Cal Wilson / February 20, 2024

Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella once said, “don’t be a know-it-all, be a learn-it-all.” 

Adopting this attitude, one devoted to continual learning, proactivity, and humility with regards to what you do not yet know, will get you far. In this issue of the Pulse, we look at how to adopt this mindset and the advancements it can bring to both your personal and work life.   

Make learning a priority.  

Nowadays, most careers expect you to have a motivated attitude towards professional development. In fact, according to Harvard Business Review, “adaptive and proactive learners are highly prized assets for organizations, and when we invest in our learning, we create long-term dividends for our career development.” 

When you don’t prioritize your lifelong learning, it can have a negative impact on your career and life in the long term. For example, it can: 

• Prevent opportunities for career development and new, exciting trajectories. 
• Reduces our resilience and adaptability.  
• Leave us behind as the world advances with new technology, methods, and trends. 
• Leave us feeling unmotivated and unfulfilled. 

On the other hand, investing intentionally in lifelong learning leads to: 

• Continuous growth. 
• Flexibility in a variety of situations and challenges. 
• Improve problem-solving skills. 
• Enhanced confidence. 
• Better relationships and ‘people’ skills. 
• Cognitive health and longevity. 

Work is the perfect place to practice continual learning.  

You might associate learning with school or personal endeavors but given the amount of time we spend at our jobs, the workplace is actually the ideal environment to adopt an ‘always learning’ mindset. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be as complicated as enrolling in another degree or taking additional classes. You can learn every day, often without spending a dime or adding too much more to your plate. 

So, how do you do it? 

Being mindful about the work you already do is a great way to start. For example, you can optimize the following daily activities to contribute to continuous learning: 

• Collaboration – every colleague or contact offers a unique perspective, and taking the time to listen and learn from them will vastly diversify your mindset.  
• Embracing curiosity – follow your motivation and your instincts by actively seeking out new information and experiences within your industry. 
• Seek feedback – proactively make time for mutual feedback from peers and mentors to identify areas for development.  
• Don’t avoid failure or mistakes – experiment outside your comfort zone and embrace opportunities as they arise.  
• Seek out challenges – whether it’s situations that are new to you, or people to collaborate with who have different backgrounds and experience. 
• Ask the right questions – questions that challenge existing methods and assumptions and might spark innovation. 

What else can you do? 

Outside of your regular activities, there are other strategies to implement. Some of these include: 

• Creating manageable goals and holding yourself accountable to them. 
• Diversify your learning sources – branch out and explore new learning sources and formats, including books, articles, podcasts, online courses, workshops, webinars, and seminars. 
• Practice cognitive unloading – when you transfer something from your head into the physical world, like jotting down a note on a piece of paper, you are making space in your brain by physically unloading thoughts. 
• Create a habit tracker – write down all the actions and activities you do by default over the course of a week to see what is contributing to your learning and development and what is not.  

Unlearning is important to continually learning.  

As Harvard Business Review explains, “unlearning means letting go of the safe and familiar and replacing it with something new and unknown. Skills and behaviors that helped you get to where you are can actually hold you back from getting to where you want to be.” 

To practice continual learning and development, unlearning is crucial. Maybe you need to unlearn sticking to your comfort zone, people pleasing, or avoiding collaboration. Whatever it is, it’s crucial to make sure you’re actively breaking patterns. 

At first, this process can be uncomfortable, but in the long run, will be great for your career development and overall wellbeing.  

In conclusion… 

There are immense benefits to adopting an attitude of lifelong learning. And the best part? It doesn’t take a drastic life change; just small adjustments to the way you already do things and unlearning unhelpful patterns.  

Cal Wilson / February 6, 2024

Have you ever considered that corporate strategy might apply to your own life? No? Well, think again. In this issue of the Pulse, we share a video from Harvard Business Review, in which expert Rainer Strack asks seven questions which can clarify what really matters to you and help you build your own life strategy. 

Rebecca Enter / January 23, 2024

A great personal goal for the year ahead is to prioritize maintaining your work-life balance. Most of us will likely admit that the “life” part of the balance needs more prioritization because after working an 8-hour day and a full week of work, we are tired and struggle with prioritizing personal needs. 

