Practical Wisdom Newsletter

From the editor…

Thank you for trusting me in your inbox. Most of you already know me and know that my mission in life has always been to help people find the resources, tools, support, and connections they need to find their best selves at work and in life. I am on a mission to help dispel the myth that there is work-life balance. The real goal in my opinion is to find work-life integration.

You should expect to get some great resources in this newsletter as well expect to find some resources that I have either created or curated. Resources will include both personal and professional topics as … again I believe in work-life integration so I find it nearly impossible to separate the two topics.

If you have specific topics you would like to see addressed in the newsletter, please feel free to drop me a line at coachjackie@jackieschwabe.com.

Any place you go: Starbucks, work, or home, can be transformed into a thriving atmosphere. It doesn’t take fancy equipment or money to make it happen either. A successful atmosphere just requires positivity, responsibility, movement, and organization — all skills you can learn and possess over time with practice and patience.

Transforming any atmosphere into a successful one is a crucial tool.

Understanding how your environment can harm you or help you is essential. To be sure that you achieve your goals and live the life you desire no matter where you are, considering your atmosphere is important.

The following are four tips for creating a successful atmosphere anywhere.

Declutter and Organize by Goal

Always start organized and only allow items that make sense into your life that can support your overall objectives. For example, maybe you need to get some writing done, but you have to work in the local Starbucks. Pick an area that is best suited for writing and don’t worry about anything else. If something doesn’t help you meet your objectives, like sitting outside on the patio to talk to friends that recently arrived, then don’t do it.

Ditch Negativity

Avoid negativity, but be cautious of toxic positivity too, where you brush off real problems rather than face them. Positive reinforcement allows you to manage your emotions and helps you finish your important tasks with a clear mind. On the other hand, the more you allow negativity to cloud your judgment, the less likely you are to make the right choices.

Practice Effective and Open Communication

A successful atmosphere also requires effective and open communication with those around you, and with yourself too. If you continue to let negativity cloud your judgment, you won’t be able to form a consistent action plan that achieves your goals. And without action, there is no success.

Take Responsibility and Action

The environments you are in, the people around you, or the tasks you procrastinate on are not excuses for your lack of success. To ditch negativity and always create an inviting and successful atmosphere, you must take responsibility and action where appropriate. Taking responsibility allows you to stay focused on what matters; your goal and the actions you take to live up to your full potential.

As you can see, the key to creating a successful atmosphere primarily lies within you. It’s totally reliant on your ability to be mindful. A successful atmosphere is void of negativity and toxic positivity. It requires focus, drive, and commitment to your goals. It requires taking responsibility and learning to create a relaxed, organized, and productive space.

By cultivating a successful atmosphere, you will be able to do what you need to do and live a happier and more fulfilling life.

Criticism is the expression of one’s faults or mistakes. It is often required if relationships are failing or work assignments are not up to par. Whatever the case may be, receiving criticism, even when needed, can feel harsh and painful.

No one likes to be recognized for something wrong, so it is only natural to feel bad when receiving criticism. However, receiving and accepting constructive criticism is vital to your future and success.

The following are five rules to follow to receive and accept criticism better.

Rule One: Expect It and Stay Positive

Don’t let criticism get the better of you or set you back. Instead, be ready for it — especially if you are in an environment where it is needed, such as your workplace or business. If you expect something, you can better prepare yourself and avoid adverse reactions.

Furthermore, this means you should assume positive intent in any criticism you receive. Within criticism is a valuable lesson to be learned that only makes you better. It doesn’t always need to be negative; if it is, it is likely destructive and you shouldn’t pay it any mind.

Rule Two: Listen Clearly First Then Ask for Clarity

Before you respond to criticism, be sure to listen clearly and understand what information they provide. Never assume or jump to conclusions, as this can make the situation negative and awkward for both parties. If it is your turn to speak, always ask questions to clarify your understanding or repeat their information. This way, they know you understand and that the information you are receiving is correct.

Rule Three: Give It a Label

After you get clarification, label the criticism. Ask yourself, “Is this criticism constructive or destructive?” While most criticism is helpful or constructive, there will be times when it is not.

The point of destructive criticism is to hurt you in some way or keep you down, which is why there is no point in spending time and energy on it. If it’s destructive, inform them that you thank them for their feedback and wish to discontinue the conversation. Destructive criticism is more about them than you. Any discussions will get you nowhere and only lead to you feeling bad about yourself.

Rule Four: Avoid Excuses and Acknowledge the Value

Suppose you have recognized that the criticism is constructive. In that case, you will most likely need to take responsibility. Apologize for your mistakes if needed and remember that this type of criticism is not a personal attack. It is there to help you grow and do better. Find the lesson and choose to learn from it instead of reacting poorly and defensively.

Rule Five: Look for Improvement and Take Action

The last rule to constructive criticism is to take action. Use the information as a tool to improve and do better next time. There is no point in dwelling on not being perfect or being upset that you may have disappointed someone when you now have the information to do better.

Following these rules is essential if you struggle with receiving and accepting criticism. Practicing the rules will allow you to find and take value from constructive criticism without debilitating you emotionally. Constructive criticism is a vital tool to improve your strengths, decision-making skills, and understanding of the world.

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Thank you for reading this week’s newsletter. Come back next week for more tips, tricks, freebies, and resources to help you be your best self at work and in life.