’t already! I’d love to know how you break out of ruts, leave your thoughts below!

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RHM014 – Getting in Alignment

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI set three thematic words for 2017, and one of them is authenticity (for more on the other themes, check out Episode 9 – So Long 2016!). This solo episode takes a closer look at how I bring authenticity to my professional life, and offers suggestions on how you can do the same. Download the whole episode by clicking here.

Notes from the episode:

  1. Being authentic means you don’t have to be all things to all people. I learned the hard way that whether you are trying to make sure everyone is happy or picking up the slack for your teammates, refusing to set boundaries at work can leave you totally burned out.
  2.  Calling out micro-aggressions doesn’t make you a bad person. It might seem easier to let someone slide when they offend you, but you shouldn’t feel obligated to allow inappropriate behavior to slide in the hopes of keeping the peace.
  3. If you really don’t agree, you should speak up. If you were hired to join a team, chances are your employer thought you had something of value to add. Giving your opinion can be the difference between a positive and negative work experience, so if you think something needs to be changed, say so.

(Ed. note). Tim Ferriss’ book Tools of the Titans features an interview with entrepreneur, software engineer and venture capitalist Marc Andreesen. Andreesen suggests creating “red teams” at work dedicating to challenging all new ideas – the concept being that ideas making it through the red team process would be battle-tested and more likely to succeed. I think the same concept applies when giving authentic feedback at work. Instead of going along to get along, share your reservations and ideas with the group.

As with any mindset/practice shift,  change won’t happen overnight, but you are likely to feel more confident as time goes on. For more on this topic, check out Episode 11 – Keeping Your Integrity at Work.

 

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RHM0013 – Are You Owning Your Role?

bossWhether you stepping into a new position or actively working towards your next promotion, there are some steps you can take to make sure you are fully leaning in to your role. This solo episode is all about taking ownership, and here are some quick notes from the podcast (check out the full audio here!):

  1. Check your mindset. Are you still behaving as if you haven’t been promoted? What kinds of demands are you making in this new position? What types of conversations are you having with your coworkers? If you want respect in your new position, it might be time to elevate the way you look at yourself. (For more on this, check out episode 11 on Integrity at Work!)
  2. Delegate. Delegate. Delegate. One of the quickest ways to stay mired in an old position is to insist on doing the same tasks. If you have been promoted, it’s time to let go. Keep in mind that when you hold on to work that is beneath you, you are also holding up the growth of people on your team who are junior to you.
  3. Where can you stretch? Can you find ways to improve the status quo? Demonstrate your value by becoming the person in your office who can be relied on to take things to the next level.
  4. Ask for what you are worth. As you move into new positions and gain experience, your value to an organization should also shift. Don’t be afraid of making your desires known, whether you are negotiating for a higher salary or more responsibility. You will never receive what you don’t ask for!

Looking for more great content? Check out my blog for more tips, resources, and inspiration for getting empowered at work.

 

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