When the weekend rolls around, Business Insider reports, “most people aren’t feeling refreshed or rested after their days off.” People often spend their spare time watching TV, scrolling social media, or relaxing at home, thinking it will help them decompress from responsibilities. As time-management coach Alexis Haselberger says, “it does [help] in the moment, but then it doesn’t. And then we’re scrambling to do all of the things.” 

Does any of this sound familiar? 

Haselberger reports, “a lot of her clients struggle with relaxation and putting work down.” But just like in our diets, to stay healthy and energized for the long haul, people need variety. We tend to fall into a trap of believing we can be productive all the time, however, that is hard, if not impossible, for many individuals to achieve. 

What is work-life balance exactly? 

As an Australian government blog healthdirect explains, “work-life balance is about finding a way to manage the demands of your work or study with your personal life and the things that top you up. 

A good work-life balance means you have harmony (most of the time) between the different aspects of your life. Outside of work you will have time to spend on other things, such as caring for yourself and your family, and leisure activities.” 

So how does one realistically achieve work-life balance? 

In a perfect world, we would all be able to handle the needs of our jobs, personal lives, and feel completely satisfied with our ability to fill our own cup. However, if you’re struggling to achieve that balance, some helpful strategies are practicing time management, setting boundaries, prioritizing relationships, focusing on personal health, and trying new things.  

Laura Vanderkam, the author of 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think, recommends planning your time by thinking about it in chunks: weekday evenings, weekends into segments for each morning, afternoon, and evening. Viewing your free time with this schedule can help you plan fulfilling moments into your downtime; such as a Friday evening with friends, a Saturday morning spent sleeping in, and chores on Saturday afternoon. Planning out your free time helps keep you from writing unrealistic to-do lists and winding up unsatisfied when you don’t get ‘enough’ done. 

Learning to accept minor things like mess and unorganized workspaces at work and focus on giving yourself a break when you don’t have the energy to cook from scratch or tidy your home leads to lower stress levels. Consciously managing our self-care efforts often leads to better outcomes at work too. If you can find a good balance between work and other demands, you are likely to be happier, more productive, take fewer sick days, and stay in your job for longer. It might take some time, but small daily or weekly habits can make a huge difference in the long run. 

In conclusion… 

Work-life balance is quite difficult to perfect. Often one aspect of your life tips the balance of the scales. Active practice of prioritizing your well-being by taking time to do things you love and maintaining your physical health are top ways to help you prioritize the life part of your balance. Sadly, there is no quick-fix to achieving work-life balance and is a life-long exercise. 

Cal Wilson / January 9, 2024

In making its annual predictions for the upcoming year, Gartner projected that a “perceived decay in the quality of social media platforms will drive 50% of consumers to abandon or significantly limit their interactions with social media by 2025.” With users experiencing significant frustrations with platforms like X – formerly Twitter – over the past year, this prediction doesn’t seem to be totally out of left field. 

In this issue of the Pulse, we take a look at the likelihood that social media is headed for a slump.  

Gartner’s predictions. 

Gartner conducted a survey of 263 consumers “between July and August of 2023 found 53% of consumers believe the current state of social media has decayed compared to either the prior year or to five years ago.” 

The top reasons cited for this perceived drop in quality include: 

• Misinformation. 
• Toxic user bases. 
• Bot prevalence. 
• Concern over the use of AI. 

Gartner predicts that user distrust over AI, specifically, will lead to a landscape in which brands will position themselves as different because of a lack of AI in their business and products.  

Social media has become too corporate. 

According to The New York Times, one of the big problems with social media right now, is that it‘s becoming less social.  

“The kinds of posts where people update friends and family about their lives have become harder to see over the years as the biggest sites have become increasingly ‘corporatized,’” explains lead consumer technology writer Brian X. Chen. “Instead of seeing messages and photos from friends and relatives about their holidays or fancy dinners, users of Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter and Snapchat now often view professionalized content from brands, influencers and others that pay for placement.” 

For many users, who are simply looking to connect with like-minded individuals, this is a significant turn-off.  

Is social media dying? 

You’ll find no shortage of headlines proclaiming the end of social media’s reign – and it’s true that users’ time online is decreasing overall. However, this doesn’t mean social media is on its way out. Apps like WhatsApp and TikTok, for example, are more popular than ever. But the lack of trust and disillusionment with social media does mean the landscape is changing.  

