Planners’ Picks
A collection of resources from CSN planning committee members worth mentioning
We end February with some articles by attendees and contributors of the No Longer Virtual Conference in Chicago. People like Jeff Ikler, Melissa Hughes, Amy Blaschka, and Heather Younger attend this networking event and also share great material online on leadership and other topics, which CSN sends on to you. Also, we are looking March in the face; how will you March Forth this coming week?
:: Image of the Week
Overthinking is the biggest waste of human energy. Trust yourself, make a decision, and gain more experience. There is no such thing as perfect. You cannot think your way into perfection, just take action. – S. McNuttOverthinking is the biggest waste of human energy. Trust yourself, make a decision, and gain more experience. There is no such thing as perfect. You cannot think your way into perfection, just take action. – S. McNutt
I found this image on a Linkedin post this week from a book. (Not sure which book; please check page 196 of every book you own to see if you have it!). It spoke to me though, because inaction does us no good. Many times, we make plans or have dreams, and never act on them. What are you waiting to take action on?
Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs. —Farrah Gray
:: Resources on Mental Health and Self-Care
The Power of Gratitude: 10 Ways to be More Thankful
It’s just one of those days: you woke up on the wrong side of the bed. The coffee is cold. It’s raining and you forgot to bring an umbrella. Your car broke down or the train was late. Whatever it is, you just know it’s not going to be your day. But what if I told you that there’s one thing that could turn your day around, no matter how bleak your day looks?
If this sounds good to you, read on. This article is also for those who want to know ways for how to be more intentional with their thoughts, words, and actions, as well as those who are looking for a shift in mindset.
https://hackspirit.com/how-to-be-more-thankful-every-day/
4 Ways to Grow Resilience and Bounce Back Stronger
We’ve all experienced disappointments and difficulties. No matter how hard we wish things would just go our way, sometimes we face the potholes and detours of life. What makes some people fall apart, sink into depression, or even spiral out of control when faced with adversity while others can bounce back stronger than ever?
https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/4-ways-to-grow-resilience-and-bounce-back-stronger/
Decluttering to Create Healthy Connections
For good reasons and bad, we surround ourselves with things. In this episode, we look at how “things” occupy our space — not just in terms of the physical world in which we exist, but at how that physical space reflects what’s going on in our heads and hearts.
https://www.queticocoaching.com/blog/243-decluttering-to-connect
:: Resources on Work Culture & Team Development
This is What Makes You an Introvert
In Brad Krueger’s experience as both an introvert and working with introverts, there are mainly 2 reasons why you may exhibit introverted behaviors. Read his article to see if you qualify. Think about the team you work with — do some of them exhibit these traits? How might you interact with them differently knowing this?
https://successbeyondluck.com/success-tips/f/this-is-what-makes-you-an-introvert
The Magic of Flow: Harnessing a State of Bliss
Wikipedia says that in positive psychology, the state of flow, A.K.A. being in the zone, is the mental state in which you feel fully immersed in the activity you perform with an energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment. But how do we get into a state of flow? Ipek Williamson shares some ways.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/magic-flow-harnessing-state-bliss-ipek-williamson/
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. —Dalai Lama
Know When to Fold Em – The Idea of Quitting Something at the Right Time
Meet Annie Duke, professional poker champion turned decision strategist. She’s written the best seller “Thinking in Bets” and her new book is titled “Quit”.
Annie helps answer the age old question: Should I stay or should I go? Explaining how a decision to start something is made under uncertainty and when facing the quitting decision, it’s also facing down a new starting decision.
Even the flip of the coin to make a decision can have unexpected lasting results. There’s also a potential element of grief that we may experience when quitting. Mourning the time spent on something as a perceived waste, as we continue down paths that are no longer worthwhile.
Is choosing whether to grit or to quit the same decision? What does it mean to quit on time? How can this idea help you and your team move forward with the right projects?
https://thedisruptionadvisors.com/293-annie-duke-know-when-to-fold-em
:: Resources on Self-Leadership Development
27 Ways to Make Progress
“The secret of making #progress is getting started.” Mark Twain
Making progress requires us to take a decision, take risks, and make mistakes. A progress #mindset will enable us to work on any inadequacies or shortcomings that don’t facilitate us in realizing our goals. See Arati Sharma’s post on making progress, and her infographic on 27 ways to do so.
Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. —George Addair
The 7 Best Ways To Make Career Progress When You Feel Stuck
Last month you probably entered the new year raring to go, full of drive, and ready to tackle your goals. But as we move through the second month of the year, perhaps that enthusiasm has waned a bit. Maybe lately, you’ve felt like you’re spinning your wheels and are unsure what to do.
The good news: you’re not alone. Even those with the best intentions and the loftiest ambitions can sometimes find themselves in a professional plateau.
The even better news? You can get moving again. Here are the seven best ways to make career progress when you feel stuck:
March Forth
Rich Gassen tells about some situations where he chose to move forward, or March Forth, in the face of struggles and adversity. Celebrate this unofficial holiday with him, and find the inspiration from nature’s rebirth in Spring to retool and reinvigorate your life.
https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/march-forth/
:: Linkedin Learning Courses
Moving DEI from Intention to Impact with Ruchika Tulshyan
You’ve probably encountered initiatives at your workplace focused on increasing inclusion. Some seem to work, some have no effect, and some even have a negative impact. What differentiates these efforts at creating inclusive environments? While they may all be created with good intentions, good intentions alone are not enough. In fact, as Ruchika Tulshyan illustrates in this course, good intentions without awareness can be the biggest barrier to creating a truly inclusive environment, because many of us believe intention alone is enough to make change. They’re not. Your intentions may be positive, but they may not be received positively. True impact requires much more effort than simply having good intentions, it takes learning and regular practice. Take this course to find out how.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” ~ Charles Darwin
:: 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!
The Colosseum Lies in Ruins
Only rubble and the burnt carcass of a building remained after the Wisconsin State Capitol fire of 1904. Read about how our state’s second capitol building was short-lived.
:: Upcoming Events
Administrative Professionals Conference
Registration is now open for the Administrative Professionals Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, April 12, 8:30 a.m.‒3:30 p.m. at Union South. The conference, formerly known as the Office Professionals Conference, is designed for UW employees and Madison community members who would like to learn skills across a wide variety of personal and professional topics. The keynote session will look at “How to Find Work/Life Balance When There is None.” Managers and supervisors are encouraged to approve requests from staff to attend the conference. Registration—which includes the keynote, workshops, and lunch—has a $125 fee and is due by March 28.
Who should attend?
UW–Madison employees, UW System employees, and Madison community members who would like to learn professional skills across a wide variety of valuable topics such as:
- Career management
- Engagement, inclusion, and diversity
- Leadership
- Personal development and workplace skills
- Relationship building and communication
- Well-being
Managers and supervisors are encouraged to approve requests from staff to attend the conference.
https://hr.wisc.edu/administrative-professionals-conference/