Caroline Webb’s Post

Ever feel like a hamster on a wheel? Spinning but not getting anywhere? Productivity expert Ben Meer says that getting off the wheel is all about having the right systems in place. I think he's right. It's not one-size-fits-all, but finding a process that works for you is really the only answer, so you're not constantly firefighting. Read about his TEMPO framework (Time, Energy, Mindset, Proficiency, Organization) to see if it might help you achieve more with less stress: https://lnkd.in/e4qY37MJ By Nihar Chhaya #WorkLifeBalance #TimeManagement #Productivity Image alt-text: A head shot of Ben Meer slightly smiling with mouth closed.

Being thrown into an email chain without warning, especially one that asks you to meet a complete stranger, and ESPECIALLY one with that stranger cc'd, is awkward at best and brazenly rude at worst. Well, guess what? This very thing has happened to me three times in one week! When you make an introduction like this, you're essentially demanding that the person put aside something they care about to prioritize something you care about instead, all while making it incredibly uncomfortable for them to politely decline. That's precisely why I'm a huge advocate of the double opt-in method. Before connecting two people, I reach out to each individually to gauge interest and availability. I make it easy for people to tell me "nice thought but not right now," saying I completely understand if it's not the best time. Only once both parties agree do I make the introduction. This ensures that when introductions are made, they're timely, welcomed, and far more likely to lead to a meaningful connection. This approach isn't just about courtesy; it's about fostering genuine and valuable interactions in a world where everyone's time is precious. Have you ever been on the receiving end of a surprise intro? How did it make you feel, and how do you manage introductions in your network? #CareerAdvice #MeaningfulCommunication #RespectingBoundaries Image alt-text: Two people shaking hands.

This article opens with a striking statistic: 19 CEOs passed away in office last year alone. I know some of this is statistical noise. People die at all levels of organizations. But the pressure on top executives is intense, and I think there's something to think about here. The recent surge in CEO exits, alongside reports of escalating burnout and health issues, really underscores the way that the concentrated responsibility of leadership roles can impact mental and physical well-being. If you're a leader: you do need to look after yourself and find a balance. Maybe this piece could be a good wake-up call if you're not sure about this, with stories from CEOs like JetBlue's Robin Hayes who stepped down for health reasons, and Oscar Munoz's heart attack 37 days into his role at United Airlines. But hope also shines through with the success stories of Hubert Joly and Harry Kraemer, Jr., who managed to thrive under the pressures of being a 24/7 boss: https://lnkd.in/eP8Y2nPa (BTW if you don't have a WSJ account, you can still listen to the article for free.) How do you balance the responsibilities of leadership with personal well-being? Let’s talk in the comments! By Callum Borchers with insights from Nikki Barua, Andy Challenger, Ivan Menezes, and Matt Cooper #MentalHealth #WellBeing #WorkLifeBalance Image alt-text: A digital illustration of a desk name plate with CEO written on it, balancing on top of a yellow caution sign, against an orange background.

Don't get fooled by 🍒cherry-picked data. Often, what's missing is just as important as what's presented. But how do we ensure we don’t get duped by the omission of crucial information? Enter the “Possibility Grid,” a tool introduced by psychologists Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris. It helps you see the bigger picture and evaluate evidence more critically. Read the full article to learn how to avoid biases and make smarter decisions: https://lnkd.in/eMdc-wix #CriticalThinking #EvidenceBased #Science

Every talk I give inevitably ends with someone asking, “How do you make positive changes stick?” You know the feeling—you’re energized to transform your habits, only to find yourself reverting before the week's out. I've grappled with this conundrum personally and professionally. I’ve learned that the key lies in three R's: repetition, reminders, and rewards. Like learning to ride a bike, repetition and persistence are crucial—it helps to remember that failure is just a step towards mastery. On reminders, my go-to strategy is crafting “when-then” plans to help keep my goals front and center. (What scientists call "implementation intentions.") That could look something like: WHEN I’m craving a bag of crisps, THEN I’ll drink a tall glass of water instead. To keep the process feeling rewarding, I also swear by breaking down grand ambitions into manageable actions to make progress feel good, which helps to keep me motivated. But here's an often overlooked piece of the making-it-stick puzzle: your environment. Surroundings that align with your goals can make a world of difference. Imagine trying to cut down on sugar while sandwiched between a soda-lover and a candy machine. A simple desk move or keeping healthier options in sight can pivot your path from temptation to triumph. And let's not forget the power of going public with our goals. Sharing your intentions adds a layer of social accountability that can be surprisingly motivating. I often share my ambitions with my husband, making me doubly committed to following through. Right now, I'm focusing on getting to bed earlier to enjoy a longer wind-down time—and telling you all now means I'm even more committed. What's a small change you're trying to make, and who have you enlisted to help keep you accountable?

Geeky post alert! In psychology research, there's a dilemma quirkily referred to as the “toothbrush problem”: no one wants to use anyone else’s toothbrush—or in this case, psychological measures for things like workplace satisfaction. The lack of consistency makes it so much harder to compare results from one research study with another, which can be a pain if you're interested in looking for patterns across many studies (as I am). It's like redesigning your staff survey every month - who knows what it's really saying if you keep changing the metrics. If you're into data, you might like this neat, short write-up of what one team (led by Malte Elson) is doing to highlight the dire need for a shift towards standardized research measures: https://lnkd.in/epDeeMjw By Emma Young #Science #PsychologicalQuirks #ResearchStandards Image alt-text: Colorful toothbrushes, laying vertically side by side, each one against a bold strip of color.

Remember how drawing, singing, or writing felt like a magical escape as a kid? That's because they kind of are—boosting our mood in ways we tend to have forgotten as adults. It’s easy to dismiss art as child's play or like it’s best left to the pros, but the benefits of integrating art into our adult lives are undeniable. As a fan of belting out a tune 🎶myself, I can attest to the wonders it does for my mental health. We’re invited to rediscover these artistic pursuits, and reminded of their benefits in this lovely piece by Christina Caron: https://lnkd.in/etjqmfti PS: No talent required. Which artistic endeavor do you rely on for better well-being? Insights from Susan Magsamen, Dr. Frank Clark, Dr. James S. Gordon, Susan Albers #MentalHealth #HowToHaveAGoodDay #WellBeing Image alt-queue: An illustration in the style of abstract art, of a person with head bent over and eyes closed, immersed in the act of painting. The person is holding a paint brush in one hand and a palette of paint in the other. An array of colors is on the canvas in front of them.

Remote work is here to stay—and many of us are still working on figuring out how to crafting a work-from-home life that's both productive and balanced. What helps is selecting a workspace conducive to concentration and routines that structure your day. And let’s not forget: taking breaks isn't just advisable, it's non-negotiable for sidestepping burnout - it's very easy to forget to take them when you don't have transition time between physical meetings. Interested in raising your work-from-home game? Check out Alex Janin’s article featuring insights from CEO Sara Sutton, journalist Steven Vargas, and yours truly: https://lnkd.in/ePUjv23m What remote work strategy has been a game-changer for you over the past couple of years? #HybridWork #WFH #RemoteWorkStrategy Image alt-text: An illustration of multiple identical small houses of simplistic design spread out against a solid dark green background. An open laptop with a blank screen is at the center of all the houses.

One simple question from a mentor shifted everything for me.💡 It revealed how clear communication is an act of kindness—towards ourselves and others. And surprisingly, it can also accelerate your career. Tough decisions are an inevitable part of everyone's work and personal life. In #HowToHaveAGoodDay, I share three practices for transforming these challenging moments into opportunities for growth and leadership through clarity. #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Boundaries #DecisionMaking