Career & Finance

We’re officially more than halfway through the year (literally how?), and that means one of two things: 1) It’s been approximately four months since I ditched my New Year’s resolution to be a fit girlie and 2) I’m losing some steam on my career goals. Not that things are bad, per se, but after a few months of trucking along toward those lofty goals I set at the beginning of the year, I’m feeling my usual, mid-year need to rebrand, set new work goals, and reassess who I want to be to finish out this next half of the year.
My biggest grief with goal setting when it comes to my career is that I want to do it all. But with the constraint of time, money, and my attention span that is short-lived at even the smallest mention of The Vampire Diaries or people-watching on the Chicago Lakefront, I’m trying to get the biggest bang for my time and financial buck as possible. Enter Skillshare, my best-kept hack for making moves toward a career in the most streamlined way possible.
Skillshare is an affordable, online learning community where members come together to take the next step in their creative journey. It helps learners experience real improvement with hands-on projects and classes designed for real life, from building a UX portfolio to starting a side hustle to resume-building and beyond, no matter where your starting point is. Plus, if you join today, you can get one month free. If you’re looking for an attainable way to make moves in your career by next week, look no further: There’s a Skillshare class with your name on it.

1. Become an expert in the technology your company uses
I don’t care what anyone says; there’s no question in life quite as daunting as the ever-loaded Are you proficient in Excel? bit. Sure, I can add the sum of items in a column and pull an occasional average, but if I answer yes to that question, I’m straight up lying to you. Whether you want to brush up on knowledge you already have or start from scratch, Skillshare has tons of courses on technology your company likely uses so you can become a master and take your application knowledge to the next level. Whether you want to finally get a grip on Excel, master Microsoft Teams, get your life together on Asana, or wow your coworkers with Zoom hacks, Skillshare has a class that has your back.

2. Brush up on data analytics to drive new ideas and processes
If there’s one game-changing piece of advice I could give to anyone after a dabbling in three careers as an adult, it’s that data is king. Pulling data, sorting data, analyzing it, and using that information to drive best practices and new ideas moving forward is a skill that’s unmatched in the workplace and will serve you no matter what field you’re in. If you’re not a numbers person (I am with you on this one), don’t fret. Skillshare has plenty of classes from intro to expert that can help you make sense of the numbers once and for all. From Marketing Analytics Fundamentals to social media analytics like Pinterest and Instagram to Google Analytics and beyond, Skillshare has a bunch of resources that can make the all-intimidating data analysis a whole lot more accessible. 

Source: Windows | Unsplash

3. Channel your inner-graphic designer
Whether you’re already a wiz in Photoshop or you are still editing your pictures in the Instagram app (no shame in that game), there is such an opportunity for workplace growth in graphic design. Graphic design can help your company or business gain visibility externally, help communicate ideas internally, and can take your projects to the next level. And if you’re looking to level up your graphic design game with Skillshare, they have plenty of courses surrounding a plethora of design tools like Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator, and UX design—take your pick and watch the magic happen.

4. Refine your problem-solving skills
If there’s one constant amongst fields of study, it’s that problems will always arise, no matter how streamlined your processes are. From disagreements among coworkers to finding a better way to communicate a product to your customer, problem solving is one of the most valuable skills you can equip yourself with. And even if you feel like your way of solving issues works, why not take things up a notch and help yourself tackle your work with a new perspective? Skillshare offers courses that can help you think critically, approach issues in a different way, become a better listener, and use creativity to adapt in your workplace. If there’s ever been a tool for the ever-evolving workplace, Skillshare is it.

Source: ColorJoy Stock

5. Become a master networker
Making, maintaining, and using connections in the workforce are invaluable skills that will lead your interactions in the workforce and beyond. Instead of just winging your next networking opportunity, opt for a strategy-based approach that actually works. On Skillshare, there are a plethora of courses on best practices for connecting with others while staying true to yourself—from using LinkedIn to find, develop, and nurture relationships to tackling networking as an introvert and beyond, building your networking skills can help you find mentors, make mutual business connections, and be top of mind for future opportunities. 

6. Make moves toward launching a side hustle
Turning a hobby into a side hustle can be one of the most daunting tasks of all time, and if you’re looking for a place to start, look no further than Skillshare. Here, you can build out your own, personalized curriculum of courses that can help you fill in the gaps as you move your next big idea from your brain to reality. On Skillshare, you can find courses for launching a successful side hustle, building a side-hustle toolkit, pricing work as a freelancer, nailing your personal branding, and more.

