Facilitate Virtual Meetings

To facilitate a virtual meeting effectively, make it clear who is leading the meeting beforehand. Then when the meeting officially starts, have the meeting leader state the meeting's purpose and agenda. Adult learning theory shows us that adults don't just want to know something - they want to know why. So when you are overviewing the meeting's purpose, include why it matters to the meeting participants specifically. This will pique their interest and keep them more engaged. To help with this, share a specific agenda and goal/purpose for the meeting when you send out your meeting invite. Make it clear what you're wanting from participants. For instance, if you are going to ask for their feedback, let them know it ahead of time. This gives everyone clarity on why they are there and helps them come to the meeting ready to go.

Throughout the meeting, build in opportunities for participants to ask questions. It can help to have the meeting leader specifically call on people, one at a time, to have them share their view or ask questions. While this is likely different from how an in-person meeting would be conducted, it can help in the virtual format where there are lag times. It also helps because virtual meetings only share audio from one person at a time, which can create confusion and unnecessary waiting as people check to see who is going to keep talking. Having the meeting leader specifically choose a person to share will minimize this challenge. Because some are more introverted than others, if you plan on asking questions or for feedback about specific topics make sure the participants know this ahead of time so those who are more introverted or who like longer processing time have the opportunity to formulate their thoughts before the meeting begins. 

One tool that you can use to your benefit is your webcam. The meeting leader can create a sense of connection by turning their camera on. If you want participants to follow suit, then make sure you tell them this ahead of time so that they know to come camera ready. I also encourage meeting participants to hide their self view so that they aren't seeing their own video. This is a setting available in most virtual meeting platforms and it will help all be less self conscious because they'll be focused on the people speaking instead of staring at themselves, which can be distracting and draining. 

One way to balance a sense of connection while also helping people to focus on the meeting content is to begin the meeting with all cameras and mics on (let them know this is going to happen ahead of time). Let participants in a few minutes early to mimic in-person settings where folks may trickle into a meeting room early. This gives them a chance to catch up before the actual topic starts. Then once the meeting agenda is shared and any introductions are complete, you can request participants mute themselves to avoid unnecessary background noise. You can also let participants know they are welcome to turn off their camera when they're not speaking if they choose. This lets people be less focused on making sure they look okay (ex., is my light good, is my hair nice, do I look pleasant, are my kids/pets distracting in the background, etc.) and more focused on participating in the meeting discussion. Always have the meeting leader and anyone presenting keep their camera on though, as this encourages engagement. 

With these tips, your meeting will be purpose-led and heart-felt.

The Way You Get There Matters

The way you get there matters.

The life you want isn't worth it if you have to compromise who you are and what you value to make it happen.

Your character shouldn't have to crack for you to create the career of your dreams. So if you're working somewhere that doesn't value you, you don't have to simply put up with it.

Because if getting your ideal role means giving up self respect, the price is too high.

You deserve to be seen, to be heard, to be valued. But you can't wait for others to do this for you. It always starts with doing it for yourself first.

This doesn't mean you have to combatively make demands (remember, the way you get there matters).

But it does mean you can set boundaries. You can make it clear when you work, and when you don't. You can make it known what you're up for, and what you aren't.

You can walk away. You can set boundaries. You can show up for you, as you.

The way you get there matters. Don't lose yourself in the process of getting to your dreams. Because if that's what happens, the dream dies before you even arrive.

How to Get a Remote Job

How do you compare to other candidates wanting remote work?

With more candidates than ever wanting a remote role, competition for these limited jobs is intense! Here are some tips to stay ahead of the competition:

• Emphasize your ability to self manage: This will help remote managers be more at ease with hiring you to work in a remote or hybrid position

• Highlight your skills in communicating asynchronously and in written form: This is often how remote workers keep their teams up to date, so the more you can demonstrate your abilities to do this, the better

• Set clear hours for when you will (and won't) work: Having a structure in place and communicating your plans for this schedule can help hiring managers know what to expect and be confident in how (and when) they can count on you

• Use the word "remote" in your resume: This will help your resume stand out in applicant tracking systems so you're application is brought to the top of the stack

• Get familiar with remote platforms: When you know the terminology hiring managers use to explain the technologies they use to communicate or manage projects, it will help you to respond effectively to their interview questions

Fun is Essential

Alright party people. Sometimes we have to prioritize FUN.

It feels strange to put it on the to-do list.

But I find if I don’t, my ego comes up with all these excuses as to why it’s not important.

How it is something we get as a “reward” for working hard.

But the truth is…fun is essential.

It’s not the thing we get once we finish our task.

It’s the task itself.

It’s a huge part of the journey of why we’re here.

I’ve found of late, I’ve been missing the fun.

So today, my husband and I set our alarms early, (okay…not that early…), got up, and had ourselves some FUN.

We went to the grand opening of a coffee shop (turns out it was the wrong location, but that didn’t stop us from having fun getting out of the house!)

We walked the town, then walked the trail.

We saw deer, a crane (or at least I’m calling it that), something that was maybe an otter or maybe something else (I do not know my woodland creatures).

It was FUN.

We talked. We discussed childhood and friendships and change. We discussed the shifts we’ve been making and the dreams we have. We realized the control we thought we had that we actually don’t have. And how we’ve been gracefully (and sometimes not so gracefully) flexing with life as our perspectives have changed.

We had fun.

It was a rush.

I felt more alive than I’ve felt in a long time.

It didn’t matter that the dishes weren’t done. Emails went unanswered. Work was halted.

Because we let ourselves enjoy life. We rediscovered who we are.

And now, my soul feels full, and work itself feels more fun.

The Fun followed me home, right to my desk!

Having fun permeates. Throughout the whole day.

So it’s not the reward. It’s the task. Wait - it’s BOTH.

Fun first creates fun throughout.

Have yourself some fun folks. It’s essential.

Tips to Communicate During Mercury Retrograde

For those feeling the mercury retrograde - you're not alone! A consistent theme among my clients as of last week has been around communication difficulties.

3 takeaways to help clients communicate during this time:

1) People want to be seen and connect.

But we can't wait for them to make the first move. Often we stop our own ability to connect out of fear of rejection. But this just stops us from getting to be seen. When we get out of ego security mode and into soul connection (more on this in my soul activation training & certification), we can let ourselves truly see ourselves and others - even if they don't see us.

2) Two triggered people can't connect.

Often clients approach their loved ones, colleagues, and friends from a place of hesitancy, with their walls already up to guard themselves from being vulnerable. This makes it hard to truly connect with another, especially if the other person is feeling similarly. However, it only takes 1 untriggered person to make a connection. So if you want to connect but feel triggered, help yourself get regrounded (self coach, get a coach, or find an untriggered trusted friend to talk to). Or, ask your loved one if it's a good time to talk - if they say no (a cue that they too may be in a triggered state) - don't use it against them or try to force a conversation. Genuinely thank them because this can strengthen the relationship.

3) Everyone has a victim story, so how long do you want to lead with yours?

Commiserating with others can feel like connecting, but oftentimes it is simply two siloed people voicing their concerns without really hearing each other. So instead of leading with what is going wrong, consider how you're there supporting yourself. This can help put you back in a place of empowerment. Shitty situations happen. They are often not your fault (even though as egoic humans we like to assume we control everything). But they don't have to be your downfall either. Use them as opportunities for self-empathy, not self pity (more on this in my latest podcast episode on Your Work Your Way podcast).

Hope this helps all those feeling the retrograde!