Category: Inspirational

Coping with COVID: Generous Interpretations

Cherith AndesBlog, Inspirational, The Clairemont Team, , , ,

A personal essay

“The new normal.”

By this point, the phrase isn’t so new anymore. In fact, many large brands quickly adopted this mantra (along with a pervasive “we’re all in this together” motif) within days of the COVID pandemic hitting America.

Normal. It’s not new. It’s not even normal. Stay-at-home orders and the ever-shifting pandemic has reshaped our society in ways we don’t even know yet. During this time, what lessons are you taking with you?

I’m not necessarily talking about new ways of doing business (although those are key), new work methods or new apps. (But can I get an “amen” from those of us that caved to TikTok?) I’m referring to personal learnings that can range from big light-bulb realizations to quiet, evolving resolutions.

How will you come out of this season changed as a professional, spouse, parent, child, student, leader or friend?

Generous Interpretations

Researcher, speaker and writer Brene Brown weaves a theme through much of her work known as “generous interpretations.” In her book Rising Strong, she defines this as the ability to “extend the most generous interpretation possible to the intentions, words and actions of others.” In essence, when we are hurt, angered, confused or simply rubbed the wrong way, we choose to assume that the other person is doing the best they can and extend the most gracious assumption about his or her behavior until we have more information. Surely difficult in practice, this ongoing art can alleviate much conflict and unnecessary judgment in both professional and personal dynamics.

While Brene interweaves this concept with several other larger ideas, generous interpretations can stand alone. And I’ve learned that during COVID.

A Not-So-Generous Example

Let’s go super simple on this example, shall we? Not too long ago, I was on a WebEx conference call. (Shocker, I know.) The speaker was trying diligently to run through her talking points while one of the 28 people on the call was typing away noisily — rather rudely, I might say. Seriously. If you’re going to multi-task, at least have the courtesy to put yourself on mute. How basic is this principle, people?!

I was starting to form a miffed grudge against one lady in the group — the clear culprit — … only to realize 60 seconds later that the culprit was ME. (For the record, I was taking notes. But regardless!) A generous interpretation would have been to assume the other person simply forgot the mute button and was taking good notes. (The added kicker, of course, being that I was said culprit.)

Generously Putting It into Practice

Brene does clarify that “generosity is not a free pass for people to take advantage of us, treat us unfairly or be purposefully disrespectful and mean.” But whether it’s the coworker that “dropped the ball,” the in-law that seems to overcorrect your parenting or the neighbor that never mows his lawn, extend your most generous interpretation to their situations. Perhaps the neighbor got sick and can’t get out. Perhaps the coworker is working feverishly and is in the midst of researching additional information for the project.

Start from a place of grace, because as Brene also says, “Grace will take you places hustling can’t.”

What learnings are you taking with you this season? 

Looking for more? We’re sharing our tips to cope with COVID.

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Secrets of a Non-Multitasker

Cherith AndesBlog, Inspirational, Professional Development, , ,

It used to be a badge of honor — a sign of dexterity and skill. And as someone who prizes efficiency and accomplishment, I became enamored with this skill — this multitasking thing.

However, I stumbled on data that shocked my multitasking brain: what I thought might be saving me time was actually hamstringing my productivity. And because sharing is caring, here are a few fast facts that caused me to stop at least four of the nine things I was doing … and reconsider.

When you multitask, you’re actually wasting time.

Health.com research shows that you can’t actually do two things at once. Your brain simply switches back and forth between tasks quickly, creating the illusion of simultaneous activity. The act of switching between activities actually wastes time as you expend your energy on the switch, not the task. Also, as Health.com points out, “You never get ‘in the zone’ for either activity.” Bottom line: multitasking drains your resources and requires more time to get things done, not less.

Multitasking kills your work quality — and increases stress.

That’s a serious one-two-punch. The “skill” you imagine is boosting productivity actually damages your accuracy, making you more prone to mistakes. In addition, multitasking boosts the production of the stress hormone cortisol, causing us to feel exhausted an hour or two into the work day (or earlier!)

Multitasking lowers your IQ.

Yikes. A study from the University of London showed that those who were multitasking while undergoing a cognitive test experienced decreases in IQ commensurate with those who smoke marijuana or pull an all-nighter. In fact, Forbes points out at those who are multitasking function at a lower IQ level — often that of an eight-year-old child.

Multitasking squashes creativity.

Creative thinking and problem solving stems from uninterrupted concentration when you’re “entrenched” in a topic. Multitasking negates the ability to fully invest in one activity and hence hijacks the creative process. And in my line of work (or anyone’s, really!), great work comes from great ideas.

Multitasking beats up your memory.

A 2016 study showed that multitasking damages your memory in more ways than one. The exhausting act of task-switching hampers your brain’s working memory needed for in-the-moment productivity as well as your long-term memory.

These are hefty arguments to reconsider our multitasking ways. But really, I found a more compelling reason to change my approach to work, to relationships and to life.