Source: Ron Lach | Pexels

7. Work on your ability to give and receive feedback
Giving and receiving feedback is one of the most underrated ways to improve performance and become a leader within your field. If you’re one of those people who feels a rise in anxiety when a negative, performance-related comment comes your way (guilty as charged) or if you struggle to provide feedback to those you work with, it might be time to give some attention to how you view, receive, and provide commentary in your field. If you’re ready to build this skillset, check out Modern Leadership: Give & Get Honest Feedback at Work on Skillshare.

8. Improve your negotiation skills
Love it or hate it, negotiation is a crucial aspect of your work, whether it be closing on a sales deal or advocating for a higher salary in your role. As with most workplace skills, negotiation is an art that can improve and become more powerful with attention and practice. With Skillshare, you can find courses like Salary Negotiation Masterclass: Get the Offer You Deserve to help you advocate for yourself and outline a conversation with your boss and the Sales Skills And Negotiation Skills Masterclass to help you master sales skills, strategies, and techniques. 

Source: ColorJoy Stock

9. Update your resume to be prepared for new opportunities
Even if you’re not looking for a new job, you should be updating your resume at least twice a year. And while it can be easy to put off, keeping your resume up-to-date with pivotal projects, promotions, and accomplishments will be a “thank yourself later” moment if a new opportunity arises out of the woodwork. When a recruiter calls with your dream opportunity or that company you’ve been eyeing for years finally has an opening, the last thing you want to be doing is scrambling to update a resume that hasn’t been updated in three years. If it’s been a minute since you’ve updated your resume, be sure to check out How to Write a Winning Resume and Land Your Dream Job and Recruiter Reveals CV (Resume) Writing Formula on SkillShare.

10. Become proficient in public speaking
If there’s one award I’m most favored to win in life, it’s “Most Likely to Freeze Up and Have an Existential Crisis while Public Speaking.” It’s a skill that’s been on my radar to improve on for far too long, and if there’s one class I’m running—not walking—to on Skillshare, it’s Intro to Public Speaking – Give a 5-Minute Talk Without Dying. If you’re looking to improve the way that you communicate to your team, to large groups, or even on one-on-ones to your boss, Skillshare has plenty of resources to help you eloquently and confidently present in work and in life.

7 Things Every Successful Woman Has on Her Desk

This post is sponsored by Skillshare but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

If you clicked on this article because you were you thinking, “I’ve been lazy, I haven’t gotten enough done recently, I need to do better …” Here’s your warning: This article will not cover how to “be better”. Thanks to the help of Productivity Coach Melissa Gratias, we recently found out you can’t be more productive unless you show kindness to your current self. So instead of saying all the things you should be doing, say, “thank you, me” for opening up this article to learn.
Being productive is a long-term strategy, not a short-term fix. In fact, Gratias told us it’s often the most successful people who feel the least productive. Usually overworked or overwhelmed, her clients seeking help often have a tendency for perfectionism. Sound familiar? Well, whatever your personality may be, the tips below will help you build a realistic and reusable foundation as you work toward your goals.

Meet the expert
Melissa Gratias, PhD
Productivity coach
For more than 20 years, Gratias

1. Start With a Happy File
A personal goal or work project can feel daunting to start, especially if you’re lacking motivation. An easier way to begin is starting with self-reflection. “Remind yourself how much you’ve already accomplished first because it’s a fantastic motivator,” Gratias shared. But how? Start saving (even printing!) those emails where your boss compliments your work. Got a nice text from someone about you? Save it. How about a performance review that says you’re an asset to the team? Or a love note from your partner? Take these “happy files” and store them somewhere you can easily refer back to on a regular basis. “Your file can look like anything—my notes are printed out on my closet door and I look at it every morning,” Gratias said. Not a bad way to start the day!

