🧡 You need a vacation

Hello and Happy Thursday!

Is it just me or does this summer seem busier than usual?!

We are in the final stretch of the summer season and I’ve personally been juggling so much that it feels like summer has completely passed me by. This past Saturday, I got to celebrate my nephew’s third birthday and then spent the rest of the afternoon at a friend’s lakehouse.

As I was sprawled on a beach chair by the shore, it hit me that it was the first time I’d really spent “doing summer things” this year. Yes, I’ve been out for walks with my dog and have grabbed a couple hours here and there in the backyard, but I haven’t made time for all the summer adventures that usually mark this season for me.

A few issues back, I shared that scaling Want To Work There has been a labor of love these last six months. I’ve been putting in extra long hours to keep all the plates in the air and make sure that both our clients and my new team members are having a great experience.

In reality, I’ve probably said yes to more than I should have - a lesson that I need to relearn every year, it seems. Even as I sit here writing this, I’m stressed about three more things that need my attention tonight before I go to bed.

And then there’s the tiny reminder in the back of my brain that is wrestling out from underneath a pile of laundry. ::Yes, I have to imagine my “brain laundry” is as unfinished as the pile currently waiting to be folded on my living room chair.::

Bravely it squeaks, “I’m proud of you” amongst all the louder shouts of, “How could you miss that deadline?!” “You’re clearly not cut out to run an actual business!” and “Do you even care about your bestie - because you definitely haven’t texted her in weeks!?”

That brave little voice in my head deserves to be amplified - and so does yours. Take a minute this morning, quiet your inner critic, and be open to the message that emerges.

Whatever it is, I know it’s what you need to hear at this moment. Your brave inner voice will never steer you wrong, if you just get quiet enough to hear it.

You know what else won’t steer you wrong - some time off. Whether it’s a half day or a full month (my friend Podge does just that every August!), I hope you schedule some time off to enjoy something deliciously summer-focused this month. 

To help you out, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite time-saving resources that should make it just a little bit easier to step away. 

Yours in making the most of August,

 Jill 

P.S. In addition to life’s normal craziness, election news continues to throw us curveballs (a lot of them!!). In case you missed it, last week we talked about 6 questions your leadership team needs to consider for handling the election season in the workplace. This is a great place to start if you’re wondering “how on earth are we going to navigate this?!” 

Steal back some time

As I alluded to above, it’s been a particularly crazy season of my life lately. When things get extra busy, I usually find myself staring at a computer screen, unsure of where to even begin tackling my “brain laundry” ever-growing to-do list. Pure overwhelm paralysis. Anyone else?

If you’re finding yourself in a similar spot, first, remember that you are not alone in this feeling, and it’s okay to feel frustrated and overwhelmed. Second, pause, breathe, and remind yourself that you can do it! With some confidence, a touch of caffeine, and a little help from the tools and strategies below, your pencil will be on fire from checking things off your list.

 Let’s get started!

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate

Sometimes the answer to getting everything done is not doing it all yourself. I used to think it was easier to just do things myself than to spend time offloading them to someone else, but trust me, spending that time delegating did so much for my stress levels - and helped me work through my to-do list quicker. Check out this newsletter from June where we talked all about delegation - the reasons we might avoid it and actionable tips for getting started.

If you’re struggling to delegate (it’s a learned skill!), set aside some of your precious time to sharpen those skills. Here’s a course and a resource we recommend, if you’re not sure where to start. While delegation does take some effort up front, I’ve found that the compounding benefits are more than worth the investment!

Time-Saving Tools

Finding the right tool for the job can be a lifesaver, and there are a million out there for every type of issue. Here are a few of our faves:

1. Scribe for process documentation. A big obstacle to delegation is the time needed to get someone else up to speed to handle a project. Save your future self that time by building an SOP doc, training guide, or list of FAQs using this auto-capture tool.

2. Loom for meeting replacement. This screen recording tool allows you to explain a project, answer a question, or demonstrate a process in a time-saving manner. It’s our #1 most-used tool around Want to Work There! Loom will also create an AI-supported transcript and summary, making it easy to understand the content at a glance. Think of it as a way to have face-to-face asynchronous meetings. 

3. Voice Memos for sharing quick thoughts. If you aren’t harnessing the power of this little tool built right into your phone, it’s time to start! Instead of sending a long text or email, send a 2-minute voice memo with your thoughts. You’ll be able to communicate your ideas thoroughly and your team members can listen when they have time! If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your number, give Voxer a try. 

4. Your AI tool of choice to keep things moving. You knew this was coming! AI can be a great place to turn when you get stuck on a task or keep putting something off. It can be easier to edit an ChatGPT-drafted email or policy instead of starting from a blank page. There are also some great note-taking AI apps, like Otter, that can allow you to focus on the meeting and will even create a list of action items.

5. Honorable mention: Setting boundaries. Set expectations with those around you on how long tasks actually take to complete. Say no or push back if a project has unreasonable expectations. Here’s a reminder of how to do it.

Get Help from Experts

While this is quite an obvious statement, I think it’s worth saying: there are experts in almost any field who can help you!! Here are three services we recommend using if you’re feeling overwhelmed:

1. If part of your work this summer includes evaluating a new HR, ATS, or Payroll Software, our friends at SelectSoftware Reviews are an incredible resource. You tell them everything you’re looking for in a software platform and they recommend the one that’s right for you. Get your free HR software matching service here.

2. Feel like you’re teetering on the edge of burnout? (or maybe you’re already there?) Friend of Want to Work There, Kari Ginsburg, offers “unconventional executive coaching for experienced women and femmes.” Color us intrigued! Learn more here.

3. Virtual assistants FTW! Trusty Oak matches business owners and executives with US-based virtual assistants to help you spend more time doing what you’re best at. We’ve worked with Trusty Oak before and can verify: they’re a team worth trusting!

Lastly, create time for a break (like, a true break. No Slack, no email, no “work stuff”).

I booked a cabin in Minnesota so I can get some much needed rest, and a member of our team recently stayed at a Getaway tiny cabin and LOVED it. You don’t have to take off a whole week - steal away for whatever time you can find, even if it’s an hour or two where you’re not online and you get to do the things you love. 

You are entitled to guilt-free time away from work, and I hope you take it!