As we get into this long December, let’s take stock of what we have, not what we think we need. We’ll check in on our habits, future-proof our mindset, and thrive more at work with the resources in this week’s newsletter.
:: Image of the Week
:: CSN’s Book of the Week Recommendation
Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results
Few things will change your trajectory in life or business as much as learning to think clearly. Yet few of us recognize opportunities to think in the first place.
You might believe you’re thinking clearly in the moments that matter most. But in all likelihood, when the pressure is on, you won’t be thinking at all. And your subsequent actions will inevitably move you further from the results you ultimately seek—love, belonging, success, wealth, victory. According to Farnam Street founder Shane Parrish, we must get better at recognizing these opportunities for what they are, and deploying our cognitive ability in order to achieve the life we want.
Clear Thinking gives you the tools to recognize the moments that have the potential to transform your trajectory, and reshape how you navigate the critical space between stimulus and response. As Parrish shows, we may imagine we are the protagonists in the story of our lives. But the sad truth is, most of us run on autopilot. Our behavioral defaults, groomed by biology, evolution, and culture, are primed to run the show for us if we don’t intervene. At our worst, we react to events without reasoning, not even realizing that we’ve missed an opportunity to think at all. At our best, we recognize these moments for what they are, and apply the full capacity of our reasoning and rationality to them.
Through stories, mental models, and more, Parrish offers the missing link between behavioral science and real-life outcomes. The result is a must-have manual for optimizing decision-making, gaining competitive advantage, and living a more intentional life.
https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Thinking-Turning-Ordinary-Extraordinary/dp/0593086112
“I survived many times in my life by learning to laugh at myself. That’s the best medicine. But I also became very self-assured and capable of saying that if I could do that, I can do anything.” – Antonia Novello
:: Developing Better Habits
Seven Habits That Seem Lazy (But Let You Get More Done)
Consider the person who stays late at the office every night, to show everyone what a “team player” he is. Except, this causes him to sleep less which makes him sluggish. He misses time spent with colleagues, who would have recommended him for projects and promotions. He never has time to think, and thus fails to think of brilliant ideas that would propel him forward. Despite his drudgery, his lack of progress only convinces him that he has failed to work hard enough.
Read this article on seven ways to get more done by doing less.
https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2020/01/20/lazy-productivity/?mc_cid=8edae43146&mc_eid=64ed34cb6e
“Clarity is freedom. Know what is important to you and it will grant you the freedom to ignore everything else.” – James Clear
:: Mental Health and Self-Care
Long December
Could the moment you’re experiencing now be used more fruitfully in gratitude, love, or happiness about the people and things you have around you? A reflection from Rich Gassen on a favorite song and its deeper meaning this season.
https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/long-december/
“We suffer more in our imagination than in reality.” — Seneca
5 Expert-Approved Ways to Actually Feel Happier This Holiday Season
The holidays may have been branded the happiest time of year, but parents know how much effort goes into making it that way for their children. Moreover, the holiday season often involves dealing with tricky family situations, worrying about finances, or feeling grief for loved ones who aren’t present — all stressors that can make happiness feel even further out of reach.
We live in a culture defined by capitalist values, which has transformed the holidays from a time of love into a time of rampant consumerism. If we’re not mindful, we can get pulled into that mentality and start to believe that this is what we should strive for in our families. Read this article from Stephanie Harrison, author of The New Happy, on how to define your values for the holidays and stick to them.
:: Self-Leadership Development
Future-Proof Your Mindset
As Google’s first-ever Chief Innovation Evangelist, Frederik Pferdt has spent his career thinking about how to prepare for the future and becoming an expert in how to lead and shape innovation. In this Next Big Idea Club excerpt from his book, What’s Next Is Now: How to Live Future Ready, Pferdt shares five tips for future-proofing your mindset.
1. The future shouldn’t be something that happens to you. It should be something you make happen. “The future is something that you must actively shape using choices that arise through creativity and imagination.”
2. Being ready for the future isn’t about technology. It’s about your mindstate. “What matters most is how mentally prepared you are to tackle problems and seize opportunities that present themselves at any given moment.”
3. Train your mind to expect the unexpected. Don’t fear change: “Recent studies in neuroplasticity have shown that our brains are capable of continuously adapting to new information and conditions.”
4. If you’re stuck, open your eyes to better. “Hope is nice, but it waits with its fingers crossed for something good to happen. Radical optimism, on the other hand, is an active, vigorous belief in the potential not for good but for better. The pursuit of better is about progress, not perfection.”