2. Create Progress Timelines, Not Numerical Lists
Now, we’re not saying a daily to-do list isn’t helpful or to throw out your daily planner because this next piece of advice can work for daily tasks. Here, we’re learning how to manage our energy and make the most of milestones. “It’s about filling the gap between where you are and where you want to be, when you work the best,” Gratias said. Let’s learn how to do it:

Start by mapping out how long this goal or project will take. Look at the calendar, then write in the start and end dates.
Determine small milestones that you need to fill in along the way. Think tactically: If your goal is to get a new job by December 2022, your first milestone may be to update your resume by end of June 2022. The next one in early July may be to have the resume peer reviewed. If you have multiple work projects, determine when you can actually work on them instead of just writing down that you have to do them.
Now, most importantly, when you go to pick these task dates, consider your energy: What hours and days are you more likely to get this done? If you’re better at writing in the morning, block off that time to get any written correspondence or writing assignments done. If you are working on a passion project, can you commit to 30 minutes every Tuesday evening after work? Most importantly, don’t schedule yourself to do something on a Friday afternoon if most Friday afternoons you’re checked out or tired. Consider holidays, birthdays, etc. Ask yourself when you can realistically get something completed by.

“Avoid allowing yourself to fail. Schedule tasks for when you have the most energy, not during your low-energy moments,” Gratias said. She added an important reminder: “You want the best for yourself, and you’ll thank yourself for being proactive.”

Source: Social Squares

3. Use a Buddy System
Buddy, pal, friend—call them what you want, but it’s time to pick someone to hold you accountable for meeting your goals. Why? We’re more likely to succeed if we’ve committed to someone else, but the “who” is key. Gratias shared the perfect combination, and research proves her theory:
“We crave connection, so I love recommending the buddy system. But choose someone who has a different skillset than you—someone who can challenge you. The best combination is someone you trust, look up to, and isn’t very similar in personality or skillset.” This allows you to see multiple perspectives and gain insight on how others manage their time.
You can reciprocate the ask, too. Most likely, this person has a goal they’re working toward too. Set up time where you can check in on each other’s progress. The more you check in, the more times you have to say, “I’m doing it” or “I’m not” and track your progress accordingly.

4. Use Task Management Tools Effectively
It’s easy to buy the cutest planner or weekly calendar, but don’t forget: We’re on a mission to be productive for the long term. This is why Gratias suggested a digital application for task management. “You want to be able to use it wherever you are, so it can be challenging if it’s on a Post-it.”
Now you’re wondering, what tools should I use? “Use what you have or at least start with the free versions”, Gratias said. She likes Outlook Tasks and Trello, but it doesn’t matter which one you use—just as long as you are tracking your progress and creating milestones instead of long lists. If you’re looking for more options, we suggest Evernote.

5. Don’t Work to Solve Problems You Don’t Have
We already know comparing ourselves to social media accounts can negatively affect us. So when it comes to comparing what you should be doing or how to do it, it’s important to ask yourself, “Do I really need to change?” “Productivity is knowing what not to do,” Gratais said. “If you don’t need a morning smoothie, don’t feel like you need to make one …if you’re only making your bed 80% of the time, that’s fine!” You don’t need to add things to your plate (literally and figuratively) just because someone else is on TikTok. “That Girl” followers, I’m looking at you. Start small, be realistic, and don’t forget to use your life as the main point of view.
Here, again, it’s important to follow your energy patterns and to design a system that makes sense for your lifestyle. In the long run, you’re setting yourself up for success, and that’s worth celebrating.

I Work for Myself—These Are The Productivity Hacks That Actually Help Me Get Work Done More

When summertime rolls around, working from home can either feel like the biggest blessing or a total drag. The advantages of it—like zero travel time or the ability to wear what you want without getting any disapproving or suspicious looks from coworkers—can be especially teasing when the warm weather hits. It’s easy to become irritable when you’d rather be at a rooftop bar or lounging on the beach or if your skin’s sticking to your desk chair and you just can’t cool off.
No one wants to work in a space that makes them feel unmotivated and uninspired, which is why one key part to staying motivated while working from home during the summer is having a nice, enticing setup.
Make this your most productive summer yet with these summer WFH essentials. From small summer skincare necessities to cute accessories, fans, and more, these essentials will elevate your desk setup and make working from home feel like a breeze.

Equilibria
Daily Drops
There’s no getting around it: Summer is busy. Whether it’s your work life or your personal one, there’s a lot going on, and staying focused and stress-free can be a challenge. In those times, turn to Equilibria’s Daily Drops for a targeted dose of CBD to help keep you centered, calm, and productive. Pro tip: Putting a few drops in your morning coffee or water is an amazing way to include CBD in your work routine.
Use code ‘theeverygirl’ for 20% off of your first order at Equilibria!

