| Today’s Tip |
| 4 Ways to Boost Your Productivity |
| We’re all looking for ways to boost our productivity. The good news is that it’s an achievable goal. Here are a few proven strategies to help you get more done in less time: Plan your work around your internal clock. This means aligning the tasks that require the most brain power with your energy peaks throughout the day.Plan out tomorrow’s schedule tonight. When we write down what we intend to do, we’re far more likely to actually do it.Develop rituals for different kinds of work. This may mean doing a certain task in a particular workspace or at a particular time of the day.Avoid being 100% booked. If your calendar looks full, deliberately schedule time to do nothing. You can use this time as a buffer between meetings to tackle unexpected tasks that crop up during the day.Try at least one of these strategies this week, and notice any differences in your productivity. You got this! |
| This tip is adapted from “4 Ways to Get More Done in Less Time,” by Amantha Imber |
Six Simple Stress-Management Techniques
| Today’s Tip |
| Six Simple Stress-Management Techniques |
| It can feel like stress is unavoidable these days. Changes to how we live and work, social isolation, and anxiety about health and finances are triggering us and exacerbating our emotions. If you feel like you’re cracking under the weight of the past year, try introducing some of these simple, proven habits into your day: Move, move, move. Any exercise is a fantastic stress reliever.Breathe. Practice meditation and mindfulness exercises to tame your mind.Journal. Writing can help us unpack what’s going on inside. Start by documenting what you’re grateful for each day.Laugh. Watch a funny show, call a funny friend, and feel some joy.Find your flow. What activity or task demands your deepest focus?Listen to music. Research proves that it helps us relax. |
| This tip is adapted from “7 Ways to De-Stress When You Can’t Go Outside,”by Michelle Bihary |
Today’s Tip Break Up Your Day with a Walk
| If you’ve been working from home for most of the past year, you may find yourself hitting a wall. WFH burnout is real — so it’s important to do what you can to give yourself a boost throughout the workday. Don’t underestimate the power of going for a walk (or, if you’re unable to walk, spending some time outside). Here are five reasons to walk with purpose. Perspective. Especially in these trying times, getting outside and reconnecting with nature can help broaden your perspective in a healthy way.Connection. Invite a friend or family member to join you in person if it’s doable, safe, and responsible, or over the phone if it isn’t.Learning. Try listening to an audiobook, podcast, or webinar to stimulate your mind with new information.Gratitude. It’s easy to get bogged down in the negative these days. What if you used your time outside to focus on what you’re thankful for?Productivity. Walking doesn’t always have to be a break from work — it can just be a break from sitting at your desk all day. Which meetings or phone calls could you do on the go?This tip is adapted from “Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Walk,” by Deborah Grayson Riegel |
How to Give Critical Feedback — Remotely
| Today’s Tip |
| How to Give Critical Feedback — Remotely |
| Giving critical feedback is one of your most challenging responsibilities as a manager — and if you’re working remotely, it’s even harder. How can you update your approach to giving feedback in a WFH world? Here are some key steps to keep in mind: Start by asking questions. You need to understand your employee’s perception of their performance before expressing yours.Show specific appreciation before laying out criticism. They’ll be more likely to be receptive to your feedback if they trust that you value them.State your positive intentions. Something as simple as “I’m in your corner” can go a long way.Clarify and contrast. “I’m saying X, I’m not saying Y.”Ask your employee to state their key takeaways from the conversation.We’re all under intense stress from the pandemic. Taking care to deliver your feedback with clarity and sensitivity will help people focus on the reality of your message, even in a remote environment. |
| This tip is adapted from “Giving Critical Feedback Is Even Harder Remotely,” by Therese Huston |
Corpus Christi Pastor's Blog 