Work Hacks 3-25-18

Blame it on the combination of Maximizer (always seeking seek to transform something strong into something superb), Input (a craving to know more), and Achiever (They take immense satisfaction in being busy and productive) in my Top Ten for Strengths Finder,
but I read lots of newsletters, articles, and books. Information is nearly always interesting to me. (Then, maybe I'm just a giant nerd...)

In the last couple of weeks I've come across quite a few good resources and want to pass them along to others. Let me know if any of them were of interest or value to you.

Best Productivity Apps for 2018. What better way to start this post?! I don't know if I even understand half of what these apps do, but they all look super cool. If you need some help with email, video editing, to-do lists, project management, writing, or want some new ways to get your new iOS or Android device to do even more, cruise by this link.

Why You Need an Untouchable Day Every Week. Early in this article, this grabbed my attention: "As our world gets busier and our phones get beepier, the scarcest resource for all of us is becoming attention and creative output. And if you’re not taking time to put something new and beautiful out into the world, then your value is diminishing fast." Like me, if you need some ideas on how to get some chunks of time set aside to focus and do some creative work, this was helpful for me.

Do you plog? I won't even explain what this means. Just read it. It convinced me to try it, and I liked it. Go crazy.

The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage. I'm a bit of a sucker for TED Talks, but this one is especially good. Two excellent quotes:

"Rigid denial doesn't work. It's unsustainable, for individuals, for families,  for societies... and for our planet. When emotions are pushed aside or ignored, they get stronger."

 "Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life."

This TED talk is an outstanding, genuine, poignant discussion of emotions, stress and the management of it all. 

This is How to Improve Your Interviews. I have two clients right now who are struggling with employee retention. This is a competitive job market right now, and I find that those new to the workforce are easily lured by some of the bright shiny objects that larger firms dangle in front of them. Some of these tips might seem obvious, but they are good reminders. 

How to Beat Decision Fatigue with Better Brain Habits. Yep, you read that right. Maybe you don't realize you're burning out from too many decisions, but this article might help you discern if you are. I find that work piles up incrementally, to the point where I don't realize I'm drowning until I'm halfway under. This comes from Trello, which I use for my project management.

Introvert or Extrovert? There's a Third Option. Before I comment, just bookmark this blog. It is GOLD. She talks about real, important stuff but in a very down-to-earth way.

Here's a solid line from the article:

“knowing your type when it comes to personality is important, because by increasing our awareness of where we stand in terms of introversion and extroversion, we can develop a better sense of our tendencies, manage our weak spots, and play to our strengths.”

I have found that developing my self-awareness really helps me as a leader. Not only does it help me get out of the way when working with others, it also helps me read others more accurately. Check it out.

Closing thoughts...
I spent 27 years of my adult life working daily with teenagers. The stories coming out of Parkland and beyond, have reminded me why I loved working with them so much. One sign is especially staying with me: “Graduations, not funerals!” Regardless of where we fall on various issues, may we all have the patience, fortitude, and grace to listen well to our neighbors, grow in empathy, and look for ways to understand.