Wellness Wednesday Issue #100

🥦 How to un-boring your broccoli with delicious twists and simple tips.

💬 Level up your workflow with these pro-tips for Slack.

💼 Here’s what happens when employees don’t trust their leadership.

🎁 The best gifts to get the men in your life.

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your guests. Here’s your guide to properly setting the table, understanding etiquette, and adding some DIY flair to your decor.

Setting the Table Properly

A beautifully set table sets the tone for a Thanksgiving meal. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Tablecloth and Runners: Begin with a clean, pressed tablecloth. Add a contrasting table runner for an extra layer of elegance.
2. Plates and Chargers: Place a charger at each setting. Top it with a dinner plate, followed by a salad plate, if you’ll be having a starter.
3. Silverware: Arrange the silverware on the table according to the order of use: forks on the left, knives (blade facing inward), and spoons on the right. Dessert utensils should be placed above the plate or brought out with dessert.
4. Glasses: Water glasses go above the knives. Wine or other beverage glasses should be placed to the right of the water glasses.
5. Napkins: Folded napkins can be placed under the forks or on the plate for a more formal setting, or use napkin rings for a decorative touch. Try a fancy napkin design.

Did ya know? Thanksgiving Etiquette Tips

To keep the holiday enjoyable and stress-free for everyone, consider these etiquette tips:

1. Arrival Time: If you’re a guest, aim to arrive at the time the host has specified. Not too early, and definitely not late.
2. Offering Help: Guests should offer to help the host with preparations or cleanup. Hosts should be gracious, whether they accept the help or not.
3. Toasting: It’s a lovely tradition to start the meal with a toast. The host often leads this, thanking everyone for being there before the meal begins.
4. Passing Dishes: Always pass dishes to the right (counterclockwise). If someone asks for a dish that’s not next to you, pass it along instead of reaching across the table.
5. Thank You Notes: It’s a forgotten art, but guests should consider sending a thank-you note or message after the event to show appreciation for the host’s efforts.

Thanksgiving DIY and Decor Inspiration

Add a personal touch to your Thanksgiving with these DIY decor ideas:

1. Centerpieces: Create a centerpiece using natural elements like pine cones, autumn leaves, and branches. Add candles and a color theme for warmth and light.
2. Place Cards: Make your own place cards for a personalized touch. Use autumn-themed decorations like small pumpkins with names written on them, or simple cards adorned with fall foliage. Need more inspo? Try 30 of these ideas.
3. Outdoor Decor: Welcome your guests with a festive entrance. Decorate your front door with a wreath made of autumn leaves and berries, or get creative with balloons.
4. Table Favors: Small table favors for each guest can double as decor and a takeaway gift. Consider mini jars of homemade jam or small potted succulents wrapped in burlap.

Recruiting the right talent is one of the biggest challenges for any company. Between posting jobs, sorting resumes, and scheduling interviews, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—especially when it comes to managing feedback across hiring managers. Building a strong team should start with an efficient, collaborative, and data-driven recruitment process.

When I asked my best friend (who’s been in recruiting for years) about Greenhouse, she wouldn’t shut up about how awesome it was—the text pictured above was part 1 of many gray bubble responses.

She told me Greenhouse makes hiring way more collaborative—giving managers access to the platform so everyone’s on the same page for scheduling and feedback. Plus, the customizable scorecards for interviews make gathering actionable feedback super easy.

And if you’re into optimizing (who isn’t?), the data you get from the platform is a game-changer. You can see the types of applicants coming in and tweak your search strategy in real-time.

TL;DR: If you’re looking to cut down your hiring time, improve collaboration with managers, and get deeper insights into your talent pool, Greenhouse is a must-have.

Joanna (TA Co-Founder)

As the holiday season approaches, it’s crucial to remember that paid time off (PTO) is more than just a perk of your job—it’s a vital part of maintaining your work-life balance. Here’s how to set and maintain boundaries effectively so you can truly enjoy your holidays without work interruptions.

1. Preparation is Key

To ease into your PTO without stress, start preparing well in advance. While you can’t anticipate every need, addressing major tasks and responsibilities ahead of time can minimize work disruptions and set your mind at ease. Here’s how to prep:

• OOO Coverage Plan: Create a digital hub where colleagues can find essential documents, project updates, and answers to frequently asked questions. Include the dates you will be away and clear instructions for handling tasks during your absence.
• Post-PTO Plan: Set yourself up for success when you return with these steps:
  • Schedule a “catch-up” block: Block off the first half of your day back to review emails, messages, and project updates without interruptions.
  • Create a priority list: Before your PTO, jot down the top 3-5 tasks that need immediate attention upon your return. This will help you hit the ground running.
  • Send a quick “I’m back” update: Draft a brief email or message to your team letting them know you’re back, your availability, and your focus areas for the week.
  • Avoid over-scheduling: Limit meetings on your first day back to give yourself breathing room to settle in and tackle priorities.

2. Clear Communication

Well before your holiday break, communicate your PTO schedule clearly and assertively to your colleagues and clients. Make it known that you will be offline and unavailable to respond to work messages. Here’s a way to frame it:

• Boundary Setting Example: “I will be offline starting [date] and will return on [date]. Please make sure to forward any urgent matters to me by [deadline], so I can address them beforehand. For updates on my projects, refer to the OOO Coverage Plan [link].”

3. Stick to Your Boundaries

The effectiveness of your boundaries depends on your adherence to them. If you commit to being offline, avoid the temptation to check in or respond to work messages. This helps set a precedent that your off-time is to be respected:

• Enforce Your Boundaries: Don’t answer communications outside of what you said. If you find it difficult to ignore work notifications, consider setting up automatic email replies and disabling notifications for work-related apps during your PTO. Remember if you set up your prep & OOO Coverage Plan, then it makes it easy and non-essential for you to be available!
• Lead By Example: Especially if you’re a manager, it’s important to set the example for your team. If you exemplify healthy boundaries, you’ll create a culture of people who do the same and an expectation to respect those established boundaries.

4. Prioritize your personal life

On your death bed, you’re never going to remember that “important” Slack message. So here’s your reminder to stay in the moment and prioritize your family and friends during your PTO.

• Shift Your Mindset: Remind yourself that taking time off is essential for your mental health and productivity. Work can wait—your well-being cannot.
• Disconnect Intentionally: Leave your work devices at home during family outings or turn them off completely for the day. Being present strengthens relationships and makes the time off more rewarding.
• Focus on What Matters Most: Reflect on what fulfills you outside of work. Investing time in your passions and relationships reinforces the idea that work is just one part of a balanced life.

Additional Tips for a Work-Free Holiday

• Delegate: Ensure that there’s a designated point person who can handle urgent issues in your absence. This reduces the likelihood of emergency calls to you.
• Prioritize Self-care: Remember, the purpose of PTO is to rejuvenate. Engage in activities that refresh and revitalize you, whether it’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or simply relaxing.
• Reflect and Plan: Use some of your downtime to reflect on your professional journey and plan future goals. Sometimes, stepping away from day-to-day tasks provides valuable insights and new ideas.

By preparing diligently, communicating clearly, and sticking to your boundaries, you can enjoy your holidays to the fullest. Remember, PTO is not just a corporate benefit—it’s an important aspect of your mental and physical well-being.

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Have a recipe you love? Share it here.

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