We miss life.

I discovered that I was missing out. I was missing the moments that make life worth living. Not only are we ignoring vital cues like “Hey, maybe don’t walk in front of that bus while you’re texting.” But you’re missing the side-splitting sarcastic quip your significant other just made about the dog or your child’s biggest dancer twirl yet. You should be camera-ready in those moments, not nose-down on TikTok.

The COVID Stay-at-Home Order has filtered out much of the extraneous noise — extra dinner dates, must-do appearances and social obligations. And the moments that remain are brimming with relational richness and meaning. The precious FaceTime with a struggling friend. The impromptu laughs with a roommate. These snippets were here all along; they were just drowned by the pings of emails and calendar alerts.

Our responsibilities will still remain, but we now have a choice.

Simplify. Invest. Enjoy each moment to its fullest.

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Hop to it! The Power of Positivity

Kelli FletcherBlog, Inspirational, Professional Development

Last month, I ventured outside of #DTR (gasp!) to Durham for a workshop on positivity. The condensed program, hosted by Don Sandal of GoPositiv, was designed to promote happiness, positivity and optimism in the workplace, ultimately leading to higher performance.

I sat amongst 20+ other individuals who came to seek out the science behind what Don coined the “HOP (Happy, Optimistic, Positive) Mindset” and learn how to achieve it for ourselves. The change, Don insisted, begins with intention and continues with commitment. Four hours later, I left the workshop feeling refreshed and ready to implement some of the practices Don walked through in an effort to establish and build my personal HOP Mindset. While there’s a number of factors that can contribute to your positive position, here are three takeaways I found most valuable and have been putting into practice the last few weeks:

Gratitude Activity

I kick off each week with #GoalsandGratitude, listing three “goals” for the week followed by three “gratitudes” – things for which I’m thankful. My goals are simple. I want to meet them so I’m realistic. They include daily time entry at work or doing laundry before Friday. I’ve found that writing my goals down gives them power. Listing my gratitudes has become my favorite part. It allows me to pause and ponder what I’m truly grateful for in that moment. The list almost always includes a person in my life and a memory from the weekend. This small practice sets positive intentions for the week and lifts my mood instantly.

Acts of Kindness

I like to live by the mantra “live and help live.” We’re all just here trying to do our best, don’t you think? And sometimes, when we can’t be our best selves, we need a little help. Life is busy, but when I can, I try to look around – at the grocery store, in my neighborhood, at work – to see how I can help. Sometimes I pick up trash along the route of my jog. Sometimes I offer to watch my friend’s kid so she can run errands. When someone helps me, I’m surprised and thankful. When I help someone else, I feel proud and just plain good.

Reframe Negative Thoughts

For me, this has been the hardest, and I consider myself a positive person! Instead of letting a negative individual or situation snap me into a negative state, I work on reframing my view and finding a way to see the positive light. Reframing my negative thoughts takes some consistent practice, and it’s something I’ve far from perfected. But the days, weeks, months and beyond are a lot more fun when I don’t let my negative flurries snowball into a heap of worry.

If this all sounds simple, good. It should! However, retraining your brain to approach things in a positive light is actually harder than you think. It takes time and, even more, intention to not respond to negativity with … negativity. But it’s worth the practice. Because ultimately, achieving the HOP mindset places you at a competitive advantage not just in life but in the workplace, too. Instead of just identifying problems, you’ll be able to see solutions and offer strong, successful suggestions to colleagues and clients.

Want more tips on how to be more productive at work and in the PR field? Check out the Professional Development section of our blog!

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Where’s the Wonder?

Cherith AndesBlog, Inspirational, Professional Development, , , ,

I just ran across an Instagram graphic detailing 15 time management skills. This was after reading a blog on five ways to improve your writing, nine tips to produce error-free projects and three ideas to maximize your workflow.

Since when did life become one giant checklist?

The question gave me pause. Real pause. Like … enough that my 15 time management skills checklist wouldn’t have approved.

Originally, I ventured into marketing and public relations because of its open door into a world of creativity. While good PR is founded on thorough research and solid strategy, great PR adds the unexpected, a streak of color or a head-tilting idea. The industry has become steeped in analytics, big data and ROI. And yes, while we exist to achieve results, data is not the only goal.

What happened to sitting around the coffee bar spinning out “what if” scenarios? What happened to diving down a rabbit hole of reading just to indulge your inner nerd? What happened to team brainstorms that use crazy props like Play-Doh or Lucky Charms cereal boxes? (I’ve done both.)

What happened to the whimsy of creativity?

On a recent trip to Carolina Beach, I popped into a nook that housed a hybrid coffee shop, pastry mecca and used bookstore.

It was here that I stumbled on a blind date.

The book shop owner had repurposed a vintage card catalogue (Google that one, millennials and Gen Z) and filled its drawers with novels wrapped in brown paper and string. The paper read “Blind Date with a Book” followed by hand-scrawled reviews of the publication. Without the aid of cover art, I could only rely on the intriguing verbiage to get a sense of the secret gem wrapped in the paper.