Daily Planner
Summer is the perfect opportunity to reset your career goals, start new habits, pick back up on any resolutions you made in January but haven’t stuck to, and find new ways to stay productive. This undated planner is perfect because even if you skip a week (starting new habits is hard, we know), you can pick back up anytime.
6+ color options available

Item Beauty
Blue Light + Anti Pollution Protection Mist
Keep your skin cool, hydrated, and fresh this summer by keeping this facial spray nearby. Mist this onto your face or neck whenever you’re in need of a pick-me-up. Bonus: Keeping this on your desk and using it throughout the day will protect your skin from blue light damage.

Bladeless Desk Fan
A desk fan, but make it sleek. This foldable and portable desk fan is battery-powered and comes with its own USB charging cable and remote control. Plus, it’s super quiet and comes in 3 colors.

Time Management Cube Timer
Struggling to get things done at work when the only place you want to be is on your patio enjoying a refreshing cocktail? Warm weather calling your name as you stare at spreadsheets all day? Maximize your productivity this summer and hone in on your time management skills with the help of this cube Pomodoro timer.
5 colors available

MIND READER
Ergonomic Foot Rest and Massager
Summer footwear, while undeniably cute, doesn’t always offer the best support for feet. Get ahead of any foot pain or pain caused from sitting in a chair for prolonged periods of time with this ergonomic foot rest under your desk. Use simply for comfort and to relieve stress on your body or as a foot massager to relieve any pain.

Etsy | WELLTHREADEDUS
Iced Coffee Glass With Straw Lid
Coffee lovers can rejoice this summer: The days of watered-down iced coffee at your desk are no more. This super cute glass has a daisy floral design, a bamboo lid, and a glass straw to keep your coffee cold and prevent spillage or melted ice.
16-ounce and 20-ounce sizes available

Portable Neck Fan
Say goodbye to overheating at your desk with this lightweight and comfortable accessory.
5 colors available

Quencher Tumbler
TikTok’s favorite tumbler really is that good. It’s massive and insulated, so you won’t have to run to the kitchen for refills or worry about your water getting warm throughout the day. If you want to stay hydrated this summer, this is the only tool you need.

Oil Plumping Treatment Gloss
Get rid of dry, chapped lips this summer with this lip oil from the internet’s new favorite beauty brand. Plus, a quick swipe of this is all you need to look put together for your Zoom meetings throughout the day.
3 shades available

Ink + VOlt
Desk Calendar
Summer is a notoriously busy time, so keep track of all your upcoming events, appointments, vacations, or deadlines with this desk calendar.

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia
Lemon Pie Candle
Daydreaming of a tropical vacation? Us too. Bring those vibes right to your desk with this lemon- and coconut-infused candle.

2-In-1 Folding Treadmill
Finding the time to go to the gym or get in a quick workout can be a challenge during the summer with everything else going on. Turn to this 2-in-1 folding treadmill for help. It’s light, portable, and can be used by itself or placed under your desk, so you can work on your fitness while making moves in your career.

How To Stay Productive at Work When the Warm Weather Is Screaming Your Name

This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Equilibria, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

Do you know what is incredibly underrated? Access to an academic adviser. They had all the answers we ever needed! Not sure what major to choose? Meet with your adviser. Have no idea what classes you’re supposed to be taking next semester? Email your adviser. Panicking because you’re not sure if you will graduate on time? Give your adviser a call. Mine single-handedly got me through college, so when I graduated and realized I no longer had access to someone who could tell me my plan for the next few years and how to job hunt, I stared at myself in the mirror and thought, “Well, it’s up to you now, pal.” Yikes.
With college graduation comes a lot of excitement and anticipation for the endless number of opportunities ahead, but it can also be really nerve-racking to navigate the workforce for the very first time—especially when you have no idea what you’re doing. So where do you start? Well, I had the opportunity to ask Corporate Content Creator and Adviser Natalie some questions about where to start as a new college grad who wants to leverage their degree, skills, and personality as they enter the workforce, and her answers are so thorough and helpful that I’m truly considering them to be the Lord’s work.
Note: Natalie’s tips for entering the workforce confidently are geared toward new college graduates, but they are also helpful for anyone who might be looking for a new job, switching industries, or brushing up on their interview skills.

Meet the expert

Corporate Content Creator / Adviser
Natalie is a content creator who offers advice on how to succeed in the workplace, all while poking fun at what real life in the corporate world is like through short videos on her Instagram and TikTok.

