What is stress?

We throw around the word “stress” a lot, but what is it really? 

According to Dr. Nicole Lepera, Psychologist & Best selling author of How to do the work, “Stress is more than just a mental state; it is an internal condition that challenges homeostasis, which is a state of physical, emotional, and mental balance.”

That means that any change has the potential to cause you stress, big or small, and we all express stress differently. It’s important to know how stress shows up in yourself to be able to navigate through it. 

How does stress show up?

There are four key ways we express stress:

• Physical: muscles tension, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, headaches
• Behavioral: impatient, unable to relax, making more mistakes, isolating yourself
• Emotional: scared, worried, angry, resentful, irritated, frustrated, depressed, feeling neglected
• Cognitive: incapable of planning, concerned with past or future, lower concentration, negative or inflexible thinking

How do you experience stress? 

Managing Stress with a Seabreeze Cocktail

A lot of us think that stress is bad, and it is when it gets to be too much, but in moderation and with strong management, stress can motivate us and help us achieve our goals. So, sip a little spirit of the season and join us for a Sea Breeze at the Stress-Free Speakeasy. Follow the steps below to 

Step 1: Measure out your Triggered Tito’s Vodka

When it comes to managing stress, always start from a place of awareness. Hopefully, earlier in this blog, you were able to identify HOW your stress shows up (physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive), and now you need to figure out WHY it shows up. What triggers your stress? 

Sit down and think about the last time you were experiencing symptoms of stress. What situation caused them?

Here are a few examples of stressful situations to get you thinking: 

• Falling behind
• Feeling underutilized
• Feeling micromanaged
• Conflict with a manager or coworker
• Not feeling or being listened to
• Having to switch gears frequently 

What kind of theme do you notice about the situations that cause you stress? 

Frequently, a specific environment type will be your main source of stress. Identifying which environment stresses you out the most and why can help you create a better action plan and stop stress before it takes over. 

Here are four environments that frequently cause people stress: 

1. Ambiguous Environments: When there’s room for many different interpretations
2. Uncertain Environments: When there is imperfect or unknown information
3. New Environments: When there’s no experience to fall back on
4. Unpredictable Environments: Where it’s unclear how something will turn out. 

Once you’re aware of your triggers, then you can start to self-regulate. 

Step 2: Pour your Crank it up cranberry juice.

If there’s anything that stress teaches us, it’s that we are our bodies––it seems simple, but sometimes it’s easy to forget. Extreme stress can lead to us becoming physically ill, disrupting our hormones and bodily functions like sleep, hunger, digestion, and more. 

To help regulate stress, you need to tap back into your body and crank up your physiology through movement. 

OK PAUSE, stand up. Bend your knees. Put your arms in a position like you’re about to sprint and then pump them like you actually are, keeping your feet in place. Do this for a minute! It may feel strange.

Sit down now. How do you feel? A little bit ridiculous, but maybe also a bit lighter? 

Cranking up that energy level through physical movement releases endorphins in your brain, increases your oxygen levels, and promotes blood circulation. Basically, it helps set your body on the right track when you’re stressed. 

Figure out what works for you when you’re feeling stressed. Maybe you’ll find doing 30 seconds of jumping jacks helps relieve some of that tension, or turning on your favorite song and dancing around until it’s done melts the stress away. 

Pick one exercise or movement right now to be your stress savior. 

But, stress isn’t just physical, it’s also mental.

Step 2: Add your gratitude grapefruit juice.

Physical movement helps us alleviate stress in the moment, but we need to shift our mental state as well. When we’re stressed, it’s easy to stay stuck in a loop of negative thinking and self-talk. One way to disrupt that negative mindset is through expressing gratitude. 

As Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D. Psychology of Happiness at Stanford says, “Gratitude is an antidote to negative emotions, a neutralizer of worry, and irritation. It is savoring; it is not taking things for granted; it is present-oriented”

In fact, Gratitude helps lower cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in our bodies by about 23 percent, thereby preventing the health problems that stress can lead up to like heart disease and more (Psychology Today).

Take a moment. Make a list of everything you are grateful for in life. How many can you come up with in under 1 minute?

How many people are on your list? Go tell them you’re grateful for them.

