Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.”
— Walt Whitman
Underrated summer travel ideas in the US
Try looking beyond the expected to find the best underrated summer travel ideas that truly resonate with your interests, dreams, and mode.
Quick Tips
- Take the stairs—Taking the stairs instead of the elevator helps you get a little more physical activity in your life. It also strengthens and tones your legs and core. ??
? - Use non-toxic cleaning products—Switching to healthier alternatives is a simple way to reduce your exposure to environmental toxins in your skin and home.
? - View flowers—Flower sighting is known to increase dopamine, which leads to happiness
Emerald capital of the world
Did you know that Colombia is the world’s largest producer of emeralds, accounting for 70-90% of the global supply? The country is renowned for its emerald quality and deep green color.
?Emeralds from Colombia have been prized since pre-Columbian times. Indigenous peoples, such as the Muisca, mined and valued emeralds long before the arrival of the Spanish. The Muzo mines in the Boyacá department are the most famous emerald mines in Colombia.
When you thought you could finally catch a break
Managing expectations at work means maintaining my sanity, but behind the smile, I want to say, “Huh? You want me to what, when?”
Just when I thought I could finally catch a break, along came a curveball with a “last-minute deadline” written all over it.
It was doable when I agreed to it, but emergencies knocked at my door at every turn throughout the day, throwing the timeline off and further back.
So, the day left me, and my deliverable still needing to be completed.
It’s like promising your mom you’ll clean your room “later” and then frantically stuffing everything under the bed when she’s five minutes away. Except, in the office, the stakes are higher, and your manager probably won’t accept “the dog ate my spreadsheet” as an excuse.
This seems to happen, especially when I’m trying to leave for vacation.
I know I can do some tasks in 10 minutes, and some will only happen if Santa’s elves are delivered in my latest Amazon package.
And to do double the work in order to take off was not on my bingo card.
I don’t know about you, but I would like to stay alive and not burn out before my vacation.
That math isn’t mathing.
Normally, the standard process would be to set realistic goals, communicate often and early, and get clarity around roles and responsibilities.
However, there are times when you need to pivot.
In these types of scenarios, I pause.
The main idea is to pause, breathe, regroup, and assess the situation by checking in with myself.
I then negotiate the work, what needs to be done, and the timeline, putting the responsibility back on the person making the request by asking “curious” questions.
- Can you clarify the priority of this task in relation to these other responsibilities? What tasks could be deprioritized to meet this deadline?
- What is the main objective of this task, and are there any specific outcomes you are looking for?
- Is there any flexibility in the scope of the work to meet the deadline?
- Are there any team members who can assist with parts of this project?
- How will success be measured for this task?
If you are not comfortable being direct about setting expectations, then coming from a place of curiosity is a great strategy; ask questions that get everyone on the same page about the project and timing
Answering these questions will help inform you and the other person of your thought process and open the conversation for negotiation.
Creating a positive, collaborative workplace and maintaining a solid work-life balance allows us to enjoy life more, reduce unnecessary stress, work well together, and grow professionally.
When everyone knows what to expect, the work environment can become less chaotic and more supportive.
And hopefully, it will allow you to head into time off with a weight off your shoulders!
Chau for now!
PS—Have you ever promised to deliver a task by EOD but found yourself scrambling at 11:59 PM to complete it the day before vacation? What was the outcome?
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PSS—Speaking of a less chaotic work environment, this adults-only cruise line, added a one-month WFH , work-from-helm, summer pass; their itineraries include wellness and fitness classes catered to women. Fake Zoom backgrounds be gone!
Favorite Picks this Week
- 2024 Shoes: Soft and light, top walking shoes for women
? - Versatile Glasses: One pair of magnetic glasses, infinite possibilities, even sunglasses
? - Sisterhood Pants: Lounge Pants for every occasion—remote work, the plane, relaxation, etc
? - Secret Book: Discover why women experience burnout differently than men in Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle??
?? - Muscle Relaxer: Relax those muscles, heating pad for aches and pains