New college graduates typically have little to no experience in the workforce and are looking for an entry-level position. What is the best way for them to communicate their education, skills, and personal qualities on their resume and/or cover letter to make up for a lack of real-world experience?
With the newfound nature of work implementing hybrid models that allow employees to work from home, it’s more important than ever to ensure your personality comes through your resume and cover letter. Video content allows employers to see your personality in a way that written skills on a resume might not. I also encourage new grads to flex their top five skills on their LinkedIn profile—which can be from previous experiences such as college volunteering or internships. LinkedIn also offers profile pronouns, a name pronunciation feature, and profile videos—all additional LinkedIn features that recent college graduates can leverage to showcase who they are and to sell themselves to potential recruiters.

Source: Mikhail Nilov | Pexels

Considering more jobs have become fully remote, virtual interviews are more common. What is your advice for graduates who want to stick out among candidates in a virtual interview? How is this different from an in-person interview?
While I know it sounds intuitive, you should absolutely dress for the interview. Go all out. Dust off your mom’s old blazer or whip out your lucky earrings (even if you’re sporting sweatpants under the video screen). Show them that this interview means everything to you, and you’ve brought out your best to prove it. Outside of the attire, with interviews in general, it’s important to make a connection with your interviewer. Perhaps they have a framed baseball or a guitar hanging behind them. Maybe their dog peeks into the frame at one point. Work from home offers a glimpse into people’s realities that we never had before, so comment on these things! Take the time up front to show that you care and that their interests mean something to you. This also applies to your own background. Do you have a pile of dirty laundry sitting on your bed or do you have a clean, organized background? If it’s not feasible to create a clean space at home, throw on a virtual background that’ll make you stand out. 

Where and how should new college graduates start building their professional network?
Utilize LinkedIn to connect with people and topics that interest you. For the most part, everyone is searching for connections and community—especially with remote work removing opportunities for in-person networking. Use LinkedIn to both tell your story and learn from people in the industries that interest you. I actually got my first job by connecting with people at the company on LinkedIn and meeting for coffee! For me specifically, as a content creator, once I was successful in building a following on other platforms, I realized that LinkedIn was a great place for me to focus on building deeper professional relationships and to engage with my network in a professional context about my career growth and management. 

Source: Ketut Subiyanto | Pexels

How can Gen Z leverage social media and LinkedIn to stick out to business owners and recruiters as potential candidates?
When I started my first job out of college, I took hours upon hours of social media training warning me about the acceptable use of social media as an employee of the company. Of course, I agree with being smart about what you post publicly—I’ve always followed the “would I want my grandma to see this?” model, and I’d be more than happy if my grandma saw any and all of my videos. Outside of Corporate Natalie, the truth is that social media is one of the most powerful tools for sticking out as a business and an individual. LinkedIn is actually one of the most valuable platforms to showcase who you are as a professional in a truly unique, human way. It’s so much more than just a place to find job openings—it also helps people expand their network, connect with mentors, create content, learn new skills, build their professional brand, jumpstart side hustles, and so much more.

A few of Natalie’s top tips to make the most out of LinkedIn include:

Turn on the #OpenToWork feature, signaling to recruiters that you’re looking for a new opportunity. 
Set up Job Alerts so you can be one of the first to apply for jobs you’re excited about. Applying within the first 10 minutes of receiving a job notification for a new posting increases your chance of hearing back by 4x.
Tap into your network and make sure to connect with people you know and trust, like friends, family, or former classmates.
Posting regularly is a great way to foster relationships and get noticed by hirers on LinkedIn. Share a relevant article with your takeaways or ask your network for tips on a particular topic to kick-start a conversation.

How To Manifest Career Success This Year More

We’ve all heard the buzzwords: productivity, time management, organized thinking. They’re often thrown around without instruction or direction, and if you feel like your productivity potential is always just a little bit out of reach, you’re definitely not alone. Between smartphones, social media, and hustle culture, we are living in a modern world filled to the brim with distractions, and it is only too easy to feel overwhelmed and exhausted at the end of the day without having actually ticked anything off your to-do list. The next thing you know, you’re feeling guilty for not meeting your own productivity goals, deadlines loom to distract you further, and the whole rotten cycle continues.
The good news is that there is a productivity hack sweeping social media that may just be the answer we’ve all been looking for. If you’ve seen “monotasking” pop up on your TikTok feed and want to know what it’s all about or if you’re just feeling overwhelmed with a workload of which you can’t seem to scratch the surface, this article is for you!

