Common Knowledge | Wondering something?
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Work is important but your mental health is much more important. Take the time to do what’s best for you and let us support you throughout your journey. Below are some practices and important tips to keep your mental health a priority.
Lead with Gratitude
Always take the time to show your co-workers and employee’s support.
Walker Williams got into a conversation with some others in the leadership development community, and someone asked, “What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about leadership during the pandemic?” The group had input about technology, process development, problem solving, and more—but agreed the most important thing was how important it is to tell people the things you love about them and what they’re doing work frequently and enthusiastically. It’s a reminder to look for chances to tell people they did something great every day.
Use your Challenge and Support Networks
Panagiota has been talking to folks around CTC and has found special value in Chris Johnson’s challenge to view ideas and problems from a new perspective.
Everyone has some negative self-talk and needs support from the people around them. Be supportive and offer support!
Take Care of Yourself to do Great Work
The best work comes from someone that feels good. Taking care of yourself always comes first.
Trent has been working through respecting the rest, setting better boundaries, and having a feeling that he’s not doing enough because he’s so used to associating time working with doing a good job. You can do a good job, and a better job, while taking care of yourself.
Set Yourself Up to Step Away
If you are stepping out, make sure to have all your bases covered. This way you can be relaxed during your time off.
Panagiota recently took some time off and made sure to set her team up for success working during that time. If you’re planful and carefully set things up beforehand you can really unplug and rest while you’re out.
Get your Steps In
Get creative with your meetings. Arshi has been using walking meetings to get her 10,000 steps in during the workday. For internal meetings, everyone she’s meeting with has been very supportive of meeting without video and doing the walking meeting.
Listen to your Body and Use Super Metrics
Matthew has learned to pay attention to what his body tells him whether that’s to rest, move, eat fruit, or anything else. He was having trouble maintaining nutrition while training. A friend advised him to sit quietly and really listen to what his body was trying to tell him. He could smell citrus and decided he should have some oranges and strawberries.
Also, Ally introduced him to SuperMetrics and its baller, you should use it.
Remember what’s Important
Ynn has been reflecting on why it really matters to come to work and work so hard. As part of her Vietnamese heritage, there is an expectation that she will care for her parents, which comes with a lot of challenges.
Her mom told her that she hasn’t really felt safe since divorcing her dad. This morning they signed a new lease, and her mom said “finally,” and she realized that’s what this is all for.
Maintain the Growth Mindset
Right before and during the pandemic Shana was going through a lot and had to reevaluate her life. As part of our Rookie Initiation there is a lot about Growth Mindset. You’re always in the process of growing and finding yourself.
Procrastination
Sam read an article about procrastination that reminded her that it’s not really about time management, it’s more about emotional well-being.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90357248/procrastination-is-an-emotional-problem
Take the Time to Just Talk
Grant was reminded this week of the importance of “water cooler talk,” finding connections with people at work to just talk. It’s energizing and inspiring and reminds us of why this place is unique: the people and the stories that come with them.
Be Kind to Yourself
Matthew P: I had my first forward progress, and I was very critical about myself and what I had missed. Tony reminded me to also think about my victories and helped me understand that Q4 is always going to be a crazy time. If you’re only focused on the negative it’s hard to dig yourself out and focus on what you should continue, and even to work on improving. It’s good to give yourself a pat on the back now and then.
Lean on Me
Danielle: Lean on and leverage your colleagues. If you’re trying to puzzle things out purely on your own, it’s taking time away from you being productive and helping your team succeed. Asking for help isn’t selfish, taking advantage of what the people around you know is the best thing for the team.
Keep a Positive Headspace
When you have a positive outlook you are more likely to be successful. Matthew P: Being kind to the people around you, saying supportive things, and being there for each other is critical to our success. Even little words help everyone.
5 Finger Breathing
Check out this link to learn about 5 Finger Breathing, a method for calming anxiety!
https://ideas-ted-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/ideas.ted.com/mind-going-a-million-miles-a-minute-slow-down-with-this-breathing-exercise/amp/
Shared by Emily Porter
Let it Go
Working at home, especially when you live alone, can be a challenge. P doesn’t have this all figured out, but two weeks ago she just surrendered to the reality. Initially, as she was trying to make plans to return, any shift from that reality was frustrating and felt like a step back.
Surrendering to the fact that we don’t know what’s coming, or exactly what’s going to happen next, but that we’re in a safe space and have a workable setup, has alleviated a lot of stress.
TMYD in Covid
Some of the goals we set for ourselves in dreaming have been seriously disrupted by world events. We’ve got a process together for renegotiating your dreams in this time.
The number one thing we’re asking is that you be pro-active. You should be communicating with your pursuit group and your dream guide as soon as you know that you’ll encounter these kinds of challenges.
Show Care During Covid
Emily sent the video we all created to her sister. She had just started her first remote day as a teacher. She was very happy to receive an encouraging message from Emily. She shared that it’s really about connection over perfection. We don’t need to worry about it being perfect when we reach out to one another, it’s more important that we do it.
Garrett has a cousin who is a nurse in NYC. She didn’t respond at all to his message and her just chalked it up to her working. Five days later she texted back that it meant a lot to her, that she’s proud of what she’s doing as a nurse.
Matt Axline sent one to his to his mom and dad, the two people he’s most grateful for. His mom responded that it was so sweet, she teared up, and that she can’t imagine her life without Matt in it. His dad was a little less emotive but said thanks.
Cherene has an old lady friend she hangs out with every Friday night. She is very cynical, Cherene sent her that message and she responded that was the nicest thing Cherene had ever done for her. She felt a little guilty at first since it wasn’t her idea, but it wasn’t Taylor’s original idea either.
Be Emotionally Agile
In times like these, emotional agility can help us enormously to care for ourselves and function in the healthiest way possible.
To learn more, take a minute to watch this outstanding TED Talk from Susan David: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDQ1Mi5I4rg
Be Proud!
As we’re hiring, we’re hearing lots of stories from folks who have been let go by agencies that are struggling in the current environment.
People all over the world want to work here because CTC is a world-class leader in what we do. Because of this we’re able to thrive, retain, and land new clients.
Work Through Loss
Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant just did a live event where they released excerpts from Option B to the public to help us cope with normal life no longer being an option.
There’s a lot of great information about working through loss, trauma, and how to show up for others who are going through a tough time..