5. How do you want to be in the future? “It’s not a question of what you want to do or who you want to be. It’s a question of how you want to be . . . The future isn’t off in the distance—it’s right now,” so start ASAP. “You have to check in with yourself daily to ensure that you are in this world as you intend to be.”
Get the full story at https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/create-dream-life-according-googles-first-chief-innovation-evangelist-bookbite/50553/
“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.” – Malcolm Forbes
:: Work Culture & Team Development
Do Good – Feel Good: How to Thrive at Work
We can spend a lot of time working – and it gives us fulfillment, social interaction and fun – but still one in five of us say our workplaces are “toxic”. And even the best jobs can sometimes be stressful and draining. So how do we set ourselves up to thrive at work?
Former news anchor Dan Harris (of 10% Happier with Dan Harris and DanHarris.com) joins Dr Laurie Santos to explore strategies to be a happier employee and a better employer. Our favorite tip? How can I help someone have a slightly better time at work? What can I do to make the next step in a process easier for someone?
This is a great discussion between two people, and there are many gems within their recording.
https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/how-to-thrive-at-work
How to Navigate Conflict with a Coworker
Interpersonal conflicts are common in the workplace, and it’s easy to get caught up in them. But that can lead to reduced creativity, slower and worse decision-making, and even fatal mistakes. So how can we return to our best selves? Having studied conflict management and resolution over the past several years, the author outlines seven principles to help you work more effectively with difficult colleagues: (1) Understand that your perspective is not the only one possible. (2) Be aware of and question any unconscious biases you may be harboring. (3) View the conflict not as me-versus-them but as a problem to be jointly solved. (4) Understand what outcome you’re aiming for. (5) Be very judicious in discussing the issue with others. (6) Experiment with behavior change to find out what will improve the situation. (7) Make sure to stay curious about the other person and how you can more effectively work together.
https://hbr.org/2022/09/how-to-navigate-conflict-with-a-coworker
:: Remote and Hybrid Work
Can You Lead a Team Remotely and Still Show Care?
When you’re leading a remote team, it’s absolutely crucial to show your crew that you genuinely care about them. Just because you’re not in the same room doesn’t mean you can’t build those awesome connections! In this video, Heather Younger covers some great ways to connect with your team no matter where they are in the world. When your team feels supported, valued, and like they truly belong, you’ll see the magic happen. They’ll stay motivated, keep the communication flowing, and work together like a dream. You’ve got this—show them you care.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGYHF1xuEcc
:: Communication
Communication Is In Everything We Do
We are always communicating in everything we do, from overtly talking to or texting someone, to smiling and nodding to strangers you pass on the street, it’s human nature to want to be seen and heard and to give that to others.
In this episode of “Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will,” Sarah Elkins and Jim Collison discuss the importance of communication and how understanding your strengths leads to better communication not just with others but with yourself. Jim works at Gallup and promotes the Strengthsfinder method of learning your strengths to be more effective in leading and living.
https://elkinsconsulting.com/sarahs-blog-podcast/351-jim-collison
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” – Abraham Lincoln
Collaboration Sucks When No One Listens
Here’s the deal: You can’t build a solid team if you’re always cutting each other off. We talk over ideas, bulldoze through feedback, and then wonder why nothing sticks. Spoiler alert: It’s because no one’s listening. See Kate Davis’ post on this topic for some suggestions.
:: Gratitude and Recognition
The Power of Gratitude w/ Traci Austin
In this episode of Culture Conversations, host Megan Robinson is joined by Traci Austin, an HR professional with a passion for helping organizations bridge the gap with their people. Traci’s career journey is one of overcoming obstacles using data and insights to coach teams toward reaching their full potential. Join Megan and Traci as they delve into the culture of gratitude and how it can transform workplaces for the better. Tune in for an insightful discussion filled with laughter, best practices, and heartfelt connections.
https://www.eleaderexperience.com/post/the-power-of-gratitude-w–traci-austin
:: Upcoming Events
Comparison: Conquering the Thief of Joy to Achieve Your Dreams
It’s happened to the best of us. Someone posts a highlight reel on social media and you find yourself comparing your life to theirs. But what if we could stop comparing and instead start celebrating our unique journeys? In this enlightening session, Anne C. Totero, LMFT, will help free you from the burden of comparison, so you can enjoy more happiness and pursue your dreams with confidence and joy.
At this DreamBank event, learn the surprisingly practical strategies you need to cultivate a mindset of growth and self-acceptance and head into the next chapter of your dream journey grounded in your perfectly unique identity and purpose.
Date: Wednesday, December 18,
Time: 12:00 – 12:30 PM CST
Location: Online