Shift your perspective at work by telling yourself a different story

We all tell ourselves stories about work, and these stories shape the way we think, lead and make decisions. For instance, if the story that runs through your head all day is “Everything’s a battle in this office,” you’re more likely to expect hostility and be primed to attack. Negative stories like this one generally don’t help you, so consider shifting to a new narrative. Start by identifying a challenge you’re facing, and then ask: “What is the basic story I’m telling myself about this issue?” Consider how the story is affecting you and your team. Is it constraining or liberating? If the latter, think about what you’d like to change and how your story needs to shift. What reimagined (and true) version of the story would be more useful for pursuing your goals or doing things differently? Rewriting a story is often a matter of choosing to see a situation from a different, more positive, perspective.

(Adapted from “To Make a Change at Work, Tell Yourself a Different Story,” by Monique Valcour and John McNulty.)

Build a network that challenges your point of view

When your network is mostly people whose backgrounds and skill sets are similar to yours, it’s unlikely to help you find new ideas or creative solutions. Diversify your network by connecting with people whose viewpoints, insights and experiences differ from your own. When you meet someone new, talk about what you don’t have in common. Ask friends to introduce you to their contacts who have an interesting job or who work in a unique space. In particular, try to meet people who will challenge your assumptions and biases. If you’re struggling to build your network in the usual ways, create a reason to bring a diverse group together. For example, a monthly book club can give you the chance to hear a variety of perspectives, as well as to read authors you wouldn’t normally pick up. By making a concerted effort, you can develop a network that both inspires you and pushes you to expand your thinking.

(Adapted from “How to Diversify Your Professional Network,” by Amy Nauiokas.)

When starting a side hustle, focus on the right things

A side gig can be a great source of extra income, but when you’re launching one it’s easy to focus on the wrong things. For example, you shouldn’t be fretting over how much to pay for a fancy logo or website. In the early stages, those things aren’t critical. What is critical is determining whether you even have a business — meaning, do customers want to buy what you want to sell? Run a small, inexpensive test to see if there’s preliminary interest: If you’d like to write a book about a particular topic, write a blog post and see what the response is. If you’d like to start a coaching practice, take on a pro bono client and see how it goes. Most successful businesses do eventually need a nice website and a proper legal structure, but those complex and expensive steps can wait until after you’ve proven your idea.

(Adapted from “How to Get Your Side Hustle Off the Ground,” by Dorie Clark.)

Is it ok to tell a lie if your intentions are good?

People often lie in an attempt to be kind. (“You look great in that outfit!”) When is it OK to tell an innocuous fib, and when is the truth a better bet? Before you tell a white lie, ask yourself if you’re sure it will lead to a better result in the long run. Sometimes the answer will be obvious; in other cases it may not be so clear. Consider whether the other person prefers comfort or candour, as well as whether they want different things in different situations. If you don’t know, ask. With colleagues, for example, you could ask what type of feedback they generally appreciate, and when they want to hear tough but constructive criticism. But in most circumstances, as the saying goes, honesty is the best policy. If you’re not sure what to do, ask a group of people for advice — and if they don’t unanimously agree that a lie is OK, tell the truth.

(Adapted from “When Is It OK to Tell a Well-Meaning Lie?” by Adam Eric Greenberg et al.)

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, November 19th, 2018