One Bold Move A Day

Saying no to something allows you to say yes to something else that matters.

In this episode, we’ll walk through guidelines to help you decide whether it’s worth taking on a new project or activity:

1.     Does this use your superpowers and/or bring new learning?

2.     Will you feel this is a meaningful use of your time (i.e., does it serve/fit with who you are as a person) ?

3.     How will this affect your work and home life?

Even when you’re sure you don’t want to take on that opportunity, saying no can feel uncomfortable. This episode provides tips on how to say no gracefully (and why you don’t necessarily need an explanation).

Your One Bold Move: Say no to the project/request that doesn’t align with your priorities right now, so you can focus on what does.

I used to be a pessimist. If you know me now, that might really surprise you, but it’s true. I could find the negative side of everything, even in a positive moment. When I was happy (which I definitely remember being happy often!), I worried about being too happy, because the feeling might run out or because I expected something bad would happen next.

Fast forward to today. I have learned the difference between a pessimist and an optimist is how you approach whatever your reality is. I like to think of myself as a rational optimist, which means realistically assessing a situation and believing you can eventually create a better reality.

If you haven’t taken this approach before—don’t worry!  You can start at any time. It’s all about believing in your own abilities and knowing that you have the capacity to improve. It took a lot of work over time to find my way to where I am today, and it’s possible.

This episode will provide ways you can start your own journey today to adopting a happiness mindset.

Throughout my career, I've reached out to many people I don’t know. It’s led to job opportunities, mentoring conversations, meaningful email exchanges, and learning.

This episode will provide you with a framework for your outreach email, and how that changes if you have an ask in there.

You probably already have someone in mind you’d like to reach out to. This is your chance!

Your One Bold Move: Reach out to someone you don’t know to offer thanks, ask them for advice, or invite them to meet with you.

Bonus: I share one of the emails you’ve sent to me about your #oneboldmove.

It’s not always true the faster you go, the quicker you get somewhere. Sometimes things are only meaningful when you pause to acknowledge why you’re working on them in the first place.

Research shows rest has many benefits to your physical and mental health, including increasing your creativity, motivation, and ability to make decisions, as well as decrease your stress level.

At some point, it’s not worth it to keep pushing. It may seem counterintuitive, but pausing can give you the focus and strength to keep going. To make your rest more productive, set some guidelines:

Clearly define what “rest” means to you.

Specify what your timeline is.

When you are ready to get back to your work, invite others to help you stay accountable to your goals.

Your One Bold Move: Rest. Then keep going, step by step.

Feedback.

What’s your response to that word? You might have unintentionally cringed or maybe you leaned in a bit. Either way, if you want to advance your career, you’ll have to get accustomed to hearing feedback about yourself.

I spent far too long avoiding feedback early in my career, so I know this personally. I believe I am working to be the best version of myself and I am committed to understanding what others need from me. And I know that’s what you want to do, too.

This episode provides tips on why feedback matters and how to respond when you get it.

Remember, feedback is a reflection of what a person is looking for from you, but it does not define you.

Your One Bold Move: Be open to feedback.

Are you the kind of person who believes you are fixed where you are or you can develop over time? Professor Carol Dweck at Stanford created the terms “growth mindset” and “fixed mindset” to describe how people think of their abilities and talents.

Growth mindset means not yet. It means you have to work to develop further. This way of thinking helps you be more open to when things don’t go as planned. (After all, right now, nothing is going as planned.) Trust that you have the ability to handle what is coming your way next and commit to your own continual learning. Catch yourself when you hear your thoughts or words veering toward a fixed mindset. Be open to feedback and try new things. Pro tip: Making your #oneboldmove is an excellent way to practice your growth mindset.

This episode provides tips for how to develop a growth mindset for yourself, and shares insight on the role this can also play in leadership and parenting.

Your One Bold Move: Commit to a growth mindset, because you believe in your ability (and others) to learn and grow.

#oneboldmove

When was the last time you paused to acknowledge or celebrate your progress? I suspect you are moving so fast to accomplish all of your tasks and goals that you don’t often stop to recognize how far you’ve come.

You forget how hard you worked to get that job, to get in that door, to get the yes. To get out of that trap, reflect on the process.

You are more than your outcomes.

This episode provides tips on how to recognize your own successes, including my favorite “Atta Girl” folder.

Your One Bold Move: Pause to celebrate your progress.

#oneboldmove

I hope you wake up every day believing in yourself. There are times, though, when it can feel harder to do this.

Maybe you’re just starting your career or at a new job, you’ve recently been promoted, or are returning to work from maternity leave. Whatever your circumstances, when you change what you have known, it can change your comfort level—and your confidence level.

This episode provides tips to build your confidence and grow your career at the same time.

Your One Bold Move: Believe in yourself.

#oneboldmove

You know the stack of cards at the bottom of your work bag with all those people you have been meaning to reach out to? Take the time to identify one person you most want to connect with again and send them an email.

This episode provides tips and a template for what to say in your outreach email (even if it’s been years since you last spoke to the person!)

Your One Bold Move: Reach out to reconnect with someone you met through your networking.

#oneboldmove

There’s a misconception that leadership means things just happen for you. You create your own opportunities. Tell your boss that you’d be interested in taking on an additional challenge and share your ideas for a project you have in mind.

This episode shares tips for how to determine which projects are right for you and how to share this with your boss.

Your One Bold Move: Raise your own hand.