Connection is another key tool in managing stress. Being able to appreciate and confide in our loved ones helps us occupy a positive mindset that protects us against stress. 

Step 3: Add your choice of sweetener, mix, and enjoy. 

With that, you’re now relaxing, Seabreeze Cocktail from the Stress-Free Speakeasy in hand.

When encountering a stressful situation, first be aware that it’s happening. Know your triggers (ambiguity, uncertainty, and more) and then recognize the signs (muscle aches, forgetfulness and more). 

Once you know that you’re experiencing stress, use your two tactics––engaging in physical activity and expressing gratitude––to shift your body and your mind. 

Stress is normal. Stress happens. And you have the capability to manage it and use it to your advantage. 

The post The Stress-Free Speakeasy’s Seabreeze Cocktail appeared first on SNP Communications.

When you’re behind a screen, you don’t have to worry about what your hands are doing, no one’s in your space, and most of your energy only has to go to exaggerating your facial expressions to respond to what someone else is saying. After an in-person interaction, you feel drained to the point that a 15 minute conversation necessitates an hour long recuperation period. 

As we return to in-person work, it’s time to get back to basics. Here are three things you can do to set yourself up for success when interacting with people face-to-face, from a basic conversation to recovering after a long day. Let’s get buzzy with a Bee’s Knees from the Back to Basics Bar.

Return to In-Person Work: A Recipe for a Bee’s Knees

• ½ ounce active listening honey syrup 
• 1 ounce lemon juice (about ½ medium lemon)
• 2 ounces gin
• Lemon twist, for garnish

1. To make the honey syrup: Combine equal parts honey and water (say, 2 tablespoons each if you’re only making a few cocktails) in a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan. Warm in the microwave or over the stovetop just until you can completely stir the honey into the water. Set aside.
2. Before juicing your lemons, use a vegetable peeler or channel knife to peel off a strip(s) of zest for your twist.
3. To make the cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the honey syrup, lemon juice and gin. Securely fasten the lid and shake until the mixture is very cold, about 30 seconds.
4. Strain the drink into a coupe or martini glass. Twist the lemon peel over the cocktail to release some of its oils, then drop it in. Enjoy cold.

Step One: Bee Prepared. 

Make your active listening honey syrup by combining equal parts honey and water in a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan, then warming in the microwave or stovetop until just combined. 

Like our honey syrup, interactions should be equal and sweet. Instead of taking over or losing interest in conversations, use active listening to set yourself up for better, less self-focused communications as you return to in-person work.

If a conversation was a tennis match, we often focus on rallying back what we want to say rather than paying attention to our partner’s serve. For good conversation, listen to understand. Take on a “listen more, talk less mindset”. 

A tool for active listening is the edit back, or rephrasing what someone is saying back to them.  

For example:

• Person A: “Do you have any exciting plans for this weekend?” 
• Person B: “I think I’m going to binge-watch Queer Eye with my partner. I’m pretty excited.”
• Person A: “You’re going to watch Queer Eye with your partner and you’re excited,”
• Person B: “Yeah, I’ve been wanting to watch it forever, but never got the chance because I’ve been busy with work. I’ve heard good things and thought this would be the perfect time!”

After editing back, you get one of three responses. 

1. “Yes”, to which you can ask open-ended questions like “Tell me more” or “What else should I know?” to go deeper.
2. “Yes and…”, such as in the example above. 
3. Or, “Actually I meant….”, correcting you.

However the edit back goes, you learn more about the person and give them space to elaborate. 

Step Two: Shake it up, don’t get shaken up.

Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, and then pour in your active listening honey syrup, lemon juice, and gin. Fasten the lid and shake, shake, shake.

Being back in-person means being back…in-person. You now have to physically interact and be present in front of everyone. What do you do with your hands? How do you act? Don’t let being in-person shake you. Use these six skills to look and feel more confident:

1. Speak up. Level your volume to make sure you’re heard and understood, especially when you are presenting or acting in a leadership role. Being a good communicator means many things, and it all starts with being heard. 

2. Dress the part. You’re no longer allowed to rock a blazer on top and pajama pants on bottom. Being in person means people are physically seeing you, so present appropriately for whatever setting you’re in. 

