OG Tuesday Issue #210

🧠 Tech: How the idea of ‘brain transparency’ could alter employer-employee relationships.

❤️ Health: Your heart health is another good reason to push back against unreasonable workplace stress.

✨ Creativity: Four inspiring personal stories about turning rejection into a positive learning experience.

📊 Leadership: A new report on women CEOs in America paints a mixed picture about progress toward gender equity at work.

Be heard more fully and more often by using the HAIL communication technique.

It’s so easy to practice, you can do it every day. Simply remember to practice HAIL every time you hail (as in greet, salute, or welcome) someone.

H – Honesty

Speak truly, candidly, and clearly.

A – Authenticity

Try to channel the way you speak, move, and feel during the most rewarding and natural interactions you share with loved ones and friends.

I – Integrity

Act as you speak. Demonstrate the behaviors you champion. Back up your claims and ideas with action.

L – Love

We’re not suggesting you have to love everyone you communicate with. Just try to approach all your interactions, even those you fear could escalate into conflict, with warmth, curiosity, and positive intention.

Simplify your workday with Rippling—the all-in-one HR platform that takes care of the heavy lifting.

From syncing employee updates to super-fast onboarding, Rippling has you covered.

And the best part? You’ll snag a $100 gift card just for giving it a look.

Ready to make your life easier?

Learn more about Rippling here.

One TA reader wants to stay organized without spending all their time staying organized:

“The biggest challenge I have is not staying organized. The to-do list continues to grow and there is not enough time in the day to get it all done!”

We’re so glad you raised this issue, and TBH, it seems like you’re already onto the solution.

“There is not enough time in the day to get it all done!”

Even without looking at your to-do list, we feel confident that what you said is not hyperbole or excuse. It’s just a fact. Your task load outweighs the time you have available to complete it.

That’s kind of a hard pill to swallow. Most of us want to believe that if we just work really really hard, if we just get super shrewd about task and time management, we’ll find a way to get it all done.

Unfortunately, that’s also the kind of mindset that can push you straight down the path to burnout and even worse mental wellness issues, especially when the urge to get everything done leads to self criticism for not being able to get everything done.

That’s why, as they say, the truth will set you free.

You simply do not have enough time to get all your currently planned tasks done.

You also, unfortunately, cannot make more time.

But there’s a compromise: You can reach a sweet spot where you are getting it all done, but it might require that you do some intentional downsizing and adjusting.

Luckily, there’s no shortage of tips for approaching that challenge. We hope you find one that inspires you from the handful below.

Cultivate a “choose to” mindset instead of a “have to” mindset.

Approaching to-dos from this lens doesn’t just feel better. Giving yourself permission to choose what to do instead of operating as though you absolutely must do everything could be the most natural way to reduce your task load.

⭐ Read all about this tip from The Mother Nurture Blog.

Be more selective about what tasks you really need to plan for.

“The idea of to-do lists isn’t to micromanage yourself. If you have to refill your stapler, don’t put it on your list,” say the workforce management experts at Spica. “Think less about smaller tasks and more about experiences, improvements, outputs, and stories that you can break down into tasks which can be performed in a 2-hour working flow.”

⭐ Read more sage to-do list advice from Spica.

Go analog.

“[. . . ] in my experience, analogue pen and paper systems are often the simplest and most efficient ways of keeping focused week by week,” writes business strategist Karen Skidmore. “Yes, if you have a team working on different parts of a big project, an online project management system can be critical to keeping everyone aligned and ensure the deadlines are met. But my advice to you is to try a simple analogue system first; flip charts, whiteboards and an online diary are the three productivity tools that have worked best for me over the past 15+ years.”

⭐ Escape the never-ending to-do list trap with business strategist Karen Skidmore.

Zoom in to feel more fulfilled about what you do accomplish.

“Striving to complete an ever-growing list is unrealistic and stressful. So, the best thing you can do is change how you measure success throughout your day,” says Clarity Club founder Ronald L. Banks.

“Here’s something that has been working for me. I consider my day successful if I accomplish my three key priorities. This shift removes the pressure to be hyper-productive and allows you to appreciate your achievements. Any additional tasks completed are bonuses, not expectations.”

⭐ Read more about finding clarity within an ever-growing to-do list.

If you relate to not having enough time in the day to get all your tasks done—you’re not alone, but it’s time to make your to-do list work for you, not against you.

monday.com helps you get intentional with your tasks. It’s designed for anyone who wants to:

• Prioritize what really matters: Focus on high-impact tasks instead of getting bogged down in the small stuff.
• Stay organized without the overwhelm: Keep track of projects, avoid burnout, and make informed choices about what you take on.
• Collaborate seamlessly: Ensure your teammates are always on the same page, even when things are hectic.
• Visualize your progress: Use tools like color coding, custom deadlines, and task breakdowns to celebrate what you accomplish.

Whether you need a simple system or a powerful platform, monday.com can help you find that sweet spot where you’re staying organized without spending all your time organizing.

Try it for free and see if it works for you.

“Do the work that scares you.”

Sticking to this mantra made me take on projects outside my comfort zone, and those have been the biggest catalysts for my growth.”

— Megan R., Marketing Director.

😴 Want better sleep? Try mouth tape to keep those snoring sounds at bay.

📝 Boost your brainstorming sessions with Miro—our favorite visual collaboration tool.

📒 Keep your finances on track with this budget planner.

📚 Embrace the art of doing less with Slow Productivity by Cal Newport.

🚨 Job Ops: Visit our job board here.