What is monotasking?
Monotasking is simply the idea of focusing on one task at a time. This may sound pretty obvious or straightforward, but in the modern world of multitasking and always being pulled in a million different directions, monotasking can often feel a lot easier said than done. Many of us have been taught to focus across a variety of fields or jobs from a very young age, so deciding to turn our brains to a singular task at hand can be a difficult skill to master. Monotasking requires you to turn off distractions (yes, even your phone) and focus on one project until either a milestone is reached or a certain amount of time has elapsed.

Source: @francois_et_moi

Why does monotasking work?
When you multitask, you are not actually able to fully focus on any one thing but instead rapidly cycle between a variety of activities. Research shows that this lack of mental commitment and the mental blocks created by task-shifting can result in drastic decreases in productivity—even as much as 40% less than if you focused on a single task. Multitasking also increases your likelihood of making mistakes and forgetting things (we’ve all accidentally sent an email to the wrong person because we were doing too many things at once!).
The goal of monotasking is to reach a “flow state” where you can truly focus on what you’re doing without distraction. By removing external distractions like phone notifications and coworker interruptions, you can train yourself to concentrate solely on the task at hand and eliminate productivity breaks that naturally occur when you’re constantly shifting your focus between projects.

You’ve convinced me! How do I get started?
A big part of effective monotasking is planning. What single task are you going to focus on? Do you have a set goal to accomplish, or are you working on a longer timeframe and just putting in the hours? Will you monotask alone or with a group to hold you accountable?
Once you’ve decided what task you’re going to attack and the parameters of your productivity goals, you need to set aside a good chunk of time to dedicate to monotasking. Your session should be at least one hour, as this will allow your brain to fully immerse in the task rather than just skim the surface of concentration with the typical 10-to-20-minute bursts of focus.

Source: @theeverygirl

Here are some tips to set up a monotasking session for yourself:

Decide on the one project or task that you’ll be working on for the session as well as what you’re hoping to achieve. There may be a specific milestone you are hoping to hit or maybe you just want to make progress over the allotted time.
Choose a time where you can work for at least one hour uninterrupted, and schedule that time onto any shared calendars you use.
Minimize any distractions. Turn off your phone, email, and social media notifications, and let your coworkers and friends know that you’re going offline for that time.
Set your workspace up with everything you will need for the session so that you don’t have to get up throughout. Grab a glass of water, your charging cables, noise-canceling headphones, a coffee, or a jacket in case you get cold. Don’t give yourself any excuse to go wandering during your monotasking time.
Set a timer for yourself. Try to find a manual timer without a big glowing countdown to let yourself get truly immersed in the session.

 
What if I don’t want to monotask alone?
It may seem like it could be a distraction, but a great way to ensure that you stay focused during a monotasking session is by doing it with friends. The accountability of being in a group, even a virtual one, can be a really effective way of staying on task, especially when you’re new to monotasking. Get some friends or colleagues together, set a time, then work in silence for the allotted session. If you’re worried that monotasking with your friends could just end up being a social occasion and you’d rather work with a group of people that you don’t know, you may be interested in Spacetime Monotasking. This community is a virtual coworking space facilitating remote monotasking sessions. Users choose a time that suits them, sign on, introduce themselves and the projects they’ll be working on, and then silently work together on Zoom. Spacetime Monotasking offers two different session lengths: sprints that last one hour and flows that run for two hours.

20 Productivity Hacks To Make Your Day Easier More

The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and we’re putting away our sweaters to take out our pastel dresses.
With the change in the season comes a sense of renewal and excitement. Warmer temperatures feel fresh and light—a chance to start anew. With the weather getting nicer and new events popping up on your social calendar every time you look, it can also be a difficult time to stay motivated at work.
The good news is that this shift can be a combination of an exciting time socially and personally and also a time of renewed motivation for your career.
Let’s dive into six productivity tips that will help you accomplish this balance and be unstoppable in this new season.