3. Stand still. Avoid fidgeting and no pacing. Find a comfortable position and stay there. 

4. Pay attention. Put down the computer and turn your phone on Do Not Disturb. During online meetings, many of us are guilty of two tab-ing, of checking emails while pretending to listen to whoever is speaking. In person, you can’t get away with this. So distance yourself from distractions. 

5. You can never go wrong with a handshake. If you’re introducing yourself and are unsure of the setting, choose what you’re going to do and stick to it. Whether that’s a fistbump or an awkward hug, stand by what you choose – don’t change as it’s happening. But handshakes are pretty universally acceptable. 

6. Remember to make eye contact. This one just makes sense. 

Step Three: Strain and Chill. 

Strain your drink and put in a chilled glass. Twist the lemon peel over the cocktail to release some of its oils, then drop it in. Enjoy.

You’ve made your drink and now it’s time to sit back and relax. 

Adjusting back to in person interactions is hard, not just logistically but socially and emotionally. Our social muscles are not what they used to be, and exercising them feels more laborious than ever. Sometimes you just need quiet time

Rest should be a priority during this time. Transitioning back into in-person can be exhausting. Here are 3 ways to incorporate rest into your routine: 

1. Block extra time after an in-person event to both commute (yea, that’s a thing again) and to decompress. 
2. Take a break while in-person. Find a quiet corner and take 10-15 minutes to listen to some music, a podcast, even a meditation. 
3. Play hooky! Pick one day in the next month or so to take off. Extra points if it’s after you complete a big project.

 Above all, focus on your needs as we begin to bee together again. 

Finally, Sip and Reflect on Your Return to In-Person Work Prep Plan

Getting back into in-person work is hard, but if you stick to the basics, you’ll get through it. Using active listening and good physical skills helps the adjustment period, and remembering to take your rest is crucial as you embark on this chapter. 

Always remember that if you feel awkward, so does everyone else. We’re all adjusting back into being in person, and it’s weird for everyone. Lean into it and don’t be afraid to just go for it.

You’ve gotten back into in person interactions and now it’s time to sit back and relax. Preferably with a chilled bev. 

The post The Back to Basics Bar’s Bee’s Knees appeared first on SNP Communications.

Instead of grinding out the new year and your remaining shreds of motivation, grind up some black pepper to make SNP’s productivity hangover cure: a Bloody Mary. (And if you’re having a dry January, forgo the Vodka!) 

P.S. Freeze your glass for maximum chill

Ingredients to Cure a Work Hangover

1. Be nice to yourself black pepper
2. Time tomato juice (48 oz)
3. Horsin’ around creamy hot horseradish 3tbsp
4. Don’t be the worst Worcestershire sauce 3 tbsp
5. 2 1/4 teaspoons celery salt
6. 3 teaspoons garlic salt
7. Tabasco sauce
8. Be nice to yourself black pepper
9. Value Vodka 2 oz (optional)
10. Ice 
11. Garnish (optional) 

3 Steps to Avoid Burnout in the New Year

Step 1: Make your Bloody Mary mixture.

Mix together Be nice to yourself black pepper, Time tomato juice, Horsin’ around horseradish, Don’t be the worst Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, and garlic salt in a large pitcher. Season with 10-15 shakes of Tabasco sauce, or to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Be nice to yourself black pepper

We return to work in the new year with expectations about what we can accomplish, the energy we’ll bring, and the “new” people we’ll be. However, if you’re like the rest of us, that first week back at work looked more like constantly checking your calendar to figure out what day it was, instead of crossing off things on your to-do list. 

It’s ok to need space to re-orient. Be kind to yourself as we ramp up into 2022. Your goals and tasks aren’t going anywhere. If you need space to pause, take it. 

And get rid of any negative self-talk. Telling yourself “I should be doing xyz” doesn’t change the fact you aren’t, and it doesn’t motivate you to start doing xyz. Focus on what you need to do to get re-energized and re-centered, so when you’re ready to tackle the “I shoulds,” you’ll knock it out of the park and most importantly, you’ll avoid burnout in the new year. 

Time Tomato Juice

Part of being nice to yourself is being more intentional with your time. It’s easy to fall into a rhythm of being online and available from 7 am until 7 pm. With the holiday break as a reset, keep some of those activities that made you feel good. 