It was delightful. No title. No images. Just tight, poignant phrases that thoroughly piqued my interest. Suddenly, all I wanted to do was dive nose-first into whatever book contained this “funny, barbed, delightfully winsome storytelling.”

And that’s what I want us to recapture. Just for a spell here and there, shake off the taskmaster of to-dos and deadlines. Let your curiosity wander. Explore a new corner. Try new words. Heck, take a different route to the grocery store. Creativity isn’t a task that can be defined, prescribed and checked off the list. It’s an attitude of pervading curiosity that leads to new ideas, fresh perspective and often, a fascinating journey.

What makes our work effective isn’t the efficiency; it’s the sense of play.

It’s time to reignite your wonder.

Looking for a place to start?

Check out our team’s sources of inspiration. 

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Seventy and Stronger Than Ever

Kelli FletcherBlog, Clairemont Client News, Inspirational

In a recent article on The Fine Line, client Carrie J. Knowles talks about embracing the milestone of turning 70 years old. However, Carrie’s philosophies on ways to make the most of your time as you age are valuable tips for a person of any age!

A former Piedmont Laureate, Carrie has penned countless stories, published five novels and earned more than 25 awards throughout her 45-year literary career.

Read on to enjoy The Fine Line’s full article and then head over to WRAL’s Voter’s Choice Awards to vote for Carrie as Best North Carolina Author.

Image from FineLineMag.com

Old is hot. Hot flashes. Hot topic.

In “Can We Live Longer but Stay Younger?” Adam Gopnik raises an interesting question: What if modern medicine and aging research could hold the clock steady on being middle-aged, thereby allowing us to get older without growing old? Think of being 70 or even 80 without worrying about climbing a flight of stairs or apologizing for being forgetful.

In May, the New York Times published two articles about aging in the style section: “Vanity Is Not a Deadly Sin. It’s One of Life’s Last Vital Signs,” by Ruth La Ferla, and “We Made Gray Hair Even Prettier With Pastels,” by Crystal Martin. Both articles made growing old and going gray sound like an invitation to a dress-up party.

I’m all for getting older with a little style in my step. For the first time in my life, thanks to the miracle of double cataract surgery, I can see well enough without glasses to artfully apply eye shadow and draw on a smooth bit of eyeliner. And you better believe I intend to fancy on some makeup every day for the rest of my life. It looks great. Makes me feel a touch glamorous and, most importantly, well-armored to go out into the world and have my say. You see, getting older, is no longer the voice-silencing, invisibility-inducing sentence it used to be.

Seventy is about more than feeling and looking good. Seventy is the new outspoken. And it’s about time.

Seventy is a privilege. It’s a gift. It’s about time we embraced that gift and used our years of making mistakes while doing some things right to be something better, do something bigger, and live larger, as though we don’t have enough time left to do anything else.

You think being 70 is hard? Try being 18. Can you imagine? Have you ever known such chaos? Such uncertainty? The stock market is bobbling at every tweet and tariff. Unemployment is up, then it’s down. Getting a college education costs more than ever before, and many are left paying off student loans for decades after graduation, making it impossible to get ahead, buy a house, or start a family. There’s climate change riding the winds of terrifying hurricanes, tornados, and flooding rains. There are whispers of war here, there, everywhere. School shootings — and guns — don’t get me started.

Too much is happening for us to be silent, and those of us lucky enough to be 70 have the protection of age to speak up. It’s time for us to step up to the plate, be the elders, the wise ones, the ones who have lived long enough to speak truth to power.

It’s time to find new ways to “act your age.”

1. Be a mentor. Find someone who can use your expertise, your help. It won’t be hard. Have coffee with them. Talk. Listen; especially listen. Offer support, direction, whatever is needed. It’s that helping hand thing and it works. When was the last time you had a conversation? A real one that mattered? This is your chance.

2. Pick an issue. Dealer’s choice. The environment. Politics. School lunches. Classroom size. Money for the arts. Guns. Voting rights. Climate change. Transportation. Health care. Pick one; then, do something about it. Now.

3.  Find a new hobby. It doesn’t matter whether it’s baking cakes, planting a garden, building birdhouses, or writing poems. Share what you love with someone. That’s how we build stronger communities. Make new friends. Create a kinder world.

4. Take care of yourself. Exercise even if you have never exercised before. Exercise your body — and your voice. Be strong. Be focused. Raise a little hell. Have a little fun, and don’t ever think for a minute that there’s nothing you can do to change things.

You’re 70 or maybe 80 or — hallelujah! — 90!

You’re not old. You’re one of the warriors.

All those years of living have prepared you for this chance to make a difference. Step out, step up, and speak up!

You’ll be surprised who is waiting to hear what you have to say.

This article originally appeared on Psychology Today.

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