Planners’ Picks
A collection of resources from CSN planning committee members worth mentioning
How do you figure out what is a priority in your work and personal life? What do you consume, not only in your mouth but in your brain? How is your workspace affecting your mood and performance? These and more are tackled in this PP.
:: Image of the Week
:: Resources on Mental Health and Self-Care
36 Ways to Live Differently
Chris Guillebeau—bestselling author and host of the “Side Hustle School” podcast—wrote a terrific piece about “36 Ways to Live Differently” with many thought-provoking suggestions for living a happier, more meaningful life. To live better means that you’ll live differently—somehow, you’ll make some kind of change. Your life will be different tomorrow than it is today. Naturally, some changes are easier than others. By regularly exposing yourself to new ideas and practices, you can learn to think and live differently.
https://chrisguillebeau.com/36-ways
“I do not like the idea of happiness — it is too momentary. I would say that I was always busy and interested in something — interest has more meaning to me than the idea of happiness.” – Georgia O’Keefe
The Butterfly Effect of Kindness
Mean people really suck, don’t they? No, really… we all know what it feels like to be ignored, mistreated or disrespected either intentionally or not. In a polarized dog-eat-dog world that seems pretty mean these days, a little kindness goes a long way…and it makes your brain work better!
An interesting theory called the “butterfly effect” describes how a butterfly in your backyard can lead to a cyclone in another part of the world. It is a mathematical construct that explains small events with large seemingly unrelated consequences. So it is with kindness. A small act of kindness can set off a chain of events that we many not even be aware of.
https://info.melissahughes.rocks/neuronugget/the-butterfly-effect-of-kindness
What Do You Consume?
This from Dani Saveker’s weekly newsletter called LEAPS:
“What we choose to consume strongly influences our output.”
The action I’m suggesting this week is to review, adjust and be deliberate about what you consume – not just in terms of food and drink, but also: your reading material, the conversations you listen to, the news you read or watch, the TV shows you enjoy and what you ‘consume’ while out in the world (walking, driving etc). Be mindful of how these things make you feel and influence you!
More insights from Dani at https://glasmethod.com/danis-weekly-leaps
:: Resources on Reframing Situations
The Truth About Things That Suck
Join motivational speaker, writer, and coach Mindy Henderson, as she shares how not to let fear and worry consume you. Learn new ways to combat loneliness in an increasingly digital world, and appreciate how the bad things in life ultimately help us see the good. This discussion is filled with life lessons we all should have heard years ago, and Mindy had to go through some horrific experiences to learn them on her own. If you are at all interested in gratitude, reframing, or overcoming thinking you have it worse than everyone else, listen to this broadcast.
https://resources.franklincovey.com/on-leadership-with-scott-miller/219-mindy-henderson
“People who describe the glass as half full are not delusional optimists. In fact, they are more based in reality because they are describing a substance that is actually in the glass. They are describing reality as it is. The cynic who describes the glass as half empty is focusing their energy on something that is not actually there.” – Rosamund and Benjamin Zander
Rewire your brain for resilience and rise above any challenge life throws your way
Do you ever get stuck in a negative thought loop? Or have a bad experience that plays on repeat in your mind? Dr. Rick Hanson is a psychologist and expert in positive neuroplasticity. He’s spoken to audiences all over the world, including at Oxford, Stanford, Harvard, and NASA. He takes sophisticated brain science and breaks it down into easy, practical strategies, like the proven methods for resilience, calm, and happiness he shares in this MarieTV Episode with Marie Forleo.
https://www.marieforleo.com/blog/rick-hanson-inner-strength
:: Resources on Self-Leadership Development
How Managers Become Leaders
Few managerial transitions are more difficult than making the move from leading a function to leading an entire enterprise for the first time. The scope and complexity of the job increase dramatically, in ways that can leave executives feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. It truly is different at the top. But how, exactly? Career transition expert Michael Watkins set out to explore that question in an extensive series of interviews with leadership mentors, HR professionals, and newly minted unit heads.
What he found was that at this turning point, executives must navigate a tricky set of changes in their leadership focus and skills. Watkins calls these the seven seismic shifts. New enterprise leaders must move from being a specialist to a generalist; from analyzing data to integrating knowledge from multiple sources; and from implementing tactics to developing strategies. They also need to transform themselves from bricklayers into organizational architects; from problem solvers into agenda setters; and from warriors intent on beating the competition into diplomats who engage with a full range of stakeholders. Finally, leaders must move out from the wings and get used to living on center stage in the full spotlight.
To make the transition, managers have to acquire new capabilities quickly. And though what got them to the top may no longer be enough, there are steps that they and their organizations can take to prepare them to succeed.
https://hbr.org/2012/06/how-managers-become-leaders
How To Make The Best Of Your Workspace
Our environment can affect us: It can encourage or discourage interaction, motivate us to act and influence our moods, which, in turn, can affect our energy, productivity and performance. So don’t beat yourself up for not being as productive as you think you should be if you’re not in the right environment to accomplish your goals.
“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” Aristotle
5 Things Emotionally Intelligent Managers Do Differently
Future successful managers will be described not as efficient or agile, but as something less expected: emotional. By this, I mean these managers will show more empathy toward workers and their needs, both inside and outside the office setting.
As attrition and burnout continue to climb, it’s clear that employees won’t hesitate to quit their jobs in search of healthier work environments. In recent surveys, 7 out of 10 employees said they would be willing to leave their current role for one that better supports their well-being. Part of leading with compassion is understanding how your behavior is likely to influence the people around you and using that understanding to support your team to achieve their goals.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90705760/5-things-emotionally-intelligent-managers-do-differently
:: Take Five*
*Note : CSN has added “Take Five” articles occasionally to take you off the beaten path. Articles will be about local or regional areas of interest, but not necessarily focused on leadership development. The intent is for you to take a break from being a leader and relaxing for a moment!
UW Mysteries, Secrets, and Hidden Places
Join us on a tour of secluded spots that few have ever seen. From tunnels to torched towers to Dermestarium devourers, you’ll surely learn something new about the campus we call home in this photojournalistic article.
https://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/features/uw-mysteries-secrets-and-hidden-places/