Planners’ Picks – February 16, 2021

Planners’ Picks:
A collection of resources from CSN planning committee members worth mentioning

Show the love this week with Random Acts of Kindness and other heart-centered ideas.

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Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17th

We admire the work that the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has been doing for years. February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Day and this year’s theme is Explore the Good which is the perfect mindset for 2021.

The Foundation offers a rich website full of ideas and resources, inspiring quotes, posters, and calendars, and even dedicated workplace materials. Check it out! Consider becoming a RAKtivist® (short for ‘Random Acts of Kindness activist).

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/rak-day

Download the 2021 Kindness Calendars! (Work and Home versions)

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-at-work     https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/printables

10 Ways to Make Sure People Love Working For You

If you want people to love working for you, it’s important that you keep them happy. Many studies and workplace reports show that employee happiness has a direct tie to the bottom line. Happy people are more creative, innovative, and dedicated than their unhappy counterparts. And they are more likely to be loyal and responsible and to stick around for a long time.

https://www.lollydaskal.com/leadership/10-ways-to-make-sure-people-love-working-for-you/

Am I Funny InfographicHow to Be Funny at Work

Research shows that teams that laugh together are more engaged and creative. So how do we bring more humor into the workplace, even in trying times?  First, recognize that you don’t have to be a class clown or a comedian to be funny. Everyone has their own humor style, and studies show that any kind of levity brings benefits. Next, try some simple attempts at humor that offer both truth and surprise; even something as simple as a clever sign-off can bring a smile to someone’s face.  Finally, build signature stories that showcase your personality and sense of humor.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/harvard-business-review_how-to-be-funny-at-work-activity-6763509037318336512-m4T2

7 Ways to Share Socially Distanced Kindness in the Workplace

February is the month of love and kindness. While some people thoroughly enjoy the multitude of candy hearts, red roses, and pink teddy bears, others would rather skip right through to March. But February is much more than Valentine’s Day – it’s the month of kindness! Take advantage of this time to show compassion and support to colleagues at work. We all need a little extra appreciation these days.

https://www.gthankyou.com/blog/7-ways-to-share-socially-distanced-kindness-in-workplace

How to Lead When Your Team Is Exhausted — and You Are, Too

A great article by Harvard Business Review in the importance of resilience and how looking after our own minds is as equally important as looking after our teams. Also 3 great ideas in how to navigate this part of the pandemic.

As we head into the second wave of Covid-19, you and your team may be feeling foggy, cranky, and fatigued. The adrenaline of the first wave is over and getting through the winter may be the toughest leadership challenge of all. What should you do when assurances that “we’re all in it together” are met with skepticism and annoyance, and when you’d rather snuggle up in bed instead of strategizing for the future? Change things up every single day with a focus on energizing your team.

https://hbr.org/2020/12/how-to-lead-when-your-team-is-exhausted-and-you-are-too

Be Your Own Solution: Resetting your Mindset with Jackie Hermes

YOU are the one thing in life you can control. Are you intentional about how you approach your day and take care of yourself? Choose your attitude instead of simply reacting to situations around you. Wisconsin business owner Jackie Hermes talks briefly about her recent struggles with mindset.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/thejackiehermes_you-are-the-one-thing-in-life-you-can-control-ugcPost-6765633868855832576-oLAQ

8 Simple Tips on How to Celebrate Small Wins Daily

In our day-to-day lives, we normally perform some activities which qualify as wins. They could be as small as remembering to eat healthily or performing well in a particular interview or presentation. For most of us, these small victories go unnoticed. However, we are quick to notice any mistakes or shortcomings that we could make during our day. While it is important to notice our mistakes so as to correct them, we should not ignore our small wins. This is because they give us joy and are essential to our motivation. Here is how to celebrate small wins daily and increase happiness.

https://greatperformersacademy.com/motivation/8-simple-tips-on-how-to-celebrate-small-wins-daily

Work From Home and Work From The Heart:
Reimagining the Future of Work and Employee Engagement

If you had asked most of us a few years ago what we envisioned the future of work to be, I doubt many of us would have described the current moment we find ourselves in. As the majority of the global workforce transitioned to a work-from-home setup, the task of maintaining employee engagement has faced unprecedented challenges that impact every single individual of an organization at every level. At Employee Fanatix, we’ve been keeping our ears to the ground, and intently listening to employees for months to discover what their needs are at this moment, and perhaps more importantly, how those needs will evolve in the coming months.

Our new thought paper, Work From Home and Work From The Heart; Reimagining the Future of Work and Employee Engagement, is the culmination of that careful listening process, and I hope the insights shared inside will guide you in reimagining the ways in which work from home processes engage and empower your team members.

Work From Home and Work From The Heart; Reimagining the Future of Work and Employee Engagement

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>>>  “Your positive action combined with your positive thinking results in success.” – Shiv Khera