De-Stress & De-Clutter: How To Get Your Work Life Together
Whenever many of us think about spring cleaning, we're likely to address everything but our work lives. But just as it's important to change out those winter coats for spring jackets or organize all those hoarded thrift finds that have multiplied in your spare room's closet (or is that just me?), it's a good idea to clear out the stress, clutter, and disorganization in your work life.
Here are a few things I've done over the years to get on the right track and really bring in a new season of winning, empowered and refreshed:
1. Do a digital detox.
And no, this isn't about fasting from scrolling Instagram for a month. This is all about bulk-deleting those 300 sent e-mails that you no longer need to keep track of. It's about going into your Google inbox and getting rid of all 21,000 of those social media notifications. It's unsubscribing to newsletters that you rarely read (or don't need to be reading during work hours). It's emptying out your digital trash and feeling okay with the fact that you'll never see that old proof-that-I-finished-my-part-of-that-project e-mail you kept from a year ago.
It's about finally printing out the dozens of photos you took on that trip to Mexico two years ago. Delete numbers, photos, and apps from your phone and computers that you no longer use (or want to use). Organize those random files on your desktop into folders and only keep things that are current or super-important to the job that you do.
Since I'm the ultimate e-mail and digital file hoarder, I often do this process in small chunks---a few tasks at a time, over weeks---so that I don't overwhelm myself. Also, if there are files that you just can't part with (especially the large ones taking up space in your inbox or on your computer's hard drive), put them in a Dropbox, Google Drive, or other online file-storage option, invest in an external hard drive, or get a USB stick. Be sure to name files accordingly and utilize organizational tools like folders and bookmarks.
2. Set up automated tasks.
For example, I've found that using email templates is very useful for quickly inputting responses or copy that I repetitively have to type to do the work I do. If I need to send an invoice, I have a template for it, and I can schedule them to go out at the appropriate time. Even for corporate gifting, holiday greetings, correspondences with new writers, client onboarding, scheduling appointments, submitting reports, or other managerial things, I've found ways to automate certain tasks so that I have more time on my hands to focus on the creative aspects of my job.
If you can automate (or schedule) anything, set those up as ahead of time as possible using platforms like Calendly, Asana, or Hubspot. You can even automate your social posts, and it's not the formulaic, restrictive process it used to be.
Anything that you do every day, month, quarter, or year that is a routine that hardly ever changes much should be automated, as it will literally make your workday that much easier.
3. Upgrade your office space with small touches of joy.
For me, this means adding comfort, color, and great memories. I find that when the space I'm working in reflects vibes that make me feel happy, I'm more likely to be productive. Also, since I'm quite tall and work in front of a computer for 80% of my day, I have to be comfortable, so my desk, chair, and other amenities have to accommodate me.
I always keep photos of my family and accomplishments around wherever I'm working (even if it's just my computer's screensaver), something that's in a bright, vivid hue on my desk (like a candle, mug, or picture frame) and an ergonomic desk setup.
If I have to throw out, return, or donate a chair or desk simply because it's no longer comfortable or practical for me, I unapologetically do, no matter when or where I bought it.
I'm also a minimalist when it comes to my office space, as I don't like a lot of books, knickknacks, and other items lingering around that don't have a purpose. Figure out what office vibe and style allows you to work at your best in your office, and if something doesn't align with that, make the necessary adjustments.
4. Do an assessment of your professional life, passions, and goals.
You can liken this to how many who help people get a handle on their closets often start by asking them to assess what clothing they already have in them. Well, in this case, you'd need to just check in with yourself in terms of your current work-life outlook, the things you like about it, what you'd like to achieve in the season that you're in, and what you don't like about any of it. This is helpful because oftentimes, at the core of work-related clutter (both mentally and physically) is a lack of insight into where you are professionally and where you'd like to be. Many of the moves I make in my career start with that---down to the smallest work-related tasks and how I approach completing them.
You don't have to have all the answers, but it's a good idea to at least sit and write a few things down. Write down the processes that stress you out the most and possible solutions. Take some time to find out what type of optimal environment you work best in and how you contribute to the culture of that environment (if at all). What do you love about the everyday things you do at work? What do you dislike? Are there ways of communicating, project management, systems management, or technology processes that could make things easier or more challenging?
There are also online assessments to help you figure out more about how you can maximize your potential at work.
5. Get some help.
Decluttering and purging anything can be quite exhausting and mentally draining, so getting help in the areas where you need it is key.
For the digital detox, for example, I had to seek out someone who knows more about how to streamline things in a way that made sense to me, especially since I handle a lot of documents, emails, and image files that I don't like to get rid of.
Talk with an IT colleague, that one smart, always-organized friend, or even a coach to get the assistance you need for spring-cleaning aspects of your work life that you find challenging to address on your own. By taking things one step at a time and moving forward with a positive goal of shifting the energy in your favor, you'll find solutions that work for you.
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Featured image by Morsa Images/Getty Images
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Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Russell and Nina Westbrook Dish On The Key Ways To Avoid Resentment In Relationships
Russell and Nina Westbrook are one of those low-key, unproblematic couples we don’t talk about enough. They met in college and got married in 2015. They also have a beautiful family with three kids. While Russell is an NBA star, Nina is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a mental health advocate.
She recently launched the podcast The Relationship Chronicles with Nina Westbrook, and in the latest episode, she had none other than her husband on as a guest. The college sweethearts dived into important topics from marriage to children and how they navigate it all.
One of the topics they touched on was dealing with resentment in your relationship. The former MVP highlighted the sacrifices his wife has had to make in order for him to pursue a career in the NBA, and that’s why it’s also important for him to support his wife whenever he can.
“For me is respecting and understanding what your partner do and the time it takes,” Russell said. “Not kind of downplaying what they do, understanding the time and energy and effort they're doing to make sure whether it’s their job or making sure home is taken care of, and understanding that, I think that is the challenge of not being resentful.”
Nina agreed and also shared her thoughts on resentment. According to her, one of the best things couples should do is have their own identity and passions outside of the relationship in an effort to be fulfilled.
“I also think that when you’re in a relationship, that’s why it’s so important that each individual kinda pursue their own passions and follow their own dreams as I feel like it only becomes or leads to resentment when one person is not feeling fulfilled in what they're doing in their lives,” she explained.
“And so, they will start to look at the other partner who’s happy or excelling or promoting or moving along in their journey, then they’re left feeling stuck like they sacrificed themselves, their happiness, their career, their future and have not pursued it in the name of the relationship or their partner. So, it’s so much easier to avoid those feelings of resentment when you’re each equally pursuing your passions.”
The couple has many passions that they work on together and separately. Outside of basketball and his family, Russell has become known for his eclectic style and started the fashion brand Honor The Gift. Nina has her podcast, and she also started the mental health website Bene. Together, they run the Why Not? Foundation, which works with kids in underserved communities.
“I’m a firm believer that one person can’t be everything to you, so you have to sort of seek out those different friendships or groups or hobbies or activities that help to fulfill you,” Nina concluded.
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Feature image by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Religion of Sports