Cook meals. Spend time with loved ones. Move your body. Savor your mornings. Do something that fills your cup (like making this drink). 

Exercise: Go to your calendar right now and block off time for something that will make you feel good. Get specific!

Here are some ideas: “On Wednesday I will block out one hour during lunchtime to exercise and eat.” 

“On Monday night I’m going to block out my evening, from 5-10 pm to make Lasagne with my family and go for a walk.” 

“On Friday I’m going to start work an hour later so I can sleep in a little.”

Horsin’ around Horseradish

With blocking out time for yourself and working on self-compassion, there’s one thing you can’t forget: have fun! Fun is often the first thing to go when work gets crazy or life happens, so make sure you schedule it in.

Something doesn’t have to be productive or useful to be worth your time so long as it makes you feel good. Have you forgotten what you find fun? Try using some of these prompts to help figure it out.

– When you think of fun, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? 

– What activities do you find to be the opposite of fun?

– What activities did you find fun as a kid? Would those activities still be fun now?

– What’s going on in your community? Are there any exhibits, concerts, plays, etc. that excite you? 

Don’t be the worst Worchestire sauce

Don’t forget the age-old saying, treat others how you want to be treated. However you’re feeling, you’re not alone. If you’re low on energy, feeling brain fog, feeling despondent about the state of the world, there’s a chance your coworkers are too. So be kind to them too. Respect their time. Forgive mistakes. Take time to be humans and have an actual conversation.

Yes, work brought you together, but it’s your choice how you show up and engage with the people you work with.

Step 2: Add 2 ounces of your values vodka to a glass.

And then top with bloody mary tomato mixture. 

No matter what you decide is best for you right now, make sure it aligns with your values. 

When you live according to what you care about, keeping your cup full is a lot easier. If you’re not sure how to live according to your values, start by explaining how your goals relate back to your values. 

For example, if you value curiosity, and one of your goals is to learn more about product management your explanation would be: I want to connect with my product management colleagues to learn more about what they do because I’m curious about what the product lifecycle looks like.

This helps you save space for yourself, prioritize your time, and connect to your passions.

Step 3: Garnish with topping of your choice.

Limes, lemons, celery ribs, blue cheese stuffed olives, bacon strips, pepperoncinis, cooked shrimp, hot sauce, pickles, pickled asparagus or green beans, pickled beets, chunks of cheese – anything your heart desires.

Take what you need. Leave what you don’t.

And if you’re still curious about what you can do to curb burnout and start the year (semi) fresh, check out this quick hits list from Erayna Sargent, via SNP’s own Jessica Thrasher.

If you’re hitting the ground walking in 2022, this drink’s for you. Set your own pace. Carve your own path. And shake up the year in your own, unique way. 

Check out our other Winning Ingredients blogs for successful leadership recipes. 

The post SNP’s Hangover Cure: A Bloody Mary appeared first on SNP Communications.

Step 1: In a lowball glass, stir together the apple cider, whiskey, and Seek Understanding maple syrup.

Active listening isn’t just a tool, but a mindset. When you use it in a conversation, the higher purpose is to seek understanding. So what does that actually mean? 

There are levels of listening.  

Most of us hover between one and three. We listen to respond or receive information. If we want to create connection, we actually have to listen to understand; understand the other person’s content, emotions, or even just them as a whole.

Here’s an example of listening to give information, where we think we’re connecting but we’re actually not. 

• Coworker A: “What did you do this weekend?”
• Coworker B: “I tried hiking a new trail near my house this weekend. It was 5 miles, but I’m hoping to be able to do 10 in the next few months.”
• Coworker A: “That’s great! I love hiking too. I recently hiked B.S. Mountain it was pretty tough.”
• Coworker B: “Oh yeah I’ve heard that mountain is pretty tough.”

Instead of keeping the discussion about Coworker B, Coworker A honed in on one thing Coworker B said and shared their own story related to it, shifting the focus of the conversation. 

Most of us do this, we want to relate, but that’s hurting our ability to learn AND to understand. Coworker A stopped the conversation before they could learn more. 

So how do you listen to understand? Start with an edit back.

Step 2: Add your Edit Back Bitters.

An edit back has many names: playback, rephrase, paraphrase, check for understanding. 