Industry experts have noticed the following trends: 

• Users are increasingly limiting their interactions to ‘close friends.’ 
• Users are experiencing increased sales fatigue.  
• More and more users are paying to go ad-free.  

Essentially, increasingly, the average social media is looking to fine-tune their interactions, and be sold to less.  

What does this mean for businesses and organizations? 

Many businesses and organizations rely on social media for digital marketing strategies. While this is by no means a signal to jump ship, it does mean that leadership should consider diversifying customer acquisition and retention methods.  

Keeping on top of consumer social media trends and complaints will go a long way in avoiding being a brand that alienates its online audience.  

In conclusion… 

Social media is changing. Or, it has changed, and consumers are responding, preferring a less corporate experience online. As brands continue to practice digital marketing, keeping this disillusionment with today’s social media landscape in mind will be critical for success.  

Cal Wilson / December 19, 2023

It’s that time of year again. The time to start feeling the pressure and, let’s be honest, the pain of setting resolutions for the next 365 days. While having goals and plans in mind is a great practice, New Year’s resolutions have a reputation for falling through. Why is that? 

In this issue of the Pulse, we take a look at the longevity of New Years Resolutions, and discuss how to set goals that are more likely to succeed.  

Why do your New Year’s resolutions fail? 

If you’re one of the many who has suffered year after year with failed resolutions, it might start to feel like a statement about you, but you’re not alone. Whether your resolutions are professional or personal in nature, here are some of the reasons they might fail: 

• Unrealistic goals. 
• Lack of specificity. 
• Too many resolutions.  
• Poor planning. 
• Lack of accountability. 
• Impatience. 
• Poor adaptability. 
• Lack of motivation. 
• Failure to form new habits.  
• Negative mindset.  

Of course, life also happens. External events and anomalies can always get in the way, despite your best intentions and efforts. A fitness goal faithfully followed can easily be ruined by an unrelated injury. Sometimes, it’s truly out your control. But most of the time, it’s not. 

How can you resolve these issues? 

Apart from external events getting in the way, all of the above listed problems are can be resolved. When creating resolutions, whatever they may be, be mindful of these common reasons for failure, and aim to avoid them with the following strategies.  

Set realistic resolutions – and in realistic quantities.  

Setting overly ambitious or unrealistic goals can lead to disappointment. Likewise, trying to make too many changes at once can be overwhelming. A lack of focus can result in spreading oneself too thin and not making meaningful progress in any particular area. 

Be clear and specific about what you want to achieve, focusing on what is reasonably attainable. Instead of a vague goal like “grow a better professional network,” make it specific, such as “attend two networking events per month.” 

By creating clear goals that are within your reach, you avoid frustration and discouragement, and ensure there are ways to hold yourself accountable.  

Have a plan. 

Saying you’re resolved to do something isn’t enough. Without a detailed strategy, people may struggle to translate their intentions into actionable steps. Consider: 

• Divide larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. This makes it easier to track progress and prevents feeling overwhelmed. 
• Set deadlines for achieving your goals. Having a timeline creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay accountable. 
• Find a way to hold yourself accountable to these goals, or have others support you by keeping you accountable.  

Mindset matters – a lot.  

In trying to achieve any goal – New Year’s resolutions or otherwise – your mindset is critical.  

Many people suffer from impatience, which is a very human response to anticipation. However, expecting quick results, especially when progress is slower than anticipated, can lead to discouragement and even defeat. If – when – you encounter obstacles or setbacks, view them as learning opportunities and a chance to re-strategize. 

In order to achieve long-term results, patience and adaptability in the face of setbacks is crucial. Likewise, frame your resolutions in a positive light. Instead of saying what you won’t do, focus on what you will do. 

Employ the proper motivators.  

Your motivation must be more than the fear of failure. Resolutions driven by external pressures or societal expectations rather than genuine personal motivation are less likely to succeed. A strong internal desire for change is essential.  

For proper motivation, consider: 

• Track your progress and keep record of your achievements.  
• Celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Treat yourself when you reach milestones, but choose rewards that align with your resolutions. 

Being fair and kind to yourself when assessing your progress and remaining distance to cover is tantamount to keeping yourself track.  

In conclusion… 

New Year’s resolutions have a reputation for failing, but it doesn’t always have to be the case. Aim for success by creating specific, realistic goals and employing the proper mindset and motivators.