Live Bright Now Blog
Bright thoughts on company culture, leadership, family and adventure + awe.
Feeling Anxious? Uncertain? Unmoored? Oh, Hello, Change.
My work situation has shifted recently, and I’m still getting used to the pros (amazing people, inspiring mission, exceptional culture) and cons (two words: compliance videos—plus new processes and red tape that I’m not used to) of the change. At the beginning of this transition, I was having sleepless nights and was anxious and pretty darn grumpy. I mentioned this over coffee with my husband, Matt. He smiled at me. “It’s just change, honey. It’s just change.”
Matt is right, of course. For every new project, client, or job we accept, we have to find our footing. Lots of questions may come up during a transition: Was saying “yes” the right decision? Does my discomfort mean I should have said no? Is this a good fit? Will I ever feel normal again?
Answering these questions, and many more, has helped me pinpoint some solid strategies for getting through this tricky time. In case you’re experiencing disequilibrium, too, I’m sharing five strategies that should help you make it through the turbulence of change.
Are You Paying Attention to What You’re Paying Attention To?
Not long ago, I was at a weekend retreat (the same weekend that I had an epiphany after falling off a high ropes course). Exploring the grounds when I first arrived, I happened upon a sign with 11 words carved into it: Are you paying attention to what you are paying attention to? I glanced at the sign and hurried on. A lounge chair at the mineral pool was calling my name.
Deep Thoughts During a Six-Minute Plank
When was the last time you challenged yourself to do something difficult? Something that made you question your skills, courage, or endurance? If it’s been a while since you tapped into the discomfort, adrenaline, or sweat of a new challenge, I highly recommend you set your sights on a big one as soon as you can!
To Thrive In These Not-Quite-Normal Times, Imagine You’re Waterskiing
I was only ten minutes into a Zoom call with a team of smart, motivated, innovative professionals when the finger-pointing, blaming, and criticizing began. Problems were presented. Obstacles were outlined. Faults were floated. The conversation got heated and combative.
How Can Company Culture Thrive After Covid? The Answer Is Blowing in the Wind
It’s clear that remote work, or a combination of remote- and in-person work, is here to stay. This lasting impact of the pandemic will have positive implications for things like people’s mental, physical, and emotional health (hurray for trading in the commute for time to exercise or see friends!) and the environment (which needs all the TLC we can give it).
Sometimes We All Need to Put On Our “Big Girl Pants.” Here’s How.
Not long ago, I got a voice message from one of my Live Bright Now clients, a female CEO named Joanne. “I need to put on my big girl pants,” she said. “Can we talk?” Turns out Joanne had an upcoming video conference with one of her male counterparts in Europe about running their global business team. Based on previous interactions with her colleague, Joanne knew he was stubborn and had a sizable ego. For his part, he felt like she had unrealistic expectations for the team. For Joanne, “big girl pants” was code for holding her ground and staying firm when asking for what her team needed.
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2024
- Oct 29, 2024 Five Strategies for Navigating Change
- Sep 25, 2024 A Simple Formula for a Brighter Life
- Aug 28, 2024 How to Stay Calm When Handling a Tough Client
- Aug 9, 2024 Celebrating Small Wins: The Power of Appreciation in Building a Positive Culture
- Jun 26, 2024 Engaging Freelancers and Remote Workers: Strategies for Building a Connected Team
- May 29, 2024 Understanding "Awe" and Its Powerful Impact on Company Culture
- Apr 24, 2024 Cultivating Presence: The Role of Bright Listening in Team Dynamics
- Mar 27, 2024 Fostering Strong Leadership: Cultivating Company Culture for Success
- Feb 28, 2024 The Joy of Enough: My Ropes Course Revelation
- Jan 26, 2024 Enhancing Team Dynamics: Creating Your Personal Operations Manual
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2022
- Jun 8, 2022 The Great Re-Evaluation: Creating Work Cultures Where People Want to Be
- Apr 6, 2022 Feeling Anxious? Uncertain? Unmoored? Oh, Hello, Change.
- Feb 9, 2022 Taking Stock of Life While Shoveling Waist-Deep Snow
- Jan 12, 2022 Bag It, Barter It, or Brighten It: A Simple Way to Design a Brighter Life
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2021
- Dec 15, 2021 Leaders, Watch Your Wake
- Nov 10, 2021 8 Tips for Keeping Your Cool While Handling a Tough Client
- Oct 13, 2021 Igniting People at Work and In Life: A Tagline Withstands the Test of Time
- Sep 2, 2021 When the Destination Changes, Love the Journey
- Aug 18, 2021 Are You Paying Attention to What You’re Paying Attention To?
- Jun 16, 2021 Deep Thoughts During a Six-Minute Plank
- May 12, 2021 To Thrive In These Not-Quite-Normal Times, Imagine You’re Waterskiing
- Apr 22, 2021 How Can Company Culture Thrive After Covid? The Answer Is Blowing in the Wind
- Apr 14, 2021 Lessons from the Ropes Course: When Trying—and Falling—Is More than Enough
- Mar 31, 2021 Want to Be a Better Leader? Ask These 5 Questions
- Mar 10, 2021 Happiness, Simplified: Lessons from Bhutan
- Feb 17, 2021 Looking for a Little Excellence: On the Power of Appreciation
- Jan 6, 2021 Here’s the One Question I Hope You’ll Ask Yourself Today
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2020
- Dec 16, 2020 Why Having to Rethink Family Traditions Can Be a Good Thing
- Dec 2, 2020 I’ve Got My “Thuperman Thuit On Under.” How About You?
- Nov 12, 2020 Sometimes We All Need to Put On Our “Big Girl Pants.” Here’s How.
- Oct 21, 2020 Life Is a Contact Sport: 3 Tips to Avoid Getting Hurt
- Sep 30, 2020 On the Importance of Now
- Sep 16, 2020 What Surgery Taught Me About Navigating the Pandemic, Business, and Life
- Aug 19, 2020 How to Live Bright In Spite of, Well, Everything
- Jul 15, 2020 3 Ways to Practice Bright Listening
- Jul 15, 2020 Bright Listening Builds Deep Connections—Even on a Zoom Call
- Jun 24, 2020 Leaders, Harness “Collective Intelligence” to Navigate the Road Ahead
- Jun 10, 2020 Bringing Your Team Back to Work? First, Create “Shared Diligence”
- May 21, 2020 How to Get Culture Right for Reentry
- Apr 29, 2020 Create Your Own “Operations Manual” So Colleagues Know “How You Work”
- Apr 15, 2020 Why Family Culture Is Just As Important as Company Culture
- Apr 1, 2020 3 Ways to Build Resilience into Your Company Culture
- Mar 17, 2020 Leaders, Share These Tips with Your Suddenly Remote Work Team
- Mar 11, 2020 “Up and To the Right Thinking:” The Simplest Way to Create Bright Company Culture
- Feb 26, 2020 Want to Build an Awesome Team? Take Them Outside and Share Moments of “Awe”
- Feb 12, 2020 5 Top Benefits of Awe-Inspired Workplaces
- Feb 5, 2020 Does Company Culture Matter for Your Remote and Freelance Workers? You Bet!
- Jan 29, 2020 What Is “Awe”—and Why Is It So Darn Good for Your Company Culture?
- Jan 22, 2020 15 Reasons to Take Our Bright Culture Pledge
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2019
- Dec 19, 2019 Why the Best Holiday Present Is Your Presence
- Jul 25, 2019 A Great Culture Starts with Strong Leaders