The edit back is a concise summary of what the other person said. In our earlier example, it would look something like this. 

• Coworker A: “What did you do this weekend?” 
• Coworker B: “I tried hiking a new trail near my house this weekend. It was 5 miles, but I’m hoping to be able to do 10 in the next few months.”
• Coworker A: “You hiked a new 5-mile trail and you’re hoping to do a 10-mile one in the coming months.”
• Coworker B: “Yeah! One of my goals this year is to hike XYZ mountain which is 15 miles. I’m slowly working my way up. Every weekend I try to do a minimum of five miles.”

By editing back, Coworker A was able to learn more about Coworker B. Instead of just learning about what Coworker B did this past weekend, they learned that Coworker B has a goal this year to hike XYZ mountain and they hike every weekend to prepare for it. 

By maintaining focus on Coworker B with the Edit Back, Coworker A gained a better understanding of Coworker B. 

HOMEWORK: In the next conversation you have, when someone else is speaking, try the edit back. It can be short and simple. Even a few words are enough. It may feel or seem repetitive to you, but it won’t to the other person (we promise, just give it a try). 

Step 3: Add your garnishes, including your Open Question Orange slice. 

After an edit back you’ll get one of three responses:

1. Confirmation – “Yes.” 
2. Continuation – “Yes and….”
3. Correction – “Actually I meant…”

With a continuation and correction, the person you’re listening to will give you more content to edit back. But what if they give you a confirmation and then just stop? Use an open question: 

– Tell me more. 

– What’s an example of that? 

– Why do you say that? 

– What else should I know? 

Open questions open the floor for the person you’re listening to, to share more information, but they don’t steer the conversation in a particular direction. 

Use open questions early on in a conversation when you’re gathering information. As you uncover more and more details, you can start to ask more specific questions. Ultimately open questions give the person you’re listening to the ability to lead the conversation where they want it to go. 

With drink in hand, you’re ready for your end-of-year meetings.

Active Listening is an important tool for reflecting as a team. You learn more about everyone’s perspectives and create a better, more thoughtful action plan because of it. Create space for your team. Connect with your team. Start actively listening. 

Want to hear more about active listening? 

Here’s what our VP Jessica Thrasher has to say: 

Check out our other Winning Ingredients blogs for successful leadership recipes. 

The post The Reflection Room’s Apple Cider Old Fashioned appeared first on SNP Communications.

Feedback and recognition are two sides of the same coin.

They both create alignment and unity if done right. So here are our winning ingredients to make giving feedback feel as easy-breezy as a Sunday brunch, because recognition isn’t always kudos.

In this edition of Winning Ingredients, we’re featuring Feedback Brunch’s Bottomless Mimosa recipe for a growth-oriented, feedback-focused team.

Step 1: Prepare yourself. Like brunch, giving feedback is a state of mind.

Figure out your intention first. What do you want the outcome to be? Then check your attitude. Are you feeling nervous, frustrated, stressed? Can you shift your attitude to something that will help you have a more successful interaction? Choose your behavior. Decide how you want to handle this conversation with this specific person. Maybe you need to be more of a listener or maybe you need to push a little bit. Again, what will help you have a successful interaction?

Step 2: Start by pouring the orange juice opener. 

How you start the conversation sets the tone. Start with the issue, then provide two specific examples that you’ve seen (no hearsay). End with an open question that gets them talking (“Why do you think that happened?” “What caused that behavior?”). Now listen, listen, and keep listening. Ask questions only when you’ve exhausted a topic.

WARNING: Do not jump to solution mode.

Step 3: Swirl in your suppose statement triple sec.

You’ve listened. You’ve heard all the explanations. But there could be more. To really get to the bottom of this issue, use a “suppose” statement.

“Suppose we could resolve____, and I’m not saying we can, but if we could, are there any other reasons why you think ___ is happening?”

You’ll either get deeper and learn more about what’s going on or hear a “no, that’s the issue.” Repeat this until you’ve uncovered all there is to uncover.

Step 4: Top off your drink with C.A.P. it champagne. 