1. Refresh Your Goals
Often, we set hefty goals and charge full speed ahead to achieve them. As we work to adjust our workout plans to achieve our fitness aspirations, our sleep schedules to fit our needs, and our skincare products to suit our environments, we forget that our goals need care and adjusting too.
Every few months or so, I like to review the goals I have set for myself. I ask myself these questions:
How do these align with my values? My beliefs? My deepest desires? How do I want to live my life? Does anything need to shift? How are the small goals I am working toward daily feeding into my overall dreams for my life?
By asking yourself these questions, you are able to see if you need to pivot and where you need to do so. It helps you to remember how your daily life informs your future, reminds you why you are going after what you are, and gives you a new sense of purpose as you move forward.
If you do one thing to stay motivated or get into gear as it gets nicer outside, it’s this. Take an hour or so with your morning coffee and get clear on what it is you truly are after and why.

2. Get into the Practice of Preparing Your Weeks in Advance
Now that you have a fresh set of goals or a fresh mindset around them, it’s time to ensure that what you’re doing in your daily life is leading you toward accomplishing them.
My favorite thing to do is prepare and plan my week in advance. Every Saturday or Sunday, take some time to get intentional with your week. Map out all the things you have to do, the things you want to do, and the things you’d like to do. Purposefully schedule your work and personal lives (and leave some room for spontaneity for those spring and summer rooftop bars!).
On top of this, clean up your space and do some self-care—do whatever you need to do to feel as refreshed as you can come Monday morning.

3. Build Your Schedule for How You Want to Live
There’s a lot of content out there for women who work for themselves and can build their days, to an extent, how they ideally see fit. Not everyone has that option if you’re in the more traditional 9-to-5 work model.
Regardless of your work schedule, there are ways to build your life to more closely reflect that of what you hope to one day be able to do.
For example, if your goal for your life is to own your own business and you envision yourself waking up, making a coffee, journaling, getting in a workout or morning walk, and then heading to your office space, start doing the pieces you can do right now, today.
Maybe you have to commute at 7 a.m. so you can’t get in all of those things, but my bet is that you can fit at least one of those into your schedule before you head out the door.
Just because you aren’t in your dream life yet doesn’t mean you can’t start getting closer today.
In addition, make sure you are structuring your week around when you work the best. Again, this is not always possible with people pulling you in all directions, but you can probably afford to time block at least one morning or afternoon to work on a project you’ve been neglecting, depending on when your creative juices flow the best.

4. Enjoy the Process: Take Breaks!
As you’re building your schedule (and life), don’t forget to treat yourself.
While you build in your practices to better reach your personal and professional goals, add in time for the simple pleasures of life.
In other words, schedule breaks.
One hack I have found helpful throughout the years, particularly if I’m working on something that may not be my cup of tea, is to time block an hour or two where I’m focusing on the project, knowing that once I hit that time limit or a certain point in the project, I can go for a walk to grab an almond milk latte down the street.
Breaking your projects down into digestible pieces and scheduling breaks or rewards as you go can be a key way to ensure you are making progress and enjoying the process as you go.

5. Get Outside (and Early!)
The benefits of getting outside are endless. Now that we’re getting more sun, make sure you plan time to get outside as you build out your week.
Now that many of us have shifted to working remotely, it can be easy to look up after three days and realize you haven’t left your apartment (just me?).
One of my favorite ways to make sure I incorporate fresh air and sunshine into my daily life is planning a morning walk, whether that’s on my commute or just a few blocks depending on my day. On this walk, I listen to a podcast, music, or walking meditation to start my day off right.

6. Plan a Refresh—Of Your Work and Your Life
Last but not least, we hear a lot about refreshing our home and belongings when the weather gets nicer. It is a great time to clean out the old to make way for the new.
But what about your work and life?
Take some time to refresh what you have on your plate. Go through your inbox, your desktop, and the folders and files on your computer. Delete or archive what you don’t need. Review your to-do list. Are there items on there that have been there for months? Are they really that important? Take a look at your calendar. Are there items that can be removed? Are there meetings that aren’t beneficial?
Dig into your documents, your to-dos, and your overall work—where can you declutter to help you focus on what matters most?

