Laura MacLeod's From The Inside Out Project

Back on vacation! Disconnecting in August. Back in September with pictures, stories and most valuable: Fresh and revived spirit. Easy to lose in the stress of work and life. Take time for YOU- need, want, love- From the Inside Out. See you in September!

Laura MacLeod- SMILE Mandatory- Really?! - https://mailchi.mp/be991c5d079f/purpose-and-you-17338191

Back from a week away- I vowed to have no work contact- and I did it! Truly wonderful. Cutting all ties felt uncomfortable at first (what was I missing?) but once I got acclimated and let go, it was terrific. Key to success: Be clear with work before you go so expectations on both sides are clear. Best way to recharge and regroup.

Do you WORK while on VACATION? Not the best way to relax, recharge and prevent burnout. Set expectations clearly to all- customers, clients, team, boss. Are you reading work emails, texts, taking calls, emergency (define this). Setting boundaries will give you peace of mind to focus on YOU. Here's my plan: NO contact! Back at the end of July to respond and post. See you then!!

Are you planning a VACATION? If so, you may be having trouble keeping yourself on track at work. Do your best to complete tasks and inform the team for ongoing projects. Preparation will ground you and give you freedom to fully enjoy your time off. I'm working on this now- all kinds of loose ends to tie up before I can confidently take off later this week. Not easy or fun but needed. More in the next post: Do you stay in touch with work?

Weekly memory: Look back to effectively move forward. Surfing with my husband John Holland in Hawaii. We spent more time in the water than up on the board, but had lots of fun. Great adventure but that''s it for our surfing career. Best to leave on this high note

What do you need from CUSTOMER SERVICE? I recently called customer service and spoke to several professional and efficient workers. BUT company policies and system wouldn't allow them to truly help me. Reps were apologetic and did their best but their hands were tied. If/when you complain (I did!) pinpoint the problem to shine the light on the company- not the employees.

ENDING my summer classes with a look back at our time spent together. Not just academic work- Connections, conflicts, challenges. You may want to just get out- thrilled to be finished, relieved it's over. Fine, but look closely- you may discover feelings and thoughts you didn't expect

Weekly memory: Look back to effectively move forward. FREEDOM TOWER- 2012- replacing World Trade Center at Ground Zero in NYC. Took the photo from Millenium Hilton- where I was working as a bartender. Posting this for July 4- Freedom, Independence and Progress post 911. Enjoy the holiday!

ADVICE may be free but did anybody ask? Offering your solution: You should....XYZ works great- too fast. No problem solving- just quick fix that makes you feel good. Take the time to really hear what's going on, reflect on need/desire (What do you want/need from me?) before sharing your thoughts or opinions.

What kind of CO-WORKER are you? Think about what you say- complaints, personal stories, politics, jokes- may be fine but maybe not. Watch for cues: no eye contact, shrugged shoulders, checking phone, furrowed brows. Not sure? Say it: Feels like my joke didn't land. Be aware of your effect on the team.

Weekly memory: Look back to effectively move forward. I broke this plate during COVID. I was in tears. The plate was a present from my father- giraffes were my favorite animal at the zoo. Losing it was too much in this already stressful time. Spent hours trying to glue and fix it, but finally gave up and took this photo. Remembering how things were- just a couple years ago.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW- How effective is it? Evaluation and direct feedback on how you're doing-definitely needed. BUT the system of labels or numbers is subjective and many feel not accurate. Ex: Nobody gets above 3 because you get a raise with 4 or 5. Outstanding or 5 is out of the question- workers would stop striving, do less. Go beyond the label/number- offer direct and specific feedback. Will be appreciated and reflected in the work.

Pride month brings up RESPECT. The word is thrown around a lot but what does it mean and what does it look like? Laughing or just going along with offensive jokes, ignoring negative and stereotypical comments- Not respect. Speak up to show your respect.