All the issues are laid out on the table. Now’s the time to ask their thoughts on a game plan and then offer tweaks or suggestions. Once you’re in agreement on the plan, have them follow up by setting up time for you two to reconvene on the progress, initiating the action, and/or publishing the notes from your meeting in a follow-up email.

Step 5: And repeat 20x until your pitcher is full.

As a leader, you’ll have to have these feedback conversations many times over the course of your career.

Even though feedback conversations can be harder to have, they’re just as impactful as recognition. Your team will remember the conversations where you saw them in their bad moments and recognized the issue, heard them out, and collaborated on a solution instead of reprimanding them.

–> Check out another leadership cocktail recipe on how to make time for professional development.

The post Feedback Brunch’s Bottomless Mimosa appeared first on SNP Communications.

When was the last time you focused on you, at work?

How have you been growing in your role? How are you making time for professional development?

When we’re running from meeting to meeting, project to project, personal development often gets left in the dust. It’s something you have to make time for. To speed up sometimes you have to slow down.

In this edition of Winning Ingredients, we’re taking you to the Slow Down Saloon for a Tropical Tequila Sunrise sure to add strategic speed on your path to professional success. 

Step 1: Pour your Time Management Tequila

Time management is personal; so much like a tequila shot, take any time management advice with a grain of salt. Find what works for you based on how you work, so you can make time for professional development. 

Here are our best practices: 

DESIGN YOUR DAY

Be intentional and proactive. Schedule time on your calendar to accomplish your priorities two weeks in advance.

And ask yourself these three questions as you block out the time:

• What time of the day do you have the most energy? 
• When are you the most distracted or have recurring meetings? 
• When will you schedule your prep time? (usually the first or last thing you do in a day).

SINGLE TASK

Multitasking is a myth. It’s a learned tactic that keeps us unfocused. So buckle down, turn off your notifications, put your phone in a drawer, and block the YouTube homepage. Set the expectation with your team that you’ll be unreachable for this period of time.

 Try working in 90-minute sections with intentional breaks afterward. This leverages our natural energy flow. However, the breaks you take have to be actual breaks – no scrolling on your phone in the same spot for five minutes. Get up and move locations. Maybe go for a quick walk.

END YOUR WORKDAY

Work hard, rest hard. When you end work, actually end work. Shut your laptop, change your slack status, turn off your email notifications, and communicate you’re offline. Then mentally clock out too. Here are our favorite SNPer recommendations to get out of the work mindset: 

Recuperation is just as important as productivity. So respect your end of day when you can.  

Step 2: Add your No Overthinking Orange Juice and shake it up

Not overthinking sounds like a tall order, but what we really mean is clear your mind. If you’re thinking about all the other tasks you have to do while working on a task, it’s going to take you that much longer.

So free up brain real estate. Bucket your to-do list in three ways: monthly, weekly, and daily. Create calendar blocks and set reminders for those tasks, so you don’t even have to think about when to do them. 

Here are some topics you can use as prompts to make sure you get everything off your mind and onto the calendar:

• BUSINESS
  • Leadership (vision/values, networking, decisions to share, etc.)
  • Marketing (projects, advertising campaigns, target market research, etc.)
  • Personnel (meetings, hiring, managerial training, etc.)
  • Customers/Stakeholders (commitments, complaints, feedback, etc.)
  • Products/Services (inventory, production systems and equipment, etc.)
  • Administration (e-mail, CRM, IT, etc.)
  • Sales (prospects, referrals, training, etc.)
  • Business/Org Finances (accounting, financial reports, invoices etc.)
• PERSONAL
  • Self (development, hobbies, dreams)
  • Family (promises, recreation events, significant events)
  • Personal Finances (budget, utilities, mortgages etc.)

Single-tasking and meditation are additional tools for finding focus so incorporate them into your routines and work style alongside your mind dumps.

Step 3: Put the SMART Goal Grenadine Syrup in your cup

Now that you’ve solidified your time management skills and found focus by clearing your mind, it’s time to set achievable goals. Once we master our day-to-day, we can start to work toward something even bigger and continue making time for our professional development.  

We like our goals S.M.A.R.T: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Here are questions to consider as you list out your goals: 

SPECIFIC

• Who is involved?
• What are we trying to accomplish?
• Where is this happening (location)?
• When does it have to happen?
• Which requirements and constraints need to be considered?
• Why is it necessary?
• What are the benefits to accomplishing this goal?