I’ve Worked for Myself for 4 Years—These Are the Tools That Keep Me Productive More

How old were you when you managed your first direct report? Was it your high school job at the frozen yogurt shop? Your second or third job out of college? Maybe you haven’t even gotten to that point in your career yet. For me, unofficially at least, I fell into my first management role a few months after college graduation—but my first official opportunity didn’t come around until I was a 26-year-old director in the middle of The Great Resignation prompted by a pandemic.
Let me back up a bit. After I secured my journalism degree (go Hoosiers), I interned for a smaller company in Chicago. There weren’t too many of us, and I was soon promoted to a full-time, non-intern position. What I didn’t expect was to somehow end up (mostly) in charge of the next intern when I had held that very position just a few months prior. That intern wasn’t my official direct report, but I showed her the ropes and served as her first-round editor and general go-to gal.
Cut to after a few jobs, and I finally got the chance to fully and officially flex my managerial skills with a direct report—an intern dedicated to my department (AKA my mighty team of one) for three whole months. What was interesting was that just as she was learning the ropes of the intern position, I was also finding my own way. How hands-on did I want to be as a leader? How could I build rapport while still maintaining our boss/report relationship? There were times when I probably should have just picked up the phone instead of DMing on Slack or prepared more details with clearer direction before handing over an assignment. And everything—from the hiring process to remote onboarding to getting things across the finish line—definitely took much longer than I originally expected as we both found our footing in our new roles.
That internship period has since come and gone, but I find it helpful to reflect back on the highs and lows of being in charge during such a strange time for the professional workforce. Did I expect my first leadership role to entail managing someone halfway across the country? No. Am I late to the management game? I’m not sure. Did I learn a lot? Absolutely. So for all of the other first-time managers out there (and myself), here’s what I’ll try to remember next time:

Know that hiring takes time
Finding the right person won’t happen in the blink of an eye. Not only do resume reviews and candidate interviews take time, but so does the proper prep work. In order to ensure equitable hiring practices, my company lists job descriptions in a 30/60/90-day structure that outlines what the candidate will do once hired instead of requiring specific experience. We also prepare a list of questions to serve as a guide through each and every interview—we still have our own unique conversation with each candidate, but this strategy gives us a standard baseline for all candidates. TL;DR: If you’re hiring from outside your organization, it takes more work than you expect.

Source: Color Joy Stock

Prepare
Once you’ve given your direct report a start date, you’re on the clock. Onboarding is usually a key indicator of company culture, so you want to leave a good first impression with a smooth, educational process. Along with HR materials like an employee handbook and a W-9, gather as much relevant information for your direct report ahead of time. Be ready to hand over a packet of introductory information like links to important documents, usernames and passwords, and the original job description. Don’t forget the not-so-obvious things like your work style, schedule, and any other preferences that are important to share up front—and don’t forget to have your direct report share the same.

Explain
Seriously. Explain absolutely everything, and then explain again. This applies to in-person work too, but it’s especially relevant in remote situations where a lot can get lost in translation. Is your direct report comfortable with the technology you’re using? Did they hear you clearly? Maybe they prefer to review things on paper instead of over a screen—are you both on the same (digital) page?
One of the biggest lessons I learned was that if my direct report didn’t understand something, it wasn’t really on her—it was probably on me. What information had I shared with her? Did I give her enough direction? Did I give her enough feedback? I’m not suggesting micro-management, but in my opinion, it’s better to over-explain than under-explain. Either way, do your best to clearly articulate the task at hand, then make yourself available for questions just in case.

Source: Social Squares

Connect
If you’re working remotely, it can be easy to Slack someone a to-do list and call it a day. We’ve all had those days when turning our camera on just isn’t going to happen, but try to set aside some regular “face time” to check in with your direct report. And while touching base on specific assignments is great, a recurring 1:1 meeting dedicated to overall progress, career growth, and some casual banter will go a long way in getting to know each other and building rapport.

Listen to Them
Just like you probably encourage your direct report to ask questions, make sure to ask them some too. See what they’re interested in and, if possible, take their career goals and growth areas into account when mapping out tasks and assignments. Are they interested in analytics? Have them pull next month’s numbers—better yet, have them present them to you and your boss. Take it even further and see if there’s a hands-on project they can call their own or a department they can shadow for a day or two to get a sense of what the work is actually like.

Listen to Yourself
I’m not going to sugarcoat it: Managing someone else in addition to your own responsibilities is a big undertaking. It’s probably going to take more time and energy than you think—your direct report will have off days, you’ll have off days, and deadlines will creep up before you know it. Throughout your role as a manager, have a serious conversation with yourself about your work style, communication preferences, time management skills, etc. You’ll learn things about yourself that you’d never expect, and it’ll make everyone’s experience that much more worthwhile.

5 In-Demand Skills to Grow Your Career This Year—From the Experts More