Wellness Wednesday Issue #101

🎁 Gift ideas for tweens that won’t end up in the donation pile.

🎨 Unlock Canva’s Dreamlab—AI magic for your next creative project.

💰 How to set boundaries when asked to lend money (and skip the guilt).

🎄 Inclusive holiday celebrations your whole team will appreciate.

In today’s job market, a personal brand isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have. But building one doesn’t have to feel like climbing Mount Everest. Here are five practical ways to stand out in your field without overloading your schedule.

1. Nail Your Visual Vibe

Your brand’s look matters more than you think. Start by picking a simple color palette (2–4 colors) that feels you—bold, sleek, playful, or professional. Then, use tools like Canva to design three go-to LinkedIn post templates in those colors. Need inspiration? Check out their template library for ideas. These templates create consistency across your posts, making them instantly recognizable as yours.

2. Schedule a Weekly Content Hour

Consistency is key, so block off one hour each week to focus on LinkedIn content. Write 3 posts that highlight your expertise, share lessons learned, or celebrate professional wins. Don’t overthink it:

• A quick story about a workplace challenge you overcame.
• A resource that helped you do your job better.
• A shout-out to your team for a recent accomplishment. Use LinkedIn’s scheduling feature to post them throughout the week, keeping your profile active and engaging.

3. Speak Up, Literally

Public speaking doesn’t have to mean keynote stages. Look for opportunities to share your expertise with professional groups, community events, or online webinars. Start small, like offering to present at your company’s team meeting, and build from there. Even one speaking engagement can position you as a go-to expert in your field.

4. Build a One-Stop Digital Shop

Your personal website is your always-on portfolio. Include:

• A short bio
• Certifications or awards
• Standout projects and case studies
• Links to your social profilesThink of it as the ultimate “About Me” that does the networking for you.

5. Expand Your Digital Footprint

Once you’re in a rhythm with LinkedIn, it’s time to branch out. Start a blog on your website to explore your favorite topics in-depth. Not a writer? Consider gathering emails to launch a simple newsletter. Share updates, industry insights, and resources directly with your network to keep them engaged.

Building a personal brand doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel—it’s about creating intentional habits and showcasing what makes you unique. Start small, stay consistent, and let your efforts speak for themselves. Before you know it, you’ll be the name that comes to mind when opportunities arise.

Holiday gifting and last-minute panic? A classic combo—but it doesn’t have to be.

If you’re wondering how to pull off thoughtful gifts in record time, our Holiday Gift Guide is here to save the day.

Packed with stylish, practical, and wow-worthy picks (plus expedited shipping), it’s your shortcut to stress-free shopping. Whether it’s colleagues, clients, or your notoriously picky cousin, this guide has something for everyone—and you won’t even have to leave the couch.

Skip the mall madness and awkward IOUs. With just a few clicks, you can browse, buy, and schedule gifts that will arrive on time, guaranteed.

Procrastinators rejoice: the holidays are saved.

Check out our Holiday Gift Guide here.

Early in my career, I thought being a good team player meant saying, “I’ll fix it” to every problem. Missed deadlines? “I’ve got it.” A botched handoff? “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” I absorbed the chaos, smoothed things over, and thought I’d earn respect by taking the fall.

Spoiler: I didn’t. That kind of “teamwork” doesn’t get you promotions—it gets you burnout. If you’re always stepping up, people stop stepping in. And when things go south, guess who’s left holding the bag?

It took one-too-many late nights and “What happened here?” emails to wake me up. I realized that being a team player doesn’t mean sacrificing yourself—it means contributing effectively and holding others accountable. It’s not about pointing fingers; it’s about protecting yourself from being a scapegoat.

I started documenting everything—emails, notes, meeting takeaways. When accountability was unclear, I responded firmly: “As noted in my email on [date], this was dependent on [X]. Let me know how I can support moving it forward.” I wasn’t rude, but I wasn’t apologizing for someone else’s mistakes, either.

The result? I stopped cleaning up everyone’s messes and started owning my work—without carrying someone else’s losses. Advocating for myself wasn’t selfish—it was survival. You can set boundaries without burning bridges and speak the truth without throwing shade.

Now, when someone tries to pin their disorganization on me, I straighten my spine, smile, and say what needs to be said. Advocating for yourself isn’t just survival—it’s leadership in action. And leadership starts with clarity.

Kristel (TA Writer)

Tidy tools, tidy mind. If your team’s struggling with attention to detail or keeping up with new processes, the right tech can make all the difference.

Tools to Help You Stay on Track

Ready to turn chaos into clarity? These platforms aren’t just about checking boxes—they help your team focus, prioritize, and actually get things done:

• Notion: Your all-in-one workspace for tracking projects, sharing notes, and keeping everyone on the same page. Build dashboards that work for your team’s specific needs.
• monday.com: Organize deadlines and assignments with visual boards that make everything clear—no more guessing who’s doing what.
• Smartsheet: Automate repetitive tasks and manage workflows so your team can focus on what actually matters.
• Wrike: Manage big projects with tools like Gantt charts and workload tracking, designed to keep everyone in sync.
• Toggl: See where your team’s time is really going. Toggl’s time-tracking tools help you spot inefficiencies and refocus energy.
• Quickbase: Build workflows that fit your team like a glove—no coding required.

Whether you’re wrangling deadlines or rolling out new processes, these tools make it easier to stay organized and keep your team moving forward.

👚 Relax in style with this cozy leopard PJ set, perfect for lounging or a peaceful night’s sleep.

🛁 These shower steamers are the perfect way to unwind, and make great stocking stuffers for the holiday season.

📶 Stay connected anywhere with this wifi extender, ensuring you have a strong signal in every corner of your home.

💬 The heartbeat of our remote team—Slack keeps us connected, organized, and on the same page. See it in action.

🚨 Open Jobs: Visit our job board here.

✨ P.S. Want more inspiration and positivity to kick off your week? Sign up for our Motivational Monday texts (U.S. only).

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