Wellness Wednesday Issue #89

The Assist Newsletter
September 10, 2024
A quote on a turquoise background saying, "Healthy habits grow into a healthy mind," with the word "Healthy" highlighted in pink.

Today’s checklist: 

  • Ditching the concept of ‘bouncing back’
  • Thania shares how she dealt with that kind of coworker
  • Recipe of the week: Tomato burrata salad

🤔 Trivia: What was the first video game ever made? Find out.

QUICK LINKS

📱 Productivity: 31 free social media templates that will elevate your workflows.

🏠 WFH: A recent survey says workers feel more productive when working from home.

🧬 Health: Learn the 4 early signs of ovarian cancer.

🍽️ Recipes: Fast and easy dinners with no added sugars.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

An illustration of a cheerful woman pointing at herself with a heart and sparkles around, surrounded by hand-drawn flowers on a blue background.

Bouncing Back Isn’t the Goal—Evolving Is

 

We all know setbacks can knock us off our game. The rejection, the missed opportunity—it messes with your confidence.

But here’s the thing: coming back from a setback isn’t about ‘bouncing back’ to who you were. It’s about evolving into someone sharper, stronger, and yes, more resilient.

Learn smarter, not harder.

You’ve heard it before—“learn from your mistakes.” But science tells us that true growth happens when we actively reflect on why something went wrong. Psychologists call it ‘self-distanced reflection‘—stepping outside yourself to analyze the situation like a third-party observer. This shift helps you move from self-blame to problem-solving mode.

Failure is just feedback.

Our brains actually thrive on feedback—positive or negative. Rejection stings, but it’s your brain’s way of gathering data for your next move. Instead of seeing failure as the final word, treat it as a conversation that’s still unfolding. What can you adjust? How can you pivot?

Reframe your inner monologue.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches us that thoughts are not facts. Start questioning those harsh narratives—“Is this true, or just fear talking?”—and replace them with something more constructive. You’re not lying to yourself, you’re rewiring your brain to support, not sabotage. ⭐️ Try: Confidence building activities.

Redefine what ‘winning’ looks like.

According to growth mindset research by psychologist Carol Dweck, people who see effort as a key part of success are more resilient. It’s not about nailing it every time—it’s about the learning process. Shifting your definition of success from perfection to progress frees you from the win-lose mentality.

Discomfort is where growth lives.

People who regularly step outside their comfort zones build psychological resilience. That knot in your stomach? It’s not a sign to retreat—it’s your brain rewiring itself to adapt and get stronger.

SAFEKEEPING

1Password

Protect Yourself Against Hidden Cyberthreats

 

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With 1Password, you can effortlessly manage passwords and safeguard your team’s data. Enjoy robust admin controls, advanced reporting, and seamless integrations.

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Try 1Password for free for 14 days.

OFFICE DYNAMICS

A cartoon of a frustrated woman shouting at a man covering his ears, set against a pink background.

Dealing With That Kind of Coworker

 

Navigating office dynamics can be challenging, especially when you’re paired with a coworker who just doesn’t mesh with your style—or the company’s standards. Let’s talk about Stacy.

Starting a week before me, Stacy seemed to miss the memo that I’d be her direct supervisor once I got my bearings. My introduction to the job included fixing her early mistake: she had published incorrect branding on social media, and despite the fear of being reprimanded again, I assured her I’d handle any fallout.

The promise of leadership support faded quickly as my director exhibited more passivity than prowess, letting Stacy and me “hash it out” rather than guiding us through our conflicts. Stacy continually overstepped, volunteering for tasks beyond her capability which often left the team scrambling at the last minute to patch up her projects.

Complicating matters, Stacy’s disabilities weren’t accommodated properly—another oversight by management. This affected her ability to perform most of her tasks, yet no one wanted to address the elephant in the room.

Frustrated, I started documenting everything: taking screenshots of Stacy’s dismissive Slack messages, logging errors, and ensuring all communications were on record. When anonymous feedback in my performance review called me “hard to work with,” I weighed that lone comment against my otherwise stellar feedback.

After expressing my concerns to HR about Stacy’s performance and the lack of clear roles, things finally changed. The department was eventually restructured, and I was given the opportunity to report directly to the CEO—a move that finally allowed me to work unhindered by unnecessary drama.

Stacy and my former director were later laid off in a company-wide adjustment, which was a sobering reminder of the importance of fit and function in the workplace.

Reflecting on this tumultuous period, I credit my professional survival to several strategies: maintaining professionalism, documenting interactions, understanding the broader organizational context, and never hesitating to advocate for myself. Most importantly, keeping an open mind about my contributions to the situation helped me adjust my approach and engage effectively with HR and upper management.

Navigating tricky office dynamics requires a blend of empathy, strategic communication, and sometimes, a bit of grit.

Always remember, your career growth should not be hindered by someone else’s chaos. Don’t be afraid to speak up (or eventually step out).

circle image of Thania (TA Content Mgr)

Thania (TA Content Mgr)

P.S. Want to learn how to handle tough convos with confidence? Check out our upcoming free workshop, “Courageous Conversations” with the team at NextArrow on Thursday 9/19.

GUILT-FREE INDULGENCE

A vibrant collage of various snack packages, including Harvest Snaps, oatmeal bars, and nuts, with playful words like "tasty" and "yum" added around them.

Stock Your Office with Delicious, Healthy Goodies Your Team Will Adore 😍

 

Keeping your workforce happy and healthy improves morale, increases productivity and heightens employee satisfaction.

That’s why SimpaloSnacks has made it their mission to supply healthy, yummy snacks to businesses all over the country. And right now—they’d like to help YOU.

Choose from an exciting variety of snacks including well-known favorites and new and unique options you wish you would’ve known about sooner.

With Simpalo you’ll get unmatched customization options, personal branding, great pricing and FAST delivery. You’ll also save time and money by not running to stores grabbing boring unhealthy snacks.

Placing your order is easy and stress-free.

Head over to Simpalo Snacks right now and customize your own box.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

An advertisement for a Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad recipe with an image of the delicious salad on the right side and an invitation to "Get recipe here" on the left.
Have a recipe you love? Share your recipe here.

THE A-LIST ALLIANCE

A community message from Nicole Wight expressing gratitude for a welcoming and friendly group of people. She mentions being new to the group, feeling like they've been friends for a long time, and appreciates the support. Below the message are several positive reaction emojis, such as high fives, heart hands, and hearts.

You’ve Got 3 Days Left

 

Time is running out to secure one of the 100 exclusive spots in our A-List Alliance Slack community!

Join a powerful network of brilliant women who are sharing insights, support, and resources. Applications close this Friday, 9/13 at 11:59 PM PT. Apply here to lock in your spot.

STAFF PICKS

Stuff We’re Loving This Week

 

👋 Enjoy a complete hands-free Kindle experience with this setup for added convenience.

🎾 Stay stylish and comfortable during workouts with this versatile tennis dress.

💡 Brighten your kitchen with under cabinet lighting, making meal prep easier and more efficient.

📚 Boost your health and energy levels with insights from the book Good Energy.

JUST FOR FUN

A woman blowing out a birthday candle while text overlays above her describe women in their thirties balancing career, social life, dating, and more.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

🚨 Job Ops: Visit our job board here.

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