MEASURABLE

How will I measure my progress?

Ask questions such as:

• How much?
• How many?
• How will we know when it’s accomplished?

ATTAINABLE

• How will I accomplish this goal?
• What actions and resources are necessary?

The goal is neither out of reach nor so easy as to be meaningless. It speaks to the attitudes, abilities, skills, and resources necessary to reach it. 

RELEVANT

Is the goal driving me forward and in alignment with my other goals or my organization’s goals?

A relevant goal answers yes to these questions:

• Does this seem worthwhile?
• Is this the right time?
• Does this match our other efforts / needs?
• Is this goal applicable to our current environment?

TIME-BOUND

• When will this be completed?
• What progress should I have made in X amount of months?
• What can I do by the end of the week?

Without time, goals are nearly impossible to manage and more often than not fall through the cracks. A time-bound goal has a deadline and may establish a sense of urgency.

Here’s a S.M.A.R.T. goal example: 

“I Want To Improve My Employee Retention”

I, as the HR department head, will work with my HR and L&D team to improve employee turnover by 15% (measurable) in 90 days (time-bound) by putting up training for the new employees to let them know what is expected of them and have a program for them to get used to the operation systems.

I will also have one-on-one meetings with employees so that I get to know what challenges they could be facing (attainable). The benefit to accomplishing this goal is increased productivity, increased employee satisfaction, and reduced costs of hiring and re-training new employees (specific). 

Step 4: Pour in your spiked orange juice and top with Prioritization Pineapple Juice 

Balancing your tasks is, well, a balancing act. Whether they’re goal-oriented or tied to your day-to-day work, tasks need to be prioritized. These are the principles we follow…

Importance vs. Urgency (Eisenhower’s Matrix):

Eisenhower’s Matrix helps you prioritize your tasks based on urgency and importance, separating out the less urgent and less important tasks.

• HIGH IMPORTANCE AND HIGH URGENCY: This could be turning around an ask from a customer in a short period of time or something unexpected like covering a meeting for a sick colleague. 
• HIGH IMPORTANCE, LOW URGENCY:  strategic thinking, coming up with a product vision, or developing relationships.
• LOW IMPORTANCE, HIGH URGENCY: Proofreading a coworker’s email,  urgency activities need our attention immediately but don’t help us achieve our goals, like interruptions from others. 
• LOW IMPORTANCE, HIGH URGENCY: answering certain emails, scrolling the internet

Effort vs. Impact (The Pareto Principle): 

The Pareto Principle states that 80% of output comes from 20% of effort. We can apply this principle to where we spend our time using the below calculation.

HOW TO CALCULATE THE 80/20 RULE

1.  Using a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, give your task a number in terms of the amount of effort required to complete it.
2. Using the same scale, give a number to what the positive impact of that task may be.
3. Then, divide the potential impact by the potential effort which will give you a priority number.

EXAMPLE:  

• Task: Write a marketing presentation for the staff meeting. Effort: 5 divided by Impact: 5 = Priority 1
• Task: Call customer for referral. Effort: 1 divided by Impact: 10 = Priority 0.1

From this example, the smallest number would be your priority. So 0.1, call a customer for a referral, would be the task you’d want to prioritize based on its effort and impact.

Overall the goal with these two prioritization tactics is to spend your time strategically. Is your time and effort largely going into high urgency, high importance tasks? Should you be spending more time on the high importance, low urgency tasks? How does your effort and impact align? Are you putting time into the low effort, high impact tasks or putting them off? 

Make your hard work count.

Step 5: Add ice and a cherry and sip slowly

You now have a refreshing tropical tequila sunrise. Sip slowly!

You’ve learned: 

• Time management fundamentals
• Mind clearing tactics
• The S.M.A.R.T. goal framework 
• And prioritization principles

High-speed doesn’t always mean high-impact. So take time to slow down and find a work rhythm that lets you make time for professional development and continue being the high-performing individual you are. 

Want to level up your leadership?

-> Start with the basics.

-> Reach out to SNP Communications, we’ll up-level your leadership 

The post The Slow Down Saloon’s Tropical Tequila Sunrise appeared first on SNP Communications.