Weekly memory: Look back to effectively move forward. Summer takes me back to my first professional theatre job when I was still in high school. Here I am- one of my first photo shoots for Kenley Players Summer Stock Theatre, where I was in the chorus of several musicals. Great start and intro to show business

How will you celebrate JUNETEENTH? Take a moment to look at history and reflect on what this day means and what it meant in 1865. Enjoy the day off and thank those who are working.

Laura MacLeod- Purpose and YOU! - https://mailchi.mp/cd913678bfa0/purpose-and-you

How do you ENGAGE your team? If you're meeting and training on Zoom or Teams, connecting and interacting may feel impossible. Try cutting back on powerpoint and using the WHITEBOARD. Writing on the board- info needed and responses from the team- gives the group a focus point and clear way to share thoughts and questions. Great way to increase participation and collaboration

Weekly memory: Look back to effectively move forward. Baseball season- Mr. Met with my husband at LIC High School- 2017. Mr. Met hasn't changed- happy no matter what. Not so easy for Mets fans, who ride a roller coaster with team highs and lows. Keep the highs in mind now- hope desperately needed in 2024

Do you use POWERPOINT? Meetings, trainings, virtual work- common way to fill the screen. Easiest way to share info but no engagement. Message is clear: Here's what you need to know- get to work. No invitation to collaborate, question, disagree, offer feedback. Cut back on powerpoint and add direct connection. Stay tuned to future posts to see how

CONFLICT at work is no picnic but it's got to be managed, For Pride Month, I'm sharing this article I wrote specifically about LGBTQ workers- but the conflict strategies apply to all. What to do when the joke isn't funny. Take a look

LGBT Conflict in the Workplace: What to do when you don’t think it’s funny Conflict in the workplace takes many forms, and runs the gamut from passive aggressive behavior to blatant bullying. LGBT employees may experience any and all types of conflict simply because they are

Weekly memory: Look back to effectively move forward. With our guide in CapeTown, South Africa. When we travel, connecting with local guides and hearing their stories is terrific and has a huge impact on our trip. We love this and are always sad to leave new friends.

GRADUATION- Celebrating accomplishments and moving into something new. Congrats to all! Enjoy this time BUT be ready for the emotions that come with CHANGE: sadness, regret, anxiety, maybe loneliness or anger. Move through- not avoid- to get to where you want to go next.

Today is National LEAVE OFFICE EARLY DAY. Not sure I understand the purpose. Get your work done quickly and go or just go early- whether finished or not? Front line workers- doormen, teachers, waiters, nurses, security- can't leave until their replacement shows up, so this day is useless to them. No need for this special day. Work effectively so you can take time off or leave early if possible- always. Not just June 3.

Weekly memory: Look back to effectively move forward. Camp Osoha- summer camp in Northern Wisconsin Learned canoeing and horseback riding and rewarded for good table manners and cheerfulness. This 'distinguished camp for girls' gave me life long friends and plenty of memories

JOB INTERVIEW! Graduation leads to job hunting. How will you do? Prepare to feel confident and do your best. What do you have to offer? Think beyond specific skills or experience. Your humor, empathy, collaboration/connection. All this is what the interviewer will see and evaluate. Knowing yourself is the first step.

MEMORIAL DAY. What do you know about it? Day off, unofficial start of summer, always on Monday. Easy to skip over the history and why it's a holiday. Take a look at this- learn more about the holiday. You can still enjoy the long weekend!

Memorial Day 2024: Facts, Meaning & Traditions | HISTORY Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day started in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971 to honor those who served and died in wars.

Weekly memory: Look back to effectively move forward. Ranch in Wyoming with my husband- Summer 2021. Thinking of this as summer approaches and I consider Mental Health Awareness Beauty of nature, clean air, freedom from technology (no cell, TV, computer). Loved it. Sore legs and fatigue- not fun but worth it.

Do you give ADVICE? Colleagues, friends, family come to you with a problem. Consider what they need and want- vent and be heard, guidance, support, problem solving or something else. Jumping in to fix it- You should..... may feel like you're helping, but are you? Too fast to really pick apart what's going on and fully work through. Listen, sit with it and ask about need if it's not clear