Break out of a rut with creative solutions for getting back into flow You probably know Rusty. Rusty was very knowledgeable at his job and was highly motivated — a great employee and asset to his company. Then Rusty was required to stay in the house for months with little interaction or engagement with his coworkers and customers, and he started to lose some steam. Then — hooray! — his world started opening back up, and he was excited to pick back up where he left off. And then … once again Rusty found many of his in-person meetings canceled and his clients’ offices off limits. With that momentum slowdown, in addition to the normal post-holiday acclimation period, Rusty isn’t feeling as on top of his game as he once was. In fact, he feels … well, a bit Rusty. If you look in the mirror sometimes and see Rusty, here are some ideas to try: Schedule one hour a week for learning. Take a course through your employer, sign up for training through LinkedIn or organizations in your field and industry, or check out Coursera, Lynda.com, Udemy, or similar inexpensive options. Review industry websites and publications, watch a Ted Talk or other video, read a business or self-improvement book, or listen to a podcast or audiobook related to your field and/or something you want to know more about. Schedule a 30-minute meeting with your manager or a peer and talk about one or two business-related topics. Make sure this is understood to be a safe zone for both. It’s about growth and development. Ask for feedback, and receive that feedback openly and honestly. Reevaluate your workspace and remove any distractions that may be preventing you from fully entering flow. Example: Put your phone on focus mode. Set aside uninterrupted blocks of time on your calendar to complete projects. Close out of your email when you are trying to focus on an important task. When you are feeling stuck and a bit Rusty, take notes. Writing down your questions will allow you to spend the time to gain the information you need later. Help others with their questions — not only with the answer, but also by explaining the “why” behind it. A full explanation will not only embed the information in that person so they most likely won’t have to ask again, but it will also help cement the knowledge even more solidly in your own mind. Plus, helping another person in any way is always one of the best things you can do to get unstuck! Get your creative juices flowing with art, music, journaling, meditation, a mindful walk, even dancing — anything that gets you out of your regular day-to-day rut. Finally, be sure to take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating as healthily as you can, staying hydrated, moving your body, taking physical and mental breaks throughout the day, and whatever else makes you feel grounded, strong, and motivated. We all have a “Rustyness” in us from time to time — but we can overcome, get back out there, and grow and progress even further than we ever have before!
A New Workout: STATE NATIONAL'S TRAINING DEPARTMENT OFFERS SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW YOU CAN STRETCH YOURSELF FROM ‘EXIST’ TO ‘GROW’ In 2020 and for at least part of 2021, many of us went into “Exist” mode with our lives. How can we push past this? Exist When you look back on your life, you will probably not find many times where you have had to slide back into just the basics. Our mindset and our habits changed. This extended period played tricks on us and changed how we see things. So what do we do to break out? Inquire & Interact We can begin by having brief conversations, then meetings with family and friends and eventually coworkers. Challenge yourself to make “Inquire & Interact” an active part of your day. Reach out to colleagues and friends whom you have not reached out to in a long time. Ask about how they and their families are, and how are they approaching work. Engaging with one another is a basic and fundamental component of human existence. The more you interact on a daily basis, the quicker you will become stronger and more confident. Grow It may take some time, but eventually you will find that these inquires and interactions are actually helping you expand yourself. Maybe you already used time during the pandemic to grow personally, by baking bread, losing weight, or taking on a new hobby. As your confidence grows, the desire and need to grow professionally will come to the forefront. Think: How can you propel your skills? How can you work toward a promotion? How can you be a better asset to your employer, your family, your community, and yourself? Reach out to find ideas and assistance from colleagues and mentors, seek training in the form of books, classes, and online workshops, and look for areas where you want to learn more and GROW!
A Mantra for Better Service and Continual Growth
Through “Intrapreneurship,” Employees Help Drive a Company’s Success — Including Ours! At State National we know we have an incredible amount of talent within our organization, so we have always looked inside to our team members and internal clients to harvest new and better ways to do things.
Director of Learning and Development David Holmes shares how combining social and emotional awareness with a client-first mentality is paramount in creating a culture of constant service at State National. Find out 3 components of this awareness you need to develop strong EI and ask yourself, “How will this idea improve the client experience?”
